NOT Iran!

I have anxiously waited to see what would develop in Egypt. I watched with wonder as the people peacefully flooded the streets with demands for things that are so close to my heart -- democracy, freedom, equality, and opportunity. I have held my breath in a figurative sense, and held my tongue on what was going on, hoping for the best for their citizens.

And I am so happy to see Mubarak gone! It is not the solution to the problems of Egypt, but it IS the first step. Many politicos, though, are wary that Egypt is going to turn into the new Iran, with secular leaders, laws that limit the freedoms of it's people, and non-Democratic government. Well, Egypt is NOT Iran.

Perhaps some look to the friendship of Anwar Sadat with the previous Shah of Iran? Or the fact that Mubarak was his Vice President? Whatever his failings, though, Sadat was a moderate who aligned Egypt with the West, and thus helped to move his country away from the most radical Islamist influences.

And the thing about Mubarak is, as bad as he was and as crooked -- he did NOT put in place a secular government. He did not severely restrict freedoms of speech with a government-controlled media. He did not appoint religious leaders to high political posts. And he kept the peace with Israel.

The Egyptian people also have a Constitution. They have had Anwar Sadat. They have experienced perhaps one or two fair elections. And they have been accustomed to a huge influx of international tourism -- all of this for 60 years or more. The Egyptian people are not just aware of what a true Democracy IS, but they have hungered for it for many years now, and have experienced it in some fashion in the recent past. The will of the People of Egypt must, and will be heard on this.

The protests of the past few weeks have brought out women and men alike, and people have expressed the will to have true and fair elections; have expressed that this "revolution" is for rich and poor, young and old alike; and peppering the news all over is the idea that women are equal to men, and that education and work are extremely important to the Egyptian people.

Not only that, but the Military in Egypt is clearly one that is not held in the thrall of it's false President. They feel a connection to their People, will not harm them, and in fact were a key instrument in ensuring that the revolution in Egypt was peaceful as it could be. I have hope that the Military will in fact help Egypt to establish their new government. They are, after all, a part of the People of Egypt.

Egypt is not Iran. They do not look to be an Islamic State. The People of Egypt want what any educated society would want… Peace, prosperity, democracy, and a better life for their children free from the threat of war, poverty and violence. They have made Peace with Israel and lived in relative peace with their own minority Christian population.

Egypt is not Iran. They do not think that the West is Evil. Although they are probably correct that the US has meddled in their national affairs to their detriment in the past -- they don't seem to have any problems at all with American tourists or journalists. They seem to have a balanced view of the West, seeing both good and bad as in any society.

Egypt is not Iran. They have not thrown out foreign journalists, denied travel to their citizens, or engaged in widespread, government-lead repression women or religious minority groups. Cell phone and internet access is not generally controlled. The Egyptian people are not force-fed anti-American propaganda.

I have to say, that after saying all this I feel like I am Iran-bashing. Meet people who have fled Iran, and you will realize that we can NOT make the mistake of equating the government of Iran with the will of it's People. They are not one and the same.

Egypt is not Iran. But we can hope one day that Egypt will be the model for Peace, freedom, and Democracy in Iran. And in Tunisia. And in Iraq, and Jordan, and any other place that hungers for their rights as individuals.

To the people in Egypt I would say -- it's been a long time that you have waited. The PEOPLE of the United States are proud of you, of your peaceful revolution. We very much look forward to your demands for Democracy to be met, and wish for you Peace and Prosperity!

WAY TO GO PEOPLE OF EGYPT! You have shown the World what the power of conviction is.