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opinion This Revolution Will Do Until the Real Thing Comes Along N eoconservatives like Charles Krauthammer warn that the popular uprising against U.S.-financed Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak could easily become a victory for radical Islamists. The neoconserv- atives scoff at assurances that the Muslim Brotherhood has traded violence for a constructive role in Egyptian society and democratic politics. Indeed, the neocons argue, the Brotherhood, as the best-organ- ized force in Egyptian society (representing up to 30 percent of the population), is in the ideal position to seize the popular movement, betray the people, and install a theocratic state in the post-Mubarak era. With Egypt as a base of operation, goes the narra- tive, the Islamists would spread their ideology to the rest of the region through terror and subver- sion, with terrible consequences for the West. Is there any merit to this analy- sis? Perhaps. No one can predict such things; revolution is a radi- cally uncertain process. Nevertheless, one should not casu- ally assume that Egypt is like Iran of 1979 or Afghanistan post- Soviet invasion. That sounds more like neoconservative fear-monger- c4SS Sheldon Richman ing than hard-headed speculation. (The more fevered of that ilk see the Egyptian uprising as the first step toward constructing a global caliphate that would include the United States. See Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity for details.) To be sure, rev- olution has its risks. Yet the neo- conserva- t i v e s s e e m oblivious of the risks in the “solution” they would like the Obama administra- tion to impose on the Egyptians. Krauthammer prefers “an interim government led by the military.” He writes in “Toward a Soft [sic] Landing in Egypt”: “The military is the best vehicle for guiding the country to free elections over the coming months. Whether it does so with Mubarak at the top, or with Vice President Omar Suleiman or perhaps with some technocrat who arouses no ire among the demonstrators, mat- ters not to us. If the army calcu- lates that sacrificing Mubarak (through exile) will satisfy the opposition and end the unrest, so be it. “The overriding objective is a period of stability during which secularists and other democratic elements of civil society can organize themselves for the com- ing elections and prevail. ... The “extraordinary rendition” policy. How easy it is for Krauthammer, sitting safely in the United States, to propose that the Egyptians sub- mit themselves to any U.S.-con- ceived plan. Can he guarantee it will deliver freedom? One can’t help suspecting that freedom for the Egyptians is not his priority. In fact, he knows the risks his pro- posal entails, but he calculates that they all fall on the Egyptian people. What he seeks to avoid is risk to “U.S. interests,” that is, to the American government’s domina- tion of the Middle East. In calling on the U.S. government to work behind the scenes to impose such a “resolu- tion,” the neocons display the same big-power presumptuous- ness that has caused most of the problems that emanate from the Middle East today. The imperialist mentality endures, with each inci- dent of blowback furnishing the excuse for the next oppressive manipulation. The dangers that admittedly loom in Egypt stem from the mod- erate nature of the Egyptian peo- ple’s aims. They seek merely to change the structure and personnel The Egyptian military may be respected by the people, but it has also been the source of dictators, including the hated Mubarak key is the military.” Krauthammer’s confident tone is no comfort. Is there no danger in an army takeover? Has there never been a brutal military dictator- ship? The Egyptian military may be respected by the people, but it has also been the source of dictators, including the hated Mubarak. And why should the Egyptians accept Suleiman in the “interim”? He was Mubarak’s chief torturer and a tool of the U.S. government’s criminal of the government. The essence of the State - the apparatus of organ- ized violence - would remain intact. As long as the State exists, there is a danger it will be seized by a military strongman, by theocrats, or by some other brand of oppressor. In other words, the only true rev- olution is one aimed at abolishing the State - an anarchist revolution. (Peaceful, of course.) That’s the best hope for avoiding a revolu- tion gone wrong. Of course the Egyptians do not yet have an antistate mindset, so in throwing off the Mubarak dicta- torship they indeed run the risk that something worse could fol- low. Yet they apparently think it’s a risk worth taking. Under the cir- cumstances, that position seems reasonable. The American people can help them by demanding that “their” government keep hands off. This revolution will have to do until the real thing comes along. C4SS advisory Panel member Sheldon richman is the editor of the Freeman and proprietor of the blog Free association. he is the author of Separating School and State, Your Money or Your life, and tethered Citizens. Multiracial Census is a Double-Edged Sword A lot of people are eagerly waiting results of the 2010 census information that details how Americans identify themselves racially. The data will be released state by state this month and is expected to show a significant growth in the numbers of people who identify as multira- cial. When the data is made pub- lic, it is expected the number of Americans identifying as multira- cial will have grown by 35 percent in the last decade. As interracial marriages become more common, so too has the number of mixed raced people in our society. The 2000 census was the first that allowed these individ- uals to easily identify all parts of their racial backgrounds if they so t hE c ENSuS Judge Greg Mathis chose. Those who support the classification see it as an impor- tant step to breaking down racial barriers and moving toward an America that is free of prejudice. However, some believe that the designation will only serve to fur- ther undermine the political clout and social significance of racial minorities, particularly African Americans. This line of thinking isn’t too far-fetched. Often times, many of our positive, Black public figures with one non-Black parent are claimed by the White majority. The accomplishments of these individuals are so significant that America often likes to ignore the one drop rule it instituted and enforced - to keep tabs on and margin- alize anyone with ancestry that was not purely white - and tout the White ances- try of those we in the African American community are right- fully proud of. President Obama, who many tried to hail as the first multiracial President, instead of the first Black President, comes to mind. Indeed, President Obama’s mother is White. But he has pub- licly identified as a Black man and even checked that box - and noth- ing else - on his census form. And isn’t that what the census designa- viduals to celebrate all of who they are is a positive step toward racial harmony and acceptance in this country. However, the larger society must be careful it does not dilute the voice of groups, like African Americans, that have fought so hard to be heard, seen and recognized for their achieve- ments. ... some believe that the designation will only serve to further undermine the political clout and social significance of racial minorities ... tion is all about? Giving individu- als the right to identify with as many or as few ethnic groups in their background as they choose? Unlocking the shackles of the one drop rule and allowing indi- Judge greg Mathis Week on the Web Powell’s Books, Portland’s largest book seller and one of the nation’s largest inde- pendent book stores, has laid off 31 of its lower-level staff mem- bers. No word yet on how it will affect their operations … in “Latest News” Strikes and protests in Egypt con- tinued throughout the week. Egyptian vice president has threat- ened to institute martial law if they continue…. In “Latest News” Portland’s rap duo “Get It Squad” won BET’s “106 & Park” in January and will be heading back later in the year to compete again … in “Music” & “Entertainment” www. The Skanner.com has a photo archive, automatic updates for weather and sports, the latest news from Portland and beyond ... it’s your go-to place for news you won’t see in mainstream publications. It’s your community. It’s The Skanner online february 9, 2011 The Portland and Seattle Skanner Page 5
