Egypt

[GnarShredd]

Some crazy stuff going on right now, everything is really escalating. I've been listening to the Al Jazeera station all morning. Protesters have stayed out past the curfew, are burning police vehicles, and now the millitary is getting involved.

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/


The Egyptian government shut down all internet communication save for the network that their stock market is based on.

[STPHNSN23]

they've requested that mobile networks be shut down too. it's interesting to note that the US has supported their current president for a long time. now that people are rallying for a true democracy, will we support the rally?

[tball]

We learned some tough democracy lessons in 2005/2006 with the Palestenian elections. Democracy does not mean pro-US. Having an ally in Egypt is good for us and good for middle-east stability...not sure what will emerge from this.

[Nooga678]

A limited government it what made America great not a democracy (or constitutional republic). With no limititation on government, a democracy can be just as evil a from of government as any other. It opens the door for the majority to force its will on the minority. I don't understand the whole "spreading democracy" thing. It is pointless with out limitations on government. I doubt the minority muslem group of a country cares whether they suffer under a dictator of the opposing group, or and elected body of the opposing group.

[tball]

^theocracy sux. I'm afraid that is what is going to emerge from this.

[buckthis]

are you kidding me? Detroit looks worse than that on Halloween!

[Okie Boarder]

Definitely has global impact. What are some thoughts about the muslim group that seems to be involved in a lot of what is going on over there? Thoughts about the impact of the role this area plays in oil supply?

[STPHNSN23]

the US men's soccer team was supposed to go to egypt for a friendly match on the ninth. it's been cancelled.

[Aaron Hale]

Im living here right now.... got a job as a wake instructor out here.... the one sad thing is that Egypt is a really big tourist place for a lot of europeans and now that all this sh#$ is going down tourism is going to die and even more egyptians will be out of a job...... the ones that have jobs are already working for peanuts and now things are just going to get worse...... its a civil war at this point, i havent gotten salary and we are running out of food...... mubarak needs to take his head out of his ass and do what is right for his people...... the egyptians are protesting for the right to freely choose who they want to be their leader and they are being denied that right..... arab "republic" of egypt my ass........ this is a police state much akin to nazi germany...... didnt vote for mubarak in the last election??? then you probably disappeared for a while if not forever...... Obama is an ass and if he truly cares about democracy he will support the people and not this dictator who sends his own police force into the streets to beat and maim people because they dont like him

[Chattwake]

Good to hear you're alright Aaron. I was thinking about you being over there. You need to get your ass back to Soddy.

[Aaron Hale]

Lookin for flights right now..... cant find any though..... i may sail out on a boat to jordan or israel and become a refugee

[boardordie]

Heard this morning Cooper Anderson and his film crew got beat down yesterday while trying to film a piece in a "neutral" zone. No one seriously hurt but Anderson took 9-10 blows to the head. I had to laugh at the announcer though... she was talking with shock and disgust in her voice and "not understanding how this could happen". I don't know... maybe because it's a war zone! I think she and a lot of other reporters automatically think everyone wants to be on camera in the U.S. so they should welcome the cameras in other parts of the world as well.

[Chattwake]

Aaron Hale,

Good luck bro. You'll have to come teach me a new trick or two when you get back. I'll have my A22 primed and ready to go.

[STPHNSN23]

Aaron Hale, thanks for posting. it's good to hear from someone actually in the area. stay safe.

[tball]

Aaron Hale, wow dude, stay safe. Don't get out on the water and get jacked by Somali pirates. Is there any way for you to post pics of the stuff you're seeing out there?

Are you in touch with the US Embassy? Are Mubarak's thugs reading this? LURKERS!!!

[Aaron Hale]

Haha I doubt they have any clue wtf wakeboarding is...... But yeah if we have to leave we have to sail east because south is pirate territory and north is the suez which is a little sketchy due to all the goings ons anyways...... But yeah the town where i am does not have anything really going on as far as riots or protests..... mainly those are all situated in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez..... There is a little city just to the south of me called hurghada though where there has been some things going on and my friends have got some pics of some protesters in the streets there with tanks all around..... its just kind of a tense situation all over though..... The big problem is that the banks are all closed and I am running out of money and our company is losing so much business due to all of this that I may not be getting paid for a while...... ah well.... life is good here still though...... I will try to keep you guys updated as to whats really happening...... and btw, the news makes it looks a LOT worse than it really is

[Aaron Hale]

And btw, Anderson cooper is an ass who had it coming....... hes a smarmy a$$ and the egyptians could just smell it on him The thing about Egyptians, they are some of the friendliest people I have ever met but if you hurt their pride or betray them then you have an enemy for life..... until you do that though they will do absolutely anything for you