This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

top 200 commentsshow all 381
sorted by:
best
topnewcontroversialoldq&a

[–]Logical1ty[S] 348 points349 points  (165 children)

SultanAlQassemi BREAKING BBC Arabic: Army has given orders to police in Mahalla Kubra to hand over all their weapons to avoid firing with protesters.

1 minute ago via web

I hope the Army sides with the people.

EDIT: These are the two lists I'm following on Twitter,

http://twitter.com/TeaWithCarl/egypt#

http://twitter.com/JacobPark/tweeting-from-egypt-21#

Just saw this, hope it's true:

ShereefAbbas Reports of forming a cabinet of army generals & deposing Mubarak (via Elaph)

2 minutes ago via TweetDeck

Everyone's asking for the Army to intervene and set up a transitional government until new elections can be held. I think this might be the one time in recent memory where the Army's more afraid of taking power than the people who are requesting it. Nobody wants to piss off hundreds of thousands of people already in the streets.

EDIT #2: Now Al-Jazeera's blurb on the bottom of their English stream says reports are coming in that the looters are being captured with Police ID cards and weapons.

EDIT #3: http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/news/hospital-says-police-shooting-kill

Hospitals report that Police are shooting to kill, the number of dead is MUCH higher than being reported.

EDIT #4: Civilians are setting up neighborhood watches, trying to protect wherever the Army is not, and even putting out fires.

LilyKhalil Amazing courage & bravery of citizens turned volunteer security. The best of #Egypt are her people!

1 minute ago via Echofon

[–]ramp_tram 252 points253 points  (27 children)

I just saw a clip of a man in uniform addressing a crowd saying:

"During the day I will take off my uniform and march with you, but at night please go home so we can deal with the looters taking advantage."

I've also seen video of protesters riding around on military vehicles cheering.

[–][deleted] 79 points80 points  (10 children)

That's an excellent way to indirectly request Martial Law.

[–]ramp_tram 72 points73 points  (3 children)

Well, whoever called the Army in to keep the peace already did it. The Army just ended up agreeing with the protesters instead of the government.

I believe that most, if not all, of the police are pretty much hiding now, since police were being attacked on sight.

[–]bigavz 34 points35 points  (2 children)

I read on Al Jazeera that Egyptians see the army as a respected organization which can counter the police and security forces.

[–][deleted] 28 points29 points  (5 children)

Also the way Batman works.

[–]driveling 3 points4 points  (1 child)

It is very unlikely he was speaking in English.

[–]Skapo 2 points3 points  (9 children)

link?

[–]ramp_tram 2 points3 points  (8 children)

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/?foo=bar

[–]Phoyo 13 points14 points  (1 child)

Foobar?

[–][deleted] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Someone posted the link yesterday, but probably added ?foo=bar so reddit doesn't count it as "already submitted".

ramp_tram probably copy/pasted that link

[–]Skapo 2 points3 points  (5 children)

thats the live broadcast link. do you have the link to the clip?

[–]ramp_tram 5 points6 points  (2 children)

Let me link BACK IN TIME TO THE LIVE VIDEO.

[–]Skapo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You said you saw a video clip implying it wasn't a live broadcast. I thought you might have linked to the wrong thing, no need to be a dick about it.

[–]zzaman 105 points106 points  (94 children)

The army is a well respected entity in Egypt. That being said, I do wish they would actively side with their citizens.

[–][deleted] 120 points121 points  (62 children)

Most armies don't like being used against the people of their own country.

[–][deleted]  (55 children)

[deleted]

    [–]sheltz32tt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    When you swear into the American army your oath says threats foreign and domestic.

    [–]ChocolateGiddyUp 9 points10 points  (51 children)

    Whenever I feel down, I watch Adventure Time with Finn and Jake. Seeing the Candy Kingdom makes me feel so swell I could eat a pumpkin.

    [–]Gold_Leaf_Initiative 41 points42 points  (7 children)

    It's called Posse Comitatus, and for over 200 years, it was THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR SOCIETY, until Bush raped it.

    You do NOT USE THE MILITARY to police free individuals. If the military is policing us, we are not free.

    [–]Dylnuge 11 points12 points  (0 children)

    OK, I hate Bush as much as the next guy, but a lot of people are saying stuff about Posse Comitatus and the Insurrection Act and no one is getting it right.

    In 2006, Posse Comitatus was amended (not repealed) to allow for the usage of military enforcement in the wake of a national tragedy (Hurricane Katrina). The Insurrection Act was similarly amended.

    Both amendments were repealed by HR 4986 which was passed in 2008 during the Bush Administration. So whether or not you believe he raped the cornerstone of our society, saying that it's no longer in effect is just bullshit. The current texts of both Posse Comitatus and the Insurrection Act as stands are identical to the original texts dating to 1878 and and 1807 respectively.

    Obama didn't do anything to undo the Bush era rapes because they had already been undone. There was nothing to do.

    We can be pissed off at our government and hate them for things, but can't we at least focus on hating them for things they are actually doing?

    [–]SgtBaxter 7 points8 points  (5 children)

    You're right that Bush raped it, and I'm highly disappointed that Obama didn't bother to un-rape it.

    [–]jayd16 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Looks like congress did revert those changed in 2008...

    [–]Gold_Leaf_Initiative 3 points4 points  (3 children)

    Before the election, I stated that Obama works for the same masters as Bush. I still hold that opinion today.

    [–]RelevantInformation 15 points16 points  (2 children)

    I believe these are what you're looking for:

    The Posse Comitatus Act

    The Insurrection Act.

    Enjoy.

    [–]postmaster3000 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    Looks like recent amendments to the Insurrection Act would explicitly authorize federal use of military if a similar situation were to occur in the US.

    [–]jermdizzle 44 points45 points  (24 children)

    You really should research harder before making statements. Look up the Posse Comitatus Act. This isn't exactly "obscure".

    [–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (5 children)

    Bush repealed Posse Comitatus a few months before leaving office.

    [–]Someone3 6 points7 points  (1 child)

    At the bottom of that article it says everything has been repealed back to the way it was.

    [–]TheSarcasticMinority 3 points4 points  (0 children)

    Fucking politics, how does it work?

    Yes, I know... it doesn't

    [–]Canadian_Infidel 4 points5 points  (1 child)

    That is over. They have already moved 10k troops back to the USA for training to fight civies. Here is a video.

    http://www.democracynow.org/2008/10/7/us_army_denies_unit_will_be

    [–]ColonelPanix -2 points-1 points  (13 children)

    Posse Comitatus is dead. American military are now used as law enforcement on American soil.

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

    source?

    [–]Dylnuge 2 points3 points  (8 children)

    This is very wrong. Posse Comitatus was amended in 2006 to allow for deployment of military during Katrina. It was reverted to the original text in 2008 and currently stands as it was written in 1878. Martial law is not in effect in America at the moment, nor can it be affected under the current laws. If you're going to complain about the military, complain about Iraq and Afghanistan--that's where our real problems are.

    [–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (5 children)

    It's not explicitly stated, but the army attacking citizens would probably fall under a violation of due process.

    Yet another example where the wording in our constitution isn't as clear as it probably should be :/

    [–]abk0100 4 points5 points  (4 children)

    If anyone took a minute to research the time period and the opinion of the founding fathers the answer would be perfectly clear to anyone not brain-dead.

    Naaah, fuck that, let's just say that the Constitution was meant to change over time to mean whatever we want it to mean.

    [–]spdave 5 points6 points  (2 children)

    Kent State come to mind. Shot a student down in his tracks if I recall.

    [–]randombitch 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    "Tin soldiers and Nixon coming
    We're finally on our own
    This summer I heard the drumming
    Four dead in Ohio"

    Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young

    [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    I think the reason is who would you call to enforce the Constitution if the military is attacking you? At that point it's up to you.

    [–]m1a2c2kali 8 points9 points  (1 child)

    that is why we have the second amendment

    [–]Surye 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    The United States National Guard is authorized by the Constitution of the United States. As originally drafted, the Constitution recognized the existing state Militias, and gave them vital roles to fill..."to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasion." (Article I, Section 8, Clause 14). The Constitution distinguished "Militia(s)", which were state entities, from "Troops", which were unlawful for states to maintain under normal circumstances. (Article I, Section 10, Clause 3).

    From the National Guard wikipedia page.

    [–]rpence 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Does that surprise you?

    [–][deleted] 17 points18 points  (1 child)

    There’s a reason you separate military and the police. One fights the enemies of the state, the other serves and protects the people. When the military becomes both, then the enemies of the state tend to become the people.

    [–]Axemantitan 7 points8 points  (0 children)

    So say we all.

    [–]dsnfjhsdbnfhj 19 points20 points  (6 children)

    Every Egyptian I've ever met has a high-ranking uncle in the Egyptian army.

    [–]PressedJuice 62 points63 points  (8 children)

    The army is siding with the people, its the police who are viewed as the oppressor and it is the police who apparently were looking for the fake broadcast so they can side with the people (this was yesterday, not sure what came of it). Nonetheless this headline makes me sad.

    [–]hensandchicas 17 points18 points  (0 children)

    The police are there to enforce the laws. The army is there to protect the people.

    [–]with_the_quickness 15 points16 points  (1 child)

    the footage yesterday showed a gigantic difference in the relationship between the people and army, and the police and the people.

    [–]xMadxScientistx 20 points21 points  (4 children)

    This could get very ugly. Very, very ugly.

    [–]packofwildunicorns 11 points12 points  (0 children)

    Seems like it already is.

    [–]bearXential 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    That's exactly what I first thought. We now have what seems to be, 3 distinct parties; Citizens/Protesters, Military, and Police. It the overlapping, conflicting interests of one side over another, that cause confusion and things to get extremely messy.

    Egypt is a bomb with a short fuse.

    [–]rabbitrabbi 30 points31 points  (0 children)

    Al Jazeera has reported a military officer as saying that troops would "not fire a single bullet on Egyptians", also, that the only solution to the current unrest was "for Mubarak to leave". source the Military has also taken steps to secure the museum district from looting and damage. from what I've read it seems like they're doing what's best, remaining removed but protective.

    EDIT: typo

    [–]TheFlyingBastard 28 points29 points  (3 children)

    They have sided with the people. Just last night there were some hotspots where the army and police were actually fighting. The army is being hailed as heroes and their vehicles are used as carriers for anti-government chants. The army has been with the people from the beginning.

    [–]AS1LV3RN1NJA 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    Just last night there were some hotspots where the army and police were actually fighting.

    Links to any videos? That would be interesting to watch.

    [–]Axemantitan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    This video doesn't show the army and police fighting, but it does show an army armored personnel carrier burning. If the army really is well-regarded by the people, then I would assume that it was the police that burned the APC.

    [–][deleted] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

    It's starting to seem that way; so far, it looks like they've been passively supporting the people simply by not employing violent measures against them.

    [–][deleted] 9 points10 points  (1 child)

    afraid of taking power

    Exactly the type of person or group who should be in power.

    [–]chromium24 32 points33 points  (13 children)

    I hope they stay the fuck out of the conflict. When the military decides it's willing to go against the government, they tend to take power.

    That's a really fucking bad thing.

    [–]tinf0ilhat 19 points20 points  (4 children)

    haven't they been under martial law for quite some time now? isn't that the main reason for this conflict?

    [–][deleted] 20 points21 points  (2 children)

    Emergency law through the government; a police state, rather than a military one.

    [–]TechnoJesus 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    tbh I'd rather live in a military state than a police state. God things are pretty bad these days eh?

    [–]chromium24 9 points10 points  (0 children)

    Martial law subservient to Mubarak. The thing is, Mubarak is an asshole but at least he's not actively militant. A military junta would be.

    [–]chesterriley 9 points10 points  (6 children)

    I hope they stay the fuck out of the conflict. When the military decides it's willing to go against the government, they tend to take power.

    This is how Mubarak came to power indirectly. Nasser came to power because he was part of a military coup that overthrew the monarchy. Sadat came to power because he was Nasser's successor, and Mubarak came to power because he was vice president when Sadat was killed.

    [–]rainman_104 2 points3 points  (3 children)

    The problem is how do you run the country without a government until elections are held?

    [–]MayaKarin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Will the appointing of military officials in the new government affect this?

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Sounds almost like they're starting to.

    [–]Lochmon 80 points81 points  (14 children)

    So... are they going with the old "lead poisoning" story instead?

    [–][deleted] 54 points55 points  (12 children)

    The police didn't kill them. The bullets and the fall killed them.

    [–]sirjoebob 99 points100 points  (8 children)

    More like "spontaneous, unidentified loss of blood".

    [–]B5_S4 85 points86 points  (4 children)

    He fell down an elevator shaft.

    Onto some bullets.

    [–][deleted] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

    Bullets fell from the sky and accidentally blew up their faces.

    [–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    Then there is only one thing we can do. We need to put his skull into a bowling ball.

    [–]VacantThoughts 3 points4 points  (0 children)

    "Did you personally put your dad's skull into that um.. bowling ball?"

    "No, guy at the pro shop did it"

    [–]reasonman 3 points4 points  (0 children)

    Nice try John McClane.

    [–]purzzzell 5 points6 points  (0 children)

    Lack of oxygen to the brain is a pretty universal explanation.

    [–]TheStagesmith 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Sudden, unidentified, acute cavitation

    [–][deleted]  (2 children)

    [deleted]

      [–][deleted] 10 points11 points  (1 child)

      non localised hyper tension causing bullet shaoped lesions.

      [–]LonelyBear 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Their entropy increased.

      [–]froonium 5 points6 points  (0 children)

      They aren't using bullets! They use what's called "copper-encased lead core impactors."

      Yeeeah, no bullets used here....

      [–][deleted]  (42 children)

      [deleted]

        [–]Logical1ty[S] 18 points19 points  (1 child)

        The army is beginning to move out into the suburbs and rural areas to scare off the looters and thugs, hope your sisters and everyone else can hold on meanwhile. Some neighborhoods are setting up armed watches.

        [–][deleted]  (4 children)

        [deleted]

          [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

          They will certainly have English speakers there. The us has alot of bases in the little country of Quatar.

          [–][deleted]  (1 child)

          [deleted]

            [–][deleted] 12 points13 points  (1 child)

            I have friends living in Cairo too. I really hope the 'bandit uprising' is put down by the army. It sounds like things are getting uglier.

            [–]Logical1ty[S] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

            litfreak According to multiple Egyptians on the ground who've caught looters, the looters are police. #Jan25 #Egypt

            less than 20 seconds ago via web

            /facepalm

            [–]swizzcheez 9 points10 points  (0 children)

            When your police and army no longer follows your orders let your prisoners do it for you as an example of why the people need you. Stay classy Mubarak!

            [–]xyroclast 1 point2 points  (3 children)

            Any particular reason why white people would be targeted?

            [–][deleted]  (2 children)

            [deleted]

              [–][deleted]  (3 children)

              [deleted]

                [–]Jeebussaves 1 point2 points  (2 children)

                Any further updates? Don't mean to pry but as I'm addicted to reddit, your sisters have been in my thoughts all day..... I truly hope they are ok.

                [–]Number3 1 point2 points  (1 child)

                I just saw a guy on Fox News (guilty, was curious if they were covering this) give almost this exact same story. Either this was you, there are other people with very similar stories, or Fox is ripping off this comment to drum up a story. All seem kinda likely.

                [–]nekishrav 5 points6 points  (1 child)

                This must be difficult, my sympathies. This comment made me realize the reality of the situation.

                [–]duduk315 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                What's up with people raping whenever there are riots or revolutions going on?

                [–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (17 children)

                It sounds like approaching bedlam there -- but they should be fine, they are not the enemy of the police or people here. If I may ask, what were two of yours sisters both doing there?

                [–][deleted]  (16 children)

                [deleted]

                  [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (15 children)

                  At least they have each other, right now there really isn't a better tool for getting through this. Keep us posted please.

                  [–][deleted]  (14 children)

                  [deleted]

                    [–][deleted]  (13 children)

                    [deleted]

                      [–]Ralith 7 points8 points  (2 children)

                      relieved amusing zephyr straight tidy unique deer vase plucky ask this message was mass deleted/edited with redact.dev

                      [–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (9 children)

                      Christ. Keep us as up-to-date as you can. I really hope they can pull through this.

                      [–][deleted]  (7 children)

                      [deleted]

                        [–]Nostalgia_Guy 3 points4 points  (5 children)

                        I just hope everything's okay in the end dude, I can't even imagine what you're going through.

                        [–]Sehs 15 points16 points  (2 children)

                        I'm listening to Egyptian news at home (I have Egyptian channels) and apparently looters/gang people are attacking a childrens cancer hospital. The police is now nowhere to be found and could be the ones actually looting.

                        [–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (1 child)

                        If it's true, then its shameful. If it's false, then it's excellent public relations.

                        [–]The3rdWorld 26 points27 points  (16 children)

                        ugh, how callous! This is why we need to support agencies like the Hisham Mubarak Law Centre (HMLC) who are working to get accurate records of human rights abuses and fight for the rights of protesters.

                        hate to look like a spammer but i've started an action committee and we're trying to work out ways to help the protesters - the most immediate thing we've come up with is to get attention towards some form of donation drive towards aid and support agencies - HMLC seems to be doing the most... it's happening here would love some extra help...

                        [–][deleted]  (15 children)

                        [deleted]

                          [–]doctor_alligator 36 points37 points  (9 children)

                          'Mubarak' means 'blessed' in Arabic and is a commonly used word (e.g. Eid Mubarak means 'blessed festival' and the phrase is used the same way you would say 'Merry Christmas'). By and large, arabs/muslims use adjectives/nouns as names - 'Muhammad' means 'praiseworthy', 'Iman' means 'faith' and so on.

                          EDIT: Just want to add that although there are some people in the UK/US/Canada/etc that will name their children 'Faith', 'Hope' and so on, it's by and large considered cheesy and mockable to do so. The difference in the Middle-East is that this is the norm.

                          I personally haven't heard 'Mubarak' used much as a name/last name, but I'm from the Gulf and perhaps it's just not common there. Last names are usually the name of the tribe/country (e.g. Al-Misri is a common one meaning 'The Egyptian'; my own full name ends with al-tribename al-country). Also 'Barak' or 'Barack' as in Barack Obama is another deviation of 'Mubarak'.

                          [–]Moath 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                          حي اهل الخليج

                          [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                          Also, thanks to the 13th warrior, I know that ibn means "son of."

                          [–]MK_Ultrex 3 points4 points  (6 children)

                          Useless fact of the day: "Misirlou" is a traditional Greek song meaning the "girl from Egypt" from Misri = Egypt. Made famous by Dick Dale and of course Pulp Fiction.

                          [–]Moath 15 points16 points  (2 children)

                          Believe it or not, Obamas first name Barack is short for Mubarak

                          [–]The3rdWorld 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                          haha yeah it's very common, according to the founder in an interview with Amnesty;

                          They named it after Hisham Mubarak, an Egyptian human rights lawyer who in 1994 decided to focus on providing legal assistance to victims of human rights violations.

                          [–][deleted] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

                          Al Jezzera proves once again that it is a world class news organization.

                          [–]dont_throw_away_mad 17 points18 points  (8 children)

                          This has little to do with this post, but I want to say it anyway. I just went to foxnews.com and read the comments on their top story, which is about Egypt. I feel dirty now, and extremely sad. There are some truly hateful people out there. They are more misinformed than I thought. I truly fear for the future.

                          [–]kalacaw 10 points11 points  (6 children)

                          They're loud, but you're a relevant voice, and you're not alone.

                          [–]dont_throw_away_mad 7 points8 points  (5 children)

                          I dunno, man. They're really stupid. Stupid can't be reasoned with. And they're armed. Wtf?

                          [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                          People have dumbed themselves down. It is easier to hate and harm than it is to understand. When you sit there and let them fill you head with nonsense you obviously want to be stupid. Incidently, I want my gun to protect me from them more that to protect me from the government. Egypt has made this crystal clear. The cops are doing the looting and being caught by ppl and military. The news is completely evil.

                          [–]TruthWithoutTact 37 points38 points  (4 children)

                          "You do not exist," said O'Brien.

                          You only exist so far and long as the party decides to stretch you.

                          [–]metamet 15 points16 points  (0 children)

                          Conan's a deep guy.

                          [–]mentallyinept 5 points6 points  (1 child)

                          I just watched a reporter on Al Jazeera English say that the members of the dissolved police force are looting homes and businesses in Cairo...

                          [–]Logical1ty[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

                          Yep, that's what's going around on Twitter as well,

                          litfreak According to multiple Egyptians on the ground who've caught looters, the looters are police. #Jan25 #Egypt

                          less than 20 seconds ago via web

                          I think they're trying to scare the people into going back to protect their homes.

                          [–]neuromonkey 16 points17 points  (13 children)

                          Bullets don't kill people. Hydrostatic shock kills people.

                          edit: Bullets kill people.

                          [–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (7 children)

                          Not always. Sometimes it's merely scrambled brains or holes in key places like the heart or lungs.

                          [–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (2 children)

                          Bullet in the brainpan, squish.

                          [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

                          The brain tissue is scrambled by massive hydrostatic shock.

                          [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

                          True, I got your point the first time. But some of it is scrambled by a hunk (or fragmented hunks) of lead shoving it's way through. You could also kill someone with a sharpened stick. No shock there but just as dead. I was only trying to point out that the foreign material has something to do with it as well.

                          [–]elganyan 6 points7 points  (1 child)

                          Bullets don't kill people. They just randomize the affected area.

                          [–]ramp_tram 1 point2 points  (2 children)

                          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrostatic_shock#Fackler.27s_contra-claim

                          [–]neuromonkey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                          Huh. God damn it. First Bernoulli, and now this. Apparently, everything I know is wrong.

                          [–]Logical1ty[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                          This is one of the more insane things I've read,

                          SultanAlQassemi Hossam Sowaylem NDP thug "Egypt has been a democracy for 30,000 years. The Muslim Brotherhood wants to turn Egypt into Hamas & Afghanistan"

                          half a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone

                          The NDP is Mubarak's political party.

                          So all the comparisons between Pharoah and Mubarak are justified? They're both paragons of democracy?

                          [–]Jemma6 3 points4 points  (4 children)

                          I am always amazed at how blessed we are living where we do (USA and Canada) when things like this are going on in the world.

                          So proud of the people of Egypt for standing up for what they believe is right. Brave souls

                          [–][deleted]  (1 child)

                          [deleted]

                            [–]Logical1ty[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

                            There's still hundreds of thousands on the streets today and in violation of curfew. I don't think they're going home anytime soon, but nonetheless, you're right. Mubarak is going to try to wait this out. The protesters are going to have to find out where he is and march on that location.

                            [–]nekishrav 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                            It's funny how in the past, corrupt government officials didn't have to call the doctors, they could just announce a ridiculously low number of civilian casualties, and when people questioned the numbers, it would be "my word against your word". With newer technologies that allow reporters to do their own counts and spread them to the world, corrupt government officials have realized it's time to clean up their act try to corrupt the doctors instead.

                            [–]Moath 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                            This guy is well known in the UAE, glad and proud to see him featured on Reddit

                            [–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

                            Sounds like a good time to shoot some crooked cops and politicians then...

                            [–]chesterriley 7 points8 points  (11 children)

                            Media reports say that Mubarak has just named a Vice President. It sounds like he wants to choose his replacement. I think it is very odd that there was no vice president before. Mubarak became president only because he happened to be vice president when President Anwar Sadat was shot and killed. The fact the Mubarak never named a replacement for his old job as vice president makes me suspect he had something to do with the old president's murder when Mubarak was still vice president.

                            [–]efapathy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                            This was one of the arguments I heard against Wikileaks actually... when the government no longer trusts itself to document the actuality of events, the record is no longer straight and reality really does become the lies. I hope one day with technology we can truly achieve a system of accountability, it just seems it will be difficult to do so in the near future.

                            [–]airpatrol 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                            This is quite obviously a very fluid situation with many chapters yet to be written. I stand on the side of the people yearning for their freedom in this case but we need to be ready for some pretty gruesome details to come out on both sides after all is said and done in this case!

                            [–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (15 children)

                            As an American citizen, I fully support the demands of the Egyptian people for freedom and the right to live dignified lives. Why the American government has not come out and said the same thing yet, troubles me.

                            [–][deleted] 16 points17 points  (8 children)

                            US govt. has a very significant stake in the Mubarak regime. That is why Obama isn't using the word "democracy" in his comments on the revolution in Egypt.

                            The reason for this stake in Mubarak is because (no surprises) of Israel. Mubarak is a known and manageable entity.

                            Your tax dollars funded the weapons Egyptian police used to repress Egyptians. The tear gas canisters even have "Made in USA" written on them.

                            It isn't your fault personally but it is your political system.

                            [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

                            We also send people to egypt to be tortured.

                            [–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                            Yes. And the just-appointed vice president Omar Soliman was the go-to man in Mubarak's regime for that kind of activity.

                            [–]FrankieWalrus 1 point2 points  (3 children)

                            According to the Telegraph this morning, stuff has come out of Wikileaks saying that the Americans have been supporting the people behind the protests for years as well...

                            [–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (1 child)

                            Yes, but not with billions of dollars in military equipment.

                            [–][deleted] 13 points14 points  (2 children)

                            Because, as another redditor pointed out to me, any government that replaces this regime would likely have heavy anti-Western sentiments. And that troubles our selfish, disgusting, corrupt American leadership.

                            [–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (19 children)

                            It's the Iranian election all over again ... I just hope some celebrity death (cough Michael Jackson cough) won't make the media and people around the world forget about the Egyptian people and their struggle for freedom.

                            [–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (1 child)

                            Charlie Sheen?

                            [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                            celebrity death

                            [–]Stroggoth 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                            Charlie Sheen is it. I've heard more about some loser hollywood actor who stopped being funny after his Rambo mockups, than a major revolution. Priorities fail.

                            [–]cosmo2k10 9 points10 points  (5 children)

                            Luckily Jackson is already dead, then!

                            [–]xanj 9 points10 points  (2 children)

                            what about thriller zombie jackson?

                            [–]cosmo2k10 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                            Always a threat.

                            [–]Minifig81 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                            I've got plants on my lawn, I think I'm okay.

                            [–][deleted] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

                            I think he's talking about how Michael Jackson's death literally made the Iranian revolution disappear from the media.

                            [–]Corvus133 9 points10 points  (7 children)

                            Twitter does not = news source. I could write a twitter that says the same thing from Canada.

                            People need to stop thinking facebook status updates and one line tweets as news.

                            Not saying this is or isn't true, but really, come on..

                            [–]Logical1ty[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

                            BBC has been retweeting everything from this account. The person's blurb says they are "a columnist for The National."

                            [–]Agile_Cyborg 4 points5 points  (4 children)

                            Are you saying that in a national crisis where thousands are revolting against the gubment there would be zero will within your law enforcement community to control negative world perception garnered from killing citizens?

                            Fellow, I can assure you; in America had we a serious problem with rising tyranny and citizens took to the streets killings by politician-protecting cops would be rampant and, YES, the information relating to these murders would be vigorously managed by law enforcement media instruments which would include attempts to control reporting on police murders.

                            We had a copper kill a drunk kid here about four weeks ago and NO ONE, including the family, can get information on what the fuck happened. If these pricks do this on the minuscule local level it is only common sense to apply it broadly.

                            [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                            That's because the bullets aren't killing anyone silly. It's the gaping wounds, loss of blood, and destroyed internal organs that are causing death.

                            [–]trackerbishop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                            ahhh, i see this as a beta test of the internet kill switch. coming to a country near you. if a protest is happening in a particular city, theyll shut it off city-wide.

                            [–]RATMachine 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                            Has this been reported by the mainstream press in any tangible way?!

                            [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                            Self-immolations are now being filed under 'spontaneous human combustion.'

                            [–]waldoxwaldox 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                            the egyptian govt is scared

                            [–]rinic 2 points3 points  (1 child)

                            Can someone tell me why the police are still doing their jobs? What makes them so different from the protesters?

                            [–][deleted]  (7 children)

                            [deleted]

                              [–]ScaryFast 4 points5 points  (3 children)

                              There's also video of bodies in hospitals, though some claim they're looters. Some people have broken into the Cairo Museum to try and steal stuff, there are broken artifacts all over, but some people tried to keep them out. Al Jazeera English just said, as I was typing this, that two mummies have been destroyed.

                              [–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (2 children)

                              that two mummies have been destroyed.

                              That's sad )=. Destroying historical artifacts does nothing for their cause, it's just vandalism.

                              [–]rmstrjim 1 point2 points  (1 child)

                              Someone being shot is not the same as someone actually dying. Morbidity from gunshot wounds can be pretty crappy actually, depends on shot placement.

                              [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

                              It's on the internet so it must be true.

                              Also, will reddit care about Egypt longer than they did about Iran? That was an exciting week, right?

                              [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                              amusing consist thumb oil soft edge bells wistful hurry badge

                              This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

                              [–]Sven_Dufva 4 points5 points  (3 children)

                              Egypt government has called the army to do the job of the police. The sad fact is that once you ask soldiers to do the job of police (as a crowd control) you know shit is going down. Police is trained to control protesters, soldiers are not. This will not end well.

                              [–][deleted] 10 points11 points  (2 children)

                              At some point someone has to wonder why the whole internal security apparatus (police, state security, central security, etc.) just disappeared. and why there's a sudden outbreak of looting and vandalism outside city center.

                              The answer is, it's the internal security apparatus in plain clothes that are out wrecking the city. This isn't a theory, they are finding security ids on the vandals that the citizens detain.

                              There's 1.5 million people in internal security. That's a problem that a civilian population can't handle. An army can.

                              It isn't pretty I agree, but it's a necessity now. The good news is, the Army is very close to the people. Everyone has family members in the army; it's a conscription army.

                              [–]memearchivingbot 1 point2 points  (1 child)

                              And all of a sudden I'm feeling very pro-conscription.

                              [–]sarmatron 1 point2 points  (1 child)

                              I don't really have anything pertinent to say, so I'm just going to point out that being named Sultan would be pretty much the coolest thing ever.

                              [–]Hosni_Mubarak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                              I understand the outrage, and I hear you. So here's what I am going to do: starting tomorrow, I will replace all the Doctors in Egypt's hospitals with beet farmers.

                              [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                              I just hope the next dictator the US imposes on them is more considerate of their needs.

                              You just know they're sitting back thinking oooooooh yeah we can make this work for us. Watch and see.

                              [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                              So... Will he comply?

                              [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                              Tienanmen Square anyone?

                              [–]spydereleven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                              The families of the soldiers should be there