Middle East Revolutions: Current Bahrain protests getting violent

[Edelweiss]

Not sure if they'll upload this whole thing, essentially it's a running street battle with Engel and Brian Williams overlooking the entire event.

[Ksandra]

In a detached, abstract sort of way I'm very glad that its becoming obvious these guys were nothing more than paid thugs/mercenaries looking to stir violence. How stupid are these people, did they really think people wouldn't figure it out?

tbh, no. I honestly think that Mubarak and those he has with him are still stuck in 30 or even just 10 years ago. I don't think I can even begin to paint the picture as to how much the Egyptian people were cut off from the rest of the world in a way that the government could paint any picture that they wanted. When I went there in '00 there were so many things my family hand and foot believed to be the truth without question that were either just insanely outdated or flat out wrong because they had never been told otherwise. The government lives off propaganda, and I don't think they could ever adjust to the idea that their people are no longer the ignorant sheep they were years ago.

Best example I can think of what this reminds me of is when we first invaded Iran there was a government offical there (I think their secretary of defense, but that was so long ago I'm not sure), who was on the Iranian news insisting that there was no invasion, that Americans were making up stories and never landed in Iran while there were American tanks driving in the background.


This is the same way Egyptian leaders have run the country, and imo have zero concept on how to handle the actual truth because they've never had to before.

Idk, to me it seems reckless, stupid, and misguided, especially as I learn more and more about the intimate details of Islam, Muhammad, & the Quran. Focus on fucking task at hand, if anyone died because they were dicking around praying...

If anything this should show people how important Islam is in Egypt. I was not joking when I said my family is beaten for being Coptic. It's that fucking serious there. "Lesser extremist" in Egypt doesn't mean "less religious", just they are less violent. And is the only thing that makes me nervous about this (though luckily there has been much to settle my fears even though I know my family there is still terrified out of their minds over it). Unbanning the Muslim Brotherhood (as the opposition wants to do), while is democratically the right thing to do, could nevertheless 'cause terrible things to my family. Especially considering one of their goals is to bring back the tax and want as many laws as possible be based on the Qur'an's teachings.

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/9868/2gvcl.jpg

However, this gesture makes me so proud for them, and I hope the hardcore Islamic and the Muslim Brotherhood remembers acts like this. It almost brings me to tears (sappy I know) thinking that there are my people who have been hurt and outcasted for not being Islamic, and yet against all that are protecting their brothers and sisters while praying. It really is beautiful to see that hopefully future generations of my family that I may never get to meet, won't have to go through the things the current generations have.

[Mistress Stowastiq]

Not sure if they'll upload this whole thing, essentially it's a running street battle with Engel and Brian Williams overlooking the entire event.

I know they load full episodes of Nightly News and do extra stuff on the "Web Only" link so hopefully they do.

[Mistress Stowastiq]

tbh, no. I honestly think that Mubarak and those he has with him are still stuck in 30 or even just 10 years ago. I don't think I can even begin to paint the picture as to how much the Egyptian people were cut off from the rest of the world in a way that the government could paint any picture that they wanted. When I went there in '00 there were so many things my family hand and foot believed to be the truth without question that were either just insanely outdated or flat out wrong because they had never been told otherwise. The government lives off propaganda, and I don't think they could ever adjust to the idea that their people are no longer the ignorant sheep they were years ago.

Best example I can think of what this reminds me of is when we first invaded Iran there was a government offical there (I think their secretary of defense, but that was so long ago I'm not sure), who was on the Iranian news insisting that there was no invasion, that Americans were making up stories and never landed in Iran while they're were American tanks driving in the background.


This is the same way Egyptian leaders have run the country, and imo have zero concept on how to handle the actual truth because they've never had to before.



If anything this should show people how important Islam is in Egypt. I was not joking when I said my family is beaten for being Coptic. It's that fucking serious there. "Lesser extremist" in Egypt doesn't mean "less religious", just they are less violent. And is the only thing that makes me nervous about this (though luckily there has been much to settle my fears even though I know my family there is still terrified out of their minds over it). Unbanning the Muslim Brotherhood (as the opposition wants to do), while is democratically the right thing to do, could nevertheless 'cause terrible things to my family. Especially considering one of their goals is to bring back the tax and want as many laws as possible be based on the Qur'an's teachings.



However, this gesture makes me so proud for them, and I hope the hardcore Islamic and the Muslim Brotherhood remembers acts like this. It almost brings me to tears (sappy I know) thinking that there are my people who have been hurt and outcasted for not being Islamic, and yet against all that are protecting their brothers and sisters while praying. It really is beautiful to see that hopefully future generations of my family that I may never get to meet, won't have to go through the things the current generations have.

Your post is very informative and heartfelt. Your pic reminds me of this one I got earlier this week. There is a website dedicated to kiss photos of Egyptians kissing soldiers/cops. And I have been crying off an on too so don't trip on being sappy. [oh its huge I spoiler tagged it sorry]
Is your family safe right now and able to contact you?

Spoiler: show

http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/a...og900-Copy.jpg

[isladar]

Per a photojournalist on AJE: The anti-gov. protesters have taken the overpass over the square, which previously had been held by the gov. thugs, so they have the high ground finally.

[Ksandra]

Your post is very informative and heartfelt. Your pic reminds me of this one I got earlier this week. There is a website dedicated to kiss photos of Egyptians kissing soldiers/cops. And I have been crying off an on too so don't trip on being sappy. [oh its huge I spoiler tagged it sorry]
Is your family safe right now and able to contact you?

Spoiler: show

http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/a...og900-Copy.jpg

Ya I love those soldier pics. I am really proud of the way the military has handled the issue too. It's sad because I used to see my family a lot when growing up (some would come to visit almost every summer), but as my aunts and uncles got older it was harder for them to travel, and after 9/11 my dad was too scared to travel. I still get to talk to them on the phone now and then though. Sad 'cause my mom's family have passed away except her brother so they are really the only blood relatives I have. so ya I have been rather emotional about all this ><;

Also ya there was one point where the phones were down, but my dad has been calling and talking to them everyday. They are scared and hiding, though some are doing the patrol the building with bats to protect the homes. I don't think any are in the square.

[Mistress Stowastiq]

Per a photojournalist on AJE: The anti-gov. protesters have taken the overpass over the square, which previously had been held by the gov. thugs, so they have the high ground finally.

Just heard similar info on AJE. The woman on there broke my heart the way she described what was going on. When the reporter asked her why she isnt going home, the passion and pride in her voice.

[Meresgi]

I can tell you a lot of things that will make the US look good in the Middle East. Not siding with dictators is a good start.

But then we would be interfering in their business and sticking our noses where they don't belong, trying to influence the situation to our own advantage (Which we would do, but even if we didnt, we would be accused of trying it.)

[Mistress Stowastiq]

Ya I love those soldier pics. I am really proud of the way the military has handled the issue too. It's sad because I used to see my family a lot when growing up (some would come to visit almost every summer), but as my aunts and uncles got older it was harder for them to travel, and after 9/11 my dad was too scared to travel. I still get to talk to them on the phone now and then though. Sad 'cause my mom's family have passed away except her brother so they are really the only blood relatives I have. so ya I have been rather emotional about all this ><;

Also ya there was one point where the phones were down, but my dad has been calling and talking to them everyday. They are scared and hiding, though some are doing the patrol the building with bats to protect the homes. I don't think any are in the square.

My thoughts are with you and your family, hang in there. I am glad they turned the internet/phones back on.

[Kuya]

But then we would be interfering in their business and sticking our noses where they don't belong, trying to influence the situation to our own advantage (Which we would do, but even if we didnt, we would be accused of trying it.)

Every nation interferes and meddles with other nations in order to obtain better outcomes. But this does not mean that the form these interferences take have to be, for example, invasions or propping up brutal dictators.

[Not Kuno]

5:06 am Our correspondent says it seems that anti-government protesters on the bridge seem to be running from gunfire. The AFP news service reports that a second protester has been shot and killed.


Oh hey cool now they're shooting at each other. This will end well.

[Ksandra]

My thoughts are with you and your family, hang in there. I am glad they turned the internet/phones back on.

ty! :D

[isladar]

This is all coming to a head. Former President Ben Ali promised not to run again and to institute reforms and changes just before the Tunisians kicked him out. If Mubarak's forces have been beaten back and the army refuses to intervene, there are really only so many options left for him if he wants to leave Egypt alive.

They were at least allowed to secure themselves from getting molotovs rained down on their heads, I do not think they've been beaten back. The gunfire is insane right now. Going towards the anti-gov protesters, but they're not moving. Keep in mind it's butthole in the morning there right now, I really expect things to ramp up once the sun rises.

[isladar]

Oh hey cool now they're shooting at each other. This will end well.

I don't think the anti-govs have weapons.

[Skidz]

Ksandra, is your family choosing to stay in Egypt during all of this? Or are they unable to leave even if they wanted to?

[Ksandra]

btw, on a random note: Egyptians don't actually use camels (nore have for an insanely long time irrc those are just there for tourists. Policemen around the pyramids use them but that's about it. So I have a feeling those were probably stolen. Horses are way more common though both policed trained, and used by poorer people.

[Edelweiss]

Oh hey cool now they're shooting at each other. This will end well.

I don't think the anti-govs have weapons.

The revolutionary protesters are pretty much working with blunt objects, stones, and molotovs as the most advanced weapons (moreso as a deterrent). The firearms and shit are wholly under the control of Mubarak's thugs; and they began the day with whips, bladed weapons, rudimentary hand tools, etc. They've upgraded their weaponry since Mubarak-loyal factions/forces initiated the violence.

[Ksandra]

Ksandra, is your family choosing to stay in Egypt during all of this? Or are they unable to leave even if they wanted to?

They couldn't leave now if they wanted to, and I will say the Egyptians are the most stubborn people on the planet that I don't know if they would anyways (actually I'm pretty sure they wouldn't). I call my Dad the biggest black sheep of Egypt lol. When he immigrated here he knew the country was crap. And he thought he could bring the rest of his family over. (he has 7 brothers and sisters and two half brothers, his mother died when he was young). He was able to convince one sister to immigrate, and one half brother. Some other cousins came too. But no one else would. They would come and visit and say "oh it's very nice here but Egypt is so beautiful!". And he would call them out on that and say they were nuts. They were nuts. Comparing America to Egypt is like comparing ambrosia to dirt. Only thing I think that held them there was family, and afraid of change.

On a sadder note, my father's father passed away when the eldest brother (Yusri) was about 23, who took care of the rest of the family. He was a strong important part of the family. He was a doctor with a wife and 3 boys (I shouldn't call them boys they are in their 30s now). Yusri's family was one of the more common ones to come to visit, and my dad tried so hard to get him to immigrate here. about 6 years ago Yusri got cancer, and he couldn't get the medicine there that he needed. So about 3 years ago he filed for immigration because he could get the medicine here and he, his wife, and the three children all got a visa to come to America. He dragged is foot for over two years over finding a house here, and wouldn't leave until they had a house (refusing to stay with my dad until then). About 6 months ago he passed away. Fifi (his wife) and the kids aren't coming now.

[isladar]

The protesters slamming sticks against the metal barriers they've put up is really amazing.

[Edelweiss]

U.S. Department of State just announced that flights out of Egypt after Thursday are "unlikely".