Maybe now isn't the time

I was just reading a report from Egypt about the reporters who were attacked today during the demonstrations. The general assumption is that President Mubarak is behind the attacks and that he may have paid his supporters to stop the international media. It certainly could be true. Anderson Cooper said that he was attacked by pro Mubarak demonstrators in Cairo's main square today. Were they paid or unleashed by Mubarak himself? I don't know about that.

Where is the benefit of having his supporters attack the media? Maybe it will stop them from their reports in that moment but it will only make them martyrs of the struggle. The international community will end up with an even more negative view of the Mubarak empire. I doubt he sent them out on a mission himself. Angry citizens don't need a leader to put any more fuel on the fire.

Sure, the media hasn't been kind to Mubarak but that's because the big story is about the people. It's not about him. That's not to say that it's a media bias issue. The media operates like every other business in the world. It's all about the money. Bigger ratings equal bigger advertising revenues. No one is going to watch a news report in support of Mubarak but they are coming to CNN in droves to see coverage of the protests.

Don't take that the wrong way. I'm in no way defending the Egyptian president, however, I don't know anything about him and I don't think it's appropriate for me to judge him. I feel that everyone else in the world should have the same stance. It's easy to judge because the masses are against him but do we, as non Egyptians, really know what's going on in the country? No. We don't.

The people of Egypt are making sure that their voices are heard. I commend them and think it's one of the most incredible moments of my life. To think that a group of people have the power to speak up and virtually overthrow their government is absolutely incredible. You will never see that happen in the United States.

I don't agree with the attacks on members of the press but I also understand it. These people don't want us involved. This is their moment. Not ours. Maybe it's best to get a couple of good camera shots from the crowd then step back and watch from a distance.