Uprising in Egypt; Update: Mubarak, Barack speak/spin; video added; White House releases leadership photo
An iconic Egyptian protest image reminiscent of Tiananmen Square, via the Telegraph…
And another iconic photo via Twitpic (click on photo for full size)…
They’re calling it “Angry Friday.” Protesters in Egypt may have been cut off from the Internet, but information will always find a way to free itself. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is presiding over a violent crackdown against opponents who have joined a region-wide revolt against autocracy:
As night fell and the government announced a curfew, protesters showed no signs of letting up in Cairo and other Egyptian cities on Friday as tens of thousands intensified their campaign to oust President Hosni Mubarak, pouring from mosques after noon prayers and clashing with police who fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons.
The curfew went into effect at 6 p.m. security officials said, and CNN said that President Mubarak was expected to deliver a televised address.
The protests came after weeks of turmoil across the Arab world that toppled one leader in Tunisia and encouraged protesters to overcome deep-rooted fears of their autocratic leaders and take to the streets. But Egypt is a special case — a heavyweight in Middle East diplomacy, in part because of its peace treaty with Israel, and a key ally of the United States. The country, often the fulcrum on which currents in the region turn, also has one of the largest and most sophisticated security forces in the Middle East.
In what protesters called a “day of wrath,” a crowd of at least 10,000 people moved east from Cairo’s Mohandeseen neighborhood, trying to reach the central Tahrir Square that has been an epicenter of protest. The demonstrations were on a scale far beyond anything in the memory of most residents.
Over the years, I’ve chronicled the critical role that Egyptian bloggers have played in the freedom movement (see here here here here here here). They will not and cannot be silenced for long.
Video of the brutal shooting murder of one peaceful protester:
Via Allahpundit: The Egyptian ruling party’s headquarters are in Cairo after massive protests . He adds: “In Iran, however, the media is as pleased as can be by what’s happening. The end of Mubarak means the end of the cold peace between Egypt and Israel in all likelihood, plus lots of new arms smuggled to Iran’s proxy in Gaza. What’s not to like? And speaking of cold peace, there are now reports of small protests breaking out … in Jordan.”
***
Defying the Internet blackout, information-seekers in Egypt have found a way to circumvent the ban, via WaPo:
Despite the blackout on most Internet servers, there are still people able to access the web. PC World reports that Noor Data Networks, a provider used by the Egyptian Stock Exchange, is unaffected. Some users are subverting the ban by using dial-up access that reroutes them through other countries. Others are relying on virtual private networks, or VPNs, that mask the location of Internet access. CNN links to Kristian Johansson’s Facebook page where she has uploaded photographs of the riots, supposedly through a VPN.
***
Update: Mubarak addressed the nation around midnight, Egyptian time, and announced plans to have everyone under him resign.
Obama delivered his own do-as-I-say remarks, calling on Mubarak to listen to his nation’s people, keep his promises, and enact reforms.
Here’s spinmeister David Axelrod patting his boss on the back for more post-achievement achievement — Axelrod: President Obama Has “On Several Occasions Directly Confronted” Mubarak on Human Rights for the Past 2 Years “To Get Ahead of This”.
Lori Ziganto retorts: “Obama: ‘Governments must listen to their people’ – or call them racist tea baggers. Either one.”
The White House: “All Governments Must Maintain Power through Consent, Not Coercion”.
We’ll remember that.
***
Fresh on Flickr, the LEADERSHIP photo-op:
At least he kept his foot off the desk this time.
President Barack Obama talks on the phone with President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt in the Oval Office, Jan. 28, 2011. Vice President Joe Biden listens at left, and the President’s National Security team confer in the background. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
***
GOP Rep. Thaddeus McCotter illuminates the underlying concerns about events in Egypt:
hough many will be tempted to superficially interpret the Egyptian demonstrations as an uprising for populist democracy, they must recall how such similar initial views of the 1979 Iranian Revolution were belied by the mullahs’ radical jackbooted murderers, who remain bent upon grasping regional hegemony and nuclear weaponry.
In this crisis, the American people deserve candor and action from President Obama, and President Hosni Mubarak and General Tantwai.
This is not a nostalgic “anti-colonial uprising” from within, of all places, the land of Nassar. Right now, freedom’s radicalized enemies are subverting Egypt and other our allies.
Inexcusably, this crisis has been hastened and exacerbated by the U.S. Administration’s refusal to whole-heartedly embrace Iran’s truly democratic 2009 Green Revolution. Make no mistake: strategically and cynically, freedom’s radicalized enemy is exploiting a real religion to undermine liberty and true reform just as Soviet communism posed as a secular creed to obtain the same illegitimate ends.
If we fail to meet today’s enemy on the same determined, principled terms, we will too late awake in a nightmare world. But, if today’s enemy is steadfastly met and bested, liberty and the rule of law will be unleashed for millions throughout the world.
This is the crisis; such are the stakes; and I stand ready to assist President Obama in the pursuit of of a policy that defends our invaluable ally; and advances Eyptians’ inalienable, peaceful aspirations.
Ambassador John Bolton on the stakes:
I think what’s clearly happened today [in Egypt] is that the Muslim Brotherhood, the radical Islamist party in Egypt has called its supporters into the street. I don’t think it was present on the first two or three days.
I think after the Friday prayers the Brotherhood brought its people out. That’s why the protests are even more extensive today. That constitutes no doubt about it a direct threat to the military government, and I think the failure of the other security forces to bring the demonstrations under control also now explains the presence of the military.
Let me be clear here, this is not just the Mubarak-family government. The military has ruled Egypt since Gamal Nasser and they over through King Farook.
It’s the military that is the real government and they are not going to go peacefully.
I think the question is whether and to what extent the Muslim Brotherhood and radical Islamists have infiltrated the leadership. If the military holds firm it’s entirely possible, although bloody, that the government can hold onto power. That doesn’t necessarily mean Mubarak will be in power, but the military will be, and I think that is why this contrast makes it so important for people to understand, this is not a choice between the Mubarak government on one hand, and sweetness and light, Jeffersonian democracy on the other.
I don’t think we have evidence yet that these demonstrations are necessarily about democracy. You know the old saying, “one person, one vote, one time.” The Muslim Brotherhood doesn’t care about democracy, if they get into power you’re not going to have free and fair elections either.
And I think there is substantial reason, for example, to worry the minority Coptic Christian population, about 10% of the population will be very worried if the Muslim Brotherhood came to power.
Let’s be clear what the stakes are for the United States. We have an authoritarian regime in power that has been our ally. We don’t know at this point what the real alternatives are.
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The stuff is hitting the fan, meanwhile no word from “Foggy Bottom” or the CIC, of any consequence.
People want freedom to thrive, so this must be stopped, doesn’t fit the agenda.
If this spreads across the middle east and Islamists take over, we are in serious trouble.
On behalf of the rest of America, I want to thank Obama for chasing those oil platforms out of the Gulf and into Egypt just in time to fall into the hands of our enemies.
I’m sure that Obama factored into his calculus that is a shortage of oil platforms in the world. Hey, national security isn’t everything.
Gosh this is really horrible. If Egypt gets taken over by radical rop type, what will happen to the suez canal if it is close off? What will happen with Israel? It seems bho and team have their heads in the sand about what to do. They want to let those rioting be able to do so if it is ‘peaceful’, whatever the heck that means!
L
Here is the concern expressed from the Puppet Bunker:
“Very concerned about violence in Egypt – government must respect the rights of the Egyptian people & turn on social networking and internet”
The question is who will step in to fill the power vacuum?
This is exactly why the US president should not have an internet or cell phone kill switch. If the people wish to protest, or even revolt, it’s the right of the citizens to do so.
What do you think is the appropriate response from Obama or Clinton? Surely you would agree that this is a very touchy situation and a fine line must be walked.
Seems to me that all is going according as planned for this CIC. What could be better for the middle east than every nation surrounding Israel soon to be governed by radical muslims.
Besides, its the start of the weekend, this CIC has the 3 A.M. calls going to auto-voice mail.
From the bits of info that I have gleaned, I do not get the impression that this is a “freedom” uprising, any more than the uprising in Iran that brought the barbaric Ayatollah Khomeini to power ~30 years ago was a “freedom” uprising, nor any more than the events in Tunisia of a week or two ago were a “freedom” uprising.
My gut tells me that this is another instance of a terrible regime/situation facing the possibility of overthrow and replacement by an even more terrible regime/situation, with yet further bad/worse consequences for civilization.
One other thought – Doesn’t this sound eerily similar to what happened with Jimmy Carter and the Shah?
Something Churchillian perhaps?
Once again, just as with Iran when Carter was president, we have a president and secretary of state cautioning Mubarak to use restraint and take advantage of this to bring about democratic reforms.
Too late! Those people rioting in the streets will elect a radical. One election then its over. Yet another radical Islamic state and this one controls the Suez canal.
Heckuva job Barry! Heckuva job!
Hezbollah takes control of Lebanon, Iran is still run by nutcases, and now Egypt may fall to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Israel: “Oy, crap!”
Is there a carrier force in the Med right now to keep the canal open in any event?
That is what we were told about Iran-and it was probably true-the demonstrators were pro democracy. The Islamist-in this case the Muslim Brotherhood-keeps their people in reserve for the One Man One Vote One Time scenario as happens so much in mohammadanland.
Ayatollah Khomeini made short work of the pro democracy element. Should the dictator President Hosni Mubarak fall he will be replaced by a true democrat who will soon face the firing squad and the Christians of Egypt will be decimated.
Nothing good comes out of mohammadanland.
===
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house,
his possessions are undisturbed.
Resistance is mandatory
Soooo…I take it you would prefer him instead go out, strap on some riot gear and shoot one or two protesters himself?
granite#14,
I was trying to be ladylike by saying sand, not what I could have said!
L
Hey we’re all friends here, go for the gusto!
Mine too. The Muslim Brotherhood is not our friend
Do you mean one with working engines and airplanes?
This may turn out to be the crisis Joe Biden warned us was coming.
The US Government has the choice of supporting an authoritarian government or supporting a revolution that will almost certainly turn out to be as bad or worse than the Khomeini Revolution that toppled the Shah or Iran in 79.
However, I can’t recall the last time the State Department handled such a crisis well.
…almost all….
“Soooo…I take it you would prefer him instead go out, strap on some riot gear and shoot one or two protesters himself?”
No, I expect him and his devoid of any semblance of knowledge of world affairs cabinet and administration to do like they all did with the Student Uprisings in Iran – Tweet!! And update their Facebook page.
FIFY…
They, however, do quite well in having a hand in creating them.
Our next president must be as compasionate as possible in cleaning out the State Dept. of as many of its leftist bureaucrats as possible.
To make matters worse, if Mubarak gets chased out and we give him shelter aka the Shah, our embassy in Cairo will be attacked by “students” within six months.
The more time goes by, the more this administration is a redo of the Carter administration.
There is no way this is going to end well for us, Europe or Israel.
Democratic freedom (or “freedom” as we call it) is not a gift to be awarded to people who can’t hold on to it. There is no point having elections in countries whose cultures are still living in the Dark Ages, if not in the Stone Age.
No one fears weaklings.
I’d settle for him taking off the Mom jeans.
Only magnified by a factor of 100.
Damn Chappy-you are coming along nicely–what’s for lunch
BHO
Have some riot gear
Will Travel
Wire White House
Hosni Mubarak = Shah of Iran 2.0.
Hope-a-Dope = Jimmy Carter 2.0.
I’m trying to remember what Karl Marx said about history repeating itself: is this the tragedy, farce, or both?
lol SOTR
Our CIC? Riot Gear? That’s a riot!
I find it funny people are “concerned” when the people finally act democratically, surprise! 75% of the world HATES the West. I’ve said it for years when Bush talked about bringing “Democracy” to the world, most of the world would thank us by bombing us. At times the only thing keeping many Eastern block nations in line is those ruthless leaders they have. You can’t have your cake and eat it too as they say.
Though in the case of Egypt I can’t say I feel sorry for that Government and isn’t it the right of all people to throw off tyranny by all means? So what if it doesn’t meet our demands, and since when can a nation that is litterally founded on fighting tyranny and in acts of violence able to say you can’t do that anymore? Or more importantly its wrong? If our Current PC camp and spineless population were around in the 1760-70′s I would be saying God Save the Queen at this momment.
The Egyptian Government has for decades sidelined its people, imprissoned them, shot them, and generally forced them into a form of bare substance living. Most in Egypt DO NOT have the internet so it being cut off is a mute point. If Anything the US should be supporting this action and attempt to manuver it to its own political advantage. And should that fail, we can not control how others act, but we can our response.
The Us should let the Egyptian people control its own fate with its own hands. And if that fate turns into an islamic state so be it. If that state attacks us,… Crush it. But you can not tell a people to be democratic, then tell them to shut up when the peoples voice conflicts with yours. That is hypocrisy.
Tunisia, Lebanon, Algeria, Jordan and Yemen so far – as well as Egypt — Iran redux in spades – this is not good and will only get worse and odds are, the State Department as well as the Sock Puppet regime is saying all this is so unexpected.
This is BAD.
Not that I’m a fan of autocratic presidents for life or anything but NOTHING good will come from any of what’s happened in Tunisia and Egypt. Hezbollah has already taken over Lebanon. If Mubarak goes, I guarantee you Muslim Brotherhood will take his place and with that will come a purge of Christian Copts and renewed hostility toward Israel. Islamist radicals could take over in Tunisia, turning a “moderate” country into yet another terrorist state cesspool. None of those countries will forgive the U.S. for supporting their former “leaders.” Israel may find itself in another war where all of its neighbors attack, only with Iran’s money and nukies in play.
I doubt that this has anything to do with “freedom”. I don’t quite understand why people here think another Islamic Republic is better for Middle East stability than a dictator. Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, now Egypt and soon Iraq (or what’s left of it), and we still haven’t learned our lesson.
Considering the likely outcome of this, it’s pure tragedy. Doubt we could ever look back on this admins actions, or inactions, and ever consider it farce.
If I was an employee in the US embassy in Cairo right now, I’d be very, very concerned.
I am just remembering ole Plugs stating that our fearless leader has a spine of steel when all indications are Fearless leader is most likely in his Can’t a guy eat his waffle mode.
This is very bad–and I suspect it sits just fine with some. Especially the threat to Israel this presents. And the self-hating Americans will be gleeful.
Too late for comair. Sixth Fleet extraction? How far away is the MARG?
It looks to me like most, if not all, of the pictures, video and reporting is being provided by Al Jazeera. The rioters are now trying to take over the major TV station and have set fire to the ruling party HQ. No sign that government forces are having any success.
Also, there has been no hostile activity anywhere near the major industrial and oil centers.
This isn’t going to help Barry’s anorexia. Maybe he can turn this into a “Sputnik moment”.
I’m certain that our Christian president will do his best to assure the safety of Coptic Christians under the new regime. Uh, theirs, not ours.
I thought Obama’s speech in Cairo was civil enough. Why didn’t that work out?
sarc off/
The vacuum in the mid east will be filled with Islamic extremism, I expect. The US needs to do what it can to stop the rise of Islamism in these toppled governments.
Things they do in the name of Allah…it’s love…albeit “tough love.”
This is how the “moderate” Muslims act when they are upset. Okay, so they were moved to violence because of some agitators within their ranks. Does that make all of them intolerant?
Once and for all, can we put aside the notion that their are “moderates” in the Islam? They, (like many of our left-leaning brethren,) only act moderate and non-violent, because the “agitators” among them have not yet moved them to violence.
That’s why they are incapable of denouncing “extremist” violence…they are all just one shout away from ALLAHU AKBAR from being those radicals.
Not convinced? How does one rationalize a call to protest, in A DAY OF ANGER in both Algeria, and Eygpt? (Like we couldn’t see this one coming!)
This violence is going to reduce their ranks, and just maybe do the West a favor. (I wonder how the left is going to blame the Jews, or George Bush for this one?) Anyone killed at these protests, who know how violent they are and still participate, are NOT INNOCENTS!
I don’t want to hear the word “victim” applied to any of them.
Looks like Jordan and Albania are in this as well.
I was outta the loop… What’re they protesting against? Was greedy Chevron about to put up solar panels on the pyramids or something?
Albania is different. They are protesting the deaths of three protestors from last week’s protests. Jordan isn’t our friend so I don’t care. They will probably be road kill.
No wonder I couldn’t remember!
The Middle East region was more peaceful when it was controlled by the Europeans. The current situation we face today is a result of that region’s decolonization.
Put all of the friendly Arabs on ships in the middle of the Mediterranian.
Then bomb the region flat.
Then sink the ships.
The middle eastern countries have been using the USA and Israel as scapegoats for generations. The way to prosperity is for them to realize that if they want freedom, they have to fight for it. Get rid of their dictators first and then reform their repressive religion second. Going from a dictatorship to a theocracy is the “from the frying pan into the fire” thing.
But, Phil, it will become his ‘Dupnik Moment’ where Barry will blame Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh et al for the Islamo-fascist uprising…just watch!
/sarc
The sad thing is, I don’t think even the administration is aware of the potential of an Islamic takeover. This caught the Bamster totally by surprise. We need to get this crowd into retirement as quickly as possible.
So true.
All the lefties adore the Mahatma and his non-violence. He got the English out of India in 1947.
The Left never mentions that thousands that died in India, West and East Pakistan after the partitionment. They also fail to mention that the ensuing violence was an example of what occurs when Islam is enpowered.
Not much yet at my favorite source for comparative commenting, DU. But the few so far are what you expect. The usual “People are finally calling their leaders out” and “Lead the crooks through the streets” type. Leftists are always pro-revolution, and when things get much much worse under a new regime they will be strangely silent.
I would not be surprised if the “administration” either wasn’t surprised, doesn’t care, doesn’t see it as a bad thing, or perhaps might even view it favorably.
Please Michelle. This could, and likely will end with an Iranian-style mullahtocracy. So much for freedom movements.
That’s because being the cowardly, dangerous fools that they are, they don’t want themselves to be led through the streets….
Well, I like his rice.
No doubt.
This is an instance of when to bet the house, the car, and the first-born; that that is what will happen if the “revolution” “succeeds”.
If the Muslim Mullahs take over Egypt, they will have a huge problem on their own hands. Their economy is in the tank. The Nile is their only source of water and farming. They support 80 million people. The largest population in the Middle East. They receive $1.3 billion a year in military aid. Obama dropped economic aid down to $200 million in 2009. The collapse of the Mubarak leadership will lead to a collapse of the Egyptian economy.
Recent election results:
Hosni MUBARAK 88.6%,
Ayman NOUR 7.6%,
Noman GOMAA 2.9%
Something about this revolt is not making sense. Is it just a small percentage causing all this chaos? Did the Mullahs issue a fatwā on Mubarak? The liberal media here make the anarchist riots, during G20 World Trade Talks, look like all people are against free trade markets. Look at the L.A. race riots. One starts it and other join in for the joy of it. My gut instincts says these are Muslim extremist thugs. I don’t hear a peep from the people on the streets. No one seems to be an expert or have any idea what the people are thinking or saying.
Exactly what are they protesting????
This is releated, rand paul wants to cut off all U.S. funds to Israel! This is not good at all!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/28/AR2011012803373.html
L
Let’s be real, what is America or any government going to do? The best thing to do is shut up sit back and watch the flashing lights. Although if the Muslim Brotherhood leadership shows their ugly mugs, a few Marine Force Recon teams could modify the future political landscape.
So when the White House red phone rings at 3 a.m. does it get automatically forwarded to Hillary? She’ll head in under fire and straighten it all out with some smart power.
There remains the possibility Egypt will just put the rebellion down like Iran’s election protest and life goes on. The question is whether police and military will remain loyal to Mubarak or join the revolution – as in Manila when Marcos fell. But that was 1/2 million protesters vs 10K here. I seriously dobt Mubarak will cave.
Let Father Hu bankroll the country. Oh I forget, Egypt has no resources. Nothing to offer. Never mind.
The rich oil sheiks should be helping Egypt and the other poor Arab states, but I guess their Bentley budgets won’t allow it. That would do wonders for middle east peace, not eliminating Israel.
Given this administration, the call probably goes forwarded to Richard Holbrooke’s cell phone.
This is why I don’t like Rand Paul and his daddy. If we were living in the 1930s the Pauls would have us watching the Nazis blitzkrieg the world.
The Pauls are Libertarians, not Conservatives.
Egypt is also highly reliant on tourism, which will go away after the mullahs take power. The only visitors to Egypt will be there to learn how to fire an AK-47 and make pipe bombs.
Egypt is at a turning point for sure, but which way it will go is uncertain. Mubarak is about Mubarak and he would surely jump in bed with terrorists if he felt that he could keep power and make some sort of gain from it. On the otherhand, if the Muslim Brotherhood takes over then we may very well see another Iran, or at least a new Syria.
The real question is what should we do? Do we sit back with a wait and see attitude or do we step in and try to help restore order? Both options have very serious consequences to be considered. To be honest, it appears to me that the administration is sending mixed signals as to what they would do.
The problem is, even if Mubarak is removed from power, there’s no guarantee whatever government replaces him will be any better. Terrorists will use this opportunity to try to gain power. Even if an honest democratic government tries to form, it can easily be stopped. The military will be a factor.
So true. This Administration need to be pummelled with this truth. Open drilling, build more refineries, eliminate or reform the CAFE standards. Go full nuclear. Now.
Phil, Egypt has no oil but I saw where you were going.
So true, they are true isolationists that have learned nothing from history. After WWI the world did not want to get involved in another fight as the trench warfare had taken its toll on our physche. This allowed Hitler to rise to power and go on the rampage.
Egypt has plenty of oil facilities. BP and Apache are major players there.
Olive oil, for Bio-Diesel? Are we seeing a Green Egypt?
Solar cells on the pyramids……
Renewable forests in the Sinai…..
Choice of “paper” or “plastic” in the Grand Bazaar……
With no history of democratic principles or republican government, it is unlikely that those rioting in the streets are burning tires to obtain life, liberty, and the purfuit of happinefs. They instead are rioting for ‘Change’ without truly knowing what result they want, or what they will get. It is very likely that the Change will be orchestrated by the same sort of radicals that gave us Obama, but with far less sugarcoating of their autocracy. Obama’s Change uses liberal Marxism; Egypt’s Change will use conservative Islam as the controlling philosophy, with ‘controlling’ as the key tenet.
Ignorant people without a firm compass or history can be swayed to first demand ‘change’ and then vote for anything and anyone that that can convince them that they offer something ‘shiny’ and new, or at least ‘different.’ The West applauded while the Palestinians voted freely and openly in a glorious democratic surge–for Hamas; Let’s see how Egypt fares under the Muslim Brotherhood when it steps in to fill the leadership void. I don’t see hopeychangey Koombayyah moments, here. Israel should look to its defenses; So should we.
I think Israel has good cause to be deeply concerned. Here is a good cartoon from DryBonesBlog.com
Apache controls 11 million acres of oil fields in the Western Desert. They drilled 164 wells in 2009. Egypt is not a major producer but they ARE an oil producing nation.
There is a possibility that the military is driving this because of a distrust of Mubarak’s son being named as a replacement. If so, would the military prevent an islamic take over?
Once again stupidity and ignorance gives birth to another Chamberlain moment which will lead us into a 3rd World War …
This administration has treated all of these countries as if they were great democracies when in fact they have been under the thumbs of tyrannical Presidents (or any other name you choose for their so called leaders) for multiple decades …
The only difference between most of these current tumultuous countries leaders and Saddam Hussein is that they were not as blood thirsty against their own citizens … at least not openly … though I have no doubts they have their share of barbaric skeletons hidden in their collective closets …
This is a coordinated effort by the Islamic Extremists in all of these countries because they know that the spineless Obama administration will not come to the aid of these regimes so they have nothing to fear from the USA …
Check weapons and ammo … you may need it sooner than you thought …
On January 28th, 2011 at 12:24 pm, TK-421 said: (with extra numbering)
Personally, I’d be fine with 1 & 2 – if only we count on the current administration for #3… yeah, about that…
– MD
Really? They have oil reserves? If so, why do we send them cash?
The fall of the Egyptian government would be just like the fall of the Czar’s government in Russia in 1918. There will be a power vacuum filled by the most radical and ruthless group, and that will be the Radical Islamists.
But there’s the rub: The US CANNOT come to the aid of the autocracies we support in times like this, lest it be seen to be suppressing ‘democracy in action.’ Noone could come to our country’s aid when the least-educated and most-ignorant, most-gullible citizenry put Obama and his regime into power. No democratic power on Earth can step in to save Mubarak if things go badly for him, without bringing world-wide condemnation for interfering with the People’s Will.
Democracy, in the hands of the ignorant prodded along by the devious radicals, is a very dangerous thing.
Thanks Phil. As Johnny Carson would say “I did not know that!”
Do they drill in the Med?
I thought our rigs are going to Mexico and Brazil.
Because the American voter is a blithering idiot?
America has only 4.5% of the world’s population. There is no way we can indefinitely maintain the current status quo where we give Santa Claus Pax Americana to the world.
If we keep bleeding the American taxpayer to let the rest of the world prosper, we will be too weak to fight when we have to fight to save ourselves.
The more we spoil the world with free security, the more certain our eventual destruction becomes. We have hollowed out the ability and will of rest of the world to defend itself.
To most of the developed world, peace just happens. It is the natural state. “Violent” America is the problem.
They are spoiled to the point of lunacy.
Worst of all, by our military policy and many other such policies that give preference to other taxpayers over American taxpayers, we have succeeded in bringing doubt to many Americans that we really have the best system in the world. If we are such hot stuff, why is the European middle class making more per hour of work than we are?
WTF?
And, btw, we should not have invaded Europe until the Nazis and the Bolsheviks had beaten eachother to death. Communists and communist sympathizers in the State Department cost us dearly.
Have you heard of the balance of power game in the ME? It has nothing to do with Egypt’s oil. We pay lots of governments for things other than oil.
With any luck, the pro-Democracy faction of the “Religion of Peace” will throw out the authoritarian strong-man and usher in a new “community” run by a peace-loving, democratic-minded, moderate, diverse, human-rights respecting Muslim Clerics like those who currently control….
Never mind…