"The Iranian government is waiting for Egypt to fall into its lap. The Muslim Brotherhood, dominated by Iranian Islamic fundamentalism, will doubtless emerge as the winner should the government of Egypt fall. The Obama Administration, in failing to throw its weight against an Islamic takeover, is guilty of the same mistake that led President Carter to fail to support the Shah, opening the door for the Ayatollah Khomeini to take over Iran..." (Read Dick Morris' full column)
But Mr. Morris goes on:
"Now is the time for Republicans and conservatives to start asking the question: Who is losing Egypt? We need to debunk the starry eyed idealistic yearning for reform and the fantasy that a liberal democracy will come from these demonstrations. It won’t. Iranian domination will."
and finally:
"We must not let the two most populous and powerful nations in the region fall under the sway of Muslim extremism, the one through the weakness of Jimmy Carter and the other through the weakness of Barack Obama."
~~
Mr. Obama must support the need for reform in Egypt. Pray that he will. He must show strength in his leverage over Mubarak to make these reforms. Pray that he does.
If not: Mubarak = Shah. And the world is in deep, deep trouble.
~~~
16 comments:
It is clear that the Obama administration is well aware of the stakes in this situation. It is complex and delicate. While popular movements are to be supported, nobody wants a radical Islam outcome. That is why it appears that the current policy is to pressure our long-time friend to end corruption, temper the violence, and get his country back on the right track with the support of the people.
It is too early to fully commit to one side or the other.
One thing the administration must NOT do is listen to a single thing that Dick Morris has to say.
"The Muslim Brotherhood, dominated by Iranian Islamic fundamentalism, will doubtless emerge as the winner should the government of Egypt fall."
Doubtless? Egypt is pretty much a secular country and the people are likely not disposed towards supporting an Islamic regime.
"The Obama Administration, in failing to throw its weight against an Islamic takeover..."
There is no evidence that the Obama administration has failed to throw it's weight in either direction.
Susannah said, "Mr. Obama must support the need for reform in Egypt. Pray that he will. He must show strength in his leverage over Mubarak to make these reforms. Pray that he does."
This appears to be the Obama administration's policy, so, yeah.
Jim~ You're right in that it's too soon to make suppositions. And you're right - a LOT is at stake. (I do believe Mr. Morris knows what he's talking about...)
Susannah said, "Mr. Obama must support the need for reform in Egypt. Pray that he will. He must show strength in his leverage over Mubarak to make these reforms. Pray that he does."
"This appears to be the Obama administration's policy, so, yeah."
Let's hope so.
LOL, keep believing these countries are secular, Jim. The governments might be secular, but what happens when these dictators are displaced or toppled by Islamists. Where do you think the population is going to turn?
At least when that Austin reservist "split hairs" with me here, he had a little knowledge on the subject.
There is a ____load of history between Egypt and our country, look it up. Look up the Muslim Brotherhood while you're at it. But before you speak again, try not to be a wiki-scholar.
Yes let's. In the meantime, some Morris predictions:
Feb 7, 2007: Hillary and Rudy Could Wrap It Up This Year
Jan 23: How Clinton Will Win The Nomination By Losing S.C.
Aug 5 (2008): Bad Economy May Hurt Obama
Aug 26: The Better Hillary Does, The Worse For Obama
Oct 28: Undecideds Should Break For McCain
Republicans will "definitely win nine seats in the Senate" (2010)
Predicted Republican wins for Colorado senator, Nevada senator, Washington senator and said Christine O'Donnell "may yet pull out a win."
And his quotes I cited from your post are typical Morris. No reason to be believed.
"There is a ____load of history between Egypt and our country, look it up."
No kidding? Well knock me over with a feather!
Jim, so far there are contradicting news stories coming out of the administration. Hil-dog says this, obama denies this, Biden says Mubarrak not a dictator. It's a pack of lies.
Sad that you think that group of empty suits could even begin to understand foreign policy of any sort.
Sad that you are so bitter and disengaged that you would think they don't.
Oh, my Chief,
I know they don't. Sad that you think that they do.
This could be a chance for your beloved administration to redeem itself, but chances are that they will take this as a golden opportunity to accuse people in the past and try to float out of this like waste in a sewer.
Democracy doesn't fit any nation, certainly not those over- populated and economically dependable asian/african nations.
These nations such as Tunisia, Iran and Egypt will just substitute one form of dictatorship for another one, or else there will be anarchy, chaos, human rights but no humans.
What americans could learn from the chaos in Egypt is this:
1. If you want Change you must start a revolution and not going bla bla bla using empty words such as 'reforms'.
2. If economy fails like it is now the situation in America, then you should expect Disintegration
if you don't or can't stop the deterioration of the economy immediately, yesterday.
There'll be countries (such as Arizona may be) which will probably demand autonomy. There'll be use of armed force. OBama will have to do nothing about this as he had advised Moubarak the same -not to supress the mass violence in his country.
Any nation (inclusive Israel) should be able to sustain itself economically and not depend on any other nation, especially not on a nation that borrows money to give you aid.
blue said, "I know they don't."
You know nothing of the sort. And your next paragraph confirms it.
BPB~ I don't for a minute believe that the population is secular, or else they'd not be so easily duped by muslim Brotherhood, etc.
Jim~ Doesn't really matter to me about failed predictions of Mr. Morris. He uses polling data like everone else. Had I the inclination or time, I could scrounge examples of libs having made similar ill-fated predictions.
BPB~ Let's hope BHO does better for us than float our of a sewer.
Duta~ Ouch. All I can say is, "Ouch."
To think that this mob in Middle East could create freedoms relative to western norms can only be seen though western ethnocentrism. It is ingrained in us to believe that people will always chose liberty as we know it. As such a belief such as this can only be explained through the fiat of ignorance, or the clouded vision of irrational emotive compassion.
Chris~ Welcome. Glad you've visited & commented. Yes, liberty "as we know it" is most definitely a Western-centric ideal. It's what sets us apart from the rest of the modern & developing world. Some of us refer to the distinctly American version of this ideal as American Exceptionalism. And it is, indisputably, the basis for the breadth of the advancement/moderni zation/etc. of our nation.
As for your thinking that we should expect that "this mob" in Egypt would devise such a system of society & use it to their own advantage...Sadly, I agree with you. Try as we might to assist in promoting democracy (call me a fatalist), I do not think it's gonna happen...
Heaven help us.
Btw, Chris, you sound slightly professorial. Were you trying to lecture me/us, by assuming that I/we believe people "will always choose liberty as we know it"? Careful: assumptions (aka prejudices) can make a person look silly. You know what happens when you ass*u*me...
Do come back any time, though. Your comment adds a bit of spark!
The revolution is Egypt is already reverberating throughout the Middle East.
I look for the Muslim Brotherhood to garner the power. Very bad news!
AOW~ The reverb is being seen/heard everywhere...And yes, if the militants get power, it will be very bad news. Pray, dear friend.
To all on this thread~
The comments below came from the 2-1-11 post about health care. Copying them here b/c of the relevant subject matter:
Duta said: "I wish president Obama goes on playing with his Healthcare games rather than putting the Middle East on fire with his irresponsible rethoric on Egypt's MuBarak."
Sus said: "Tell me, Duta, what is it he should say? What is the best thing? (Obama is being vague & aloof, at best...)
We KNOW that Mubarak leaving immediately is a bad idea. The Muslim Bros., et. al. will certainly swoop in within minutes...They & their ilk are behind all of this anyway...
What do you think the American President should say?
(I am so very concerned for the West over this, but in the short run, worried about Israel.)"
Duta responded: "Susannah, thank you for your concern about us.
President Obama should say Nothing. There's no such thing as democracy in an arab country, certainly not in an overpopulated country like Egypt whose high birth rate makes it dificult to provide its people even with the basics. At this stage, it's an internal matter.
Obama's interference has a very negative echo in the world. 'Look' they say, 'he's deserting a friend in need, he hasn't the slightest idea what democracy in this part of the world means (anarchy, chaos), and americans are not to be trusted.'
Pity this situation was not foreseen by israeli or american intelligence services, as whatever the consequences, it's going to be bad for all parties involved: Egypt, America,Israel, the whole Middle East, and perhaps the whole world. May God help us!"
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