Sunday, February 27, 2011

Let Tunisia lead the way

The resignation of Tunisian Bin `Ali's prime minister, Muhammad Al-Ghannushi, has been announced.  It was thrilling.  It confirms my view: the Tunisian revolt--not the Egyptian revolt--should lead the way for all Arab revolts because it has more radical maturity than other Arab revolts, and the voices of the middle and upper class segments, like that Wa'il Ghunaym in Egypt, are marginalized.  The Tunisian people would not relent: they knew that changing the government requires more than bring down the tyrant.  They have pressed this week for the ouster of this prime minister who was designated by Bin `Ali.  Also, the Tunisian people reservedly praised their armed forces but did not go as far as some of the Egyptian revolt leaders who unwittingly gave a license to the Military council to do what it wishes.  I admire very much the depth and momentum of the Egyptian uprising, but they should take their clue from Tunisia.  The downfall of Ahmad Shafiq is an imperative and they should make the country inhospitable for Husni Mubarak.  It is unthinkable that an uprising would bring down a tyrant, and he would be permitted to stay on and retire in a house built for him by one of the most corrupt businessmen who sold gas to Israel.  The task of Arab revolts after the ouster of the tyrant is more difficult than the previous phase.  I doff my hat to the people of Tunisia.  They speak for me, especially as they express solidarity daily with their Arab brothers and sisters and they chant daily for Palestine.  I am sick and tired of those parasites in the Egyptian uprising--mostly opportunists who switched sides at the last moment--who never cease to sing praises of the ancient Egyptian civilization.  I have had enough of that.