Posted on 01/30/2011 3:46:19 PM PST by fightinJAG
Obama administration officials say they are not taking sides between President Hosni Mubarak, America’s key ally in the Arab world, and the street protesters who purportedly represent a path to democracy in authoritarian Egypt. These officials might even believe what they’re saying. But the very assertion of “not taking sides” is itself a tilt away from the all-out support traditionally given by Washington to this Egyptian strongman in recent decades.
The administration’s move is a slide toward the unknown. Senior officials have no idea of exactly who these street protesters are, whether the protesters are simply a mob force incapable of organized political action and rule, or if more sinister groups hover in the shadows, waiting to grab power and turn Egypt into an anti-Western, anti-Israeli bastion. The White House has called upon its intelligence agents and diplomats to provide answers, but only best guesses are forthcoming.
[snip]
But those officials who think this way forget their history. When President George W. Bush made his push for democracy in Arab lands, he ended up with Hamas terrorists winning a democratic election and ruling the Gaza Strip. And this “democratic” thinking also overlooks that Bush’s pressing for democracy in Lebanon helped open the doors to power for the radical Hezbollah group. And yes, the anti-shah revolution in 1979 started out with moderates in power, only to be pushed aside by the clerical radicals who still rule today. In rotten regimes that fall to street mobs, the historical pattern has been moderates followed by new dictators. Just remember the model of the Bolsheviks, a tiny group of extremely well-organized communists, wresting control away from the great majority of discontented and disorganized Russians in 1917.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...
McCain said yesterday that Barry is doing a swell job.
Deja vu, all over again.......
Two days ago Obama couldn’t have found Egypt on a map. Two days later and he still doesn’t know what the heck to do. And he’s not going to worry about it either. He’s that clueless.
Tell me it ain’t so...Dang Caligula’s horse could do a better job.
The Administration is, as usual clueless about what to do. This article leans towards supporting the policy of “STABILITY” in lieu of Justice in the Middle East. The past 60 years of support for thugocracy in the region has fed the seething cauldron of hatred for the West.
The Mubarek Government has ruled since 1967 under a measure of “emergency” suspension of fundamental rights. It would seem that 44 years was quite enough time to usher in some “reform”.
There are at least some sparks of hope that the Egyptians want Liberty and Justice for All, and to the extent that they do - we need to be in unequivocal support. Obama let the Green Uprising in Iran be quashed without a word of support for the people. We should not play by stander when people demand liberty in place of tyranny.
Besides that, supporting those that seek true liberty - is likely the best way to prevent an Islamic Theocracy from seizing power here.
Iran part II.
Obama is content to see the street rioters win the struggle and push Egypt into the radical Islamic camp.
I would prefer that we push for change in enemy regimes like NK, Iran, Burmuda, and Venuzuela rather than demand a rolling of the dice with our stable allies.
Obama said Jack S*** to NK, Iran, and just 2 weeks ago he was not chiding Hu Jinto on human rights.
He was kissing his *** and throwing him a party.
Hint: Obama
Me think 0bama simply sits out of this mess, and wait until it’s time for him to play a savior again. He doesn’t really care which side win as long as it benefits him.
Of course he could find it on the map. It's two countries north of his homeland (Kenya).
That would be like me not knowing where Kansas is (Texas).
“would prefer that we push for change in enemy regimes like NK, Iran, Burmuda, and Venuzuela”
Agreed. But certainly not a mutually exclusive choice.
“rather than demand a rolling of the dice with our stable allies.”
No demand, just a clear statement of support for Liberty, and legitimate government based on the consent of the governed. Mubarek is going to fall. We didn’t cause either his rise or fall - but we did lend support along the way. He has failed. That’s not our fault. What happens in his wake can either be a good thing or a disaster - our support for those that can make it a good thing should not be dismissed.
My concern here is that Obama had no voice of support when people rose against our clear enemies, but he pipes right up against our allies.
Why the disparity of action?
I don’t think there’s nothing we can do about any of this. We’ve sat by and allowed 8th century cavemen to get the nuclear bomb. And while our enemies have been acquiring all they can we’re signing weak treaties agreeing to get rid of ours. What we should have done was took over the world in 1945. I’m afraid it’s too late now.
1) I hope I’m wrong.
2) I’m glad my race is nearly run.
It'd be tough to decide what side to take when you don't know what's going on. All those golf outings and pick-up b-ball games keep you distracted.
What a joke our government would be if it weren't so evil and tragic.
“Why the disparity of action?”
He’s a clueless moron maybe? He really doesn’t like liberty? take your pick.
Remember, Mubarek isn’t really an Allied Government, it’s more of tolerated Government. When he’s ousted, and he will be - we need to be pro-active in supporting Liberty.
In fact, we could all go a long way in supporting liberty by simply advocating as much on our posts. We are Americans and we support Liberty. We should be clear that we will support a liberated Egypt - and it should be also clear that should they lapse into a theocratic tyranny - we will hope it is squashed like a bug.
We dont even know who the players are.
You need to read this. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2665870/posts
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.