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Comments Posted By choicelady

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Mubarak: Half sunk, a shattered visage lies

Khirad – this is the most helpful overview of who’s who that I’ve read. Thank you.

» Posted By choicelady On February 5, 2011 @ 11:14 am

You are so kind to think Americans read beyond the headlines! LOL!!!

» Posted By choicelady On February 5, 2011 @ 10:30 am

Friday we got a marvelous picture (I don’t have the link with me at the moment) of Muslims at prayer in Tahrir Square – surrounded entirely by young Coptic Christians holding hands to protect the Muslims while they pray. After the horrific bombing New Year’s Day of the Coptic church in Cairo, Muslims turned out in droves to protect them. Friday the roles were reversed.

New slogan my Egyptian friends say is THE chant in Cairo:

“Christian, Muslim, we are all Egyptians!”

I am welcomed at local rallies as if I were a sister. It is incredibly touching to be thought worthy of them. They are beautiful, warm, caring people who just want DEMOCRACY!

» Posted By choicelady On February 5, 2011 @ 10:29 am

Khirad – the young anti-democracy man was paid by WHOM???? And who paid THEM????? Our state department and DOJ MUST “follow the money” to see if Christian (pseudo-Christian) forces are behind this. It is a violation of the Logan Act (yeah – never enforced in its 200-year history, I know that) AND of non-profit status. If we can’t enforce the first, we CAN enforce the second. I will have to be convinced this is not the source of the money behind Mubarak and the counterdemonstrations. I realize I have a “thing” about these RW people, but…that doesn’t make me wrong!

» Posted By choicelady On February 5, 2011 @ 10:25 am

In his day, William Randolph Hearst played the same role. His power to inflame Americans based on lies dragged the US into many a conflict it otherwise would not have done. Today (well, OK, a few years back when there WAS journalistic critque) his name and influence are reviled. FOX is the yellow dog journalism of today.

» Posted By choicelady On February 5, 2011 @ 10:20 am

I remain fearful that the Christian Right is pulling strings. With their support, Hosni may believe he can wait this out.

» Posted By choicelady On February 5, 2011 @ 10:16 am

Exactly! But as with HP, I fear that the headlines are meant to misinform. Grrrrr. The article was better than is header!

» Posted By choicelady On February 5, 2011 @ 10:15 am

I second this – your coverage and your explanations are beyond amazing. It has been THE source of understanding I’ve used to be able to ask my Egyptian allies informed questions and understand their replies. Thank you SO much!!!! I appreciate not looking TOTALLY stupid, and being able to be reasonably well informed is entirely thanks to you!

» Posted By choicelady On February 5, 2011 @ 10:14 am

My Egyptian Imam friend told me yesterday that my worry about Obama being perceived as controlling events was correct even though the Imam himself had asked Obama to support pro-democracy people and call for Mubarak’s resignation. My Imam friend said he thought Obama had walked the perfect line thus preventing either appearances of indulgence of Mubarak OR appearances of “foreign control” of the movement.

Here, the approval of Egyptians is really what matters. It IS their struggle, and being free of diplomats, ignorant do-gooders, and missionaries is critical to their having sovereignty. We don’t get to tell them what to do anymore.

» Posted By choicelady On February 5, 2011 @ 9:29 am

Hi Khirad – I read this, and it distresses me since the meaning of this is not what most people will read. In Egypt women DO come out of their houses all the time – just not in political ways. No one did! What Americans reading this will believe is that women in Egypt are confined to home as the Taliban does to them in Afghanistan. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I spent several hours yesterday in first a press conference then a demonstration among Egyptians with both events led by women. They are Egyptian born, all faithful Muslims, wear hijabs, and were accepted by the men without reservation, also Egyptian born. As with any society, there is diversity, but taking to the streets in defense of democracy is new to everyone. Forbes does a disservice to Muslims everywhere implying Egyptian women are no better off than the women of Afghanistan under the Taliban. Shades of Glenn Beck. Ugh.

» Posted By choicelady On February 5, 2011 @ 9:23 am

Khirad – I rather hope this administration is NOT comfortable with him! I think we are taking this step by step – first Mubarak OUT, then evaluating whether Suleiman can be replaced by electoral process. If Suleiman won’t go democratically in the elections, I think this will all start again. I am heading for a press conference this morning, will be speaking I think, and will bring back what I learn from the Egyptians there. One of my Muslim allies is in DC meeting with Congress – I told him to feel free to express my concern that the Christian Right is behind the sudden uptick in pro-Mubarak violence, funding and encouraging it illegally. We will see what comes from that. I fear the “C Street” folks and others are fomenting this push back because they WANT Mubarak – he’s a “good Muslim” who allows them their free play in Egypt and who protects Israel that they required to fulfill their End Times prophecy. Someone has GOT to look into this!

» Posted By choicelady On February 4, 2011 @ 7:30 am

Some of my Egyptian allies said earlier this afternoon that the confiscation of cameras indicates that at dawn – soon now – a MASSACRE! Can the Army stop that? The remaining US reporters are known to the police – their locations are not secure. Anderson Cooper etc. are holed up, but they aren’t safe. So what can be done to stop this if these reports are accurate?

» Posted By choicelady On February 3, 2011 @ 7:16 pm

Khirad or anyone – I’ve read several reports that VP Suleiman operated the Mubarak torture machine for Bush’s extraordinary rendition. How can he possibly have any legitimacy with any but the most ardent Mubarak supporters? I just heard that Baby Mubarak is NOT going to run in the fall, but now – WHO? Suleiman cannot be allowed to take power!

» Posted By choicelady On February 3, 2011 @ 7:13 pm

Kalima – seems unkind to Mars. Rumors of possibilities of life on Mars makes me think we need to aim for Pluto…

» Posted By choicelady On February 3, 2011 @ 7:11 pm

It surely looked like it, yes.

» Posted By choicelady On February 3, 2011 @ 7:09 pm

Oh my GOD!

» Posted By choicelady On February 3, 2011 @ 7:08 pm

Hi Sue – fascinating and scary. My question, since I keep hearing that the democracy forces want the military engaged because it’s the POLICE they fear, is WHO has fomented this push back in the Pro-Mubarak forces? With the shadow government of economic interests laid out here, my thought even on Sunday looking at the Kochs, is whether what is going on behind the scenes is an organized resistance cobbled together by The Family and its economic and religious henchmen. I know that some of the lower level evangelicals have targeted Egypt for conversion over the years, and coupled with the IMF and other economic players who work in concert with the religious types, I have wondered whether they were not mobilizing major forces to quell the democratic rebellion against Mubarak.

If Egypt were to democratize, there is no guarantee the religious right would be welcome any longer. They don’t give a damn about conversion per se, but they do want to make sure Egypt remains supportive of Israel, and that cannot be guaranteed if they no longer pull the strings.

So where is this resistance REALLY coming from? The fact, as Khirad noted above, that when some of the men were pulled from their camels and horse they had POLICE ID, not military, would make me wonder – the police, not the military, engaged in extraordinary rendition for Bush and Company. That links them with Haliburton and Blackwater, etc. – the agents of that unspeakable policy.

And how much is the behind the scenes work IN Egypt being coupled with behind the scenes work against Obama? The fact that Al Jezeera thinks Obama has done OK to date means he automatically has become Enemy No. 1 of the extreme right no matter what laudatory messages the GOP is sending.

I think Egypt can work out their own affairs IF they are not overwhelmed by outside forces bought and paid for by US corporate interests and the religious right. But it troubles me greatly that they may be plotting against their own president as well. I think we must keep eyes wide open on both fronts. I trust these RW extremists NOT at all.

Thanks Sue for this good, informative article. It’s scary as all get out, but it sure is an eye opener!

» Posted By choicelady On February 2, 2011 @ 8:29 pm

But how is it that the open members of the military are NOT firing on people – and reports are that they are laying down smoke to give protesters (I don’t know which side) a chance to get away from the others. Is the military itself divided?

» Posted By choicelady On February 2, 2011 @ 8:13 pm

Khirad – I’m watching back and forth on various news channels, and one CNN commentator said the military is laying down smoke to give the protesters cover, that the gun fire to date is in the air. I am so afraid to hope the military really IS giving aid and comfort to the protests, but to date, save for their rather unhelpful retreats to their tanks, the military has done nothing harmful at ALL that I can see. Can this really be TRUE? Apparently the pro-Mubarak people have been pushed back, and even CNN is on the side of the protests since Anderson and his camera crew got beaten up by pro-Mubarak people. Amazing.

I heard something briefly on the radio that Mubarak said he would appoint a successor – his SON? Shades of South Korea! I also gathered that went over like an anvil with most people.

Can you interpret all this for those of us who see but are afraid to believe what we see? CAN this be working out? CAN the forces for democracy be gaining strength? I heard a NPR interview with the head of the Muslim Brotherhood who said they no longer were extremists, that they had broken with other MP groups, that the welcomed a secular government – can that be trusted?

World historical events, and I’m too ignorant to fully appreciate the meaning. I do, however, very much appreciate YOU, Khirad!

» Posted By choicelady On February 2, 2011 @ 8:10 pm

Hi Cher – I just emailed our local Imam whom I adore who called for Obama to be more forceful, but I said we were not pushing for that in concern that once again it would appear that the US was manipulating events, exercising yet another measure of Western manipulation of events. Egyptians know what they want. Obama has been stepping forward precisely on the point – his call for respect for human rights and increasing pressure as Mubarak fails to heed that standard – is good. It is good Al Jazeera is making that clear.

I am deeply saddened that the pro-Mubarak forces have become so violent – more people injured, probably some killed, but them. It is so important, Ann Coulter types in the ascendence, that the violence be called out for who did it. Ann Baby will no doubt ascribe it to “Muslims” and distort the whole thing. I’m not glad Anderson Cooper got beaten, but I AM glad he has been able to make clear who the thugs really WERE.

» Posted By choicelady On February 2, 2011 @ 7:28 am

I happen to know that many of the very anti-Islamic bigots in at least the CA state legislature took PAC money from – you guessed it – the CAIR PAC.

And don’t think I won’t make THAT known if and when the time comes! In CA it’s a matter of public record.

» Posted By choicelady On February 2, 2011 @ 7:23 am

Hi Cher-

I agree that the ONLY reasonable course of action seems to be to – GASP – let Egyptians figure our Egypt. Tonight I happened to be channel surfing to see what I could learn, and saw Ed on MSNBC (sorry, AdLib – he drew me in with his harangue) demanding that we cut off aid to the military NOW. Well, I ask, if the people are asking the military to be with them, that’s just about as stupid a demand of Obama as anything the Right can throw at him! It reflects SUCH knee-jerk response! Military always bad. Cutting off military always good. It is elitist BS from the Left.

The only reason I ask about the MB is that I’ve heard Egyptians say everyone should be represented in the new government they want, and some have included the MB. There is a possibility that such inclusion can defang their oppositional strength – nothing slows anyone down as fast as having to govern. That said, I know little about the strength of the MB in Egypt, so I offer only that tidbit, and it’s not based on a gram of knowledge, only hope.

I have not spoken to the Egyptian friends I have here since getting back from yesterday’s Koch Party, so I will write or call them tomorrow and hope to learn more of their insights. I imagine the curtailing of communication has Egyptian-Americans more worried than anyone – they still have family and friends in Egypt. The tension must be almost unbearable!

» Posted By choicelady On January 31, 2011 @ 7:42 pm

Khirad, Cher – anybody – what will happen this morning (Tuesday there)? The Army has given its word they will not harm non-violent protesters. Will that hold do you think? What about a coalition government including the Muslim Brotherhood? What will happen, can you intuit?

The little girl seems to have made a point that the police cannot be relied on by Mubarak – they ARE “joining the people” from what I’ve seen and heard.

It strikes us odd that the Army is so respected, but they have NOT been the instruments of torture and oppression. Sulemein (sp?) is the architect of Bush’s policy of extraordinary rendition, and his addition to the Cabinet I suspect is the seal on Mubarak’s destiny – and it’s not in Mubarak’s favor. This was HIS “jimmy carter mistake”.

I watch in hope but worry. What light can you shed Khirad?

» Posted By choicelady On January 31, 2011 @ 6:39 pm

But – but – but HAM is not halal!!!!

I sure hope it has a different name in Egypt!!!!!

» Posted By choicelady On January 31, 2011 @ 6:32 pm

kes, Kalima, and Khirad – I agree! This morning’s paper had comments from Egyptian-Americans, and most of them were older people whom I know! I was so moved by what they were saying and even risking to be so outspoken in support of democracy! Some still have family in Egypt, but they are not letting that silence them. The energy is amazing, the call for universal human rights simply glorious!

I am not knowledgable enough to predict what might happen, but I do think, with Khirad’s focus on uprisings in so many places, that “something is happening!.

Paul Hawkins book, “Blessed Unrest” takes note of MILLIONS of movements around the globe that speak out in defense of human rights and democracy. He started looking at environmental movements, but he discovered that underpinning everything is this demand for democratic rights. Interestingly, he looks mostly to Asia and sub=Saharan Africa rather than Northern Africa. He noted the issue but perhaps missed the milestones. Matters not – the movements give life and voice and testimony to his observations.

A new day in global history. I hope upon hope it creates a new energy of appreciation for human rights and democratic process. These are lessons we need to re-learn in the US.

» Posted By choicelady On January 29, 2011 @ 8:03 pm

Khirad – I got the looting of the museum story on HP and CNN. May I say that I believe the RW USA disinformation machine is cranking up. No fan of Saddam Hussein, I nonetheless understand that much of the 1992 stories – Iraqis throwing Kuwaiti babies out of incubators – was a total, damned LIE.

I think we’re seeing the religious right pushback to gin up support for opposing Obama’s even handed support of international human rights and thus the rights of the Egyptian people. They must have their panties in a wad over losing Mubarak, and thus a bulwark of support for Israel. They no longer can accuse this of being the work of “Islamic militants” since CNN et al. have given voice to the people in the streets, so now we must designate those people as “thugs” and “looters”. One American just reported his neighborhood is under siege. I don’t doubt it’s happening, but I DO doubt the extent. Never forget the stories of looting in New Orleans – if people who’d taken water and juice from stores were Black, they were looters. If they were white, they were “struggling for survival”.

Propaganda via the Religious Right marches on. Bolton now has weighed in supportint Mubarak and denouncing the people. What more does one need to know to question the reports?

» Posted By choicelady On January 29, 2011 @ 6:49 pm

Saw my friend who has family in Egypt – he’s in his early 30s and over the MOON at this! Many of our local Muslim population are from Egypt – the second evening of demonstrations in support of this movement, the chant rose up: “Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! HEY!- Hosni Mubarak – GO AWAY!”

According to my Egyptian friend, NPR seems to be doing a good job noting who is in this rebellion, what it means to have the US not automatically defend Mubarak but to challenge him to be humane, and what it means for Egyptians to have such an in-gathering of young, old, business, students, and yes even police and soldiers. The outcome is, of course, uncertain, but the energy for change for ridding Egypt of this corrupt leader – it’s powerful. Tunisia succeeded, so why not Egypt?

EVerybody – keep your eyes peeled for the Dominionist Christians – they are hating this. Mubarak is a staunch force protecting Israel. Even Democracy does not matter when your eye is on the prize: Jerusalem. Pay careful note to who does and does not support the democratic movement but starts labeling it. Apparently CNN and other news outlets already are intimating there are “Muslim extremists” – the “Brotherhood” is the latest rumor – behind all this. It’s not true.

Khirad – that’s my news from the home front in Sacramento. I would not have known what to ask my young friend if you had not set all this out. BTW – my friend says the return of the military leader, trained in the US, is GOOD (the army leaders were NOT trained by Organization of the Americas but by the US Army that has persistently taught their folks NEVER to use torture or other non-Geneva Convention-sanctioned tactics. My young friend WANTS these guys home and in charge of the Army!) How’s THAT for a major historical turnaround?)

Everyone – please send powerful and good energies to the good people of Egypt! Tunisia is wonderful. Egypt is world historical!!

» Posted By choicelady On January 28, 2011 @ 8:04 pm

Oh Khirad – this is so confusing to me! I do fear Clinton’s hand since she’s “old school” and the remnant cold warrior mindset. I took very seriously your reference to the “domino theory” which, after Vietnam, should have been seen to be idiotic, but it’s scary anyone still thinks this.

I’ve not gone to all your links yet, but from years past when I was a TA for a mid-east scholar, I have always thought each country did share one thing – western imperial influence to outright dominance – but otherwise not much. The vast differences between and among these national cultures seems to lead in very different directions. I am so confused! Am I reading this correctly though that Islamic fundamentalism seems peculiarly absent in each of these movements?

Thank you for all this help. When we all can wade throught the enormous amount of info you’ve provided, it will make us much more thoughtful and responsible in our discussions. We have a great treasure in you and your knowledge. Thank you!!!

» Posted By choicelady On January 28, 2011 @ 7:52 am

Morning Blog

I took 66 once cross country before it was “abandoned.” I don’t think cars are banned on Rt. 66 so much as “discouraged” since later I did drive parts that were officially closed but still functioning, more or less. It’s not maintained, you cannot sue if you break an axle, but you can drive a lot of the “closed” parts. Not that you’d necessarily want to.

» Posted By choicelady On May 8, 2011 @ 10:43 am

Es and Kalima – It’s M 185 on Mackinac Island. South of the Mackinac Bridge, motor vehicles are permitted, but not on the island which must require HUGE parking lots since cars do go over TO the Island!

» Posted By choicelady On May 8, 2011 @ 10:41 am