THE BORE

General => The Superdeep Borehole => Topic started by: Akala on January 29, 2011, 11:35:21 PM

Title: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Akala on January 29, 2011, 11:35:21 PM
This whole thing is stoking my interest like nothing else in ages. I only really caught the Tunisian revolution after the fact. Flaming suicides, dictators fleeing, and progressive women protesting not to be put in burquas. But apparently it's emboldened the pissed-off youth around the region.

Egypt is rockin, the revolution was televised until the internet got cut off, it's just so fucking fascinating. I'm totally wrapped up in what the direction of the country will turn out to be. It feels important. Will the Egyptian youth in revolt succeed? Probably. And then what? Will the people resent the US backing that fuck Mubarek? My hope is that they reject being another boring Islamic state and become something like a progressive Dubai that um...actually produces something? I wish them nothing but the best.

Does anyone else care?
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Olivia Wilde Homo on January 29, 2011, 11:37:29 PM
I think it will end badly.  People like to romanticize revolution when in reality, the end result is something more oppressive than what preceded it.  Although I hope I'm wrong.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Akala on January 29, 2011, 11:44:53 PM
only when the military steps in. which it usually does. there are some great pictures I saw earlier that showed tanks chilling next to protesters. no idea about any of the key figures in their military.

that's kind of the dig in most revolutions/social upheavals...human nature. if you're some general in the military, and you are pretty much in complete control...it would take somewhat of a great man to turn it over to general elections.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Stoney Mason on January 29, 2011, 11:49:46 PM
Does anyone else care?

Sure. I hope they get their freedom. It's hard to not be pessimistic though and think this will end in a week or so and things will just go back to the status quo.


There is also the slightly uncomfortable thought that one bad situation will just replace the current bad situation ala Iran but honestly I don't know enough about Egyptian demographics to speak intelligently to that.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Akala on January 30, 2011, 12:03:42 AM
I think something like Iran is everyone's biggest fear. It just feels a little bit like grandstanding to disparage fundamentalism in other parts of the world when the US is of late as batshit fundie as the rest of em...but at the end of the day, I sincerely hope that the disconnect between the youth and the old guard in America is something that exists in all parts of the world. Maybe I'm just idealistic.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Stoney Mason on January 30, 2011, 12:13:08 AM
I think something like Iran is everyone's biggest fear. It just feels a little bit like grandstanding to disparage fundamentalism in other parts of the world when the US is of late as batshit fundie as the rest of em...but at the end of the day, I sincerely hope that the disconnect between the youth and the old guard in America is something that exists in all parts of the world. Maybe I'm just idealistic.

America definitely has a lot of issues. And I hate crazy old/or young social conservatives as much as anybody. But at least in our society and most western societies you can be gay, you can be a minority, we have multiple parties, and you can mostly express your viewpoints without fear of government reprisal. We have a "free" press even if most of it sucks and is beholden to corporate interests or pressure. That's the standards at minimum to have a free society. I hope that when "freedom" comes to a lot of these countries its actual freedom akin to that (and hopefully better) rather than just freedom for another group to oppress people or thoughts it doesn't agree with. Also how intertwined religion is in some of these societies is just plan upsetting because they use that to undermine actual freedom in a lot of cases.  But I guess it takes baby steps to get anywhere...
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Boogie on January 30, 2011, 12:22:53 AM
http://www.straight.com/article-370642/vancouver/gwynne-dyer-egyptian-revolution
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Human Snorenado on January 30, 2011, 12:25:32 AM
The current regime will be overthrown, and some even more repressive bunch of fucks will slither into power.  Rinse and repeat.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: EmCeeGrammar on January 30, 2011, 12:32:59 AM
I watched some animated movie which documented the life of an iranian women who was a child during one of their revolutions.  The conclusions she drew is that overthrowing the regime did no good when the country was so uneducated that they thought it was a good idea to elect religious authorities to power who subsequently made the situation a lot worse.  Not sure what the situation would be like in Egypt. I imagine much more people are literate now and the youth has more exposure to the outside world through the internet and mass media. Well, HAD internet.

I have a bad feeling most people aren't going to care because hey its brown people's problems.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Akala on January 30, 2011, 12:43:13 AM
http://www.straight.com/article-370642/vancouver/gwynne-dyer-egyptian-revolution

It really sucks that no matter what happens, it is all going to tie back to Israel eventually.

Personally, I'd rather we were allied with a free Egypt than Israel. Not gonna fucking happen anytime soon tho.

Quote from: EmCeeGrammar
I watched some animated movie which documented the life of an iranian women who was a child during one of their revolutions.  The conclusions she drew is that overthrowing the regime did no good when the country was so uneducated that they thought it was a good idea to elect religious authorities to power who subsequently made the situation a lot worse.  Not sure what the situation would be like in Egypt. I imagine much more people are literate now and the youth has more exposure to the outside world through the internet and mass media. Well, HAD internet.

That's a problem in a power vacuum. Imagine if something happened to both major parties here. The fucking libertarians would be the most organized fringe party (or maybe the tea party...lol hard to keep up). Not that they are representative, but a majority is a majority. Then everyone is fucked.

Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Akala on January 30, 2011, 12:47:56 AM
actually that's kind of a drunken argument. :lol

apples to oranges...libertarians couldn't really tap into any pre-existing national sentiment.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Phoenix Dark on January 30, 2011, 12:53:54 AM
I've just been watching puzzled, wondering where the hell are the black people if that's really Egypt. I didn't take three classes on African studies not to know something about the motherland
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Boogie on January 30, 2011, 12:58:18 AM
I've just been watching puzzled, wondering where the hell are the black people if that's really Egypt. I didn't take three classes on African studies not to know something about the motherland

I'm going to beat you with a stick.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Madrun Badrun on January 30, 2011, 02:31:39 AM
I've just been watching puzzled, wondering where the hell are the black people if that's really Egypt. I didn't take three classes on African studies not to know something about the motherland

I'm going to beat you with a stick.

PD didn't take 2 African studies classes to know that a white man threating a black man with a stick-beating has racist connotations, he took 3.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Diunx on January 30, 2011, 10:57:08 AM
PD is as American as hate crimes.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Himu on January 30, 2011, 11:30:24 AM
I've just been watching puzzled, wondering where the hell are the black people if that's really Egypt. I didn't take three classes on African studies not to know something about the motherland

You´re from Egypt?

The African Diaspora dude.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: drew on January 30, 2011, 04:12:06 PM
black people are from everywhere and are responsible for everything
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Madrun Badrun on January 30, 2011, 04:19:41 PM
black people are from everywhere and are responsible for everything and this is why I own a gun and two dozen knives

Drew is a scary guy.

Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: drew on January 30, 2011, 07:32:52 PM
i own more than two dozen knives and am about to buy another gun!
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Bacchus7 on January 30, 2011, 07:53:00 PM
threating
.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Madrun Badrun on January 30, 2011, 08:10:06 PM
threating
.

I was trying to drop syllables to show my black side.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Beardo on January 31, 2011, 11:58:39 AM
Anyone else thinking that we should use this as encouragement to protest and overthrow our capitalist masters here in America. I'm talking of course of those evil Koch brothers. >:(

Those guys really get my panties wad.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Phoenix Dark on January 31, 2011, 12:31:06 PM
Anyone else thinking that we should use this as encouragement to protest and overthrow our capitalist masters here in America. I'm talking of course of those evil Koch brothers. >:(

Those guys really get my panties wad.


i wonder what would happen if I searched "beardo george soros" :teehee
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Beardo on January 31, 2011, 12:47:22 PM
Come on guys, I have enough Guy Fawkes masks for at least 4 people. Think of the glorious revolution!
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: T-Short on January 31, 2011, 02:35:51 PM
Quote
Mike Huckabee happens to be travelling in the middle-east during the recent outbreak of unprecedented civil unrest in Egypt. Speaking to the Israeli Knesset, Huckabee said that the situation, if it continues to worsen and destabilizes the middle-east, could "threaten the world and all those who seek peace and security."

Huck'd
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Brehvolution on January 31, 2011, 02:54:23 PM
I've never seen so many people walk like an Egyptian.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Diunx on January 31, 2011, 02:56:58 PM
I didn't even know the world still cared so much about Egypt.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Phoenix Dark on January 31, 2011, 04:11:19 PM
I hope whoever becomes the new Egyptian overlords swiftly acts to put the noses back on the Sphinxes

Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: cloudwalking on January 31, 2011, 04:23:19 PM
call me an asshole, but i am mostly worried about the egyptian museum. more stuff better not get busted, that shit is priceless  >:( :gun
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Joe Molotov on January 31, 2011, 04:24:18 PM
I hope whoever becomes the new Egyptian overlords swiftly acts to put the noses back on the Sphinxes

I hope they enslave the populace and put them to work building pyramids. Them bitches won't have time to revolt when they're hauling rocks 18 hours a day.  :whip :bawl
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Mandark on January 31, 2011, 04:26:08 PM
(http://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/map.jpg)

Oh, Fox News.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Great Rumbler on January 31, 2011, 04:29:11 PM
(http://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/map.jpg)

Oh, Fox News.

:rofl
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Diunx on January 31, 2011, 04:44:58 PM
I heard the pyramids kinda suck.

No wonder why they mad.

What do you expect of Jew constructions?
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: drew on January 31, 2011, 05:00:27 PM
Anyone else thinking that we should use this as encouragement to protest and overthrow our capitalist masters here in America. I'm talking of course of those evil Koch brothers. >:(

fine sure just as long as you dont try to steal my shit once you overthrow the police, because i will fucking shoot you in the fucking forehead with a fucking gun
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Boogie on January 31, 2011, 08:56:49 PM
Read this by Christiane Amanpour, via HuffPo:

Quote
Up until today I've been struggling with whether this is going to go the way of the revolution in Iran in 1979, when millions of people came out on the street and overthrew the Shah -- or protests we all saw in Iran in 2009 when the so called "green revolution" was quickly put down.

But today something happened that I think was very significant.

The Egyptian army went on state television and read a statement in which they said they accepted people's right to peacefully express themselves and that the army would never use force against the Egyptian people.

So the one question that everyone has been asking since the beginning, "what will happen if the army is given the order to fire?" was answered. They will not fire on the people.

Good for the army to state that explicitly.  That has to embolden the protesters. 
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Akala on January 31, 2011, 10:36:51 PM
smart of the army. tomorrow should be interesting.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Great Rumbler on January 31, 2011, 10:52:46 PM
So what exactly started all this? Was it just a slow building of tension that has finally overflowed or was there some event in particularly?
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Stoney Mason on January 31, 2011, 11:12:48 PM
So what exactly started all this? Was it just a slow building of tension that has finally overflowed or was there some event in particularly?

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Tunisia-to-Egypt-an-Arab-upheaval/articleshow/7382198.cms
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Great Rumbler on January 31, 2011, 11:52:51 PM
So what exactly started all this? Was it just a slow building of tension that has finally overflowed or was there some event in particularly?

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Tunisia-to-Egypt-an-Arab-upheaval/articleshow/7382198.cms

Thanks, that spells it out pretty well.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Mr. Gundam on February 01, 2011, 01:45:33 PM
Just heard on NPR that Mubarak will leave office at the next election.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Cormacaroni on February 01, 2011, 09:46:26 PM
Not sure how he expects anyone to believe that him staying in 'til then will somehow assist in a 'peaceful transition'. What a fucking joke.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 02, 2011, 06:23:40 AM
Just heard on NPR that Mubarak will leave office at the next election.

Egyptians are now demanding that, when he finally leaves office, the seat of power should be replaced with one made out of Teflon.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Stoney Mason on February 02, 2011, 11:30:52 AM
[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JJHYYvC3m0[/youtube]
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: T-Short on February 02, 2011, 02:57:55 PM
(http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/egypt20211/bp32.jpg)

hehe
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: ManaByte on February 02, 2011, 03:21:06 PM
[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JJHYYvC3m0[/youtube]

Muslims attacking a gay guy? That's impossible!
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Beardo on February 02, 2011, 03:55:06 PM
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/01/portland_woman_lands_in_midst.html (http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/01/portland_woman_lands_in_midst.html)

Quote
“They were all out on the streets with weapons,” she said. “They had clubs and swords and pipes. We didn’t know what was going on. We ended up at Tahrir Square because they took a wrong turn.”

They bailed out of the taxi and fled across the river to their hotel. They decided to leave on Sunday.

So apparently two code pink protesters went to egypt to fight the "good fight." And wound up just realizing how real revolution is. When they got to the airport to leave it was a "smash of humanity…trying to get out of Egypt."  BUT, the huge irony of the case is that two Shell Oil workers actually saved them. Only months early these ass clowns were protesting big oil only to be saved by them.

Quote
They found a group of other Westerners and stayed with them. Turned out they were a group of Shell Oil employees who had chartered a flight out of Egypt.

In the end, the two women left Cairo on that flight to Amsterdam.

“We were treated like royalty,” Boyd said.

Shell put the two women up in a hotel in the Netherlands, where they plan to stay until Wednesday when they have a flight home.


spoiler (click to show/hide)
(http://s3.amazonaws.com/codepink4peace.org/img/original/bp_2.jpg)
Picture of Tighe Barry and Medea Benjamin at a BP oil protest.
[close]

 :lol

Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Stoney Mason on February 02, 2011, 06:03:26 PM
[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JJHYYvC3m0[/youtube]


[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QLr7guJ9Gs[/youtube]

Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 02, 2011, 06:17:53 PM
:lol The people trying to shield him went from yelling "stop it, bros, duders, not cool" at others to "MOTHERFUCKERS GET OUTTA THE FUCKING WAY."

Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Yeti on February 02, 2011, 07:39:45 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/nsyTj.jpg)
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Eel O'Brian on February 02, 2011, 08:21:35 PM
:lol
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Brehvolution on February 03, 2011, 04:17:17 PM
 :lol
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: MyNameIsMethodis on February 03, 2011, 06:45:41 PM
so what are they actually rioting about, like is it something that actually matters like gay marriage?
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: AdmiralViscen on February 03, 2011, 07:02:59 PM
They all want you banned from the Internet, but their dipshit despot didn't know how to do that so he turned off the whole Internet instead and they are hopping mad
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: MyNameIsMethodis on February 03, 2011, 07:04:52 PM
So this is just because brown people can't get on the internet?
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Madrun Badrun on February 03, 2011, 11:18:22 PM
so what are they actually rioting about, like is it something that actually matters like gay marriage?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cWOK0Lfh7w&skipcontrinter=1

oops, I read you quote totally wrong, sorry methodis.

I read "so what are they actually rioting like..." and then stopped reading the rest because it was a methodis post.

spoiler (click to show/hide)
jokeing about that last bit.
[close]
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Diunx on February 03, 2011, 11:33:11 PM
Just heard on NPR that Mubarak will leave office at the next election.

:lol
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Human Snorenado on February 04, 2011, 12:01:55 AM
Just heard on NPR that Mubarak will leave office at the next election.

:lol

For what it's worth, it makes ass backwards kind of sense- if he resigns now, apparently some cretinous Assembly Speaker becomes President.  If he waits (debatable) then whoever the Egyptians elect is the new President.  Does seem sketchy tho.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Mandark on February 04, 2011, 12:08:27 AM
The idea of handing over power in the middle of a massive, angry protest movement is a bit scary to me, though regime change is the whole point of the protests.

Seems like the most important things are that the military doesn't start cracking heads, and that free and fair elections are held as scheduled or before.  Then again, I really don't know shit about Egypt, so I oughta STFU before I say something dumb.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Madrun Badrun on February 04, 2011, 12:11:44 AM
Well if they don't get him out now, what is there to keep him to his promise?  If he had 7 months to prepare for the next protests then they probably won't work as well again.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Mandark on February 04, 2011, 12:19:46 AM
Nothing solid, but I'm pretty sure he'd be forced out.

If he's perceived as weak and on the way out, his allies inside and out of the country will abandon him and he wouldn't be able to hang on even if he tried.  Saying he'll leave has probably made it a self-fulfilling prophecy, not because of his honesty but because of the expectations he's created.

But let me reiterate, I don't know shit about Egypt.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: ToxicAdam on February 04, 2011, 12:24:33 AM
I was pretty encouraged for the protesters to exact some change in Egypt. Then Obama laid his curse of support on them.


Doomed.



Title: Yeah, I'm totally going back on my idea of shutting up. Wanna fight about it?
Post by: Mandark on February 04, 2011, 04:18:57 AM
It might be a factor yet.  Threatening to cut aid and cooperation with Egypt would probably be a message aimed at their military, which has pretty strong ties with the US military establishment, and which will be a pretty key player in forcing Mubarak out, keeping him in power, or precipitating/avoiding more violence.

Israel doesn't worry about aid cuts because they know domestic US politics protect them right now; any threat from the president would be empty.  This seems to be kind of a new thing, since Bush senior apparently played hardball with Israel and Netanyahu's inability to get along with Clinton cost him his office (or at least this seems to be a very widely held belief in both countries).
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Stoney Mason on February 04, 2011, 04:11:22 PM
http://abcnews.go.com/International/cairo-mob-storms-burns-offices-al-jazeera-news/story?id=12830279
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: duckman2000 on February 04, 2011, 04:24:59 PM
I guess some Swedish journalist was abducted and stabbed, supposedly by pro-government thugs.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Phoenix Dark on February 04, 2011, 08:55:53 PM
Glenn Beck is generally on some pretty kooky shit but his opinions on Egypt :-\

It's like if Michael Bay adapted the communism domino effect into a summer blockbuster
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Joe Molotov on February 04, 2011, 09:01:26 PM
Glenn Beck is generally on some pretty kooky shit but his opinions on Egypt :-\

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/04/chris-matthews-on-beck-what-hell-talking_n_818582.html (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/04/chris-matthews-on-beck-what-hell-talking_n_818582.html)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/04/glenn-beck-egypt-caliphate-conspiracy-theory_n_818564.html (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/04/glenn-beck-egypt-caliphate-conspiracy-theory_n_818564.html)

Ancient Babylon ain't nothing to fuck with, Cohen.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Olivia Wilde Homo on February 04, 2011, 09:03:28 PM
Despite being obsessed with Muslins for the past decade, most conservatives have no fucking clue about anything regarding the Middle East except that it has Osama and oil.  Glenn Beck's batshittery wouldn't even raise an eyebrow with his audience.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Stoney Mason on February 04, 2011, 09:06:39 PM
He says something racist or nuts every single day. It's to be expected.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Phoenix Dark on February 04, 2011, 09:16:42 PM
Pretty much. But I do find it hilarious he's concerned about the chaos democracy would bring to Egypt while on the same hand worrying about them creating an orderly, well thought out caliphate across the region/Asia/Europe. You can't have it both ways dude
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Stoney Mason on February 10, 2011, 01:06:12 PM
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/10/mubarak-to-resign-egypt_n_821309.html
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 10, 2011, 03:47:18 PM
He's on.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Joe Molotov on February 10, 2011, 03:52:13 PM
It's gonna be like the end of Code Geass S1, he'll be just about to go forward with an offer of peace but then accidentally order all the rioters killed instead.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 10, 2011, 03:52:36 PM
This is getting ridiculous.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 10, 2011, 03:58:37 PM
"I will be ignoring diktats from abroad."

Well, ok.

Now he's revising and revoking a few constitutional articles.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 10, 2011, 03:59:44 PM
I'm interested in seeing what the crowds will do. 

The crowd in Al Tahrir square are chanting something but I can't make it up.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 10, 2011, 04:03:40 PM
They already are, is what I'm saying lol.

"Crowds are rejecting Mubarak's speech, and are demanding for his instant removal."

Well there you go.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 10, 2011, 04:07:32 PM
And now their taking off their shoes and waving them. "Leave or else."

What I'm getting at is instead of this peaceful protesting that they've been doing for over two weeks now, will they get charged up and try to sack the presidential palace?

That's a very likely scenario, which have been hinted at a few times.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 11, 2011, 11:21:29 AM
They did it! It's finally over :elephant
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 11, 2011, 11:54:24 AM
omgstfuduh. Take your calm rationale somewhere else. Today, we celebrate.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Great Rumbler on February 11, 2011, 11:56:37 AM
Could you post a link to a news article or something? Because I have no idea what you're talking about.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 11, 2011, 11:57:52 AM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12433045

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201121125158705862.html
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Phoenix Dark on February 11, 2011, 01:55:08 PM
Caliphate time
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Himu on February 11, 2011, 01:56:00 PM
:rofl

Caliphate? lmao

A caliphate will never work.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: CajoleJuice on February 11, 2011, 02:17:14 PM
Caliphate time
(http://cdn1.newsone.com/files/2009/12/glen-beck-crying.jpg)
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Akala on February 11, 2011, 03:03:34 PM
So awesome.  :D

They are doing the right thing by staying out I think. Congrats Egypt! Don't fuck up!
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Mandark on February 11, 2011, 03:11:59 PM
Hot damn.  There's still a big messy process ahead and lots of ugly possibilities, but this is surely better than if Mubarak was still trying to cling to power.

Weird to see the reaction on the right to all this.  It's split between those like Beck, who push the Muslim Brotherhood->Caliphate->dhimmitude meme, and politicians like Palin who are vague about the whole thing but certain that Obama somehow didn't handle it right.  I think the politicians are hedging because they know Americans will naturally side with protesters over a foreign dictator, so they can't be seen as outright hostile to the demonstrators.

It's all a bit funny if you remember the Arab Spring of 2005, when the Cedar Revolution and other potential reforms and liberalizations in the ME (including concessions by Mubarak in Egypt!) were hailed by conservative pundits as unambiguously good things, all spurred by our liberating war in Iraq.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: duckman2000 on February 11, 2011, 03:20:32 PM
This might be the first time I've heard of people cheering over the military seizing power.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: HyperZoneWasAwesome on February 11, 2011, 03:22:29 PM
Weird to see the reaction on the right to all this.  It's split between those like Beck, who push the Muslim Brotherhood->Caliphate->dhimmitude meme, and politicians like Palin who are vague about the whole thing but certain that Obama somehow didn't handle it right.  I think the politicians are hedging because they know Americans will naturally side with protesters over a foreign dictator, so they can't be seen as outright hostile to the demonstrators.

It's all a bit funny if you remember the Arab Spring of 2005, when the Cedar Revolution and other potential reforms and liberalizations in the ME (including concessions by Mubarak in Egypt!) were hailed by conservative pundits as unambiguously good things, all spurred by our liberating war in Iraq.
(http://www.salon.com/entertainment/comics/this_modern_world/2011/02/08/this_modern_world/story.jpg)

Most members of the GOP have political skills that have atrophied to the point that they can only speak in empty platitudes, a real issue that requires nuance and god forbid, empathy, escapes their skill set.  Thus the schizophrenic reaction we're getting now.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Brehvolution on February 11, 2011, 03:29:12 PM
:rofl
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Mandark on February 11, 2011, 03:38:30 PM
http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/02/images/20050202-11_p44390-383jpg-515h.html
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Phoenix Dark on February 11, 2011, 03:39:14 PM
Weird to see the reaction on the right to all this.  It's split between those like Beck, who push the Muslim Brotherhood->Caliphate->dhimmitude meme, and politicians like Palin who are vague about the whole thing but certain that Obama somehow didn't handle it right.  I think the politicians are hedging because they know Americans will naturally side with protesters over a foreign dictator, so they can't be seen as outright hostile to the demonstrators.

It's all a bit funny if you remember the Arab Spring of 2005, when the Cedar Revolution and other potential reforms and liberalizations in the ME (including concessions by Mubarak in Egypt!) were hailed by conservative pundits as unambiguously good things, all spurred by our liberating war in Iraq.
(http://www.salon.com/entertainment/comics/this_modern_world/2011/02/08/this_modern_world/story.jpg)

Most members of the GOP have political skills that have atrophied to the point that they can only speak in empty platitudes, a real issue that requires nuance and god forbid, empathy, escapes their skill set.  Thus the schizophrenic reaction we're getting now.
:rofl
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 11, 2011, 03:39:41 PM
That is amazing. Totally stealing it.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Dickie Dee on February 11, 2011, 05:06:57 PM
Weird article insisting that, yes, the US (to steal someone else's line) still has the biggest dick. But the bolded in the intro is the best/worst comment I've read in ages. Wish I could find the orginal article.

Quote from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/10/AR2011021004578.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
Do Egypt's protests mean American decline?
By Michael Gerson
Thursday, February 10, 2011; 8:00 PM

For those who are prone to be prone to such things, recent events in Egypt are further evidence of declining American global influence. President Hosni Mubarak, having taken a lot of American aid, now seems immune to both American advice and pressure. The protesters, one article complained, didn't even bother to burn our flag. We are seeing, according to some observers, a "post-American Middle East."

<...>

:rofl
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Diunx on February 11, 2011, 05:18:09 PM
Mubarak is such a pussy :lol, let's see how it goes from here, we had a civil war an an American occupation when we took down our last dictator lets hope Egypt haves a smoother process :lol
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Human Snorenado on February 11, 2011, 05:41:15 PM
Mubarak is such a pussy :lol, let's see how it goes from here, we had a civil war an an American occupation when we took down our last dictator lets hope Egypt haves a smoother process :lol

I think the absence of an occupying army should lead to smoother times.  But then again, I'm noted for my optimism.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Dickie Dee on February 11, 2011, 05:50:13 PM
Saw an article where the military is involved in like 30% of Egypts economy (from washing machines to vacation resorts) and all the Generals are the countries real business tycoons.

Instability is bad for business, they want to get back to selling toasters.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Phoenix Dark on February 11, 2011, 06:49:03 PM
The military's involvement in everyday Egyptian life is so foreign an idea to us that I can understand people being confused by it; the US basically keeps Egypt in business by funding their military. But it's quite hilarious that the people who know better continue to parrot the idea that if moslems take over, naturally the first thing they'll do is attack or threaten Israel. Ha, and risk all that money?

Who knew free market investment could solve the middle east/Israeli conflict :rock
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Stoney Mason on February 14, 2011, 05:30:38 PM
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/14/iran-protests_n_822991.html
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Stoney Mason on February 15, 2011, 04:47:21 PM
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/15/lara-logan-suffered-bruta_n_823677.html


huffpost is so classy with their "breaking news" logo over the story...
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Positive Touch on February 15, 2011, 06:30:49 PM
ugh that's fucking sick
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Cormacaroni on February 15, 2011, 11:06:50 PM
stay classy, Egypt  :yuck
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Madrun Badrun on February 16, 2011, 01:08:26 AM
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/15/lara-logan-suffered-bruta_n_823677.html


huffpost is so classy with their "breaking news" logo over the story...

I would hit that like an Egyptian.


...too soon?
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Great Rumbler on February 16, 2011, 01:11:15 AM
(http://joshreads.com/images/11/02/i110215momma.gif)
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 16, 2011, 01:43:55 AM
stay classy, Egypt  :yuck

Yeah, because sexual assault only happens in Egypt :maf
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Cormacaroni on February 16, 2011, 02:04:24 AM
stay classy, Egypt  :yuck

Yeah, because sexual assault only happens in Egypt :maf

Hey, I'll admit that the bar wasn't that high for Egypt, but gang rape and assault of someone who is helping your ostensibly high-minded cause is something of a new low, yes.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Oblivion on February 16, 2011, 02:18:34 AM
stay classy, Egypt  :yuck

Yeah, because sexual assault only happens in Egypt :maf

I'll admit, I originally thought the teabaggers were responsible.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 16, 2011, 02:25:57 AM
stay classy, Egypt  :yuck

Yeah, because sexual assault only happens in Egypt :maf

Hey, I'll admit that the bar wasn't that high for Egypt, but gang rape and assault of someone who is helping your ostensibly high-minded cause is something of a new low, yes.

The 200-man mob didn't gang rape her, she was separated then surrounded and assaulted, the number of assailants was never revealed, and it only takes one or two to sexually assault someone. Now if you think that in an overenthusiastic million-man crowd, there isn't a couple of sick bastards, then I don't think you know what planet you're living in.

It was a crazy event, some were stomped to death for god's sake.

"Now I admit the bar wasn't high for Egypt"

Seriously man, seriously? wow.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Mandark on February 16, 2011, 02:31:40 AM
It says something about the mob that this was allowed to happen, but it's not terribly surprising.

Big gatherings of youngish men on an emotional high can be petri dishes for violent behavior, and it's disturbingly common for that violence to be of a sexual nature.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 16, 2011, 02:40:56 AM
egyptians did that? not surprised

Yeah man, Egyptians are inherently rapists.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Cormacaroni on February 16, 2011, 02:44:59 AM
Ah, I take it all back. Gang-rape and assault is not the real crime here, it is the slightest hint of racism on the internet that deserves the full brunt of our ire. I am putting on my hairshirt and flogging myself with birch right now.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 16, 2011, 02:50:13 AM
It says something about the mob that this was allowed to happen

All I'm getting from that report is that she was separated because of mob, then surrounded and assaulted. I think the way the article was worded, especially pushing the number 200 closer to where they talk about the assault, was very sensationalistic. And by reading Cormac's posts, I think it worked.

Ah, I take it all back. Gang-rape and assault is not the real crime here, it is the slightest hint of racism on the internet that deserves the full brunt of our ire. I am putting on my hairshirt and flogging myself with birch right now.

It was a disgusting crime, nobody is denying that.

I don't give a fuck about random internet racism, I just expected more from you.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Cormacaroni on February 16, 2011, 02:54:20 AM
If 200 people had sexually and otherwise physically assaulted her, she'd be dead. The article doesn't suggest that at all. That doesn't make me the slightest bit more sympathetic to those who perpetrated the crime or who allowed it to happen though.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 16, 2011, 02:55:22 AM
If 200 people had sexually and otherwise physically assaulted her, she'd be dead. The article doesn't suggest that at all. That doesn't make me the slightest bit more sympathetic to those who perpetrated the crime or who allowed it to happen though.

Nobody is sympathizing in the slightest with the perpetrators.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Mandark on February 16, 2011, 03:00:48 AM
Nobody is defending or minimizing the rape, nobody's saying the entire mob is at fault, much less the entire country.

It's understandable how someone would take offense to an offhand comment which could be read as making judgment on all Egyptians, even if that wasn't the intent.

It's understandable how someone would see a reaction to that comment with nothing said about the rape itself to be a disservice to the actual crime and a misplacement of priorities.


Let's all just get along, mang.  Not worth getting into a big internet argument when there's no actual disagreement, just an "I don't like the impression given by your first, short comment about this" deal.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Mandark on February 16, 2011, 03:01:36 AM
Besides, I feel like we're totally letting Arvie off the hook for his hee-larious rape "joke".
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 16, 2011, 03:06:13 AM
Oh, I'm getting to Arvie.

I would hit that like an Egyptian.

Lots of people hit all over the world, are you suggesting that only Egyptians "hit"? :maf
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Cormacaroni on February 16, 2011, 03:09:08 AM
Sure, I'm not making any kind of serious judgement about all Egyptians. Although I think it's reasonable to say that the country as a whole has a lot of work to do in terms of rehabilitating its international reputation, I have no personal axe to grind.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 16, 2011, 03:10:19 AM
Agreed.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Mandark on February 16, 2011, 03:13:48 AM
See how I brought peace to this thread, as someone will one day bring peace to heathen Egypt.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 16, 2011, 03:23:12 AM
I have over 10 friends who marched with the crowds along with their families. So I admit, it's a pretty touchy subject for me :(

spoiler (click to show/hide)
Those fuckers better not have anything to do with the assault.
[close]
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Cormacaroni on February 16, 2011, 03:30:04 AM
I have over 10 friends who marched with the crowds along with their families. So I admit, it's a pretty touchy subject for me :(

spoiler (click to show/hide)
Those fuckers better not have anything to do with the assault.
[close]

You have to realize that this doesn't give you some magic pass to be all butt-hurt at the world today. People fucked up with the entire world's gaze focused on them, and you are embarrassed about it even though you shouldn't have to be. I get that, but when you start attacking people you lose the higher ground immediately.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Shaka Khan on February 16, 2011, 03:41:08 AM
It bothers me that people reading this all over the world will have harsher things things to say (and it won't be limited to the wrongdoers), it shouldn't, but it does.

I just defined "touchy" again, didn't I.
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Cormacaroni on February 16, 2011, 03:56:28 AM
:patel
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Phoenix Dark on February 16, 2011, 03:59:00 AM
Hm I thought they said it wasn't a rape?
Title: Re: Riots in Egypt
Post by: Cormacaroni on February 16, 2011, 04:07:28 AM
It's always so easy to tell, isn't it. Surprising that there would be any ambiguity there.