With Libya now moving to a Sharia-based system that will impose religious values on the population, Egypt is also rapidly moving toward an extreme Sharia based system. Indeed, Hesham al Ashry (the leader of the Salafists) announced this week that “I am the enemy of democracy.”
Businessman Naguib Sawiris now calls Egypt’s future “dim … bad.”
Al Ashry put the reality into perspective: “This is a big opportunity and it’s not going to go back. This was mentioned by the Prophet Mohammed. Peace be upon him. He said this was going to happen.” Thus, the freedom that led to the overthrow of Mubarak regime will now be extinguished to embrace a new form of oppression — just faith-based rather than tyrant-based repression.
One of the objections made to the intervention of the United States in Libya was that, in addition to the absence of any declaration from Congress, President Obama could bring bring about a more radical regime. Even at the time, Libyan rebels were known to have extremist elements, including some linked to Al Qaeda. Some of the same concerns were heard in our Egyptian policies. I am less critical of the Obama policy on Libya. Indeed, I thought the Administration struck the right tone — without military intervention. However, there is a general misconception that the “Arab Spring” necessarily means a triumph of democracy and human rights. Movements in both Libya and Egypt show the powerful pull of theocratic oppression. The denial of the separation of mosque and state (as well as religious freedom) undermines a host of other rights from free speech to free association. The Obama Administration undermined those rights further with its shocking support of a United Nation’s resolution that embraced the concept of blasphemy prosecutions.
With the move to Sharia law, Egypt is showing other signs of extremism. Sectarian violence, particularly against Christians, has increased with little intervention from the military.
The loss of Egypt to religious extremism would be extremely destabilizing for the regime. It will also raise a question of our continued massive support for the country. Even though we have cities and states breaking under economic pressures, we are still pouring billions in aid to both Israel and Egypt.
Noah & Gene,
At this point all we can do is wait and see just how crazy they will get out there. Some are wanting to dump Michelle “My Husband is Not Gay” Bachmann, but cannot for fear of triggering a boatload of primary money.
Herman Cain is collecting a lot of cash too, but how will he do in a debate against a real intellectual. He is an authoritarian who appeals to the authoritarian base.
An astute observation, Noah.
“The teabaggers were never a grass roots movement … they always existed inside the Republican political box.”
I think they moved into the Republican party – like a tumor moves into a body. I think the mainstream Republicans know they outnumber the teabaggers, but they also know that if they disagree with the teabaggers, the Koch brothers will “primary” them. A Republican who crosses the teabaggers will find that an opponent with endless funds will be running in the next primary.
It is a classic, Gene!
That’s one of my favorite movies of all time, raff.
Great clip Gene!
I guess the Cardinals just won the series, there is an omni-directional cacophony of fireworks, some of them loud and large. That or the OWS contingent in St. Louis has taken a really militant turn. Damn! It sounds like mortor rounds down here in my neck of the county, almost dropped my coffee….
I’m so happy I could do the Walter Huston dance.
Cardinals win!
Crap,
I picked the Rangers!
Two outs, Murphy at bat for the Rangers.
It’s top of the 9th and the Cardinals lead Rangers 6-2.
Go Cards!
“I take it you now think Pelosi will save us.”
No. I’ve been drinking beer, not taking hallucinogenics.
“Blouise,
To be fair, I’m not generally dismissive of Bdaman’s comments. Just the ones where he’s full of crap or citing disreputable sources. It’s not as if he’s an Objectivist.” (Gene)
I know and probably could have worded it better.
I take it you now think Pelosi will save us. (come on, it’s Friday … time to shake things up 🙂 )
Here in Cleveland the OWS took the city to court and won … protests are legal 24/7.
Nobody is going to waste time in D.C. … only politicians there and OWS isn’t interested in politicians. Also, the 1% don’t live in D.C … the 1% live and pretend to work in places like NYC, LA, etc. … that’s where you’ll find the OWS. Outside the box.
People have said a lot of things about Andy Breitbart, but “smart” or any of its synonyms are never in the list of adjectives selected.
OS,
Breitbart is screwing with the wrong group if he is behind this Marine hating site!
Andrew Breitbart is as predictable as the sunrise. He and like-minded right wingnut bloggers are already smearing Scott Olsen, the Marine vet injured in Oakland. Somebody named “Scott Olsen” registered a domain called “IHATETHEMARINECORPS.COM”. Breitbart and other wingers are all over it with hate for Scott Olsen, right up to the point that it turns out to be registered to an address in Milan, Illinois. The Marine vet Scott Olsen is not from there and it is not his address. The site suddenly disappeared a few minutes ago as soon as the bogus registration hit the liberal blogs. They cannot even do something like that right?
From TBogg at Firedoglake:
http://tbogg.firedoglake.com/2011/10/28/scott-olsens-granite-countertops/
And from a blogger at Daily Kos:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/28/1031087/-Breitbart-and-Right-Wing-blogosphere-SMEAR-injured-vet-Scott-Olsen?via=siderecent
One commenter observed that it did not take long for them to go Godwin.
Regarding the Washington incident. Yes, Ferguson was the man, but it is an apocryphal story. No one knows if it was true or if it was a urban legend of the day.
OS,
I just read your link. Same guy.