I'm watching the events in Egypt, like many of you, with a mixture of great interest, fascination, humility and pride in the achievements of a peaceful mix of people, without a leader but with a common goal. It's both inspiring and, having been in situations like this in Belgrade and other places, slightly terrifying. But something was missing and I didn't figure it out until now.
What this demonstration is missing is a symbol. For me, the most powerful image out of Tiananman square, after the famous "Tank man" photo, was the image of the home made Statue of Liberty. I think we all felt immense pride that these brave students chose as their symbol of freedom and hope, OUR symbol of freedom and hope. It was a remarkable thing to see.
And yet, and yet...there's nothing in Tahrir Square to compare. Why not? I'm sure they know of the Statue of Liberty, but it is a measure of how far the last President drove the image of our country into the ground that they have not chosen the Statue of Liberty, a universal symbol if there ever was one, as their symbol. And they haven't chosen something else, they have nothing to rally around. The former President not only debased our country, he debased the heritage of humanity.
What a tragedy, what a shame, what a jerk.