Eugene Robinson: Push Has Now Come to Shove

[babylonsister]

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/push_has_now_come_to_shove_20110131/

Push Has Now Come to Shove
Posted on Feb 1, 2011
By Eugene Robinson


The Obama administration has done a creditable job of gently edging Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak toward some sort of gilded exile. Now it’s time to push. Hard.

Cherished ideals of democracy and cold exigencies of realpolitik both demand that U.S. officials do whatever is in their power—which, frankly, may not be much—to hasten Mubarak’s departure. Help him fuel the presidential jet and load the gold bullion, if necessary. Send him a postcard from the French Riviera saying “Wish you were here.”

snip//

There’s another reason to give Mubarak a mighty shove: We believe in freedom and democracy. We really do.

It is thrilling to watch as Egyptians assert the rights that we hold to be inherent and universal—to assemble, associate and speak freely, to give their consent to be governed, to withdraw that consent when it is abused.

We can’t take the position that democracy is good only when we approve of the leaders who are elected. We’d never convince the Egyptians that this was anything but rank hypocrisy. We’d never even convince ourselves.

[lunatica]

1. Sometimes life has a way of throwing a wrench into the ruling machinery

This is one of those times. It's a good thing everyone is watching and learning.

[flpoljunkie]

2. It is thrilling to watch the Egyptian people demanding change and the end of Mubarak's rule.

Am watching Aljazeera on Link TV where their correspondent said the protestors in Tahrir Square are chanting, 'Get out!'

[justiceischeap]

3. John Kerry: It's time for Mubarak to "step aside gracefully"

President Hosni Mubarak must accept that the stability of his country hinges on his willingness to step aside gracefully to make way for a new political structure. One of the toughest jobs that a leader under siege can perform is to engineer a peaceful transition. But Egyptians have made clear they will settle for nothing less than greater democracy and more economic opportunities.

More at link > http://nyti.ms/em8aw2