The Egyptian demonstrators are smart -- winning hearts and minds

[justiceischeap]

Today, it seems for the most part, the demonstrators are being peaceful. They are giving flowers to the Army. The psychological effect on the military must be profound. How do you fire on people who seem to adore you and show you great respect?

[Warren Stupidity]

1. while I support the egyptian people

and hope they are successful in their quest to rid themselves of mubarak, it is quite likely that what follows will be poisoned by the fundamentalist infection.

[justiceischeap]

4. Unlike the politics of the US?

The only difference between fundamentalist Muslim rule and Christian fundamentalist rule, is that Christian fundies haven't become violent yet... oh, wait, I guess they have when you consider the violence towards doctors and health care facility workers who have been harmed by their views. We've got the (R)s currently wanting to redefine rape so they can control the abortion debate. The violence of words against the gay community--using the Bible to deny us our rights. There are many parallels that could be drawn between the fundie Christian movement in the US and the Muslim's in the Mid East.

So, yeah, you can argue that what they could end up with is worse but the amazing thing is that they may actually WANT to have fundamentalist Muslims in charge of their country. As horrible as that would be for the region, it's their region and they should have a say in what they get--bad or good as it may be.

[Warren Stupidity]

6. no. Where did I say or imply that?

All I am saying is, yes cheer them on, but don't be naive about where this might go. Which part of "I support the egyptian people" was not clear?

[justiceischeap]

9. I wasn't implying you didn't support the Egyptian people, I was replying to a portion of yr post

"it is quite likely that what follows will be poisoned by the fundamentalist infection."

[Robb]

2. The military in Egypt is a citizen army. Everyone serves at some point.

I think if anything it speaks more to the army that they're encouraging flowers and handshakes. It defuses things.

Defusing, of course, is rather what Mubarak is hoping for.

[justiceischeap]

5. I know Mubarak wants the demonstrations to stop

but there have been reports that he ordered the Army to fire on the demonstrators and they've refused. So, I don't know how aligned the Army is with Mubarak at this point. But good point!

[Robb]

8. It's an evolving situation, for sure

...but the common understanding is the military support for Mubarak is unshakable. He came from the military, and has had years to stack the commanding general slots with cronies.

Mubarak is a tyrant, but no fool. I doubt highly he ordered the military to shoot anyone -- in fact, the military's presence suggests a deescalation of sorts, as they are more disciplined than the police.

We shall see, of course.

[mmonk]

3. The army is more aligned with the people than the police.

This is positive I think.

[WestSeattle2]

7. The army is aligned with the people - it's the police there who are

corrupt and despised. That's exactly why Mubarak moved the army into major cities - to hopefully quell the unrest. The police there just stoke the fires.

[mmonk]

10. Mubarak's days are numbered I think.

The people will force a transition to younger leadership and reforms.

[WestSeattle2]

11. I hope so. One of our local TV stations interviewed a local

24-year-old Egyptian guy who grew up in Cairo. Mubarak is the only leader he has ever known. He made the statement that "Egypt needs new leadership, even if it's worse than what we have now, at least it will be change."

Of course that's the perspective of someone who has not lived through "change that's worse than what we have now". I'm sure Cambodians who lived under Pol Pot, Ugandans who lived under Idi Amin, Haitians who lived under Baby Doc, Afghans who lived under the Taliban, would all beg to differ that change for change's sake is always a good thing.

It's up to Egyptians now to ensure that reasonable, rational and moderate people grasp the reins of power.

Hopefully Mubarak will be out of the country by sundown tomorrow. It's not the cabinet that needs to go; it's him.