Is the Tunisian Unrest an Isolated Event or a Trend

[Crash]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-01-19-tunisia_N.htm


The head of the Arab League (http://content.usatoday.com/topics/topic/Arab+League) told the region's leaders Wednesday the upheaval in Tunisia (http://content.usatoday.com/topics/topic/Tunisia) is linked to deteriorating economic conditions throughout the Arab world, warning them that their people's anger has reached unprecedented heights.



Thousands have demonstrated in Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Oman, Libya and Yemen recently over the economic situation in their respective countries, some explicitly in solidarity with the Tunisians.


So here's the thing...by many estimates we have between 50 and 200 years of oil left (lot of variables). But as the cheaply extracted oil runs out, alternative energy sources become economically viable. Meaning that, at some point, we may never run out of oil - we may just abandon what's left in favor of new alternatives.

We're already seeing a push toward alternative fuels. They're probably 20-50 years away, but they're coming. Fifty years is really not a long time. If we have fifty years of "cheap" oil left, then the econmic decline in the Middle East may continue.

So if that happens, what does it mean? Does the rest of the world stop focusing on the Middle East beacuse it's no longer a strategic necessity? Does fundamentaism get turned inward on the repressive governments? Does it get amped up on a global scale because the economic downturn gets blamed on the west? Does it give way to moderate democracies as the repressive governments fall? Does the region go into an age of isolationism? Or do they experience modernization and a renaissance because there's no other choice?

Or does nothing change? Same shit different day.

[underdog]

I honestly believe we're going to see significant changes. When you're ruling with an iron fist and your people are poor and starving, there tends to be a boiling up.

And now the youth in the middle east is far more educated and westernized than they ever were. Look at Iran during the last election. There are some significant changes coming to the middle east.

[A.J.]

Thousands have demonstrated in Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Oman, Libya and Yemen recently over the economic situation in their respective countries, some explicitly in solidarity with the Tunisians.

It depends.

The above countries (with the exception of Libya) aren't oil-based economies. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar can use their petrodollars to give their citizens "womb to tomb care". Yesterday in fact, the Amir of Kuwait ordered the distribution of KD 1.12 billion (U.S. $4 billion) and free food for 14 months to citizens as the state prepares to mark national occasions. Each of the 1.12 million Kuwaitis will get KD 1,000 (U.S. $3,572) in cash as well as free essential food items until March 31, 2012.

Jordan and Oman are monarchical societies, Egypt and Yemen basically have "Presidents for Life", Sudan is about to break in two and Libya has Khadaffi. If those governments can't provide for their people, the people will demand a government that does.

[hanso]

I think it is already a trend. You just don't see it as much in this location. Where they might cut off body parts for acting funny.

[Recyclerz]

The guy torching himself which set off the rioting in Tunisia has inspired at least four others at last count.

Damn that takes some commitment because that is a really awful way to die. :glurps:

[StanUpshaw]

So if that happens, what does it mean? Does the rest of the world stop focusing on the Middle East beacuse it's no longer a strategic necessity?

Africa II

[Crash]

The next shit storm...Lebanon.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/2011120101622145283.html

http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=204532

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jan/20/turkey-qatar-suspend-mediation-in-lebanon/

Hezbollah is armed to the teeth thanks to Iran. This could get ugly fast.

[Furtherman]

Is the Tunisian Unrest an Isolated Event or a Trend

The Sand People are easily startled but they'll soon be back, and in greater numbers.

[disneyspy]

The Sand People are easily startled but they'll soon be back, and in greater numbers.

HACK!!!!!!

it was funnier when i saw some tweeter tweet that last week

[A.J.]

Does the rest of the world stop focusing on the Middle East beacuse it's no longer a strategic necessity?

It's a wretched hive of scum and villainy.

[keithy_19]

The Sand People are easily startled but they'll soon be back, and in greater numbers.

I laughed.

[spoon]

The next shit storm...Lebanon.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/2011120101622145283.html

http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=204532

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jan/20/turkey-qatar-suspend-mediation-in-lebanon/

Hezbollah is armed to the teeth thanks to Iran. This could get ugly fast.

When hasn't Lebanon been a shit storm? Perhaps someone just added an upper decker to the equation.

[furie]

Isolated Event

[A.J.]

The next Tunisias? (http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/01/18/the_next_tunisias)

[Crash]

The next Tunisias? (http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/01/18/the_next_tunisias)

Seems like they might be right about Egypt...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704698004576104112320465414.html

[JohnGacysCrawlSpace]

Unrest in the Arab world? That's a new one on me...:lol:

[hanso]

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[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Doesn't seem to be covered by many US news outfits. These are from Al-Jezeera:

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/201112804035404906.html

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/2011127100660857.html

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/01/2011126121815985483.html

[Judge Smails]

Dude, did you hear? Charlie Sheen's in the hospital. American Idol has new judges. Also, Oprah found out she has a long lost sister. And, Bane's gonna be in the new Batman movie.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Theres also Lebanon


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/opinion/28noe.html

[PapaBear]

I've been seeing plenty about Egypt on CNN. Tunisia and Yemen, not so much.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Now Egypt is really getting attention.


http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/28/clashes-erupt-in-cairo-elbaradei-told-to-stay-put-cnn-camera-confiscated/?hpt=T1&iref=BN1

[Furtherman]

Dude, did you hear? Charlie Sheen's in the hospital. American Idol has new judges. Also, Oprah found out she has a long lost sister. And, Bane's gonna be in the new Batman movie.

:lol:

[JohnGacysCrawlSpace]

They don't like outrage....they looooooooovvvvvvvvvve it. :wallbash:

[hanso]

Doesn't seem to be covered by many US news outfits. These are from Al-Jezeera:

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/201112804035404906.html

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/2011127100660857.html

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/01/2011126121815985483.html

Much more news to follow. When puppet regimes are installed.

[CaptainBlowhole]

I kept hearing about unrest in Egypt but did not give enough of a shit to bother looking into it. So I finally decided to look at it and it seems that their leader is a douchebag and has not done anything in regard to human rights and the people are getting pissed of about it because they want to have the same freedoms as other nations enjoy.

Is that it, in a nut shell?

[newport king]

what did u expect in a land built by aliens?

[The Jays]

Egypt is crazy. It's not just because, one day, they decided their dictatorial president is a douchebag. It's because you have a large percentage of the youth who went to college and all learned to become engineers and doctors, and when they came home, there was no demand for those jobs whatsoever, so now they're all poor because they spent so much on college and are forced to take on the shitty call center jobs that every other dumbass in the country is competing for. This is why this is happening all over the Middle East; these shitty regimes can't create vibrant economies because they're so corrupt.

[The Jays]

It also does not help that the army is made up of poor conscripts who make a lot less than the police and security forces, when, during a revolution, the side that the army sides with, wins.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Why does the floor.... move?

[The Jays]

Honestly, Al Jazeera is schooling all other news reporting right now. This is a fascinating revolt.

[StanUpshaw]

Didn't we just go through this in Iran, and not a fucking thing ended up changing?

[epo]

Honestly, Al Jazeera is schooling all other news reporting right now. This is a fascinating revolt.

Linky here (http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/)

[epo]

Didn't we just go through this in Iran, and not a fucking thing ended up changing?

Not to this extend. Egypt seems to be really teetering on the edge.

And if anything, the people of Iran informed the world what the future of the nation looks like, and that future is much more forward-looking and western than the current regime.

[Dude!]

bring back Tut !

[Barnaby Jones]

Didn't we just go through this in Iran, and not a fucking thing ended up changing?

Actually, a lot changed and it's a very different situation in Egypt!!! The reigning administration doesn't have nearly the power and control that is in place in Iran!!!

[WRESTLINGFAN]

<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kHngF_b3NuE" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>

[The Jays]

wokka wokka

[A.J.]

Honestly, Al Jazeera is schooling all other news reporting right now. This is a fascinating revolt.

Just like during the Gaza Crisis and the Iranian protests. It is a really good channel.

[The Jays]

This is what happens when you pay government worker better than your army, and when you don't create an economy for your now-overly educated working class.

[brettmojo]

Isolated event. Definitely.

[hanso]

what did u expect in a land built by aliens?

Where are your aliens now?

[NewYorkDragons80]

Jordan and Oman are monarchical societies, Egypt and Yemen basically have "Presidents for Life", Sudan is about to break in two and Libya has Khadaffi. If those governments can't provide for their people, the people will demand a government that does.

It's important to note that the protesters in Jordan remain in favor of keeping the monarchy. When it comes to "respectable" monarchies like Morocco, Jordan and to a lesser extent Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, the monarchy is usually the most respected institution in the country and there isn't any coherent, credible, or realistic movement to challenge them. The best solution is to give the king "presidential" powers and remove their ability to influence/dissolve legislatures. In the case of Jordan, the only other institution as respected as the monarchy is the military. The King/Emir should be an independent entity, outside of politics, and the commander of military and security forces without the ability to obstruct elections with the understanding that the King's power in that realm cannot be challenged. To protect from maneuvering by parliament, have a constitutionally-mandated % of GDP that automatically goes to defense and security institutions.

[hanso]

http://www.10pix.ru/img1/3114/3401496.jpg


Anwar Sadat (right) offers up a hit of hash to Hosni Mubarak (left)
It was some mind blowing stuff.

[The Jays]

Seriously?? No one else is interested in this? Too busy watching Keeping Up with the Kardasians??

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Israel is concerned about this


http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/106617/20110129/muslim-brotherhood-and-hamas-seek-to-increase-role-in-egypt-stratfor.htm

[A.J.]

It's important to note that the protesters in Jordan remain in favor of keeping the monarchy. When it comes to "respectable" monarchies like Morocco, Jordan and to a lesser extent Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, the monarchy is usually the most respected institution in the country and there isn't any coherent, credible, or realistic movement to challenge them. The best solution is to give the king "presidential" powers and remove their ability to influence/dissolve legislatures. In the case of Jordan, the only other institution as respected as the monarchy is the military. The King/Emir should be an independent entity, outside of politics, and the commander of military and security forces without the ability to obstruct elections with the understanding that the King's power in that realm cannot be challenged. To protect from maneuvering by parliament, have a constitutionally-mandated % of GDP that automatically goes to defense and security institutions.

It should also be noted that Bahrain and Kuwait are constitutional monarchies. "Bahrain has a bicameral legislature with a lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, elected by universal suffrage and an upper house, the Shura Council, appointed by the King." "Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy and has the oldest directly elected parliament among the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The head of state is the Emir or Sheikh, a hereditary office. Legislative power is vested in the Emir and the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution." Qatar is slowly transitioning to a similar form of government.

Seriously?? No one else is interested in this? Too busy watching Keeping Up with the Kardasians??

This is America. Are you new here?

[Crash]

It should also be noted that Bahrain and Kuwait are constitutional monarchies. "Bahrain has a bicameral legislature with a lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, elected by universal suffrage and an upper house, the Shura Council, appointed by the King." "Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy and has the oldest directly elected parliament among the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The head of state is the Emir or Sheikh, a hereditary office. Legislative power is vested in the Emir and the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution." Qatar is slowly transitioning to a similar form of government.

So, does this make countries like this less susceptible to popular unrest because of their democratic systems? I would think it would...if it wasn't for Lebanon.

[A.J.]

Does this mean George W. Bush is vindicated?

I was reading the following article in an online version of one of the Qatari papers (it won't linky properly):

It began with Saddam, say Iraqis

BAGHDAD: Iraqis yesterday welcomed the revolt in Egypt that threatens to topple President Hosni Mubarak, with some claiming the tremors shaking Arab rulers had begun
with the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

“Saddam was their teacher, and all of these dictators are his little pupils,” declared Hussein Mohammed, taking a break from loading boxes of imported toys into a truck.

“The dictator (Mubarak) must leave — all dictators must go,” the 55-year-old added, noting that he stayed up until 4.00am listening to the radio for news from Cairo.

“From Morocco to Saudi Arabia, we Arabs want all dictators out.”

Other Iraqis remained glued to their television sets throughout the day, with electronics store owner Maher Minjal tuning four televisions to different Arabic news channels reporting events in Egypt.

“The fuse was lit by Iraq, because we became the first Arab country to achieve democracy
and get an elected government,” said Minjal, 28, from his store in Baghdad’s commercial Karrada district.

“If the regime in Egypt falls, all other Arab regimes will fall, because Egypt is the biggest and most powerful country in the Arab world.” Anti-regime riots that raged yesterday for a fifth straight day in Egypt, inspired by the overthrow of Tunisian strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali earlier this month, have sent shockwaves across the region.

At least one Iraqi political analyst agreed with the assessment that Iraq had begun a process that seemed to be spreading across the Middle East.

“It is absolutely true that (former US president George W) Bush was right when he said
that democracy in Iraq would sweep through the Arab world,” Baghdad-based analyst Ihsan Al Shammari said.

“In fact, Iraq was the first democratic regime in the region, but we are different from Egypt
and Tunisia in that we were changed by foreign forces (the US-led coalition) and they
are being changed by popular uprisings.

Iraq’s Al Mashriq newspaper pejoratively referred to Mubarak as a “Pharaoh,” and said the day of reckoning had come for a leader who had been a friend to the enemies of Arabs, which it said were Israel and the United States. “The American ally and the friend of Israel has been ruling Egypt since 1981, but the ground is shaking beneath the feet of the Pharaoh,” the Arabic-language newspaper said in an editoria. AFP

I highlighted the above quote because it ties into an editorial from Elliott Abrams in today's Washington Post: "Egypt protests show George W. Bush was right about freedom in the Arab world" (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/28/AR2011012803144.html)

I worry however that the downside of this could be the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood and HAMAS -- that WF's article noted. We saw the downside to invading Iraq was the rise of Iran.

[A.J.]

So, does this make countries like this less susceptible to popular unrest because of their democratic systems? I would think it would...if it wasn't for Lebanon.

I would say that's partly the reason but the other reason, as I mentioned before, is the fact that they have booming economies thanks to oil and gas money (Qatar and Kuwait) or because they're banking/financial centers (Bahrain and Qatar). Also, these countries have a much smaller native population to provide for. So, these countries have more resources to take care of their people -- because there are fewer people to care for.

There was some unrest a few months ago in Kuwait but it was similar to the drama that happens in Italian politics. The Kuwait Amir just marked the 5th anniversary of his ascension and he gave Kuwaitis some money. Qatar is booming, the Amir is slowly moving his country toward a constitutional monarchy, and there is great national pride with Doha getting the World Cup.

The most "susceptible" I think would be Bahrain but that's only because the ruling family there is Sunni and the country itself is Shia majority like Iran. The Bahrainis are terrified of Iran influencing the Shia there.

EDIT: I should also note that Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar are "newer" countries compared to other Arab nations. Kuwait achieved independence from the British in 1961 while Bahrain and Qatar both achieved their independence in 1971. You have to think that all those years under British rule may have influenced the workings of those governments.

[hanso]

Iraq never wanted to be overthrown. Then, now, or at any time.

These grandiose comparison the right comes up with are staggering.

[joeyballsack]

Al Jazeera In Cairo Shut Down By Egyptian Government (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/30/al-jazeera-in-cairo-being_n_815912.html)

[Crash]

I would say that's partly the reason but the other reason, as I mentioned before, is the fact that they have booming economies thanks to oil and gas money (Qatar and Kuwait) or because they're banking/financial centers (Bahrain and Qatar).

A.J.

It's clear I know a lot less about this than you do. Bahrain and Qatar are financial institutions? Jesus, don't you want to store your riches in a STABLE region. Like Switzerland? What the fuck do you do if the roof catches fire on this sumbitch? Kiss your millions goodbye?

But I kind of get it. I'm sure the region likes to keep their investments local, although lately I'm thinking that may not be such a great idea.

Also, as Homer said to Bart, "your ideas are interesting to me and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter".

Or not. Whatever. :smile:

[Crash]

Iraq never wanted to be overthrown. Then, now, or at any time.

These grandiose comparison the right comes up with are staggering.

I'm not a conservative, believe me. But I think that to dismiss that theory as the right wing trying to reinvent history is a little simplistic.

Every geopolitical situation has a huge number of variables that come into play. If we're going to be honest, it's POSSIBLE that regime change in Iraq started a series of events that led to a better educated, more worldly generation of middle eastern youth wanting better.

Just sayin'.

[brettmojo]

Seriously?? No one else is interested in this? Too busy watching Keeping Up with the Kardasians??
It'd be a bigger deal if they didn't always do the same shit every time their soccer team lost a match.

Oh wait, that's Europe. Rugby team then maybe?

[hanso]

I'm not a conservative, believe me. But I think that to dismiss that theory as the right wing trying to reinvent history is a little simplistic.

Every geopolitical situation has a huge number of variables that come into play. If we're going to be honest, it's POSSIBLE that regime change in Iraq started a series of events that led to a better educated, more worldly generation of middle eastern youth wanting better.

Just sayin'.

It's apples and oranges. I won't re hash the whole Iraq war.
But I will if I have to. As I'm not buying into this in the least bit.



A preemptive strike on a sovereign nation for no reason.
VS
Uprising in Arab nations mainly over high food costs.

There is no comparison.

And this has all happened before.

[Barnaby Jones]

It'd be a bigger deal if they didn't always do the same shit every time their soccer team lost a match.

Oh wait, that's Europe. Rugby team then maybe?

HURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

DERP-DERP-DERP!!!

Duh!!!!

[hanso]

Maybe a barter could work out. We could lower wheat prices. If they lower oil/gas.

[A.J.]

A.J.

It's clear I know a lot less about this than you do. Bahrain and Qatar are financial institutions? Jesus, don't you want to store your riches in a STABLE region. Like Switzerland? What the fuck do you do if the roof catches fire on this sumbitch? Kiss your millions goodbye?

But I kind of get it. I'm sure the region likes to keep their investments local, although lately I'm thinking that may not be such a great idea.

Also, as Homer said to Bart, "your ideas are interesting to me and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter".

Or not. Whatever. :smile:

Yeah, Bahrain especially is a banking center. They realized they had to diversify their economy after dwindling oil reserves. There are other holding companies for investment as well.

But yes, they also own stuff overseas. The Qatari Diar just bought the old U.S. Embassy in London for example and a stake in Harrod's I believe. Saudi Prince Walid bin Talal, who is one of the world's richest men through Kingdom Holding, owns or co-owns a tons of foreign companies and properties.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

I know AC is annoying but leave the guy alone


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/02/anderson-cooper-attacked-egypt-huff-post_n_817612.html

[A.J.]

I know AC is annoying but leave the guy alone


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/02/anderson-cooper-attacked-egypt-huff-post_n_817612.html

HATE CRIME!

[WRESTLINGFAN]

HATE CRIME!

He's lucky this wasn't Mecca or Tehran

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Matthews needs to learn some geography


<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4-l-asuIuXk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Does Panama have the pyramids at Geza?

[Crispy123]

He called the Suez Canal the Panama Canal? The nerve of that guy. I bet he thinks Obama was born in Hawaii.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

He called the Suez Canal the Panama Canal? The nerve of that guy. I bet he thinks Obama was born in Hawaii.

Give Lardball a break he was off only about 7000 miles

[Crispy123]

Give Lardball a break he was off only about 7000 miles

Thats almost like mistaking Iraq for Afghanistan!!!

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Thats almost like mistaking Iraq for Afghanistan!!!

Or Arabs for Pashtuns
Arabs to Persians

[Crispy123]

Thats almost like mistaking Iraq for Afghanistan!!!

Except when Mathews makes that mistake Americans don't die and the country doesn't go bankrupt.

[A.J.]

He called the Suez Canal the Panama Canal? The nerve of that guy. I bet he thinks Obama was born in Hawaii.

McCain was born in the Panama Canal -- the filthy Latino...

[WRESTLINGFAN]

McCain was born in the Panama Canal -- the filthy Latino...

So thats why he's Mr Open Borders

[Judge Smails]

Some of these protesters are real blockheads.
http://i.imgur.com/spNKr.jpg

Even the potheads there are motivated to take to the streets.
http://i.imgur.com/sW0bu.jpg

This guy needs to try and think outside the box.
http://i.imgur.com/oxwtf.jpg

This guy seems to be causing a bottleneck in the demonstration.
http://i.imgur.com/0nT6G.jpg

I don't how motivated this guy really is. He seems to just be loafing to me.
http://i.imgur.com/LaF7Y.jpg

[Dude!]

Some of these protesters are real blockheads.
http://i.imgur.com/spNKr.jpg

Even the potheads there are motivated to take to the streets.
http://i.imgur.com/sW0bu.jpg

This guy needs to try and think outside the box.
http://i.imgur.com/oxwtf.jpg

This guy seems to be causing a bottleneck in the demonstration.
http://i.imgur.com/0nT6G.jpg

I don't how motivated this guy really is. He seems to just be loafing to me.
http://i.imgur.com/LaF7Y.jpg


and yet, there are still
people who think they can
govern themselves

[hanso]

No wonder food prices are too high. They run around with bread taped to their heads.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

If the price of food is high the price of razors is thru the roof

[hanso]

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[WRESTLINGFAN]

Anyone see him in Cairo at all ?

http://img.likecinema.net/images/movie/player/Buckethead.jpg

[brettmojo]

Anyone see him in Cairo at all ?

http://img.likecinema.net/images/movie/player/Buckethead.jpg
A KFC funeral? Sounds delicious.

[sailor]

Mubarak has stepped down.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Theres no link, But on the Yahoo homepage it says he wont step down

[sailor]

AP reported he actually stepped down, not that he would later today.

[Judge Smails]

AP reported he actually stepped down, not that he would later today.

Supposedly transferred power to VP. Crowd doesn't seem too be to happy about it.

[Misteriosa]

ive been listening to the audio, but it doesnt seem like he's stepping down.
the crowd sounded like they were gonna tear everything apart with their bare hands.

during the speech, i kept hearing "dark helmet" from space balls saying "fooled you!" over and over in my head

[Judge Smails]

Shit's going down. CNN just said the crowd is ready to storm the palace and the state television station.

[Furtherman]

What the fuck is going on over there, the hokey pokey? He's in, he's out, he's in, he's out...?!

[KingModem]

Shit's going down. CNN just said the crowd is ready to storm the palace and the state television station.

I have not been this captivated by CNN since 9-11-2001. I hope they burn that fucking palace to the ground, then seize the media, then take over the military.

[Judge Smails]

What the fuck is going on over there, the hokey pokey? He's in, he's out, he's in, he's out...?!

He's waffling like an Egyptian. Whey, oh, whey, oh, wheeeeey, oh, whey, oh

[sailor]

What the fuck is going on over there, the hokey pokey? He's in, he's out, he's in, he's out...?!

It was light, it was dark, it was light...

[brettmojo]

It's going down, this is it...

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4iHW4kYn0kY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[sailor]

Btw, how do you transfer power, but not step down??

[Misteriosa]

Btw, how do you transfer power, but not step down??

i think he transferred other people's power but will wait for september to pass on leadership to someone else (when the next elections occur)

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Aris Speech, towards the end

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dzR9lTuzVjY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[sailor]

i think he transferred other people's power but will wait for september to pass on leadership to someone else (when the next elections occur)

So he didn't transfer HIS power? That's cheating!

Edit: ok, he transferred his power, but is still president. Bonkers.

[brettmojo]

BTW I love the news scroll on CNN, especially the "Lohan would accept no jail plea deal" fucking hilarious.

[Recyclerz]

Kick over the wall
Cause governments to fall
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour
Anger can be power
Do you know how you can use it?

Godspeed my Egyptian brothers and sisters

[Misteriosa]

So he didn't transfer HIS power? That's cheating!

which is why people wanna burn shit down. :smoke:

[sailor]

which is why people wanna burn shit down. :smoke:

He's gonna end up dead. Just stupid. Take your riches and just leave, idiot.

[brettmojo]

Mubarak and his vice president after his speech...

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/up4LTKxe0PA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Misteriosa]

He's gonna end up dead. Just stupid. Take your riches and just leave, idiot.


which makes me wonder if all this hype about him stepping down today was planned. he may want to be seen as a sympathetic figure in the end of it all.

leaking to the press that he would step down today and hyping up the crowd, then spewing some shit about leaving later was just plain cruel.

this is the caption to the CNN live stream

Watch now: Thousands of Egyptians packed Cairo's Tahrir Square late Thursday as President Hosni Mubarak told the nation he "will follow the track of peaceful transition until September."

[underdog]

BTW I love the news scroll on CNN, especially the "Lohan would accept no jail plea deal" fucking hilarious.

Strange, haven't seen any mentions of Lohan on my al jazeera feed yet.

[Judge Smails]

Strange, haven't seen any mentions of Lohan on my al jazeera feed yet.

CNN just had:

Lady Gaga: I have one of the greatest voices in the industry

followed by:

This is CNN the worldwide leader in news

[brettmojo]

Strange, haven't seen any mentions of Lohan on my al jazeera feed yet.

CNN just had:

Lady Gaga: I have one of the greatest voices in the industry
No wonder they hate us. :down:

[Misteriosa]

al jazeera english!

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

[underdog]

al jazeera english!

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

To be fair, one of their top news stories is "Indian & Pakistan to resume talks". That's pretty similar to Lady Gaga news.

[Zorro]

which makes me wonder if all this hype about him stepping down today was planned. he may want to be seen as a sympathetic figure in the end of it all.

leaking to the press that he would step down today and hyping up the crowd, then spewing some shit about leaving later was just plain cruel.

this is the caption to the CNN live stream


Nah...it was a plot by Glen Beck, Sarah Palin and Rupert Murdoch to make Obama look ineffectual. That was actually O'Reilly in a Mubarak mask giving the speech.

[Judge Smails]

That was actually O'Reilly in a Mubarak mask giving the speech.

Mubarak's out, Mubarak's in. Never a miscommunication. You can’t explain that.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

WHAT????



<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/POwd44zH9GA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Hours later he rescinded his comments but it doesn't take a government bureaucrat to know that the Muslim Brotherhood isn't secular

[A.J.]

Btw, how do you transfer power, but not step down??

He transferred powers to VP Umar Sulayman leaving him in office until September as a figurehead: an "elected" President finishing out his Constitutionally mandated term. And, Mubarak might argue, allows for a smoother transition. He's the titular Head of State but Sulayman has the real decision-making power. It's kind of like what Italy, Germany and Israel have: a President (figurehead) and a Prime Minister (real power).

Actually, I think Mubarak is sticking around to figure out where he stashed the billions he stole from the government's coffers.

[A.J.]

WHAT????



<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/POwd44zH9GA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Hours later he rescinded his comments but it doesn't take a government bureaucrat to know that the Muslim Brotherhood isn't secular

Proof positive why the DNI is so utterly useless.

[A.J.]

al jazeera english!

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

Best coverage going.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Muslim Brotherhood sounds like an Islamic fraternity :lol:

[brettmojo]

NA na na na... Na na na na... Hey hey hey... Yadda yadda.

[sailor]

Would you believe...now?

[A.J.]

He transferred powers to VP Umar Sulayman leaving him in office until September as a figurehead: an "elected" President finishing out his Constitutionally mandated term. And, Mubarak might argue, allows for a smoother transition. He's the titular Head of State but Sulayman has the real decision-making power. It's kind of like what Italy, Germany and Israel have: a President (figurehead) and a Prime Minister (real power).

Actually, I think Mubarak is sticking around to figure out where he stashed the billions he stole from the government's coffers.

OK - now this is OBE apparently according to Al-Jazeera.

[The Jays]

Today is a great day for the people and for democracy.

If Sharia Law is what the people want, then they shall get the law they want and ultimately deserve. That is the both the beauty and tragedy of democracy, that the will of the people may ultimately be its undoing, but that is the natural order of society, and what cannot occur is the imposition of authority by a corrupt top-down system of government; law must always be self-determined and never imposed by the weapon, the rifle, the blade, or the bomb.

The violence came from the pro-Mubarak crowd; they were paid money and provided with bottles and gasoline, and told to disrupt the protests and cause unrest. Mubarak hoped that if they incited violence, then the protestors would fight back and the military could institute martial law. The violence did not win, and this did not happen.

Anyone who claims that the protestors were violent and destructive is siding with the anti-democracy crowd.

[A.J.]

Today is a great day for the people and for democracy.

If Sharia Law is what the people want, then they shall get the law they want and ultimately deserve. That is the both the beauty and tragedy of democracy, that the will of the people may ultimately be its undoing, but that is the natural order of society, and what cannot occur is the imposition of authority by a corrupt top-down system of government; law must always be self-determined and never imposed by the weapon, the rifle, the blade, or the bomb.

The violence came from the pro-Mubarak crowd; they were paid money and provided with bottles and gasoline, and told to disrupt the protests and cause unrest. Mubarak hoped that if they incited violence, then the protestors would fight back and the military could institute martial law. The violence did not win, and this did not happen.

Anyone who claims that the protestors were violent and destructive is siding with the anti-democracy crowd.

The Tunisian "overthrow" was impressive enough but THIS is truly remarkable. Mubarak started his rule with an iron fist that began in the wake of the assassination of Anwar Sadat by Islamic extremists (among them a young Ayman Al-Zawahiri) and used it to rig elections and maintain power for 30 years. And what forced him from power? A peaceful assembly of protesters over the course of 3 weeks.

And the most interesting fact I read today? Mubarak's fall came 32 years to the day after the collapse of the shah's government in Iran.

This is very reminiscent of the fall of the Communist regimes in Eastern Europe back in 1989.

[The Jays]

I heard a guy on Fox say in one sentence, "Obama is the leader of the free world and must support its Allies," in regard to supporting current regimes in the Middle East. Somehow, we are the leaders of the free world, thus, we must support the dictatorships that like us.

[Dude!]

Somehow, we are the leaders of the free world, thus, we must support the dictatorships that like us.

which obama did
until this week

[Furtherman]

So that's why he stepped down...

http://static.someecards.com/someecards/images/feed_assets/4d5589eb4f965.jpg

[hanso]

Now they can vote in some hezbollah like entity.

[hanso]

I think the crowd wants Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan to run things.

[keithy_19]

I think the crowd wants Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan to run things.

Miley Cyrus is getting a crescent moon tattoo.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Now they can vote in some hezbollah like entity.

Hezbollah is Shi'ite Islam


If they vote soe fundamentalists, It would be the Muslim Brotherood which is Sunni

[WRESTLINGFAN]

I think the crowd wants Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan to run things.

Sheen can bring his harem of coked up pornstars to Cairo

[hanso]

Keyword like

http://www.10pix.ru/img1/1093/3507445.jpg


http://www.10pix.ru/img1/1148/3507451.jpg

[hanso]

Now they are cleaning up the place. This is the best uprising ever.

[furie]

wait, i just read a blog that said mubarak went into a coma today. did anyone hear that? odd timing

[hanso]

<object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jXLfe6y5aTo?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jXLfe6y5aTo?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="390"></embed></object>

[brettmojo]

wait, i just read a blog that said mubarak went into a coma today. did anyone hear that? odd timing
Fake.

[underdog]

Here we go (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2011/02/iran-live-blog-25-bahman-14-february.html)

[Zorro]

Here we go (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2011/02/iran-live-blog-25-bahman-14-february.html)

It worked for them so well last time. Maybe Egypt taught Obama to get in front of this stuff instead of looking inept.

[brettmojo]

Here we go (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2011/02/iran-live-blog-25-bahman-14-february.html)
Good luck bro... Bros.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Wan't all fun and games for Lara Logan


http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/02/15/133785179/cbs-news-lara-logan-was-attacked-sexually-assaulted-in-egypt

[Judge Smails]

Wan't all fun and games for Lara Logan


http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/02/15/133785179/cbs-news-lara-logan-was-attacked-sexually-assaulted-in-egypt

YOU GONNA

http://knowyourmeme.com/system/icons/5003/original/enhanced-buzz-15337-1296839148-6.jpg?1296973794

GET ROLLED

[Furtherman]

Wan't all fun and games for Lara Logan


http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/02/15/133785179/cbs-news-lara-logan-was-attacked-sexually-assaulted-in-egypt

That's terrible.

Who did those Arabs think she was, Anderson Cooper?

[Tenbatsuzen]

That's terrible.

Who did those Arabs think she was, Anderson Cooper?

yes, because gang rape is just the same as a knuckle brush.

[Furtherman]

yes, because gang rape is just the same as a knuckle brush.

I was going for the gay angle.

[disneyspy]

I was going for the gay angle.

whats new

[WRESTLINGFAN]

http://knowyourmeme.com/system/icons/5003/original/enhanced-buzz-15337-1296839148-6.jpg?1296973794





My wife's gash is this wide!!!!!!

[Jayw]

http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/33rd+Annual+Gracie+Allen+Awards+HquziwE1Hawl.jpg

Hmm I wonder why she got raped in the middle of rioting on the streets with crazy men going nuts. She should of stayed home the first time she got "sent" home Feb 2nd by Egyptian police. I feel sorry for her but not a smart place to be after you barely got away a week before. your asking for trouble taking a 2nd shot at it.

[Furtherman]

Good lord... you put that woman in a culture of sexually repressed men.....

[sailor]

I was going for the gay angle.

nice quote.

[Tenbatsuzen]

http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/33rd+Annual+Gracie+Allen+Awards+HquziwE1Hawl.jpg

Hmm I wonder why she got raped in the middle of rioting on the streets with crazy men going nuts. She should of stayed home the first time she got "sent" home Feb 2nd by Egyptian police. I feel sorry for her but not a smart place to be after you barely got away a week before. your asking for trouble taking a 2nd shot at it.

Holy fuck. Are you seriously blaming her and literally saying she had it coming? She had a security team with her. They took precautions. The situation got out of control. Especially since they thought at the time the violence was over.

[keithy_19]

Holy fuck. Are you seriously blaming her and literally saying she had it coming? She had a security team with her. They took precautions. The situation got out of control. Especially since they thought at the time the violence was over.

Come on, man. We all know good looking women should never be journalists or go any place where things can get out of hand.

[underdog]

Come on, man. We all know good looking women should never be journalists or go any place where things can get out of hand.

Women can't be journalists, silly. That's a job.

[Jayw]

Holy fuck. Are you seriously blaming her and literally saying she had it coming? She had a security team with her. They took precautions. The situation got out of control. Especially since they thought at the time the violence was over.

Of course the getting assaulted part isn't her fault. But after reading the article it seemed ridiculous that after being forced home once she then decides to return to a very turbulent place. The situation was already out of control, just add an attractive white girl in the middle of it and see what happens. Mob mentality is a scary thing.

I guess if this was suppose to be when the violence was over I could see that making more sense. Being bombarded with images over cnn the past two weeks just put a sense of chaos in my mind.

[keithy_19]

Women can't be journalists, silly. That's a job.

Are you calling me a woman?

[Tenbatsuzen]

I guess if this was suppose to be when the violence was over I could see that making more sense. Being bombarded with images over cnn the past two weeks just put a sense of chaos in my mind.

The gang rape happened after Mubarak stepped down (for real). There was a ton of celebrating going on.

[Jayw]

The gang rape happened after Mubarak stepped down (for real). There was a ton of celebrating going on.

To be honest that is when mob mentality can be just as bad. world series wins/Canadian hockey riots. but getting raped, even gang rape, is never a good thing in my book. a series of unfortunate choices.

[hanso]

It worked for them so well last time. Maybe Egypt taught Obama to get in front of this stuff instead of looking inept.

He should leave the cock waving to the right.

[A.J.]

Wan't all fun and games for Lara Logan


http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/02/15/133785179/cbs-news-lara-logan-was-attacked-sexually-assaulted-in-egypt

That never would have happened to Christiane Amanpour.

[Judge Smails]

That never would have happened to Christiane Amanpour.

Or Candy Crowley.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pYovFsEL26U/SYJ0Pqeg-LI/AAAAAAAAHr8/23FgjgKl9No/s400/CandyCrowley_360_20081107_01.jpg

[Philly Franko]

It is Not safe for anyone in these 3rd world Cunt ries...there is NO Story to be told...we do not need 7 different news?entertainment stations trying to be the 1 with a scoop...GreaT sECURITY she should not of been there...or had a few Uzis to protect them all....

[underdog]

It is Not safe for anyone in these 3rd world Cunt ries...there is NO Story to be told...we do not need 7 different news?entertainment stations trying to be the 1 with a scoop...GreaT sECURITY she should not of been there...or had a few Uzis to protect them all....

I don't think Egypt is a 3rd world country.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Amy Goodman would have fended off those hooligans


http://media.independent.com/img/photos/2008/04/28/Amy_Goodman_t479.jpg?6626f76dcd72edc2e28f46812c702 6450162bdb2

[brettmojo]

Or Candy Crowley.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pYovFsEL26U/SYJ0Pqeg-LI/AAAAAAAAHr8/23FgjgKl9No/s400/CandyCrowley_360_20081107_01.jpg
Are you kidding? She would have been the aggressor in that situation. Like Meg in that Family Guy episode when there were robbers in the house.

[A.J.]

Looks like Gadhafi is going out scorched earth-style. There are reports of air strikes against protesters and several Libyan diplomats have resigned over what they called "genocide".

[Dude!]

Looks like Gadhafi is going out scorched earth-style. There are reports of air strikes against protesters and several Libyan diplomats have resigned over what they called "genocide".

apparently, he is on his
way to Venezuala

Joe Kennedy will be there
to greet the plane

[sailor]

trying to see what's going on in libya, looks like voice of america has been hacked by some islamic group.

http://www.voanews.com/index.1.jpg

[CaptainBlowhole]

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20110221/i/r4066849360.jpg?x=249&y=345&q=85&sig=Tgnb4Ci7W0MXuEzVD7ez4w-- Again with the shoe thing

[keithy_19]

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20110221/i/r4066849360.jpg?x=249&y=345&q=85&sig=Tgnb4Ci7W0MXuEzVD7ez4w-- Again with the shoe thing

Quick, someone alert Rex Ryan!

[hanso]

It's like a dunking booth.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

apparently, he is on his
way to Venezuala

Joe Kennedy will be there
to greet the plane

Sean Penn and Oliver Stone will have another guy to hang out with

[Recyclerz]

Brutal images of what Qaddafi is doing to the people of Libya (http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-22/libya-protests-shocking-photos-and-video/?cid=hp:mainpromo1)

I sure hope this sociopath goes out the way of Mussolini and Ceausescu and doesn't get a free pass to Saudi Arabia or somewhere.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

How many different spellings Qaddafi are there? Ive seen Khadafy, Khaddafy, Qaddafi, Khadafi

[foodcourtdruide]

This whole story seems incredibly fucking bizarre to me now:
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1194766,00.html

[underdog]

How many different spellings Qaddafi are there? Ive seen Khadafy, Khaddafy, Qaddafi, Khadafi

Lots (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muammar_al-Gaddafi#Name)

[King Imp]

This better get resolved fast, otherwise we'll be looking at $5 a gallon soon. :down:

[Crash]

This better get resolved fast, otherwise we'll be looking at $5 a gallon soon. :down:

Tom Friedman agrees with you...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/23/opinion/23friedman.html


The report stated that the Arab world is suffering from three huge deficits — a deficit of education, a deficit of freedom and a deficit of women’s empowerment. A summary of the report in Middle East Quarterly in the Fall of 2002 detailed the key evidence: the gross domestic product of the entire Arab world combined was less than that of Spain. Per capita expenditure on education in Arab countries dropped from 20 percent of that in industrialized countries in 1980 to 10 percent in the mid-1990s. In terms of the number of scientific papers per unit of population, the average output of the Arab world per million inhabitants was roughly 2 percent of that of an industrialized country.

When the report was compiled, the Arab world translated about 330 books annually, one-fifth of the number that Greece did. Out of seven world regions, the Arab countries had the lowest freedom score in the late 1990s in the rankings of Freedom House. At the dawn of the 21st century, the Arab world had more than 60 million illiterate adults, the majority of whom were women.

Yemen could be the first country in the world to run out of water within 10 years.

This is the vaunted “stability” all these dictators provided — the stability of societies frozen in time.

[Sinestro]

I'm reading that now he's blaming Bin Laden for the unrest. Is that shit for real?

[Tenbatsuzen]

So once Libya's done, who's next? Jordan? Does the Middle East Revisionist tour have it's final stop in Tehran?

[StanUpshaw]

So once Libya's done, who's next? Jordan? Does the Middle East Revisionist tour have it's final stop in Tehran?

Dearborn, MI

[Crash]

So once Libya's done, who's next? Jordan? Does the Middle East Revisionist tour have it's final stop in Tehran?

Maybe. But read the Friedman OpEd. Whatever happens is probably not going to be good for the region or the world for a long time, if ever. The Middle East is hopelessly unprepared for this to have a positive outcome - at least in the short term.

[Crispy123]

This better get resolved fast, otherwise we'll be looking at $5 a gallon soon. :down:

I filled up today. That shit went up 25c since last time!

[Jayw]

I filled up today. That shit went up 25c since last time!

I think I might be downgrading to regular, fuck what the manual says. 3.49 now wtfffff for st.louis that is unheard of

[underdog]

I think I might be downgrading to regular, fuck what the manual says. 3.49 now wtfffff for st.louis that is unheard of

I moved to Canada and immediately switched to the cheapest stuff (which isn't cheap).

[midwestjeff]

I moved to Canada and immediately switched to the cheapest stuff (which isn't cheap).

Fucking draft-dodger!

[underdog]

Fucking draft-dodger!

Indeed.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

I moved to Canada and immediately switched to the cheapest stuff (which isn't cheap).

How much per liter up there?

[midwestjeff]

How much per liter up there?

One liter costs about three chickens but if you catch a guy
at the right time you can get a full tank for a sack of flour and
ten minutes with either your wife or your goat.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

One liter costs about three chickens but if you catch a guy
at the right time you can get a full tank for a sack of flour and
ten minutes with either your wife or your goat.

Toronto has changed a lot

[underdog]

How much per liter up there?

Uh... $1.25, maybe? Or $1.13? I don't really pay attention and the last time I put gas in my car was in Buffalo.

Oh, apparently it's $1.20 a liter here.

[PapaBear]

Uh... $1.25, maybe? Or $1.13? I don't really pay attention and the last time I put gas in my car was in Buffalo.

Oh, apparently it's $1.20 a liter here.
American cars only burn gallons.

[Judge Smails]

I hear they sell the litres in plastic bags. Crazy, amirite?

[underdog]

I hear they sell the litres in plastic bags. Crazy, amirite?

They charge $0.05 for every plastic bag up here. And they don't have heavy cream.

[Dude!]

And they don't have heavy cream.

they have it

they just hide it from you

[A.J.]

So once Libya's done, who's next? Jordan? Does the Middle East Revisionist tour have it's final stop in Tehran?

My guess would be Yemen. Not only do they want President-for-Life Salih out, but there have been tribal battles going on there for years. Combine that with the fact that it's the poorest country on the Arabian peninsula and you've got quite a powderkeg.

Jordan pretty much likes the monarchy and King Abdallah has fired the old government weeks ago.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

My guess would be Yemen. Not only do they want President-for-Life Salih out, but there have been tribal battles going on there for years. Combine that with the fact that it's the poorest country on the Arabian peninsula and you've got quite a powderkeg.

Jordan pretty much likes the monarchy and King Abdallah has fired the old government weeks ago.




In Jordan, is the king a Hashemite? I think most of the population are Palistineans

[A.J.]

In Jordan, is the king a Hashemite? I think most of the population are Palistineans

There was an interesting Washington Post op-ed about that the other day. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/22/AR2011022204152.html)

[WRESTLINGFAN]

It gets crazier by the day


http://www.businessinsider.com/10-craziest-gaddafi-momentseccentricities-2011-2

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Is this a prelude of post Mubarek Egypt?


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110309/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt

[Furtherman]

Is this a prelude of post Mubarek Egypt?


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110309/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt

Images of solidarity as Christians join hands to protect Muslims as they pray during Cairo protests (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1353330/Egypt-protests-Christians-join-hands-protect-Muslims-pray-Cairo-protests.html#ixzz1G7d0BTNT)

Muslims turned up in droves for the Coptic Christmas mass Thursday night, offering their bodies, and lives, as “shields” to Egypt’s threatened Christian community (http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/3365.aspx)

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Images of solidarity as Christians join hands to protect Muslims as they pray during Cairo protests (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1353330/Egypt-protests-Christians-join-hands-protect-Muslims-pray-Cairo-protests.html#ixzz1G7d0BTNT)

Muslims turned up in droves for the Coptic Christmas mass Thursday night, offering their bodies, and lives, as “shields” to Egypt’s threatened Christian community (http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/3365.aspx)

Kudos to them for that

The crux of the matter is that Christians arent destroying mosques and killing Muslims

I love how they call it a "muslim-christian clash" like they're fighting each other and are both instigating. there's no clash when it's one-sided. christians are being attacked and persecuted and no one gives a damn.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Just following Sharia Law

http://www.lohud.com/article/20110309/NEWS05/103090354/Wife-beheading-Upstate-TV-exec-sentenced-25-life?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

I didnt hear anything out of Glria Steinem or the hags at NOW. Hell, Its womens history month. Theyre bellyaching that women don't get paid as much

[Furtherman]

christians are being attacked and persecuted and no one gives a damn.

The muslims that protected that church do.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

The muslims that protected that church do.

And I said that was noble of them.


However the rest of the world is silent on this, but when some dopey Pastor wants to burn a Koran for attention or when it allegedly gets flushed down the crapper in Gitmo the news outlets make it a major story, and the 7th century animals go insane.

[A.J.]

The Saudi "Day of Rage" was scheduled for this Friday. However, the government has banned demonstrations as being un-Islamic:

“Laws and regulations in the Kingdom totally prohibit all kinds of demonstrations, marches and sit-in protests as well as calling for them as they go against the principles of Shariah and Saudi customs and traditions,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement. The ministry said such demonstrations not only breach the Kingdom’s law and order but also encroach on the rights of others.

“They will also lead to spreading chaos and confusion in the country, causing bloodshed, breaching honor, pillaging wealth and destroying public and private properties,” (http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article302393.ece)

The Saudis DO make the argument that they have weekly majlises (meetings) where the public can speak directly to the King, Governors, Ministers about any grievances.

It'll be interesting to see what happens Friday.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Wouldnt it be even more un Islamic since Fridays are their Salat AlJumu'ah.

[Furtherman]

And I said that was noble of them.

... and then you said "no one gives a damn".

Well, someone does give a damn. And it's much more than you think, or care to find out about, unless your the type that believe that there is a war on Christmas because one town takes down a manger. Then it must be happening everywhere!!

[WRESTLINGFAN]

... and then you said "no one gives a damn".

Well, someone does give a damn. And it's much more than you think, or care to find out about, unless your the type that believe that there is a war on Christmas because one town takes down a manger. Then it must be happening everywhere!!

I dont fall into the Bill O Reilly school of thought on that.

[A.J.]

Wouldnt it be even more un Islamic since Fridays are their Salat AlJumu'ah.

All of these protests (Egypt, Bahrain, Oman, etc.) started on Fridays after noon prayers.

[Furtherman]

I dont fall into the Bill O Reilly school of thought on that.

This might get line of the day.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

All of these protests (Egypt, Bahrain, Oman, etc.) started on Fridays after noon prayers.

True, but Egypt was more tolerant / liberal (saying that loosely) than Saudi Arabia in regards to its population I mean that Egypt has a coptic christian minority, plus Mecca is in Saudi Arabia. If I am correct all other religions are banned in Saudi Im not too sure about Bahrain and Oman. Are they as Draconian as the Saudis?

Is Bahrian the country with a Shia monarch and Sunni population?

[A.J.]

If I am correct all other religions are banned in Saudi Im not too sure about Bahrain and Oman. Are they as Draconian as the Saudis?

Yes. Islam only in Saudi Arabia. But Bahrain has churches, synagogues and temples. Oman is laid back too because they're Ibadi muslims -- different from Sunni and Shia.

Is Bahrian the country with a Shia monarch and Sunni population?

Other way around.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Bahrain could get interesting I think the 5th fleet is HQ there.


Haven't heard that much about Qatar, I know theres a centcom F.O.B. in Doha

If I recall, you spent a lot of time in the mideast correct? Just out of curiosity whats the correct way to say Qatar is it "Cutter" or "Kah-tar". Ive heard both pronunciations.

[A.J.]

The "proper" way is "CUT-tar". I go by the commercial.

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dwSV0Fewy6k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

"CAT-tar" and "Cutter" are also acceptable.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

The "proper" way is "CUT-tar". I go by the commercial.

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dwSV0Fewy6k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

"CAT-tar" and "Cutter" are also acceptable.

If their flight attendants are as hot as the ones on Emirates. Im in!!!!

[WRESTLINGFAN]

This might get line of the day.

Nah, This is


WE'LL DO IT LIVE!!!!!

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jjdkhUDZnts" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[A.J.]

If their flight attendants are as hot as the ones on Emirates. Im in!!!!

They're not bad -- but Qantas is hard to beat.

[Judge Smails]

Another one bites the dust (http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/23/yemens-president-agrees-to-resign-official-says/)

[A.J.]

Yeah, the GCC was really putting the pressure on him. Once Saleh lost their support, it was over.

[sailor]

Khadaffy's youngest son killed by NATO missle strike. Khaddafy himself survives the attack.

[A.J.]

Good show NATO!

[Crash]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-01/u-k-italian-embassies-in-tripoli-attacked-after-nato-assault-on-qaddafi.html

We're bombing the shit out of a nation...why would we still have our citizens there?

[hanso]

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This tea bag lady says 30k were standing around at the time and are no more.

[Crash]

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This tea bag lady says 30k were standing around at the time and are no more.

She didn't even know who she was quoting. She said it was the Libyan Ambassador. Turns out is was the US Ambassador to Libya and that she misquoted him.

BUT...she brought up one good point that I've been wondering about in EVERY country across North Africa and the Middle East where this is happening. Do we know that he rebel forces that are challenging the established governments are going to be more democratic? I haven't heard of one individual in any of these countries that has moved to the opposition forefront. That's a little scary. Are we paving the way for Hezbollah and Al-Qeda?

As usual, I need A.J. on the job here...I need to know what to think. :huh:

[A.J.]

As usual, I need A.J. on the job here...I need to know what to think. :huh:

We pulled our folks out of Libya a while back.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

We dont like people dating others not like our kind


http://apnews.myway.com/article/20110508/D9N371S00.html

[Recyclerz]

A horrific example of the brutality that the Assad regime in Syria will descend to in order to terrorize their own population back into submission.

Hamza al-Khateeb (http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2011/05/the-evil-in-damascus.html)

The link is to Andrew Sullivan' blog which contains a description of the bestial things done to a 13 year-old kid by the Syrian regime, which then sent the body back to his family. Sullivan's post contains a link to a YouTube video showing his body which is not pleasant.

Other than to bear witness and to put the Assad regime on the list of those guilty of crimes against humanity I'm not sure what we can do. It is important to understand the bravery of those people rising against these types of brutal dictatorships and to figure out what we can do to stand with them.

[A.J.]

Bashir Al-Assad is a scumbag like his father and an idiot who never was meant to succeed him. The Baathists in Syria are cut from the same cloth as those that were in Iraq,

[Crash]

While at this point it seems like a long-shot, could the unrest in Syria spill over into Turkey?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13737946

Of particular concern is the possibility of unrest in the Kurdish areas of Syria spilling over, and igniting trouble among Turkey's restive Kurdish minority. President Assad has offered Syrian Kurds autonomy, and he invited Kurdish leaders for a meeting in Damascus right after the opposition meeting in Antalya, a pointed reminder to the Turkish government of the trouble Syria could cause if relations between the two countries break down.

Thirteen years ago they came close to war over the Syrian backing then for the Kurdish insurgent movement, the PKK. It was the withdrawal of that backing that allowed the Turkish armed forces to isolate the PKK, and capture its leader Abdullah Ocalan. Tension in the Kurdish region of Turkey is higher than it has been for many years, with the Turkish government sticking to its hard-line rejection of any dialogue with the PKK.

Losing Syrian co-operation over the Kurds is a significant price Turkey may have to pay for the fast-changing political environment in the Middle East, along with the potential loss of its recently-won commercial gains.

If this happens, it will be the first democratic government to face such fallout from the region's unrest.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Egypts new PM is going to have more powers than the military rulers. So is this the democracy the gullible Obama administration wanted?

[PapaBear]

Egypts new PM is going to have more powers than the military rulers. So is this the democracy the gullible Obama administration wanted?
Can you give some details about this, or are you just saying shit that sounds good in your head?

[Kevin]

Can you give some details about this, or are you just saying shit that sounds good in your head?

Do you even need an answer, Wonderdog?

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Can you give some details about this, or are you just saying shit that sounds good in your head?

Heres to to Democracy


http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2011-11-25/egypt-cabinet/51393332/1


As usual our government steps in it , then we wonder why everything we get involved with turns to shit.

[PapaBear]

See how easy that was? I have no interest in the story, so I didn't read it. I just fucking hate it when people make editorial comments, without leaving any clue as to what they are talking about. Carry on.

[spoon]

See how easy that was? I have no interest in the story, so I didn't read it. I just fucking hate it when people make editorial comments, without leaving any clue as to what they are talking about. Carry on.

indeed

[PapaBear]

indeed
citation needed

[spoon]

citation needed

Here you go, pretty much everything you needed to know about WF in one nicely wrapped up chorus.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-Aj9_8t1eQc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[StanUpshaw]

So does WF never post sources, or is he an RSS feed?

You can't have it both ways.

[spoon]

So does WF never post sources, or is he an RSS feed?

You can't have it both ways.

Yah I sure can, since PB was saying WF posts links with no real rundown on what that link (RSS feed) contains outside of some off comment remark usually ripping Obama or the left.

I never really asked for sources, and neither did PB in the end if you read the last few posts. It was a joke post to me just fucking around with a loose tie in. Again, zzzzzzzzz.

[StanUpshaw]

You're a regular Mitch Hedberg.

[PapaBear]

Yah I sure can, since PB was saying WF posts links with no real rundown...
Actually, I was saying he posts comments about stuff, with NO links at all to explain what he's commenting about.

Example:
Egypts new PM is going to have more powers than the military rulers. So is this the democracy the gullible Obama administration wanted?

This was the first post in this thread since June. He just threw that up there. No links to any stories explaining what the fuck he was talking about.

There's a few people who do this (not just about politics), but I can't think of who any of them are. I think it happens occasionally in posts about people dying, for instance.

[spoon]

well say what you want of WF's sanity, but he surely does put plenty of links with his posts

[PapaBear]

well say what you want of WF's sanity, but he surely does put plenty of links with his posts
I wouldn't know. I don't follow his work. I just stumbled across that one.

[keithy_19]

There's a few people who do this (not just about politics), but I can't think of who any of them are. I think it happens occasionally in posts about people dying, for instance.

Sorry. (http://keithradzion.wordpress.com/)

[PapaBear]

Sorry. (http://keithradzion.wordpress.com/)
DICK!:furious:

[spoon]

Yah, he got me too this time. Bravo!

[keithy_19]

:innocent:

[cougarjake13]

Here you go, pretty much everything you needed to know about WF in one nicely wrapped up chorus.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-Aj9_8t1eQc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

dont remember that one


must came after i tapped out of N.I.N.

[spoon]

dont remember that one


must came after i tapped out of N.I.N.

That's too bad, bc NIN only continued to put out great stuff and ghosts is nothing but instrumental and fucking unreal.

[A.J.]

That's too bad, bc NIN only continued to put out great stuff and ghosts is nothing but instrumental and fucking unreal.

Miss GrlNiN.

[hanso]

well say what you want of WF's sanity, but he surely does put plenty of links with his posts

Not many that have prompted me to go to however.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Maybe people will have 2nd opinions on the Arab spring, in Egypts case that is


http://news.yahoo.com/troops-kill-3-protesters-cairos-tahrir-square-112824339.html

[WRESTLINGFAN]

In Egypt the Widowers cock isnt the only thing thats stiff
So the Husband can stick it in her box before she goes in a box
Since shes already horizontal


http://in.news.yahoo.com/egypts-farewell-intercourse-law-allowing-sex-dead-wives-065447484.html

[A.J.]

"Kinky!"

http://affordablehousinginstitute.org/blogs/us/wp-content/uploads/heldey_lamarr.jpg

[hanso]

Womens sure seem to get screwed over in that region.

[A.J.]

Womens sure seem to get screwed over in that region.

Not really. The same law makes it OK for a woman have sex with her dead husband.

[hanso]

Not really. The same law makes it OK for a woman have sex with her dead husband.

Well then things are looking 'up'.

[hanso]

In Egypt the Widowers cock isnt the only thing thats stiff
So the Husband can stick it in her box before she goes in a box
Since shes already horizontal


http://in.news.yahoo.com/egypts-farewell-intercourse-law-allowing-sex-dead-wives-065447484.html

False

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Backchannels/2012/0426/Egypt-necrophilia-law-Hooey-utter-hooey?cmpid=addthis_email#

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Fucking a dead woman is not sanctioned but beating her to death is still encouraged by the Muslim brotherhood