BULLETIN:  EGYPT IN TURMOIL – AT 1:34 P.M. – MOTHER OF MERCY, IS THIS THE END OF HOSNI MUBARAK?

If you don't recognize that line, ask someone who knows Edward G. Robinson movies.

The news networks are now all Egypt, all the time.   President Mubarak is about to address Egypt, and there are reports, apparently authoritative, that he will step down immediately.  Obviously, big stuff.

We've been monitoring both Fox and CNN.  Both are providing some good coverage, but CNN is still held back by the influence of Christiane Amanpour.  Fox, for example, has presented the Israeli perspective on what's been happening, which is critical to the war-and-peace question that hovers over everything in the Mideast.  CNN has no such perspective.  Fox is also providing a careful examination of the Muslim Brotherhood, skeptical of attempts to whitewash the group.  CNN is mixing more whitewash.

Stand by.  No one will know exactly what's happening until Mubarak speaks.   We're waiting for the fat lady to sing, or at least the slightly chubby president of Egypt.

February 10, 2011