History in Egypt

Photo from TotallyCoolPix

It is an absolutely amazing thing to be sitting here and watching history unfold before our very eyes in Egypt. I have been on Twitter and Huffington Post all day following live updates of the events.  Some facts and thoughts:

• I don't watch cable news anymore because I don't get cable, but from the sounds of what others are saying, they are doing a pretty poor job of covering the unfolding events.  No surprise there.  I have always thought of cable news as the drunken, idiot uncle of journalism.
• If you are on Twitter, and you want to see really amazing updates of unfolding events, you should follow Democracy Now correspondent Sharif Kouddous.  I will look forward to what he has to say on Monday's broadcast of DN. 
• It is interesting to realize the type of relationship the United States and the Mubarak regime has had over these years.  While we periodically will criticize their government for not making enough democratic reforms, the truth is, no one has been a greater friend to United States in that part of the world (outside of Israel and possibly Saudi Arabia).  They help us "interrogate" suspected terrorists; we give them money, help them shut down the internet, and provide resources to combat protesters in the streets (scroll down to picture number 80 to see where their gas canisters are made).  I am happy with the peaceful relationship Egypt has had with Israel since Sadat, but that is the extent of my respect of Egyptian leadership.  I wonder if most Americans realize that one of the reasons Egypt is revolting against Mubarak is because of his relationship with us.  
• Then there is Vice President Joe Biden.  For the most part, I have always been a fan of his, and especially his take on foreign affairs.  I know that many people in Washington are privately sad Mubarak might be driven out of office, but I can't believe Biden has the balls to say this in an interview:

"Mubarak has been an ally of ours in a number of things. And he's been very responsible on, relative to geopolitical interest in the region, the Middle East peace efforts; the actions Egypt has taken relative to normalizing relationship with - with Israel. ... I would not refer to him as a dictator."

          Even for Joe Biden, that takes some cojones. 

• Finally, two things must be remembered.  One, a lot of people are being injured and killed in these protests over the past few days.  As exciting as these revolutionary events are to watch unfold, we must be mindful of the death and destruction that has taken place, and continues to take place.  My second concern is this: the people of Egypt are rallying to get rid of a dictator, and it does show that the United States does not need to intervene to bring change about in the Arab world.  But if Mubarak steps down, what will take his place?  Is it going to be another Mubarak-like dictator?  An Islamic fundamentalist regime?  A secular government that respects democracy and freedom of speech?  Or something entirely different?  All I can do is continue what I, and the rest of the world are doing: sit back, watch, and wait.