It looks like the military is trying to nudge the protestors home in an effort to gain some semblance of normalcy for Egypt.  A sensitive task.  (CBS/AP) CAIRO – The Egyptian military on Saturday came up against angry pro-democracy protesters in an attempt to persuade them to move burnt cars and human barricades from the streets leading to Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, where thousands continued to call for President Hosni Mubarak’s departure. 
The protesters set up human barricades around Tahrir, or Liberation, Square to prevent pro-Mubarak supporters from disrupting their pro-democracy demonstrations. Fierce clashes between pro- and anti-Mubarak supporters earlier in the week left at least 11 killed and hundreds injured.
A group of military officers arrived in Abdel Moneam Riyadh square, leading to Tahrir Square, to talk to the pro-democracy protesters and convince them to take down the barricades. However, the protesters were reluctant to give up their positions since they say the military did not move to protect unarmed civilians in Tahrir as they were being attacked by stone-throwing Mubarak supporters earlier in the week.
Rumors also circulated in the square that the military – which has surrounded Tahrir for days – was preparing to withdraw, so some protesters lay on the ground in front of tanks to prevent them. An Army general addressed protesters, trying to convince them to end their demonstration, but the crowd was unmoved.  General Abdel Meneem Khalil, head of the army’s central command, urged demonstrators to leave the square, they chanted back, “We are not leaving. He [Mubarak] is leaving.” The protesters see the military as a degree of protection from the police and the regime’s supporters who they fear will attack again, though the government promised on Friday not to try to eject the protesters by force.
The situation between army and protesters appeared peaceful.
Lets hope it remains that way.  Obviously the Army is the critical utensil in the kitchen of democracy.  Without it not much is possible to create.   Thankfully a large percentage of Egyptian military leaders actually trained in the United States Command School, so they are familiar with western democracy and military leadership freedom protections.  The officers of Egyptian Military have a democratic respect for liberty gained from those western experiences.  This is highly fortuitous and beneficial at this moment.
 Again, I reiterate my frustration that Obama continues to talk through Mubarak publicly.  He needs to direct our American supportive conversation to the people of Egypt, not the corrupt leadership.  Remember who Reagan was talking to at the Brandenburg gate.  He was not directly talking to Gorbachev, he was talking to the freedom loving people of Eastern Europe.  He directed his comments to Gorbachev ‘through the people’ who understood Reagan’s values and principles.  Obama does not have such inherent international respect.  He is viewed as a weak flip floppy, double-speak, off message, convoluted, ‘new age’ speaker.  His words ring hollow and create smoke.
I pray for wisdom and reflection for the Egyptian Military/Soldier.  They are the hope of the neccessary democracy.