21 replies to this topic

[Hula]

Reagan was an anchor baby. The rumour starts here.

ROTFLMAO I loved that one, thanks

[Hula]

the POTUS is live replying to all this.

I missed it. Anything inspiring?

I thought it was a great speech. he praised the people, the military. said they were an inspiration. he "rallied the base" as we say here, for "democracy" and real freedom. he even used names like ghandi and MLK

[Evenstar51]

President Obama was great..he handled this situation beautifully, and you can bet that the fine hand of Hillary was in on the discussions about the transfer of power. Over 50% of Egyptians are under 40, so they've grown up with Western music, movies and books...it's so exciting that a force for democracy has come about in the Middle East. Sadly, it seems the GOP missed out...too busy admiring Trump's eyebrows, no doubt.

http://thecaucus.blo...liticsemailemb1

[Mr. Roboto]

the POTUS is live replying to all this.

Everything bad that happens in Egypt will be his fault, everything good will be because Glenn Beck said so.

Much like our economic down turn he "predicted" this all would happen one day.

[TAP]

http://www.bbc.co.uk...e-east-12441180

[TAP]

http://www.telegraph...is-fortune.html


Hosni Mubarak used the 18 days it took for protesters to topple him to shift his vast wealth into untraceable accounts overseas, Western intelligence sources have said.

Egyptian president is accused of amassing a fortune of more than £3 billion - although some suggest it could be as much as £40 billion - during his 30 years in power. It is claimed his wealth was tied up in foreign banks, investments, bullion and properties in London, New York, Paris and Beverly Hills.

[PERM BANNED]

I've heard a lot of debate on this issue the past week. With the military taking control, I expected to hear cries from the pro-democracy supporters. To me, this is the worst thing that can happen. Ignore the fact that Egypt isn't ready for a democracy. I read a quip from some blogger saying that those on the right saying Egypt isn't ready for democracy, was like saying that Egyptians are less educated and prepared than 18th century Americans, as if that ended all debate. Because not everyone got to vote in 18th century America and I don't mean this in strict reference to people of color or women. I mean only people who had a vested interest in society and government got to vote. But let's ignore all that. You're putting a military in control of a nation with a complete suspension of the consitution and any rule of law the military doesn't itself choose to follow or enforce. I'm in the military, and while the US military would assumable be much more agreeable to restoring order and control via the US Constiution once it relinquished control, many, many Americans would be very unhappy with what occured during the interim. What Egypt has done is swapped one dictator for another with stars on his shoulder. And if that General doesn't feel Egypt is ready for an open election, he'll retain power. While the military was mostly absent and non-participants in the protest, they certainly won't be now that they're in charge. Even in America, if a bunch of rioters/protestors stormed an Army occupied area, it wouldn't be pretty. As an officer I would do my best to keep violence and retaliation at a minimum, but I wouldn't tolerate rock throwing or mass protest in a single area. It poses a security threat and I would disband it through force as quickly as possible. And all the talk about Egypt accomplishing "democracy" with lack of force is going to go right out the window. Cause the military has the guns and the power to vanquish any massive threat posed by large, coordinated crowds. And when the insurgent type actvitity occurs, and I presume it will, you just added more delay to any turnover because you have shown to the military that the civilian populace is not yet ready to conduct a peaceful election.

Putting the military in total control is something that should be done only in extreme circumstances, and even then it should have civilian oversight which would basically mean the military really isn't in control. I think this is a huge mistake and one that won't end up with the "This is how we should have handled Iraq" fairytale ending many want to portay it as. I wish them the best, but if this goes south; and I think it will with this (http://www.theglobea...article1892414/) as the basis for their democratic values, I coudl very easily see this as the start of World War 3. Because if Egypt becomes anything less than a passive and secular middle eastern government, something that won't happen via democracy, Israel will retaliate. And that folks will be the bombs heard around the world.