Don't Miss the Egyptian Freedom Train, Mr. Obama

Mr. Obama, there are times when the only viable option is action.

Americans know you have a hard time with actually taking decisions and following through actively, but this time, it is even more important to act, now!

The people of Egypt are on the streets with molotov cocktails and horsemen, apparently under Mubarak’s orders, are riding rough shod through them. The Army is trying to stay neutral in the melee, but it is becoming more and more difficult.

The United States created, trained and finances the Egyptian Army. This is not a state secret. The world knows. The world also knows that without some concrete and sustained support from the United States, the Egyptian freedom fighters will be harassed, killed, and defeated by a man who is not loved, not liked, not even tolerated this past week by his own citizens - Hosni Mubarak.

We understand that Mubarak has been a loyal supporter of American policies in the Middle East. We know that he continued Anwar Sadat’s peace with Israel. We also know that he is a dictator whose time is up.

If you are worried about the rest of the Middle East’s rulers turning a cold shoulder toward america if you help the Egyptian people get rid of a dictator, because most of them are dictators, too, we are sympathetic to your dilemma.

But, dilemmas are the stuff of leadership. If you, President of the largest democracy in the West and leader of the world, cannot accept a bucket of cold water from a bunch of dictators, why are you in the Oval Office?

We didn’t elect you to play golf, vacation in Hawaii, and make nice speeches. We hired you to lead the free world.

Egypt is part of that world and its people are crying out to you to speak up. To support them in their hour of need. To say to the world, America is in favor of democracy. We support all peoples who take their destiny in their hands and try to forge democratic states. We oppose dictatorships, just as much as we did when we went to the defense of Europe, just as much as we did when we defended Berliners against an air blockade, just as much as we did when we opposed the Soviet challenge in Cuba, just as much as we did when we stopped segregation right here in America. 

Stand up and be counted. If it costs us a little petroleum or a few invitations to state dinners in the Middle East, the cost will have been well worth it.

Mr. President, don’t miss the freedom train that’s pulling out of the Cairo station. There might not be another chance for real American leadership in the Middle East.