Hosni Mubarak stepped in to take charge in Egypt after Anwar Sadat was assassinated in 1981. Mubarak was an invaluable ally in our fight against the communists, who at that time enslaved half the world, where on the march in Afghanistan, and had thousands of nuclear weapons pointed at the United States. The world should always remember the courageous job Mubarak did in helping us draw a line in the sand against communist aggression.
However, the Cold War has been over for 21 years. The world has moved on. Most of the anti-communist strong men in Asia and Latin America are gone. In their place, democracy and markets are flourishing. Unfortunately, the Mideast seems trapped in the 1980s, still run by monarchs, military strongmen, and religious fanatics.
It's time for Mubarak to retire. There is little to be accomplished in having him stay until the fall election. In fact, there is much to lose if the pro- democracy protesters turn to the extremists out of frustration resulting from his refusal to leave.
President Mubarak, thanks for your help in defeating the communists. Please enjoy your retirement.
