The Elephant in Tahrir Square

Continuing protests over the Presidential candidates Morsy and Shafiq get the added bonus of Mubarak's verdict today.  Though we continue to experience peace in our immediate surroundings, things are bit more tense in other parts of the city.

Even the "Silent Majority Movement" are making noise.  On Friday, at what was planned to be a rally for Shafiq in New Cairo, Shafiq protestors arrived and began arguments and altercations with supporters.  Eventually, the police had to step in to separate the groups.  Enough trouble was brewing that Shafiq cancelled his plans to attend, but not before members of the "Silent Majority" took Shafiq's stage and began shouting at the Shafiq supporters to go home.  Not so silent, huh?

Mubarak gets life term for protester murders - Middle East - Al Jazeera English.  This recently announced verdict is the culmination of a trial for the 900 protestors killed during last year's uprising that led to his removal from office.  There are other officers, including Mubarak's sons, who are facing similar trials as well as charges of corruption.  While many are living without in Egypt due to the struggling economy, many are unhappy by the relatively comfortable living arrangements of the "hospitalized" former leader.  Many wanted to see him wait in prison, but the prison lacked the medical facilities "needed" for his care.  Many more may be crying out for Mubarak's life sentence to be converted to a death penalty, wanting his blood for the blood of the revolution's martyrs.  This line of thinking is perhaps best revealed through the Metro "subway" line in Cairo.   The main line formerly had a stop named after Mubarak--the stop was scratched out on Metro maps on train cars, at stops, and on information signs during last year's revolution. The stop was quickly renamed, "Al Shohadad", "the Martyrs".  "Scratching out" Mubarak has been an ongoing drive for many since January 25.

Yet, as you can see in the video posted above during the interview with the t-shirt vendor, there are many who wonder out loud whether or not the Mubarak era was all that bad--many of whom (like the vendor) cite greater security, more food, and a better economy in the past than in the present.  Is that nostalgia?  Is that fear of the unknown in this budding democracy?

It is not likely that this mornings decision will provide any closure to the ouster of Mubarak era--not when he lives out his life in comfort and certainly not while Shafiq runs for the Presidency.

Yet again, there are thousands equally dissatisfied with the candidacy of Morsy and offended at the argument that the Muslim Brotherhood candidate is the only choice to save the revolution.

Many are beginning to agree with the perspective of this young ladies' editorial, which says she will boycott the upcoming runoff election.  I've asked this question before: if only 46% participated in the first round of elections, and if far less participate in the runoff election, will either candidate be accepted as the legitimate President by winning a "majority" of the minority vote?

Will the June 16-17 elections just provide the motivation for a sequel to January 25?  That question is the elephant in Tahrir Square.

Continue to Pray for Egypt...