Leader of Kifaya dies

Prolific writer and scholar Abdel Wahab Al-Messiri has died. Al-Messiri, who led an Egyptian movement demanding an end to President Hosni Mubarak's rule, died of cancer on Wednesday, said Hossam Tokan, director of the Palestine Hospital in Cairo. The umbrella movement was set up in 2004 to oppose the reelection of Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt since 1981. "He was always there in the middle of demonstrations, undeterred by repression and threats," Eskander said. "He will always be present through his work and legacy among Arab intellectuals and in the hearts of the Egyptian people."

I found this very sad. Egypt is probably the Arab country most ripe for a revolution, and certainly has the population to accomplish it, even against the brutality of Mubarak's thugs. Obviously the Muslim Brotherhood would win hands down any fair election in Egypt, and of course much of their legislation would not be welcomed by secularists. But the question is: would the life of the average Egyptian be any better than under Mubarak? Would bread be affordable? Would more decent jobs be available, would there be less corruption, etc.? Even if the MB could not/would not make this happen (and of course the chances are higher than under Mubarak), at least when the people saw this, they would be able to vote them out.