I don't understand why Mubarak can't just expedite the elections, like for a month or two ahead. He could declare some kind of emergency and get it done if he had to. It would make him staying in power in the meantime a little more understandable. But, if he survives this round of opposition, when September comes, he could just say that it isn't a good time to have an election and go back on his promises. Politicians do that all the time.

But the US is looking inconsistent and indecisive on exactly what kind of stance to take. Today, the ex-diplomat, Wisner, came out at a conference today in the middle east and said that Mubarak should stay in until the elections in September. The government apparently made a point of saying that his statements didn't represent the official government view, but it was just a couple days ago that he was sent to Cairo, because of his long time friendship with Mubarak to deliver the news that Obama wanted him to begin the transition immediately. Some in the press took that to mean that Obama was leaning on Mubarak to get out now, but I don't think that is what Obama intended. I think he has been trying to keep his statements as vague as possible so that he can point to them after this has tilted obviously and say that he said the right thing. Can't say that I blame him. But, if he wants to get on the good side of the opposition, the statements of today, first by Wisner, and second, by various governmental officials, including, apparently, Sec. of State Clinton, who said that they wanted Mubarak's recently hand picked vice president Sulliman, the head of Egyptian intelligence, what seems to me to be the equivalent to their CIA, aren't going to help in that cause. I can't imagine that is going to please the protesters.

It would be nice to think that the Egyptian government will fall and a new, more equitable system will start. Things are never that clean and nice. There is lots of money and power at stake here. The US and other interests are trying to steer things. The odds are that they will. And, the steering will be towards a direction that keeps western interests in control. But, the wild card is the will of the people and just how many people join the opposition. Also, what may or may not happen in other countries will have an influence. It's too soon to say, and really, we may not know for decades all of the ramifications of this. But, how can we justify a 30 year presidency with no credibile elections? Isn't that the epitome of anti-American? How could we be throwing a billion and a half dollars toward that every year, especially when our nation is in such need?