Monday, January 31, 2011

Dear Mr. President,

What are you waiting for? Why aren’t you embracing the revolution in Egypt and calling for Mubarek to step down? This revolution is bringing real Hope for Change and Transformation, maybe even true democracy and the best you can do is ask for an “orderly transition”? Egyptians have suffered for 30 years under a brutal anti-democratic dictator who remains in power only because we fund his regime. This is revolution by the people for the people and you should be cheering them on, not waiting to see which way the wind blows, whether Mubarek and his feared security forces will crush it or whether it will crush them. Once again, Mr. President, you preach one thing and practice another. Are you going to be the last one to embrace Change, Hope, Transformation in Egypt? I know those words don’t mean much to you, just a handy political slogan to con the American public, but the Egyptians have paid for Hope, Change and Transformation with their blood. You urge non-violence but I don’t hear you denouncing Mubarek’s security police for their violence and murder of hundreds of protesters. Where’s the justice in that, Mr. President? You should welcome the end of this corrupt and brutal regime that has done us no favors over the years. Indeed, their reign of terror has been the seedbed of unrest and hatred that creates terrorists and al Qaedas. It’s just a short jump from hatred of the regime to hatred of their patron, the U.S. of A., the answer to one of those questions you should be asking: why “they” hate us so much. Not because “they” hate freedom, but because they’re denied freedom and they see us as the reason they’re denied. And they’re right. For 31 years we’ve funded Mubarek’s oppressive regime – this year $1.5 billion, most of it in military “aid” – which has suppressed dissent, brutalized its citizens and lined the pockets of Mubarek and his cronies. The only downside to ending this regime that I can see is that we no longer have the professional torturers of Egypt as a handy rendition site. (Yes, I am being sarcastic here.) I hate to admit that my country supports dictators, suppresses democracy and the struggle for justice and freedom in the quest for stability and commercial interests, although we have a long history of doing so, but to watch you stand by and do nothing is sickening. That, Mr. President, is a moral failure and a national disgrace. Orderly transition? Is that the best you can do? Boy, are you a disappointment.