So on the one hand, the military is using the election to bolster its democratic credentials. On the other hand, it is digging in. The members of the SCAF are saying: “We are not going to relinquish power. No constitution, no parliament and no mass movement is going to force us out of power.”
Some 25 percent of Egypt’s gross domestic product is directly under the control of the SCAF. There was a handmade sign at the protest on Friday listing the crimes of the SCAF. One of them was that its members supported Mubarak for 30 years. Another was that it turned the army into a big business to exploit poor people. Companies owned by the army make macaroni, washing machines, refrigerators and furniture—they build luxury resorts and a lot more. They own a big chunk of agriculture, too, including hundreds of cattle ranches, and they grow all kinds of vegetables and fruit.
That’s why pushing the military back into the barracks and having a constitution and parliament to make them accountable is much harder to achieve than making them sacrifice a Mubarak. They have so much more at stake economically and politically.
Then there is the international dimension. The West abandoned Mubarak, but the West will never abandon the SCAF until the very last minute. The U.S. will not abandon the army.
"What is the difference between The Egyptian Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards? One is implicitly supported by the Government of the United States of America.
These are the kind of inconvenient contradictions that present themselves to pathetic, myopic, waning empires; they have no actual principles left. They become slaves to their own economic interests.
Long live the Egyptian Revolution! Down with the SCAF!
(Source: socialistworker.org)
Let’s begin from the start: How are you? I am Alaa, a foot soldier in the revolution, there are those who sacrificed more than me, those who are much more courageous than me, and those whose role is much more important than mine.
I am Alaa, proud that I am doing what I can and sometimes surprise myself with what I am capable of. And I know myself and what I am not capable of. I try never to fail my commitments, I try to overcome fear always and I constantly try to be in the front lines at all times.
If you see in me any magnanimity, courage or bravery know that I draw them from my mom, my younger sisters and my wife (who being separated from is the hardest part of detention).
"(Source: sultanalqassemi.blogspot.com)
I wonder if we can’t carry Zizek’s notion even further. Is it not the case that the proletariat stands over a chasm of a different sort? Does it not realize that global Capital has pushed it over the precipice and the moment it looks down it too will realize there is nothing there supporting it? The difference then is that the working class (and for that matter the middle class, petty bourgeoisie, etc.) in the ‘West’ somehow believe that their relationship vis-á-vis the ruling class has put them in a position to fall in the first place!
Perhaps then the fall should be viewed as a crash towards reality, a therapeutic awakening to the reality of their situation. From the ground level, they can then begin the important work of toppling the plateau, where the ruling class resides. In this sense, only class consciousness will force the downward look.
My Grandmother picked this up in Egypt in the 70s from an old artist she met. It is a Surah from the Qu’ran.
She gave it to me about a year ago and it hangs in my dining room.
This was the first shot I took with my new Sigma 85 f/1.4. I shot it wide open to see what the DoF was like.
I woke up this morning to this news and almost immediately shed a few tears of joy.
This morning is the first time in a long time I have felt hope, genuine hope, that things CAN change. To see people, many of whom suffered for three decades under an asinine dictator, show such bravery and determination in changing the established order is an amazing thing. This was an Egyptian revolution, but its kernel is absolutely universal. I feel almost dizzy with the possibilities, the world has changed today, in a way many never though possible.
Thank you Egypt. You have taught me more than I could have ever asked for.
May the spirit of revolution spread!
(Source: Guardian)
From twitter user aisaad:
Egyptian Copts to hold Sunday services in Tahrir tom, Muslims to surround them for protection - returning Friday’s favor :) #Egypt #Jan25
I’m not religious at all, but this is truly beautiful. This is solidarity, it’s universal, across religious and sectarian boundaries. Egyptians are teaching the West a lesson, will we listen?
Yalla ya shahab!
An example, straight out of camera, of the new Portra 400. I forgot my meter, so this was guess work and it still came out great.
The hypocrisy of western liberals is breathtaking: they publicly supported democracy, and now, when the people revolt against the tyrants on behalf of secular freedom and justice, not on behalf of religion, they are all deeply concerned. Why concern, why not joy that freedom is given a chance? Today, more than ever, Mao Zedong’s old motto is pertinent: “There is great chaos under heaven – the situation is excellent.”
Where, then, should Mubarak go? Here, the answer is also clear: to the Hague. If there is a leader who deserves to sit there, it is him.
"
Egypt, we hear you. Redux.
