When a million+ people decide to protest against their government it is unrealistic to believe that it can be orderly in the usual sense. The changes that the Egyptian people want can't happen as long the old regime hangs on. Their influence will continue to interfere with progress. The cry for "orderly transition" is narrowly defined. It's more realistic to anticipate uncertainty and deal with things as they happen. Hoping for a peaceful change is much like an 'amicable divorce'. If people could be amicable, they wouldn't be getting divorced. The Egyptian people are not ready to accept the terms they've been offered. We should respect that. The Egyptian people want the support of the American people. It's not alot to ask.
I too, was shocked to learn that he will most likely stay on for the transition. But he has been abandoned by so may people, including his own son. Who can he trust? There are also constitutional impediments to his resignation. Apparently there is no provision for an interim leader between presidents. I still believe that the Egyptian people will find a way. They've paid a high price.
Defining the uprising and comparing it to events of the past is an interesting exercise in analyzing the specific type of uprising taking place in Egypt. But in fact it is different. The ability to communicate has changed the game and the people have a slight advantage. They have access to almost the entire world. The leaders have the same technology but it does not afford them the same advantage. They behave the same way threatened leaders have always behaved. The protestors benefit more from the ability to communicate. My hope is that it keeps the people unified and able to maintain their original purpose. Highjacking the revolution to serve other purposes is possible. The longer it goes on the worse it will get. Concessions are made and there are attempts to reconcile. Deals are cut but not meant to be kept. Before we define what's happening, let us hope that it works.
What's in a name? The Tea Party is first and foremost mean and selfish. Given that, anything is possible. I think they would favor a religious affiliation because they would have protection under the Constitution. After that, the politics of it all is easy. Money talks.
Having watched Europe fall to Communism only to eventually tire of it gives me faith in the Egyptian people. There's something amazing about people when they decide they've had enough. It's so much easier and less messy to "do what you're told". But something happens and historically the people prevail. Oh, there's always the next thing waiting to happen but that too will be dealt with. The politics of it all is obvious, but the actions of the people is a far more interesting study. I continue to wish them well. Thank you Juan Cole for your excellent coverage.
I always believed that the people of Iraq should have been left to overthrow Saddam Hussein. He was clearly a dictator whose time was up. One the run, careful to sleep in a different place each night, tired looking. It was just a matter of time. This is messy and the people of Egypt are paying dearly, but it's on their terms. Mubarek's choice won't last long. It's a pathetic attempt to preserve the status quo. I hope some of the older people of Egypt remember when Communism fell in Hungary and Poland. The people took their countries back without political bargaining and interference. I wish them well.
Since the 2000 Supreme Court appointment of George Bush to the presidency, there has been very little objection to anything, including two wars. We were kept in line by something called the "Patriot Act". It shredded the Constitution. "Torture is illegal". "We do not torture". That's B.S. Yes, we do. From a local level on up to Pvt. Manning. Always the same obstacle. Define torture. Funny thing, until Bush, Cheney, Yoo and Co. took over we all seemed to know what torture is. Now suddenly it requires a definition which John Yoo will immediately discredit. We've become the land of Walmart Stores and Whoppers. People have become shallow and indifferent. What's really sad is the huge numbers of people who have no idea who Private Manning is. Government meets with very little resistance. But it is encouraging to see small but effective groups popping up to prove that we're still out there.
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When a million+ people decide to protest against their government it is unrealistic to believe that it can be orderly in the usual sense. The changes that the Egyptian people want can't happen as long the old regime hangs on. Their influence will continue to interfere with progress. The cry for "orderly transition" is narrowly defined. It's more realistic to anticipate uncertainty and deal with things as they happen. Hoping for a peaceful change is much like an 'amicable divorce'. If people could be amicable, they wouldn't be getting divorced. The Egyptian people are not ready to accept the terms they've been offered. We should respect that. The Egyptian people want the support of the American people. It's not alot to ask.
I too, was shocked to learn that he will most likely stay on for the transition. But he has been abandoned by so may people, including his own son. Who can he trust? There are also constitutional impediments to his resignation. Apparently there is no provision for an interim leader between presidents. I still believe that the Egyptian people will find a way. They've paid a high price.
Defining the uprising and comparing it to events of the past is an interesting exercise in analyzing the specific type of uprising taking place in Egypt. But in fact it is different. The ability to communicate has changed the game and the people have a slight advantage. They have access to almost the entire world. The leaders have the same technology but it does not afford them the same advantage. They behave the same way threatened leaders have always behaved. The protestors benefit more from the ability to communicate. My hope is that it keeps the people unified and able to maintain their original purpose. Highjacking the revolution to serve other purposes is possible. The longer it goes on the worse it will get. Concessions are made and there are attempts to reconcile. Deals are cut but not meant to be kept. Before we define what's happening, let us hope that it works.
What's in a name? The Tea Party is first and foremost mean and selfish. Given that, anything is possible. I think they would favor a religious affiliation because they would have protection under the Constitution. After that, the politics of it all is easy. Money talks.
Excellent article. I plan to read the book.
Having watched Europe fall to Communism only to eventually tire of it gives me faith in the Egyptian people. There's something amazing about people when they decide they've had enough. It's so much easier and less messy to "do what you're told". But something happens and historically the people prevail. Oh, there's always the next thing waiting to happen but that too will be dealt with. The politics of it all is obvious, but the actions of the people is a far more interesting study. I continue to wish them well. Thank you Juan Cole for your excellent coverage.
FOX doesn't know how to report "Real News". I've always regarded them as entertainers. They reduce everything to suit their own style.
Isaac, not to over simplify but "Old habits die hard". Mubarak probably thinks he having a bad dream.
I always believed that the people of Iraq should have been left to overthrow Saddam Hussein. He was clearly a dictator whose time was up. One the run, careful to sleep in a different place each night, tired looking. It was just a matter of time. This is messy and the people of Egypt are paying dearly, but it's on their terms. Mubarek's choice won't last long. It's a pathetic attempt to preserve the status quo. I hope some of the older people of Egypt remember when Communism fell in Hungary and Poland. The people took their countries back without political bargaining and interference. I wish them well.
Since the 2000 Supreme Court appointment of George Bush to the presidency, there has been very little objection to anything, including two wars. We were kept in line by something called the "Patriot Act". It shredded the Constitution. "Torture is illegal". "We do not torture". That's B.S. Yes, we do. From a local level on up to Pvt. Manning. Always the same obstacle. Define torture. Funny thing, until Bush, Cheney, Yoo and Co. took over we all seemed to know what torture is. Now suddenly it requires a definition which John Yoo will immediately discredit. We've become the land of Walmart Stores and Whoppers. People have become shallow and indifferent. What's really sad is the huge numbers of people who have no idea who Private Manning is. Government meets with very little resistance. But it is encouraging to see small but effective groups popping up to prove that we're still out there.