I ran across a very interesting article at The American Thinker about the recent events in Egypt. It was written by an Egyptian student and gives an entirely different perspective on things.
One week ago, Egypt was a stable authoritarian regime, prospects of change were minimal and every expert in Washington would have betted on the endurance of its regime. Today, Egypt is in a state of chaos. The regime, even after using its mightiest sword is not able to control the country and the streets of Egypt are in a state of utter lawlessness. As the world stands in awe, confusion, and worry at the unfolding events, perhaps it is important to write the evolving story that is happening in Egypt before any reflections can be made on them.
He goes on to talk about how social media helped spread the desire for demonstrations, which were initially likely to be very small – a few hundred of the “usual suspects” at most. One of the organizers claimed the crowds were much larger than that, which the state-run media denied, but nobody believed since they were typically a mouthpiece for the regime.
That and the events in Tunisia a few days earlier gave many, many people the courage to take to the streets. From there the situation deteriorated and a state of lawlessness ensued, which has caused the people to lose a great deal of confidence in the state.
The [second] day the demonstrations continued with a promise of a return on Friday the 28th after Friday Prayers in Mosques. The regime started panicking at this moment. This was simply something they did not understand. Imagine for a second Mubarak’s advisors trying to explain to the 83 year old dictator what twitter is in the first place. What was more worrying for them was that the only real force in Egyptian politics, the Muslim Brotherhood, announced its intention of joining the demonstrations. Suddenly they were faced with the prospect of hundreds of thousands of demonstrators from every Mosque in the country. They acted as every panicking authoritarian regime would act. They acted stupidly.
He goes on to describe how the state stumbled and lurched from one position to another, never getting things right. He clarifies what we are seeing on our TV’s and says things are not as they seem to outsiders.
Today the Egyptians are scared. They have been given a glimpse of hell and they don’t like what they see. Contrary to Al Jazeera’s propaganda, the Egyptian masses are not demonstrating anymore. They are protecting their homes and families. The demonstration last night had 5,000 political activists participating and not 150,000 as Al Jazeera insists. At this moment, no one outside of those political activists cares less now if the President will resign or not. They have more important concerns now; security and food.
He ends up discussing the socio-economic conditions in Egypt in the past several years that led up to the recent turmoil, then he talks about where he thinks this will lead. His prediction is vague (of necessity; nobody really knows what will happen), but somewhat cautiously optimistic.
Politically, the army will aim at returning to the pre-Gamal ruling formula. People will be appeased by raising salaries and increasing subsidies with the hope of silencing them. Will it be enough? That is doubtful. The Egyptians have realized for the first time that the regime is not as strong as it looked a week ago. If the army did not stop them, how will they ever be silenced? Moreover they are greatly empowered. Egyptians today feel pride in themselves. They have protected their neighborhoods and done what the army has failed to do. This empowerment will not be crushed easily.
He doesn’t have any confidence in any of the existing opposition groups, especially El Baradei, for whom he has great disdain.
You seem to wonder after all of this where El Baradei and the Egyptian opposition are. CNN’s anointed leader of the Egyptian Revolution must be important to the future of Egypt. Hardly! Outside of Western media hype, El Baradei is nothing. A man that has spent less than 30 days in the past year in Egypt and hardly any time in the past 20 years is a nobody. It is entirely insulting to Egyptians to suggest otherwise. The opposition you wonder? Outside of the Muslim Brotherhood we are discussing groups that can each claim less than 5,000 actual members. With no organization, no ideas, and no leaders they are entirely irrelevant to the discussion. It is the apolitical young generation that has suddenly been transformed that is the real question here.
Where Egypt will go from here is an enigma. In a sense everything will be the same. The army that has ruled Egypt since 1952 will continue to rule it and the country will still suffer from a huge vacuum of ideas and real political alternatives. On the other hand, it will never be the same again. Once empowered, the Egyptians will not accept the status quo for long.
It’s a good read.
bob; I’m not arguing about any politician, including conservatives, who would rather allow current federal drug policies carry out rather than take the position that the federal government should not have such authority in the first place. Mike Lee is the only national figure I can think of that has ever taken that position and has laid out the case… Read more »
Interesting. I think conservatives are missing an opportunity by remaining in favor of current cannabis policies at both the state and federal levels. Trouble is, their politicians generally won’t risk a rational conversation on reform or changes. As I’ve mentioned before, Gary Johnson is a conservative that gets it right on those policies. The DEA and the ONDCP are two… Read more »
I’m glad to see you state your disagreement with federal cannabis policies. A question for you: how do you justify states prohibiting what people might eat, drink or smoke? You always act like this is the first time you’ve heard of my opposition to federal control over drugs. Weird. As for the states, I do think it is a better… Read more »
bob; Ther New Federalism was initiated by Nixcon and on its face it would have been a friend to the War on Drugs according to the world of bob. Shoot forward a few decades and the courts got involved and in Gonzalez v. Raich the Supreme Court declared that the Commerce Clause to regulate marajuana. This decision, though you very… Read more »
Darren, I’m a hobbyist blogger, not a reference librarian. Look up the Shafer commission for yourself. It’s all on the web. And while your at it, read up on the Nixon tapes. You’re impression of his presidency is, well, unique. Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR, Wilson, Marco Rubio, Mike Lee, etc? So far I got Nixon who, again, is far more… Read more »
In 1970 1970 The authorizatrion Nixon needed began? Huh? Even though Nixon stacked half of the committee with social conservative authoritarians Excellent. Who were they? My understanding is that Nixon hardly governed as asocial conservative, period. In fact, nhardly a social conservastive went to his aid when the Watergate tapes broke because by that time he pi$$ed them all off.… Read more »
Sorry for all the bold. The tag should have been closed after “legalize.”
OK, since you don’t seem to want to hear or see the evidence for yourself, I’ll try to make you curious. In 1970, congress was unsure if cannabis should be classified as a “Schedule one” controlled dangerous substance (like heroin) and ordered a commission to study its harms and dangers. Even though Nixon stacked half of the committee with social… Read more »
bob; Darren, why not simply google “Nixon tapes marijuana” and listen to it for yourself, instead of simply remaining in denial? Key word is “start”. I’d probably intepret thae meaning of the word “war”. If it’s an all-out use of force, then Nixon would be crowned the mantle of “drug war starter”; but the powers he used were in place… Read more »
Darren, why not simply google “Nixon tapes marijuana” and listen to it for yourself, instead of simply remaining in denial? I’ve pointed out that the DEA and ONDCP have grown in size and budget, and arrests have during every presidency since Nixon. Even Carter and Clinton. I liked Regan as a fiscal conservative, but disliked his authoritarian drug policies. So… Read more »
bob; Darren, I’m critical of authoritarians that disrespect constitutional limitations of government power, regardless of whether they like to call themselves conservative, liberal, democrat or republican. No, you’re not. You’re critical of conservatives in the mere perception of authoritariansim. Federalism is secondary to you in what you support or not the government does. If superceeding state sovereignty helps you do… Read more »
Hamous #81;
Purist! 🙂
I’m sure somewhere down the line “grave” coud simply mean “serious”.
Never eat yellow snow.
Just started snowing lightly in the barrio.
Good evening all. Been busy with horse care, laundry, and quick errands before the wintry mix arrived. Except it didn’t this afternoon. Made it to 34 briefly out here in the countryside, then settled in at 33. At 11 pm it’s 29. Spouse said it was lightly misting when he came back from the barn at 10:15. Channel 11 weatherman… Read more »
Re: weather Yep, we were scheduled to attend a pipeline safety meeting tonight in Pasadena. My clerk and I got there late to find the room half empty and only half the usual number of vendors to give out their freebies after the presentation. She and I scarfed down our barbecue dinners just in time to grab our bags and… Read more »
Aw now Tim, I expect to see snow falling when I get up in the morning. ABC13’s weather radar shows the prevailing winds bringing the moisture right into the cold air in my area of Houston. (It is odd to see weather coded PINK on their animation display.)
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/doppler?id=5750607&mapnum=3&anim=true
Well our local media orgasmed enough over the weather most of or customers shut down early today and will be closed tomorrow. But still no ice, snow or even rain. Thanks guys, a tribute to you from Michael Berry.
Darren, I’m critical of authoritarians that disrespect constitutional limitations of government power, regardless of whether they like to call themselves conservative, liberal, democrat or republican. Your attempt to closely connect your War on Drugs with the New Deal is nonsensical. The original justifications for the extra-constitutional prohibition of cannabis have long been proven fallacious, lacking in factual basis, and the… Read more »
#76 Beck wasn’t speaking Portuguese. In English, when speaking of medical condition, the terms in increasing severity are good, fair, serious, critical, and grave. Grave usually means they are not likely to survive. I wouldn’t expect someone in grave condition to be released from the hospital the next morning. I also heard Brett Baier use the term later in the… Read more »
I just heard Hugh Hewitt will have Dallin H. Oaks on the show to talk about religious liberty. Dallin H. Oaks is known to me as Elder Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and has a long-standing legal experience. I have read previous writings from Elder Oaks regarding religious… Read more »
Hamous #54;
Very nice!
In my inbox from a West Texas cuz-in-law;
Stories around the General Store, Texas Septic System.
/course language
That’s no much of a surprise when it come to hom much you need to learn about Christianity.
Hardly.
Hamous #65;
In Portuguese “grave” is used to mean “serious” for something that can be potentially dangerous. In this case it would mean “with [serious] injuries”.
A gazillion years ago I was the youth leader at the First Christian Church. Wow, Oletimer really is “ole”. He was a youth leader when Jesus walked the earth. 😉 Once upon a time I too was passionately against using “XMAS” because it replaced “Christ” with an “X”. I too learned that “X” is a Christian symbol for “Christ” and… Read more »
Oops, bad link set up.
Glenn Beck made what I found to be a very good case that a Caliphate is the desired outcome of these riots in Egypt. Today I see Beck made a response to the attacks of conspiracy waged against Beck. The response is very good as well. And for the record, Beck does say, “the end of our Republic” waaaaaaaayyyyyyyy too… Read more »
Update on bob: Yesterday I cited the very socially liberal movement known as “The New Deal” as opening the door to allow the federal government to crackdown on intrastate marajuana cultivation, distribution and/or consumption. This was accomplished through federal legislation straight from the Left. I then cited a Taco Supreme Court decision from a case known as “Gonzales v. Raich… Read more »
Some of these?
#55 LurkGW
Mayonnaise? Toilet paper? KY?
IMHO (as a former 4 year resident in the Arab world) “Most” Muslims or a “FEW” Muslims that want us all DEAD or CONVERTED simply aint the issue Folks……………………..the term that counts is “ENOUGH” of them that want us DEAD or CONVERTED. And sadly there ARE “ENOUGH”. In this regard we basically have three optional paths: 1. Roll back the… Read more »
Now THIS is an obituary.
Help our friends in Austin pick a new name for their solid waste department. Currently “Fred Durst Society of the Humanities and Arts” is way, way ahead of #2 “Department of Neat and Clean”.
From an email: Deaf Italian bookkeeper A Mafia Godfather finds out that his bookkeeper, Guido, has cheated him out of $10,000,000.00 His bookkeeper is deaf. That was the reason he got the job in the first place. It was assumed that Guido would hear nothing so he would not have to testify in court. When the Godfather goes to confront… Read more »
#63 I just heard Beck close with that. He said they were hospitalized “with grave injuries”. They were released this morning. Someone needs to learn the proper meaning of certain adjectives.
#60 Sarge: In fact, I’m probably more familiar with the spread of Islam throughout the South Pacific and the Phillipines than you are. You are correct there. How much was done at the point of a sword/gun? How many girls have been circumcised and how may wear a form of the hijab? What do you think will happen if some… Read more »
FoxNews correspondents should probably avoid taking cameraman Olaf Wiig along with them. He seems to be bad luck. FOX News Channel’s veteran foreign correspondent Greg Palkot and his camerman Olaf Wiig have suffered severe injuries in Cairo while covering the unrest in the Egypt capital. Palkot was badly beaten and Wiig has a possible broken jaw after being attacked by… Read more »
We’re not going to win this war by getting all panicky.
We’re not going to win this war by becoming our enemy.
The lesson of the Victory in Iraq proves exactly that.
#56 hamous
It’s now “Global Weirding”
To all who think that I am being too strident: ask yourself the question “If I am in a kill or be killed situation what am I going to do?” One thing I am most dertainly NOT going to do is to turn my back on the founding precpts of the greatest nation on earth. #41 Sarge: Indonesia has largely… Read more »
To all who think that I am being too strident: ask yourself the question “If I am in a kill or be killed situation what am I going to do?” IF you say fight back great, if you wait until the sword is at your neck you have lost. The question we need to understand is not if we are… Read more »
They also said it would make hurricanes more sever and more frequent.
And we know how that turned out.
Most Muslims (by far) are not terrorists. Where I have difficulty is that we never seem to hear of any of them speak out when one of their co-religionists decides to wage his own personal jihad in a crowded marketplace full of innocents. We see lots of celebrating in the Cradle of Civilization when that happens, but nowhere do we… Read more »
I’m actually starting to feel sorry for Shallow Al. How unserious can one man get? Last week on his show Bill O’Reilly asked, “Why has southern New York turned into the tundra?” and then said he had a call into me. I appreciate the question. As it turns out, the scientific community has been addressing this particular question for some… Read more »
(sticks head out of LurkCave, since the thermogizmo reads a whopping 33 degrees) *** Caution: Shameless promotion of a book! But its a Houston book! From a genius! *** Hmm, about the best reference I can think of regarding the cultural/philosophical/relig etc. differences of our culture vs. the other is from the “hidden treasure” Houston author Peter Riga. His book… Read more »
This is the biggest battle for westerners to overcome, that an individual human life is almost meaningless to the average moooslim (in some cases this even applies to his own family or himself) and until we understand that reality we will continue to get rolled by the moooooslims. But individual human life IS meaningful to Christians. That’s why we minister… Read more »
In addition to providing the Hebrew/Christian Etymology and definitions, many dictionaries also include the common English translation of meaning “verily and truly” as well as the more colloquial application of using Amen to express strong agreement, as I did above.
Do I need anyone’s permission to use the word? 😉
#50 Heh. I was fixin’ to type the same question.
yes, but not before he passes the collection plate.