Mubarek steps down - Army takes over

[Holly]

Democracy is a form of government that Egyptians have no experience with. Egypt is less secular than one would think. Grassroots democratic movements have little organization. Radical groups are well organized and the Brotherhood is very patient.

You might want to give the people of Egypt more credit. They want democracy and hopefully they'll get it. They've done a great job so far.

Remember, the US was a huge supporter of Mubarek.

All the anti-Mubarek sentiment could easily be transferred to anti-US sentiment, along with everything the US stands for.

Remember what happened in Iran - the Shah was supported by the US, and when he was deposed, all the anti-US sentiment led to the current government.

You're right, we were huge supporters, and perhaps we shouldn't have been.

We bought Mubarek a yacht with our 1.3 billion a year in aid. Mubarek is a multibillionaire with property all over the world (including in Hollywood, CA) while the Egyptian people live in poverty.


If you're wondering why your first thread was closed it's probably because the mods saw your political angle and didn't want to deal with the resulting discussion.


Here are my thoughts: let's mind our own business and let the Egyptians decide for themselves instead of throwing our power and money around by propping up dictators and trying to control the world.

 

[Geoff_M]

Here are my thoughts: let's mind our own business and let the Egyptians decide for themselves instead of throwing our power and money around by propping up dictators and trying to control the world.

But the questions is: How do you discern between helping an ally and/or trying to fostering a peace-process... and "throwing our power and money around"?

 

[Rumpus]

You might want to give the people of Egypt more credit. They want democracy and hopefully they'll get it. They've done a great job so far.




.

Most Egyptians do not support a secular government but sharia. I hope that they get a free and open democracy as well but the history of the region has shown us a different experience. They may well have hopped from the frying pan into the fire. Time will tell. Peace isn't always the absence of war.

 

[Bilberry]

I enjoyed Charles Krauthammer's article about the events in Egypt and the middle east in general this morning. Not sure there is a whole lot America can do, but be hopeful peaceful Democracy prevails in the region. Thought Krauthammer had good points on what America has done in the past in similar situations and what can be done now.

New Realpolitik Pits Democracy Vs. Islamism

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAna...ew-Realpolitik-Pits-Democracy-Vs-Islamism.htm

 

[Magic Mom]

Wonderful and scary at the same time. Let's pray that whoever takes power wants peace and stability in the region.


It's amazing that all this is because of the uprising in Tunisia. Who's next? Syria?

 

[Magic Mom]

You might want to give the people of Egypt more credit. They want democracy and hopefully they'll get it. They've done a great job so far.



.

Do they want democracy for everyone, or just Muslims? That's still to be seen.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Most Egyptians do not support a secular government but sharia. I hope that they get a free and open democracy as well but the history of the region has shown us a different experience. They may well have hopped from the frying pan into the fire. Time will tell. Peace isn't always the absence of war.

That says a lot.

I agree with your post.

 

[Mrs. Darcy]

Democracy is a form of government that Egyptians have no experience with. Egypt is less secular than one would think. Grassroots democratic movements have little organization. Radical groups are well organized and the Brotherhood is very patient.

I saw on the news that an Isreali official said Isreal was "in big trouble now". I just pray that they don't go radical and instigate with Isreal. We sure don't need any more American troops going to fight over there.

 

[sparklynails23]

The visuals are so reminiscent of the fall of the Berlin Wall in late '89. Wishing them well in their journey to presumed democracy.

Sorry to hear about your earlier thread, Deb.

It was wonderful to watch. I wonder if the protestors of Tiannamen Square had access to video of the Egyptian revolution.

 

[Rumpus]

It was wonderful to watch. I wonder if the protestors of Tiannamen Square had access to video of the Egyptian revolution.

How about more recently; those protesters in Iran in 2009. Thousands of those were arrested, many never to be seen again. That is a revolution that would have meant real change because they are currently and have been under a brutal theocracy for more than 35 years. The result of the disposition of the Shah.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

You are so right. Anything can happen. Polls have shown that the majority of Egyptians have never been happy with the peace treaty with Israel. Envision the Suez Canal closing. Imagine if we have to get our Navy ships in for any reason or oil out. The list could go on and on.

I saw a program on the Suez canel, it was really interesting. The one thing that was most interesting is that is stated that US military ships have clearance over any other ships in going through it, meaning they can "skip the line" ahead of ALL ships waiting. The price for this? Millions and Millions of foreign aid to Epypt.

 

[Swalphin]

Remember, the US was a huge supporter of Mubarek.

All the anti-Mubarek sentiment could easily be transferred to anti-US sentiment, along with everything the US stands for.

Remember what happened in Iran - the Shah was supported by the US, and when he was deposed, all the anti-US sentiment led to the current government.

That was not very long ago. I have a neighbor from Iran who was studying in Paris when the Shah was over thrown, the fact she is my neighbor in the US sums up her position on that revolution . She has a very interesting perspective on the current events in Egypt. It is a very scary time and what this could mean on so many levels. We will have to wait and see.

 

[Mrs. Darcy]

Democracy is a form of government that Egyptians have no experience with. Egypt is less secular than one would think. Grassroots democratic movements have little organization. Radical groups are well organized and the Brotherhood is very patient.

Rumpus, you really seem to have a solid understanding of the issue. I'm learning a lot from your posts.