Middle-East & North African Discussion

Nobody f**** with the Jesus.

Meanwhile we still haven't heard from Shaelyssa... Argh!

What??? I replied like way back in page 1 or 2, JP :p ...

HAHAHAHAHAH OH MY GOD NITHEL!!! <3 That's a still from some movie right? I think I saw it!!!

The Big Lebowski?

Shaelyssa wrote:What??? I replied like way back in page 1 or 2, JP :p ...

Damn... I missed it. Well, you're still alive and kicking and that's what matters... Now I can send my assassins to get you!

???? You thought I was EGYPTIAN???

And assasins? You forget that the hashashin were originally arabic /persian... >;) ... that's why women here wear the burqaa/niqaab, they are actually ninjas in disguise dun dunn dunnn

Shaelyssa wrote:???? You thought I was EGYPTIAN???

No, I didn't know where. I just didn't see you reply and then I saw this whole trouble in Egypt debate. I feared you were caught in the middle somehow so I was like "uh oh.. Hope the dude's alright."

Totally random:

Spoiler:

Shaelyssa wrote:HAHAHAHAHAH OH MY GOD NITHEL!!! <3 That's a still from some movie right? I think I saw it!!!

It is indeed as Kris said, the big lebowski. The guy is named Jesus

we all know you're not really arabian!! you're too pale!

Nithel wrote:

Shaelyssa wrote:HAHAHAHAHAH OH MY GOD NITHEL!!! <3 That's a still from some movie right? I think I saw it!!!

It is indeed as Kris said, the big lebowski. The guy is named Jesus

we all know you're not really arabian!! you're too pale!

:O

So.. Mubarak has promised not to seek reelection, the army is now saying that the protesters need to stop.. Let's see where this ends.

Antistia wrote:So.. Mubarak has promised not to seek reelection, the army is now saying that the protesters need to stop.. Let's see where this ends.

---> + *nod*

Rasonal Dranger wrote:

Antistia wrote:So.. Mubarak has promised not to seek reelection, the army is now saying that the protesters need to stop.. Let's see where this ends.

---> + *nod*

At the moment the place is completely and totally devolving into chaos :S

Nithel wrote:
Nobody f**** with the Jesus.

Eight year olds, dude.

The Armed Forces asks Egypt's honest and loyal men to confront the traitors and criminals and protect our people and honor and our precious Egypt.

Youth of Egypt, beware rumors and listen to the sound of reason - Egypt is above all so preserve it.

To every mother-father-sister-brother, to every honest citizen preserve this country as the nation is forever.

The Armed Forces cares for your safety and well being and will not resort to using force against this great nation.

Just thought I'd put this here. Texts (supposedly) from Vodafone (mobile network company) to Egyptian citizens. Seemingly calling them to (pro-Mubarak) arms.

Vodafone are "preparing a statement" for the International press.

Here's a flickr image of one of the texts (my Arabic is poor to non-existent) so I cannot verify the text itself:

Vodafone Text

There's still slapdash coverage on some "major" news providers in the UK. The BBC were slow to report properly. The papers fare better (The Guardian). But it's interesting, to say the least.

And my workmate still hasn't been told if it's safe to go to Egypt (Cairo, then coast) in 2 weeks time... then again, maybe no one knows. Even if the US Government is "urging all US citizens to leave Egypt immediately".

Somehow I have the feeling that the army has been in cahoots with Mubarak all along, either that or they were lobbying for power in the form of that vice-president.

Interesting developments (though not all that surprising, really) with the US official and diplomatic lines to Mubarak to "quickly move" into a transitional government with "the backing of the military".

In other words, a US backed (almost) bloodless coup!

Well, not really at all, I know that. But I am sure they'll whisk him away to some "role" in the US somewhere.

As for Vodafone, they're now on record as saying they were "forced to send texts" the content of which they could not amend or edit. They don't mention that they could decide NOT to send texts across their network. But, I guess, that's too bad for business. Even if it is calling people to arms against each other.

grufftoof wrote:As for Vodafone, they're now on record as saying they were "forced to send texts" the content of which they could not amend or edit. They don't mention that they could decide NOT to send texts across their network. But, I guess, that's too bad for business. Even if it is calling people to arms against each other.

Ya I read that too... I think they were bullied into it or were bribed to do it probably?

The bullying was as much as "most" big companies. The bullying of money. People have choices in situations like that. Regardless of how massive that impact may or may not be in the immediate, and with regards to profit.

If Mubarak is deposed, and a new government takes place, I hope they throw out Vodafone's contract. And when at it, take a very long hard look at certain other European and American "interests".

grufftoof wrote:If Mubarak is deposed, and a new government takes place, I hope they throw out Vodafone's contract. And when at it, take a very long hard look at certain other European and American "interests".

I'm not convinced other "interests" are more honest or genuine.

Of course their not. But a radical change in Egypt could mean radical change in business in the Near / Mid East.

That's hoping. And possibly dangerous. But there's hope for Egypt.

Interesting developments (though not all that surprising, really) with the US official and diplomatic lines to Mubarak to "quickly move" into a transitional government with "the backing of the military".

In other words, a US backed (almost) bloodless coup!

No it isn't, don't be silly. What would happen if the military didn't back the transition? Be reasonable, it would be very unstable if the army didn't back a transitional government. Furthermore, the Egyptian army seems to see itself as the keepers of stability. I think the implications of that are clear. (See: Turkey and its history of military coups in the name of the Turkish constitution)

Furthermore, the US has very little to gain and a lot to lose by having Mubarak deposed from a perspective of powerpolitics.

As for Vodafone, they're now on record as saying they were "forced to send texts" the content of which they could not amend or edit. They don't mention that they could decide NOT to send texts across their network. But, I guess, that's too bad for business. Even if it is calling people to arms against each other.

What Vodafone did may be morally reprehensible, but there is probably a contract which they have to keep to. A contract is a contract and people are legally bound to uphold it. A contract is sacred. Furthermore, we're dealing with a dictatorial regime here, Vodafone surely took into account the safety of its employees in Egypt.

Of course their not. But a radical change in Egypt could mean radical change in business in the Near / Mid East.

Hopefully secular democracies will emerge, preferably aligned with the "West". Though I would not bet my savings on that outcome to come from this/these revolution(s).

Antistia wrote:

Interesting developments (though not all that surprising, really) with the US official and diplomatic lines to Mubarak to "quickly move" into a transitional government with "the backing of the military".

In other words, a US backed (almost) bloodless coup!

If you quote that, even bold it, and not the latter part, you miss what I mean. And my intent, which perhaps was not black and white enough. I don't believe it's a coup. Nor do I believe it's bloodless. Not at all. Hence my bit the next paragraph down.

Is a contract more sacred than human life? A call to arms between people who are brothers and sisters in a country... isn't worth as much as business deal? Of course Vodafone have people in Egypt. And looking after them is of course, the right thing. But at what price? That's the thing.

I'd pray (fnar fnar) for secular democracy. Truly for the people of Egypt. An alignment with "the West" might be more palatable, and easy to shoulder than that with a shift of power etc East. But I would, perhaps like you, take such a hope with a massive pinch of salt.

Whilst the MB have stated that they will not stand, nor put candidates forward for government, I do wonder who will. And when.

If you quote that, even bold it, and not the latter part, you miss what I mean. And my intent, which perhaps was not black and white enough. I don't believe it's a coup. Nor do I believe it's bloodless. Not at all. Hence my bit the next paragraph down.

I picked it up as being somewhat an American coup, my bad. I read the latter, yet did not quote it because that would increase the length of a post which I expected to be much longer than what it became.

Is a contract more sacred than human life? A call to arms between people who are brothers and sisters in a country... isn't worth as much as business deal? Of course Vodafone have people in Egypt. And looking after them is of course, the right thing. But at what price? That's the thing.

In my mind a contract is a contract. Anyway, the reason Vodafone sent these texts were due to the Egyptian Telecoms Act. The texts were not scripted by Vodafone operators and they have no ability to respond to the authorities on their content. Vodafone has, in fact, lodged a protest with the Egyptian authorities stating that the current situation is unacceptable.

They're forced by law to do this. Furthermore, it would set a dangerous precedent if they did this and their actions were lauded. It would be an implicit approval of multinationals involving themselves with the internal politics of a country in a very bad manner.

Whilst the MB have stated that they will not stand, nor put candidates forward for government, I do wonder who will. And when.

I have a feeling that when Mubarak is gone, we will see more of the Muslim Brotherhood. They're one of the principal enemies of Mubarak and, if memory serves, not exactly popular in Egypt. Announcing that they will run etc might just add momentum to Mubarak's side. But I hope they do not run, after all, Hamas is an offshoot of theirs. That bodes badly for the MB in my mind.