So with all that’s going on in Egypt, people were expecting a big statement from Barack Obama. He did finally speak briefly yesterday, but it didn’t really seem like he said anything meaningful. Well, I’ll let you judge; here’s the transcript of his statement:
“With all that is going on, we want the people of Egypt to know unequivocally: We are aware of them. Egypt is a country, and it will continue to be a country. With pyramids. Pyramids built in 2560 B.C.
“But let me be clear: It is time for Honsi Mubarak to do things that are relevant to this situation. Things are happening, and things happening require responses. That’s why it is contingent on Mubarak to respond to these things that are happening with responses. We are firm on this.
“So, people of Egypt, know that you are not alone. For one thing, the air around you is filled with microbes. Also, there are crocodiles in the Nile. And I’m pretty sure your country has monkeys. And in this time of crisis, you all need to come together and be Egypt.
“We are in a special time right now. It is 2011. It is February. It’s a Tuesday. A time like this calls for a calendar. A calendar that we will look at and say, ‘This is the date. This is the date of the day that it is.’ People of Egypt: The calendar is open. The day that is today is happening now. That day is circled. And beyond that day are other days. The future. Like February 18th. And March 4th. And, though it seems so far away, June 27th. Days in the future, that you will see together as one country. A country that exists in some state of being.
“Egypt, America stands with you. Well, not really with you, but over here. Where I’m standing. Hello. Hope things go well. And whatever happens, we’ll be over here and you can say ‘Hi!’ whenever you like.
“I am done talking now.”
