The man against the machine. One person stands up to the army, holding the Egyptian flag.
But it’s moments like this, watching chaos in the world and civil unrest in a nation that is “allied” to the United States and other democracies, that one must step back and wonder what Egypt will emerge? Will it be radical? Will it be filled with freedom? Will it know civil rights and allow people to vote freely, along with the bare necessities to stabilize the nation after these protests end?
And finally, will Hosni Mubarak listen to the people.. He’s in his 80s but it’s leading in a brand new world—one connected to the internet, one that speaks on cell phones, and one that has marched beyond the 20th century-style leadership that Mubarak has held on to for three decades..
It’s amazing to watch the developments unfold as they do, with TV networks covering live—but the internet streaming live.. It’s amazing and chilling reading tweets from people on the streets as they come out—somehow some are making it out of the ‘kill switch’ net turnoff that occurred within the nation.
And finally, it’s breathtaking to see a people rise up in solidarity against a government they have grown weary of.. But it begs the question, will real reform be fostered by the violence, and will the pro-democracy protesters be taken over by more radical elements of society within the nation?
There are no answers. While we watch the chaos in real time, we are simply left stunned, speechless, and amazed. This is happening. Right now, live. As we speak, and read, and type. And it’s even more startling to think that one man in Tunisia set himself on fire in protest, and lit a spark that may end up transforming nations before our eyes.
