Hi all.
Breaking the silence.
This is Egypt tonight from my perspective only, after the announced clinical death of former President Hosni Mubarek.
Mubarek's clinical death is unfortunate, and untimely, and ... well ... distracting.
Quick thoughts:
I hear from some Muslims (I've become much more aware over the years that "all" statements are dangerous, diversity rules...) that they are not supposed to speak of the dead for a period immediately after death. I don't know how this age old rule applies to clinical death. This might come in to play in the near future.
Soon, in about 36 hours, the new president of Egypt is to be named.
The democratic elections have been compromised on different levels, not to mention the SCAF (once perceiving possibly the new president might be "problematic" removing even more power from the position of president and assuring the military would maintain control). These elections were fought for by the people, and many died in the name of a "free and democratic state".
Other candidates lost favor for various reasons along the way to this election. One candidate in particular, Muhammed El Baradi, who understood democratic processes very thoroughly, insisted "constitution before elections" and was sidelined very early and not allowed to run. At the time, many Egyptians understood he was somehow evil, or not a good choice for a leader. I think he was a threat. My imagined idea: "Wait, that guy really understands democracy? Get him out...we have an election to win..."
I believe today, many Egyptians wish he could have had more influence. Were his name on the ballot against either of the two current candidates, he'd probably win by Mubarekesque numbers.
In a political chess match, the power who has been the power for 60+ years continues to win. Dynasties, regimes, kingdoms, or other continuously sustaining political power systems aren't successful by accident. They are proof that effective systems provide intended results. To change one leader is easy, to shift the institutionalization of a county's political system is not so easy.
Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Some here are cruel beyond imagination, and while I am prone to conspiracy theory ideas, I actually take a different stance on the clinical death of Former President Hosni Mubarek.
Mubarek's "death" should not even be a footnote at this moment. No one should lose sight of a much larger issue.
Officially, 900 people died in Tahrir Square during and around the revolution in January 2011. Not one person has yet been accused. Unofficially the numbers are much larger.
Today in Egypt:
Millions continue to live below poverty levels.
Thousands starve daily.
Millions are uneducated.
Children work abusive hours.
Women have limited rights.
Men have limited rights.
Children have limited rights.
Many Egyptians are continually calling for fairness, a right to speak, and a chance. Their voices are squelched via arrests, deprivations, physical and psychological tortures, internet and media and censorships...and on, and on, and on.
Hosni Mubarek was only one man. He was the point man in a corrupt political system which thrived upon keeping it's citizens down via a military state.
Those pulling his strings have continued to avoid losing power despite the "revolution" in Egypt that has been ongoing for one and one half years. Because he was never really the power, and only one who gained (however tremendously) from his position, we can treat his death as sad, but should not be distracted from the greater problem that exists in Egypt.
Pay attention to the news, but read between the lines.
Hope to provide another update soon,
Be well.
Breaking the silence.
This is Egypt tonight from my perspective only, after the announced clinical death of former President Hosni Mubarek.
Mubarek's clinical death is unfortunate, and untimely, and ... well ... distracting.
Quick thoughts:
I hear from some Muslims (I've become much more aware over the years that "all" statements are dangerous, diversity rules...) that they are not supposed to speak of the dead for a period immediately after death. I don't know how this age old rule applies to clinical death. This might come in to play in the near future.
Soon, in about 36 hours, the new president of Egypt is to be named.
The democratic elections have been compromised on different levels, not to mention the SCAF (once perceiving possibly the new president might be "problematic" removing even more power from the position of president and assuring the military would maintain control). These elections were fought for by the people, and many died in the name of a "free and democratic state".
Other candidates lost favor for various reasons along the way to this election. One candidate in particular, Muhammed El Baradi, who understood democratic processes very thoroughly, insisted "constitution before elections" and was sidelined very early and not allowed to run. At the time, many Egyptians understood he was somehow evil, or not a good choice for a leader. I think he was a threat. My imagined idea: "Wait, that guy really understands democracy? Get him out...we have an election to win..."
I believe today, many Egyptians wish he could have had more influence. Were his name on the ballot against either of the two current candidates, he'd probably win by Mubarekesque numbers.
In a political chess match, the power who has been the power for 60+ years continues to win. Dynasties, regimes, kingdoms, or other continuously sustaining political power systems aren't successful by accident. They are proof that effective systems provide intended results. To change one leader is easy, to shift the institutionalization of a county's political system is not so easy.
Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Some here are cruel beyond imagination, and while I am prone to conspiracy theory ideas, I actually take a different stance on the clinical death of Former President Hosni Mubarek.
Mubarek's "death" should not even be a footnote at this moment. No one should lose sight of a much larger issue.
Officially, 900 people died in Tahrir Square during and around the revolution in January 2011. Not one person has yet been accused. Unofficially the numbers are much larger.
Today in Egypt:
Millions continue to live below poverty levels.
Thousands starve daily.
Millions are uneducated.
Children work abusive hours.
Women have limited rights.
Men have limited rights.
Children have limited rights.
Many Egyptians are continually calling for fairness, a right to speak, and a chance. Their voices are squelched via arrests, deprivations, physical and psychological tortures, internet and media and censorships...and on, and on, and on.
Hosni Mubarek was only one man. He was the point man in a corrupt political system which thrived upon keeping it's citizens down via a military state.
Those pulling his strings have continued to avoid losing power despite the "revolution" in Egypt that has been ongoing for one and one half years. Because he was never really the power, and only one who gained (however tremendously) from his position, we can treat his death as sad, but should not be distracted from the greater problem that exists in Egypt.
Pay attention to the news, but read between the lines.
Hope to provide another update soon,
Be well.
Now they aren't releasing the results out of fear people will be upset? How long does it take to fix an election anyway?
ReplyDeleteMubarek had a life sentence, then he "died", so now has he finished his lfe sentence and can go free?
ReplyDelete