Love and Hope

Mubarek has gone, and Egypt is cheering. It gives this Bird an overwhelming sense of faith and hope in humanity. The American government has been fearful of change, of chaos and disaster. The Egyptian people have shown that they are far more successful in their bravery and tenacity at removing dictators and creating democracy than they could ever be. Compare this heroicly peaceful revolution with the American government's attempts to overthrow oppressive regimes: Iraq, Afghanistan, .........................
Whilst only a privileged few ever know what machinations go on in the clouded turrets of power, this Bird had the privilege of speaking several times in the last couple of weeks to relatives in Cairo, some of the few civilian Westerners who chose to stay. They have told me about the incredible spirit and generosity of their Egyptian neighbours: the so-called 'vigilante' groups running neighbourhood barricades, peacefully and bravely protecting their families and friends from secret police and looters; the local people who inundated them with loaves of bread when they happened to mention they were running low; the open arms which they, as white Westerners, have been welcomed by the community when they chose to stay. This is in such stark contrast to the paranoia of some powerful Westerners unable to support the revolution because of fear that Egypt may become an anti-Western state. This is lesson for all of us in love and courage. Maybe if Egypt decided that it didn't want to be governed by a Western-style state prioritising power and might, they may be able to to show the West a thing or two. I wish them all power in their attempt to create a true democracy.