Comments:Hosni Mubarak steps down as president of Egypt

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Missed the 30secs that ended the 30 years of Mubaraks rule? Watch it again here: http://aje.me/hXK0Wa

thANKS

Freedom.

Slavery.

I love Mubarak, may Allah bless him for many years to come.

True DEMOCRACY is when the people govern their destiny and those how govern fearing them as it is the case with Egypt. Sadly the United State is using this historical in Egypt for propaganda around the world. The US portraits itself as the nation of democracy, let’s see if it’s true. We see how the United State government speaks about democratic principles while it maintains the people of the US ignorant of the true meaning of democracy. Every day President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary the press speaks about this historical event and how the Egyptian Government should listen to their people. President Obama and Secretary Clinton use world like freedom, human right violation, dictatorship, democracy, freedom of the press, etc., these are worlds they have no clue of their true meaning. In 2008, they went to the island of Puerto Rico to campaign for the United State Presidential election. They use Puerto Rican’s public funds for their campaign which is unlawful under the Puerto Rican Constitution, of course, a Constitution drafted by the United State Congress and imposed on the Puerto Rican’s people in 1952. The truth is, not one United Sate Citizen, while in the island of Puerto Rico can vote for any President of the USA, not even George Washington if alive today can vote for the President of the United State. Talk about democratic principles. Since 1898, every President of the USA has spoken secretly about the people of Puerto Rico and their political status. The United Nation recognizes Puerto Rico as the older colony in the world living under the imperial rule of the United State (United Nation General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV). We must not forget that while the United State goes immoral underwear around the world preaching democracy, that the world knows in what oppressive status the people of Puerto Rico are living. The world knows that the United State of America violates human rights in Puerto Rico and commits genocide in the island of Puerto Rico. The people in Puerto Rico know that the USA Coast Guard and the Central Intelligence Agency turns a blind eye on the smuggling of arms and drugs brought into Puerto Rico. Today the US Government presses on the puppets (Puerto Rico Government), that how they are call in the island, to suppress freedom of the press and deny any demonstration related to any democratic principles. Here in the United State no news paper, radio or television is permitted to talk about the United Nation and the situation with Puerto Rico. The threat of losing their jobs and license is there. We must use every mean available to educate ourselves and learn about Democracy in the United State, only then we can regain the image of a true DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY and be once again the world Shining Star . Knowing that by talking openly about democracy in the United State I am targeted by those who governs the United State of America. The youth of Egypt are showing the world what power true democracy has. Everything can be done without bloodshed or killing. Now, the youth of the world can see and learn, once the will of the people is united democracy is born.

Frankly, I completely agree with you. The situation in Puerto Rico is worse than despicable. The United States took it over during the Spanish American War and since then has maintained this sort of perverse colonial legal limbo for 100 years. Puerto Ricans cant vote, nor can they be Independent. I am curious, and since you seem to know quite a lot about the situation there- do you have any Idea why the US refuses so adamantly to let Puerto Ricans be free and grant them independence?

You're aware that Puerto Rico has voted multiple times to keep the status quo, right? Puerto Rico could easily secede and become an independent nation, but they realize the advantageousness of being affiliated with the United States. It's not a coincidence that Puerto Rico's economy is doing significantly better than its neighbors'.

The people of Egypt, as well as throughout the world may be in for a very unpleasant surprise should the events unfold as with Iran's case back in 1979. An autocrat with a very firm grip on power, a ruthless secret police and disdain for basic human rights is finally toppled by means of widespread protests. The group to which governing power is transferred makes a series of promises which keeps, at least for the time being.

However, things start changing ominously. And, with passing time, the results turn out to be worse than they used to be formerly.

The Muslim Brotherhood has made promises regarding democracy, basic human rights and liberty. But what would happen should this faction turn out to be just one more fundamentalist group? What would life in the post-Mubarak era turn out to be like in Egypt? How would things sort out for Israel having to face hardship throughout all her frontlines?

Consider this scenario: The Iranians already wield the power to close the Strait of Hormus. The Egyptians hold control of the Suez Canal. So, these two countries, based upon fundamentalist philosophies could very well choke the oil flow towards the Western Countries. After all, these countries, with the USA in the lead position, are deemed as "unfaithful" or decadent so some sort of "punishment" might be well deserved. Israel, as well, has been receiving one-fourth of her natural gas supplies fed via the Arab Gas Pipeline (which exploded a few days ago) running in from Egypt. So, why not leave her literally "out in the cold".

The bottom line is that, as previous history shows, we're only looking at the beginning of a very complicated thread of events yet to come.

Israel needs to have an Arab friend who won't just rubber stamp her Apartheid Policies towards the Palestinians. Hopefully this will change the balance of power in the peace process so that Palestinians can finally be treated like human beings. So even if the Muslim Brotherhood does come to power as the dominant party - which seems unlikely at this point-Egypt's democracy will be a force of good for the world. In any case If you truly believe in Democracy you'll respect the people of Egypt's right to choose whoever they feel best suits their Ideals and aspirations.

Wow. I can't believe that this happened. I can't believe that Hosni Mubarak has actually stepped down as president of Egypt. Wow, just...wow.

Yep. He must be fearing for his life, as he had said yesterday he wouldn't be stepping down until September. Heil! :D

About freaking time. He's been a thorn in Egypt's side for long enough, and this is the end of it. Thank God he's gone.

my concern is whether something bad will get replaced with something worse...

The military's been in power, through proxy leaders, since 1952. Every leader has been ex-military. So "whether Mubarak will step down" seems like a bit of a red herring; the real question is whether the military ruling class will permit free/fair elections.

Reference: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-williams-egypt-20110210,0,192158.story

For the military to screw this up now, would probably mean war. I doubt the US would have allowed this to happen if there wasn't some diplomatic assurance of certain measures, especially from the military. This was planned out and speeches wrote 24 hours ago. Mubarak didn't just have an epiphany. Besides, elections, technically by the constitution as it's written, would take place in 60 days.