another reason for possible optimism

But here’s perhaps the real reason for optimism when reading that Times article… Look at all the normal Egyptian voters who are going on the record about their political views, giving their names, ages, and occupations to a foreign newspaper. I don’t recall that happening often, or ever, a couple of years ago. People are worried about crime and the economy and politics, sure. But I do think the free speech/free press climate has improved drastically since the revolution.

There was always a mild but palpable degree of fear in the past in Egypt. But since February 2011, I’ve been hearing a lot more people just popping off about whatever they think.