Egypt is falling

[dean]

So an Australian journalist was dragged away by the police, eventually released but roughed up a little, for no good reason, by the police.  All for filming 'without a permit' even though they've never needed one before.  And another got shot by a sniper, allegedly. 

No good.  With police like that no wonder things are so crazy over there.


Anyways, on a lighter note, I saw this and found it funny:

[Jack]

Overthrowing the government always sounds like such a great idea, until you realize that then you have to set up a new government.  History shows that the results tend to be unpredictable.

[lester1/2jr]

A people's uprising against empire

"A young generation has managed to shrug off an oppressive regime akin to those who revolted against the Soviet-bloc."

[Couchtr26]

Overthrowing the government always sounds like such a great idea, until you realize that then you have to set up a new government.  History shows that the results tend to be unpredictable.

That is where many things fall apart.  Most revolutions follow the French Revolution more closely then American.  Not saying it (the American Revolution) is better, just less violent.  There also tend to be witch hunts for those who are pro the former government or not into the new group enough. 

[Umaril The Unfeathered]

Overthrowing the government always sounds like such a great idea, until you realize that then you have to set up a new government.  History shows that the results tend to be unpredictable.

That is where many things fall apart.  Most revolutions follow the French Revolution more closely then American.  Not saying it (the American Revolution) is better, just less violent.  There also tend to be witch hunts for those who are pro the former government or not into the new group enough. 

Very true.  Once a government falls, it's easy to say "we're going to do this" and "were going to do that" and in reality, you have to mostly deal with the immediate will of the people who want THEIR satisfaction., and want it now. 

If it weren't for the human trait of instant gratification, transitions might be smoother. But try to satisfy a million-or-so people on the spur of the moment and you suddenly realize that things don't look that good...

[indianasmith]

Overthrowing the government always sounds like such a great idea, until you realize that then you have to set up a new government.  History shows that the results tend to be unpredictable.

That is where many things fall apart.  Most revolutions follow the French Revolution more closely then American.  Not saying it (the American Revolution) is better, just less violent.  There also tend to be witch hunts for those who are pro the former government or not into the new group enough. 

I will say the American Revolution was better!  I'll trumpet it from the rooftops!
What did the French Revolution produce?  A Reign of Terror, followed by a dictatorship, followed by an emperor followed by a restored monarchy, followed by a reformed monarchy, followed by another revolution, followed by a dictatorship, then ANOTHER emperor . . .

What did the American Revolution produce?  The most stable Republic in the history of the world, flawed in places, true, but with a remarkable capacity for self-correction, usually (but not always) by peaceable means.  A Constitution that is the model for self-governed nations the world over.  An economy strong enough to rescue Europe from self-destruction twice in the same century.  I am tired of academics and other whiners who want to blame America for all the world's troubles.  For all our faults and failings, the world has become a better place since the establishment of the United States, and America's efforts have had a great deal to do with that.  I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THAT LOVE!

[lester1/2jr]

I hope they stay out in the streets and don't accept this bs compromise.

[Couchtr26]

Overthrowing the government always sounds like such a great idea, until you realize that then you have to set up a new government.  History shows that the results tend to be unpredictable.

That is where many things fall apart.  Most revolutions follow the French Revolution more closely then American.  Not saying it (the American Revolution) is better, just less violent.  There also tend to be witch hunts for those who are pro the former government or not into the new group enough. 

I will say the American Revolution was better!  I'll trumpet it from the rooftops!
What did the French Revolution produce?  A Reign of Terror, followed by a dictatorship, followed by an emperor followed by a restored monarchy, followed by a reformed monarchy, followed by another revolution, followed by a dictatorship, then ANOTHER emperor . . .

What did the American Revolution produce?  The most stable Republic in the history of the world, flawed in places, true, but with a remarkable capacity for self-correction, usually (but not always) by peaceable means.  A Constitution that is the model for self-governed nations the world over.  An economy strong enough to rescue Europe from self-destruction twice in the same century.  I am tired of academics and other whiners who want to blame America for all the world's troubles.  For all our faults and failings, the world has become a better place since the establishment of the United States, and America's efforts have had a great deal to do with that.  I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THAT LOVE!

I agree but was trying to take a more neutral approach.  I love America as well but try to draw the line so I don't fall into the trap of overzealous patriotism.  I don't like that in any form.  Overzealous approaches to things are never good. 

[Umaril The Unfeathered]

Overthrowing the government always sounds like such a great idea, until you realize that then you have to set up a new government.  History shows that the results tend to be unpredictable.

That is where many things fall apart.  Most revolutions follow the French Revolution more closely then American.  Not saying it (the American Revolution) is better, just less violent.  There also tend to be witch hunts for those who are pro the former government or not into the new group enough. 

I will say the American Revolution was better!  I'll trumpet it from the rooftops!
What did the French Revolution produce?  A Reign of Terror, followed by a dictatorship, followed by an emperor followed by a restored monarchy, followed by a reformed monarchy, followed by another revolution, followed by a dictatorship, then ANOTHER emperor . . .

Haha, yeah. Hard to believe that, given their history, that France is the same country that helped us fight the British during the latter part of The Revolution, as well as giving us Lady Liberty.

What did the American Revolution produce?  The most stable Republic in the history of the world, flawed in places, true, but with a remarkable capacity for self-correction, usually (but not always) by peaceable means.  A Constitution that is the model for self-governed nations the world over.  An economy strong enough to rescue Europe from self-destruction twice in the same century.  I am tired of academics and other whiners who want to blame America for all the world's troubles.  For all our faults and failings, the world has become a better place since the establishment of the United States, and America's efforts have had a great deal to do with that.  I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THAT LOVE!

 

Many may not agree with your assessment, but as I am one who DOES, I'll also point out that not ALL non-Americans view us unfavorably.  One such person, the late Toronto times correspondent Gordon Sinclair, made a great broadcast sometime in the early 1970's, entitled "America, The Good Neighbor.

In it, he details just about every time America helped other countries, only to be turned down when the time came to do the same. He even mentions how we rescued France's economy in 1956, only to be "swindled and insulted in the streets of Paris" as he puts it.

Europe still dosen't seem to realize that w\o America, they'd still be listed in The Hitler Directory (or The Red Pages, as post WW2 politics has seen.)

In any case, war aside, we've done a LOT for our neighbors and seem to get little in return for it except the usual slap in the face. That's gratitude for you..

[JaseSF]

Here's hoping Egypt ends with a positive change in the end of all this.

[Umaril The Unfeathered]

Here's hoping Egypt ends with a positive change in the end of all this.

Agreed. Everyone always thinks of things such as this as "a world away" and "not in our backyard" but never seem to realize the TRUE impact it can and does have on the world at large.  Everything from oil prices to alliances can easily be affected by this. It dosen't take long for the world to fall apart, and it all starts with one or two bricks breaking away from the foundation.

[Raffine]

MSNBC is reporting Mubarak will step down as president "any minute now".

[lester1/2jr]

It's enough with this guy. Why put off the inevitable? What was the point of all this? Like maybe people would think it pover and change their mind?

[Raffine]

Nope.

He said (I paraphrase) "My dear little children, screw you guys! I'm stayin' put!"

[Couchtr26]

Yeah, what the hell is this I'm staying but VP blah blah blah.  That is some bullchit.