Watching Egyptian President Mubarak last night address his nation and the world brought the quote I used the other day in this blog from Wendell Phillips more clearly into focus. He was defiant as a pharoah who believed his authority was the word of God and gave no hint of leaving office until every last card he had was played. His taste for power was still strong. It’s as though he has no sense of the reality of the situation and, as several analysts have pointed out, he has lived for 30 years in a world surrounded by sycophants who never point out shortcomings. The idea that his absolute power is being challenged is a concept that hasn’t yet cracked his nut.
It’s been interesting watching this evolve over the last two weeks, to see how it has grown in scope to include a representative swath of the Egyptian people. It is no longer a protest of students or the political opposition. It is shopkeepers and cab drivers. Lawyers and clerks. Young and old. The poor and not so poor. It is Egypt.
I have been impressed by the bravery to come forward and maintain this protest against such an imbedded regime. Also impressive is the love of their country that is expressed in their restraint as a mob. They are steadfast yet don’t seem willing to destroy the country they are not fighting to take back. There’s something noble in that. I’m hoping Mubarak has that same type of respect for his land and his citizens and doesn’t try to destroy Egypt in his fight to stay in control.
I heard an interesting analogy from Congressman Gary Ackerman of NY yesterday. He said Mubarak is like a neighbor you’ve lived next to for 30 years. He keeps an eye on your house when you’re not around. He’s always there to lend a hand. He lets you park in front of his house and shovels your walk when the snow has fallen. He’s a great neighbor.
But he beats his kids.
And, no matter how great a neighbor, your allegiance has got to come down on the side of the kids.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Revolutions, as a rule, don’t go backwards and the genie is out of the bottle now. Let’s hope the will of the people is honored and a peaceful and quick transition is soon underway.
UPDATE: 8:00 AM. Well, perhaps I hoped for a peaceful transition too soon. The TV is now showing clashes between the crowd and pro-Mubarak forces, many on horseback. It looks pretty ugly. Obviously Mubarak loves his power more than the people of Egypt.
Redtree Times 