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Mr. President, seize this moment
An anti-Mubarack protestor watches the rally below from atop a bill board in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt on February 1, 2011. Protestors hoped to draw more than a million people to pressure President Hosni Mubarack to step down. ( Photo by Linda Davidson/ The Washington Post)
Aren't these the scenes George Bush dreamed of? Democratic chants in Cairo's Liberation Square. Youthful organizers strategizing with respected international diplomats. Protesters and police officers shaking hands on the streets of cities they both want free.
Bush tried to get here by pushing a large boulder up a huge mountain. All he did was cause a landslide.
Barack Obama, as befits his uncanny luck, got this opportunity handed to him. It's a once-in a generation chance to advance democracy in a region that has stubbornly resisted it for decades.
And, remarkably, there's not much push necessary. No billion-plus dollar war necessary. No searching high-and-low for a partner to work with. All Obama has to do is pull the plug by cutting off the huge economic and military support that America provides the Mubarak regime.
Bush tried to force a moment. All Obama has to do is seize one.
The Arab street has seized its moment in spades.
This is a remarkably peaceful, sophisticated, disciplined revolution. Old women in canes participated, helped along by young men. The "Islam is the solution" chants of the Muslim Brotherhood were shouted down by the chant, "Muslim, Christian, we're all Egyptian."
Doctors set-up makeshift clinics to take care of people suffering wounds from rubber bullets and tear gas. While approaching police officers in armored vehicles, the protesters chanted, "Selmeyh! Selmeyh!" or "Peacefully! Peacefully!" People formed human chains around the Egypt Museum to protect their national and civilizational treasures. It's a beautiful symbol of a people's sense of their own historic dignity, a dignity that now seeks expression in democracy.
The organizers called their strategy "hug a soldier". Don't provoke confrontation. Don't strike back when hit with a police truncheon. Invite the police to join you. They seek freedom too. In Alexandria, it appeared to work. For an American schooled in civil rights lore, it reminds me of the spirit of Montgomery and Selma.
The Arab street has put forward a leader dedicated to democracy: diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohammed ElBaradei. Braving police truncheons and tear gas like other Egyptians, calmly but clearly calling for Mubarak to resign, ElBaradei is a dream leader for Western nations to deal with. Mubarak no longer gets to say, "Your choice is me or a bearded mullah who will repress women, religious minorities and everyone who doesn't pray five times a day exactly as he does - plus rip up the peace treaty with Israel."
It looks like Egypt is ready. Is Obama?
He knows well the history of American misadventures in the Middle East, from the overthrow of the democratically elected Mosaddegh to the chaos that followed the overthrow of Saddam. My guess is Obama is loathe to become simply the most recent chapter in that sad story.
Obama has a strong sense of what it means to be on the right side of history. He knows who was on the right side of history in America's democracy movement against the tyranny of Jim Crow. I have to believe that he doesn't want to be on the wrong side of history regarding ending tyranny in Cairo.
One gets the sense that Obama believes his own words, takes the promises he makes to the world seriously. He has said over and over that America is on the side of those who dream, those who seek to shape their own destiny, those with peaceful wishes of democracy. He has paid particular attention to the Muslim world, giving his first interview as president to an Arab satellite channel, hosting Muslim entrepreneurs in Washington, visiting Cairo and declaring "a new beginning" for Muslims, Arabs and America alike.
Mr. President, the people on the Arab streets have heard your call and responded. Egyptians on the streets of Alexandria, Suez and Cairo are willing to risk their lives because they trust you will do the right thing. This is why you become president: for the moments when hope and history rhyme.
There was a common man holding a handmade sign that read: "America, support the people, not the tyrant."
And then there was the advice from ElBaradei himself: "It's better for President Obama not to appear that he is the last one to say to President Mubarak, it's time for you to go."
By
Eboo Patel
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January 31, 2011; 12:20 PM ET
| Category:
Interfaith Issues
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Religion & Leadership
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Religion & Politics
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Religious Conflict
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Next: The Egyptian revolution: An interfaith movement
Posted by: wiki-truth | February 2, 2011 10:41 AM
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SECRET: [Still classified]
PLEAZZZa, Remind These Ex-OSIRISites, forced/turned into Ishlami Aegyptinite, YOUTH's That During The SINAI-CAMPAIGN (WAR), israel came within 5 Minutes, yea 5-minutes, from Blowing-Up all the Pyramid & Areas.! Which-is-Why Mr. SADAT {pbuh et al} and Pharaoh MUBARAK understood. But Ye Yo [Peacefull?] Islami Brotherhopod//SisterHood Youth Don Understand. So Pleazza get that Home (In Their Heads) to them Pleazza, If Ye Want To Save The Pyramids in The imminent Future! Aye? Soo, THANK (Modern) ISRAEL! And Friends, Not To Do It! Aye?
SDECRET: [Classified]
The Aegyptian Youth shall also understand and appreciate the Fact That the "AL AQSA DOME" Mosques Is also Been Spared. THANK THE SABRA'S (ISRAELites)!
SECRET: [Classified]
The Entire ISLAMIC UMMAH shall THANK ISRAEL For Preventing The "KABBA" from Being Blown Up same way as the WTC et a; during 911! So The Elders of Al TAQIYAH (NOt Elders Of Al ZIONAH) ISLAM, must say "THANK YOU ISRAEL" {For Stopping Israeli Citizens From such an attempt}. Aye?
Posted by: wiki-truth | February 2, 2011 10:11 AM
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AEGYPT, EGYPT is DEAD; WITHOUT THE PYRAMIDS. Past, Current & Future!! Note: Kafirs Can Live Without The SUEZ CANAL. "WE'll Make It Anywhere" Anyway Not Only 'In good ole New York'! {pbu Frank Sinatra et al}.
.
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.. |HUFF IN G T O N.| ..... |"EbooPatel'|
.. |P O S T Sukks!!!!| ......| Is An OSS-|
.. |______________| ..... | KISHr Ya.!.|
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DEAR Eboo Eboo Eboo [the Oss Kisher] the Patel.
Besides Stealing many of US Bloggers ideas (whom, Technically Should Get Paid, not only You & Co,), and then Rehashing them (Ideas) or passing them as if Ye Yo Own lalala, then So Pleazzza http://_____EBOO-PATEL:__GO_BACK_TO_HUFFINGTON_POST!} Your a Double Agent! Remember: The Bloggers (Customers) Are Always Right or They are not All Stupid (maybe Some; hmmm, like 'i'). Soo,
Go kiss Adrianna'a (Also a Thief of other peoples idea) Huff Huff in da Puffs, aye!
PS: i [WE] caught Ye Yo Oss-Kissing Jordans Queen RANIA (and Tony Blair) and passing our work as if your/hers and other States Persons. Soo,
Now Ye Yo is trying to Sound or Be Original in order to self-Enrich & Self aggrandize by rubbing shoulders with the up and Coming New Aegyptian Heads of States et al! Trying to get your sneaky foot in the new Aegyptian Islami-Pharaoh Door/Palaces, Aye bubb?
BAD NEWS [Reality Check]. "SINGULARITY" of All 5+ Major Religion SYSTEM(s) On [Nebula-Built] Holyi (NOt Mecca, Jeru, Vatican, Lahsa..) Space-Ship Earth IS THE (Righteous; Not Selfish) WAY, And Your "PLURALITY" is as SuperStupid+Stitious belief or promotings as suckers like ye Yo & Followers Come. Poor YOUTH!
Recommendation: Ye Should Get Kicked-Off Brother Obamas Illegal Faith-Based (un)Initiative. Talking about Trolls. OYE...!
___
note: As long as ANY (NO exceptions) Ishlami//Esaui Government on [THIS] S.S. Earth incorporates the Kafir word "G-D" for "Allah" {Besides theft-Of-the-Abrahamic-Religion, Which is actually an Ancient Hebrew/Israelite Colloquial-Word/Slang; Stolen By Mr. Muhammad & Family & Friends} and Or incorporates the Word "ISHLAM" or "ISsLAM" or "Islam" etc.. There Will Never Be "APOCALYPTARIAN-THINKERS!
ISLAM Must Be Dismantled!! The "OIC" Must Be Dismantled!! NO (not a 'yes') No Exceptions. Till DEATH DO US APART!
Hint: IT was Both mixes of SHIA + SUNNI Ishlami Hijackers that Blew-Up MY (not Yours or their) 1-WORLD TRADE CENTER {Where i[WE] Lost Our INCOME+} & 2-WORLD-TRADE-CENTER et al! So tell Ye Ishlami Ummah YOUTH that the KAFIR-UMMAH is NOt stupid anymore (Till Death Do Them Apart). SH-M-UU-K!
OYE...!
Posted by: wiki-truth | February 2, 2011 9:37 AM
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'Yes, and if these demonstrations lead to a pan-Muslim democratic revolution, he'll be revere by history as the man who didn't think a little thing like religion fundamentally altered the human character'
For a man who believed he was destined to lead in the USA by divine fiat, this would be quite an irony. If we're going to engage in fantasy, perhaps a more accurate hope would be for 'a pan-Egyptian democratic revolution' given that there are other folks of other religious persuasions here and about in Egypt i.e. Coptic Christians, Jews, et al. And further, are Muslims actually given to democratic revolutions?
Speaking of legacies, it remains to be seen whether the deaths of countless thousands in Iraq really has a payoff in the end - for anybody.
All in all, the Iraq war and the endless death (of non-Americans and Americans alike) may not be the quite the hoped for accomplishment that eventually secures a reverential place in history - for those that brought it about.....
Preemptive war founded on lies is never a good thing, looking backwards in time.
Posted by: persiflage | February 1, 2011 11:36 AM
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Barack Obama, this is your chance to look exactly like Jimmy Carter.
Posted by: edbyronadams | February 1, 2011 10:19 AM
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RUBBISH.
Posted by: usapdx | February 1, 2011 6:16 AM
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"Aren't these the scenes George Bush dreamed of? "
Yes, and if these demonstrations lead to a pan-Muslim democratic revolution, he'll be revere by history as the man who didn't think a little thing like religion fundamentally altered the human character:
GWB:"Are the peoples of the Middle East somehow beyond the reach of liberty? Are millions of men and women and children condemned by history or culture to live in despotism? Are they alone never to know freedom and never even to have a choice in the matter?"
Egypt protests show George W. Bush was right about freedom in the Arab world
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/28/AR2011012803144.html
Posted by: WmarkW | January 31, 2011 7:13 PM
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Eboo, President Obama is an intelligent man.
The moment has seized him. What he does with it now determine how he is seen generations from now.
This regime will come to an end, must come to an end. Whatever king Abdullah does or says, whatever Gaddafi says, it is over. BP, Exxon-Mobile, Conoco, notwithstanding, this hateful regime will come to an end.
Posted by: Farnaz2Mansouri2 | January 31, 2011 7:03 PM
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Last SECRET [Classified]: Another reason Why Israel Listened to their Friends NOt to Do it, during the Sinai-Campaign to Destroy The Pyramids, Museums etc.., Was that if It Happened Then in the Egyptianite Rage, Would Of Mass Murdered All The Christians (COPTIC People). Remember; As Long as there are "COPTIC(s)" Living In EGYPT, Then the Pyramids Live & Islamic-Egyptians too So, The JUDEO-Islami's better Defend & Protect The COPTICs, so Don't Chase the JUDEO-Christians Out Of Egypt, like the Judeo-Jews, it will be the sign of imminent destruction. COPTICS are Aegypt's Insurance, Trump Card or Economic-Safety Net!
Eboo; IT is US, 'i' [J....Z, aka 'JJ' & CO.,} the Eklaht-iON(s) whom will get the NOBLE-PEACE-PRIZE+! In less than 12 Years!
WE [i] Are Saving The World & are Preventing Mass Mutual Destruction. FOR FREE!!!
Therefore: Egyptian YOUTH Should listen to US [EKLAHT-i-ON's, not OFF's]!
__ VOTE:
"APOCALYPTIC [Thinking] GOVERNMENT" and GRIDARIAN-DEMOCRACY";
"Something To Live For, Not To Die For"