Obama should have thrown his support behind reform

[jeanpalmer]

"It's time for the dictator to leave." That's what he should have said.

[GodlessBiker]

1. I agree.

[msongs]

2. reform in Egypt...or in the USA? nt

[jeanpalmer]

6. That's a problem

I wonder if the Egyptians realize that if they get what they want, they'll be slaves of the corporations and the banks?

[jdlh8894]

3. To what "Dictator"

should he have said this to?

[DURHAM D]

4. simple minded

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[emulatorloo]

7. Interesting.

Wonder if people will call for invasion soon.

[COLGATE4]

17. K&R X 1000. That's exactly the type of superficial sloganeering

that has gotten us into such deep shit around the world.

[Enrique]

18. the neocons are with Obama and Mubarak

when they talk about supporting democracy, it's just talk.

[phleshdef]

19. "The neocons are with Obama..." and thats where you lose the argument.

The neocons despise Obama. His moves on Afghanistan earned him no friends among them.

[Jennicut]

8. Sometimes a dictator gets replaced...

by another dictator. Who has the power right now? Mubarek? Not really. The people? They have the attention but no real physical power. The military? Possibly. We might just see a military dictator take over. Would that be better or worse? Who knows. If I were Obama I would walk the careful line as well.

[jeanpalmer]

9. Start with the facts that everyone knows

Mubarrak is a dictator and run a very repressive regime. What can the US do to encourage a change to a democratic system? Propping up Mubarrak is not the answer. Encourage change, threaten to cut off the money if he doesn't agree to democratic changes, etc. There are all kinds of steps the US could take to promote democratic change. But standing behind the current regime is not one of them. The US has a special obligation to help the Egyptian people, since it has been the major backer of this repressive regime.

[Jennicut]

12. And Obama has stated he will cut off aid if Mubarek lets the army there turn violent.

But I honestly think the people there don't want us to interfere at all. Personally I do agree that for 15 or so years, the United States propped up Mubarek for "stability" reasons. But obviously the people have had enough. Let them dictate their own future. Also, we really need to get out of this foreign aid crap. Most of it is a complete waste.

[phleshdef]

14. Walk the careful line? But thats so Un-Bush like. These people want Obama to be neocon chest beater.

[vaberella]

10. Wars start when other leaders think their words are so important.

He should keep his mouth shut and not say anything. Give a general airy statement and let it go until this thing plays itself out. I don't want my nation getting involved in world drama when we need a bit of reform for many things in our own neck of the woods.

[jenmito]

11. Bush-is that you? n/t

[boppers]

13. I'm not a fan of Sharia.

Not all "reform" is good.

[Whisp]

15. is that like agreeing with the Chimperor that it was 'time' for Saddam to leave?

good grief.

[GSLevel9]

16. it looks like he's been actively warming US-Mubarek relations

according to Telegraph article.