Iran has internationally heralded the protests in Egypt as a popular and justified uprising. However, like China, it has now blocked the BBC coverage of the protests to avoid any Iranian getting any ideas about freedom. Iran previously celebrated democratic freedom by arresting, beating, and in some cases executing protesters.
The BBC’s Persian TV service is being jammed by the Iranians. The greatest problem was that Iranians were communicating with Egyptians about their shared experiences.
Some Iranians were thinking of forcing the government’s hand by calling for protests in support of the Egyptians to get around the ban on protests in that country. The Iranian opposition has been warned not to go to the streets to support the Egyptians.
This is the 31st anniversary of the uprising by the Iranian people against the Shah. What a wonderful way to celebrate it by arresting people and blocking transmissions. The Shah would be impressed.
Source: BBC
Jonathan Turley
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to ….
The uprising for democracy in Egypt has scared all the dictators shitless, including our own. The last thing any of these “leaders” wants is a populace demanding rights and actual democracy. All the regimes will fall should this happen.
If you listen to our newz you will notice a great deal of propaganda as we call for Suleiman, our man in torture, to “replace” Mubarak. Therefore, while our newz is not censored, it is mostly disinformation.
This uprising has thrown the dictators into trouble because they did not plan for it and don’t yet know how they will crush it (or if they can crush it). I hope they cannot crush it. The Egyptian people are an inspiration. They are showing incredible courage, intelligence–they are amazing!
What Jill said.
And Kate, too. “It’s 1183 and we’re all barbarians.” We just have more sophisticated knives now.
hear hear! Jill and Buddha,
I’m beginning to think that the boundaries of countries exist only because it makes controlling people a lot easier….
And Mubarak steps down.
“The Egyptian military issued a communiqué pledging to carry out a variety of constitutional reforms in a statement notable for its commanding tone. The military’s statement alluded to the delegation of power to Mr. Suleiman and it suggested that the military would supervise implementation of the reforms.”
Well at least our Federal government got their torturing asshole of choice to be backed by the Egyptian military.
“I’m beginning to think that the boundaries of countries exist only because it makes controlling people a lot easier….”
Don’t forget “profitable” too there, W=c.
Al jazeera is not reporting that Suleiman is going to be the leader.
This is so amazing! “Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president, has resigned from his post, handing over power to the armed forces.
Omar Suleiman, the vice-president, announced in a televised address that the president was “waiving” his office, and had handed over authority to the Supreme Council of the armed forces.
Suleiman’s short statement was received with a roar of approval and by celebratory chanting and flag-waving from a crowd of hundreds of thousands in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, as well by pro-democracy campaigners who attended protests across the country on Friday.
The crowd in Tahrir chanted “We have brought down the regime”, while many were seen crying, cheering and embracing one another.
Mohamed ElBaradei, an opposition leader, hailed the moment as being the “greatest day of my life”, in comments to the Associated Press news agency.
“The country has been liberated after decades of repression,” he said.
“Tonight, after all of these weeks of frustration, of violence, of intimidation … today the people of Egypt undoubtedly [feel they] have been heard, not only by the president, but by people all around the world,” our correspondent at Tahrir Square reported, following the announcement.
“The sense of euphoria is simply indescribable,” our correspondent at Mubarak’s Heliopolis presidential palace, where at least ten thousand pro-democracy activists had gathered, said.
“I have waited, I have worked all my adult life to see the power of the people come to the fore and show itself. I am speechless.” Dina Magdi, a pro-democracy campaigner in Tahrir Square told Al Jazeera.
“The moment is not only about Mubarak stepping down, it is also about people’s power to bring about the change that no-one … thought possible.” (al jazeera)
Good for Egypt!
While this is a step forward, what’s the plan for a transition for elections? I eagerly await the next steps in the process.
The military does not have entirely clean hands and earlier in the week Al Jezeera was reporting that the protesters also wanted the commanders of the armed forces removed. Apparently there is a distinction in the minds of the citizens between the command level of the military and the lower level of military members.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/09/egypt-army-detentions-torture-accused
When will the United States have its “Egyptian” moment? The disparity between the rich and the poor is greater in the US than in Egypt, but yet we allow the Rich to get their tax breaks.
raff,
It’ll happen. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. It may take a decade. But it will happen. It is the inevitable outcome of a multi-tiered legal system, an inherent injustice, coupled with purposeful social inequities. I know this because history tells me so. Me and Marie Antoinette’s head were discussing that very subject this morning.
Well . . .
To be fair, I was doing most of the talking.
Rafflaw, “When will the United States have its “Egyptian” moment? The disparity between the rich and the poor is greater in the US than in Egypt,…”
And greater than it’s been since the Great depression.
When things get bad enough, long enough for enough people there may be an “Egyptian moment”. Rampant, now un-regulated speculation on commodities has driven up prices for basic commodities to the point that many of the people in Egypt living on $2 a day can’t afford food. Same for many of the countries in the Mid-East.
We also still live on credit. Credit cards only make people think they’re better off than they actually are and there is a trend to lower the maximum credit limit on even ‘good’ users. The middle class is all but dead and union employees are down to 11.5% of the working population.
Add that, what BIL said and the fact that the political system doesn’t even pretend to be responsive to the needs of the citizenry and we’re getting there.
Don’t think it will happen here. The citizenry here is too polarized over racial and social issues to present a united front. Also the anti-Obama tea party is anti-union and anti-minority. Can’t see a viable coalition.
It won’t happen till the bread runs out – one of the reasons why revolutions happen – in France, in Russia, in Tunisia and now in Egypt.
The Romans knew the value of bread and circuses and every regime since has finally failed only when the bread ran out – or finally became too expensive for the poor. When people’s children start to starve, look out.
http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=54345
Buddha,
I think I heard Mr. Mubarak tell the crowds in Cairo, Let them eat cake! I also think it will happen in my lifetime.
Buckeye,
the “bread” is already running out if the disparity between rich and poor in the US is worse than Egypt and many other countries.
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2011/02/11-8 Pro-democracy protests in Algeria.
I think if we do have a revolution in this country it will be a right wing one.
strangely, the embed codes are disabled….but I can’t think of a more appropriate vid…..
http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/562840/201102101920/What-Egyptians-Really-Do-Want.htm
what Eygpt really wants.
Hey! The Swiss got something right this time . . . Mubarak’s Assets Frozen By Swiss Government.
This just in . . .
Iran Protests: Tens Of Thousands March, Security Fires Tear Gas
A developing story . . .
Iran lawmakers call for execution of opposition leaders . . . coming soon to a Tea Bagger Party near you.
BIL, great minds think alike. I just posted that story.
I am indeed honored, good sir.
I suspect Mann Coulter’s as giddy as a school girl over this:
“CBS reporter Lara Logan brutally attacked during Egyptian protests last week”
CBS News released information today regarding the brutal beating and sexual assault of reporter Lara Logan by a throng of Egyptian protesters last Friday. While millions of Egyptians celebrated the end of the Mubarak regime, a violent mob engulfed Logan, and it took dozens of people to rescue her. Egyptian authorities apprehended the CBS reporter earlier this month amid a government clampdown on foreign reporters.
Per CBS:
In the crush of the mob, she was separated from her crew. She was surrounded and suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating before being saved by a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers.
Logan returned to the U.S. the next morning, and CBS says it will release no further information on the incident at the request of Logan and her family.
http://www.salon.com/news/egyptian_protests/index.html?story=/news/feature/2011/02/15/cbs_lara_logan_assaulted_beaten_egypt
Stamford,
That is horrible. You are probably right the Coulter and her CPAC buddies are probably cheering for the thugs.
well I hope she didn’t get pregnant, if so she’ll likely be raped again when she gets home…..
rafflaw:
Disgusting, isn’t it?
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Woosty’s:
You took the words right out of my mouth.