What have you learned from the Egyptian uprising and toppling of Mubarak regime?

[defendandprotect]

Here's what I think I learned ...

-- that humans are capable of immense courage and love for one another in such a struggle --

-- that Non-violence is the only way to overturn fascism and dictators --

-- that the internet is probably a tool which elites will be looking very closely at --

-- why young males are so feared by elites -- and probably a major reason why they want
them fed into a military machine very early to be molded and made obedient --

-- that my instincts that Mubarak would go given the immense pressure was correct --
but in the short run I became very frightened by his "thugs" even though I knew they were
fake -- frightened by the obvious threat of military which could act against the interests
of the people and democracy.

-- that my constant fear was that the protesters would turn to violence -- and was astounded
how to the very last they kept this uppermost in mind that non-violence was essential --

-- that guns are probably the last thing you want in a revolt or revolution -- unless you want
to get bombed immediately --

-- that you can trust the instincts of the people -- seemed to be an innate knowledge of how
to do this --

-- that it can be done without "named" leadership -- that there can be many leaders.

-- that dictators/fascists will always lie -- even to the last --

-- that we always say they are the few and we are the many -- but Egypt showed us what that
really meant --

-- that you have to have constantly increasing numbers -- more and more pressure each day.

-- that you gain respect by still treating others justly -- even though you are being treated
unjustly --

-- that things like "cleaning up the area" -- volunteer protesters collecting the garbage to
keep Egypt clean were thought out and arranged --

-- that water and food are necessary and in the end "tokens" of affection -- whether from
the people to the troops -- or at the last from military tossing cookies/water over the
fence to protesters at the TV station -- or was it candy bars?

-- that Egypt has shown us just how many more revolts are necessary --

-- that populations can be emboldened and that elites are probably quite worried about this
now and this "success" -- after working on how to betray it, I'm sure next on the list will
be finding some way to SERIOUSLY discourage others --

-- that along the way it seemed to me that this was giving Mubarak too much time, I thought,
to retaliate against the protesters -- for deals to be made which worried me --
but it was one of the fastest in 18 days!

-- that it will help your revolt if you are a beautiful and intelligent people who act wisely --
and justly towards others --

-- that wonderful humorous comments can move a revolution and admiration for your people --

-- that you have to have those among you ready to give their lives for the future of others --
300 and more did --

-- that religion played an obvious and important role in this rebellion -- that their
"call to prayer" each day brought them together - gave them trust in one another --
put "god" on their side -- that they all held a core belief in peace and non-violence --

-- that you need the energy of young strong males to run a revolt -- willing to die or be
tortured if their number came up --

-- that we saw and feared that other nation's leaders could keep your dictator propped up --

-- that you need to be able to toss rocks back and stand against Molotov cocktails --
and go without sleep sometimes for days --

-- that there are journalists ready to sacrifice their own lives for freedom -- and Al Jazeera --

-- that with loving care, the story was covered here at DU moment by moment -- thank you!