We had some friends over for dinner last night and we talked some about the peoples’ movement to challenge the established authority in Egypt.
Americans support democratic movements and are pleased and probably amazed that Egyptians pursued it so peacefully and with such determination. We, at dinner, are hopeful that it remains peaceful and that the military will turn over control to whatever civilian leadership is chosen in some sort of democratic process.
There is concern, mostly from the Right, that a more anti-American government will evolve when the people speak. But generally I think there is a feeling that the protests were not really anti-American but rather initiated by the youth, a nationalist movement of the Egyptian people seeking economic opportunity and the freedom to live their lives in a manner they choose.
Good Luck and Peace to them. Let us hope that this demonstration of peaceful change will show young Arabs what is possible and that the radical Islamist, al Qaeda, is not a vehicle for any positive change and only leads to more oppression and dictatorship of another kind.
Now it is time for a peaceful revolution in Israel. Will Zionism allow peace?
One can hope.
Best Regards,
Tom