History changed today, checkmate. Today a small, non-violent, Facebook and Twitter connected group has seen its numbers grow into the millions, have toppled one of the Middle East's biggest tyrants and partying the night away in Tahrir Square and far beyond. All the way over here in British Columbia Egyptian x-pats are cheering for their victory, for the heroes of Tahrir and for their new hope.
The lotus flower is a perfect symbol for what we're watching from here to Timbuktu. The lotus flower appeared in
legends originating from ancient Egypt. It played an important part in ancient Egyptian religion. The pure white lotus flower, the only plant to fruit and flower simultaneously, emerges from the depths of the muddy swamp. Growing from the mud at the bottom of ponds and streams, the usually white or pink, exquisite, Lotus flower rises above the water.
It's a proud day for the people of Egypt and the immense crowds are roaring their pride. It's a proud day for us all. There will be potholes, the jalopy could still fall apart, but today there's hope of a better world. What better neighbors and allies we all could be if we all were free and strong, all connected by our mutual empathy.
We are far from that glorious night yet, but the road map has been drawn, every two-bit dictator and self indulgent monarch are suffering acute diarrhea tonight. They're probably calling each other wondering who's next. Even outside the Middle East the ground is shaking under the feet of the recently omnipotent. An especially shaky bit of ground must lie under the tents of the Saudi Princes. Autocrats, theocrats and dictators everywhere had a bad day today.
