The Crisis in Egypt

So I know that this is a blog that focuses on the realm of new media and all of its lovely mutated offspring (the blog, the vlog, the zlog?) But I think it would be morally naiive of us to not talk about current events from time to time as well.

The situation in Egypt is possibly the most beautiful example of democracy that I have seen since the powerful momentum of the Obama campaign between 2004 and 2008. Say whaaaaaaat? That's right, the Egyptian situation stands as a paradigm for the way that people should be involved in the world. This situation is not new, tyrranical governments and regimes have existed ever since the word power was first used. If there is ever power, there has always been and there will always be someone who wants to have the most of it. The Caesars, the Napoleans, the Cheneys, in the history of politics there is rarely a moment of pure balance of powers. So why delight in what may be another example in a long history of tyranny? Well, like with new media (CONNECTION!), the value and power now lies with the masses.

Allow me to show you some excerpts from a cnn article that came out today about the protests taking place in Cairo. One of them will display the actions of the protesters and the other will display the actions of the government. Fun little game, lets see which you think is which (not really difficult).

Here is the first excerpt:

People brought food and beverages to share. Families stood together, with parents saying they came for their children.

Ok, now option #2

The embattled president has given no indication that he plans to give up power, and the Interior Ministry said Monday that it planned to shut down mobile phone networks in preparation for Tuesday's protests. As of 11 a.m. (4 a.m. ET), some cell phone service in the country was still up and running.
Banks and schools were also closed, and there was a curfew aimed to keep people off the streets after 3 p.m.

Did you figure it out? Good! The first is the group of protesters and the second describes the actions of President Mubarak. Mubarak has been in power since Anwar El-Sadat was assasinated in 1981. The response to the assasination was to rule with a "iron fist" (cnn).

The protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful in the realm of middle eastern protests. We are constantly inundated with images of raging Iranians, Pakistanis, Jordanians, and others who along with their signs for peace in one hand carry a rocket launcher in the other. But here in Egypt, in what was a very vicious country for the better part of the 20th century, we see academics pleading to dismantle a regime that has been unable to keep a legitimate standard of living. They want a better life and a chance to turn around the rampant unemployment in the country (1/4 of the population). This is deserving of the activation of the military? This gives license to force? I dont think so.

This is democracy! This is an example of people voicing their opinion in an intelligent and organized way! This is a tea party for the 21st century (the real tea party, ala 1773). Mubarak's presidency was ushered in through the national fear of assassination and his fear has dominated and defined his rule. He is unresponsive and he is of another generation. This president comes from a generation of rulers that look at the people as pests rather than as power. He is a child.

A bit of a stream of consciousness, but I'd love to know your thoughts.