Category Archives: Egypt

Police Are Discontented

The so called, “election”of Mohamed Morsi to the presidency has ushered in a new era of uncertainty and anger which has rippled through the entire society of Egypt. Interior Minister MOhaed Ibrahim made clear that a large segment of members of the police force are angry at the inept leadership of their “president.” His statement came a day after the funeral of a member of the security forces when large numbers of police chanted angry remarks against President Morsi.

Ibrahim made clear the Interior Ministry will not confront those planning to protest on June 30 against the president and his buddies in the Muslim Brotherhood. The economy is in chaos, Morsi has allowed attacks on Coptic Christians and seeks to  allow the Muslim Brotherhood to extend its power in the government. A mass rally is planned and, most probably, there will be physical clashes as Egyptians make clear their desire for a democratic society.

Egypt Our Ally??

I is one thing when Russian leader, President Vladimir Putin closes down NGO operations that seek to further the idea of democracy in a nation, it is another when Egypt puts on trial 43 NGO workers, including 16 Americans and claims they received foreign money to do something evil in Egypt. Twenty-seven were tried in absentia because they had the common sense to get the hell out of Islamist ruled Egypt and head to a place where democracy is actually practiced. Among the evil groups funded by these “enemies” of Egypt are -Freedom House, the National Demcoratic Institute which supported efforts to establish a democratic Egypt.

The NGOs  made clear they informed the Egyptian government about their activities and were even given official permission to monitor the country’s first democratic election. Oh, that was the first, and it is clear, as of this date, the only democratic election.

President Morsi wants to establish an Islamic government that will impose its version of Sharia law. Sorry, that is not the same as democracy in practice!

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT

We offer observations on the human condition from a 22 year old mind trapped in an 82 year old body.

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT

If I see a Brinks truck, images of a robbery enter my mind.

I never locked my car prior to age 50.

A heavy set tall man conveys power.

Some wave when the  person is outside, some wave when inside.

Tell me who you are not and you tell me who you are.

To love learning is to love life.

Some peer intently at a screen, some at life.

For some a cup of coffee allows the mind to wander freely.

Some young males hunch over when walking, I guess they want to speed up old age.

Some have a love affair with ignorance.

I wonder if there is a parking problem in Heaven.

I, all too often, wonder how I wound up on planet Earth.

Some accumulate money, some love, some neither.

There are those who seek glory and those who seek peace.

Cars are the enemy of walking.

Money is not the root of evil, it is the root of stress.

HEADLINES FROM WORLD PRESS

We offer samples of headlines that appeared in the world press along with our comments.

New Zealand, New Zealand Herald:  ”How Rich Dodge Taxes”

Easily.

Australia, Sydney Morning Herald:  ”Man Who Made A Difference”

When it comes to wrecking America, just say the name, George Bush.

USA, aol:  ”Brawl At Kindergarten Graduation”

Keep your damn hands off my Barbie Doll!

UK, Guardian:  ”Sue Airline Over Spilled Coffee”

Ouch!

Egypt, Al-Ahram:  ”1000 Iraqis Died In May”

Hurrah for the famous Petraeus Surge Which ended violence in Iraq!

USA, NY Daily News:  ”50 Years For Stealing Ribs”

You can bet the man was black skinned.

Sweden, Local:  ”Invite Town To Wedding”

And, each person made a comment to the couple.

Mubarak Redeux

It is now clear that Egypt had a  revolution and the good guys that helped to lead it were really some of the bad guys who were thrown out of office. President Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood promised they had no intention of imposing a Sharia law approach to modern Egypt and they lied through their teeth. Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court ruled that the Islamist dominated Senate was illegal and the new Constitution that Morsi imposed on the people of Egypt was unconstitutional. Judge Maher al-Beheirg ruled the Shura Coucil should remain until there is a new Constitution that will be voted in a free election by the nation.

President Morsi is a total disaster. His task was to unite the people of Egypt, including the ten percent who are Christian. His task was to respect the ideas of both secular and Islamist Egyptians in order to create a society that can be based on modern economic and political ideas. He failed. It is time for him to go!

Turkey May Encounter Spring Weather This Summer

Turkey is governed by a Muslim leadership that claims to respect the rights of all citizens as he slowly and gradually pushes for laws that would deny those who are not believers in a land governed by Sharia law  to practice their version as to what constitutes being a Muslim. Under leadership of Prime Minister Erdogan there are increasing examples of an authoritarian bent to the government. A proposed plan to demolish Taksim Gezi Park in order to build a new mall led thousands of young people to protest. They were greeted by police using force to end this demonstration.

The European Union Commissioner for Enlargement which is reviewing the Turkish desire to enter the EU warned against denying the right of assembly. Peter Stano made clear to the Erdogan government its concerns. “We condemn all excessive and disproportionate use of force.” The US State Department also made clear its concern.

Slow down Erdogan.

Middle East Muddle Continues

There is one certainty in life when anything connected with the Middle East is raised-an American diplomat will urge Palestinians to come to a bargaining table that is tilted in the direction of Israel concerns. Secretary of State John Kerry wants President Abbas who heads the Palestinian Authority to sit down and talk with Israeli leaders. Kerry promised to unveil a new plan that would provide Palestine with  $4 billion in economic aid to jump start the economy and dramatically reduce unemployment for Palestinians. He urged President Abbas, “shouldn’t we really dance around the table? Let’s sit  together. You’ll be surprised how much can be achieved in  open, direct and organized meetings.”

Palestinians for the past several years HAVE agreed to meetings. Abbas simply has asked Israeli leader Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt further settlement on the West Bank until there IS an agreement. Yes, let everyone sit   down and talk, just quit stealing land from Palestinians and any meeting room will be filled with people!

Prohibition In Egypt

Once upon a time the nation of Egypt had a dictator. He was a tyrant, he abused people, tortured them and even killed opponents. But, he was wise enough not to pester establishments which sold alcoholic beverages because tourists came to
Egypt not only to gaze in wonder at its historic monuments, but they also wanted to enjoy the good life and that meant alcohol. And, to the bad dictator was deposed and soon there appeared good solid Islamists who disliked alcohol. Now, liquor stores have new problems. “Our problems are with the Salafis(ultra conservative Muslims) who harass us, either verbally or with violence.”

The Muslim Brotherhood is in charge of the government. They want to return to the eighth century. I have a  hunch they drank alcohol in the good old days. Of course, then, they did not depend on tourist dollars to survive.

Blame It On The Jews!

The problem in being a Jew over the past two thousand years is that whenever people are upset at something or anything they simply turn to the ever available enemy-the Jew. Most Middle Eastern people are still convinced the Mossad was behind the 9/11 bombing. They are convinced that Israel agents are stirring up trouble in Egypt in order to discredit the beloved Muslim Brotherhood. A few days ago bombers blew up cars and killed dozens of people in a Turkish border town with Syria. Mihrad Ural, former leader of “Acilcier”- the Hasty Ones– claims that Israel agents did the bombing in order to disrupt the life of our wonderful Syrian leader, President Bashar al-Assad.

“Israel has an interest in this, since the Syrian army’s recent gansshow that Bashar al-Assad is here to stay.”Let’s face it, them Jews were behind the Boston Marathon Masscre!

Election In Iran

The people of Iran will h old an election in June to decide the name of their new president. We know that current President Ahmadinejad will not run. We do know the United States  believes in elections and welcomed the recent one in Egypt when  Mr. Morsi controlled vote tallies to ensure victory for the Muslim Brotherhood. The US accepted that outcome. The election in Iran will  witness manipulation of vote counts, but  it is a certainty the US will not recognize this unfair tactic. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is a conservative who does enjoy support from moderates in the nation. It is unclear whether the Guardian Council will allow him to run. Even more unclear if they will allow him to win if he does win the most votes.

The only certainty is the US will denounce the Iran election while it accepts the Morsi election outcome. When Americans hate, they hate.