Comments on: Obama, don’t fear change in Egypt

By: NormanRogers

NormanRogers — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:05:26 +0000

Change has gotten away from the West. This is much bigger than a US problem–it’s becoming a global issue because instability in this region has begun to spread. What does the West–and, for that matter, the developed world–have as an instrument of lowering the cost of living in the Arab world?

Who is willing to sacrifice?

No one is willing to sacrifice. And so, food and fuel prices will continue to rise. Revolution follows.

By: thefreedomlass

thefreedomlass — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 21:22:22 +0000

In solidarity with the author here. How the US handles this situation is important historically but more importantly, it is simply the RIGHT THING TO DO or are we simply incapabable of thinking this way because we have lost our moral compass? Then perhaps someone should reinstall one in D.C. Perhaps, the USA will need to gain more solid ground in the revival of its own freedom struggle before we see the US government take a strong stance against the myriad forms of oppression that their government is currently backing in the world;structures which are often politically and/or militarily imposed and perpetuated by them. How long will it be before the American people support the same basic human rights to overthrow such tyranny and oppression in their own land?Or will the American people allow the typical scare-mongering of demagogues such as Gingrich and Limbagh to hi-jack this historical opportunity to make a difference.The chance may not come again in the Middle East in this century or ever again. Is it not time to “prove” that America still stands for freedom and justice for all human beings everywhere? How can it call itself a great nation if it would deny the very same principles that once made it great to others? Are not all peoples endowed with inalienable rights under the constitution? Or is congress in the process of changing that too? Perhaps,it is still far easier to continue to talk of patriot acts and perimeter fences and satanical terrorists or to buy into that myopic myth of American exceptionalism — My country right or wrong BECAUSE it serves the bottom line.One thing it does not do is make us all more safe or secure–neither did McCartheism back in the fifties. Only sincere,time-tested bonds of mutual trust and co-operation can do that.Then we might all just manage to get back to a kinder,gentler world for awhile–perhaps for a long time. The US could be one of those nations leading the way if the American people demand that their government act now to show its solidarity with the demonstrators in Cairo.Now,wouldn’t that be “audacious” for a change?

By: SQUEEZY

SQUEEZY — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:09:39 +0000

History is a great teacher, sudden revolution seldom turns out the way dreamt of before the change. Iranian revolution traded one dictatorship for another. Democracy has to do with the growth and maturity of a people. I think Egypt is ripe for that change but it must be planned and done systematically to ensure that the institutions are changed. A vacuum creates uncertainty, the greater the ncertainty the greater the struggle by different factions to control the shape of the new Egypt. The protestors are correct without their pressure change was not coming and status quo was more entrenched. But demanding immediate change is not in their best interests. The parties need to sit down and have an interim guiding committee made up of the various factions. Let the current parliament pass the legislation, the threat of demonstration will keep them on target. The interim period to allow various parties to campaign and put their case to people. Allow people to consider their new choices. Then vote the change.

By: mned

mned — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:51:28 +0000

as mubarak said,the world does not understand egyptian culture.democracy and free election ,as known in world are not valid for arabs, for muslim countries ,for egyptian people.remember that gaza elected hamas by democracy ,iran elected najad by democracy.the fore-last elections in egyptian parliament were overwhelmed by muslim botherhood,
this is the best indicator .that is islam .islam,dictatorship can prevail by democracy ,but not democracy by islam

By: exelhorn

exelhorn — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:18:58 +0000

Recent human history is experimental proof of the success of democracy against various dictatorships. Should another variable of dictatorship,say religious, result from democracy, it would, due to past experience, education, also be recognised as unfit for progress and eliminated.

By: Brian57

Brian57 — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 05:17:59 +0000

Brian57 wrote:
Obama says change in Egypt “must begin now”

Change has to start right here in America. Obama is missing the bigger picture and that is the problem with our government. Stop helping other countries and help the citizens in America. We need to get rid of the 2 political parties and be the “American” party. If our government keeps putting themselves and other countries before the American people, there will be an uprise right here in America. Americans are not going to wait much longer for our incompetent and selfish politicians to keep jerking us around and using us.

By: Marla

Marla — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 03:31:21 +0000

Let the citizens of Egypt chart their future, we should stay the heck out of it other than to verbally encourage democracy. It would be nice to have it here too!

By: jetsetgal

jetsetgal — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 23:14:48 +0000

In theory it all sounds well and good: Democracy for the Egyptians! It has a chance, but so does an influx of radical Islamic trouble makers who could turn the well-intentioned fledgling democracy upside down. They know that destabilzing Egypt would destabilize the Middle East. Next would be Jordan. And then our ally, the democratic, freedom-loving Israelis would be all alone in a sea of insanity. Let’s proceed with caution and be careful what we wish for!

By: palmer1619

palmer1619 — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:32:44 +0000

I think the reason Obama doesn’t tell Mubarak to go is because of the American monied interests there and the fact that if he does, it will all come out how the Egyptians did the Bush administration’s dirty work with regard to supposed terrorists arrested during that administration. Everything is about secrets and money, above all, money.

By: Njonsey

Njonsey — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:01:26 +0000

I have been convinced that, regardless of the dangers, the US and Obama should use the protests to publicly reiterate their support of non-violent protests for democracy. As the author points suggests, a generation from now, whatever happens, it is likely Egyptians will remember the US’s stance.

I hope Easterbrook’s article is available on the Arabic version of Reuters.