Thomas Friedman on Egypt: the record (I)

Yesterday, I asked my readers to provide me with past statements by Thomas Friedman on Mubarak (because I remember his past praise, just as he deceptively wanted us to forget his enthusiasm for the US war on Iraq), and they obliged.  Here is one: ""Countries today have brands, just like toothpaste, and Egypt has always had a pretty decent brand. Although Mr. Mubarak's is an authoritarian regime, Egypt has always been far from a police state. The regime tolerates some opposition, some free press, some democracy. It has a lively civil society, and people feel more free than not. ""  And here is a good one:  ""But some experts ask: Why would we want to foster democracy and a free press in that part of the world when we know that many of those who would be elected or free to write would be incredibly hostile to us? After all, we may not like everything that Egypt's Hosni Mubarak or the al-Saud ruling family in Saudi Arabia do -- but they are more liberal and pro-American than many of their people. " (thanks Karim)