Yeah, the US is slightly paranoid that way. But yeah, assuming there was no doubt whatsoever.

Tunisia Protests

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80 ... ests#Egypt

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/afric ... 68135.html

Egypt Revolution

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Egyptian_protests

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/ja ... orts-cairo

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2011/01/2 ... tests.html

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/mid ... 86364.html

Algeria

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Algerian_protests

Yemen

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/105749/ ... faisal.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Yemeni_protests

IT'S A REVOLUTION

Rise up and take the power back...

The protesters are awesome. Hats off to them. 'Cause it is not so easy to have such mass protests in the Arab world.
But I'll only believe in miracles only when there is a massive protest in Saudi Arabia.

Though I do agree that governments these days have issues and people should actually be doing something about it instead of sitting back and letting a bunch of idiots in suits mess it up more, I'm not quite agreeing with all the looting, car-smashing, and violence that's going on. I mean, it's effective and all, but technically couldn't there have been a more peaceful solution?

Let's be honest, the government would probably try to cover it up if they were quieter. Even now, they're breaking reporter's cameras. Now they're disrupting the tourist industry, which is such a huge source of revenue for the government, someone has to take notice. But it's so scary, I hope they resolve it soon.

Jane Bishop wrote:Though I do agree that governments these days have issues and people should actually be doing something about it instead of sitting back and letting a bunch of idiots in suits mess it up more, I'm not quite agreeing with all the looting, car-smashing, and violence that's going on. I mean, it's effective and all, but technically couldn't there have been a more peaceful solution?

Not everyone is looting and stuff. Most of the demonstrations seem peaceful (what with the army seemingly on their side too). I guess it is just some few people taking advantage of the fact that police are off their normal duty. And like Luciene said, if such things had happened in more peaceful times, the government would probably have covered it up with.

Egypt is actually more peaceful than Tunisia. Apparently in the latter, bullets have already been fired. From what I've read, only a crapload of tear gas has been unleashed in Egypt.

Protests in Egypt have quieted down to peaceful demonstrations. No more people setting themselves on fire.

On the other hand, you always have the idiots that start cabbage just for the sake of starting things. Like desecrating mummy tombs in Egyptian museums.

Nero wrote:Egypt is actually more peaceful than Tunisia. Apparently in the latter, bullets have already been fired. From what I've read, only a crapload of tear gas has been unleashed in Egypt.

Protests in Egypt have quieted down to peaceful demonstrations. No more people setting themselves on fire.

I don't know where you're getting your news from. It isn't peaceful so much as a stalemate. The riot police have disappeared, and in their place are the military with tanks, helicopters and planes in the area. Not doing anything at the moment, but present in force.
There have been a significant number of deaths - at least a hundred - mostly apparently from gunshot wounds.

Nero wrote:On the other hand, you always have the idiots that start cabbage just for the sake of starting things. Like desecrating mummy tombs in Egyptian museums.

But the people of Egypt are so awesome, they actually formed a human shield around the museum to protect it.



Mubarak disgusts me so much, I don't understand how he can tell himself he's still the right person for the job. It's been 6 days and 75+ deaths later and he's still holding on. Although apparently American gov't has been asking him to stay for a "smooth transition" or something.

Well, no matter where you get your info from I guess there's only one way to describe this situation: it's a complicated mess. Though I must say I am happy to hear people did make an effort to protect the museum. The destruction of thousands of years of history would have been a complete shame.

If you think about it, I guess the smooth transition thing kind of makes sense. Too abrupt a shift in power, and there's a chance you could end up with an even messier situation, and I'm sure nobody wants that. Still, I think Mubarak could at least announce the fact that he's planning to resign - if indeed that's what he intends to do. If it isn't, then that's a whole different story.

Sentynel wrote:

Nero wrote:Egypt is actually more peaceful than Tunisia. Apparently in the latter, bullets have already been fired. From what I've read, only a crapload of tear gas has been unleashed in Egypt.

Protests in Egypt have quieted down to peaceful demonstrations. No more people setting themselves on fire.

I don't know where you're getting your news from. It isn't peaceful so much as a stalemate. The riot police have disappeared, and in their place are the military with tanks, helicopters and planes in the area. Not doing anything at the moment, but present in force.
There have been a significant number of deaths - at least a hundred - mostly apparently from gunshot wounds.

I'm aware that the military replaced the police, but from what I've read things have quieted down. Of course there are still demonstrations, but no major violence. Presumably from the heavy guns brought in, but eventually something will happen.

And Obama is definitely in a dilemma. He can't take a position against the protesters, as he an obvious advocate for democracy (and the desire for most protesters), but he can't back stab an ally in Mubarak, as that's just basic diplomacy. However Mubarak's mainly a friend cause of the American-Israel-Egypt relation.

wrote:Mubarak disgusts me so much, I don't understand how he can tell himself he's still the right person for the job.

He's corrupt. He doesn't care,

Luciene wrote:But the people of Egypt are so awesome, they actually formed a human shield around the museum to protect it.

It's sad that political transitions must end up in violence. And I wonder, too, what Obama will do.

Obama will do nothing I guess. He is tied up.

wrote:If you think about it, I guess the smooth transition thing kind of makes sense. Too abrupt a shift in power, and there's a chance you could end up with an even messier situation, and I'm sure nobody wants that. Still, I think Mubarak could at least announce the fact that he's planning to resign - if indeed that's what he intends to do. If it isn't, then that's a whole different story.

Mubarak would never do that. And the moment things get peaceful, he will squash everything and continue ruling.

---

But there is worry that the Muslim Brotherhood (I guess a religious extremist banned organization taking over is the last thing one wants) would get to power. So yeah, while a smooth transition might ensure more democratic forces (like Mohammed El Baradei - a Nobel laureate who is forward-looking but also happens to be in house arrest), one can't be sure it would come down to that.

You know, the whole situation rather reminds me of the French Revolution.

Commander Adama has this to say about Egypt:

Sentynel wrote:Commander Adama has this to say about Egypt:

I'm guessing then that this article will prove to be mistaken very soon?

Nero wrote:I'm guessing then that this article will prove to be mistaken very soon?

The army has effectively abandoned Mubarak. The generals are not following the President's orders, so the situation referred to by Adama doesn't really apply any more.
If the generals were still loyal to Mubarak and ordered the army to use force... well, things would get ugly, fast.

This is funny only because it's true: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBuMuzhvYeA

The police in Egypt are far too underpaid to go and kill any of their own people.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110201/ap_ ... a/ml_egypt

Now this is the way to go.