Manal and Alaa's bit bucket free speech from the bletches

I visited Egypt - Cairo and Sharm El Sheik for the first time (May 10th 2006)and haven't stopped talking about how awesome the Egyptian people are. I found everyone in both places to be warm and very curious about US people and politics. I was asked about our President and other US topics like democracy.

I was extremely surprised to see the poverty and sadness in many of the local's faces. My friends and I commented that the government must be keeping the money for themselves and not spending it on the city (Cairo).

It also made me realize why everyone thinks Americans are so rich. It's not that we are so rich, but that our Constitution and laws make it possible to engage in free enterprise and realize our fullest potential if we as Americans choose to pursue those dreams.

There are many here in the US that sit on the butts all day and cry that the government isn't meeting their needs or paying them enough to stay home and have a house full of children that they can't afford.

Democracy may not be perfect, but it affords everyone living under it the rights and opportunities that many other countries choose not to enjoy.

The war on Terrorism may not be a desired war, but it is imperative that the entire world fight for those who cannot defend themselves from the likes of Hitler, Saddam, and other dicators who torture, kidnap, jail and kill those who stand up for humanity.

My blessings and prayers go out to each of you whom wish to fight for your rights as human beings to choose how you want to live!