Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Dear Mr. President,

Yesterday’s letter was based on an article in the New York Times that painted a gloomy picture of events in Egypt: that momentum had shifted to Mubarak, that the protests had little chance of success, and that the U.S., unwilling to put pressure on Mubarak or Suleiman, was playing into their strategy of long term attrition. After writing that letter I went to the Al Jazeera web site and discovered that in fact, on Tuesday the numbers of protesters had actually increased and momentum is with the pro-democracy side. This morning, unions are out on strike around the country and still more people are joining the protests. However, I believe I was right on one point: that because of your failure to take a strong stand with the protesters, you’re blowing a chance to play a significant and historic role in this struggle for democracy in the Middle East. An article in this morning’s paper reports that you’re being pressured by Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE not to abandon Mubarak. Well, of course you are; they’re all ruled by despots (and Netanyahu is as despotic as the rest) who fear the fever for democracy will threaten their own regimes. They all raised the specter of the Muslim Brotherhood hijacking the pro-democracy movement and the chaos that might come with the departure of Mubarak. And sadly, you listened to them. You went from calling for “immediate change” to “orderly transition.” It’s clear that Mubarak and Suleiman will change nothing. Their empty promises, vague generalities, and committees of Mubarak loyalists appointed by him will never lead the country to democracy. And it’s also clear Mubarak and Seleiman are digging in their heels, refusing to give an inch on any meaningful reforms, making veiled threats that the only alternative to talks (on their terms) is a “coup”and that continued civil disobedience would be “dangerous.” It’s not too late to do the right thing, Mr. President. It’s never too late. Go back to calling for Mubarak to step down immediately. Cut off his support, his flow of money and arms. Come down on the side of democracy. If you don’t, you – and the United States – will be guilty once again of abandoning an entire generation with hopes and aspirations for a better life, for freedom and justice and democracy. And you will gain the enmity and scorn of more millions – America the hypocrite! Supporter of Tyrants! Hope, Change, Transformation. I urge you, Mr. President, make those slogans mean something.