I’ve never been a fan of “Reality TV Shows”… perhaps because there’s very little “reality” involved. But the situation in Egypt - being played out 24/7 on the cable news channels and consuming the network news - is about as real as it gets. And I find myself glued to the television as the situation changes on an almost minute-by-minute basis.
It’s astounding and addictive to watch it all live. First of all, I have to admire the courage and dedication of the anchors, reporters and camera crews who have literally put their lives on the line to cover the story. They started out broadcasting right from the streets in the midst of the protesters. Then, after some journalists were attacked and injured, (some “gravely”), they moved to the relative safety of hotel balconies. Then, the last couple of nights, they’ve been holed up in non-descript rooms, blinds drawn, sitting on the floor in a pool of dim light, so their locations are unknown to those who might harm them.
CNN’s Anderson Cooper continues to broadcast in-hiding despite having been hit in the head ten times by a bunch of thugs. It’s fascinating to watch him to “throw it” to another reporter in another location, also in a unidentified, darkened room.
NBC somehow got lead Anchor Brian Williams out the country. Last night he reported from Amman, Jordan - a dangerous place in its own right - and said he will be back at his desk in New York for tonight’s broadcast.
Why the protesters are attacking the American journalists isn’t clear. Usually in these situations, people want their stories told.
Despite the amazing coverage, I haven’t heard anyone talking about what triggered the Egyptian uprising so suddenly. After all, Hasni Mubarak has been in power for 30 years.
I stumbled on what appears to be the answer in an article in Newsweek magazine. Here’s a brief summation:
Approximately one month ago, a 26-old-man in Tunisia, rose as he did every morning and went to work. In his case, that meant pushing a cart filled with vegetables that he would sell to locals in an effort to support his family. (At just 26 - he was the major-bread winner for a family of eight). As he moved along the street, he was stopped by a policewoman who asked if he had a permit to sell the vegetables. He told her no, but offered to buy one. She said it cost $10 dollars and he explained that he only had $7 dollars and asked if she could adjust the price. Angered at what she apparently perceived as insubordination, she slapped him across the face. The man went to the police station to report the incident and was completely shut down. They did nothing to help him.
That evening he went home and went to bed as usual. Sometime during the night, his mother looked in the room to check on him and found him sleeping soundly.
That was the last time she saw him. Because when he arose that next morning, he got dressed as usual, went out onto the street, and set himself on fire. He died of his burns several days later. 
This act of self-immolation drew much public attention and as the story spread about why he had taken his own life in such a horrifyingly public way, the Tunisian people became so angry, they launched an uprising. Such was their fury, that within days, they caused the President of Tunisia to step down.
The young man became a hero in the Muslim world. (His actions were not considered an “Islamic thing” - but more of a plea for freedom for the people of Tunisia). Seeing how quickly change happened there, young people in Egypt became empowered and almost immediately took to the streets to try and oust Hasni Mubarak. Similar protests are occurring in Yemen and to a lesser extent Jordan and Algeria.
And so, in a span of just four weeks, we have witnessed a major uprising in much of the Middle East.
Of course, the big fear is that this will become an Islamic religious revolution… more than a secular revolution - and that Muslim extremists will end up in power. That worst-case-scenario would be tragic news for Israel and certainly for the United States and Europe as well.
And so, as I write this, the drama continues to unfold. And no one knows how it’s going to turn out. But I have a feeling that no matter what happens, I’ll be watching.
- Dick
One more thing… isn’t it interesting that while the whole world watches these events… the word “Egypt” has not appeared on a single television screen in China? Obviously the government fears another Tiananmen Square.
And, oh yes, one more thing. Green Bay 26. Pittsburgh 21.