Pretty interesting what's going on today. Looks like the military isn't doing much...odds are Mubarak won't last long unless there's a brutal crackdown...

Egypt is such an influential country in the region...this is big.

-spence

Very big.

I was reading somewhere the some army units were giving gas masks to the protesters.

If Mubarak doesn't have the backing of the Army, he's done.

A truly democratic Egypt would be interesting, maybe El Baradei has a chance.

More protests in Jordan. Could get real interesting.

If Mubarak doesn't have the backing of the Army, he's done.
Heard a report earlier that the US Military was already talking to the Egyptian army...and that the same thing happened in Tunisia. Perhaps the generals talking man on man to work out a deal to keep things from falling into chaos?

Granted, Eqypt is a different situation and with a much larger army...but...

-spence

"U.S. President Barack Obama called on Egyptian authorities Friday to refrain from violence and to reverse any actions they have taken to limit access to the internet in the wake of protests there."

THAT'S THE BEST HE CAN DO?



he's supermAn

what a fin schmuck

"U.S. President Barack Obama called on Egyptian authorities Friday to refrain from violence and to reverse any actions they have taken to limit access to the internet in the wake of protests there."

THAT'S THE BEST HE CAN DO?



he's supermAn

what a fin schmuck

I'm no Obama apologist but not much he can do. He can shut up Joe Biden from making more dumba$$ comments.

Some other interesting analysis: NightWatch 20110128 - KGS (http://www.kforcegov.com/Services/IS/NightWatch/NightWatch_11000022.aspx)

If you are interested in stuff that happened in the course of the night, Nightwatch tends to be better than CNN

you forgot the hyphen between F and IN
thereby insulting all manner of fishes ! DO that AGAIN!
and ALL my chipmunks go to your HOUSE ! http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c66/ravenob1/furious4.gif

it APPEARS that the TUNISIAN demonstration
started the whole thing and because of the INTERNET
postings on TWITTER and or Facebook and subsequent video's
launched it...

A small world we're in now EH?

Here we have this MARVELOUS tool for
world wide communication and scientific advancement
yet it is FUELING the violence of "Change" instead.

MR OBAMA , could you please "change" this.

Mubarak's ties to the military are solid. I would expect a military crack down in the near future.

Tunisia was a solid country until very recently.Last year my wife went there on a business trip for Fidelity.Now we are looking at another solid country in the region falter,small world is right.

BBC is reporting that Mubarak's sons have fled to London.

-spence

With the cabinet resignation's there's not many he can get support from. This could get ugly.

I wonder if all the US money flowing in, and the weapons we supply would be pulled, if there was a religious direction change.

I wonder if all the US money flowing in, and the weapons we supply would be pulled, if there was a religious direction change.
I think that's a nobrainer. The reports yesterday were already that the White house threatened to yank the 1.5B in yearly aid if Mubarak cracked down too hard...

I'd wager that Obama would rather see Mubarak stay in power with deep concessions. Last thing we need is a country the size of Egypt to completely fall apart...I don't think there's a large enough radical presence to assert much power, but you'd certainly see the chess pieces in the region start to move around.

-spence

Maybe if Mubarack can hold on to 2012, Barry can go over when he's done. :rotf2:

The real threat is a rise in the Muslim Brotherhood who would push politics toward the religious right and create tension with Israel.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

The real threat is a rise in the Muslim Brotherhood who would push politics toward the religious right and create tension with Israel.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

that's what I'm sayin. Like Iran

The main reason for helping keep a Western friendly government in power is the Suez. Strategicly it is more important than the Panama canal right now...

What's the tonnage limit of the Suez? Most oil goes around not through the Suez, IMO it's been fading in importance

Because of this situation its being speculated that the price of crude could spike at close to $200 a barrel.Will this happen probably not but I'm not taking any chances.Just bought 175gals. at $3.05 today.Will be delivered 1st thing Mon. morning.This should get me thru the majority of Feb/Mar.

that could be 5.50 diesel. Uh oh.

Because of this situation its being speculated that the price of crude could spike at close to $200 a barrel.Will this happen probably not but I'm not taking any chances.Just bought 175gals. at $3.05 today.Will be delivered 1st thing Mon. morning.This should get me thru the majority of Feb/Mar.

I just checked rates the other day and 3.05 looks to be pretty good.

This situation doesn't appear to be improving.

Looks like the Egyptian military is working with the US on what the hell to do.

-spence

that could be 5.50 diesel. Uh oh.

Drill baby drill!!!! Maybe it's time Obama comes back from endless vacation and put American's back to work.

I just checked rates the other day and 3.05 looks to be pretty good.

This situation doesn't appear to be improving.

Looks like the Egyptian military is working with the US on what the hell to do.

-spence

Already went up .10 since I called yesterday morning!I'm now sure I did the right thing.

Already went up .10 since I called yesterday morning!I'm now sure I did the right thing.

Good move as I believe it was headed to the high $3 range anyway
before this debacle.

Suez is still important for military sealift (equipment) and goods to and from Europe, hence the hijackings off Somolia.

No length restrictions, 254 feet wide, 66 feet draft, max height 223 above water level.

I'm no Obama apologist but not much he can do.

Yes there is. He could do what Regan did when citizens (subjects) of the USSR started protestring, and Regan made it clear that freeedom, and not tyranny, is what's best for the world. Regan had no problem calling the Soviet Union "evil", he did it all the time. And just like today, all the liberals told him not to say it. Regan realized that battle, the Cold War, was going to have a winner and a loser, and he made it crystal clear where we would be when it was over. And he was right.

Real, decisive leadership involves calling a spade a spade. We elected a guy who likes to vote "present", instead of yea or nea, on any tough issue. Obama is a joke. And what no one is saying is that Hilary has to be the worst Secstate of the last 100 years. In terms of foreign policy, they can't get one right even by accident.

Protesters get slaughtered in Iran, Obama/Clinton don't utter a peep. China refuses any concessions. European nations refuse to send additional troops to Afghanistan, and they refuse to finance their own stimulus packages. Iran gets closer and closer to nukes. The North Koreans are running amuck.

They are an absolute joke, we'd be better off with Abbott and Costello. Obama believes, he genuinely believes, he can charm all our enemies into liking us. If only that were so, but it ain't...

The real threat is a rise in the Muslim Brotherhood who would push politics toward the religious right and create tension with Israel.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Bingo...

Isreal is #^&#^&#^&#^&ting bricks over this.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Yes there is. He could do what Regan did when citizens (subjects) of the USSR started protestring, and Regan made it clear that freeedom, and not tyranny, is what's best for the world. Regan had no problem calling the Soviet Union "evil", he did it all the time. And just like today, all the liberals told him not to say it. Regan realized that battle, the Cold War, was going to have a winner and a loser, and he made it crystal clear where we would be when it was over. And he was right.

Real, decisive leadership involves calling a spade a spade. We elected a guy who likes to vote "present", instead of yea or nea, on any tough issue. Obama is a joke. And what no one is saying is that Hilary has to be the worst Secstate of the last 100 years. In terms of foreign policy, they can't get one right even by accident.

Protesters get slaughtered in Iran, Obama/Clinton don't utter a peep. China refuses any concessions. European nations refuse to send additional troops to Afghanistan, and they refuse to finance their own stimulus packages. Iran gets closer and closer to nukes. The North Koreans are running amuck.

They are an absolute joke, we'd be better off with Abbott and Costello. Obama believes, he genuinely believes, he can charm all our enemies into liking us. If only that were so, but it ain't...

Far different situation wrt Iron Curtain. And yes, he can certainly say a lot but how much can he do?

I know this won't work because it is far too over simplified
Backs Hosni - Hosni fails, IB gains status / face
Backs Protesters - looses Army

Now if he backs the Army, and the Army can move Egypt more democratic which still marginalizes IB, there is a chance. But if the economy on the street doesn't improve...

In the meantime there will likely be pull among the three lands that are trying to be / traditionally have been the center of gravity of the muslim world; Turkey, Iran, Egypt...

While I would love to see a sweep of real democracy across the Arab / Persian world, with functioning democracies and all, we are talking about the Arab world, perhaps the most (2nd most?) dysfunctional region in the world. South America has been transitioning for 100 something years and isn't done with all its past and current fall backs.

How could the Arab world do it sooner or safer?

We live in interesting times.

/ramble

Far different situation wrt Iron Curtain. And yes, he can certainly say a lot but how much can he do?
I think it's quite different. There's not a lot of love for the USA among the Egyptian street. If Obama is seen to be taking sides it's just going to empower groups like the Muslim Brotherhood who can point to US interference over the decades as the root of their economic problems.

So much of Reagan's rhetoric towards the USSR was simply political cover here at home while he actively worked with the Russians to negotiate deals as the cold war was winding down. Russia was falling apart and Reagan was looking for the best deal he could get. From what I've read both he and Gorbachev wanted to be seen as peacemakers.

I don't think there's any parallel between the situations Obama faces today...

No matter what happens in public, behind the scene I'm sure we're backing the military. I was reading up on how tight we actually are and it's quite dramatic.

-spence

I think it's quite different. There's not a lot of love for the USA among the Egyptian street. If Obama is seen to be taking sides it's just going to empower groups like the Muslim Brotherhood who can point to US interference over the decades as the root of their economic problems.

So much of Reagan's rhetoric towards the USSR was simply political cover here at home while he actively worked with the Russians to negotiate deals as the cold war was winding down. Russia was falling apart and Reagan was looking for the best deal he could get. From what I've read both he and Gorbachev wanted to be seen as peacemakers.

I don't think there's any parallel between the situations Obama faces today...

No matter what happens in public, behind the scene I'm sure we're backing the military. I was reading up on how tight we actually are and it's quite dramatic.

-spence

Spence, never you mind that the entire rational world credits Regan and Pope John Paul as being the 2 folks who had the most to do with not only ending the Cold War, but making sure that the good guys won. You cannot accept that, because Regan had an (R) after his name, and that's all that matters to you.

Regan did more than spout rhetoric. He led a massive military buildup that the Soviets couldn't match. His rhetoric also was very inspirational to oppressed dissidents like Lech Walesa, who were motivated by Regan's encouragement to continue to protest. Regan's actions put enormous pressure on a Soviet system that was, as you said, crumbling.

Obama, on the other hand, offers absolutely zip to political dissidents who are struggling for freedom. Obama will not stick his neck out unless he has to. Proof? All those "present" votes in the Illinois state legislature (he voted "present" more times than anyone else).

The extent that brainwashed liberals will go to, to distort reality and revise history, is entertaining.

And I thought you'd be tickled to see I wrote something just because I knew it would go right up your ass :hihi:

I forgot I was supposed to be ignoring you.

-spence

And I thought you'd be tickled to see I wrote something just because I knew it would go right up your ass :hihi:

-spence

"I'm Congressman Barney Frank.... and I approved this message" :bshake:

what happened to the "new era of civility"...or "era of new civility" or "new civility era" ?

Isreal is #^&#^&#^&#^&ting bricks over this.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Even Obama would back Isreal. We should be sh$%ing bricks.

I'm no Obama apologist but not much he can do.

"YES...WE....AHHHHHH....HE...CAN!"
"YES...WE....AHHHHHH....HE...CAN!"
"YES...WE....AHHHHHH....HE...CAN!"
"YES...WE....AHHHHHH....HE...CAN!"
"YES...WE....AHHHHHH....HE...CAN!"

AHHHH...just words :confused:

for a guy that has so much to say so frequently, he has surprisingly little to say when people are actually hoping he'll say something....:uhuh:

Even Obama would back Isreal. We should be sh$%ing bricks.
I'm not so sure...

The peace deal lasted 30 years, largely because the Egyptian military didn't have any reason to break it. It's largely secular, and to incite unrest or ignore radicalism means they loose their money for bread and milk.

Unless the power shifted dramatically to the right, which isn't likely to happen to quickly, why would the military have any motive to not continue to cooperate?

It's also possible that this event will actually move parts of the Muslim Brotherhood towards the middle as they try to gain legitimacy as a viable political entity by distancing themselves from the more fundamental movements they actually helped spawn.

-spence

It's also possible that this event will actually move parts of the Muslim Brotherhood towards the middle as they try to gain legitimacy as a viable political entity by distancing themselves from the more fundamental movements they actually helped spawn.

-spence

:rotf2:

Hahaha - well, I suppose it is possible. And while the MB *might* move a little more docile, many will splinter off and go more radical. So while the name may move more center many of the participants may become more radical.

I am crossing my fingers that this moves more real democracy in Egypt but this is the middle east. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

It's also possible that this event will actually move parts of the Muslim Brotherhood towards the middle as they try to gain legitimacy as a viable political entity by distancing themselves from the more fundamental movements they actually helped spawn.

-spence

more likely pretend to move to the middle(ala Obama) to gain legitimacy as a viable political entity and/while empowering/entrenching the more fundamental movements they helped spawn.....

To this day, the Brotherhood’s motto remains, “Allah is our objective, the Prophet is our leader, the Koran is our law, Jihad is our way, and dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope. Allahu akbar!”

McCarthy does a very thorough job reminding us who the "Brotherhood" actually is

Fear the Muslim Brotherhood - Andrew C. McCarthy - National Review Online (http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/258419/fear-muslim-brotherhood-andrew-c-mccarthy?page=3)

Did you happen to notice that the new motto for MB is "Change"?....Oy Vay

I really am starting to think they need to just carpet bomb this entire section of the world. I wouldn't miss them. I think the world would be a better place.

Anderson Cooper Attacked by Mob in Egypt - The Hollywood Reporter (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/anderson-cooper-attacked-mob-egypt-95628)

total anarchy

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com (http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2011/02/02/exp.egypt.wedeman.supporter.clash.cnn)

Things are getting uglier tonight...some reports say the Mubarak supporters are being paid to incite violence...hmmmm...

State Department is telling Americans to get out and I noticed the Admin has ratcheted up it's rhetoric throughout the day.

-spence

death spiral

I saw a report yesterday that said one second they were throwing rocks and stones breaking peoples heads open then the next they were hugging and kissing.

WTF :smash:

Keep throwing rocks. They'll have social security, free health insurance and a big stimulus soon.

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/02/02/ac360.anderson.attacked.cnn)

ANDERSON Cooper should of realized
that his life was in eminent danger

Sure ...you have to be on the edge of the volcano
to see the molten Lava but don't be there when it erupts.

these people are running around shoe less after bottles were
smashed everywhere , so they're obviously going insane.

maybe another Cairo speech by MuBarack Obama is in order...the muslim street swooned last time didn't they?..he could hypnotize them with his brilliant oratory, maybe send in NASA to help out with the self-esteem thing :uhuh:

some coincidences are odd...arent they?

William Jefferson Clinton....
B.J.Clinton


Barack Hussein Obama....

(Mu)barak (Saddam) Hussein O(s)ama Binladen


OBAMA/BIDEN.....Hope&Change

O(s)ama/Bi(nla)den


weird:confused: probably just coincidence

I wonder what ever happened to the people who said that these "types" weren't ready for democracy...that the elections in Iraq would never take place and that for all of his faults, we would have been better leaving a dictator in place because that was the only practical way to keep the various factions in check...these protests may have started as "educated student protests" but these students are highly radicalized in their schools...there is the very real possibility that the new order is far more dangerous and radical than the old...sort of like Iran way back when, I wonder when the executions will begin?...infact, the parallels are striking...if you judge an administration...Carter, Clinton, Obama by how dangerous the world becomes and how empowered foreign aggressors become under their watch...the dems come out WAY UP on top... I guess they are good at something...:uhuh:

Keep throwing rocks. They'll have social security, free health insurance and a big stimulus soon.

Yea, looking like America would sure be a tragedy wouldn't it?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Obama to the Egyptian Protesters..."we hear your voices"
Obama to the Tea Party Protesters..."bleep you" :biglaugh:

its a shame its getting ugly. For a minute I thought this may be a positive sign and could lead to a new world in the middle east.

its a shame its getting ugly. For a minute I thought this may be a positive sign and could lead to a new world in the middle east.

name one thing that is involved with islamic religion and a power struggle that doesnt get ugly???


people will be shooting i a few days when they start getting even more frustrated.

A few days..there was shooting going on today over there

YouTube - Violence in Egypt clashes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w69Grp6QHdI&feature=player_embedded)

Google will take over Egypt.

getting real interesting there now.

Google will take over Egypt.


That was pretty interesting what they were doing.

now get back to work

IT's getting clearer ever day that Obama is clueless. CIA a total lack of what's going on. Sound familier???

not going to be pretty....

Obama, Panetta and Clapper...= Larry, Mo, Curly:uhuh:

hey, just looking at the protesters signs it is very apparent that Egypt has a much higher English language functional literacy rate than Detroit, Michigan

Hosni should find a Giant gavel and march right through the protesters like Pelosi did with her gang of thugs and see how things turn out :rotf2:...I mean, these peaceful, educated Egyptian student protesters are far more civil that the evil, ignorant Tea Party types :uhuh:

Obama to the Egyptian Protesters..."we hear your voices"
Obama to the Tea Party Protesters..."bleep you" :biglaugh:

What drives me crazy is the lack of the President's support for the people
in the recent uprising in Iran, where Ahmadinejad is close to
having nuclear weapons, supports terrorism against us, and
vows to destroy Israel.

Then when it comes to Egypt and Mubarak, our ally, a stable influence in the region, our President supports the people's uprising within a few days.
OK if it ends in a pro American democratic election, but a tragedy if the WB becomes a part of the government and has a say in the direction of the country.
Time will tell.

What drives me crazy is the lack of the President's support for the people
in the recent uprising in Iran, where Ahmadinejad is close to
having nuclear weapons, supports terrorism against us, and
vows to destroy Israel.

Then when it comes to Egypt and Mubarak, our ally, a stable influence in the region, our President supports the people's uprising within a few days.
OK if it ends in a pro American democratic election, but a tragedy if the WB becomes a part of the government and has a say in the direction of the country.
Time will tell.
This is a bit more complicated than rooting at a Pats game. There's a lot of US meddling in their affairs over the years and generally speaking not a lot of trust in the US.

I think Obama has done a good job of voicing support for the Democratic institutions and walking a very find line to not make the US look like flaming hypocrites. We won't know for a while the full story of what's been done behind the scenes, but first look says this could end up being a very positive change.

What's perhaps most important is that one of the largest Islamic nations has led a completely peaceful coup. The precedent this sets is...we'll...perhaps unprecedented.

-spence

This is a bit more complicated than rooting at a Pats game.

-spence

Thanks so much Spence, for breaking it down so even I can understand. :hee:

[QUOTE=spence;836216]

What's perhaps most important is that one of the largest Islamic nations has led a completely peaceful coup. -spence[/QUOTE

right, almost noone died or was injured.....

A-jad and Chavez like democracy too :uhuh: and Obama, Carter etc. approve of those "democracies"

right, almost noone died or was injured....
This wasn't a violent protest...certainly there was some, especially with what looks to have been police instigation or the general break down of control leading to criminal activity, but this didn't appear to be driven by the thrust of the protesters.

Hell, I remember fires in the streets, people being beaten up, bottles thrown at police and getting tear gassed.

VEISHA at Iowa State 1994 :hihi:

-spence

By Tom Perry

CAIRO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - In Tahrir Square, the memory of young Egyptians killed in the revolt against President Hosni Mubarak has mobilised more opposition to his 30-year rule.

For those who saw fellow protesters die, some clubbed by men claiming loyalty to Mubarak, others shot by police, the toll of "martyrs of the revolution" has hardened their resolve.

......................

"All (four) were killed by gunshot, with one hit in the head," said Dr Mohammed Ismail, at a makeshift clinic in Abdulmenem Riad Square, next to Tahrir (Liberation) Square, taking the death toll over the past 24 hours to seven.

..........................

"Most of the casualties came in in the last three hours, many with gunshot wounds," he told AFP early morning, putting the total wounded toll since Wednesday at more than 1,000 people.

...........................

One in 10 people have some kind of visible injury, an AFP correspondent said, with volunteers distributing food and clothing to the exhausted protesters

from yesterday's NY Times


“In the process many have formed some unusual bonds that reflect the singularly nonideological character of the Egyptian youth revolt, which encompasses liberals, socialists and members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

‘I like the Brotherhood most, and they like me,’ said Sally Moore, a 32-year-old psychiatrist, a Coptic Christian and an avowed leftist and feminist of mixed Irish-Egyptian roots. “They always have a hidden agenda, we know, and you never know when power comes how they will behave. But they are very good with organizing, they are calling for a civil state just like everyone else, so let them have a political party just like everyone else’

Seems like you're talking about violence in opposition to the protests.

The military didn't seem to think it was that violent, hell, they just sat on their tanks. Even when it looks like Mubarak might have tried to provoke a violent response the people stayed pretty calm.

Perhaps you're just upset that a big group of Muslims aren't acting like the stereotype you want them to? Hmmmm...

-spence

you said "one of the largest Islamic nations has led a completely peaceful coup" ...not accurate...that's all...insinuate what you want....

I agree. For the most part, a peaceful protest that appears to be working. Maybe GB was right all along!!!

you also left out how many people were arrested and tortured who PAID an ultimate price for the rebellion .........

peaceful HOW?
because they were denied guns and only had stones

they even threw their shoes while running around on broken bottles
most of which were from Molotov cocktails

you said "one of the largest Islamic nations has led a completely peaceful coup" ...not accurate...that's all...insinuate what you want....
Mubarak didn't step down because of violence, it was because the people showed their strength through non-violent means. This is precisely why this event is so dramatic.

-spence

Mubarak didn't step down because of violence, it was because the people showed their strength through non-violent means. This is precisely why this event is so dramatic.

-spence

I didn't say that he did, but you should google egypt protests and click images and then come back and tell me that it was ...

"a completely peaceful coup....and....non-violent means"

I didn't say that he did, but you should google egypt protests and click images and then come back and tell me that it was ...

"a completely peaceful coup....and....non-violent means"

I think you're just a little frustrated BO will take credit for this :hihi:

-spence

according to BO, Panetta and Clapper, the only thing they know is what they learn from watching the news, so...while I'm sure you will cheerfully heap credit on him till it turns bad...not really sure what he had to do with anything....

according to BO, Panetta and Clapper, the only thing they know is what they learn from watching the news, so...while I'm sure you will cheerfully heap credit on him till it turns bad...not really sure what he had to do with anything....
I'm sure they love Drudge reporting (and Salty broadcasting) that the Admin is out to lunch.

Then the Islamists can't accuse the US of meddling in Muslim affairs :humpty:

-spence

I think you're just a little frustrated BO will take credit for this :hihi:

-spence

Hmmm, I thought the blood soaked peaceful protesters deserve the credit!! But you are dead on, He will take credit for it.

Hmmm, I thought the blood soaked peaceful protesters deserve the credit!! But you are dead on, He will take credit for it.
It happened on his watch, if it turns into a disaster he'll get all the blame.

Looks like Google might get all the credit, along with the protesters.

-spence

It happened on his watch, if it turns into a disaster he'll get all the blame.


-spence

Little early, 8 hrs, to proclaim credit or blame.

Good idea to wait a year or two before making any judgements,
this is far from over.

It happened on his watch, if it turns into a disaster he'll get all the blame.

Looks like Google might get all the credit, along with the protesters.

-spence


It is interesting how Google and Twitter are covering themselves in glory over this. They were not so quick to claim credit after the disturbances in Iran last year where the government was able to find and arrest dissidents by tracing their social networking accounts

Little early, 8 hrs, to proclaim credit or blame.

Good idea to wait a year or two before making any judgements,
this is far from over.
Agree, as I said earlier...headed in the right direction.

Long row to hoe, but the pieces look to be there for something good.

-spence

It is interesting how Google and Twitter are covering themselves in glory over this. They were not so quick to claim credit after the disturbances in Iran last year where the government was able to find and arrest dissidents by tracing their social networking accounts
Ain't marketing great :hihi:

Here it's interesting as a Google exec was actually there helping to lead the protests.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/02/google-exec-wael-ghonim-in-egypt-says-long-live-the-revolution-20.html


-spence

Agree, as I said earlier...headed in the right direction.

Long row to hoe, but the pieces look to be there for something good.

-spence

the only organized opposition currently is the Muslim Brotherhood....
is that one of the pieces that you are referring to?


Bakhtiar dissolved SAVAK, freed political prisoners, ordered the army to allow mass demonstrations, promised free elections and invited Khomeinists and other revolutionaries into a government of "national unity".(sound familiar?)

again..NY Times two days ago,,
NY Times
“In the process many have formed some unusual bonds that reflect the singularly nonideological character of the Egyptian youth revolt, which encompasses liberals, socialists and members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Other opposition groups[50] included constitutionalist liberals — the democratic, reformist Islamic Freedom Movement of Iran, headed by Mehdi Bazargan, and the more secular National Front. They were based in the urban middle class, and wanted the Shah to adhere to the Iranian Constitution of 1906 rather than to replace him with a theocracy,[51] but lacked the cohesion and organization of Khomeini's forces.[52] (]who, like the MB were organized and ready to assume control when they took their place in the "unity government")[/COLOR]( I'm guessing the MB will be well funded and doing a lot of high profile charity work until the elections)

not predicting which way it will go and I'm certainly praying for a US friendly democracy or at least the beginnings perhaps modeled and inspired by Iraq rather than a hostile Islamist state but history seems to be repeating itself....trends in the area as a whole are not encouraging

don't know how many actual protesters there were but there are 7 million people in Cairo and just over 80 million in Egypt hoeing rows

maybe Obama is secretly behind the scenes directing the Egyptian Military and the events(at least that's what the BO loyalist would love to imply) and has everything under control...and he and his people seeming clueless and on completely different pages is just a smoke screen...yeah, that's a good one...I smell another nobel peace prize

http://www.yalibnan.com/2011/02/09/muslim-brotherhood-plays-the-waiting-game/
...............................................
In Uncertain Egypt, a Few Certainties

February 11, 2011 3:59 P.M. By Amir Taheri

However, it is clear to me that change in Tunisia was ultimately imposed by the army. In Egypt, on the other hand, the army tried to prop up Mubarak until the last minute. It was the popular uprising that forced Mubarak out. This means that we have just witnessed a genuinely historic moment: the first time an Arab despot has been forced out by a mass movement.

The second certainty is that the Obama administration discredited itself by praising Mubarak to the skies before trying to dictate his departure. That sorry exercise revealed the weakness of the United States while casting it as a fickle friend that might stab you in the back.

The third certainty is that radical anti-democratic forces are already preparing to ambush the new Egypt. The first move in that direction came from Syria last night when its official television station announced “the end of the Camp David peace” with Israel and urged the adoption of a new strategy to “face the Zionist foe.” Iran, though shaken by an Egyptian uprising that echoed its own pro-democracy movement in 2009, is developing a similar theme.
we should send Nancy Pelosi to Syria again to get that little situation squared away

More fear mongering, you almost sound like you're trying to justify another invasion. Egypt isn't Iran, not even close.

Note: There are thousands of volunteers in Tahrir Square today cleaning up the mess. Hell, you can't even get that kind of goodwill at a Fish concert.

-spence

The end of the beginning I 'spect. I hope they can find a way to pull together a workable, peace wanting democratic system.

In other notes: El Baradei said they could have a functioning (http://blogs.wsj.com/dispatch/2011/02/11/elbaradei-sees-a-transitional-government-for-a-year/) government in a year yet the Muslim Brotherhood says it will take less time - wonders.

The end of the beginning I 'spect. I hope they can find a way to pull together a workable, peace wanting democratic system.
Agree, but like I said before, Egypt seems to have a decent set of piece parts to make this work...it's certainly not going to be easy for the military to maintain enough control while reforms take place. Hopefully some strong leadership can rise up and keep the people focused on a common vision.

I think we should not be overly optimistic though, there's always the possibility of a radical Islamist take over, Sharia, the Caliphate and a new world order that swallows Israel and destroys America.

We should probably take this one day at a time.

-spence

We should probably take this one day at a time.

-spence

Yup, there's more possible scenarios than Carter has pills.

Yup, there's more possible scenarios than Carter has pills.
Hopefully this is an indication of an initial direction...

After the statement, the main opposition coalition — a loosely based grouping of youth and traditional opposition groups — said it would end its main protest in Cairo's Tahrir, or Liberation, Square but would call for weekly demonstrations after Friday prayers.

The group also listed its demands for the first time during a press conference. Those included: the lifting of hated emergency laws, the forming of a presidential council and broad-based unity government, the dissolution of parliament and creation of a committee to amend or rewrite the constitution. They called for reforms ensuring freedom of the press, freedom to form political parties and more transparent media institutions.

The coalition also called for an investigation into allegations of endemic corruption within the regime and the trial of officials responsible for the deaths of protesters.

-spence

Note: There are thousands of volunteers in Tahrir Square today cleaning up the mess. Hell, you can't even get that kind of goodwill at a Fish concert.

-spence

or at an Obama innauguration....

not fear mongering, just looking at the facts...you appear desperate to wildly mischaracterize my views but offer very little other than the basic current talking point highlights of the Obama apologists :uhuh:

Hopefully this is an indication of an initial direction...



-spence

brilliant stuff genius :uhuh:

Barry Rubin writes quite a bit on the Middle East...

"We should remember that as of this moment the regime is still in power, merely having shed its leader. The regime would have been happy to get rid of Mubarak a couple of years ago, not because he was oppressive but because he was getting too old and trying to foist his son on them.

In a sense, the regime has pulled off one of the greatest public relations' operations in history. By getting rid of one man it has transformed itself from being incredibly unpopular to wildly popular. If the regime can hold on--and the army isn't going to give up easily--the results might not be so bad as long as the army isn't radicalized. And by radicalized I don't mean Islamized but moving to a radical nationalist position."

RubinReports (http://www.rubinreports.blogspot.com/)

Barry Rubin writes quite a bit on the Middle East...

In a sense, the regime has pulled off one of the greatest public relations' operations in history. By getting rid of one man it has transformed itself from being incredibly unpopular to wildly popular. If the regime can hold on--and the army isn't going to give up easily--the results might not be so bad as long as the army isn't radicalized. And by radicalized I don't mean Islamized but moving to a radical nationalist position."

RubinReports (http://www.rubinreports.blogspot.com/)

no way?



Egypt's activists skeptical about army intentions
Feb 21, 7:09 AM (ET)

CAIRO (AP) - Some of the young activists who launched the Egyptian uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak say they are skeptical about the military's pledges to hand over power to a democratically elected government.

They also warned Western diplomats in Cairo Monday that the remnants of Mubarak's regime that still hold positions of power could overturn the uprising's gains.

The seven activists - representatives of a broad coalition of youth groups - also called on the international community to support Egypt's transition toward democracy, and asked for help in tracking down Mubarak's assets - rumored to be in the billions of dollars.