Be Excellent To Each Other :: View topic - Ripples across the world

"Dear Mr Obama. I have had experience in governing Egypt in both Civilizations II and IV, ending with democratic governments. I have a GCSE in Maths and can both forwards and backwards roll. Please consider me for the post of Pharoh, or the new James Bond."

Jesus christ.

Diplomatic car drives directly into group of protestors at high speed.

VERY disturbing footage (really, be careful), and not the first footage I've seen of government/police forces doing this.

[vote: Nervous Pete]

They should send in The Blunt.

I wonder what Gadaffi over the border is thinking now?

@jrug
Jonathan Rugman

On Tahrir front line, they are using a bread basket on the end of a wooden plank as a catapult. Medieval siege warfare to keep Mubarak away

They should send in The Blunt.

NervousPete wrote:

I love you Pete.

Zardoz wrote:

[vote: Nervous Pete]

He can't even spell Mubarak.

I can't even pronounce it right, either. :facepalm:

I wonder what Gadaffi over the border is thinking now?

I cant post in the right thread because of stupid college internet, but the crowd in Tahrir square are going mental, cheering and waving flags. They just suddenly erupted. Aljazeera dont know why yet but they have had reports that there are shouts to march on the palace although the crowd doesnt seem to be moving yet.

Cheer was a rumour spreadin that Mubarak had stepped down, not true though.
Egyptian TV (which has been showing footage of about three people standing on a bridge and claiming that's current scenes at the sight of the protest for the whole day) have suddenyl started broadcasting live footage from the square and aljazeera have heard they are about to air an interview with one of the demo organisers. This is the state run TV channel.

EDIT-telephone interview and he's being allowed to make reference to campaign for pro democracy including facebook campaigns(!)

Gilly wrote:

Amr (I’m not using some last names to reduce the risks to people I quote) was being treated for a wound from a flying rock. I asked him as politely as I could what a double-amputee in a wheelchair was doing in a pitched battle involving Molotov cocktails, clubs, machetes, bricks and straight razors.

“I still have my hands,” he said firmly. “God willing, I will keep fighting.”

Random old man in #Tahrir today saw my busted up face and kissed me on the forehead. #Egypt getting sweeter every day

Thanks for putting all these posts together, by the way. They're an excellent roundup and really fascinating stuff.

Germany is suspending arms exports to Egypt.

Gotta say I'm (very pleasantly) surprised that Google guy got released without being dead. Can't imagine that having happened if there was no media and social media coverage...

The heroes are the ones who gave their lives. The heroes are the ones that were beaten. The heroes are the ones who were arrested and were expsed to danger. I was not a hero. What happened to me made me regret that I wasn't with the people.

Strikes happening in major towns around Egypt.

Interesting piece on Reuters (hat tip: the Guardian's blog) on views outside the conurbations:
http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews ... TQ20110209

Suleiman warned yesterday that the only alternative to Mubarak leaving when he promised to would be 'a coup'.

Information minister says it's all a rumour and Mubarak is still there.

Kern wrote:

Information minister says it's all a rumour and Mubarak is still there.

"There are no tanks protestors in Baghdad Tahrir Square."

According to a senior EU official speaking to press in Brussels on Wednesday evening, Egyptian authorities made it known that now is not the best time: "The foreign minister has said he doesn't want visitors in Cairo in February because their calendar is too heavily loaded ... very busy domestic agenda."

Author:	Zardoz [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:49 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
[vote: Nervous Pete]

Author:	markg [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:50 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
They should send in The Blunt.

Author:	Cras [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:54 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
NervousPete wrote: "Dear Mr Obama. I have had experience in governing Egypt in both Civilizations II and IV, ending with democratic governments. I have a GCSE in Maths and can both forwards and backwards roll. Please consider me for the post of Pharoh, or the new James Bond." I love you Pete.

Author:	devilman [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:54 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
sinister agent wrote: Jesus christ. Diplomatic car drives directly into group of protestors at high speed. VERY disturbing footage (really, be careful), and not the first footage I've seen of government/police forces doing this. Bloody hell. Zardoz wrote: [vote: Nervous Pete] He can't even spell Mubarak.

Author:	Zardoz [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:00 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
markg wrote: They should send in The Blunt. A 100ft Blunt Mecha with ballad-zookas.

Be Excellent To Each Other https://www.beexcellenttoeachother.com/forum/

Ripples across the world https://www.beexcellenttoeachother.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6743	Page 4 of 9

Author:	Cavey [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:00 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Yup, superb post there, Pete. Bravo mate. applauds

Author:	DBSnappa [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:02 ]
Post subject:	Ripples across the world
My daughter spent three days last week chaperoning Prof Johan Galtung around her school last week. He apparently had some quite interesting things to say about the rising tension in the Middle East and at one point expressed an opinion that he felt that Egypt could be the catalyst that would see a domino effect in the region affecting all Arab states.

Author:	Kern [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:02 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
markg wrote: They should send in The Blunt. They're getting Lady Ashton, with 'a policy package for promoting and entrenching democracy in Egypt' (from the Guardian). EDIT the quote that is, not the policy package

Author:	Squirt [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:04 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
I wonder what Gadaffi over the border is thinking now?

Author:	DavPaz [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:07 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Squirt wrote: I wonder what Gadaffi over the border is thinking now? "Dooby, doo, doo... OOH Look! A cloud that looks like a squirell! I wonder what's for lunch"

Author:	Kern [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:08 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
He's holding a top-level meeting with his crack squad of hot female bodyguards.

Author:	Kern [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:19 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
C4 news correspondent with an interesting tweet: Quote: @jrug Jonathan Rugman On Tahrir front line, they are using a bread basket on the end of a wooden plank as a catapult. Medieval siege warfare to keep Mubarak away

Author:	NervousPete [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:35 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
markg wrote: They should send in The Blunt. Craster wrote: NervousPete wrote: "Dear Mr Obama. I have had experience in governing Egypt in both Civilizations II and IV, ending with democratic governments. I have a GCSE in Maths and can both forwards and backwards roll. Please consider me for the post of Pharoh, or the new James Bond." I love you Pete. In the interests of full disclosure, this joke is mostly stolen from my friend Bobby Pickering, who's the funniest man in the world. He said it in a pub once, long ago. His simple-minded voice delivery is awesome too - it goes something like: "Dear MGM, I would like you to consider me for the role of James Bond. I am a fan having seen at least two films and I can bring my own clothes. I can forwards and backwards roll." devilman wrote: Zardoz wrote: [vote: Nervous Pete] He can't even spell Mubarak. I can't even pronounce it right, either.

Author:	DavPaz [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:46 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
NervousPete wrote: I can't even pronounce it right, either. You should totally work for the BBC

Author:	Kern [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 14:39 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Al-Jazeera's office in Cairo reportedly set alight by 'unknown thugs'. Crowds still in Tahil Square - more peaceful than in recent days. The army are only letting in anti-regime protesters.

Author:	Kern [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 16:29 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Not much. Massive protests in Alexandria too. Talk of a march on the presidential palace, but not appearing to happen. Army arresting pro-Mubarak supporters who try to approach Tahir square in cairo.

Author:	sinister agent [ Sat Feb 05, 2011 3:57 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
It seems that the 'day of departure' did not turn out to be so literally, however the protestors have clearly redoubled their determination and people joined the protests in the hundreds of thousands in both Cairo and Alexandria. The military are taking an active role in keeping Mubarak's men away from them now, and it appears that the kind of massed attacks we saw the other night have faded. There are also reports that military police are arresting some protestors away from the square... it's all a bit hard to follow, and nobody but the protestors seems to have fully committed. The army's role seems more protective, but not quite supportive. Violence still breaks out as Mubarak supporters approach, but it seems to be on a relatively small scale around the major protests. Some videos from Thursday. It's a curious atmosphere. There's something bizarrely normal about it, until the fighting starts. And then there's this flickr account, the same place where we put photos of days out to castles, quiz nights, and lazy screen grabs of a game we're playing, except these are taken during the Battle of Tahrir, when the shooting started and Mubarak's goons came out in force. And then there's this guy, speaking last week (I think Friday). It's cropped from a much longer compilation, which very annoyingly has silly music over it, but his bit was the highlight, and just about the most succinct summary of these protests as anyone has managed. Estimates of the dead so far range from 11 to 300. You can probably guess which one of those figures is from the establishment, and which from the UN. Something in the hundreds seems likely according to the other estimates going on, but I doubt anyone will have a clue until this is over and the country comes back together. Many thousands have been wounded. We seem to now be at the stage where the protestors have all but won and they know it. They are determined that Mubarak and his lackeys (including Suleiman) must go. There is still the question of who will step in, but everyone seems to be agreeing that the military will help form an interim government while the reforms and new constitution are implemented. The US appear to be backing Suleiman because he's exactly their kind of cunt, but this isn't a given, and there are alternatives. Mohammed El Baradei, a former director of the international atomic energy agency, was mentioned and still has some support, and Amr Moussa, the head of the Arab League, seems to be considering it. There's also the possibility that someone from among the protestors will be put forward - there are several million of them after all, and statistically, there's a damn good chance they've got some bloody good political material in there. For now though, the protestors seem content to remain and wait until their demands are met. For those of you wanting more context about the protests and what might follow, and in particular, a breakdown of all the administrative and political branches involved in Egypt's regime (as opposed to "hm, if Mubarak goes, Saddam Hussein will rise from the grave and take his place, because I am scared of Muslims" line that the Americans insist on clinging to, despite the overwhelming shows of tolerance and secularity by the protestors), Al Jazeera, once again, have it covered. I freely admit that I was only vaguely familiar with Egypt's situation myself before all this, and am still far from being an expert, so this ought to be pretty useful for anyone with an interest. This Associated Press piece also discusses some possibilities from about halfway down. Foreign support from the media and civilians is still growing, in contrast to the embarassingly poor government response. A New York Times column. Quote: Amr (I’m not using some last names to reduce the risks to people I quote) was being treated for a wound from a flying rock. I asked him as politely as I could what a double-amputee in a wheelchair was doing in a pitched battle involving Molotov cocktails, clubs, machetes, bricks and straight razors. “I still have my hands,” he said firmly. “God willing, I will keep fighting.” As for Al Jazeera, I have to say, if we don't see an absolute shedload of awards coming their way over the coming months, I'll be pretty unimpressed. Their courage and integrity in defying the regime and securing first hand footage from third parties has been remarkable. The coverage has been absolutely top notch, and it's been interspersed with some interesting and wide-ranging news and documentaries you'd never hear about on the BBC (there's one about a sort of travelling court in rural China that goes out to the villages and takes care of legal and social matters for people who have trouble reaching the court. Really hard to explain, it probably has to be seen to be appreciated). Considering that the US has twice "accidentally" bombed their offices, they're remarkably measured in their reporting of American interests, too. They'll be the first place I go for an awful lot of news from now on, I think.

Author:	sinister agent [ Sun Feb 06, 2011 21:54 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Another video of police murdering another unarmed protestor for no reason. The Al Jazeera reporter Mohyeldin has just been released. Wael Ghonim, the google exec, has reportedly been found and will be released tomorrow. Protests have redoubled in Alexandria and all round the country, including in the industrial towns. Even down south in tourist-heavy Luxor, 15,000 people marched. Talk of a possible 'soft coup' by the army - ie: they sit back and wait for the protest to run out of steam, then move in. That way they can hijack the legitimacy of the protest and say Mubarak should go without it being seen as a full-on coup, with all the diplomatic and political hoo-ha that would entail. It would perhaps explain their noncommittal, but somewhat protective behaviour so far, but it remains a theory so far. Protestors reportedly sleeping on and around the tanks to prevent the army from leaving again. The mood reportedly remains positive. Cairocitylimits twatters: Quote: Random old man in #Tahrir today saw my busted up face and kissed me on the forehead. #Egypt getting sweeter every day Picture of Tahrir square about five hours ago. It's still like a festival. Apparently they're making Tuesday a day for decorating the square. Catchy songs are not unheard of. A couple got married in Tahrir square. 'Chants of "Muslims and Christians together as one" rang thru Tahrir 2day during a Christian mass'. A gas pipeline that supplies 40% of Jordan's energy was attacked yesterday. The pipeline supplying Israel was not affected. Personally, I would think this more likely to be anyone other than Israel simply because it makes them look so bad. US Envoy Frank Wismer says Mubarak must stay until September. His comments are quickly disowned by the government. Slavoj Žižek (Me neither) on the staggering hypocrisy of Western commentators banging on about stability. I can't see any clear sign that the protestors have yet organised and elected a representative to negotiate. Sandmonkey came up with a plan to do so the other day, but I don't know what came of it. It's possible they're doing it but not telling the world, or that it'll simply take longer - while it's tempting to think they should put someone forward immediately, one should perhaps consider that it takes fucking forever for a typical political party here to even choose a leader from three or four identical arseholes who've been politicians all their lives. The protestors seem quite capable of holding on for as long as it takes, so perhaps this process is underway, but will simply take a while.

Author:	sdg [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:53 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Berlusconi says "I hope there can be a transition toward a more democratic system without a break from president Mubarak who in the west, above all in the united states, is considered the wiser of men and a precise reference point. Reuses quotes him as saying "I hope there can be continuity in government." From the BBC live updates.

Author:	Zardoz [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:57 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Squirt wrote: I wonder what Gadaffi over the border is thinking now? "Calcium is a metal?!"

Author:	Kern [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 16:12 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Gilly wrote: I cant post in the right thread because of stupid college internet, but the crowd in Tahrir square are going mental, cheering and waving flags. They just suddenly erupted. Aljazeera dont know why yet but they have had reports that there are shouts to march on the palace although the crowd doesnt seem to be moving yet.

Author:	Kern [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 16:18 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Gilly wrote: Cheer was a rumour spreadin that Mubarak had stepped down, not true though. Egyptian TV (which has been showing footage of about three people standing on a bridge and claiming that's current scenes at the sight of the protest for the whole day) have suddenyl started broadcasting live footage from the square and aljazeera have heard they are about to air an interview with one of the demo organisers. This is the state run TV channel. EDIT-telephone interview and he's being allowed to make reference to campaign for pro democracy including facebook campaigns(!)

Author:	sinister agent [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 16:23 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Kern wrote: Gilly wrote: Cheer was a rumour spreadin that Mubarak had stepped down, not true though. Egyptian TV (which has been showing footage of about three people standing on a bridge and claiming that's current scenes at the sight of the protest for the whole day) have suddenyl started broadcasting live footage from the square and aljazeera have heard they are about to air an interview with one of the demo organisers. This is the state run TV channel. EDIT-telephone interview and he's being allowed to make reference to campaign for pro democracy including facebook campaigns(!) Has someone hacked Mubarak TV? That would be the end of it, surely! Oh goddammit, I hate my stupid job, I wish I could be watching. Hell, I wish I could be THERE. What's happening on twatter?

Author:	sdg [ Sun Feb 06, 2011 15:38 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Aljazeera just announced on air that one of their reporters, Ayman Mohyeldin, has been taken by the army and they don't know where he is or what they are doing with him. They've not heard anything from him for a few hours. He is one of the guys who have been there from the start, the 30-40 year old guy with short dark hair, very good looking. If you've been watching aljazeera you'll recognise him. Worrying times, especially after reports of journalists being beaten, robbed and hospitalised. They also showed a video of protestors trying to carry a body of someone who had apparently been shot down...I say apparently, but a minute or so into the video shots ring out and one of the guys trying to help is obviously hit by a bullet because he just collapses as everyone else tries to dodge the danger.

Author:	Cras [ Sun Feb 06, 2011 22:00 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Thanks for putting all these posts together, by the way. They're an excellent roundup and really fascinating stuff.

Author:	DavPaz [ Sun Feb 06, 2011 22:11 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Craster wrote: Thanks for putting all these posts together, by the way. They're an excellent roundup and really fascinating stuff. beex is my first choice news outlet

Author:	sinister agent [ Sun Feb 06, 2011 23:06 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Thanks guys. I'm not normally one to keep up with current events, but this has just grabbed me, it's by far the most remarkable thing I've seen. Quick update to add a great set of photos from the last few days, and footage of a christian mass that took place today. Sandmonkey asks "Please note that under Mubarak's rule, this has never happened." OMG IZLAMISZTS!!! I have to say, I love the fact that one of the biggest online names in this protest is a guy calling himself "sandmonkey". Talk about reclaiming the slur. Also, word is bouncing around that delegations from other cities and areas of Egypt have arrived in Tahrir square to talk about how to move the... movement forward. We may be seeing a bona fide democratic revolution forming a government from start to finish. Bizarre.

Author:	Kern [ Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:46 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
According to Al-Jazeera, the protestors in Tahil Square have set up smoking and non-smoking areas. See what today brings. And yes, I agree with Sinister - these protests, and the reaction to them by the authorities, have been fascinating.

Author:	Kern [ Mon Feb 07, 2011 17:03 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Guardian reporting that the regime has announced a 15% payrise for the public sector and its pensioners. Germany is suspending arms exports to Egypt.

Author:	Grim... [ Mon Feb 07, 2011 17:05 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Kern wrote: Germany is suspending arms exports to Egypt. "Mein Gott, Papa, why das you lock ein gate now? Dobbin ist already gone!"

Author:	Kern [ Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:21 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
DictatorScum, day 12: Hague in Tunisia to give his support for 'change' Rumours circulating that Mubarak will go to Germany for his health (but these are just rumours) Google employee Wael Ghonim has been released Question of whether Cairo is returning to normal, and if the protestors will hold out.

Author:	Curiosity [ Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:09 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Gotta say I'm (very pleasantly) surprised that Google guy got released without being dead. Can't imagine that having happened if there was no media and social media coverage...

Author:	sinister agent [ Tue Feb 08, 2011 16:55 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Curiosity wrote: Gotta say I'm (very pleasantly) surprised that Google guy got released without being dead. Can't imagine that having happened if there was no media and social media coverage... He was kept blindfolded in solitary confinement for 12 days, however. But yeah, I imagine he'd have otherwise been vaporised. Today's big event was a sit-in at Cairo's Parliament building - several hundred (500 given by someone on the ground, so let's say 200 - 300 for cynicism). Apparently quite the success, and people are staying the night. The army have said they will clear them away tomorrow, however they said this about Tahrir square last week. Protests continue around the country, and Tahrir is becoming a home away from home for many. Word is spreading about specific people who've disappeared in the hope that they too will be released. Wael Ghonim speaks in an interview - subtitles aren't terrific, but they're clear enough. It's the second video. Quote: The heroes are the ones who gave their lives. The heroes are the ones that were beaten. The heroes are the ones who were arrested and were expsed to danger. I was not a hero. What happened to me made me regret that I wasn't with the people. This is actually really difficult to watch. He's torn up that he's being hailed as an icon when other people are being killed and getting nothing, among other things. Tahrir Square remains full - earlier today. Egypt itself seems to be getting back to relatively normal. All in all, it sounds rather surreal, but everyone's settling in for the long haul. Some talk of asking the UN to mediate, but I can't see that happening, it's too big a precedent. A quite decent summary from the BBC. Internationally, there seems to be little comment from governments.

Author:	Kern [ Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:31 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Wonderfully cynical cartoon on the always interesting 'War is Boring' blog:

Author:	Kern [ Wed Feb 09, 2011 12:56 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Strikes happening in major towns around Egypt. Interesting piece on Reuters (hat tip: the Guardian's blog) on views outside the conurbations: http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews ... TQ20110209 Suleiman warned yesterday that the only alternative to Mubarak leaving when he promised to would be 'a coup'.

Author:	sinister agent [ Wed Feb 09, 2011 15:44 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Kern wrote: Strikes happening in major towns around Egypt. Interesting piece on Reuters (hat tip: the Guardian's blog) on views outside the conurbations: http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews ... TQ20110209 Suleiman warned yesterday that the only alternative to Mubarak leaving when he promised to would be 'a coup'. Oh dear. I'm not convinced that given the whole 'very popular military' and 'very unpopular dictator' thing, I'd be telling people that the alternative to the dictator is the military. Besides, he's a known liar and scumbag. This is all just posturing to scare people - the propaganda war is the only chance Mubarak has now, and with the re-establishment of the internet, the material the egyptians have is only growing. This isn't a fight they're likely to win. Hell, they let the Google man go, and I doubt Google are going to take kindly to having their executive kidnapped and tortured (and if you think sleep deprivation and solitary confinement aren't torture, go ahead and try them). They'd probably have been better off splatting him and blaming looters.

Author:	Kern [ Thu Feb 10, 2011 16:26 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
BBC and Guardian now reporting rumours reported by AP that senior party and military officials are discussing meeting 'all' the protestors' demands. Of course, these are only rumours, and given Mubarak's earlier grasp of the situation he probably thinks they want him to stay on for a bit longer or do a striptease or something. We can hope they are offering him the one-way goldplated ticket to Latin America or Saudi or London, however. Only rumours, mind.

Author:	Kern [ Thu Feb 10, 2011 16:44 ]
Post subject:	Re: Ripples across the world
Al-Jazeera's blog says: "A senior military commander is reported to have told protesters that all their demands will be met, but no official confirmation is yet available" BBC blog: " AFP news agency reports that the army's supreme council is meeting without President Mubarak. In a statement, they said they would take "necessary measures to protect the nation and support the legitimate demands of the people" AJ: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/ ... t-protests BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698 (nb: textbased, but video occasionally plays automatically so watch out if you are at work)