Over the past few days life in Egypt has been anything but normal. The people have joined together throughout the major cities to protest the countries oppressive government. They have chosen to organize and rise up against the 30 year ruler which has limited their democratic privileges and done little to prevent or assist an ever growing poverty stricken population.
The young population initially utilized social networking sites to coordinate protest in Cairo, Suez, and Alexandria. The government dictatorial regime opted to interrupt the signal to stop cell service, including text messaging, and internet, including social networking sites like facebook.
Most of the public fighting which has left many dead and many more injured was between the protesters and the police. The police are taking their orders directly from President Hosni Mubarak. While the police have been the people’s nemesis the army has shown tremendous restraint. All attempts to stop the protests have been in vain. Curfews, police harassment, and suppressed access to communication tools have done little to dissuade the people. They want the president’s resignation.
As the protests continue, the United States in is in delicate position. Politically speaking, the United States has had a good relationship with President Mubarak. Egypt has been our closest Arab ally and has proven to be a valuable friend to the U.S. as we try to protect Israel. On the other hand the United States will always stand against oppressive government when the civil liberties of people anywhere are being challenged. Messages from the State Department and the President are urging the people to protest peacefully and for the government to show restraint. The U.S. has indicated they are encouraging Egypt to recognize the value of the democratic process. The outside fear of the United States is if President Mubarak is forced to resign, who is the next leader to be? The emergence of an extremist could be far worse than the oppressive dictator of today.
What are your thoughts about what is happening in Egypt? What are your thoughts about the government’s suppression of cell service and internet access? What, if anything, should the United States government do?
Ryan Z.- I think that the United States government should just stay out of Egypt and let things run their course because in our current economic state (which I explained in my last post, please read it) we can't afford to even be in 1 war and if we got involved in Egypt we would be fighting 3 so that would be a definite no, no. But as soon as the conflicts end and the dust settles in Egypt the United States need to be prepared to either overthrow the new Egyptian leader or be ready to engage in friendly relations with Egypt. So pretty much we just need to wait and see what happens to our friend/enemies in the east. Now that's what I would do if I were president (which I will be in 2036) but I'm not sure if that's quite how the current cabinet wants to deal with this situation because honestly right now the world kind of views America as your friend who just happens to be a psychologist (always butting into other people's business). So please president Obama stay out of Egypt.
ReplyDeleteHannah- I think what is happening in Egypt is bad but also kinda good. I think the people should fight for their rights. But it's bad because people are dying/and being injured, but hey that's how we got our rights here in America,generally people do have to fight for their rights,which is sad too. I think the people will be more mad after the goverment stopped internet and phone use, at least I know it would make me more mad. I am not sure what the United States should do. I can argue both sides. Because we believe in democracy and everyone having their rights but at the same time we already have a lot going on. Maybe we should go and help now before it gets worse in Egypt.
ReplyDeleteTravis-I think that it's crazy to have all those people dying and getting hurt as we speak (or type), because of a bad leader. Though I think that the way that the Egyptians are handling it, isn't exactly the way I think they should handle it, if it came down to that (which I guess it has), I believe that Egypt's citizens have a right to protest against a government that isn't making choices that are in their best interest. I think that it's a little bit ridiculous for them to cut the citizens off from cell phones and internet but I guess that if they really want this violence to stop, they would go to all costs to stop it. I personally think that the U.S. should stay out of Egypt's business but of course that is up to them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ryan. We shouldn't be in any wars at all. If we participate in the problems over there, we'll never be able to get out of the reccesion. I think its good and bad that their government cancelled communications. I think it's good because now they can't really organize riots. It's bad because now they're even more angry.
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Morgan- I dont totally agree with protesting to get a ruler to resign but if the people have to they have to. I dont know if he is a bad leader because I dont live in Egypt but it sounds like he is because of all the protesting. I think that it was smart of the government to ban all social networking to stop the protesting. The government should take the protesting as a sign of bad leadership and the people aren't happy. I think that the United States should stay out of all the riots. It is not our buisness to get into and we do not want to get ourselves in any more wars.
ReplyDeleteLuke- It sounds like the people of Egypt are pretty mad i think if they are mad at the ruler they should do something about it.I think that the right thing for him to do is to step down. He is just making a fool and a mess out of himself. Clearly the people do not like him at all. If he were to stay president he would destroy the country cause of all the riots. There are millions of people right now as i type this getting shot at by the police because they are upset that there country isn't being run the right way. It is to bad that this is the way it has to turn out but it has to happen. Also we should not get involved in any war if we can. It is just stupid to do stuff like that. We should let Egypt run there country the way they want. It is not our problem so lets just stay out of it.
ReplyDeleteHalle-I think that whats happening in Egypt is a big thing. People risking their lives and getting injured for something they are fighting for. Egypt has been running out of things to do for the angry mob of people running through the streets. i think The united States is in a tough situation here and i think for now they should just let Egypt decide on what to do and when they ask us for help we can come to their aid and take action. Taking away cell service and the internet is a little out of hand. Like, seriously? Is it really that necessary? These people dont' have any means of communication anywhere. But that hasn't seemed to stop the people running throught the streets.
ReplyDeleteSofia- What is happening in egypt is major. THe people just want their dictaor to step down but he is stubborn and thinks he is better than everyone else and thinks he can control the people but they won't listen to him becauase no one likes him. Cutting off all sources of communication other than talking face to face was stupid, people are smart and will find ways to communicate,and they think that the people will be all freaked out by what the government can do, but they aren't at all. THe united states, being "good friends" with egypt should communicate with the leader and tell him to step down and if he doesnt find a way to make him step down because he is a stubborn person. All he wants is power.
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ReplyDeletekaed- i think that there president is doing stupid things. for example taking there internet and souses of communication. I agree that the dictor should step down, but i think and he is trying and succeeding to tell himself that he is better than everyone. People , which Im glad that they are not agreeing with him. The united states is in a bad spot right now. They should try and get a new leader, but we dont really have control over who their leader is.
ReplyDeleteAngie- I'm actually really shocked that all of this is happening in Egypt. Before, when I heard Egypt, I though of pharoahs and pyramids. Now when I hear Egypt, I think of all these problems going on. I 100% agree with Ryan. The United States needs to back out of Egypt. It's kinda causing more conflict. I think President Murback or whatever is pretty stupid. No wonder everyone wants him to resign, geesh! Should the U.S. government do anything? NO! Nothing! Just back off! That's just my opinion though....
ReplyDeletejosu- like ryan said i think the united states should stay out of this, but we still need to know what is going on so we can step in, if we have to, at the right time.
ReplyDeletei think it is ok for the protesters to protest because if they are doing it without violence no one will get hurt.
i think there should be presidential terms, like we have in the united states.
gabby- i think that if a country is being oppressed, that they should stand up for what they believe but i think this should be in a non-violent way.i think the government has gone a little to far with cutting off this cell service and all that stuff. if i were protestor i would be even more mad if they did that. but i understand the government motive, they just pursuited it in the wrong way. i think the us government should stay out of it. we dont need to get involved with other countries problems. i think that for egypt needs to figure it out by themselves. i think that i they did it will help egypt in the future. the us needs to stay out of it they dont need to get stuck trying to fix another country.
ReplyDeleteDanielle- I think what is happening in Egypt is very just all messed up. I mean its like good that people are fighting for their rights but i think it's getting a little bit out of hand. They dont need to be all crazy and like mess up there city and stuff like that. I think it was a bad idea to cut off cell service and stuff because it will just make people more mad and just keep rioting. The government doesn't really need to bother Eqypt. They can work this out theirselves. If the governmnet doesn't bother them, things in Eqypt may get much better without the governments help.
ReplyDeleteAtticus- My thoughts on the thing in Egypt are that it is good that they are fighting for there rights but i think that it is kinda getting a little crazy. Also I think that it was a bad idea to cut off cellcervis because the other people in africa could just find out about the protests threw the tv and it is an inconvense to the people who are not in the protest. The US shouldnt do anything but if they start shooting they should try and stop it.
ReplyDeleteMarya- my thoughts on what is going on in Egypt are, it is crazy over there. i sort of agree with the protestors though. their president is making them live in poverty and they have had enough. i do not like the desicion of cuttin goff cell phone and internet service. what if people from America or somwhere else are trying to call home and say they are ok? i don't like it at all. i think our government should let Egypt deal with this problem itself. if we get involved, things can turn uglier then they already are.
ReplyDeleteI think that that stupid guy should just step down or kill himself because he isnt doing the country any good by sitting in the chair saying i will not resign and he should step Down or we should go and blow him up. Well the cell phone and no internent rule i think stinks but it is just like back to last year when they didnt have internet or phones. The united states should do absolutly nothing because it would be really stupid if we did because we might not do it correctly
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ReplyDeleteCristina- when people don't have there basic needs meet like selter, food, and water, and they see te government officials living very wealthy lives, of cousre they will get mad and revolt. i think they should revolt. the government supressed cell service and communication to prevent poeple from organizing and rioting in the streets but all it has done is angered people and made them want to fight all the more, the unitedf states government should closely watch whats happening but stay out of it. we ahve enough to take care of in our own country.
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