Readers' corner
You have been heard
Sir-- As a citizen of and believer in democracy, I applaud the efforts of the Egyptian people. Their efforts are similar to what happened following the election in Iran and the most recent revolution in Tunisia.
Believe it or not, one thing that trumps capitalism and political correctness in the United States is the right to have one's voice heard. This is the foundation of which our democracy is built on.
It is unfortunate that the United States compromised on one of its most fundamental values in order to protect its economic interests in the Middle East; something that happens all too often domestically as well. It was not the Egyptian people who were attempting to seize power but rather those who were in power who engaged in intimidation to prevent the will of the people from being heard. Why else would they stoop to such underhanded tactics to block various means of communication among the citizens of Egypt?
The days of the puppet regime are finally coming to an end as it appears the desire for freedom will continue to sweep among the Arab nations. Accordingly, let the call go forth among all citizens of Egypt that your brothers and sisters of democracy from all over the world are with you during every trial and tribulation you may encounter during this crisis and after. To the people of Egypt, the trumpet of freedom beckons you to ensure your voice, preserve your sacred heritage, promote your children's future and obtain the blessings of liberty we all cherish.
Joe Bialek
Ohio
USA
Copy the US
Sir-- I suggest that they consider seriously the US constitution as their main guide. After all, that constitution made the USA what it is today.
Gayle John
Texas
USA
Evolution, not revolution
Sir-- What has happened and is going to happen in the days ahead is not a mere revolt or a revolution undertaken by the masses of Egyptians but an evolution. Finally, the people have realised their rights to partake in everyday life after years of exclusion by the elites who thought that ordinary people would never rise up and had hibernated or become sedated.
Mohamed Qasem
Qena
Egypt
Back to how it was
Sir-- I hope for an outcome where Egypt can finally resettle after a century of Western control and may return to its former cultural and scholarly renaissance.
Mort Scope
New York
USA
Like Turkey
Sir-- Egypt has a bright future ahead of it if it can become more like the Turkish democracy. We should help them along this noble path.
Mehmet Uglu
Istanbul
Turkey
Gaza waiting
Sir-- Gaza will love to share a border with a fellow fundamentalist nation.
Rob Mayer
New Jersey
USA
More to come
Sir-- Sadly, these protesters will remain bruised, tired and hungry even after Mubarak. A new government, whoever they are, will still not be able to provide enough jobs for them. Worse still, jobs will be scarcer because of political instability.
Linda Reese
Washington
USA
Could be worse
Sir-- The worst thing which can happen in Egypt now after the fall of Mubarak is if he will be replaced by a theocracy instead of a democracy.
Teuvo Brostrom
Malmo
Sweden
Wrong way
Sir-- I wish I saw this as going in the right direction. Democracy is an integral part of freedom. and I wish it for everyone. But the simple truth is, all these rise-ups are orchestrated as cultist motivated takeovers, actually anti-freedom. And that's who will be in power. I see no legitimacy of the mob. They were told to report by clerics. Chaos is next on their agenda.
Dennis Blithe
Minnesota
USA
Be wary
Sir-- Hoping the best for Egypt, but if the Brotherhood have their way, it's downhill from there. Egypt will never have the cultural and political renaissance the demonstrators are fighting because of the Brotherhood. Keep these people in check and you're good.
Fran Barker
New York
USA
Fire them
Sir-- If they fire all the people on strike they can give their jobs to the unemployed persons of Egypt.
Aaron Newsell
Boston
USA
No help
Sir-- It would certainly be refreshing and encouraging to see at least one Israeli extend their hand to the Egyptian people in their time of need. I won't hold my breath though. It seems Israelis only know how to demand. Generosity to others is not part of their culture while it certainly is a pillar in the Islamic tradition as anyone who has been to Egypt will tell you.
Don Steuter
Florida
USA
Do the same
Sir-- Why weren't we out in the streets like the Egyptians when our Fed stole $2 trillion from us and gave it to the banks?
Boson Trease
Massachusetts
USA
You are not alone
Sir-- My dear people of Egypt. I just want you to know that all around the world all the "real" people, people with love in their hearts, are supporting your revolution. You are not alone.
You are doing the right thing risking your lives for a better future for you all and for the world in general.
I'm from Spain. We had a horrible war from 1936-9. It was the first war in which people all around the world joined in solidarity in order to fight for an ideal. It is now the same with Egypt.
You have millions of people supporting you, and that will give you your deserved victory.
Daniel Herrera Cepero
Madrid
Spain
Think again
Sir-- All you people bashing the US for supporting Mubarak should consider that there has been peace between Israel and Egypt for 30 years and Egypt is still a relatively prosperous nation compared to most of the Middle Eastern countries.
Tara Stenor
London
UK
Not a democracy
Sir-- Re 'Cookie-cutter cuisine' ( Al-Ahram Weekly, 10-16 February), as a fellow Canadian, I am amazed that you are there watching history in real time. It is amazing also that the paper was even able to get published in the chaos. You spelled it all out and leave no doubt about the interference of the US and their self-interest. Most Americans think they have a true democracy although they have to be blind to see that elections and officials are owned by the various lobbies. Unemployment, abject poverty, homelessness, and the terrible treatment of the native people in the US and Canada are criminal but are accepted facts of life.
If Egypt uses the US as their model of democracy they will be no better off than they are now. There won't be just one person to blame; it will be a litany of people. They won't have enough fingers to point. All models of government depend on the honesty and integrity of those with the power. Good luck finding anyone with those credentials.
Carol Nodwell
Ontario
Canada
Follow your heart
Sir-- Please don't let your revolution die.
I write you from Portugal. In 1974 we had our revolution, when we managed to stop 50 years of oppression and dictatorship.
The army had the major part of this revolution, because there were many young officers that took the lead. The army is the people, and the young captains were the people's conscience. They didn't obey the old generals of the regime.
Support your army and its new generation of officers, because they are the guarantee that the old pro-government generals will not finish with your beautiful revolution.
Support the people and their legitimate ambitions.
Keep your eyes wide open, follow your hearts, and win this battle, because it will be very important to the whole world. Even young European people should follow your young people and make their own revolution.
I am with you. All those that love real freedom are with you.
Carlos Carvalho
Lisbon
Portugal
A dollar daily
Sir-- I don't blame them one little bit. I would not work for $1 measly a day and you can bet no self-respecting politician or grossly overpaid diplomatic crook would either. Why not protest these slaves wages and lousy working conditions. You got this evil Washington orchestrated puppet leader stealing billions from the poor people of Egypt. Thousands of so-called diplomats (haven't got clue as to their function) living high on the hog while these hard working-class Egyptian people are reduced to eating trash from dumpsters.
Jake Fidle
Oregon
USA
Backs turned
Sir-- The first Arab country that signed a peace treaty with Israel was Egypt. How shameful that so many Israeli supporters have turned their backs on the plight of the Egyptian people; hardly inspiring for other Arab nations to want to make peace. When the chips are down, expect the same Israelis who demand peace and have their own trials and tribulations recognised and paraded around the world for pity to spit in your face. The only interests they have are their own. They seem to think they have exclusive rights on being the victim and are inherently exonerated in their role of oppressor.
Mariam Murad
Alexandria
Egypt
You did it
Sir-- I am excited for all Egyptians as they embark on their journey of democracy of the people by the people. Well done! I visited your country some years ago and am eager to return again.
Rita Power
California
USA
Crazy firm
Sir-- What sane company would hire or keep a loose cannon like Wael Ghoneim?
Ahmed Salem
Washington
USA
Freedom an instinct
Sir-- All humans have the instinct to be free. If the people in government don't have the best interest of the citizens in all they do, then they surely must be replaced. A successful war on corruption is the main action to attain freedom. Evil murdering heartless people like George Soros who create so much human misery and death around this planet for their entertainment, must be defeated by not doing what they anticipate. All six-plus billion humans are on the side of the Egyptians in their march to freedom. Until you have freedom of speech and the other freedoms that go with a constitutional government, then the people using your tax money for their own greed must be replaced with people that can't be bought by the criminals that run this world.
Gist Combs
Detroit
USA
An example
Sir-- We have watched with tears in our eyes as you have peacefully, passionately, courageously overturned your government and made a better future possible for your country. You have our respect, admiration and friendship. Thank you for showing the world how political change should happen.
Tom and Denise Windebanks
Florida
USA
Now the hard part
Sir-- I live in the northern part of the state of Idaho in the US. On behalf of all my friends (about 25) who have been following the uprising in Egypt, I want to say how touched and proud we are of the efforts of the citizens of Egypt. It appears, as of 11/2/ 2011 you have achieved a peaceful revolution. Honour to all the people who died for this cause.
Now the hard, really hard work begins. I pray you can merge all the interests in your country into a coherent democratic whole.
The democracy of the US is good but democracies are inherently messy. Stupid people, and we have many (about 1/2 of our country), can control things for a long time. Fortunately, our country for two more years at least has a president, Obama, who generally aspires to the large picture of rights for everyone.
May God bless and sustain you. Give Mubarak peace and respect in his retirement. Follow the conciliatory path of Mandela in South Africa and Egypt will become a historical marker once again.
I am also looking forward to the resurrection of Arab art and culture to be shared with the world.
Stephen Drinkard
Idaho
USA
Don't be fooled
Sir-- Let's not delude ourselves to believe we speak for everyone and that we know what's best for everyone. Let's not delude ourselves to think we are more intelligent or better informed than our compatriots: our experiences differ, our influences differ, and our perspectives differ. Egyptian media, whether state-run or privately funded, have been pointing out corruption; let's welcome Facebook and Twitter to the equation with open arms, but let's not pretend that freedom of expression is a tool that cannot also be used to manipulate and incite hatred. Let's favour due process over sensationalism. Let's own up to our misery and not blame it on somebody else. Let's emulate those who have taken it upon themselves to improve their own lives and the lives of their compatriots without depending on others for their support. Let's not allow ourselves to feel powerless, helpless, vengeful and self-righteous.
Safi Roshdi
Cairo
Egypt
Just a few hundred
Sir-- I was really impressed by the news published by your esteemed newspaper mentioning that one million pro-Mubarak protesters showed up the other day. Wow! It's too bad though I could only count a few hundred if that, and this also is compatible with what other reliable news organisations published. Is that what your regime is telling you to do? Where is the honesty in journalism?
Mona Seredin
Cairo
Egypt
New Egypt
Sir-- I was not among those brave persons who went down to the street on 25 or 28 January. I started to go just after the "camels battle". From being there, I can highlight the following values which I discovered and also felt while I was there, starting from the entrance of Tahrir Square until I left just before the curfew.
People were helping each other in marvellous ways. No more selfishness.
I saw all the classes of the Egyptian society whether Muslim or Christian; men and women; poor and rich; Islamic wing, liberal and communist; grown up and newborn.
Everyone was ready to give his soul for a better day for our blessed country.
People in the square showed that they are real fighters, even girls. They believed in their cause and were waiting to achieve their goals.
This is a new Egypt, free from corruption and full of justice and equity. An Egypt for all the Egyptians with equitable chances.
After tasting these values which we thought had disappeared from our society, I feel so sad for two main reasons: as a legal professor I know the constitutional dilemma that requires maintaining the current regime and getting partial reform. On the other hand, I do believe in the negotiating process and the need for normal people to get back a normal life, including myself. Outside Tahrir Square people are unfortunately going contrary of these values. When I went to my work today, I was there in only body. My mind as well as my heart were in Tahrir Square.
Yassin El-Shazli
Cairo
Egypt
Start now
Sir-- There is a clear road to a transition to reform in Egypt. The government should be run until the September elections by Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik, a capable and independent experienced leader who can gain the support of the people by leading a campaign against corruption. The political parties should begin to hold their conventions to nominate candidates, with individuals who wish to challenge the nominations of their conventions in lawful primaries. The campaign should begin now so people can get off the streets and start offering their solutions to the problems facing the nation. This is the best way to begin the transition immediately.
Richard Cummings
New York
USA
Islamic potential
Sir-- If the Egyptian people think their current government is corrupt and an unfree country, just wait till it becomes an Islamic state.
Jack Kooperstein
New York
USA
Credit the army
Sir-- The military deserves a lot of credit for not doing what the Iranian government did to its own people in 1979 and what the Chinese government did to its own people in 1989.
Jacques Reme
Montreal
Canada
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