Holy shit Egypt (also know as we didn't start the fire)

[Jinx]

If you have been following whats going on in the middle east/northern Africa let me say wow and while it's just a small ripple in the ocean of time that encompasses that region pretty cool stuff.

I keep hearing over and over from the BBC, NPR and the normal cable new punditry of links of the civil unrest in Egypt to the uprising in Tunisia. Hogwash I say! Balderdash! To me they are sparked by very different reasons each unique to the individual country. One 30 yrs of corrupt rule in the other inflation and the high price of food. Their is an old middle eastern saying that it very appropriate. "You have the memory of a gypsy moth" Not a single print, TV or radio source has made ANY sort of reference that I have come across to the Green Revolution that failed in IRAN in 2009. This to me was a much larger catalyst than Tunisia or any western Wikileaks based theory I have heard thrown about lately. The Iranian revolution was much more televised and shared between the Muslim nations online in that region than any of the recent events in Tunisia. While they may have added a spark the seed was already planted and growing in the fertile minds of the numerous people living in dictatorial and fundamentalist regimes that asked of themselves What is my own and my families station in life? What do I want for the future? Much like our own independence was sparked by Frances failed uprising the events of Iran's failed attempt I have to think would only strengthen the resolve of others suffering under harsh rule. A middle eastern Alamo comes to mind where the loss only fueled those who saw their courage even against impossible odds. I realize that our bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will preclude them from this necessary change but I wish they would go next. In my person belief no country should have a king other than Norway or Sweden they have proven they can make it work.

Edited January 28, 2011 by Jinx

[Onyx]

I can't say I understand it all but I'm shocked they have done this:

Tech world stunned at Egypt's Internet shutdown

Also - some of the police actually took off their badges and joined the protesters. The government there has got to be terrified now to take that much of a drastic step to prevent communication by actually blocking cellphones and internet access.

Edited January 29, 2011 by Onyx

[prick]

Kind of sad that we have come so dependant on the internet that a one day shut down is world news.

[Onyx]

Kind of sad that we have come so dependant on the internet that a one day shut down is world news.

The internet is not just for play though. So much business and commerce is conducted through the net. They are really shooting themselves in the foot.

Also, when the entire media in your country is controlled by the government, the internet is literally a lifeline to letting others know what is really going on (and likely why they shut it down).

[Slogo]

I am kind of angry over the destruction at their museums

[Scar My Machine]

As many as 10,000 people protested in Tahrir Square, a rallying point in the center of Cairo, to express anger at poverty, repression, unemployment and corruption -- themes that are rumbling across the Arab world after first Tunisia and now the most populous Arab state Egypt have been plunged in unrest.

[candyman]

So it looks like religion and government don't really mix after all...although it has pretty much been like this over there since, well, ever...

It will blow over just like every other time...unrest, some boom boom, alot of people die, and they roll on...easy

[prick]

The internet is not just for play though. So much business and commerce is conducted through the net. They are really shooting themselves in the foot.

Also, when the entire media in your country is controlled by the government, the internet is literally a lifeline to letting others know what is really going on (and likely why they shut it down).

Ahhh but you get two or more versions of the truth on the net.

[StormKnight (1)]

Ahhh but you get two or more versions of the truth on the net.

Understanding is a three-edged sword: Your side, my side, and the truth in between.

*wanders off in Vorlon fashion*

[Rev.Reverence]

Way to totally MISS history happening, boys...

[TheGimp]

ive been following it close as i can...and my jaw hit the floor the other day when i seen the new violence erupt....civilians pushing back the army...throwing Molotov cocktails, stones, beating people with pipes and sticks....makes me sad....be nice to just see these people have peace....i know good thoughts and vibes dont do jack in situations like that though but hey i'm a dreamer... i just hope it gets better before it gets worse....its really odd seeing live TV of people beating the hell outta each other with pipes and setting each other on fire...

[candyman]

If all of the stories are to be believed it seems like a peaceful resolution was an option before all the fighting started...however, it seems a lust for violence abounded and now I have something to watch on TV instead of crappy reruns of Scrubs...

I think you would make alot of money in that part of the world selling S&M or even Snuff videos seeing as they have a lust for pain and violence over there. And people say America is a country founded on violence and greed...

[TitsMcGee]

Reporters have been getting the shit kicked out of them, and then being accused of being spies by the government.

[Rev.Reverence]

...& in an ironic twist...I come to understand..we DID start the fire heeheeheeheeheee

...have we learned NOT to put peoples into power over other countries?...we are NOT a puppet master....well, not a good one...

[candyman]

...& in an ironic twist...I come to understand..we DID start the fire heeheeheeheeheee

...have we learned NOT to put peoples into power over other countries?...we are NOT a puppet master....well, not a good one...

But they have had war and revolution in those parts for as long as history can remember...even long before America came to power...so while we may occasionally throw a log or two on the fire we didn't start it...and if we miss a beat the locals seem all too happy to add some of their own logs...

[Rev.Reverence]

But they have had war and revolution in those parts for as long as history can remember...even long before America came to power...so while we may occasionally throw a log or two on the fire we didn't start it...and if we miss a beat the locals seem all too happy to add some of their own logs...

..my point..our hands are never clean....chop semantics any way you want..our guys put that dude in his seat..we helped create this mess.

[Simon Bar Sinister]

I salute our Egyptian brothers and sisters on phase 1 of their victory...and wish them all the luck and wisdom in the world on phase 2,'cause the really hard part is just beginning.

Edited February 11, 2011 by Simon Bar Sinister

[TitsMcGee]

You know I fully understand why they want Mubarak out, but seriously without having any opposition leaders in the country for 30 damn years who do they really think is going to take control now that he has left? It's going to be total fucking anarchy. Seriously they should have just dealt with him till September and gotten other political parties forward so someone else could be voted in.

I know they are saying the military is going to be taking control, but I don't see that going very well...

[Reaper]

Is anyone else worried that this will only fuel the terrorists and extremists more to say that we are responsible for starting the change of their entire culture into a firestorm? No wonder the state of the terror alert is as high as it was back on 9/11.

[candyman]

Well, they WERE one of the more promising power houses in that area of the world...if any of those countries was going to call for the end of violence it was Egypt...but that all went to hell now.

At least it could...but maybe they could continue that whole getting along thing and give hope to some change in the Violent East.

[Msterbeau]

If what I read was correct, the military has facilitated changes of power ever since they took over from the monarchy back in the 50's. I don't think there's that much worry that anarchy will happen with Mubarak out, I think the worry is that when elections are set up, they might vote in a government much less friendly to the west then Mubarak appeared to be. Time will tell.