Althouse: "The Army and the people in one hand."

February 10, 2011

"The Army and the people in one hand."

Chanted in Egypt.

21 comments:

Joe said...: (The Crypto Jew)

More like, “The People of Egypt IN THE HANDS OF THE ARMY.”

I fear the outcome of this “revolution”….; 2/10/11, 10:08 AM
Roger J. said...: I suspect the army has, and will continue to be, the ultimate arbiter in the Egyptian upheaval--It was Naguib and Nasser that overthrew King Farouk, both from the army, and the army has been the power behind the thrown since the 1950s. Remains to be seen who will emerge as the Army's new face.; 2/10/11, 10:09 AM
Scott M said...: Word is he's stepping down tonight. This is good for the administration coming on the heels of the supposed phone call from Saudi. If Mubarak stays in power until the election with that call hanging out there (assuming it happened and is verified) it makes us come off even weaker than before.

I tinks, we needs some spinitchk.; 2/10/11, 10:10 AM
Unknown said...: I doubt Mubarak was ever going to be around through September once the Army saw the reaction to his statement last week. The trick was easing him out.

It doesn't help that the Obamateur keeps insisting on a place for the Moslem (hey, even Christiane Amanpour spells it this way) Brotherhood in the governemnt.

If the Army is committed to putting the hammer down if it looks as if the crazies are going to get in, then this may work out. Of course, you can kiss democracy goodbye for now, but things might be just a shade better if we hadn't reset from that arrogant, cowboy diplomacy that had been insisting on democratic reforms.

PS If this were the 1750s, the best thing that could happen would be a British occupation for 200 years or so, but them days is gone forever, it would seem.; 2/10/11, 10:38 AM
William said...: And you know who's the velvet glove and who's the mailed fist.; 2/10/11, 10:40 AM
Scott M said...: but things might be just a shade better if we hadn't reset from that arrogant, cowboy diplomacy that had been insisting on democratic reforms.

Please 'splain for those of us stuck in intellectual tortoise mode.; 2/10/11, 10:42 AM
traditionalguy said...: IMO Thirty years of Mubarak guided stability has established enough habitual order/response habits that Egypt will not fall into a chaos. The Establishment will think of a way to handle this. The move by Saudi Arabia against the American Organiser of the World's effort to cause chaos in Egypt in order to smash Israel will be the needed checkmate. Now if only the American public will do some check mating of Obama too, we may survive him.; 2/10/11, 10:54 AM
Fred4Pres said...: In the words of another Prophet (PBUH): "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss..."

Except the new boss is the head of the secret police and is actually worse than the old boss. But the real boss is the Egyptian Military.; 2/10/11, 10:54 AM
The Dude said...: I like that "power behind the thrown" - or overthrown, as it usually goes.

WV: nomonas - keep it down in there.; 2/10/11, 11:00 AM
ricpic said...: Democracy = Military coup.

Well, better than Democracy = Muslim Brotherhood.; 2/10/11, 11:11 AM
sunsong said...: I am thrilled by the events in Egypt. They deserve a better life - even if it is just a little better! There was a point when the protests shifted from throwing rocks to chanting and dancing. I love that!

“If I can't dance - I don't want to be part of your revolution” - Emma Goldman; 2/10/11, 11:15 AM
Unknown said...: Scott M said...

but things might be just a shade better if we hadn't reset from that arrogant, cowboy diplomacy that had been insisting on democratic reforms.

Please 'splain for those of us stuck in intellectual tortoise mode.

Believe it or don't, but the standing of the US in Egypt's eyes is about half what it was when Dubya was publicly making noise about reform. Had that policy been maintained, we might have a tad more leverage over there, at least with the people, who seemed to be somewhat aware of what he was trying to do.

The Zero's reset and subsequent dithering has given us no traction anywhere in Egypt.

This, I concede, is also a result of the utter and complete cluelessness of this Administration and it may well be, as Johnny Mercer told us, ya can't have one without the other.

traditionalguy said...

IMO Thirty years of Mubarak guided stability has established enough habitual order/response habits that Egypt will not fall into a chaos. The Establishment will think of a way to handle this. The move by Saudi Arabia against the American Organiser of the World's effort to cause chaos in Egypt in order to smash Israel will be the needed checkmate. Now if only the American public will do some check mating of Obama too, we may survive him.

Your lips to God's ears, tg.; 2/10/11, 11:15 AM
Anonymous said...: It's starting to appear that the people got rid of Mubarak without a clue of what was next.

Looks like the Army will let them know.; 2/10/11, 12:07 PM
Scott M said...: Least worst outcome so far.; 2/10/11, 12:09 PM
Anonymous said...: CNN reporting Mubarak not stepping down....; 2/10/11, 12:32 PM
Anonymous said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/10/11, 12:34 PM
Toad Trend said...: What a mess.

Regardless of the outcome, the Won will take credit and proclaim that he is indeed good.

wv - muffs

A result of no prompter power.; 2/10/11, 1:28 PM
Roger J. said...: With respect to Mr Obama's handling of the situation several things strike me--(1) his Cairo speech as I read it basically took us out of the equation--not particularly smart from a diplomatic standnpoint; you must maintain some kind of presence and leverage--and he failed to give the US that power (2) a total failure of intelligence on the egyptian situation--that is squarely on Mr Obama's administration; (3) an incoherent response filled with mixed messages once the situation unfolded; he appeared to adopt the old British approach of muddling through. The confused message did nothing to gain the support of the arab "street" nor did it reassure america's longer term allies and the major elements in power in the middle east. No one has a clear idea of exactly what American foreign policy is. By abandoning the Bush approach to encouraging democracy he has sent a mixed message and his handling of this situation has demonstrated his impotence and ignorance

The quicker we are thru with this idiot the safe America will be.

Pathetic all around.; 2/10/11, 1:50 PM
Scott M said...: Mubarak is speaking. Looks like he's going to stay on until Sep.; 2/10/11, 2:54 PM
kjbe said...: Denial IS a river in Egypt.; 2/10/11, 3:04 PM
Anonymous said...: Democracy = Military coup.

Alternative definition..

Democracy =
One man..
One vote..
One time.; 2/10/11, 3:41 PM