Don't Forget Egypt
The world is a crazy place right now. It is such a whirlwind of political and seismic earthquakes that yesterday's revolution in Egypt is starting to feel as far away as the French Revolution. With the LIbyan's defying madman Qadaffi and the earth shaking in Bahrain, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and God willing Iran, it is tough to stay focused on the brave people of Tahrir sqaure and their fight for Democracy. But stay focused we must.
Democracy, as Natan Sharansky, has pointed out, is not elections. Democracy is the ability of people to stand up in the town square and shout whatever is on your mind without fear of retribution. "Jimmy Carter Democracy," where the former peanut farmer turned president, turns up and declares that there were free and fair elections is a recipe for regime change and not true democracy. one set of free and fair elections in Egypt could yield the same result as what happened to the poor people of Gaza, a reign of terror by Hamas and other Islamic radicals.
The western world and world leaders need to focus together with the PEOPLE of Egypt on a Marshall Plan for Egypt, to put the economic and political infrastructure in place to transition Egypt to a free and vibrant democracy and growing free economy. Nobody should be distracted by the revolutions and chaos in other parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Egypt is the largest country in the neighborhood and as Egypt goes so should the rest of the Arab world.
This requires focus, fortitude and foresight. It will require massive investment in the economy and freedom. If the world is distracted, we could easily see radical Islam rise to power in Egypt and then the wonderful revolution of Egypt's young generation, our generation, will have gone for naught. Regime change to the Egyptian army or Hamas-like political-terror force is not an option for the free world and is not a future for Egypt. Let's stay focused and lock arms with the Egyptian youth for a better and truly democratic future.
Democracy, as Natan Sharansky, has pointed out, is not elections. Democracy is the ability of people to stand up in the town square and shout whatever is on your mind without fear of retribution. "Jimmy Carter Democracy," where the former peanut farmer turned president, turns up and declares that there were free and fair elections is a recipe for regime change and not true democracy. one set of free and fair elections in Egypt could yield the same result as what happened to the poor people of Gaza, a reign of terror by Hamas and other Islamic radicals.
The western world and world leaders need to focus together with the PEOPLE of Egypt on a Marshall Plan for Egypt, to put the economic and political infrastructure in place to transition Egypt to a free and vibrant democracy and growing free economy. Nobody should be distracted by the revolutions and chaos in other parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Egypt is the largest country in the neighborhood and as Egypt goes so should the rest of the Arab world.
This requires focus, fortitude and foresight. It will require massive investment in the economy and freedom. If the world is distracted, we could easily see radical Islam rise to power in Egypt and then the wonderful revolution of Egypt's young generation, our generation, will have gone for naught. Regime change to the Egyptian army or Hamas-like political-terror force is not an option for the free world and is not a future for Egypt. Let's stay focused and lock arms with the Egyptian youth for a better and truly democratic future.
posted by Michael Eisenberg at 10:02 AM
3 Comments:
I find it disturbing that so many can ignore the words at Jeremiah 10:23 where gods word clearly states that man does not have the ability to rule himself. Man has tried every form of government...democracy, communism, monarchy, etc...all failing miserably. Study the bible with an open mind...not trying to support ritualistic doctrine...but look for answers...and answers you will find. A student of the bible would see gods kingdom is a real government (Daniel 2:44) that will act soon. All this chaos is just a warning.
Michael, I agree with you but it is going to be difficult. We hear in the news about Facebook and Twitter. These tools indeed served the uprising. When you get to think about it, it is the first mass communication tool that is available to individuals. However, stronger and more organized forces seem to take over this revolution. I'm not sure how easy it will be to create a relationship with them.
The most viable option I see is to use this media format too and communicate with those that seek liberal and democratic regime.
I wrote a very long answer but it was deleted when I tried to upload...
The short version of it was to 'Anonymous' - read what you wrote again... 'Man rule himself'.
If we each go to the bible to find the answers to rule oursleves, govenments would have a much easier time of keeping peace.
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