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February 17, 2012

Letter: Egyption revolt sprang more from technology than religion

To the editor:

I was interested to read Salem businessman David Williams' observations on recent events in Egypt since I have been reading and thinking about Wael Ghonim's recent book, "Revolution 2.0: The Power of the People Is Greater Than the People in Power."

I had the strong sense that the military was simply unacquainted with anything outside its limited realm. For example, when a security officer is interviewed by Ghonim, the topic is primarily religion with nary a word of the electronic devices that finally brought the people together.

If Ghonim is to be believed, the major influence on the coming together of the Egyptian people involved technology more than Islam.

Remember, the Muslim Brotherhood is an old association and was far from beloved by Mubarak and his ilk. However, as the author points out, a revolution is a process, not an event; and a revolution such as this suggests technology may do much for people aspiring to a democratic system.

What makes this different from previous revolutions is that there was no strong figurehead, only the enraged masses ready to overthrow a corrupt, vicious ruler and his minions. It sounds as though what Egypt is going to need is a strong coalition of the secular and religious.

Jane Baker

Salem

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