1979 Deja Vu

1979:  America was experiencing high unemployment and a stagnant economy
2011:  America is experiencing high unemployment and a stagnant economy

1979:  Oil and gas prices are rising
2011:  Oil and gas prices are rising

1979:  A Middle East country, Iran, was in the middle of a revolution spurned by its citizens
2011:  A Middle East country, Egypt, is in the middle of a revolution spurned by its citizens

1979:   President Carter was aloof in how to deal with the Iran cris
2011:   President Obama is clueless in how to deal with Egypt


Who would have thought that in 2011, a White House would not have learned how to deal with a nation undergoing an internal revolution.  The Obama White House, with President Obama on the sidelines and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton more interested in Haiti look more clueless than President Carter did thirty two years ago.

The parallels between Carter and Obama are startling.  Like Carter, if you were nation that was pro-American, Obama disliked you (or the leader).  In 1979, Iran was pro-American, just as much as Egypt is today.  In Egypt's case, the enemy is Hosni Mubarak who is both an ally of the United States and Israel.  And that could very well be the crux of the issue why Egypt is now in flames.

While Obama quietly ignores this crisis of an American ally, just like Carter did to Iran, American citizens must pray that if Mubarak must go - an ally replaces him.  But with opposition leader Mohammed El Baradei asking Mubarak to step down quietly, that may not be the case.  El Baradei, the former Director General of the UN'S International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  While at this position, El Baradei was criticized by former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and former Israeli Prime Minister and current Israeli President Simon Peres for being soft on Iran's developing nuclear programs.

Allowing El Baradei to assume control over Egypt could put the Middle East into chaos, as he has already proven to be soft on Iran.  Such as move could also be disastrous to Israel who has enjoyed a peaceful relationship with the Mubarak regime.  But as Obama announced today, the White House no longer backs Mubarak and asked for "an orderly transition to a government that is responsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people."

The line in the sand has been drawn, and Obama turned his back on an ally.  Only time will tell what lies ahead for Egypt or the Middle East.