I have not been following the minute to minute details of the Egyptian uprising, but I am thinking about it a lot, both in global political terms and domestic political terms.
From what I have seen so far, the people of Egypt are sick of their illegitimate government and want their voice heard. This is what we as Americans want. We are the fount of democracy, a democratic uprising is occurring, we should be happy. The people of the most populous Arab country, with strong ties to the Mediterranean (dominated by European powers) community want to overthrow their dictator and assert their rights as citizens? Sweet. Hopefully this sort of thing can spill out to other parts of the Arab world.
What is the response of Republicans? Why should we be wary of the will of the people? Because the Muslim Brotherhood might somehow sweep into power. Which would be bad because the Muslim Brotherhood is conservative, religious, militant, and nationalistic. So why is the Republican Party afraid of Republicans sweeping into power in Egypt on the backs of disgruntled outsiders? (The Brotherhood would be a partner in government at most, with other moderating forces, not to mention democratic accountability).
The people who fear the idea of a less reliable ally post-Mubarak are thinking much too short term. We as Americans have put our names and lives and blood on the line for democracy. I was going to put in freedom and justice, but those only truly come from democracy. And if we as Americans believe in democracy, then we have no choice but to support the efforts of the protesters in Egypt. The people of Egypt, the Arab, and the Muslim world have heard our preaching and felt our warring in the name of democracy. Now the people of Egypt (the most populous Arab nation) are rising up in the name of democracy. Keeping dictators in power to achieve short term stability will never achieve long term stability.
We cannot call ourselves defenders of democracy if we are suspicious of the agitators for democracy. If we want to be the most powerful, richest, most influential country in the world, we better make sure people believe what we say and want to be a part of what we are doing. Otherwise they will give into jealously and resentment and lash out. All the people of Egypt want is to rule their own country.
The hypocrisy from the right is so blatant. I don't follow the cable news so I don't know if anyone is saying this stuff, but its pretty obvious to me.
For the sake of all that is good, may the empowerment in Egypt be a beacon of action and freedom to the world.