Seasons of Egyptian Democracy

Despite their historic election, Egyptians now find themselves in the midst of an Arab Autumn where the leaves of democratic aspirations have seemed to fade from bright green to moribund hues of brown, orange, and recently blood red.

What Egyptians have discovered is that sowing the seeds of democracy is easy. Cultivating a democratic society and taking advantage of the bountiful harvest of freedom is quite a different story.

Efforts by the ruling military council to stymie the democratic process, as well as its desire to insulate itself against civilian institutions illustrate the challenges and obstacles yet to overcome.

I hope that Egyptians endure, for the Arab Winter, should it arrive, may produce frostbite so severe that the hands of freedom will lose their ability to propagate the fundamental, democratic principles of equality, justice, and opportunity. 

Published Editorials

Last January, at the urging of my wife, I wrote an editorial piece for our local newspaper. The die was cast and I was hooked, writing several more editorials, ranging from gay rights to terrorism. Each of these editorials was published, including one by the New York Times.

The support and feedback I have received has been phenomenal. One reader recently thanked me in an e-mail by stating, "your efforts to enlighten your community about the problems of harassment and sexuality in local schools...certainly have influenced local youth and brightened their path...I only wish you were there when I was growing up."

Below, I have included the title and link to each of my published editorials. Please read those that interest you. Comments, questions, etc. are appreciated.




An encore in bigotry, published on 3/18/11 by The Weekend Pinnacle

Cries for Justice, published on 4/8/11 by The Weekend Pinnacle

Love thy Muslim Neighbor, published on 4/29/11 by the The Weekend Pinnacle

A reprieve for homosexuality, published on 7/1/11 by The Weekend Pinnacle

Role of gays and lesbians should be taught, published on 7/22/11 by The Weekend Pinnacle

Bullying of Gay Students, and Suicides, published on 9/22/11 by The New York Times

A New Libya and the Fate of a Terrorist

Lest our country forget, 189 Americans died when their plane exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988. Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi of Libya was the only person found guilty of this act of terror, though he undoubtedly received assistance from the government of the now deposed General Moammar Gadhafi. 

A Scottish court sentenced al-Megrahi in 2001 to a life prison term. Unfortunately, he was released from a Scottish prison in 2009 on “compassionate grounds,” claiming that he had only months to live in his battle with terminal cancer. Upon returning to Libya, he was hailed as a hero.  

Adding insult to injury, al-Meghari has lived in a palatial residence since his release. High walls and security cameras fortify the home’s exterior, while its interior includes countless rooms and marble tile, ostensibly paid for by the coffers of Gadhafi’s regime (CNN's Robertson on finding Lockerbie bomber, August 28, 2011).

As life returns to the streets of Tripoli and the country's new leaders seek legitimacy, al-Meghari lies comatose, frail, and wizened.

Surrounded by family and loved ones, Al-Meghari spends his last hours in opulence, a scene that stands in stark contrast to the charnel house he was guilty of perpetrating.

I wish the best for the people of Libya in their journey towards democracy, while I expect its future leaders to honor their pledge of prosecuting agents of terrorism, including those who conspired to attack Pan-Am Flight 103. 

Let’s hope that in death al-Meghari finally receives the justice and hell he rightfully deserves.