VOA Suck Up Alert

BROWNIE POINT: Voice of America, “Reflecting the Views of the United States Government,” has a mission, I thought, to describe things for what they are, as in contrast to local (censored) media that cannot afford that privilige and only survives on the good-will of the leader. This piece could as well have been cut from Egyptian mouthpiece Al-Ahram. The headline is “Presidential Race in Egypt,” which lures readers to believe there actually is a real election with a real campaign where the opposition is treated fairly. But that is VOA’s view: “Egypt's first seriously contested presidential campaign is now underway.” Seriously contested, uh? Then: “Some Egyptians remain skeptical about the voting process.” Why not say the large majority, including the press, the judges, the lawyers, the HR organizations, the NGO’s etc. etc.? Instead of elaborating on the question of skepticism, VOA moves on to a flattering remark by the US president:

Mr. Bush says, "The great and proud nation of Egypt, which showed the way toward peace in the Middle East can now show the way toward democracy in the Middle East."

That said weeks after demonstrators were beaten with clubs by government thugs; opposition leaders arrested; journalist’s notes and cameras confiscated; journalist’s families intimidated? That’s called giving legitimacy to the incumbent’s current practices. Is that what Egypt needs?