More of the Same: Political Deception

     It never ceases to amaze me  how politicians  world-wide  blatantly make promises,  are voted in,  abuse their power,   break those promises,  and are  re-elected in spite of corruption and  repetitive political deception. 
     It seems logical  and reasonable that representation by the "elected"  on that basis should  be considered  worthless, and something to be avoided.   Civilization does not seem to learn from it's mistakes.   Is there no other choice offered? When regimes are clearly shown to be offensive and corrupt, should they be supported? 
     In Egypt, Hosni Mubarak is making superficial offerings of change, while the people of Egypt clearly  want him out and gone, not re-elected, not "self-elected"  and not just "stepping aside".   
He has slashed taxes by 50% and has offered many bribe-like  cosmetic changes that mean absolutely nothing,  since the majority of politicians, much less  autocratic dictators -- do not keep their promises anyway.  It is that simple. 
     The people of Egypt are not asking to wave the Egyptian flag happily for  a   newly-veneered  dictatorship called a "new"  Mubarak administration;  they want a NEW Democracy and a new era  without the influence of Mubarak and his cronies in the driver's seat.
It seems that the US, that was, upon observing the will of the Egyptian people,   initially, clearly  and strongly insisting  that Mubarak step down, ---but  has now 'changed it's mind'  about supporting Mubarak with his coy offerings of cheap veneer and whitewash, his deceptive bid to appease the population.   The question must be asked:  Why?  
      Is the US afraid of genuine democracy in Egypt which might even contain some unwelcome, difficult-to-deal-with  elements in the future,  or is it simply because  the allure of an  continued administration easily manipulated is  hard to resist?  Has the United States of America forgotten  the famous phrase  "WE the PEOPLE" ?
     Mid-East deception again comes to mind. Let us open our eyes to the fact that Hosni Mubarak is not about to willingly do the right thing and go away, thereby  allowing Egyptians to pursue their destiny without his dictatorship and "guidance".   Why would democratic regimes encourage the strengthening of a dictatorship when it is clear the choice of the people has been made?  
     Shall the people of North America expect the same deception and ill treatment by our governments  should WE decide to insist upon change?  
     I believe all people  of the free world should be encouraging FREEDOM, not deceptive autocracy or dictatorship -- in spite of  "perceived" problems  that choice may eventually cause.    Let us bravely deal with those problems  in a timely and logical fashion should they occur.    "IF they occur" comes to mind.
    In the meantime, Hosni Mubarak must go because the people of the "Nile Revolution"  want him gone. 
 

Egypt: Shaking up the Middle East and Suppressing Freedom of Speech

     There is little  doubt at Incoming BYTES  that the last 12 days of revolution offer serious implications reaching far beyond Egypt's dusty borders.   With President Hosni Mubarak defiantly clings to power, warning of "chaos" if he steps down.  Perhaps Hosni not been paying attention,  or is he  suffering from  shock or delusion?  Most citizens in real life  have experienced,  felt the pain, and observed the chaos he has already created and  sanctioned in the last two weeks. 
Mubarak  still stubbornly resisting removal in spite of massive protests by anti-government demonstrators, and  deaths, mayhem, whipping  and destruction  by pro-Mubarak forces,  Mubarak has  yet to  step  down,  has no intention to do so,  and there is no clear transfer of power to any transitional opposition  occurring as recommended by foreign governments world-wide.  


     Repercussions of the revolution continue as saboteurs blew up a gas line to Israel,  France has suspended all sales of arms to Egypt, and the whole world is unsettled as it anticipates a "new regime" yet to be decided,  if it is formed at all. 
Will the Muslim Brotherhood,  learned clerics,  or even religious fanatic factions  influence, participate in, or even form the next Egyptian government? Will the next government of Egypt fashion itself in the image of Iran?  Should the free world sanction a "new Egyptian government" that could,  in the extreme of fanaticism,  be "sworn to destroy Israel"?   I think not.  All human beings have a right to exist in peace.
      How is the world to know what is happening as journalists are attacked, beaten, detained, and harassed as their equipment is smashed?  One Egyptian journalist, Ahmed Mohammed Mahmud,  shot by a sniper  during the melee between opposing forces  has  already died.   Many foreign journalists have been  beaten badly,  arrested, interrogated, and ordered detained in their hotels  as Mr. Mubarak's government  "protects" them.   Do tell. 
Therein lies the root of skepticism as a  lack of credibility is clearly demonstrated. 


      How should the world  react if  freedom of speech is not clearly restored ?  Is the true intent of Mubarak's regime  to remain hidden or disguised? In spite of the blood shed in this revolution, is there any genuine intent by the Egyptian government  to initiate a peaceful transition other than superficial changes made in the thin veneer of deceit ?
There are many questions that must be answered.
 

Intimidation in Egypt and Turmoil In Yemen: Is it any Wonder?

UPDATED 02/02/2011 @ 11:00EST

****UPDATE:  Four deaths and hundreds of people have been injured in the violence in Cairo. Molotov cocktails have been used, shots have been fired, and crowds attacked Western Journalists, beating a Canadian television cameraman severely .**** 
I am always amazed by the speed at which change occurs when there is  no other alternative possible.
Such is the case in the Arab world, where quantum change is taking place.
In Egypt, with the exception of a few ugly-natured Mubarak supporters riding camels and horses, into crowds,  viciously beating  and intimidating innocent protesters with sticks and whips as might be expected,   Hosni Mubarak is supposed to be in retreat,  encouraged  by  the Egyptian revolution and little other choice. Why would any sane observer be surprised to see intimidation and violence by Mubarak supporters?  Instead, it appears that pro-Mubarak support and demonstrations  and clashes between the two groups have been orchestrated and encouraged.  
 Tunisia is also  in turmoil,  the President was forced into exile with his treasures and  not much other choice,  so it is little wonder President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen is also suddenly taking pre-emptive and creative  steps to remove himself from power.   Is he  removing himself from mortal danger too?   After three decades of dictatorship, President Saleh has announced his departure. The people have spoken, the writing is on the wall,  so yet another dictatorship will fall ‘willingly’. 
 President Saleh has pledged that he will not seek re-election --and also vowed that his son Ahmed,  who leads  military special forces and the presidential guard, will  not  inherit the powerful position.  Both pledge and vow are convenient and timely.

It takes little imagination to explain Saleh’s sudden urgency for change; revolt is at hand,  the government of Yemen is rife with corruption, the nation has been dependent  upon shrinking oil production for revenue,  and little if any  of the income from that oil has ended up in the hands of the people. Half of the population of Yemen subsists on less than $2.00 per day, infrastructure for roads and sanitation is marginal or sub-standard, and unemployment is the norm,  as unrest  blooms like a desert receiving the blessing of seven days of rain.    Saleh has happily and boldly  proclaimed a 50% income tax cut.  It is a  nice promise and a creative tactic to stall for time, Mr. President.    
 In the presence of such extreme economic disparity, one might easily  wonder if a dictator’s accumulated wealth is best removed quickly to avoid confiscation,  a la’ Saddam Hussein -- when  hanging also may be both convenient and inevitable?
“But father, I wish to inherit the kingdom and rule the people just as you have”
 “Let us leave now, son, we finally have it  all, and the natives are restless... ”
 The “timely” evacuation of dictators is not unknown to the rest of the world.  If you are about to be hung, drawn and quartered, or  run out of town on an rail anyway, it is beneficial to do anything to delay action,  pretend happiness,  lead the parade in style, and clutch the strings of the golden purse tightly in both hands on the way out.   
“Time to leave.  What did you expect, Mr. President"?    Just as it did in Iraq,  the truth always comes out.