The Middle East Revolution [2010-2011] Thread: I love baton - General

[QUOTE=Otsegolation;28065274]People are fucking idiots. Do people not realize what the fuck they contribute to? Their government wouldn't pose much of a physical threat to anyone if there was no one to support them as military, police, etc. It's like those guys choose to strip themselves of their humanity and love for each other, since they're taking orders by some coward parasite to fight the people who live and work the land. What the fuck.[/QUOTE] It's really a psychological thing. In a society where people are systematically oppressed by the police, some do look up to them and wish to join their ranks to practice that power. Alas, once they do join them, they feel cheated because their job doesn't provide and there's no going back, thus they rely on corruption and oppressing others for financial support, and the circle is complete. It's a chicken-egg situation really.

1:20 on the first video. I nearly cried.

[QUOTE=shian;28068667][img_thumb]http://i794.photobucket.com/albums/yy225/Prannon/1stTankinthehood-askingdirections.jpg[/img_thumb] [/QUOTE] Haha can you imagine, you're walking along when a random tank pulls over and the guy asks you for directions?

[QUOTE=Antonahill;28076642]Haha can you imagine, you're walking along when a random tank pulls over and the guy asks you for directions?[/QUOTE] "Which way's the war?"

[QUOTE=Mr. Sun;27998061]Of course the US is going to want to influence Egypt. But the one thing they SHOULD take from the US is democracy ideas.[/QUOTE] Yeah, a democratic system where corporations lobby for their own laws, seems wonderful.

[QUOTE=Still 09;28077301]Yeah, a democratic system where corporations lobby for their own laws, seems wonderful.[/QUOTE] Damnit, that wasn't what I was implying at all. Every country has its faults. The US government isn't as bad as Mubaraks at least. Hell, its a hundred times better than what the majority of countries around the world have. Obviously the Egyptian people have the right to choose their own government but the world doesn't want them to turn to some radical form of government that will end up ruining the country and harassing other countries. Just plain simple democracy is fine for them. They don't need any US form or UK form or whatever else there is. Its their country but the US wants to influence them in the right direction away from bad forms of government. Even though the US is probably just playing them like a puppet again... but at least they wont suffer or get stuck in martial law, anarchy, communism or fall back to the corrupt governments such as Iran.

[QUOTE=Mr. Sun;28077791]Damnit, that wasn't what I was implying at all. Every country has its faults. The US government isn't as bad as Mubaraks at least. Hell, its a hundred times better than what the majority of countries around the world have. Obviously the Egyptian people have the right to choose their own government but the world doesn't want them to turn to some radical form of government that will end up ruining the country and harassing other countries. Just plain simple democracy is fine for them. They don't need any US form or UK form or whatever else there is. Its their country but the US wants to influence them in the right direction away from bad forms of government. Even though the US is probably just playing them like a puppet again... but at least they wont suffer or get stuck in martial law, anarchy, communism or fall back to the corrupt governments such as Iran.[/QUOTE] As I mentioned before I'm pro-demarchy but wouldn't mind an open democracy for starters. I can understand the US stance on this, but at the same time I truly wish they'd stop poking their nose into my country's internal affairs. If the majority here wanted communism, it's our choice and not theirs. Btw, they don't want a true democracy either, what they want is something they can control. That's why the US government supported Mubarak in the past, they don't want to see the rise of a true democracy here despite what they're now saying. The implications of democracy in Egypt are simply too much to handle, and would change not only the region, but the world as we know it. (And I'm not saying this because I'm Egyptian) A true Egypt as a democratic sovereign state would be bad for business. For instance, the first thing a real democracy in Egypt would do would be changing the accepted currency for the toll of the Suez canal to the Egyptian pound, which would then form strong ties to the global economy (for instance, the prices of oil and other goods that pass through it would fluctuate depending on the value of the Egyptian pound), giving it a major boost in value and importance. A logical choice that the previous regime couldn't take because of US and international pressure. (Even now, the income of the Suez canal is separate from the Public Budget, to prevent it from influencing the GDP, which would sky-rocket otherwise) A true, sovereign state would also be bad for politics; Egypt would stick to the terms of the Camp David accords but not cooperate with Israel beyond said terms (as in, lock the Gaza strip), they don't want that. A true, sovereign state would also threaten to abolish the accords if Israel doesn't comply with the full terms of the treaty (which they haven't, see [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UN_Security_Council_Resolution_242]this[/url]). And as we are already seeing, what happened in Tunisia and Egypt is now happening elsewhere in the Middle-east: Libya, Algeria, Bahrain, Yemen, and Iraq are all prime candidates to join the freedom club; at this rate and in 10 years, the Arab League would turn into the next European Union if they don't do something about it. At the moment, there's too much at stake for the United States (and to be honest, everybody else, including other regimes in the middle-east) to try not to intervene. /walloftext

[QUOTE=voodooattack;28079680]The implications of democracy in Egypt are simply too much to handle, and would change not only the region, but the world as we know it. (And I'm not saying this because I'm Egyptian)[/QUOTE] I think most of the actual U.S. lower upperclass and high mid has been following events in the arab league since Tunisia because they recognize the effects it will have pretty substantial effects on a global level, politically and economically. At least I do, anyway. Most of my peers in the same bracket do as well as far as I know. Can't say what the plebs watching Fox do or don't know, but that's a given, their world is flat and only extends some 300 meters from their TV sets.

[QUOTE=voodooattack;28079680]And as we are already seeing, what happened in Tunisia and Egypt is now happening elsewhere in the Middle-east: Libya, Algeria, Bahrain, Yemen, and Iraq are all prime candidates to join the freedom club; at this rate and in 10 years, the Arab League would turn into the next European Union if they don't do something about it.[/QUOTE] That's really amazing to be honest. It'll be a real world change, and people will have to adjust, and hopefully it'll be for the better. I wonder how things will be regarded in the middle eastern world in 20 years' time. Maybe they'll finally get back on their feet and stop receiving the butt end of the stick all the time.

Yea I understand that Voodoo. I was just saying that it would be better than what COULD happen. I don't think Egypt wants to fall into another mubarak type government even though that would be highly impossible. I'm really interested to see what will happen in the next few months. All you Egyptians should feel proud that you helped feed the flame which Tunisia started to take the middle east by storm.

Im gonna continue posting updates on Egypt and the other Arabic revolutions on jan25forum.com in about a day. Had a busy week but I'll resume soon, if anyone's interested (I'm looking at you, Sun, lol).

Looks like things are quite serious at Bahrain, Saudi military was deployed there last night. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brh4FEuBSmw[/media] Libya, Yemen and Algeria are also quite hot at the moment.

My turn, Voodo. [editline]17th February 2011[/editline] Expect a "I love rubber bullet" thread soon. (Lack of plural bullet intended)

I read somewhere that Bahrain government is stopping any ambulances to go to the protests and heal the injured, can anyone confirm? Apparently this is a picture of doctors and paramedics protesting for that decision: [img]http://c0013654.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/x2_4a63574[/img]

[QUOTE=torero;28110142]I read somewhere that Bahrain government is stopping any ambulances to go to the protests and heal the injured, can anyone confirm?[/QUOTE] I wouldn't say impossible, they discriminate against their Shiite citizens systematically. They're also trying their best to control the media and communications there, quite difficult to confirm anything at the moment. Meanwhile in Uganda: [url]http://af.reuters.com/article/ugandaNews/idAFLDE71G1Z620110217?sp=true[/url] [quote]KAMPALA, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Uganda has ordered phone companies to intercept text messages with words or phrases including "Egypt", "bullet," and "people power" ahead of Friday's elections that some fear may turn violent.[/quote] Now those are the kind of implications I was talking about in my huge post up there. [editline]17th February 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Starpluck;28109807]My turn, Voodo. [editline]17th February 2011[/editline] Expect a "I love rubber bullet" thread soon. (Lack of plural bullet intended)[/QUOTE] I miss the good stuff. :saddowns:

[QUOTE=voodooattack;28079680]A true Egypt as a democratic sovereign state would be bad for business. For instance, the first thing a real democracy in Egypt would do would be changing the accepted currency for the toll of the Suez canal to the Egyptian pound, which would then form strong ties to the global economy (for instance, the prices of oil and other goods that pass through it would fluctuate depending on the value of the Egyptian pound), giving it a major boost in value and importance. A logical choice that the previous regime couldn't take because of US and international pressure. (Even now, the income of the Suez canal is separate from the Public Budget, to prevent it from influencing the GDP, which would sky-rocket otherwise)[/QUOTE] I can see the new leadership using this as a bargaining chip in the future.

[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;28111350]I can see the new leadership using this as a bargaining chip in the future.[/QUOTE] Egypt is full of bargaining chips. But I have my doubts that that one's up for bargains. If you study the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suez_Canal#History_of_Suez_Canal]history behind the Suez canal[/url] and how our ancestors were forced to dig it mostly bare handed, you'll know what I mean. [quote]The Suez Canal Company (Compagnie Universelle du Canal Maritime de Suez) came into being on 15 December 1858 and work started on the shore of the future Port Said on 25 April 1859. The excavation took some 10 years using forced labour (Corvée) of Egyptian workers during a certain period. Some sources estimate that over 30,000 people were working on the canal at any given period, that altogether more than 1.5 million people from various countries were employed, and that thousands of laborers died on the project.[42][43][/quote] [editline]17th February 2011[/editline] Finally, videos are coming out of Libya: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tUk9jwoqtE[/media]

I love Qaddafi, he's hilarious and so spontaneous; I wouldn't mind him leading my nation. He also joined the anti-Libyan government protests by the way.

[QUOTE=Starpluck;28112621]I love Qaddafi, he's hilarious and so spontaneous; I wouldn't mind him leading my nation. He also joined the anti-Libyan government protests by the way.[/QUOTE] I prefer to think of him as a very cunning bastard pretending to be a loon. But like every other Arabian leader confronted with change so far, he's murdering his people as we type this. Stupid assholes can't imagine dealing with their people in any other way.

[QUOTE=voodooattack;28113150]Stupid assholes can't imagine dealing with their people in any other way.[/QUOTE] Not to sound dramatic, but I think the truth of it is they just don't give a shit about casualties as long as they're set.

[QUOTE=Xenocidebot;28113467]Not to sound dramatic, but I think the truth of it is they just don't give a shit about casualties as long as they're set.[/QUOTE] That's probably the point. They did so many crimes that the idea of giving-in to change now at the risk of being prosecuted is almost like a death sentence. Also, news just in: [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Bayda,_Libya]Al-Bayda[/url] city is now under full control of the anti-government protesters in Libya. They're blocking pro-Gaddafi mercenary reinforcements from landing at the airport. That was fast.

[QUOTE=voodooattack;28109747]Looks like things are quite serious at Bahrain, Saudi military was deployed there last night. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brh4FEuBSmw[/media] Libya, Yemen and Algeria are also quite hot at the moment.[/QUOTE] welp. Time to stock up on gas and some food.

[QUOTE=voodooattack;28116356]That's probably the point. They did so many crimes that the idea of giving-in to change now at the risk of being prosecuted is almost like a death sentence. Also, news just in: [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Bayda,_Libya]Al-Bayda[/url] city is now under full control of the anti-government protesters in Libya. They're blocking pro-Gaddafi mercenary reinforcements from landing at the airport. That was fast.[/QUOTE] Well, this confirms it. The Middle East is gonna go under an enormous change in the next year, maybe even months. There's also a theory that this could resurrect a pan-arabism movement, which could be really cool. Arab nations under one democratic government could stop dictatorships for good

[QUOTE=ThePutty;28116984]Well, this confirms it. The Middle East is gonna go under an enormous change in the next year, maybe even months. There's also a theory that this could resurrect a pan-arabism movement, which could be really cool. Arab nations under one democratic government could stop dictatorships for good[/QUOTE] or unite it under one dictator

[QUOTE=ScoutKing;28117561]or unite it under one dictator[/QUOTE] Not possible. [editline]18th February 2011[/editline] Gaddafi's mercenaries are using live rounds: [url]http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1718127445814[/url] It's like a carbon-copy of the events here in Egypt.

[QUOTE=voodooattack;28118479]Not possible. [editline]18th February 2011[/editline] Gaddafi's mercenaries are using live rounds: [url]http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1718127445814[/url] It's like a carbon-copy of the events here in Egypt.[/QUOTE] Gaddafi seems like a crazy son of a bitch though. I don't think he'll leave like Mubarak, he'll probably end up bringing his country down with him

Woah this is crazy, so many countries revolting everywhere simultaneously now. GEEZUS Best of luck to them all... Clearly Mubarak being probably the most powerful dictator, I'm pretty sure the others will step down soon too.

[QUOTE=ThePutty;28120329]Gaddafi seems like a crazy son of a bitch though. I don't think he'll leave like Mubarak, he'll probably end up bringing his country down with him[/QUOTE] Oh god, he enlisted troops from Chad to help him kill his people and stay in power: [url]http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2011/s3142683.htm[/url] He's a fucking mad son of a bitch.. that's what he is..

Jesus christ bahrain. Hopefully the stuff in bahrain calms down before I fly in.

[QUOTE=Epic Lul;28126764]Jesus christ bahrain. Hopefully the stuff in bahrain calms down before I fly in.[/QUOTE] Is it now Bahrain?