May 24, 2014
By Rami G. Khouri
The Daily Star
The millions of Egyptians (click here) who supported General Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi when he removed from office President Mohammad Morsi eleven months ago gave the impression that Sisi had overwhelming popular support for his actions and his candidacy.
It remains unclear whether these sentiments among Egyptians were a genuine and lasting political statement or merely a short-lived form of mass hysteria that understandably sought the comforts of a secure and orderly life under a strongman.
The presidential election in a few days probably will not clarify this issue, because of the boycott by the Muslim Brotherhood and the authorities’ continued suppression measures against leftist, independent and progressive activists in Egypt....
Sisi is the return of Mubarak, if not in the flesh, then in the authority and in reflection of 'what is best.' Populism still lives in Egypt, only this time it is accompanied by power rather than a mobile phone.
First there were Sisi t-shirts,(click here) then Sisi underwear... now Egypt's newest Field Marshal even has his own music video. A group of Sisi supporters have produced an MTV-style music video entitled One Dream in an effort to appeal to his moshir-ship's love for pop culture...probably.
The cringe-inducing singers crow:
We've been dreaming for a long time to be united by safety and security,
One front, one dream, One path, one hand. We'll finally be united, Egyptians,
Let's hold hands and make our dream of a lifetime come true!...
Sisi is promising to roll back all the change that occurred following the demonstrations in Tahrir Square. I am surprised Sisi hasn't asked for Anderson Cooper's head on a platter.
Sisi likes to call it "The Revolution to Disillusion." It justifies the actions of still yet another oppressive regime.
Ahram Online
Thursday 22 May 2014
Egyptian police arrested (click here) a number of lawyers and activists in Alexandria on Thursday following a demonstration in solidarity with activist Mahienour El-Masry and eight others who were jailed this week on charges of holding an illegal protest.
At least five persons – including Alexandria Doctors Syndicate board member Taher Mukhtar – were arrested during Thursday's protest, according to Freedom for the Brave, a grassroots campaign formed in January of this year to call for the release of political detainees in Egypt.
On Tuesday, an Alexandria court upheld an earlier verdict sentencing El-Masry and eight other activists to two years in jail and fines of LE50,000 each for organising an unauthorised demonstration in December of last year.
The protest was held to mark the retrial of police officers charged with the death of Khaled Said, 28, who was beaten to death in Alexandria in 2010. His death was a major catalyst of the 2011 uprising, with police brutality a key focus of protesters anger....
Lord only knows we all need permits to be angry. Mayhem is the enemy. So, tell me how does a military coupe puts that in a can for the elections?
Those pesky Brotherhood people; "They just don't get it."
It will be interesting to see how long the Egyptian prisons will over flow before Sisi finds himself with burning tanks, IEDs and RPGs. It isn't as though it hasn't happened before.
By Rami G. Khouri
The Daily Star
The millions of Egyptians (click here) who supported General Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi when he removed from office President Mohammad Morsi eleven months ago gave the impression that Sisi had overwhelming popular support for his actions and his candidacy.
It remains unclear whether these sentiments among Egyptians were a genuine and lasting political statement or merely a short-lived form of mass hysteria that understandably sought the comforts of a secure and orderly life under a strongman.
The presidential election in a few days probably will not clarify this issue, because of the boycott by the Muslim Brotherhood and the authorities’ continued suppression measures against leftist, independent and progressive activists in Egypt....
Sisi is the return of Mubarak, if not in the flesh, then in the authority and in reflection of 'what is best.' Populism still lives in Egypt, only this time it is accompanied by power rather than a mobile phone.
First there were Sisi t-shirts,(click here) then Sisi underwear... now Egypt's newest Field Marshal even has his own music video. A group of Sisi supporters have produced an MTV-style music video entitled One Dream in an effort to appeal to his moshir-ship's love for pop culture...probably.
The cringe-inducing singers crow:
We've been dreaming for a long time to be united by safety and security, One front, one dream, One path, one hand. We'll finally be united, Egyptians,
Let's hold hands and make our dream of a lifetime come true!...
Sisi is promising to roll back all the change that occurred following the demonstrations in Tahrir Square. I am surprised Sisi hasn't asked for Anderson Cooper's head on a platter.
Sisi likes to call it "The Revolution to Disillusion." It justifies the actions of still yet another oppressive regime.
Thursday 22 May 2014
Egyptian police arrested (click here) a number of lawyers and activists in Alexandria on Thursday following a demonstration in solidarity with activist Mahienour El-Masry and eight others who were jailed this week on charges of holding an illegal protest.
At least five persons – including Alexandria Doctors Syndicate board member Taher Mukhtar – were arrested during Thursday's protest, according to Freedom for the Brave, a grassroots campaign formed in January of this year to call for the release of political detainees in Egypt.
On Tuesday, an Alexandria court upheld an earlier verdict sentencing El-Masry and eight other activists to two years in jail and fines of LE50,000 each for organising an unauthorised demonstration in December of last year.
The protest was held to mark the retrial of police officers charged with the death of Khaled Said, 28, who was beaten to death in Alexandria in 2010. His death was a major catalyst of the 2011 uprising, with police brutality a key focus of protesters anger....
Lord only knows we all need permits to be angry. Mayhem is the enemy. So, tell me how does a military coupe puts that in a can for the elections?Those pesky Brotherhood people; "They just don't get it."
It will be interesting to see how long the Egyptian prisons will over flow before Sisi finds himself with burning tanks, IEDs and RPGs. It isn't as though it hasn't happened before. 
