Egypt and Mubarak's State of the Union

The protests of Cairo, Alexandria, and Suez stem from the unrest of Tunisia, although these instances are not too uncommon in Egypt. Tunisia, and the cases of self-immolation have been a fire-starter (no pun intended) for the commoners in Egypt to try to take back the streets from Mubarak and his 30 year rule. The citizens of Egypt are fed up with the dilapidated economy, zero job prospects, poor health care, and lack of housing. Although the unemployment rate is around 10%, 88% of people between the ages of 15 to 29 are unemployed - meaning they have nothing else to do except remain on the streets and 'fight for their right.' Basically they have nothing else to do, except to drink tea or coffee, smoke tobacco, and converse.

It was not unusual either for the Egyptian government to clampdown on the internet, specifically social media sites Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. This happened in Iran in the past year. This only makes the crowds more angry that their freedom of expression is cut off. It also prevents the outside world from seeing what's really happening on the ground in Egypt. There is never a total blackout of information dissemination, fortunately for the outside world and news outlets. Obviously the world is too globalized for this. But cutting out social media does cut into momentum of the mob and hurts their cause since it is difficult to pass information or post pictures and videos of any abuse.

It took a while for Hosni Mubarak to speak, practically two and half days. It was interesting to hear him say that the government was following his orders, to suppress the views of the public. Unless the translation was wrong (I followed everything on Al Jazeera Live). Yet he dissolved the government, at not fault of his own. It was the government's fault, not his, that people were rioting. He will designate a new government tomorrow that will shoulder new duties and prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow. The people, he said, were allowed to demonstrate - this is their right - and they are able to do this because of the reform he has support. However he does not tolerate demonstrations that endanger the public; hence he was putting the blame of violence on the public. But directly after this, he stated that he gives "sovereignty to the people;" even though he understands the need to suppress views to defend security of Egypt.

But Mubarak vaguely laid out how he intends to appease the masses. It was his own state of the union address. The youth, he said, are the wealth of Egypt and he aims to increase education and economic opportunities for Egypt so that they can harness their energy into something productive, not destructive. He urges them to stay away from chaos and to stay away from those who are chaotic. But he stands by the people of Egypt and has always been for the poor. Hence he will continue the economic and social reforms and will improve education and healthcare. This he hopes, will be accomplished with a new government.

What is going to happen tomorrow? This is the question of the day. There will be a new government, but not a new leaders. This is what the masses are calling for - new leadership, Mubarak to step down. Mubarak symbolizes dictatorship, and the agonies of the Egyptian people. There will probably be no vacuum of power now, although Gamal Mubarak, the son of Hosni Mubarak, will probably not be succeeding his father. But other than this new government, nothing will happen, and the youth may remain on the streets. The anger will remain in their hearts.