In Egypt, protesters take to the streets in numbers, forcing the issue
Tens of thousands of people have been marching through the streets of Cairo, defying the state security apparatus. AP reports that Mohamed ElBaradei, who returned home to take part in the protests, had been assaulted with a water cannon when he tried to march and has since been placed under house arrest. The protest has spread to other Egyptian cities as well.
I just heard a reporter on Al Jazeera English suggest that when the people of Egypt wake up tomorrow morning, they will wake up in an entirely different country. And here in Washington, Vice President Biden has been quoted as saying that Hosni Mubarak is not a dictator and should not step down, which helps no one.
Sometimes, it’s better just to shut your mouth and say nothing.
Here’s an eyewitness account from Alexandria, from the Guardian in London:
“After prayers, the protesters came out of a mosque and started shouting slogans. They were saying “peaceful, peaceful” and raising their hands. They were immediately attacked by police in an armoured car firing teargas. Fierce clashes started then, with exchanges of rock throwing. About 200 police faced about 1,000 protesters. The clashes lasted for nearly two hours. Then a much larger crowd of protesters came from another direction. They were packed in four blocks deep. Police tried to hold them back with teargas and rubber bullets, but they were finally overwhelmed.
Then the police just gave up, at about the time of afternoon prayers. Protesters gave water to police and talked to them. It was was all peaceful. Hundreds of protesters were praying in the street.
Now walking down to downtown Alexandria, the whole road is packed as far as we can see, people shouting slogans against [Hosni] Mubarak and his son Gamal. Asking others to join them. It is a very festive atmosphere. Women in veils, old men, children, I even saw a blind man being led. And there are no police anywhere.”
But it is not by any means all festive and flowers. Here’s a fresh posting from YouTube, in which a protester is shot and killed. WARNING: It’s not for the faint of heart, but neither is revolution.
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136 comments Add your comment
AmVet
January 28th, 2011
3:00 pm
G’afternoon peeps.
For all of us…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg0BNTebcbY
stands for decibels
January 28th, 2011
3:01 pm
Well, if you like it…maybe it does. It’s not one of my favorites.
Nor mine, DGA. I can think of about fifty Clash tunes I’d rather hear than that one, actually.
The Clash’s biggest UK rivals, the Jam, had a wonderful ditty about the consequences of imperialism, “Little Boy Soldiers”, which seems pertinent enough.
Come on outside – I’ll sing you a lullaby,
Or tell a tale of how goodness prevailed.
We ruled the world – we killed and robbed,
The [bleep]ing lot – but we don’t feel bad.
It was done beneath the flag of democracy,
You’ll believe
and I do – yes I do – yes I do -yes I do …”
I’m torn between the excitement of a live version and the excellence of the studio track, so I’ll give ya both.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae5nZ18QTww
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPgSQsO96g4
Doggone/GA
January 28th, 2011
3:02 pm
sfd – thanks, but youtube is blocked where I work.
Southern Comfort (B.P.O.I.B.W.)
January 28th, 2011
3:03 pm
Mubarak isn’t paying any attention to what the administration says,
Yep!!
the protesters aren’t paying any attention to what the administration says
Yep!!
and the MB along with their friends in Tehran don’t care what we say because they know exactly what they want to do, while also knowing that we’re powerless.
Yep!!
The ineptitude of the Obama administrations foreign policy is only surpassed by its ineptitude in domestic policy.
Has nothing to do with what’s going on in Egypt. We can not continue to try to use ballistic foreign policy all around the world. What the MB is putting into place can not be fought with bullets and bombs. What they are doing has become an idea. You can not fight an idea with any amount of physical force and win. By continuing to try to bomb our way thru foreign policy, we only give that idea more of a foundation in reality. Until we realize that and react accordingly, nobody’s foreign policy will amount to sh*t.
Southern Comfort (B.P.O.I.B.W.)
January 28th, 2011
3:04 pm
With all the aid money we are giving Egypt, is the gov’t sure that they are not involved in some type of pyramid scheme?
Doggone/GA
January 28th, 2011
3:05 pm
“With all the aid money we are giving Egypt, is the gov’t sure that they are not involved in some type of pyramid scheme?”
Well, let’s see. If they are, but it lasts as long as the Great Pyramid, we might have time to work our way to the top and be out before it collapses!
Deep Throat
January 28th, 2011
3:07 pm
Did I read Jay right ? Did he tell Biden to shut up ?
Lil' Barry Bailout
January 28th, 2011
3:14 pm
I was just looking for an excuse to hear The Clash, I’m not claiming any geographical or historical correctness.
I came up back when the 688 Club was the place to be for Wall of Voodoo, 10000 Maniacs, Pylon, Red Hot Chili Peppers, to name but a few.
Southern Comfort (B.P.O.I.B.W.)
January 28th, 2011
3:19 pm
Doggone
I noticed that my debate opponent could not respond with factual debate after I left last night. Isn’t that the trait of a Liberal on Jay’s blog? When you hit them with facts, they respond with name calling..
BADA BING
January 28th, 2011
3:20 pm
Holy Moses! I just hope Egypt doesn’t end up making an asp of itself.
stands for decibels
January 28th, 2011
3:21 pm
was just looking for an excuse to hear The Clash
LBB, I can understand the urge. Personally, I was pretty much done with that band by the time Combat Rock came out—they sounded worn out to me, and indeed, they were (although I was glad for them that the album sold so well).
Virtually anything from their first three LPs, I’ll turn up to 11.
So you saw Pylon? Do tell. how were they, live?
carlosgvv
January 28th, 2011
3:21 pm
Bosch
Lighten up. I’m just playing with you. We will not invade Egypt, I hope, nor should we have invaded Iraq, nor should we be in Afghanistan.
BADA BING
January 28th, 2011
3:21 pm
I think Mubarak is in De Nile.
Del
January 28th, 2011
3:22 pm
Not about bullets and bombs it’s about a consistent foreign diplomatic policy instead of mixed messages coming out of the White House. It has been an obvious attempt to play both sides. The soft ineffective tone toward Iran has reflected weakness and that emboldens our adversaries. Don’t fool yourself into believing that Iran is just a passive observer to this latest Middle East crisis.
Doggone/GA
January 28th, 2011
3:27 pm
“When you hit them with facts, they respond with name calling.. ”
When you don’t actually HAVE any facts, what else is left?
BADA BING
January 28th, 2011
3:27 pm
Tut Tut, Mubarack. Cleopatra is probably turning over in her carsophagus right now.
Southern Comfort (B.P.O.I.B.W.)
January 28th, 2011
3:29 pm
Why would I fool myself about Iran? You kinda have to remember what I do. I trust crooked politicians more than I trust Iran, and I don’t trust politicians any further than I can throw them. Iran may have their hand in the pile, but what’s going on is much, much larger than any one country…
Southern Comfort (B.P.O.I.B.W.)
January 28th, 2011
3:35 pm
Not about bullets and bombs it’s about a consistent foreign diplomatic policy instead of mixed messages coming out of the White House.
I’m willing to wager that 65%-75% of our foreign policy involves bullets and bombs. It’s either buying, selling, trading, manufacturing, or using them.
If Obama was wise, he would remain silent on what’s going on in Egypt. No matter what he says, it will be used against him and the United States. If he comes out and supports Egypt, then America is impeding the rights of Muslims and attacking Muslims. If he comes out in support of the protesters, then he’s giving credibility to people who we do not wish to give credit to. Don’t fool yourself into thinking those protesting are wanting “American-styled” democracy. The easiest way to attack someone’s six is to create a diversion at 12 o’clock.
Doggone
I wonder, if I brought up that trait to him, would he blow a fuse and call me everything in the book.
Doggone/GA
January 28th, 2011
3:40 pm
“I wonder, if I brought up that trait to him, would he blow a fuse and call me everything in the book.”
Might be fun! We could learn the extent of his vocabulary!
“If Obama was wise, he would remain silent on what’s going on in Egypt. No matter what he says, it will be used against him and the United States”
Problem is, if he doesn’t say anything…THAT will be used against him too.
Southern Comfort (B.P.O.I.B.W.)
January 28th, 2011
3:43 pm
Problem is, if he doesn’t say anything…THAT will be used against him too.
Sounds like “Checkmate”.
N-GA
January 28th, 2011
3:43 pm
Just a couple of observations:
1. When GB decided that there weren’t any WMD’s in Iraq, he then said that we were “Bringing Democracy to the Middle East”. At the time he was ignoring the right-wing regimes in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia (all “allies” of the USA).
2. Why are all the right-wing posters implying that Obama supports these right-wing fascist regimes. They all resemble what the GOP loves so much….oppressed people being ruled by military dictators. If these were left-wing regimes, the people would be voting and everyone would be calling them socialists!
Del
January 28th, 2011
3:44 pm
“If Obama was wise, he would remain silent on what’s going on in Egypt”. That’s my point not only has the administration not remained silent, they’ve appeared confused and weak by the mixed messages. They should have remained silent and left Tehran and MB uncertain.
jt
January 28th, 2011
3:44 pm
For Bada Bing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frd53vbCHLg
Dusty
January 28th, 2011
3:44 pm
SoCo,
Did you see where the police chief and his whole band resigned from their post in a town south of Monterrey, Mexico? Seems they were a bit upset. Two of their police partners had their heads chopped off by members of a drug cartel!! Now that is what I would call a bit of discouragement. Maybe they need a union, as some often suggest.
Doggone/GA
January 28th, 2011
3:45 pm
“Sounds like “Checkmate”.”
Sure. It’s always going to be like that for Obama. No matter what he says, SOMEONE will twist it to suit THEIR agenda and try to make HIM in the wrong.
Dusty
January 28th, 2011
3:50 pm
Relax, folks. Hillary has gone to Yemen. No more worries now.
Actually, I think Hillary can handle most ANYBODY better and smarter than u no who. She’s tough enough, experienced enough and accustomed to being around “big” men with big faults.
Southern Comfort (B.P.O.I.B.W.)
January 28th, 2011
3:54 pm
Dusty
As heavily armed as the cartels are, we would have to give Mexico arms deals like we give to Israel for them to fight the cartels effectively. The only problem is that the cartels have ruled so long, people are afraid of them.
Dusty
January 28th, 2011
4:00 pm
SoCo,
Being a policeman in Mexico must be about as much fun as skydiving without a parachute.
N-GA
January 28th, 2011
4:02 pm
Israel has a minority of non-Jewish citizens (muslims, christians, etc.). These citizens vote, hold office, etc. However, Israel is still a Jewish state that happens to be a Democracy. But is it really a Democracy? I think not since the Palestinians from the “occupied territories” are denied the vote (in Israeli elections). Israel will never give them the vote because to do so will result in Israel ceasing to be a Jewish state. reference: http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2010/12/what-if-israel-ceases-to-be-a-democracy/68582/
Southern Comfort (B.P.O.I.B.W.)
January 28th, 2011
4:04 pm
Dusty
You could probably get policemen in Mexico to skydive without a parachute before you could get them to patrol. They have one of, if not, the most dangerous jobs in the world.
Tommy Maddox
January 28th, 2011
4:25 pm
N Ga: “oppressed people” = welfare.
Lil' Barry Bailout
January 28th, 2011
4:39 pm
Pylon was very good live…very talented and smooth on stage. They were just a fun, fun band and their crowd was always enjoyable. At least that’s how I remember it!
Little Egypt
January 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
BADA BING
January 28th, 2011
3:21 pm
I think Mubarak is in De Nile.
What a croc.
Lil' Barry Bailout
January 28th, 2011
5:42 pm
A croc?
Don’t make such snap judgements.
Todd
January 29th, 2011
4:41 pm
The situation in the middle east is the start of something very big. It will spread fast because of the use of Twitter and facebook. Yemen, Tunisia and now Egypt. All young people in the region are out of work and have nothing else to do but gather and protest and the social media has given them a major tool in which to do so. If in the past we saw hundreds in protest, then now we will see thousands. The power has always been in the hands of the many. The question is how many are there?
Todd
January 29th, 2011
5:05 pm
We need to be careful here in the US. The unemployment rate for younger people just getting out of school and their future outlook for the next three to five years looks very bleak. The mixture of the social network and lack of money in peoples pockets will create an explosion of demonstrations and riots. This culmination will be dangerous for our own social rest. Big business can do something to stop this. They can start hiring now! They can put their investment back into the people. They can’t afford to sit and wait for this unrest to happen. At that point it will be too late and we will be all be asking ourselves what could we have done to prevent it?