Few western reporters understand the emotional volatility of "the Arab street" better than NBC's Richard Engel; a four-year resident of Cairo, and fluent in Arabic language and cultures.
In it's natural state, the Nile River floods each year... Refreshing the banks on either side with the rich life-giving nutrients that made it possible for there to be any Egyptian civilization beyond the nomadic Bedouin herders of the deep desert. The ancients realized it was beyond their control, but learned to live better by having it happen.
Politically, Egypt has suffered a very long dry season. About 2/3 of Egyptians have never known a leader other than Hosni Mubarak; the military strong man who has ruled under a repressive "state of emergency" since the death of Anwar Sadat.
I don't know how to say "Enough!" in Arabic... But the people in the streets of Cairo do... And are saying it at the top of their lungs.
 | Democracy Delayed or Denied Audio Embed: Dave Ross, KIRO-FM/Seattle 1/28/11 |
Earthquake, tsunami,
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