CHAOS IN EGYPT
Over 100 Egyptians dead on the streets of this ancient city. Tear gas (canisters plainly marked Made in the USA) used on looters. Military tanks (Abrams made in the US) and riot-gear-clad troops attempting to keep peace with non-violent reaction. F-16 jets, supplied by America, have now been added to the mix.
First Egyptian citizens, later the military, guard the priceless antiquities in the museum after thieves broke in, destroying several irreplaceable relics, while searching for gold. Before the world, the image of a 3,000 year-old civilization is crumbling, because of the unbending stance of one man.
Mubarak, always backed by whichever U.S. administration in power, gave lip service to the ordinary people after the shock of riots penetrated his inner sanctum. The citizens, in turn, called for employment, education, price cuts, and an end to the police state. When their President offered no reforms, only a change in HIS government in the form of a new vice-president (the same guy who worked with our CIA in order to have supposedly subversives tortured in Egypt)the people spoke: off with Mubarak! Leave the country! We don't want you--or the son you've groomed to take your place."
In my heart I can see the kind, smiling Egyptian military men sitting in my home twenty plus years ago. I know most of them are retired by now. Their beautiful, highly-educated wives, so gracious to this American working woman, are playing with their grandchildren today. But their younger children, even their sons and daughter's in their thirties, may be among those industrious, unemployed adults who have taken to the streets of Cairo this week.
Have we Americans been blinded by Mubarak? Could we only see the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel he upheld? Was it possible we closed our eyes, giving this man who smells like a dictator clad in the clothe of democracy, free reign?
If so, shame on us!
The country of Egypt is fragile tonight. This writer is torn by what is truly the right road for this magnificent land to take. Is a reformed Mubarak the right choice? Is the opportunity for a democratic election of leaders by the citizens proper? As in Palestine, there is a danger in this last choice.
The Islamic Brotherhood stands waiting to send Egypt back into the Dark Ages where those women I respected so much, clad in their beautiful, soft pastel-colored brocades, will be shrouded in black from head to toe, walking, not beside their proud husbands, but two steps behind, their voices silenced forever.
I am so sorry that for thirty years we sanctioned a man who thought his own people deserved less than the freedom to live a good life in a country they took such pride in. But I'm also scared of the direction the people may take.
May God and Allah do what is best for the ancient land.
First Egyptian citizens, later the military, guard the priceless antiquities in the museum after thieves broke in, destroying several irreplaceable relics, while searching for gold. Before the world, the image of a 3,000 year-old civilization is crumbling, because of the unbending stance of one man.
Mubarak, always backed by whichever U.S. administration in power, gave lip service to the ordinary people after the shock of riots penetrated his inner sanctum. The citizens, in turn, called for employment, education, price cuts, and an end to the police state. When their President offered no reforms, only a change in HIS government in the form of a new vice-president (the same guy who worked with our CIA in order to have supposedly subversives tortured in Egypt)the people spoke: off with Mubarak! Leave the country! We don't want you--or the son you've groomed to take your place."
In my heart I can see the kind, smiling Egyptian military men sitting in my home twenty plus years ago. I know most of them are retired by now. Their beautiful, highly-educated wives, so gracious to this American working woman, are playing with their grandchildren today. But their younger children, even their sons and daughter's in their thirties, may be among those industrious, unemployed adults who have taken to the streets of Cairo this week.
Have we Americans been blinded by Mubarak? Could we only see the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel he upheld? Was it possible we closed our eyes, giving this man who smells like a dictator clad in the clothe of democracy, free reign?
If so, shame on us!
The country of Egypt is fragile tonight. This writer is torn by what is truly the right road for this magnificent land to take. Is a reformed Mubarak the right choice? Is the opportunity for a democratic election of leaders by the citizens proper? As in Palestine, there is a danger in this last choice.
The Islamic Brotherhood stands waiting to send Egypt back into the Dark Ages where those women I respected so much, clad in their beautiful, soft pastel-colored brocades, will be shrouded in black from head to toe, walking, not beside their proud husbands, but two steps behind, their voices silenced forever.
I am so sorry that for thirty years we sanctioned a man who thought his own people deserved less than the freedom to live a good life in a country they took such pride in. But I'm also scared of the direction the people may take.
May God and Allah do what is best for the ancient land.
Labels: America, chaos, Egypt, Freedom, Islamic Brotherhood, Mubarak
posted by Barb | 9:52 PM
1 Comments:
I enjoy your blog, this post in particular. In case you are wondering how I got "here", I was just working on your short story "A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS" for the upcoming edition of TRR. As I was verifying spelling and whatnot, I noticed in your email you have a blog. I'm glad I clicked on it! Cheers from Rockford! Looking forward to your next submission. -Connie
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