Monday, June 23, 2014

Totalitarianism

Get used to seeing this throughout the world. Russia is spreading totalitarianism in regions of turmoil. The best reaction to such oppression in the world is to send humanitarian aide and be sure those imprisoned have their health attended to by medical professionals. Imprisoned populations will grow with Russia promising what it has to in support of such regimes.

Take to Russia. The USA isn't looking for a global war with repressive governments.

Patrick Kingsley in Cairo
23 June 2014


Egypt's judiciary (click here) has dealt a shocking blow to the principle of free speech after three journalists for Al-Jazeera English were sentenced to between seven and 10 years in jail on charges of aiding terrorists and endangering national security.
The former BBC correspondent Peter Greste, from Australia, the ex-CNN journalist Mohamed Fahmy, and local producer Baher Mohamed were jailed for seven, seven and 10 years respectively. Four students and activists indicted in the case were sentenced to seven years.
The judge also handed 10-year sentences to the British journalists Sue Turton and Dominic Kane and the Dutch journalist Rena Netjes, who were not in Egypt but were tried in absentia.
The courtroom packed with journalists, diplomats and relatives erupted at the verdict which came despite what independent observers said was a complete lack of evidence.
Shouting from the defendants' cage as he was led away, Fahmy, a Canadian-Egyptian citizen, said: "They'll pay for this." Greste's reaction could not be heard, but the faces of his two younger brothers – both present in court – were grim....