To my mind, it’s a bad idea because it does not reflect the will of the people. Now if Gamal ran in free and fair elections and won them, then I would not object to his becoming president, although I do not like his free-marketeering.

What do you mean by your final statement? Do you mean that his free market ideology would anger enough Egyptians and turn them against him and kill the idea of a hereditary presidency?

It has been a fact in Egypt that rulers don’t quit or retire, they die or are killed, the two exceptions being Mohammed Naguid and King Farouk I.

The idea that a young, non-military businessman, western educated who clearly prefers free market ideas could replace the current president while the latter is still alive is a small shock to a lot of Egyptians.

I am well aware of the implications of this turning into an inheritance, but if Mr. Gamal Mubarak is successful in implementing the policies and ideas of a free market, he will effectively kill that concept.

I know that if he does get elected there will be rioting and a lot of calls of “Koosa” in the streets, but on the other hand, I also know that he will be the a great stepping stone in making Egypt part of the future economically as well as politically.

An old Chinese curse occurs to me: May you live in interesting times.