Egypt and the Arab Spring

Egypt’s Revolution

or

Be Careful What You Wish For

Bill Maher is constantly reminding us of the blatant ignorance of the average American citizen.     We have just experienced an Arab Spring and the overthrow of Mubarak in Egypt; but the American public, though encyclopedic of Dancing With The Stars, knows virtually nothing about this world altering movement, nor cares. 

Though the Arab Spring was a demonstration for freedom, the fall of the Mubarak government may have brought about undesirable consequences from an American point of view.  

On January 25th young, educated, liberal protestors took over Tahrir Square in a demonstration for social justice and equal rights for all.  Like most Liberal movements, theirs was a lofty desire to see Egypt move toward a more open and democracy society.  

However, the protesters actually represent only a minority faction in a fundamentalist Moslem majority.  

Although ‘free and fair’ elections have been held it was a forgone conclusion that the Islamist would have a dominant majority.

The Al-Nour Party would move Egypt toward a total Islamic theocracy, declaring women as chattel of their husbands, separating public spaces to segregate men and women and require women to wear the veil in public.   The Moslem Brotherhood Party is popular and seems to be the only moderating force against religious extremism.    

Already article 2 of the new constitution declares Islam as the religion of state and confirms Sharia Law.

Under Mubarak, Egypt was a stable dictatorship that supported Israel’s right to exist and was a cooperative player with the United States.   Now Egypt is in the hands of the military, and when power is turned over to the elected Islamic majority government we must hold our breath and hope for the best. 

the Ol'Buzzard