Originally Posted By Mr X Can someone explain to me, in "world events for dummies" terms, exactly what the heck is going on here, and why?
Originally Posted By mawnck Doesn't matter. We're in AMERICA! WOO-HOO! But seriously ... this is what happens when people get REALLY unhappy with their government. Kinda like the Revolutionary War and the Recent Unpleasantness. The bad news for the US is that most of those unpopular governments that are teetering and/or toppling were our allies. And the stock market just keeps a-goin' up anyway .....
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <exactly what the heck is going on here, and why?> Near as I can figure, 30 years of pent-up rage with an authoritarian, corrupt government, fueled by the instant organizing capabilities of the internet and smartphones (when they aren't shut down). The danger, of course, is that the old boss gets replaced by the new, equally repressive, boss of a fundamentalist Islamist government. The Muslim Brotherhood, even though they have the support of a minority of the populace (from what I've read), seems to be the largest and best organized component of the protesting groups. ElBaradei, AFAIK, is secular and an authentic democrat, and has worldwide respect, so he offers a bit of hope. Of course, he's been arrested.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Well Mr. X is in Japan, which also isnt a bad place to be these days . But its simple Mr. X, one guy has been a dictator basically for 30 years and has had control because he's always convinced his people that the country and ties to the region will only hold if he stays in power. Unfortunately for him his grip on power has been slipping for a long time now as the country gotten worse and worse, especially the last decade with unemployment, inflation and dimished quality of living at an all time high. And it looks like with the uprising in Tunesia and the government overthrow there, it has given Egyptians more confidence to throw their dictator out of power. What's funny is Egyt is considered the most 'democratic' country in the region (excluding Isreal obviously) even WITH a theocratic and repressive government, so it tells you how bad that region is general when it comes to basic human rights and freedoms. It is amazing how chaotic it is there,but the government still has some grip of power as everything seems to be down. I have a good friend who lives in Cairo and works for the British Consulate there. We been trying to get in touch with her for a few days, left her messages on Facebook, etc, but nothing. As been reported, the internet and phone has been down and some has tried to call her, but it just beeps. We're sure she is fine and her husband is Egyptian, but it is crazy even in this day and age a government can still censor an entire country if it wants. We're going to try and get in touch with her parents and see if she's talked to them at least. Its crazy because two other friends was in Cairo just a few weeks ago to see her and now can't even in touch with her at all. But this was only a matter of time and people are now talking a diminoe effect in other parts of the region if President Mubarak is taken down and leaves. All I know is tts going to be an interesting few days/weeks/months, thats for sure.
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf While all this is true, it merely represents the tinder waiting for a spark. The spark in this case was rapidly rising food prices. When people are confronted with the prospect of going hungry, they often revolt - especially when the government appears unwilling or unable to fix the problem.
Originally Posted By mawnck Meanwhile, in China ... <a href="http://chinageeks.org/2011/01/little-rabbit-be-good-a-subversive-new-years-video-card/" target="_blank">http://chinageeks.org/2011/01/...eo-card/</a>
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins I fear that extreme Islam interest are behind the riots and oppressive religious regimes will take over in Egypt and Tunisia.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>I fear that extreme Islam interest are behind the riots and oppressive religious regimes will take over in Egypt and Tunisia.<< Then you might find this an interesting read: >>One thing that has become clear in the past several hours is a trend that STRATFOR has been following for some time in Egypt, namely, the military’s growing clout in the political affairs of the state. ... Meanwhile, Defense Minister Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi (who oversees the Republican Guard) and Egypt’s chief of staff of the armed forces, Lt. Gen. Sami Annan — who returned to Cairo Jan. 29 after a week of intense discussions with senior U.S. officials — are likely managing the political process behind the scenes. More political shuffles are expected, and the military appears willing for now to give Mubarak the time to arrange his political exit. Until Mubarak finally does leave, the unrest in the streets is unlikely to subside, raising the question of just how much more delay from Mubarak the armed forces will tolerate.<< >>For now, the demonstrators view the military as an ally, and therefore (whether consciously or not) are facilitating a de facto military takeover of the state. But one misfire in the demonstrations, and a bloodbath in the streets could quickly foil the military’s plans and give way to a scenario that groups like the MB (Muslim Brotherhood) quickly could exploit.<< <a href="http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/20110129-the-egyptian-unrest-a-special-report" target="_blank">http://www.stratfor.com/analys...l-report</a>
Originally Posted By Longhorn12 What I am completely disgusted with the destruction of priceless artifacts... :/
Originally Posted By mawnck >>What I am completely disgusted with the destruction of priceless artifacts<< That may be the least of your disgusts by the time this plays out.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << Can someone explain to me, in "world events for dummies" terms, exactly what the heck is going on here, and why? >> It's the economy, stupid (not to be a jerk, just using the popular phrase) We saw the same thing in the 1930s. We're at about the stage of the current economic crisis where people start to vent their anger in more violent ways.
Originally Posted By disneydad109 it was really nice today that the WSJ had a front page story about making clothes out of food at a fashion show. A real Marie Antoinette moment.
Originally Posted By markymouse How about this one - Are the dominoes begining to fall as Middle East pro-western (ish) regimes fall - 14 posts. Sarah Palin's tv show is canceled - 90 posts. Maybe people just don't know what to make of this. I know that's true of me. Is this a good thing? The people overthrowing a repressive regime. Is it a bad thing? Name the last time that happened and you liked the results ten years later. Is this democracy in action? A sort of democratically elected president overthrown by the military in response to a mob. When all they have to do is wait seven months to can him constitutionally. Is that supposed to be progressive? Democratic?
Originally Posted By markymouse I guess that's the appeal of Fox. They don't just tell you what's happening. They tell you what you should think about it too.
Originally Posted By mawnck Here's a much better source for Egypt news ... at least what parts of it are not behind the paywall. This link goes to a video hosted by a young lady who looks a lot like Princess Jasmine. <a href="http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/20110210-dispatch-egypts-tipping-point" target="_blank">http://www.stratfor.com/analys...ng-point</a>
Originally Posted By Longhorn12 >When all they have to do is wait seven months to can him constitutionally.< Yup that's all they would have to do. It's not like the guy has had the entire place under martial law for a couple of decades... Oh wait a minute...
Originally Posted By Mr X Yup... My first thought when I read it was "why should they/would they trust him to step down then, either?", and it seems he proved his malicious point by trying by hook or by crock to stay...to no avail. Hail the Protesters, they won the day! That is an achievement against great odds, and with their lives on the line (some of them died in their efforts!).
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Is that supposed to be progressive? Democratic?*** It's the most Democratic thing that can ever be done. I'm sure there were plenty of colonists who wanted to keep things they way they were, and not do anything to annoy The Crown, back in America too. It's INCREDIBLY Democratic, for the people to rise up and demand a new government. Do you really believe otherwise!?
