Libaax-Sankataabte Posted January 28, 2011 In a country of 80 million, 6 million work for the government. These workers plus their families probably make-up half of the population. Can you image 40 million freedom fighters fighting against 40 million Mubarak sycophants. If the regime doesn't give up on its own, this struggle will be long and ugly. The government has the upper hand so far. We shall see! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoldCoast Posted January 28, 2011 Libaax-Sankataabte;690930 wrote: In a country of 80 million, 6 million work for the government. These workers plus their families probably make-up half of the population. Can you image 40 million freedom fighters fighting against 40 million Mubarak sycophants. If the regime doesn't give up on its own, this struggle will be long and ugly. The government has the upper hand so far. We shall see! I have read this premise forwarded by mostly Western academics and I dont agree with it. Those 6 million do not constitute hardcore Mubarak sympathizers. There were no counter protests in support of him. If anything they will react with ambivalence to protests( at worst) but the chance of civilian public servants fighting for the existence of the regime is nil. Those academics and "experts" floating these ideas have their own interests in maintaining the status quo there, as does the American government. The other predictable tactic is to invoke the threat of theocracy from the Ikhwan which is another bogeyman. The struggle will be ugly but only because the security apparatus for the regime and the army are very well entrenched. Not because of its patronage system. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted January 28, 2011 Protests in Egypt - live updates• Mohamed ElBaradei has been detained • Teargas and rubber bullets used in crackdown • Internet access and mobile phone networks shut down • Read a full summary of the latest developments Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted January 28, 2011 Guardian.co.uk More from Peter Bouckaert, from Human Rights Watch, in Alexandria: The police have now given up fighting the protesters. The police and protesters are now talking, with protesters bringing water and vinegar (for teargas) to the police. Afternoon prayer has just been called and hundreds are praying in front of the mosque in east Alexandria. Here's a picture he sent us of people praying after the police gave up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted January 28, 2011 Fresh protests erupt in Egypt Thousands stream out of mosques to protest against President Mubarak's 30-year rule, defying a government crackdown. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacaylbaro Posted January 28, 2011 I'm glad Arab leaders are learning and getting lessons. The more they sink the more i get happy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted January 28, 2011 ^^^Yeah, I forgot you are a Dinka now, fighting the brutal Arabs? funny secessionist. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted January 28, 2011 The police are in control of the central square in Suez says al-Jazeera. There is no police presence. Jamal Elshayyal, their reporter in Suez, says: The police has been quite comprehensively defeated by the power of the people. 2.08pm:CloseLink to this update: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/jan/28/egypt-protests-live-updates#block-56 Al-Jazeera is showing extraordinary live footage of a police firing teargas cannisters at protesters and protesters throwing them back. Police have cleared one of the main motorway bridges over the Nile. "The people want to bring down the regime," protesters are chanting, according to a translator. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacaylbaro Posted January 28, 2011 I just brought my popcorn ,,,,, Let those morons learn a lesson or two Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted January 28, 2011 ^^^I agree with you, the Arab regimes should fall. The Saudi's should be next. But Mubarak is still in power, so lets see how things play out. Its big so far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacaylbaro Posted January 28, 2011 It is big but it is a good start ........... If Egypt is through Saudis will be next. Let the laughing cow see the bitterness of the public revolution. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Che -Guevara Posted January 28, 2011 Duke-Maxaa badali doona? Soomaali sidee udhaheesay Ilahow Siyad Barre rid bee iloobeen maxaa badali doona. I hope these 'spontaneous' demonstrations in Egypt don't lead to total chaos. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted January 28, 2011 Guardian... Egyptian security officials say Nobel Peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei is under house arrest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites