Congratulations to U.S. President Barack Obama. Shortly after his election, he flew to Cairo to make his keynote speech to the Muslim world. In 6,000 rambling words, he barely mentioned freedom or democracy. But he did mention them. He told Egypt that "freedom" meant the freedom for women to wear a religious veil, and that "democracy" was up to each country to interpret "in its own way."
So he must have been pleased these past weeks to see most of the women in Egypt's protests were wearing the Muslim Brotherhood-approved veil. And as a sensitive multiculturalist, Obama surely approves of the newfangled idea of "military democracy." Perhaps the phrase sounds better in Arabic.
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But most of all, congratulations to the journalists of the mainstream media. As always, this revolution was about them — just ask them. More media attention was given to the fact that CNN's dreamy anchor, Anderson Cooper, was roughed up by protesters than was given to investigating the anti-women, anti-secular, anti-Semitic, anti-western ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood, though they're the likely victors of any "election" that might be held in coming months.
Most of today's journalists are too young to have covered the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall, so this was their moment. So they are weepy cheerleaders, not reporters. And they are only too happy to say "ditto" to whatever Al Jazeera tells them is happening.
The fact that some of Egypt's protesters use Internet sites like Facebook and Twitter is so flattering because journalists love those too. Of course, the Muslim Brotherhood also uses Twitter and blogs, just as Iran's Ayatollah Khomeinei used audio cassettes in 1979 to spread his Islamic revolution.
In Cairo, pro and anti-Mubarak forces are clashing in the streets as President Mubarak tries to maintain his hold on office for the time being in the name of an 'orderly transition' of power (Hat Tip: Memeorandum).
Hours after a call from Egypt’s powerful military for the president’s opponents to “restore normal life,” thousands of men, some carrying fresh flags and newly printed signs supporting Mr. Mubarak, surged into Tahrir Square.
Some waved off reporters and yelled, “No photos.”
They were outnumbered by Mr. Mubarak’s opponents, who have spent nine days in the square insisting on his ouster. Clashes erupted close to the Egyptian Museum housing a huge trove of priceless antiquities.
The two sides traded volleys of rocks and engaged in hand-to-hand fighting. Many were led or carried away with bleeding head wounds. Antigovernment protesters organized themselves into groups, smashing chunks of concrete into smaller projectiles to be hurled at their adversaries. The violence was the most serious since the antigovernment protesters laid claim to Tahrir, or Liberation, Square days ago as they pursued what seemed to be a largely peaceful campaign for Mr. Mubarak’s ouster.
Hours before the violence erupted in the square, antigovernment protesters had been chanting: “We are not going to go; we are not going to go.”
In counterpoint, demonstrators supporting Mr. Mubarak chorused back: “He’s not going to go; he’s not going to go.”
At one point, plumes of smoke, apparently from tear gas, rose above the rival crowds surging back and forth as the two sides fought for the upper hand.
“Where’s the Egyptian army?” antigovernment demonstrators chanted.
“They are trying to create chaos,” said Mohamed Ahmed, 30. “This is what Mubarak wants.”
The army took no immediate action as the skirmishes intensified, leaving the competing demonstrators to press toward one another. But troops with bayonets fixed to their AK-47 assault rifles fanned out near the museum as antigovernment protesters sought to build makeshift barricades to keep their foes at bay. And eventually, several tanks maneuvered into position between the two clashing crowds, and soldiers tried to calm both.
Some antigovernment protesters used the shelter of the tanks to launch rocks, and others said they believed their foes were agents of the authorities. At one point, they began calling for the soldiers to fire into the air to disperse their opponents.
A short while ago, Israel Radio played a recording of gunfire on the streets of Cairo, and apparently a number of people have been shot. Several journalists report that they have been beaten, including Israel Radio's Gideon Kutz, and CNN's Anderson Cooper.
Speaking of CNN, here's some video they did in Cairo. Let's go to the videotape (Hat Tip: Hot Air).
Four Israeli journalists were arrested in Cairo - apparently on Tuesday night - for violating the curfew order.
I am an Orthodox Jew - some would even call me 'ultra-Orthodox.' Born in Boston, I was a corporate and securities attorney in New York City for seven years before making aliya to Israel in 1991 (I don't look it but I really am that old :-). I have been happily married to the same woman for thirty-five years, and we have eight children (bli ayin hara) ranging in age from 13 to 33 years and nine grandchildren. Four of our children are married! Before I started blogging I was a heavy contributor on a number of email lists and ran an email list called the Matzav from 2000-2004. You can contact me at: IsraelMatzav at gmail dot com
In connection with the recently concluded revolution in Egypt, Ezra Levant hands out some congratulations (Hat Tip: Instapundit via Ed Driscoll). 
