Hundreds dead, violent street demonstrations, a repressive autocratic regime nearing its third decade, new technology fueling the protests, and the threat of Islamic fundamentalists filling the void--one could be talking about Egypt today or Iran in 1979. More than thirty years ago, leftists imagined the Islamic revolutionaries as Persian versions of themselves. Read my article @ FrontPageMag that notes the warnings Iran issues us about Egypt.

And what a shockagh - POTUS siding with the Muslim Brotherhood.

Now that he has America in turmoil, he's going to make sure the rest of the world is unstable as well.

Must have learn this in Community Organizing 101.

I never said that.

No Kermit Roosevelt orchestrated coup-d'etat against Mohammed Mossadeq in 1953, no reinstatement of the Shah, and hence no Islamic Republic of Iran. Conservatives, of course, loved it when Mossadeq was overthrown and the tyranny of the Shah was imposed. The Shah upheld "freedom" and "liberty", ie the right of multi-nationals to steal precious resources and exploit millions for profit. The Mubarek regime does basically the same thing, and multi-nationals and conservative bunglers love it.

Why do conservatives only think 1 step back in history?

While the ouster of Mossadeq certainly was orchestrated as a means to make sure Iran didn't nationalize their oil industry, it is a bit of a leap to suggest that the Islamic Republic of Iran wouldn't have come into existence without the experience of the Shah's tyranny.

The people of Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iraq, to name a few, have all experienced tyranny under their leaders, and not succumbed to revolution.

Even if your line of reasoning is accurate, we've seen the result, and as Dan pointed out, it certainly wasn't what those on the left (who supported the revolution) thought it was going to be.

This whole thing is maddening. Last year, when it looked like, finally, possibly, the mullahs (and that creep Ahmadinejad) were losing their grip, I was ready to cheer. And we did nothing.

This year, what with the prospect of the Muslim Brotherhood taking over, while I want to root for the protesters, what's in the offing if they get their way might be miles worse than Mubarek's regime. And we're cheering them on.

I hate that expression, "well, he might be a dictator, but he's OUR dictator," however, it might just apply here. Believe me, I hate saying that.

With regards to the Egyptian situation the optimal solution here would be for the United States to identify groups within the oppositon to Mubarak who will address the very legitimate grievances of the Egyptian people and will promote economic opportunity, liberty, and self-determination for all Egyptians but will also work with us on areas of vital concern to us such as assistance in the fight against Islamic terrorism, keeping the valuable Suez Cana open, and will not undermine our interests. Once these groups are identified, we should work with them to bring to bring to fruition our joint goals. We want freedom for Egyptians and always have but don't want our legitimate interests undermined.

I have no doubt that such groups exist within the revolution. but unfortunately the optimal solution may not be possible. Frankly I doubt our intellegence services have the competence to be able to identify such groups or to be able to get aid and other needed things to them.

Our only real option at this point seems to be to withdraw entirely from the Middle East. The withdrawl of all military and other assets should begin from this region without delay. It should begin as soon as our transport vehicles ans ships can get them out and it should not be stopped until every thing is withdrawn. These troops should then be redeployed to defesnsible positions along the US borders. A special emphasis should be placed on the Southern border because this is where the biggest problem seems to be.

Upgrade the nuclear arsenal. We've allowed our nuclear deterrant to erode over the years. Its time to reverese this. These weapons are less expensive than much of what we currently have and they are more effective. Also, our military is worn down from continued operations over the years and the money isn't available to upgrade these forces. As such, a more potent nuclear deterrent will be imperative for our nation's survival.

Begin to develop ALL of our own oil and gas reserves and build more refineries. Doing this will give us a greater supply of oil and it will give us greater leverage when dealing with Middle Eastern and other nations. Utilizing coal to oil technologies will be helpful here as well. We haven't done this because we've allowed enviro-whackos to direct our energy policy. We're reaping the bitter fruits of this decision now.

Its clear our immigration system is a mess. A moratium on all immigration should be put in place for a minimum of ten years. This should give us sufficient time and space to correct these problems. An idefinite moratorium should be put in place on immigration from Middle Eastern countries. It makes very little sense to invite people into your house who don't like you very much.

The collective memory hole works for all no matter what party or ideological affiliation.

So, have we learned nothing from the Carter years about what it means for the United States to acquiesce to leftist regime changes?

We have a President currently who is akin and down with every radical and opposing 'against the establishment' group (particularly if they are Muslims) and only sees revolution as a good thing. Even though, in this case, it will further destabilize the region, which will not turn out well for the country he supposes to lead.

Mubarak was right to tell Obama to pound sand when he and his envoys insisted that he step down.