The Gulfstream Moment Has Arrived: Mubarak To Step Down

Enuf wuz enuf wuz enuf...

It appears the military has stepped in, and let him know it's over.

From the BBC:

Hossan Badrawi, secretary general of the National Democratic Party (NDP), said Mr Mubarak would "most probably" speak to the nation soon.

It comes on the 17th day of protests against Mr Mubarak's 30-year rule.

The Egyptian military has said it is ready to respond to the "legitimate demands of the people".

In a statement on Egyptian state TV, it said the safety and security of the people was paramount.

Earlier, Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq told BBC Arabic that the scenario of President Mubarak stepping down was being discussed.

The BBC's Lyse Doucet, in Cairo, says the fact that President Mubarak's departure is even being talked about is a huge development.

Our correspondent, who spoke to Mr Badrawi, says the 25 January movement - the day when the protests began - will see this as a great victory.

Now, the real challenge begins--how to keep the place from descending into chaos, and construct some sort of workable political system that operates much more openly than before, and allows the citizens to have some opportunities. Without starting a war, and keeping the Suez Canal open.

It probably won't look like a pure Jeffersonian democracy, but here's hoping that the populace is educated and secular enough to avoid becoming another Iran.

(Oh, and by the way, gotta find a place for his Gulfstreams to land, secure that bullion and those antiquities he's taking to keep himself and the harem comfortable...Miz Hilary???)

BBC Live Stream here.