On Lache Rien-French Anthem In Solidarity With The Egyptian Revolution!

The nerve of them, cribbing their material straight off the NDP mission statement. 

Israel To West: Stop Bashing Mubarak

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/162838.html

Israel Provides Weapons for Egypt

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/162820.html

Washington's Plan B

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=23017

"Raising Lazarus from the dead would be easier than reviving the Egyptian president. So Obama is on to plan B, which as it turns out looks a lot like the status quo.."

Egyptian Uprising Must Address US Interference, Israel

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=23018

The Middle East at a Strategic Crossroads: Threat to US Hegemony

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=23021

"the Arab world's Berlin moment has come and the US supported authoritarian wall has fallen.."

The problem for the Egyptian police, at least from some of the expressions we've been hearing in the crowds, is that the population has very little to go home to at the end of a hard day's protest, and so they apparently don't bother. It does call into question though the temperament these days of people who are called into the 'protect and serve' line of work in this country. It seems that a little folklore and festivity is enough to set them off.

Dominoes Falling in the Arab World

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/162927.html

"In plan B, the Western powers will allow the authoritarian regimes of the Arab world to collapse and attempt to replace them with false democracies run by puppet rulers beholden to their masters in the West. And thus the current confrontation in the Arab world is actually between the forces of true democracy, who want independent countries, and the forces of fake democracy, who are seeking to establish comprador regimes, which would be the same old neocolonialism with a new face.

The dominoes are truly falling in the Arab world, but it is not clear in which direction they are falling..."

Revolutionary Change in Egypt: Internal or Made in USA? - by Stephen Lendman

http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2011/01/revolutionary-change-in-egypt-inte...

"Mubarak's time has passed. Business as usual is planned. Democratic rhetoric masks it, the same kind US audiences hear from leaders flouting it at home and abroad. 'Arabs must be vigilant and very cautious about what happens next - America wants to mortgage the freedom of all Arabs to secure Western and Israeli interests.."

Rage, Rage Against Counter Revolution  - by Pepe Escobar

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MB01Ak02.html

"Islamophobes of the world, shut up and listen to the sound of people power. Your artificial Middle East dichotomy - it's either your dictators or jihadism - was never more than a cheap trick. The Egyptian intifada - among its multiple meanings - slashed to pieces the Western concocted propaganda drive of Arabs as terrorists. Now, minds finally decolonized, Arabs are inspiring the whole world, teaching the West how to go about democratic change...

Next Yemen and possibly Jordan. Expect the counter-revolution to be fierce. And extending way beyond a few bunkers in Cairo..."

What is the Muslim Brotherhood?

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2011/01/31/f-muslim-brotherhood.html

"A closer look at Egypt's unofficial opposition.."

Slavoj Žižek - Why fear the Arab revolutionary spirit?

Quote:

What cannot but strike the eye in the revolts in Tunisia and Egypt is the conspicuous absence of Muslim fundamentalism. In the best secular democratic tradition, people simply revolted against an oppressive regime, its corruption and poverty, and demanded freedom and economic hope. The cynical wisdom of western liberals, according to which, in Arab countries, genuine democratic sense is limited to narrow liberal elites while the vast majority can only be mobilised through religious fundamentalism or nationalism, has been proven wrong. The big question is what will happen next? Who will emerge as the political winner?

When a new provisional government was nominated in Tunis, it excluded Islamists and the more radical left. The reaction of smug liberals was: good, they are the basically same; two totalitarian extremes – but are things as simple as that? Is the true long-term antagonism not precisely between Islamists and the left? Even if they are momentarily united against the regime, once they approach victory, their unity splits, they engage in a deadly fight, often more cruel than against the shared enemy.

Did we not witness precisely such a fight after the last elections in Iran? What the hundreds of thousands of Mousavi supporters stood for was the popular dream that sustained the Khomeini revolution: freedom and justice. Even if this dream utopian, it did lead to a breathtaking explosion of political and social creativity, organisational experiments and debates among students and ordinary people. This genuine opening that unleashed unheard-of forces for social transformation, a moment in which everything seemed possible, was then gradually stifled through the takeover of political control by the Islamist establishment....

The hypocrisy of western liberals is breathtaking: they publicly supported democracy, and now, when the people revolt against the tyrants on behalf of secular freedom and justice, not on behalf of religion, they are all deeply concerned. Why concern, why not joy that freedom is given a chance? Today, more than ever, Mao Zedong's old motto is pertinent: "There is great chaos under heaven – the situation is excellent."

As Mabarak spoke.  The crowd in Tahrir square booed and heckled him.  He stated he would not seek re-election.  The people responded with chants of "leave! leave!..."

The crowd is dispersing now, but already the organizers are planning another big protest on Friday.  My guess is that if Mubarak doesn't step down by then, they intend to trash the place and then things really will get ugly.

Its time everyone who wants to see Egypt transition peaceful into a free democracy state clearly their solidarity with the protesters.  Mubarak must leave now, or this is going to turn very ugly.

Where do you stand Stephen Harper, Mike Ignatieff and Jack Layton?  Are you with Mubarak or with the Egyptian people?  Time to make a statement one way of the other.

Avaaz petition "Stand With Egypt" > http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_egypt/?cl=924378518&v=8265

Avaaz haz had several successes petitioning good causes around the world, including these > http://www.avaaz.org/en/report_back_2

A group of pro-Mubarak supporters tried to enter the main square in Alexandria, as the protesters were leaving.  An argument, lend to a scuffle, led to people on both sides hurling projectiles at each other.  The military quickly intervened, firing shots in the air and separating the two groups.  After a tense stand off and competitive chanting, the situation has returned to normal.

A similar clash occurred in Cairo near Tahrir square, but again the military successfully kept the peace...

The Egyptian people are going to lose patience with Mubarak's tactics. He obviously is playing for time, trying to tire them out. I would not be surprised if they march on his residence, forcing him to flee for his life. After that he will be utterly humiliated and the army will probably just push him aside rather than use force to 'restore order'. Despite the peaceful nature of the protests, it does not sound as if they are willing to be played along like this indefinitely. Their leadership knows that they will lose momentum if they do not act decisively, and soon.

Egypt-US Intelligence Collaboration with Omar Suleiman 'Most Successful' - by Richard Smallteacher / Wikileaks 

http://www.countercurrents.org/smallteacher010211.htm

"New cables released by WikiLeaks reveal that the US government has been quietly anticipating as well as cultivating Omar Suleiman, the Egyptian spy chief, as the top candidate to take over the country should anything happen to President Hosni Mubarak. One diplomatic memo (06CAIRO2933) written on 14 May, 2006 made it clear that the US government was working closely with Suleiman on key regional issues such as figuring out how best to marginalize Hamas in Palestine. 'Our intelligence collaboration with Omar Suleiman, who is expected in Washington next week, is now probably the most successful element of the relationship.'.."

Egypt's Revolution: Obama Backing Regime Change? - by Stephen Lendman

http://www.countercurrents.org/lendman010211.htm

"Washington perhaps wants the appearance of a kinder, gentler replacement, the pretense of change continuing old policies..."

The Egyptian Army seems to be handling this all rather swimmingly.

Hopefully there is a seamless transition without a lot of bloodshed.  We'll see how quickly Mr. Mubarak heads for the airport.

Signal Disruptions hits Al Jazeera

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/20112118559309958.html

"Broadcasts on Nilesat, Arabsat and Hotbird platforms facing interference on scale not experienced before. 'Clearly there are powers that do not want our important images pushing for democracy and reforms to be seen by the public,' a spokesman for Al Jazeera, based in Qatar said.."

He's former Air Force.  I wonder how the Egyptian Air Force fits in with the Egyptian Army.  Or their Navy, although no disrespect for the senior service but I don't think the Egyptian Navy is much of a force to be reckoned with on the streets of Cairo.

The Making of Egypt's Revolution: People Power in Action - by Esami Al-Amin

http://www.counterpunch.org/alamin02012011.html

"When the president of Tunisia, Zein al-Abideen Ben Ali, was deposed on January 14, following a four-week popular uprising, the April 6 movement, like millions of youth across the Arab World, was inspired, energized and called for action. Looking at the calendar, Israa' and her colleagues picked the next Egyptian holiday, which was ironically 'Police Day' falling on Tuesday, January 25. Within a few days they called on all social media sites for massive protests and an uprising against the Mubarak regime.."

The only hope is for more people to take to the streets tomorrow.  

Quote:

Hosni Mubarak launched his counter-revolution today, sending waves of armed thugs to do battle with pro-democracy demonstrators in Cairo and other cities. The attacks, reportedly involving plainclothes police and vigilantes as well as pro-regime citizens, appeared to be carefully co-ordinated and timed. And the army, which only days earlier had sworn to protect "legitimate" rights of protesters, stood back and watched as the blood flowed.

This ugly turn of events should come as no surprise. What is unusual is that the regime tolerated such levels of unrest for nearly a week.

Mubarak was never quite a dictator in the Saddam Hussein or Robert Mugabe mould. His rule was more akin to the semi-enlightened despotism of an 18th-century European monarch. But at bottom, it always depended on coercion and force. Today, the pretence of reasonableness was torn away. His dark side showed for all to see.

Mubarak's speech to the nation on Tuesday night was widely misinterpreted. The president was, by turns, angry, defiant and unrepentant. He offered no apologies, proposed no new initiatives, gave no promise that his son Gamal would not succeed him, and instead lectured Egyptians on the importance of order and stability (which he alone could assure).

He appeared not to have learned anything from the past week. And his one "concession" – that he would not seek re-election – was no concession at all. After all, he had never said he would.

This was not the performance of a defeated man. Mubarak may be down but he's not out. And judging by today's events in Tahrir Square, he and the military-dominated clique around him clearly feel they have done enough, for now, to get the Americans off their backs, flex their still considerable muscle, and reclaim the streets for the regime. All the talk about reform and elections and negotiations can wait, whatever Barack Obama says.

Today's immediate message to the people from an unvanquished, still vicious regime: it's over – go home, or else.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/feb/02/egypt-protests-mubarak

Ottawa Plans Bad Theatre in Response to Egypt Crisis

http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2011/02/02/egypt-debate.html

Bob Rae and Netanyahu know better...

The Arab Nationalist Reawakening in Egypt and Beyond

http://blackagendareport.com/content/arab-nationalist-reawakening-egypt-...

"To preserve the stability of his comprador regime, which has made itself indispensable to US imperial strategies in the region, Mubarak threatens to plunge Egypt into chaos - to make the society scream. His huge police force, a portion of which appeared to have disintegrated in last week's test of wills with the people, now roams Cairo spreading mayhem in order to justify the return of the police state, while a mobilized people attempt to preserve neighborhood order and safety against Mubarak's roaming bands. If the world is turned upside down, there must be a revolution going on. But what kind?"

Neolib formula for wrecking countries without a sledgehammer:

1. Poison the economy with their free market medicine

2. Give all manner of support to right wing extremists on the sly and have them purge the secular left.

3. Call in NATO when everything is thoroughly messed up, and bomb infrastructure and economy into the dark ages. Slate clean for marauding capital.

And the American media are all expressing profound alarm at Mubarak's thuggish excesses, so much so that it looks like they might have to involve themselves more directly to 'restore stability' and as always to make sure 'democracy' triumphs here. I'm sure Israel will help out. Or their new CIA VP guy - a possible replacement for Mub - not to mention the army officers so freshly back from their Washington briefings, who may have their own 'marching orders'.

Been taking a break from Al Jazeera and Press TV and watching CNN coverage. Barbara Walters said that "Israel was the country to be afraid for",( I would have said 'of' but not her)  followed by "We don't want to lose Egypt to the fundamentalists'. It was reported too that the cry 'Jihad' Jihad' was heard among the protesters. I don't think I like where they're going with this story at all. I hope the PTB don't turn a revolution into a regime change operation and make everybody cheer them on doing it...

   It is somewhat obvious that "The Third Force" of "day paid" Egyptian citizens were sent to Tahrir square to incite violence by Mubarak. [is this being reported on mainstream media?]

   It is a tactic that cannot fail - the anti-Mubarak protestors were forced to defend themselves and the territory they held at Tahrir square against these gangs, and then Mubarak can use that chaos as an excuse for staying in power "to keep order". 

   This "Third Force" tactic is a close relative of the tactics of "create an enemy", and of "create a problem, offer the solution". The difference in Egypt is that nobody is being fooled about who these agent provocateurs are.

   This time, in Egypt, the Army wouldn't play that role, the Police also refused to play that role, but there will allways be desperately poor people who will do anything to earn $100 a day.

Indeed the CBC seems far more concerned with Israeli security compared to the Egyptian peoples demand for democracy.  CBC turning itself into a pretzel; "Today in Tel Aviv the leaders of the middle east's only democracy demanded that the Western democracies help keep SOME despot in power next door.  The spokesperson did say that it would be up to Egyptian authorities to pick the successor despot because as a democracy Israel doesn't want to interfere."

CBC reports:

Average income of Egyptian in 2010: $5558.00

Hosni Mubarak net worth: $17 billion

Mubarak family wealth: $70 billion