Amr Moussa on the rise of Islamists

Amr Moussa urging people to calm down, and as always trying to have it both ways. One of the results of the parliamentary elections, I think, will be to push skeptical secularists towards Moussa as a presidential candidate — despite his "feloolism".

Comments

[Mina Naguib]

Clown. Absolute clown.

The thought crossed my mind that maybe he could be of use in terms of balancing an Islamist parliament, but this is a joke. He didn't support Tahrir/the revolution from the start, and he's always just been an unashamed political opportunist. His analysis on the military is exhibit A: he has no support for the revolution who's virtues he so proudly proclaims.

In any case, there's less need to worry about an Islamist political class than many knee-jerk reactions (my own included) seem to portray. The act of government often dilutes ideology (eg, Cardoso in Brazil moving far more centrist from his dependency theory roots - though religion is an admittedly stronger ideology), and whoever rules Egypt first will have a tough time. The changes envisaged will take so long to implement that the first rulers will have a tough time with re-election: the Egyptian electorate is far less patient with incompetence.

On second thoughts, lets give this round to Moussa and the brothers.

[wolf]

Democracy works only if at the foundation of the government system there is a strong belief that the government is supposed to help and assist the citizen.

If the people of a nation believe, or led to believe, that there safety and prosperity comes in second place for a greater good (may it be communism or the spreading of a different religion) then democracy will quickly turn into a different kind of tyranny.

The big question, the question on everyone's mind is, will Egypt become a tolerant state. Will it tolerate people with other religions, will it tolerate secularism, gays and such? Will it strive for peace with it's neighbours and the international communities?

Until now we saw little to hope for. The storming of the Israeli Embassy, Raping a journalist, the attack on the Coupts. Islamist and even more radical Islamists gaining a majority in the election, all these paint a dark future for any non Muslim in Egypt or Egypt's neighbouring countries.