Egypt disappears from the internet

[Ex-Cyber]

I'll admit that I've been pretty much completely ignorant of modern Egyptian history and politics, so I started doing a little reading. Apparently the Egyptian government has been operating under "emergency powers" for about the past 40 years. And has held elections under that condition in which nobody could actually run against Mubarak or his predecessor. The original emergency was apparently an imminent military conflict that was over in a matter of days, yet the state of emergency was never canceled. It makes me wonder how wise it really is for the US Constitution to allow suspension of habeas "when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it". That's an awfully vague criterion. Granted, we've already had 2 presidents who have taken the position that they can basically suspend habeas a la carte, purely on their say-so, without establishing any imminent insurrection or threat to public safety.

I think it's one part of a larger attempt to tie modern events to WWII, which is widely perceived as the last "good" war. Some examples: comparing leaders we don't like to Hitler, 9/11 to Pearl Harbor, comparing the American-allied and occupied Iraq as similar to post-war Japan, and finally random authoritarian systems to fascism

Don't forget "axis of evil".

[Jonathan Ingram]

The far-right regime in Israel must be shitting their pants now. The events unfolding in Egypt and Lebanon will drastically change the situation in the region, and not in Israel`s favor either. Add to that Iran and Syria which are already hostile to Israel as well as the worsening relations with Turkey.

[burgerkingdiamond]

Fuck, the world sucks. It's a scary place out there.

[neorichieb1971]

Don't worry about Israel, big brother is watching as always.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Israel, Israel... (I know it's not the best of all times to post this, but it's just too rad for its own good.)

[CMoon]

I know it's not the best of all times to post this

That is where you are wrong, sir.

[burgerkingdiamond]

Israel, Israel... (I know it's not the best of all times to post this, but it's just too rad for its own good.)

what.. the.. fuck... did I just watch for 5 seconds?

[Obiwanshinobi]

There is more where that came from:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14nfbu2we5c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8pVvJIzllA

[Domino]

The far-right regime in Israel must be shitting their pants now. The events unfolding in Egypt and Lebanon will drastically change the situation in the region, and not in Israel`s favor either. Add to that Iran and Syria which are already hostile to Israel as well as the worsening relations with Turkey.

Someone from the Israeli left (Labor) wishes Mubarak well and hopes the riots pass quickly (and this is not even coming from the right).

I'm just sitting back waiting to see what happens. The last thing I want to see is another Islamic Hard-Line government forming after all of this. People there are more or less sick of tired of the usual business there.

Iran and Syria are two fucked up places to be already. Got to love the Iranian government who are ultra-religious, homophobic, Israel/Western bashing when their own people are hurting. Inflation is a huge problem in Iran and corruption is HUGE. More and more people there really don't give a shit about the west and etc., they just want jobs and etc.

You just love when countries care more about external affairs than their own people.

[BulletMagnet]

Inflation is a huge problem in Iran and corruption is HUGE. More and more people there really don't give a shit about the west and etc., they just want jobs and etc.

Methinks most people in pretty much ANY country would rather just have a bit of everyday peace and security to get on with their lives than being part of some Grand Plan or other, but most every impression I've seen suggests that this sentiment is particularly prevalent in Iran, and has been for some time - of course, even those who don't buy the leadership's demonization of the West probably aren't too keen on outside influence within their country, since foreign meddling is largely responsible for both the regime they're dealing with now and the one they dealt with before that.

You just love when countries care more about external affairs than their own people.

Cynical buggers like myself might note that there's been quite a lot of this going on right here on the home front of late.

[neorichieb1971]

Governments should be voted in with wish lists that have to be honoured to get in. The voting system as it stands could change the regime and just be "business as usual". It helps if your country lets you vote though.

If you live your life like a social grunt like most of us are, you won't notice a difference to anything apart from having a job or not having a job. To most of us thats the only life changing aspect, well I can attest to it thats how my life has played out.

I have not come across an internet disappearing or police battering the hell out of me. If that happened I'd fight to my death cos it ain't worth living with that kind of worry on your mind day in and day out.