Egypt

[neoplacebo]

We forgot to give a shout out to our guy Ferdinand Marcos, a long running favorite. His personal penchant was martial law, and it was martial. I seen it. But the Phillipines seem to have survived democracy pretty good since our guy was run out of town on a rail. They've had their scandals and corruption and stuff, but I think they're one of the best examples I can think of that have gone from one extreme to the other. And they still have an active Muslim rebellion in the far south; has been for over 40 years or so. Religion and government just don't dance.

[Cowboy]

Arab Spring. The reservation wandered away from Mubarak and we dumped the sure loser despite not knowing who the eventual winners would be.

I'll buy that.

[Troll Patrol]

With F-16s, Obama signals no US challenge to Egypt coup
If Washington deemed Morsi's removal a coup, the US would be legally required to cut its estimated $1.3 billion in military aid.

Looks like Obama invents his own definitions like Partisan62 does. Oh well, I guess Lockheed Martin profits come first.

What a brilliant deduction by Vrede. Only took 6 1/2 years of Obama for him to figure this out.

[O Really]

I find it laughable that the military take-over in Egypt could rationally be called anything but a coup d'etat. On the other hand, it's pretty ridiculous that the US ability to determine what actions are or are not in its best interest could hang on the definition of "is." The US doesn't need to create yet another enemy in that area, no matter who is in charge of Egypt's government.

[neoplacebo]

I find it laughable that the military take-over in Egypt could rationally be called anything but a coup d'etat. On the other hand, it's pretty ridiculous that the US ability to determine what actions are or are not in its best interest could hang on the definition of "is." The US doesn't need to create yet another enemy in that area, no matter who is in charge of Egypt's government.

Yeah, I guess that's why we continue to arm both sides of the millenium long Middle East conflict on the order of billions each year for each player. I think we'd be just as equally befuddled should we send all the parties nothing. It sure as hell would be cheaper.

[billy.pilgrim]

Just plain and simple education, back to the basics of a liberal arts type education that provides a basic scientific and mathematical background, along with a firm understanding of history, literature and critical thinking and let the wild rumpus begin

It's not like that's missing from society. It exists in far more abundance now than in Jefferson's day. Why not a more practical solution?

sorry, but I've been away

I strongly disagree - there may have been fewer schools but the people who voted did pride themselves in being informed. Sure, we have a lot thrown at education but since the right started its war on education, the instruction has changed from critical thinking to job preparation
From death panels to global warming deniers, the shit spewed from the right never approaches any depth of discussion past what can fit on a bumper sticker. Just as in the 60s, tv producers and advitizers came up with the idea that all shows should be able to be understood on an 8th grade level – thus the birth of the boob tube and the death of art on tv, the right and fox have kept their incendiary twists, spin and lies short enough for the uneducated and the uninformed to swallow and repeat.
We have a lot of work to do to re-create a thinking citizenry.

[O Really]

...
We have a lot of work to do to re-create a thinking citizenry.

Well said, and unfortunately unlikely to be achieved.

[neoplacebo]

Yeah; television could be an incredible tool relative to educational purposes. Instead, it focuses on what are the baser qualities of the human race. It's also a great social divider; being universally available, it serves to make a lot of people aware of what they've not got. And I still think their should be a fireplace channel, an aquarium channel, and maybe a roller coaster channel.

[homerfobe]

Gonna keep supplying the police and military, Obama and Congress?

You nailed it.

[Bungalow Bill]

Well, you know, "restoring democracy" can be a pretty bloody affair.

[neoplacebo]

Looks like Egypt is going off the rails. And it appears to be the start of an all out religious war. I saw a story on ABC tonight talking about Coptic Christians and any other Christians having their churches burned and looted by "protesters" and it gave me a bad feeling. I think we should stop sending money to Egypt. Maybe even bomb the pyramids....nah. But I do wonder how long it's going to take before the wingnuts start screeching about how come Obama hasn't sent the Marines over. It's my hope that things will not get out of control in Egypt; it'll be bad for everybody; even wingnuts.

[rstrong]

Looks like Egypt is going off the rails. And it appears to be the start of an all out religious war.

Standard procedure then, to get people to rally around the government instead, is to start a war with another country.

With Egypt, it's only a matter of time.

[homerfobe]

Odd, I thought most of those workers came from Pakistan and India, not the "Middle East". homerfobe fails geography, again. Must be the worst sailor ever.

What you get for thinking. You'll hurt yourself doing that.here Vrede, Vrede!