Middle East Revolutions: Current Bahrain protests getting violent

[Devolver]

Biden giving a pretty good statement about it at an event @ the Univ of Louisville. I really just have a sense of cautious optimism so far about all this. I think I'll finally be excited about this when the first election goes off without a hitch.

[Kurokikaze]

Really hope this doesn't get hijacked and the people that get elected in don't make Mubarak seem good. >.>

[BardonGaruda]

Good on the UN for keeping their noses out. Democracy isn't a paint by numbers situation. People of Egypt needs to come up with a system that works best for them. The less the west interfer in processes like that the better the chances of some day someone coming up with a system that works better than the imperfect western democracies.

[Callisto]

They should show the coverage of events like this live in schools and colleges and suspend classes so at least one generation is properly informed. So hard to get ppl to learn from history when thought from a book and santised file footage. So much easier for ppl to withness it with their own eyes and draw their own conclusions without any analysis to skew opinion one way or another.

This...I think we watched the OJ trial in class when I was in school, and I guess this would be a slightly bigger deal.

[isladar]

Really hope this doesn't get hijacked and the people that get elected in don't make Mubarak seem good. >.>

Whoever does get in has just had 18 days of witnessing the consequences of poor management.

[Mistress Stowastiq]

Good on the UN for keeping their noses out. Democracy isn't a paint by numbers situation. People of Egypt needs to come up with a system that works best for them. The less the west interfer in processes like that the better the chances of some day someone coming up with a system that works better than the imperfect western democracies.

Yes throughout the whole thing it was precarious that the Egyptian people were able to do this themselves. Each and every time other nations made a statement, there was the chance of them symbolically co opting this to be some media headline "so and so led so and so to step down" instead of it being "The Egyptians achieved their own freedom."

and lol at this tweet:

DavidCornDC
WH changes plan. POTUS stmnt at 1:30 delayed to TBD. And he won't do it in press room. Pool only. Journos disappointed. #whbrief #darn

View of Tahrir Square from space, captured at 11:18AM local time, courtesy DigitalGlobe.
http://theatlantic.tumblr.com/post/3...are-from-space


Selection of map views with details
http://dig.abclocal.go.com/kgo/PDF/D...obe_Egypt2.pdf

[Rakiel]

Had to laugh


RT @Nelson_Manndela @AaronRodgers12 Heard that when Mubarak stepped down in Cairo, protesters did massive belt. Crazy world
Twitterrific • 2/11/11 12:35 PM

[Hyan]

I wonder what kind of democracy they will end up with.

All the way to mimic Swiss direct democracy? lol

[Callisto]

lol at AJE fading out the guy who wouldn't stop talking

I just woke up a few minutes ago, is there any sort of announcement re: interim leadership?

edit: nvm army just made a statement about it as I posted

[BardonGaruda]

lol at AJE fading out the guy who wouldn't stop talking

I just woke up a few minutes ago, is there any sort of announcement re: interim leadership?

One on AJE live right now

[isladar]

It's been two and a half hours. Supreme Military Council just spoke on State TV, saluting the martyrs who gave their lives, and saying that they will soon release a statement about how things will proceed.

[Olo401]

I just caught the tail end of that general's speech on Nile TV so I'm not sure what he said. Obama should be speaking in a moment.

Edit: Got it - thanks you two.

[BardonGaruda]

Another exile Prof. Saad Ibrahim was talking on sky just now said he's going back to Egypt with his family.

To anyone who's national media used phrases like "worrying" with regard to the revolution in Egypt you need to seriously consider getting out on the streets yourselves.

[BardonGaruda]

I just caught the tail end of that general's speech on Nile TV so I'm not sure what he said. Obama should be speaking in a moment.

Edit: Got it - thanks you two.

Basically he said to Mubarak thank you for your years of services and thank you for GTFO.

Then we will issue a statement setting out step by step how we are going to meet the wishes of the people. Finally a salute to the ppl who lost their lives.

[Kainos]

I'm flabergasted at how naive some people are. This isn't a movie, the muslim brotherhood isn't going to suddenly turn Cairo into a democracy covered in sand and everyone will hold hands while rainbows appear over the pyramids.

This is some serious shit. Israel should be shitting their pants right now. And if Barack Hussain Obama doesn't try to step in and offer some control the only thing thing you should be celebrating is a higher chance of terrorism.

[Devolver]

. And if Barack Hussain Obama doesn't try to step in and offer some control the only thing thing you should be celebrating is a higher chance of terrorism.

I don't understand why people think help from other countries is always needed. They are big boys, they can handle it. And if they can't? Then they don't deserve it.

[chiyio]

just caught up on the last few pages. amazing.

[Kurokikaze]

I don't understand why people think help from other countries is always needed. They are big boys, they can handle it. And if they can't? Then they don't deserve it.

I second that. They don't need people butting in and telling them how to run their own country.

[Callisto]

My only concern is what's going to keep the infrastructure running, like how far down the chain of Mubarak's regime will people be getting run out and who will replace them if their role was handling basic public services.

[Devolver]

Any updates on when President Obama is going to speak?

Still TBA, from what I've heard. I give it an hour or so.