Egyptian Wrath

posted by The Vidiot @ 2:40 PM Permalink

It's practically biblical and I have to hand it to them, those folks know how to protest.

I'm still in the throws of trying to find a job and settle in here in the Midwest, meanwhile, we're going to get pummeled by yet ANOTHER snow storm here. Ugh.

So, I'm still a little off the radar as far as news goes. Hell, I only knew about the impending storm because I overheard someone talking about it at the grocery store. That's what you get when you don't watch TV I suppose.

But I am watching the events in Egypt whenever I can sit down for a few moments.

For excellent coverage, go over to the English broadcast of Al Jazeera. (I too agree that the Arabic network's coverage is cable's "Sputnik Moment.")

Robert Fisk is there covering it for the Independent.

For good analysis, check out Juan Cole's blog. This article in particular explained very well some of the underpinnings of the protests.

Excerpt: The Nasserist state, for all its flaws, gained legitimacy because it was seen as a state for the mass of Egyptians, whether abroad or domestically. The present regime is widely seen in Egypt as a state for the others– for the US, Israel, France and the UK– and as a state for the few– the Neoliberal nouveau riche. Islam plays no role in this analysis because it is not an independent variable. Muslim movements have served to protest the withdrawal of the state from its responsibilities, and to provide services. But they are a symptom, not the cause. All this is why Mubarak’s appointment of military men as vice president and prime minister cannot in and of itself tamp down the crisis. They, as men of the System, do not have more legitimacy than does the president– and perhaps less.

And for heaven's sake, don't even bother with the American media. When Mohamed ElBaradei was giving his speech, CNN was talking about Michelle Bachman and I think FOX was going on about Charlie Sheen's cocaine addiction.

And if you just want to watch a perfect "RAH RAH" moment, watch hundreds of ARMED Egyptian riot police run for their lives from protesters:



Ain't it sweet?

Labels: egypt, protest, revolution, US hegemony