FireGarden
Philosopher
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2002
- Messages
- 5,047
I wonder if maybe his first idea of waiting until September might not have been a good idea. That would have been seven months to organize new elections where different political parties could form and campaign, and the electorate could at least have some semblance of an educated choice. I know that's not as satisfying to those who wanted Mubarak out ASAP, but might have been less dangerous.
A very quick election would bother me too. I don't think the protestors are expecting elections within a week or anything. Of course political parties need a chance to organise and advertise their positions.
But I still think Mubarak had to go. Obama actually said it well: Egyptians "remain unconvinced that the government is serious about a genuine transition to democracy". How could anyone trust Mubarak to deliver? The army, at least, knows that the people aren't going to be fobbed off with flattery and cosmetic changes -- because that has been tried and its failure acknowledged.
The next big test is emergency rule. Ending that was another of the protestors' demands. The army has already agreed to end it when the current situation settles -- or whatever words to that effect mean.
Let's hope my fears prove groundless.
I hope my optimism doesn't lead to disappointment.