Saturday, January 29, 2011

Egyptian Chaos



I have been going to a lot of news web sites, looking for some good punditry that's not condescending. There's a lot of why didn't anyone in our government or think tanks or intelligence agencies see this coming in Egypt? A lot of second guessing, and ignoring the main flaming indicators, the number of men who also set themselves on fire in the Egyptian streets... The utter dismissal by Mubarak of the protesters on Tuesday, of their concerns and his lack of self-introspection. Maybe we should send Baby Doc Duvalier to Cairo to give this man some advice, what might and what can happen when you are so blind to reality... The same goes here, when opinions veer from very hawkish to very racist, to very acceptance. Mostly, it's young people who support these protests, and us older folks who are fearful what may happen once the old law and order falls apart. All of these revolutions are ones for basic human rights and dignity. More and more it looks like Turkey has gotten it right...

To watch any live, streaming coverage from al Jazeera in English, go to this link. Right now, chaos is ruling the streets of Cairo. There are gangs looting storefronts, and anyone with money isn't safe to walk around. The police are only in the main streets, and the Army is non-existent. Neighborhoods have created their own protection committees, with young men checking each car and will only allow people in if they know who they are. Rumors that the police are the ones doing the looting, or at least directing the looting. Other rumors that the government's security service have been terrorizing to make the situation more violent, so that people will welcome whatever the government imposes next to create order. Confrontation is taking place between the roving looters and the neighborhood watchers, as there isn't enough army to protect the entire city.



Hosni Mubarak will only leave and give up power unless he dies, and this scenario may happen over the next couple of days. Mubarak appointed the ex-head of intelligence to be his vice-president, and also appointed a crony of his son to be the new prime minister, thinking that might be enough change to appease Egyptians. It's plain to see that this man and his close circle have been living in their own virtual la-la land for quite some time. Like all leaders, they have lost contact with public opinion, isolated from the problems of the middle and poorer classes of people, who cannot find jobs or put enough food on the table for their families. Unfortunately, it won't matter what kind of government that takes over, the economic problems are global, and shortages of food and water may get worse in the next few years all over north Africa and the Middle East as the water table slowly dries up.

As long as the US coddles and supports the wrong people, gives billions of dollars in foreign aid to buy the friendship of these dictators and propping up their governments, we will be seen as hypocrites. The US needs to keep its big nose out of these events and let the people of Egypt and Tunisia and whomever is next to sort out their own problems. Predictions are that the "people's democracy bug" may strike next somewhere in Asia, though it would be welcome in China and Russia...

Soon, we maybe seeing an ex-dictator's club. right now it looks like it will be centered in Riyadh, though that may also be an ill omen for the Saudi Royals. I understand there is some extra space at the bin Laden family compound in the outskirts of Tehran...













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