Page 25 - Gary Ackerman News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Dylan, hosni mubarak was the embodiment of authoritarianism in the arab world. he's built one of the most feared security apparatuses in the arab world. he was in power for 30 years. torture was routine under mubarak. what this tells you, it's an inspirational moment that could have tremendous impact in the arab world, particularly on the symbolic level. no dictator in the arab world is safe today. >> if you were to look, mona, at the next 24 hours, gary ackerman, a u.s. congressman said yesterday's events were the equivalent of a sadistic tease, and then the speech. today, with much less anti...

Today's historic events in egypt peacefully executed will trigger major shifts in the region. what they are, none of us surely know at this hour. and yet from the spotty intelligence to mixed messages from the administration, so many questions remain about the u.s. government's ability to handle a crisis like this, need to adapt its foreign policy to a non-militarily led campaign for democracy in the middle east, or some combination thereof. how do we ensure that we are the first and not the last to side with those standing up for freedom when the next country demands it, even if it is from a ...

Now in iran, to be able to take to the streets in celebration. so they are in a quandary and it's really been terrific to watch them twist in that. >> what of iran's twisting, michelle? >> well, i think the congressman is absolutely right. i don't see iran as benefiting from this situation. i've heard some people say that removing mubarak as the u.s. ally is somehow going to be to the advantage of iran. i don't see it that way. iran's got a new democracy next door in iraq, even though it reached that by a different route. and also in tunisia. i share the reservations that we have to see what's...

and our dependence on their oil? and what have we learned about the power of social media and the value of human rights over the economic prosperity of a few who seek to commandeer at the expense of millions around the world. right now, the action still centered in the aptly named liberation square. the emotion overflowing, crowds waving flags, blasting scar horns, chanting "the people ousted the president." president obama, and his own reaction in the past hour. >> the egyptians have made it clear that nothing less than genuine democracy will carry the day. this transition must brin...

resolve to overcome this through national dialog. we will prove that we are not followers or puppets of anybody, nor are we receiving orders or dictation from any entity and no one is making the decision for us except for the egyptian street. we will prove that with the spirit and the resolve of the egyptian people and with the unity and stedfastness of its people and with our resolve and sticking to our glory and pride. these are the main foundations of our civilization that have started over 7,000 years ago. that spirit will live in us as long as the egyptian people -- as long as t...