Middle East Revolutions: Current Bahrain protests getting violent

[Kuya]

Some of these kids in america get so excited over other people's revolutions. Same thing happened with Iran; sudden outflow of internet warriors.

[Cantih]

So, you recommend being apathetic?

[wop]

I'm surprised no one mentioned this.

[BadKarma]

I have used an entire can of bronzer on myself in support of the people of Egypt.

[wop]

Except they are probably running now instead of walking.

[kuronosan]

I bet that the reason the government isn't supporting this clearly is because they don't want to empower crazy tea partiers over here to take back the country. You know Sarah Palin and the idiots upstairs will be going "LOL DIS WUT HAPPEN WEN U DUN LISSEN 2 UR PPL" and then realize they have no clue what they're talking about.

[Antithesis]

I'm surprised no one mentioned this.

Except they are probably running now instead of walking.

God damn it lmao.

[Elvis]

wop you're a douche and a moron.

[Elvis]

Some of these kids in america get so excited over other people's revolutions. Same thing happened with Iran; sudden outflow of internet warriors.

wat? this should be a good thing. i was surprised to see the positive comments here. compare the love affair w/ the Iranian blah blah to this one in the MSM.

[Yabby]

I bet that the reason the government isn't supporting this clearly is because they don't want to empower crazy tea partiers over here to take back the country. You know Sarah Palin and the idiots upstairs will be going "LOL DIS WUT HAPPEN WEN U DUN LISSEN 2 UR PPL" and then realize they have no clue what they're talking about.

No, there are a lot of reasons they are doing what they are doing. I will say tho, if the tea party did try it, i would be the 1st in line to overthrow their little attempt at revolution.

[Kuya]

So, you recommend being apathetic?

I wasn't referring to you, if that's what you're butthurt about.

[Kuya]

I wasn't saying this wasn't a good thing either, from some perspectives. I was merely saying that certain expressions of support on the internet, like changing your facebook picture, or your avatar, etc: It's a cute gesture. Like praying.

[Cantih]

Fair enough, sometimes hard to tell with ya man.
And hey, if you see people that need some mocking, c'maaan, share a link.

[Restrat]

I think the official term for it is "slacktivism"

[Cantih]

Hmm,

http://www.theatlantic.com/internati...e-egypt/70512/

As much as the U.S. would like to see protesters succeed in replacing Mubarak with a democracy, an Egyptian revolution, just like any revolution, would have to be organic and internal to be legitimate and successful. By so much as endorsing a particular opposition leader, the Obama administration risks tainting the entire process with its interference, not to mention dooming whomever they endorse. The U.S. has a 17 percent favorability rating in Egypt; not even Pakistan's is lower. So the U.S. would seem to have no good options for aiding the Egyptian democratic movement it would so like to succeed.

It makes sense. Though, I still don't like the situation.

[Kuya]

Hmm,

http://www.theatlantic.com/internati...e-egypt/70512/


It makes sense. Though, I still don't like the situation.

Oh please, as if this opinion mattered. The US is not going to endorse anyone that doesn't strictly benefit US foreign policy in the Middle East, and that right now is Mubarak.

[Elvis]

[Ksandra]

It's a no-brainer. I just can't make out a leader in this movement so far.

I doubt a leader is needed for what the populace immediately demands and aims to carry out; if anything, a leader will emerge out of the masses after the deed is done. Assuming no interference from foreign sources (to what extent outsiders could influence..), we'll see leadership sooner or later I guess.

Because there's doesn't really seem to be one. It's mainly people that are under 30 driving this, and they're working off a networking enabled, anon-style consensus/snowball. No leader, just people agreeing on and doing what feels right.

For those wondering who the leader is (or I guess will be), so far news have been starting to pin point in on Mohamed ElBaradei. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_ElBaradei

Possible presidential candidacy
Main articles: Egyptian presidential election, 2011, National Association for Change, and 2011 Egyptian protests

ElBaradei's name has been circulated by opposition groups since 2009 as a possible candidate to succeed President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt's highest executive position.[50][51][52]

ElBaradei did not make any clear statements regarding his intentions to run for the office; however, he has demanded that certain conditions have to be met to ensure fair elections accompanied by changes to the constitution that will allow more freedom for independent candidates before he would actually consider running for presidency. Several opposition groups and parties have endorsed him, considering him a neutral figure who could transition the country to greater democracy.

On 24 February 2010, ElBaradei met with several opposition leaders and notable intellectuals at his home in Cairo. The meeting was concluded with an announcement for the formation of a new non-party-political movement called "National Association for Change". The movement aims for general reforms in the political scene and mainly article 76 of the Egyptian constitution, which places restrictions on true free presidential elections, especially when it comes to independent candidates. The banned political group the Muslim Brotherhood were represented by one of their key figures who attended the meeting; however, their stand in accepting a non-member of their group as a candidate is yet unclear. It is also unknown whether Amr Moussa, the head of the Arab League who met with ElBaradei a day earlier, will be part of the new movement.[53]
[edit] Leader of the Egyptian protests
Main article: 2011 Egyptian protests

While speaking at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government on 27 April 2010, ElBaradei joked that he was "looking for a job" and is seeking to be an "agent of change and an advocate for democracy" within Egyptian politics. He also made clear that his wife is not very enthusiastic about any potential run.[54]

On 27 January 2011, Mohamed ElBaradei returned to Egypt amid ongoing turmoil, with the biggest mass protests in 30 years. ElBaradei declared himself ready to lead a transitional government if that was the will of the nation, saying that: "If [people] want me to lead the transition, I will not let them down".[55] Subsequently, "when he joined protesters Friday after noon prayers, police fired water cannons at him and his supporters. They used batons to beat some of ElBaradei's supporters, who surrounded him to protect him."[56] On 28 January 2011, ElBaradei was reported to have been placed under house arrest in Egypt.[57] However, the next day, when he was interviewed by Al Jazeera, he said he was unaware of any such arrest.[58]

Later on ElBaradei arrived in Tahrir Square to join thousands of other protesters against the Mubarak regime and spoke directly to the people, stating that they "have taken back [their] rights" and that they cannot go back. A number of Egyptian political movements have called on ElBaradei to form a transitional government.[59]. ElBaradei has also stated that "the people (of Egypt) want the regime to fall". In response to the appointment of Omar Suleiman as the new Vice President of Egypt, ElBaradei stated that it was a "hopeless, desperate attempt by Mubarak to stay in power, I think it is loud and clear...that Mubarak has to leave today". Additionally, ElBaradei restated the position that when Egypt does become a democratic nation and that "there is no reason to believe that a democracy in Egypt would not lead to a better relationship with the US based on respect and equity."[60]

In his position concerning the Muslim Brotherhood ElBaradei stated that they are just a part of the Egyptian government as the Marxist Party or any Liberal party. In addition, The Guardian reported that Mohamed ElBaradei has been mandated by the Muslim Brotherhood and four other opposition groups to negotiate an interim "national salvation government." However, BBC reports that Muslim Brotherhood, the largest opposition party banned by Mubarak's regime, has not consented to the choice of ElBaradei as the representative of the opposition "The people have not appointed Mohamed ElBaradei to become a spokesman of them. The Muslim Brotherhood is much stronger than Mohamed ElBaradei as a person. And we do not agree on he himself to become representing [sic] this movement, the movement is represented by itself, and it will come up with a committee... to make delegations with any government."[61]

His appointment is controversial largely because of the long periods of time he has spent outside of the country. His appointment is seen as a recognition of the importance of various Western nations' support of the revolts.

When this all went down though he was arrested and is still in Egyptian prison for protesting which is probably why we haven't gotten to hear too much about him.


[edit] Also note that the US tried to get ElBaradei out of office in his 4th term which 'caused a stir about international interference. Which is probably another reason why the US is siding with Mubarak. (Well that and ElBaradei's knowledge of nuclear weaponry).

[Zoolander]

Well the Army is saying they wont use force/violence against the protesters so today's march could be pretty epic. Mubarak really should just step down at this point, they could end up just killing his ass if hes not careful. Without the army hes kind of a sitting duck.

People keep drawing parallels to Iran 1979 but I just don't see it when you spend more than 5 seconds looking beneath the surface. Either way, today should be pretty interesting.

[Caiyuo]

Aerial from Tahrir today:

http://a.yfrog.com/img615/2029/2ozc.jpg