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Hold the Celebration: Egypt's Struggle Just Began - by Stephen Lendman
Hopefully beneath celebratory euphoria, Egyptians know ousting Mubarak was simple, especially since Washington long wanted him out. Covertly with Egypt's military, it facilitated long-planned regime purging for with new faces under old policies. In other words, have everything change but stay the same, a common imperial bait and switch con.
As a result, the real liberating struggle continues against long odds for success because Washington, Egypt's military, Israel, Western powers, and big money will do everything to prevent it. The usual scheme was hatched - a facade of change that may or may not work, and will be months, maybe years, to know.
For now, however, Al Jazeera headlined, "Post-Mubarak era dawns on Egypt....just four weeks after Tunisians toppled their....ruler." Or did they? Their struggle also continues against comparable long odds. People throughout the region face them against powerful dark forces, representing imperial/monied interests, not theirs.
Al Jazeera, however, reported:
"Egyptians have woken to a new dawn after 30 years of rule under Hosni Mubarak." All night celebration preceded it. "Fireworks lit the night sky, cars honed under swathes of read, white and black Egyptian flags and people hoisted children above their heads. Some took souvenir pictures with smiling soldiers atop their tanks city streets," unaware that military commanders are enemies, not allies, a reality they'll confront ahead and should prepare.
For now, opposition figure Ayman Nour called February 11 "the greatest day in Egyptian history. This nation has been born again. These people have been born again, and this is a new Egypt."
Al Jazeera correspondents said street euphoria was "indescribable," "an explosion of emotion," quoting one pro-democracy campaigner, Dina Magdi, saying:
"I have waited, I have worked all my adult life to see the power of the people come to the fore and show itself. I am speechless. The moment is not only about Mubarak stepping down, it is also about people's power to bring about the change that no one....thought possible."
Supportive Media Reports
Euphoria also characterized most US media reports. Notably, however, unless Washington plans war or wants foreign adversaries denigrated, rarely ever are overseas events covered, especially uprisings against purported allies. Yet, for days, Egypt's was main-featured on television and in print, including unheard of anti-regime views, meaning official Washington supported them against an out-of-favor leader.
American (and Western) media reports manipulate public opinion on official foreign and domestic policies. Their managed news unabashedly supports monied interests, imperial wars, and police state laws, while paying scant attention to corporate lawlessness, eroding democracy, sham elections, government and corporate corruption, civil liberties and human rights concerns, rule of law issues, a growing wealth gap, unmet human needs, and increasing poverty, hunger, homelessness and despair for growing millions globally, including at home besides countries like Egypt.
As a result, had Mubarak been in favor, spotty coverage would have called protesters agitators, rabble-rousers, insurgents, terrorists and jihadists, never pro-democracy heros.
On February 11, Nation magazine's Katrina vanden Heuvel headlined, "Triumph in Egypt," saying:
"After eighteen days of protest, Mubarak's nearly thirty-year reign over Egypt was brought to a triumphant close today. Ousted by the people, Egyptian protesters stood strong, exhibiting nothing short of sheer jubilation as the news broke."
New York Times writer David Kirkpatrick headlined, "Egypt Erupts in Jubiliation as Mubarak Steps Down," saying:
