Anderson Cooper Attacked by Mob in Egypt

[pat grimshaw]

They are having a revolution.

I don't think we on the outside can ask them to apply our theories to their reality.

 

[Kulindahr]

They are having a revolution.

I don't think we on the outside can ask them to apply our theories to their reality.

What theories?

People paid by a government to attack its own, peaceful, citizens are thugs.

Regardless of the language or culture, letting thugs throw Molotov cocktails is not "keeping order".

 

[pat grimshaw]

… "keeping order".

They are trying to overthrow the order. The order of the regime that enslaved them for 30 years.

 

[Kulindahr]

They are trying to overthrow the order. The order of the regime that enslaved them for 30 years.

Oh, good grief -- if the army was trying to "overthrow the order", it would be over already.

 

[Kulindahr]

^Yes but overthrow implies a violent "solution" - the protesters (not the pro-Mubarek ones obviously) haven't been so violent (bent on an overthrow of the government). But maybe that will change as they get more frustrated with Mubarek NOT stepping down.

Maybe I'm incorrect of course but it seems that way...

I think Mubarak is counting on that. I also think Gandhi would tell the protesters that if they turn violent, they will have lost.

 

[pat grimshaw]

I wonder if Gandhi would have succeeded in his aims if he had the media scrutiny that we have today.

 

[opinterph]

Hmmm - noticed I can't edit my posts so my ^ should now read ^^

You are still within the time period during which you should be able to edit.

 

[Kulindahr]

I wonder if Gandhi would succeed in his aims today.

I've been pondering that the whole time. The protesters seem to have nonviolence down, but I'm not seeing where nonviolence can be used in this situation to crack the legitimacy of the regime. Mubarak is probably smart enough to avoid an Armritsar situation, hence using paid thugs to make violence that is deniable. The only thing I see right off that could undo him irreparably would be if he ordered the army to use force and they disobeyed. In Egyptian politics, that would be the end of him.

They're already defying the government in ignoring the curfew, but that's hardly the moral equivalent of walking a few hundred kilometers and making salt in defiance of the Crown. There might be some such arbitrary law; if so, a mass disobedience might be a good move -- as Gandhi noted, the point of nonviolent disobedience is to provoke a reaction, and if you don't get one, you provoke them again.

 

[Kulindahr]

^Hmmm...for some reason I cannot.

But quoting the relevant post of course eliminates the ^ confusion...

Kulindahr - sure Mubarek is counting that they won't turn violent and overthrow him by force (because of course they could if say 8 million turn up and just overwhelm the military (they can't shoot that many and Romania come to mind - it was over quickly there).

I don't know about Gandhi but a peaceful approach seems like a long term solution...

Actually I meant I think Mubarak is counting on them turning violent, because then he could claim justification in crushing them.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

I've been pondering that the whole time. The protesters seem to have nonviolence down, but I'm not seeing where nonviolence can be used in this situation to crack the legitimacy of the regime. Mubarak is probably smart enough to avoid an Armritsar situation, hence using paid thugs to make violence that is deniable. The only thing I see right off that could undo him irreparably would be if he ordered the army to use force and they disobeyed. In Egyptian politics, that would be the end of him.

They're already defying the government in ignoring the curfew, but that's hardly the moral equivalent of walking a few hundred kilometers and making salt in defiance of the Crown. There might be some such arbitrary law; if so, a mass disobedience might be a good move -- as Gandhi noted, the point of nonviolent disobedience is to provoke a reaction, and if you don't get one, you provoke them again.

Gandhi die before da internet
everythin continue ta dies durins internet world ova

so

 

[pat grimshaw]

Gandhi relied on the media.
But I have been arguing that the overseas media should keep their noses out of other people's business.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

if all truths bes a knowns ans no truths be true

what humans? -life- gonna do?

clock tickin

betta hurry

little earthy thang >

 

[pat grimshaw]

…what humans? -life- gonna do?…clock tickin…

I agree with you there, Sloppy

 

[Kulindahr]

Gandhi relied on the media.
But I have been arguing that the overseas media should keep their noses out of other people's business.

The U.S. sends $1.5 billion annually to Egypt. What happens there is our business.

Besides that, the fight for more liberty is every man's business.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

The U.S. sends $1.5 billion annually to Egypt. What happens there is our business.

Besides that, the fight for more liberty is every man's business.

interstins

throw da tooths ans

oooh

 

[pat grimshaw]

The U.S. sends $1.5 billion annually to Egypt. What happens there is our business.

Besides that, the fight for more liberty is every man's business.

I can't agree with your last sentence. But I do agree that the U.S. could lessen or stop that $1.5 billion payment.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

well it more thens 1.5

fires is a burnin from portugal ta russia ans

suggest da establish world order of EDs get big fire hose ans medics ready fa plan B

if world order of EDS not know where Fire Hydrant is checks ya own countrys map !

-



fairys is wishin rea hard fa humanity get betta

ans fa little earthy thang >

 

[Kulindahr]

I can't agree with your last sentence. But I do agree that the U.S. could lessen or stop that $1.5 billion payment.

So long as any are oppressed, the liberty of all is threatened.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

So long as any are oppressed, the liberty of all is threatened.

well

MAN gon bit toos far with their game<such word it shame
ans now
earth liberty now in play
ans no MAN can afford da lifeboats<such word it a shame

think it fit no sure

but hope



got has hope they ya knows

 

[rareboy]

Actually I meant I think Mubarak is counting on them turning violent, because then he could claim justification in crushing them.

This is exactly what Mubarak and his henchmen had intended. Or what the military strategists intended.

Create violence and then use the army to crush the opposition.

Fortunately, cooler and saner heads prevailed. Do the apologists for Mubarak not find it bizarre that the violence could be turned on and off so easily?

Fortunately, today, it seems as though there is a return to some semblance of normalcy.

So the cable news audiences will likely start to decline again after a 3 week bump.