Let them eat Cake

*Originally posted February 1, 2011

In 2002, I agonized for months (and that word is correct, although understated) that the United States was going to do something I knew would cause huge problems later: invade Iraq. I knew it -- and I didn't have to be Nostradamus to figure it out. The idea that this would be over in 3 months was, to me anyway, ludicrous. I knew -- and knew is the correct term -- that if the United States invaded Iraq (which I suspected was inevitable but prayed was not) the war would (a) last forever, (b) be a financial black hole, and (c) destroy the United States' credibility at some future time -- not to mention gradually weakening what was then the most powerful military force ever assembled.

The issues in Egypt will soon spread and the ability of the U.S. to mitigate it in any meaningful way has already been squandered by the past 8 years (EIGHT YEARS !!!! -- the Civil War was over in 4, World War I was over in 4 and the United States involvement in World War II was less than 4) of being the aggressor in Egypt's back yard.

I predicted 2011 would end up a LOT different than it started . . . I have also been saying for the past 6-8 months that people were not stupid, they were "figuring it out" and that a "Marie Antoinette moment" would soon arrive.

"Let them eat cake?" . . . I don't think so -- read a history book. Oppressive regimes always run into troubles some time or another, which is why the beautiful balance previously maintained by the United States was so precious. "Greed kills" and Egypt is the alarm clock that should be ringing all over every executive's office on Wall Street.

I am truly curious how the actions of the Egyptian military will be seen by American soldiers who have to know they've been used as paid security forces for corporations; many of these soldiers are, really -- when you think about it, psychologically abused in the process.

Also, shouldn't they have uniforms that look like Nascar drivers: the 3rd Armored Division sponsored by Target and Frigidaire? How will service men and women react to what's happening with the Egyptian military, who are openly saying the Army "would not use force to silence 'legitimate' demands for democratic reforms in the Arab world's largest country?" That is an interesting question.

The Army is publicly saying that the issues with President Mubarek are "legit" . . . amazing, but to me, truthfully, not surprising. I didn't "predict" this specific event was going to happen -- but I have been saying that this type of reaction in the Middle East was inevitable and it was only a matter of time until it did, so, in a general way, I outlined the trends pretty clearly. 2011 is going to be an "interesting" year.

There is a delicate balance that needs to be maintained between greed and oppression, in order for a nation to prosper. Over the past 10 years, it was pushed WAY out of alignment and now, the pendulum "shifts".