Reset: Egypt

 

 

"Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know"

 

What in the world just happened? This was not suppose to be this way. We supported the "Arab Spring". It was going to be the end of all bad things in the Middle East and peace and tranquility were to break out throughout the region. Egypt was the first - in fact, we could not wait until Mubarak was gone. Mubarak - what a jerk. He was guilty of...of...being one of our best allies in the Middle East. He was an important cog in keeping the peace with Israel. Not a perfect man, but up until our current Administration, we trusted him.

So now the dictator Mubarak is gone (with our blessings) and he has been replaced with a theocracy - the Muslim Brotherhood. So what, you might ask - it is just a political party. Wrong! It is more of a movement than a party. The Egyptian people wanted change. Had they tired of Mubarak? Probably. Could Mubarak have saved his government if he had been more flexible? Possibly. In any event, under the watchful eye of the Egyptian military, democratic elections were held and the Muslim Brotherhood won. Enter Mohamed Morsi as the new president.

I have thought for quite a while that the people of Egypt were the most progressive in the Middle East. They want to live a modern life in a postmodern world with the promise of hope and opportunity. They really felt that type of lifestyle was not possible under Mubarak. What they are now finding out is this - the progressive, modernistic lifestyle many of the younger Egyptians desire is antithetical to what a theocracy practices. Result? Buyers remorse on a massive scale from the last election (sound familiar?)

So here we are, déjà vu all over again. The people have once more taken to the streets. Only this time, the numbers are even larger. There are millions of people protesting instead of working. Countries don't work well that way. The military, many of the generals who have been trained by us, have shouted "Enough!" They have given the new government 48 hours to meet with the people and iron out the differences. And if they don't? What we found out from the last regime change, the military in Egypt is somewhat autonomous and very much "large and in charge."

Our President, who was the most vivacious cheerleader on the sideline for the overthrow of Mubarak, is now "voting present" on the Morsi issue. Why? You tell me - it makes no sense. The "Arab Spring" has turned into a type of "Nuclear Winter" for countries like Syria, Libya and Egypt. These people are crying out for freedom, for democracy. Our leadership, that at one time provided the compass to the world, has now lost its way.

Our one time young Senator from Illinois, who would routinely skewer the sitting President for mucking up the Middle East, has found out a basic truth when he became President. Often times, Hawaii is not like the brochure. Or in other words, be careful of what you wish for Sir, you might not like the result.