Jan 31, 2011
It's been both exhilarating and infuriating to watch the grassroots revolution under way in Egypt right now.
It's exhilarating because it proves once again that history is not stagnant, and that people can only take so much oppression and corruption before they rise up even against a dictator who looked so powerful, so unlodgeable, just days before.
And it's infuriating because the United States has been hopelessly compromised in this situation, just as it has in the face of one revolution after another in the Third World for the last 50 years.
It was this way with Suharto in Indonesia, the Shah in Iran, Marcos in the Philippines, Somoza in Nicaragua, the Duvaliers in Haiti, and especially with Mubarak in Egypt, even as he brutalized and impoverished his people.
But he served Washington's needs for the past 30 years, and he was happy to cash his almost $2 billion annual bribe that went by the name of U.S. aid.
The Egyptians in the street understand that. And they see how halting and pathetic the response has been from the Obama Administration, which has taken forever to prepare to kiss Mubarak goodbye.
On Friday, Hillary Clinton urged "restraint" and Obama urged "reform." But neither endorsed the demand of the Egyptian people to be rid of their dictator.
And then Clinton told a whopper on Sunday. "We are on the side" of the Egyptian people, "as we have been for more than 30 years," she told Candy Crowley of CNN.
Who does Clinton think she's fooling with this crap?
Was the United States on the side of the Egyptian people as Mubarak's security forces engaged in rampant and hideous torture?
Was the United States on the side of the Egyptian people as Mubarak rigged one election after another?
At times like this, such bald-faced lies don't fool anyone, especially not the Egyptian people.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
© 2023 The Progressive
Matt Rothschild
Matt Rothschild is the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Prior to joining the Democracy Campaign at the start of 2015, Matt worked at The Progressive Magazine for 32 years. For most of those, he was the editor and publisher of The Progressive.
It's been both exhilarating and infuriating to watch the grassroots revolution under way in Egypt right now.
It's exhilarating because it proves once again that history is not stagnant, and that people can only take so much oppression and corruption before they rise up even against a dictator who looked so powerful, so unlodgeable, just days before.
And it's infuriating because the United States has been hopelessly compromised in this situation, just as it has in the face of one revolution after another in the Third World for the last 50 years.
It was this way with Suharto in Indonesia, the Shah in Iran, Marcos in the Philippines, Somoza in Nicaragua, the Duvaliers in Haiti, and especially with Mubarak in Egypt, even as he brutalized and impoverished his people.
But he served Washington's needs for the past 30 years, and he was happy to cash his almost $2 billion annual bribe that went by the name of U.S. aid.
The Egyptians in the street understand that. And they see how halting and pathetic the response has been from the Obama Administration, which has taken forever to prepare to kiss Mubarak goodbye.
On Friday, Hillary Clinton urged "restraint" and Obama urged "reform." But neither endorsed the demand of the Egyptian people to be rid of their dictator.
And then Clinton told a whopper on Sunday. "We are on the side" of the Egyptian people, "as we have been for more than 30 years," she told Candy Crowley of CNN.
Who does Clinton think she's fooling with this crap?
Was the United States on the side of the Egyptian people as Mubarak's security forces engaged in rampant and hideous torture?
Was the United States on the side of the Egyptian people as Mubarak rigged one election after another?
At times like this, such bald-faced lies don't fool anyone, especially not the Egyptian people.
Matt Rothschild
Matt Rothschild is the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Prior to joining the Democracy Campaign at the start of 2015, Matt worked at The Progressive Magazine for 32 years. For most of those, he was the editor and publisher of The Progressive.
It's been both exhilarating and infuriating to watch the grassroots revolution under way in Egypt right now.
It's exhilarating because it proves once again that history is not stagnant, and that people can only take so much oppression and corruption before they rise up even against a dictator who looked so powerful, so unlodgeable, just days before.
And it's infuriating because the United States has been hopelessly compromised in this situation, just as it has in the face of one revolution after another in the Third World for the last 50 years.
It was this way with Suharto in Indonesia, the Shah in Iran, Marcos in the Philippines, Somoza in Nicaragua, the Duvaliers in Haiti, and especially with Mubarak in Egypt, even as he brutalized and impoverished his people.
But he served Washington's needs for the past 30 years, and he was happy to cash his almost $2 billion annual bribe that went by the name of U.S. aid.
The Egyptians in the street understand that. And they see how halting and pathetic the response has been from the Obama Administration, which has taken forever to prepare to kiss Mubarak goodbye.
On Friday, Hillary Clinton urged "restraint" and Obama urged "reform." But neither endorsed the demand of the Egyptian people to be rid of their dictator.
And then Clinton told a whopper on Sunday. "We are on the side" of the Egyptian people, "as we have been for more than 30 years," she told Candy Crowley of CNN.
Who does Clinton think she's fooling with this crap?
Was the United States on the side of the Egyptian people as Mubarak's security forces engaged in rampant and hideous torture?
Was the United States on the side of the Egyptian people as Mubarak rigged one election after another?
At times like this, such bald-faced lies don't fool anyone, especially not the Egyptian people.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.