Obama’s Contribution to the Egyptian People
by: Eli Zaretsky on January 30th, 2011 | 23 Comments »
Obama’s statement on Egypt was exactly what we have come to expect from him: a progressive veneer combined with cynical sycophancy toward all established power. After saying that the US stands up for “universal human rights” — the now familiar battle charge of American exceptionalism — he went on to say, “I just spoke to President Mubarak, after his speech, and told him he has a responsibility to give meaning to his words. Violence will not address the grievances of the Egyptian people. What’s needed is concrete steps that advance the rights of the people.”
Given that every commentator has reported that what the crowds demand is not “reforms” but that Mubarak must go, everyone who understands diplomacy understands that Obama’s statement was a strong expression of US support for Mubarak. Biden played the bad cop and was even clearer. He said Mubarak should not resign, that the protests throughout the Middle East had no relation to one another, and that it was wrong to compare them to the protests that ended Communism. Mubarak he reiterated, is “no dictator.”
Obama’s support for Mubarak is not his greatest gift to the Egyptian people. That gift lies in disabusing them of the illusion that the Bush Presidency and the invasion of Iraq were aberrations in American foreign policy. What Obama demonstrated to the Egyptians is that it doesn’t matter whether the US President is a Democrat or a Republican, a Harvard yuppie or a Texas cowboy, a proud ignoramus or a student of Reinhold Niebuhr, the same tortures, the same drone attacks, the same wars — a “good one” now in Afghanistan — in the name of “freedom,” the same bombs and missiles and battleships and poor, unknowing kids being led to slaughter will take place. Obama demonstrated that the US might have a smile on its face, but it hangs necklaces of teeth around its neck and skulls around its waist, whatever face it wears. It is a nation that stands defined by its commitment to torture and to war. Bush was no aberration, then; Obama has ratified everything that Bush did. The people of Egypt know this and that is why Obama will do everything in his power to keep Mubarak in power.
Sadly this is an sagacious summary of our circumstances.
And what the Egyptian people are telling him is, stuff your teeth necklaces up your ass; we’re claiming our country back. And if it means the slaughtering of every single Egyptian on the street, let it be, and let it go down in history, and let us see how many more revolutions will explode around the world.
To date Obama’s public response in pretty limp-wristed. I sure hope that behind the scenes there is some serious arm-twisting going on. This has laid bare our hypocrisy. I have no fear of an Iran-type
theocracy breaking out, and no fear about the Muslim Brotherhood either. I cringe at the thought of
American ordnance being used against the Egyptian populace. We have already disgraced ourselves by supporting this dictatorship. We say we support democracy: this is a test of whether we mean it.
Every spare minute I have been glued to the TV. The people in the streets of Cairo and Alexandria look an awful lot like the people in Kansas City or Philadelphia, or Chicago, or New York, or Los Angeles, or Atlanta, etc., etc., etc. And such courage! No firearms, only simple weapons when the word spread about prison-breaks, looting, etc. All in the face of all those tanks, too.
Judith, until we see the outcome there is plenty to fear. You do not know what is lying in wait. You do not know what will replace the current regime. The more thing tumble out of control, the more we have to fear, Mobs do not create Democracy. The best we can hope for is a quite, orderly exit by Mubarak leading up to eventual elections. And yes, I do fear the Muslim Brotherhood. They want to create an Islamic republic. To me that spells Iranian style oppression
Before misdirecting your anger at the US, it might be time for the Arab world to take a look at itself and the leaders it has produced.
Hafez Assad: In 1982 Assad slaughtered between 10,000 and 20,000 of its own citizens in Hama, Syria. We will never know the exact count because the press was kept away from Hama.. Also the Arab world seemed to be obsessed pinning direct guilt on Israel for the Sabra and Shatilla massacres committed by the Phalangists. He was only replaced by his son, whose power has not been tested. The US did not created that regime
Saddam Hussein: Gassed, shot, burned, tortured tens of thousands of Kurds and Shiite Muslims. Anyone who opposed him found an early grave
The Current Saudi monarchy that makes Iran seem like a liberal paradise
We now can look at Lebanon and it faux Cedar Revolution. Hezbollah, a force greater that the Lebanese army is waiting the wings to seize power
Let’s look at Mubarak and his current regime. It really is a typical past Egyptian regimes under Soviet sponsored Nasser and Sadat. Maybe there were a few symbolic reforms. The US did not invent the current system, not did to prop it up. Mubarak comes for the same pedigree as the two previous leaders.
As for the “teeth necklace” comment, that truly sickens me coming for someone who fails to see the demons within the Arab world. After decades of independence and collectively lots of resources, one would think that political stability could be established in te Arab world without oppression and bloodshed.
I do pray for Egypt for the sake of the Egyptian people and Middle East stability. Hopefully the will make the right choice and embrace true Democracy
I AM angry at my country because we profess such high ideals and cannot fix our multiple crises until
we loook at our profound hypocrisy. How many of our OWN young have we killed and maimed in our endless, for profit wars, let alone the thousands of “others” we kill as the “enemy” of the moment? Sorry, but I am disgusted with what we have become. Endless wars are now mere money-makers for our corrupt war machinery corporations. Too depressed to say more, other than WHERE IS OUR CONSCIENCE?
Democracy
The Good OLE U.S of A – Doesn’t Have Democracy>>>>
It has capitalisum – elitist – corporate – bankers rule >>>>
What has been well known and shown since the yr – 2000????
For the Corporations of The Corporations – - – The Ligit working of the Party’s – Elitist Rule.
Captalisum above all – This is what the United States has always operated on – Corporate Profits above all of It’s People – It has never respected the rights of the People – when coprorations claimed they were too big to fail
Here is there Capitalist G-Ds basic Law of Life – - – Eminent domain
Eminent domain (United States), compulsory purchase (United Kingdom, New Zealand, Ireland), resumption/compulsory acquisition (Australia) or expropriation (South Africa and Canada) is an action of the state to seize a citizen’s private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen’s rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner’s consent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eminent_domain
The lack of coordinated Arab response to the US in the Middle East points, as David says, to the contradictions in the Arab World, i.e. Islamic fundamentalism, secular dictatorships, oil rich countries, poverty stricken countries, and the proverbial whipping boy of the Middle East, the Palestinian people. If the Brotherhood had been dealt with in its inception, it would not be the fundamentalist, separatist organization it is today. It wasn’t. I don’t think it is possible for Mubarak to conclusively put down the Muslim Brotherhood. The interior contradictions within Egypt have gotten beyond the point of military control. The dictatorship has less than six months to live. Watch Israel. If Mubarak goes, Israel will be in profound danger (in its own eyes) and will act to intervene.
This is a bad scenario waiting a long time o happen. Denial by the Obama administration will not make it go away.
Rev. Willems
The Israeli govt is keeping a very low profile. Their concerns are for the preservation of the peace treaty and security on the Egyptian border. All these are legitimate security concerns.
Obama’s response is discouraging but hardly a surprise. Our gov’t will come down on the side of corporate interests, stability and the status quo. David – why is it a misdirection of anger if it’s towards our gov’t? I guess that would be your opinion. In my view, which is supported by facts, the US gov’t has propped up Egypt and many brutally oppressive gov’ts of the world for over 100 years going back to the Philippines where our military put down a peasant rebellion after they helped end Spanish rule. We know how to take care of our friends like the Saudis.
Randell
Egypt is just one of many authoritarian regimes in the Arab world. The US is not propping up another regime that ash a history of brutality that makes what Mubarak has done pale in comparison. What do you prop up in the Arab world. Who do you encourage to take the political initiative? There are no truly democratic movements in the Arab world.
As we are seeing now, the Arab world is full of angry, unemployed youth. if you look at population statistics in the Arab world, you might be shocked to see that the avg age i in the low to mid twenties. So I might also suggest that their enormous birthrate in unsustainable
What political structure that the US deals within in Egypt is no different than what existed when the Soviets were supporting them during the cold war. Since the overthrow of King Farouk in 1953, the last 3 Egyptian leaders have come out of the army..
I stand by my opinion that the Arab world has to look inward for blame and for solutions. Instability, lack of democracy goes back the very day each Arab country was given their independence. But if you are still set on pining this on the US, you might want to spread the blame around to the former colonial masters in the region, France and Britain. Blaming the US for this mess is juts too easy.
The US did not cause the problems of the Middle East. Of course, the people there have plenty of responsibility. All I was saying is that we will all be better of if the US lets the Egyptian movement unfold, that includes ISrael in my opinion.
The US is treading lightly thus far and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told his to refrain from making any comments about the current situation. But I am sure you can understand that Israel does have very legitimate security concerns.
By the way this comment of yours:
“US might have a smile on its face, but it hangs necklaces of teeth around its neck and skulls around its waist” is just plain ugly and over the top. I for one do not appreciate it and I am sure you do not hold it to be accurate since you are now saying that the US is not responsible for the problems in the Middle East. I thank you in advance for your apology
Perhaps I didn’t express myself clearly. I don’t believe that Egypt will descend into chaos with this
transition. But I’m willing to take a chance. They can’t continue with the regime as it exists, or in time any revolt (as I see it) will be much more chaotic and virulent . Disagree if you want to, that’s OK with me. That’s America!
Judith
“But I’m willing to take a chance.”
But what are you risking personally?
I’m not for or againt total change. I sur. pport a return to normalcy.. When it comes to change, be careful what you wish for. I do not see any clear movement or or clear agenda. Their only wish is for Mubarak to go. The last thing any of us would want to see is anarchy
Shelley – An Homage to Anarchy
Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number -
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you -
Ye are many – they are few.
The Arab world is beginning to get this! America is still asleep.
Look, I live in Israel, and am certainly on the left side of the political spectrum. I can tell you that the concern, if not actual fear here is palpable. Israel’s security concerns are quite real, unfortunately not paranoid fantasies. While I for one have consistently criticized the rather right wing gov’t in power now for it’s stubborness, cowardice to take chances for real peace, and general political sliminess, there are very few indications that there exist genuine peacemakers to deal with. Look at the reaction of the Palestinians to the recent wikileaks statements, in which “moderate” Abbas denied even the hint of a willingness to amend the law of return which is an obvious non starter. I’m sure they have talked about it in private, but how terrible it is that when it is made public the denials are so vociferous. The fear of the moderates is unfortunately a bad sign for Israel that any of their even tiniest concessions will be accepted by an Arab public that still often seems to have continuing hatred festering for Israel.
All signs seem to point against a real Arab acceptance of Israel. Hezbullah, who previously had a raisin d’etre of defending Lebanon against Israeli invasion and expelling Israel from it’s land, has now grown even stronger and more provocative EVEN THOUGH ISRAEL evacuated all the disputed territories. Israel pulls out of Gaza, but continues getting attacked from the area. Such events make even left leaning Israelis quite skeptical about the possibilities of achieving peace with its neighbors. Now the fear arises that if Egypt becomes more hostile to Israel, the peace treaty, for which Israel evacuated huge areas in order to achieve peace, will have been for nothing.
And I still believe we have to try to make peace, and still have glimmers of hope, and still hope for a change of governments here- but Israel is certainly historically justified to have very serious concerns about the current situation. Neil
Neil,
Well said, I feel exactly the same way. I lived in Israel for many years, served i the IDF and participated in Pease Now demonstrations back in the 1980′s. I am also a skeptic when it comes to achieve a real and lasting peace with the Palestinians
Regarding Egypt, one can deny that this was inevitable. Anger is festering all over the Arab world originating from a very large unemployed younger generation. i thought an uprising would occur after Mubarak’s death. One also can not deny concerns over te outcome. Calling for Mubarak’s ouster is vague. There seems to be no vision for transition. to democracy The Arab world does n have a history of creating stable democracies. This uprising can go in many directions, but the track record has not been good in the Arab world. What ever the outcome, it is essential that the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt remain intact.
Of course I have no immediate risk personally. But I do have two USMC sons, both of whom have fought in wars in the Middle East, one in Desert Storm operating jeep-mounted antitank missiles, and were the first into Kuwait City, the other of whom is a career Marine, currently in Afghanistan, has also served in Iraq, two brothers who were Marines in Vietnam, one of whom rejoined the Army Reserves as a doctor at age 48, has served one tour in Bosnia, and four tours in Iraq. No, it’s not MY skin in the game, but “flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone”. And I have 13 grandchildren whose lives will be impacted by whatever happens in the world.
Judith I wish them all well and thank them for their service. You do have to understand how critical it is for this thing not to get out of control. The track record in the Arab world is not good when it comes to transitions. Maybe it will be different next time. I spent 9 months in Lebanon watching how things can get out of control, I’m sure your son could relate. I pray that your son has a safe return home.
Forgot to direct the above response to “David”, who asks what I have to risk, when I said “…but I’m willing to take the risk,” in an earlier response.