Be Careful What You Wish for Egypt

February and the people are restless. Demonstrations against a hated despot increase daily. People are demanding change. They are demanding a voice in their own government, they are demanding food and other basic human rights.

The despot leaves office, first trying to pass rule to his son, then his hand picked successor. But the people will have none of it. Finally a tribunal takes charge with the approval of the military. The people rejoice. "We are Free", they shout and celebrate their new found freedom.

Elections are promised, meanwhile lurking in the shadows is a radical group. This group has been kept in check by the former government. They support the change, but they decided to not take part in the initial revolution. They decide to lay in wait and see what happens. They are organized, they are ready, but they don't have support of the whole population so they decide to be patient and wait out the chaos ensuing after the end of an era.

Egypt 2011? Sure it could be, but it is actually Russia 1917. It also describes France 1792, and Zimbabwe in the 1980's among may other countries throughout history.

I am happy for the people of Egypt that have suffered under the brutal regimes that have been running their country under Nasser, Sadat and Mubarak, but they need to be patient and not rush into the chaos that derailed other popular revolutions in the past. They need to be patient and not rush to attack the old regime and look for justice thinly disguised as vengeance. One needs to be forgiving and work with the old regime to transfer power in a controlled and compassionate way.

In all the above mentioned examples the people let their emotions carry them forward and the new governments weren't prepared enough to take over the reigns. People wanted change and expected miracles, but alas in each case the lack of patience led to fascism (disguised as nationalism or communism, but fascism just the same) and an equally brutal regime to the one they disposed (sometimes an even worse one in Zimbabwe's case).

For example, in Russia after the February 1917 revolution, the government decided to keep out the radical Bolshevik party, even arresting them and treating them they way the Tsar and his minions did before the revolution. The government couldn't keep its promises and the people looked for an alternative. They found one in the Bolsheviks, who overthrew the new Government in October of the same year, and the rest is a bloody tyrannical history.

Those that are truly guilty should pay, but make sure you don't go overboard and turn into the same monsters you just threw out of office (France 1790's). The chaos will only open the door for the radical parties waiting in the wings after you dismember the checks in place that kept them from taking over and radicalizing your country.

Be careful, it is too easy to spiral into chaos as you let your hatreds and emotions run your actions.

So people of Egypt, make sure you embrace the past and learn the lessons as you move forward and enjoy your new found freedoms and create the positive future you deserve.

Mahalo.