Egypt and President Mohammed Morsi: A Democracy in its Infancy

We all know that infants aren’t born walking. First, they learn to crawl. And eventually, they’ll learn to walk. During this time, they’ll fall down. And get back up again. All of this is part of the process. It might be a little frustrating to watch, but you know in the end, they’ll be fine. When I think about Egyptians and what they’re going through right now, I think about those babies learning to walk.

The recent events show their progress through this struggle. They are protesting in Tahrir Square again. This time, it’s against their new president, Mohammed Morsi. President Morsi seems to be pulling a “Mubarak” with a power grab. Last week, he issued an edict to dissolve their judiciary. It happens to be the branch of government that he doesn’t control. Man, that takes some balls.

They’re are fighting this with everything they have as the crowds are just as big as when they protested Mubarak last year. I love what one protester said:

“It’s like a wife whose husband was beating her and then she divorces him and becomes free. If she remarries she’ll never accept another day of abuse.”

I hope they are able to kick him out or at least stop his dictatorial power grab.

I’ve heard from Conservative pundits that the Arab Spring was not a positive thing. They were afraid that radical Islamists would take over the governments of these countries. When Mohammed Morsi was elected, the pundits were quick to point out that he is a part of the Muslim Brotherhood.

My response to that was, “So?” The Arab Spring was about citizens finding their voices and striving for democracy in a region that is conducive to neither. Egyptians could vote for whoever they wanted, and they voted for Mohammed Morsi. Was that a mistake? Maybe. The point is that they finally had a say in who was to lead them. That’s huge considering a dictator ruled over them for so long. They might be regretting their choice, but because they have found their voices, they are fighting back.

I will always see the Arab Spring as a good thing. Egyptians have been crawling since last year, and are slowly trying to walk. They will learn a lot as they fall down and get up again – over and over. The first thing they’re learning is that democracy is messy. They might not see it now, but a lot of already know. It will take time, but they will be fine.

Hey Netanyahu! Take that Red Line, and Shove…

I really want to finish that sentence. This guy has an itchy trigger finger. That’s fine – until he starts calling on the United States to draw that “red line” for Iran not to cross.

This is what trips me out. Last week, he said that since Washington refused to put strict limits on Iran, we lost any “moral right” to keep Israel from acting. Now, he says:

“We always reserve the right to act. But I think that if we are able to coordinate together a common position, we increase the chances that neither one of us will have to act.”

Oh so it’s, “you can’t tell us what to do but please help us do it?” What the hell?

Thank God Israelis and members of Netanyahu’s cabinet are divided on his stance, too. It will be harder for him to get the go signal to launch a strike against Iran. Still, he pushes us:

“You have to place that red line before them now, before it’s too late,” Netanyahu said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” program.

Bull crap. We don’t have to do a damn thing just because you said so. I’m irritated as hell that he’s trying to bully us into taking this hard-line stance.

We should tread very lightly here since we’re talking nuclear weapons. I don’t want the US involved in some who’s-got-the-bigger-jimmy? contest, even if together with our “ally” Israel, it’s obvious we do. Why? What if they don’t give a crap and start firing? It would be, “Welcome World War III. We should have known you were coming.”

To Qathafi: “It’s Over, Frizz-Head”

Libya Rebels in Tripoli, Gadhafi Defenses Collapse

Tripoli residents actually chanted that in Green Square. OK, being a curly girlie, I couldn’t help but laugh.

Seriously, though, this might be it. I don’t want to get my hopes up too much, but Qathafi’s 42 year rule might be ending soon. According to reports, rebels have arrested his two sons.  His son, Seif al-Islam, is the big catch. He was indicted by The Hague for the crackdown on rebels and slaughtering of civilians.  They want him to be transferred there.  They are encouraging “justice not revenge.”  Rebels have descended on Tripoli and have taken control of most of the neighborhoods. 

Tripoli’s Green Square was flooded by rebels and residents who support the rebels. They’re calling it, “Martyrs Square.” 1300 people have been killed. I know many, many more will be. Qathafi has already said he will fight until the “last blood drops.” 

I really want him gone. For the sake of his people and all that he has slaughtered. More selfishly, I want him gone so we can get out of there. No more air strikes, drones, and arming rebels. All that cost money. Money we don’t have. There are so many problems here at home.  We have to withdraw from these wars and work on our issues.

I hope Qathafi’s rule will end. I don’t care if he comes out of this dead or alive. I just want his long chapter to be closed.

Why, Hamas? Why?

Hamas Closes Gaza Crossing into Egypt as Tensions Rise

Ugh. OK, the numbers of Palestinians that have been allowed to cross has been limited. Can’t Hamas deal with this without closing the border all together? Meet with officials in private, but let the ones who are allowed to go, go? It might be a smaller number, but it’s something. There are Palestinians who need to go to Egypt for medical reasons. Protesting the border restrictions by closing the border is just plain stupid.

This is all so sad. I have a Facebook friend from Gaza. Sweet, young guy (18). Last week, he was ecstatic about the opening. He hasn’t left Gaza for 10 years. His family has already talked about a trip to Egypt in July. He even started talking longer-term. He really wants to go to Malaysia to study dentistry.

When I woke up this morning, I saw that he messaged me and was very sad. I checked the news, and I felt so bad for him. The optimism is fading fast. I just said that we should remain hopeful and that I’d pray that the border would reopen. What else can we do?

What Hamas is doing is not helping one bit. They are risking this opening. This our way or the highway crap has to stop. I hope they don’t piss off Egypt so much that they close it permanently again. Ugh.

I want my young friend to feel hopeful. I want to see that optimism that 18-year-olds should have. I want to hear those long-term plans again.

Senator Graham Yells, “Kill! Kill!”

Graham: Bomb Gadhafi’s Inner Circle, End Stalemate

Senator Graham was pretty spicy on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. He got all G.I. Lindsey on everyone.

He said,

“So my recommendation to NATO and the administration is to cut the head of the snake off, go to Tripoli, start bombing Gadhafi’s inner circle, their compounds, their military headquarters. The way to get Gadhafi to leave is have his inner circle break and turn on him. And that’s going to take a sustained effort through an air campaign.

OK, I agree with him that Qathafi definitely needs to die. However, an air campaign isn’t going to kill him. There’s just going to be a lot of civilian deaths, and he’ll escape.

This is something that has to be done from the ground. Since we’re not supposed to assassinate a leader of a country, I guess we have to find him in some spider hole, and let his people execute him.

By “we,” I mean the other countries in NATO. Lindsey and John McCain want our weapons and air power back in the game. I guess. They can use our “stuff,” but definitely not our soldiers. No “boots on the ground.” None of our guys and gals dying. We have two other wars on our hands. I hope they and everyone else up on the Hill are keeping that in mind.

Dear Obama, Please Make It Stop. Love, Qathafi

That’s the short version of his letter.

Here’s the original text:

Libya: Col Gaddafi’s Letter to Barack Obama in Full

Wow, Qathafi sure did cut open a vein and bleed on to this letter.

Part 1. Guilt You hurt me, son. I love you. I’m not mad, I’m disappointed.

Part 2. Well-Wishes Good luck in the election. I’m pullin’ for ya.

Part 3. Sympathy We have suffered greatly under that Republican Reagan.

Part 4. World Peace Friendship, cooperation, and security is the ultimate goal.

Part 5. “But You Said” I heard you say that the US shouldn’t police the world. You’re not taking it back, right?

Part 6. Begging Please, please get NATO to stop with the air strikes.

Part 7. Warning You’ll be sorry because those are al-Qaeda rebels, you know.

Let me write Obama’s response:

Step down, “Dad,” and all of this will stop.

The Bright Spot in Japan: The Dog, “Ban” and Her Human

Happy story time! A mutt dog (like my Diggy), “Ban” was rescued at sea after the devastating tsunami in Japan. They were reunited today and both are ecstatic. I love stories like these. Enjoy! 🙂

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Japan ‘tsunami dog’ Ban reunited with owner aft…, posted with vodpod

ETA: Oops, Ban is female!

Libya Airstrikes: Extensions Aren’t Just for Taxes Anymore

US Extends Airstrike Role in Libya through Monday

See? Keep your expectations low, and you won’t be disappointed. We handed over control over to NATO last Wednesday. Because of “weather conditions,” they asked for our help with airstrikes. Just until Monday night.

Senator Graham believes we should still be in control:

“To take the best air force in the world and park it during this fight is outrageous,” Graham said. “When we called for a no-fly zone, we didn’t mean our planes.”

Hey Lindsey. Why don’t you take your trigger-happy ass and climb into a fighter jet?

I mean, hey, what’s a couple days? Or a couple weeks? Hell, a couple years even. We are only in two other wars and have a deficit the size of Libya itself.

Ugh. Can’t someone just go in there, kill Qathafi and his crew so we can be done with it?

A Letter from Qathafi to Obama

To our Son, the Honorable Barack Hussein Obama,

As you are aware, two in my inner circle have turned their backs on me and defected. Even though we are crushing rebels in the east, more wish to leave me.

Frankly, my son, I am growing more weary as this battle continues. I am no longer that young colonel who successfully led the coup d’état of King Idris. I am nearing 70 and have been thinking very hard lately about my life and legacy. It is time to live out the rest of my days in peace. I have been offered refuge by many countries. I am considering Venezuela as my good brother Hugo has been very supportive.

I am willing to step down from power if you will unfreeze my assets. This will allow me and my family to live comfortably in exile.

Upon acceptance of my proposal, my exit will be swift. I look forward to your response. I hope there are no hard feelings. As I have stated before, you would remain my son, and I would always love you.

Very truly yours,

Colonel Muammar Muhammad al-Qathafi

P.S. April Fool!

Farrakhan, Put Down the Bean Pie

Farrakhan: Gadhafi No Monster, has Helped Muslims

Whatever is in it is making you high. I guess you have to defend your sugar daddy donor. $8M is huge, I know, but seriously? He has slaughtered innocent civilians, man.

You really need to read the Good Book again.

“Nor take life — which Allah has made sacred — except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand retaliation or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life, for he is helped (by the Law).” Quran 17:33

He is a monster, and he will pay.