Ahram Live Updates on Egypt
As the focus on Turkey's protests refocuses on Egypt and the apparent involvement with its military, a point of commonality needs to be pointed out here: both military forces are somewhat roguish because their acceptance of civilian command is sketchy.
Another thing they both have in common is where the military intervened in properly held elections of Islamist regimes and chose not to accept the command of the duly elected commander in chief. And we've applauded, because it's the Islamists that are set back on their heels.
This means we've applauded such governing as Pervez Musharraf got ousted from Pakistan for, and the government Aung San Suu Kyi was persecuted by. Think about what we're applauding. Think long and hard about our applause for rule by military power that is not accountable except when it chooses to be. Just what kind of people are we? What have we become, exactly?
(Picture via Ahram Online)
It seems to me that Snowden asked himself those same questions when he did what he did, so we also shouldn't be surprised that even Russia's president turned against him. He's a man who likes his military, too. Whether you're in favor of or totally against what Snowden did, you can't applaud the suspension of the philosophy behind our laws and government just to get at what you think is the bad guy...unless...you'd vote for a dictator and prefer to kiss our representative republic goodbye.
And contemplate, for a moment, the unintended consequences of shutting off all of Snowden's air flight means of getting out of Russia. It's a 100% land route to North Korea. If North Korea is all he's got left, it's going to be a matter of the U.S. getting what it wished for, blocking him from going anywhere else.
Whether you buy his arguments or reject his excuses, the principle remains: consider carefully what it is that you're actually cheering, regardless. In doing so, you may be opening the door to some other larger outrage in the process. File that under "be careful what you wish for--you might get it."
To follow closely what's going on in Egypt, the best person to follow on Facebook and Twitter is Mona Eltahawy. With as quickly as news breaks over there, I recommend Following her on Twitter, and Follow who she Follows. Chris Hays certainly knows she's the gal to go to, on All In (MSNBC)--she was on that program today. If you can handle Arabic/English mix, also Follow Amr Bakly, and/or use the hashtag #Egypt.
>>>This is a next day update re: Mona Eltahawy; she's appeared on CNN and now I'm seeing her on BBC World News America via PBS. She's clearly THE recognized authority on Egypt. Just don't let her dyed red hair throw you. She's an Egyptian American.<<<<
Listen Online: TRT (Voice of Turkey)
TRT English on Facebook
Radio Cairo, English, on Facebook
Ahram Online story on Cairo
Mubarak gives Morsi advice (Al Arabiya)
Al Arabiya English article
Just in via Al Jazeera English: Egyptian military issued a statement in Arabic on Facebook, which AJ translates.
This is the Facebook account it cites It's in Arabic. Facebook provides translation via Bing but only if it's another language posted in an English language area. I have a Translator button available at the upper right hand corner of the main blog page, but that's to translate the whole blog. I recommend installation of IM Translator. Arabic text of the cited message is as follows:
A word of caution about using ANY software translator: they don't produce 100% reliable results. Successful use of software translators still depend on your own grasp of grammatical mechanics, as it were. And synonyms.
My readers on Google Plus already know about the latest developments with a Bolivian official plane being detained because of suspicion that Snowden is aboard, but here's a link to a CNN report on it for others: http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/02/world/americas/bolivia-presidential-plane
Quite an international incident this has turned out to be, in the days following that article. Editing this to add a noteworthy person to follow on Facebook as he's posted some rather colorful commentary about the fallout from this, but in Spanish. If you don't speak Spanish, he's still worth your while to employ a software translator and make the most of it. Facebook provides translation via Bing.
Jorge Isacc García Rangel (Venezuela)
No comments:
Post a Comment