Posted on 06/07/2013 4:03:25 AM PDT by opentalk
Secretary of State John Kerry quietly acted last month to give Egypt $1.3 billion in U.S. military aid, deciding that this was in the national interest despite Egypt's failure to meet democracy standards.
Kerry made the decision well before an Egyptian court this week convicted 43 democracy workers, including 16 Americans, in what the United States regards as a politically motivated case against pro-democracy non-governmental organizations.
Rights groups believe Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi is retreating from democratic freedoms, notably in a new civil society law and in proposals for judicial reform that critics see as a way to purge judges perceived as hostile to the government.
Despite stating in a May 9 memo that "we are not satisfied with the extent of Egypt's progress and are pressing for a more inclusive democratic process and the strengthening of key democratic institutions," Kerry said the aid should go forward.
Ruled for three decades by authoritarian former President Hosni Mubarak, a close U.S. ally, Egypt has long been seen as a bulwark of stability in the Middle East, notably because it was the first Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with Israel.
Under U.S. law, for the $1.3 billion to flow the secretary of state must certify that the Egyptian government "is supporting the transition to civilian government, including holding free and fair elections, implementing policies to protect freedom of expression, association and religion, and due process of law."
(Excerpt) Read more at mobile.reuters.com ...
“Quietly allows”, eh . . . that’s remarkable coming from al-Reuters.
When were they EVER NOT for crucifixion and murder
by terrorists and Islam. Hence, this is a REWARD
for murderous services provided FOR the State Dept.
Most people don’t understand that none of this “aid” is really for the government of Egypt. It’s called FMS or Foreign Military Sales. This money is spent here in Congressman’s districts. A Congresscritter gets a big, beefy aid contract for, say, General Dynamics to repair Egyptian tanks. General Dynamics quietly supports the Congressman’s reelection or his quietly designated recipient of corporate largesse. It’s a quid pro quo thingy.
Even if the president or State wanted to stop a particular package, the senator may be able to bargain his vote for or against something else and stop them politically from insisting on cancellation.
Probably, the US Federal Gov is spending in excess of $1.3B a week suppressing and oppressing US citizens, so what’s another $1.3B for a branch office in Egypt?
Or to put it in perspective, the US government is spending several times the total spent on foreign aid, just towards building the domestic police state.
Sending a few bits of coin towards some tinpot dictators shouldn’t really be a top priority of US citizens until we can muster the courage to deal with our problems at home regarding the collapse of democratic standards.
It’s a dilemma but if you cut off the military aid then you alienate the Egyptian army, who are probably the only ones who could remove the Muslim brotherhood from power. And I think the army leadership is getting restive.
The Obama Regime, quietly arming our enemies with American taxpayer money.
1. If the jihadists are so against the depravity and excesses of Western Culture, why haven't they ever attacked Hollywood or Beverly Hills where drugs, indecency, and immorality are marketed daily?
2. Why did the IRS out themselves by planting that question at the American Bar Association Conference when they were enjoying the full support and protection of the Administration? I don't buy the "we wanted to control the discussion" argument.
More guns to use to kill each other or to ship to terrorists around the Middle East and elsewhere once the civil war starts.
Ben Carson summed it up....what has this administration done to make this nation stronger?
from President Obama and his political allies are trying to “destroy the country.”
“Let’s say somebody were [in the White House] and they wanted to destroy this nation,” Carson postulated in remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference. “I would create division among the people, encourage a culture of ridicule for basic morality and the principles that made and sustained the country, undermine the financial stability of the nation, and weaken and destroy the military. It appears coincidentally that those are the very things that are happening right now.”
… The son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood of Peoria has been sentenced to a five-year jail term by an Egyptian court.
Sam LaHood is one of 43 nonprofit workers sentenced for illegally using foreign funds to foment unrest in the country
Among the defendants, 27 received five-year jail terms. Another five received two years and 11 got one year. At least 16 of them were Americans.
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