Egypt’s multiple choice: Mubarak a) Goes b) Stays

Opinion

On Thursday, February 10, late in the afternoon, I started collecting information for this article. I was following various Twitter feeds from the major news outlets and refreshing Google news periodically to get the latest. It was then I wrote the preliminary title for this article, "Mubarak steps down."

Here we are in the cold light of the following day and it seems the status quo has dealt us an unsurprising non-surprise. Mubarak addressed the nation in a televised speech Thursday evening but announced he wasn’t leaving. Speculation had been running rampant all day that he would resign but in the end, "Should I stay or should I go" turned out to be we’ll all have to wait until September to see if he keeps his word. Considering his 30 years in power, is it any wonder the public may be a bit sceptical of Hosni keeping his word? The question now is what will the protesters do?

The CBC is reporting today Egypt’s military says it endorses Mubarak’s decision not to resign;

it supports his plan for a peaceful transfer of power, and for free and fair presidential elections later in the year and it also promised to end the country’s 30-year state of emergency once "the current situation has ended."

Al Jazeera – Feb 10/2011:

Hosni Mubarak’s speech

Hosni Mubarak gave a speech in which he was anticipated to announce his resignation. Instead, the 82-year-old Egyptian president repeated his intention to remain in power until the presidential elections in September.

Euronews – Feb 10/2011:

Suleiman calls on Egyptians to "go home"

Moments after President Hosni Mubarak infuriated the hundreds of thousands in Tahrir Square by refusing to stand down his deputy, vice-president Omar Suleiman, took to the airwaves and called for the country to unite and face the challenges ahead together, his speech was greeted by howls of derision.

Russia Today – Feb 11/2010:

‘Shoe!’ Egyptians outraged at Mubarak address, ready to storm Palace

Clashes have reportedly erupted between Mubarak supporters and protesters gathered near the Presidential Palace in Cairo Earlier the Egyptian army made an official statement promising to lift the state of emergency as soon as the current situation ends and ensure free elections in the near future. Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians have begun flooding the streets of Cairo as protesters promise an unprecedented rally. This comes after President Hosni Mubarak once again vowed to remain in office until September.

In a televised national address, he promised to transfer some power to his vice president, Omar Suleiman – but not step down himself. The 82-year-old also cited his reluctance to bow to international pressure – something many believe he’s done on a regular basis.

#ReasonsMubarakIsLate

Twitter "trended" this hashtag early Thursday evening. Apparently Hosni was supposed to deliver his speech around 8pm local time but didn’t speak until much later and this hashtag became a focal point for people to give their one line zingers explaining the delay. Some of them were quite hilarious.

#ReasonsMubarakisLate because he is watching a revolution on Al Jazeera.

#ReasonsMubarakIsLate he is in de nile.

#reasonsmubarakislate: Changing his Facebook status with Israel and the USA to "it’s complicated"

Friday, February 11, 2011

Associated Press is reporting the disappointment of the crowds in Tahrir Square.

…the profound disappointment that Mubarak did not step down on Thursday turned to rage on Friday and protests escalated.

"What are you waiting for?" one protester yelled in the face of an army officer outside Mubarak’s main palace, Oruba, in northern Cairo, where a crowd of demonstrators grew to more than 2,500. "Did you pledge your allegiance to the president or the people?" another shouted.

The CBC is reporting the crowds in Tahrir are loud and very angry. Instead of going to mosques for Friday prayers, people are staying in the square and praying. As the day wears on and evening comes, will that anger turn to violence? Estimates have placed the number killed during the protests at over 30 with thousands injured.

How will all this play out? Will Egypt have a smooth transition or a transition at all?

The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqH21LEmfbQ

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO

Oh yeeeeeaaaaah

Wooh!

Darling you got to let me know

Should I stay or should I go?

If you say that you are mine

I’ll be here ’til the end of time

So you got to let me know

Should I stay or should I go?

Always tease tease tease

You’re happy when I’m on my knees

One day is fine, next day is black

So if you want me off your back

Well come on and let me know

Should I stay or should I go?

Should I stay or should I go now?

Should I stay or should I go now?

If I go there will be trouble

An’ if I stay it will be double

So come on and let me know!

This indecision’s bugging me

Esta indecision me molesta

If you don’t want me, set me free

Si no me quieres, librame

Exactly who’m I’m supposed to be

Dime que tengo que ser

Don’t you know which clothes even fit me?

¿sabes que ropas me quedan?

Come on and let me know

Me tienes que decir

Should I cool it or should I blow?

¿me debo ir o quedarme?

Split!

Yo me enfrio o lo sufro

Should I stay or should I go now?

yo me enfrio o lo sufro

Should I stay or should I go now?

yo me enfrio o lo sufro

If I go there will be trouble

Si me voy – va a haber peligro

And if I stay it will be double

Si me quedo es doble

So you gotta let me know

Pero me tienes que decir

Should I cool it or should I go?

yo me enfrio o lo sufro

Should I stay or should I go now?

yo me enfrio o lo sufro

If I go there will be trouble

Si me voy – va a haber peligro

And if I stay it will be double

Si me quedo es doble

So you gotta let me know

Pero me tienes que decir

Should I stay or should I go?

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