Tweet
As I said last week, The Party Line is my attempt to take the ideas and thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head all week, and use them to kick off a weekend’s worth of conversation, and,well, my thoughts were a little extra bouncy today. There was just so much this week, and so much to say about Egypt all by itself, that I had a hard time editing my thoughts. . . but stick with me because, as you can see by the tags, I also talk about sex.
The Party Line – February 4, 2011 |
|
| By: Gregg Levine Friday February 4, 2011 9:00 am | |
17 Comments
Great segment, Gregg.
Boner shtupping a lobbyist. Who knew?
As for your points about Egypt, I appreciate all of them. Especially your last point. I haven’t seen any discussion to the topic of predictablitiy that varies from the “who could’ve seen this coming?” line. I personally think that line is bullshit. The Egyptian people have been repressed for 30 years. I think everyone that knew of the atrocities committed by Mubarak knew that something like this could happen.
I suppose if you don’t receive an invite on Facebook nowadays, it’s not an event that could’ve been predicted. Unless of course you’re a futures trader or market speculator.
“I suppose if you don’t receive an invite on Facebook nowadays, it’s not an event that could’ve been predicted.”
Funny, was just reading Marcy’s post on how little attention State paid to social media.
And, thanks!
“At a news conference at his home in Giza, close to the pyramids, Mr. ElBaradei said Mr. Mubarak’s adversaries had already begun drawing up a constitution and were seeking the creation of a council of two to five members — including a representative from the powerful military — to oversee reform over a one-year period. It was the first public suggestion of a formal proposal for transition.” from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/05/world/middleeast/05egypt.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&hp Sounds like the foundation to change to me, what do you think?
I have searched to find info but nit much out there except the hard line from Mubarak regime.
I’m reading Marcy’s post now. I like the Al Jazeera segments from the past 36 hours, when they’ve had limited access to Tahrir, that included tweets from inside the square. It was a great way to get information.
I read something similar on twitter earlier, can’t find it now.
If the Egyptian people elect to go with an International interim council, I think Boner’s girlfriend should be on it. She’s obviously more representative of our Government’s interests than anyone in the Obama Administration.
I have not seen any movement to the Mubarak government building where the demonstrators were supposed to be going for a final confrontation today. It seems that may no longer be possible as those streets may by blocked by the military. Any news on that Gregg?
Al Jazeera English reported earlier that the plan is now to stage a mass sit-in at the major train station located near the square. They’re going to attempt to shut down travel. This is in addition to the continued occupation of Tahrir and the downtown University and Commerce areas.
According to reports, the idea that protestors would march from Tahrir Square to the presidential palace was never an official plan of the Jan25 demonstrators. They probably saw it as strategically dangerous. Leaving the square would disperse the demonstration and leave people much more open to attacks from pro-Mubarak gangs. It would also empty Tahrir, and that would allow the government to occupy it and shut down a known gathering point. A continued presence in the street provides pressure without provoking as dangerous a confrontation.
I can’t help but wonder, what would the US government do if 50,000 protestors descended on the gates of the White House. I don’t think it would be pretty.
I think the White House would have no choice but to let people demonstrate. Any action our government takes against peaceful demonstrators would be so heavily scrutinized nationally and internationally that the USG would have to just let the people protest.
Blue Texan’s regularly scheduled post is ready: McCain Won’t Endorse Palin in 2012
My 2 cents …
Big style points for Anderson Cooper/CNN joke!
The the systematic use of sex for favors or as a blackmail weapon to control government and corporate officials has been going on for a long time– just laundered more discretely perhaps. In my historical travels I was once informed that DC pols would select and just murder the African-American women afterwards burying their bodies wherever in/around the nation’s capitol. The place is literally a swamp and charnel ground built on the roots of slavery. So, I think good character + ethics + procedural training more effectively in mitigating the issue has bearing. This was actually institutionally practiced before Bush 43. Former legal internal affairs type folks are totally versed in this. Jon points out rightly that the US does need to render the 3 forms of corruption illegal. These are just some of the “To Do’s” in the remediation program in front of us.
correction: “[..] other 2 out of 3 forms of corruption illegal.” Of course that means having procedural enforcement (teeth).
Thanks, Gregg!
I love your Party Line! I also agree on all your Egypt points, specifically the lack of planning or awareness. I also find it strange that the US is doing everything including causing anger with the people in trying to get in front of this.
All the world knows we are torturers now. The secrets we have in that respect might as well come out. The other problems with the Suez and Isreal are going to have to be left to the people and their new government. I do not see them taking kindly to the US looking down upon them, and directing orders at this time in the game.
Boehner! Pfftt. No wonder he cries all the time. Maybe his mind is far too occupied with CYA in all areas and is just too small to handle it. K-Street and C-Street both should be wiped out. People should be able to redress their government without such bribes and huge sums. They are all whores, it doesn’t matter what the compensation is.
Yes, the DC Madame and others have had sudden wishes to commit suicide. Yet, it continues on and will until change comes. Of course, that change is not gonna happen with The Great Pretender!
:-D
I wonder if he cries after they make love. *gag*
More unnecessary deaths of many including hers.
Shorter: There is no substitute for basically decent, integrous, discriminating, properly trained and experienced human beings.
If the train station plan materializes, the action will start to take on some of the form of a general strike. Much more effective, in my view, than storming th presidential palace, which would get a lot of people killed and only be symbolic, anyway. Shutting down transportation hubs? That’s more like it.