Monday, January 31, 2011

Mohamed ElBaradei Implores US to Stop "Providing Life Support For the Dictator" Yeah I Agree

Hmm maybe it is time for the US to stop hedging and go long the Democracy protesters.

Dr. ElBaradei, who joined thousands of protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square in the early evening, said the time has come for the US to stand with Egypt's protesters. 

"The American government cannot ask the Egyptian people to believe that a dictator who has been in power for 30 years would be the one to implement democracy. This is a farce," he said on CBS's Face the Nation. "The first thing which will calm the situation is for Mubarak to leave, and leave with some dignity. Otherwise, I fear that things will get bloody. And [the US] have to stop the life support to the dictator and root for the people." 

Yeah, maybe it is time to back the Democracy Horse and let the "Strongman Model" fade into the mists of history to join Global Communism and Acid-Washed Jeans. I mean all this talk of democracy not taking hold in the Middle East sells these people short because it seems to be happening like dominoes.

I mean lets say the "Egyptian Jacobins" gain power and put elBaradei at their head. Why would he suddenly be anti-Israel and be our enemy? Hell, if we get in on the ground floor we could even help them write their Constitution. We could be Egypt's France in their War for Independence.

Imagine one of the largest Muslim nations in the world as a thriving democracy working with us hand-in-hand. As long as they stay nominally secular it would be a great win for region and the world. About the only bad thing is we would have one less place for the rendition of our Al-Quida prisoners.

One interesting parlor game is what is the next "Middle Eastern Democracy Domino." I'm hoping for Iran and Syria but the smart money is probably on Saudi Arabia or Jordan. The idea of electing the King of Saudi Arabia would sure be an interesting change. Maybe a Holy Roman Empire system where different Saudi families each vote on the King would be an interesting thing to think about.

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