As we watch events unfold in Egypt, our Progressive friends , including the Obama Administration, are insisting that this is democracy unfolding. That might very well be. However, your humble writer remembers the Iranian Revolution. And, as I’ve written before, this scenario seems all too familiar.

The Egyptian Crisis may not wind up being the idyllic democratic paradise that Liberals wish to paint its future as, with rainbows and unicorns included. There are snakes nipping at the heels of Lady Liberty as she walks through the sands of Egypt.

The Muslim Brotherhood, or al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun, have their blood-stained fingers on the pulse of the revolution.

The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) is Egypt’s oldest and largest Islamist organization.

The group was founded by Hassan al-Banna in the 1920s, and has been at the heart of Muslim activity throughout the world ever since, through its subterfuge of political activism combined with Islamic charity work.

Supposedly, the group started out with a mission to spread Islamic morals and good works. However, they soon became involved in politics, especially the fight to rid Egypt of British colonial control and all Western influence.

The MB has led the fight against the ruling National Democratic Party of President Hosni Mubarak, since he assumed power in 1981.

The MB have always claimed that they support democracy. However, they have stated publicly that they want to create a state ruled by Islamic law, or Sharia.

They are known throughout the world for creating the slogan:

Islam is the solution.

It was during the 1980s that the MB jumped into the mainstream of Egyptian politics.

Their leadership formed alliances with the Wafd party in 1984, and with the Labour and Liberal parties in 1987, thus becoming the main opposition force in Egypt. In 2000, the Ikhwan won 17 seats in the People’s Assembly.

Within five years, independent candidates sponsored by the MB won 20% of the seats.

President Mubarak was not happy about this. He jumped on the MB with both feet, jailing hundreds of them, and put into law a number of “reforms” to try to slow down their resurgence.

Mubarak even re-wrote Egypt’s constitution to stipulate that:

political activity or political parties shall not be based on any religious background or foundation.

Additionally, independent candidates were banned from running for president and anti-terrorism legislation was introduced that gave the security forces sweeping powers to detain suspects and restrict public gatherings.

When these efforts produced a block-out of opposition party candidates from winning elections, Mubarak’s government faced allegations of widespread fraud.

So, here we are. Cairo is on fire, the MB is providing the torches and the kerosene, and American Progressives think that it’s a 4th of July fireworks display.

The MB’s deputy general guide, Mahmoud Izzat, says, hey, we’re all about this liberty thing:

We are part of the people. The people are demanding the basics – mainly the necessities of life – and they have the right to do so. The people also demand their freedom and the dissolution of the fake parliament.

The youths want the demonstrations to be peaceful but the regime uses excessive violence against the youths, such as rubber bullets.

And the Muslim Brotherhood wants to arm the youths with the sword of Allah. 

I say that because word has just surfaced that there was an assassination attempt on the life of Egypt’s Vice-President Omar Sulieiman on January 29th, right after his appointment to his position.  The attempt has been described as an organized attack on the VP’s motorcade.

WH Press Secretary Baghdad Bob Gibbs, when asked about the assassination attempt at a recent press conference, replied:

I’m not going to … get into that question.

Considering the clandestine meetings that this administration has had with the Muslim Brotherhood, as documented in my recent posts, that does not surprise me at all.