Sunday, January 30, 2011

Until Egypt is Free: Talking points

KEY TALKING POINTS FOR EDUCATING MEDIA NEIGHBORS & FRIENDS
When speaking with the media, it may be wise to also add some of the “requests to Congress and the White House” listed in the next list
1- The same motives that led to our founding fathers’ declaration of independence – the British Kings’ abusing the rights of the colonists for his own gain – are the same motives that led the Egyptian people to the peaceful protest of Mubarak’s regime. And just like our American nation came out a model of democracy and pluralism for the west upon independence, the civilized and intelligent Egyptians at the heart of this uprising will come out with an Egypt that will be a desperately needed model of democracy and pluralism for the Arab world. Now is the time when we can support a nation’s birth like those who supported our nation’s birth two hundred and thirty four years ago
2- Nothing could be more secure for us as Americans in the Middle East than people that are happy with their governments. Once the governments are legitimately the choice of the people, radicalization will become irrelevant
3- The activists who initiated the uprising and are still leading the protests represent a well educated, diverse, non-ideological and pragmatic diversity of young Egyptians. Their success will never lead to a theocratic system as they would never allow it. Their ultimate aim is a pluralistic, democratic Egypt.
4- The Egyptian people's will is to have genuine freedom and true social justice. The Egyptian people are confident in their ability to self-govern, to have a government of the people, by the people, for the people
5- We ask our American peers to join us in demanding of the White House, the Secretary of State and Congress to respect the will of the Egyptian people and stop supporting Mubarak and his regime.
6- We ask our American peers to be confident this process will yield an administration that will undoubtedly agree with our American values of life, liberty and justice – even if it may not agree with all US foreign policy decisions.
7- The current violence is resulting from police infractions by those who are acting as the apparatus of the Mubarak regime aiming to shift the discussion from the issue of freedom to the issue of safety

KEY TALKING POINTS TO REQUEST OF CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE
The following key requests may be shared with congress and the White House after leading with some of the above educational points
1- We ask the White House, the Secretary of State and Congress to respect the will of the Egyptian people and stop supporting Mubarak and his regime.
2- We ask President Obama to join the British, French and German leadership in demanding that Egypt carry out free and fair elections.
3- We ask our American government to reiterate the importance of a fully democratic Egypt and to be confident this process will yield an administration that will undoubtedly agree with our American values of life, liberty and justice – even if it may not agree with all US foreign policy decisions.
4- The current violence is resulting from police infractions who are acting as the apparatus of the Mubarak regime aiming to shift the discussion from the issue of freedom to the issue of safety. We ask our officials to demand the Mubarak regime to cease all violence immediately.
5- We want our officials to know nothing could be more secure for us as Americans in the Middle East than people that are happy with their governments. Once the governments are legitimately the choice of the people, radicalization will become marginalized


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