Posted on 02/02/2011 4:41:13 AM PST by sunmars
Update : battles have started.
There is a tense stand-off in the Egyptian capital's main square, after fights broke out between supporters and opponents of beleaguered President Hosni Mubarak.
Thousands of the president's supporters had surged into Cairo's Tahrir Square, dismantling barricades set up by anti-Mubarak groups.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
The problem is most people in egypt watch Al Jazeera and not the state tv, they did not want the size of the protests being seen.
I've known these people for years. They are in touch with their families on almost a daily basis. I see them every Sunday. I am not misinformed. Perhaps the Copts you know are secular and part of or related to people who are part of the Mubarak regime, or perhaps they just have a different opinion.
RE: dealing with people with opposing beliefs...a few weeks ago I had a FaceBook discussion with a distant cousin, regarding Glenn Beck “wishing someone was dead” or some such nonsense. She started the discussion by posting an article that totally skewed everything he’d said on that program. I was polite and FACTUAL in my response...she and several of her friends ranted and raved with propoganda—no facts, just the “other” side’s “talking points.” I replied one more time, answering each of their accusations with facts...and no one else responded.
I was surprised (and a little disappointed—I wanted to debate!) that they didn’t even debate any more...when facts were presented, apparently they were lost.
I don’t believe that everyone on “the other side” will just fold in the face of facts, but I was very surprised she did. I just realized yesterday that she “un-friended” me...
So my friendly (unasked for) advice is to continue to present facts. There’s always a chance the person will at least think about what you’ve said...and the friendship (”friendship”?) will either survive or not. We can and should be “salt and light” but if people are not willing to listen or consider the facts, that is up to them.
If you believe that, fine, but there was a pro-demonstration tilt that I found very obvious.
Are you saying the photo’s lie?
Or are you saying that the current media is conned?
These people are not compatable with democracy or any form of representative government.
"Welcome to Whoop-Whoop", Egypt style.
Pessimistic, but dead accurate IMO.
}:-)4
The Copts I know are devote Christians. They are in constant touch with relatives in Egypt. I have known them for decades. They say that Mubarek understands how you must deal with Islam.They fear the rise of theocracies across the Arab world. Once again, what you are saying is the opposite of reality.
Yes they are - but you're making a huge mistake identifying them solely with your friend's choice of support. The left doesn't have a monopoly on ignorance; so too does the right, and you're a perfect example. I wouldn't wonder if your friend is lamenting the same set of circumstances with merely a change of political identification.
The reality is that the US is under a attack from unified forces that appeal to both the left & right. Obama is just a silly puppet - has there ever been a more unqualified president? Yet, on the other hand, the same financial interest that promote further gov't intrusion in health & business are also very, very busy advancing issues that appeal to traditional nat'l security supporters.
TSA anyone? How about DHS? Permanent, nation building wars? The list goes on & on - far, far away from the our republic's original intent. The thing you need to do is ID the parties/groups who benefit from these encroachments. Who profits from US deficit financing used to fund all these left/right project expenditures?
Here's a bit of advice - don't lose a friend, gain an adversary. In actuality, you are both allies against the forces aligned against us.
Imagine that? Obamma conning the media? Nah, never gonna happen./sarc
AJ has been slanted pretty anti-Mubarak as this whole thing has unfolded. If these are pro-Mubarak “protesters,” they’re well aware of that.
}:-)4
Or you are being told what they know you want to hear. BTW, are these Egyptians Copts/Orthodox or Protestants of some sort? That will also make a difference.
Exactly. All this talk of Democracy for the people of Egypt is pabulum for dimwits and liberals. The democracy they are going to get is a MB democracy. One party Democracies like Syria or Lebanon.
This is consolidation and strengthening of Islamic fundamentalism, and will result in war.
Yes, Mubarak was stepping down in September. Yes, his son was expected to follow him. Now, however, all bets are off. Importantly, his son was not military and had only lukewarm support among the brass. He is out. To maintain discipline among Mubarak’s political followers there will have to be someone quite respected to run in September. That does not include Baradai, a Muslim Brother, a Marxists, or a member of the old political guard. As was the case when Nasser came to power in 1954 and introduced the military dictatorship, it is quite possible that a younger military man will emerge.
The funny thing is, if the MB takes power, the only television that Egyptians will be allowed to watch will be theocratic state controlled. Look for televisions to be banned from homes. HBO, and Baywatch reruns are unhealthy and will be outlawed. So too will go internet servers uncontrolled by the MB.
He is aware, but we have an understanding. We generally don’t talk about these things, but occasionally they crop up.
They volunteered their views. When I told them my perceptions, they told me that I was the only one they had met who understood what is really going on. Their families have lived in Egypt for hundreds of years and, "with god's grace, we will continue" to do so. They are not Protestants.
And who loans us this 'actual' money? Well, it used to be the Chinese & others, but nowadays it's no one - it's simply conjured out of thin air by the Fed Reserve.
Well, what happens when we debase the currency? Inflation, baby, inflation. In food, gas, commodities, etc.
That's why the Eqyptians are rioting - they're hungry. You see, their currency is tied to the $US dollar. But since they aren't as wealthy as us, when food prices go up there, they actually end up hungry instead of being slightly inconvenienced.
Get it? The US is in a death grip by forces which control the entire administration & Congress. Who got bailed out? Who got record bonuses just last year? Which entity operates with absolutely no oversight, yet has complete control of the debt based economy? Think the Tea Party will raise the debt ceiling?
Think, people, think.
Any other news on the CNN crew? For several minutes now, CNN has been carrying the Al Jazeera feed. No reporting by their crew.
“Yes, but does Katie Couric find any good sitcom material in any of this?”
She was reporting from Tahrir Square last night when it was calm. I wonder what she and CBS is thinking now.
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