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The Spectacle Blog
I would add to Aaron’s concerns regarding the evolving shape and stature of Egyptian democracy an ominous warning issued by the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF), presaging the Muslim Brotherhood’s decision to field el Shater:
“We ask everyone to be aware of the lessons of history to avoid mistakes from a past we do not want to return to, and to look towards the future.”
I’d hazard that the warning can be read one of two ways. First, as some Islamist leaders in Egypt are suggesting, it can be understood as a thinly veiled allusion to Nasser’s elimination of the MB in 1954. On the other hand, it could be suggestive of the SCAF’s unease about their grip on power… not to mention their considerable financial holdings.
In terms of domestic politics, the Brotherhood currently controls approximately 50% of the Egyptian Parliament. If they were to capture the executive office, the movement could threaten the ruling junta’s significant business interests — which are currently shielded from government oversight. A win at the ballots would mean MB control of the parliament, the constitutional assembly and the presidency…not to mention the bank vaults, national industries and corporate rentiers that line the pockets of the strongest and most enduring elements of Mubarak-era oligarchy.
If we’re prognosticating worst case scenarios…complete MB control of the mechanics of government rings in right behind the SCAF’s dissolution of the parliament or preclusion of the presidential elections, which would likely entail violent reprisal and potential state fracture.
Of course, the Obama administration’s decision to flagrantly ignore Congressional conditions for aid to our “allies” in Egypt removed any leverage the United States held to press the Cairene cabal to meet the demands of civilian rule, transparent election and the protections of free speech and assembly.
So either way you cut it, we’re stuck supporting the mullahs or the generals… all on the American tax-payer’s dime.
View all comments (34) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Reid Smith
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/04/05/on-egypt-it-gets-worse
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Conservative Not Republican| 4.5.12 @ 3:30PM
Like a wasp, if we leave them alone, they will leave us alone.
Bill| 4.5.12 @ 3:30PM
Those stupid Arabs....go to Hell.
Conservative Not Republican| 4.5.12 @ 4:05PM
Egyptians are not Arabs, doofus.
Reid Smith| 4.5.12 @ 4:29PM
Egyptians are Arabs, if they say they are. Which they do. And they most certainly aren't stupid, and need not "go to Hell."
I really wish folks would avoid blanket statements about 90 million people, rather than concentrating their scorn at groups of elites who *gasp* may not share America's best interests.
Jack in Wi.| 4.5.12 @ 4:38PM
Egytians are mostly decendents of the peoples of ancient Egypt mixed in with the Arabs over the centuries. Reid: By all means lets invade Egypt and bring them Democracy like we did in Iraq, Afganistan and Libya.
Bill| 4.5.12 @ 5:13PM
Arabs are Nazis.
Reid Smith| 4.5.12 @ 5:55PM
That's ridiculous, wrong-headed, ignorant and unhelpful.
Elmer Fudd| 4.5.12 @ 8:44PM
Walks like a duck, quacks like a duck...
Bill| 4.5.12 @ 10:17PM
Arabs supported and fought for the Nazi against the Allied forces during WWII.
Occam's Tool| 4.6.12 @ 12:24PM
Please to tell me, Reid, how the official Muslim Brotherhood position regarding Jews significantly is different from the Nazi position, if the MB had the military force to carry it out. I'm waiting with popcorn in hand, as it should make for a good comedy.
I'll compare your answers with the Public Defender scene in "My Cousin Vinnie."
Reid Smith| 4.6.12 @ 12:33PM
Frankly, I'd say your position regarding the annihilation of millions of Arabs/Iranians rings a lot closer to "Nazi."
Thanks for reading.
Occam's Tool| 4.6.12 @ 3:10PM
Than the Muslim Brotherhood. I have no desire to kill any Iranians if they STOP BUILDING A BOMB.
Again, you fail to answer my question. How does the Muslim Brotherhood position, which is about to become the Egyptian Government position, differ from the Nazi position, asshole.
I avoided name-calling until you breached Godwin's Law. My query is entirely factual, Reid. Your problem is that your friends are scum, and it is hard to live with that fact, wanker.
Occam's Tool| 4.6.12 @ 3:15PM
Aaah, The Public Defender position. No factual counter, so ad hominem instead.
You would have failed out of a Medical School curriculum, Reid, whereas I could have aced yours and had plenty of time for foosball, beer, movies and women.
Occam's Tool| 4.6.12 @ 12:21PM
Some of us warned that "The Arab Spring" would be a nightmare. Some of us warned that Islamic values could not easily be made congruent with Western ones. Some of us actually look at different cultures critically , and don't hold that all are "equal."
Sometimes, when you are called paranoid, it doesn't mean that they are not out to get you. Unlike Jack, I don't believe in leaving them alone; unlike some others, I don't believe in "Nation building," not until sufficient "Nation-Smashing," a la WWII Germany and Japan, has been done. This pounding has not yet been done to certain Middle Eastern Countries, but it should be done. Prime useful targets would be Saudi, Egypt, or, most usefully and importantly, Iran. Nation Smashing can be done for a fraction of the cost of "Nation Building," in far less time, and with far fewer "boots on ground."
It can also have a much more beneficial effect in favor of the USA.
Clint| 4.5.12 @ 3:33PM
Dr.Ron Paul,
“Our military’s purpose is to defend our country, not to police the
Middle East.
“As the President prepares to send even more support to Egypt, we should
be reminded that it was our foreign aid that helped Mubarak retain power
to repress his people in the first place. Now we have to deal with the
consequences of those decisions, yet we keep repeating the same mistakes.
“I am not the only one who can see the absurdities of our foreign
policy. We give $3 billion to Israel and $12 billion to her enemies.
Most Americans know that makes no sense.
“We need to come to our senses, trade with our friends in the Middle
East (both Arab and Israeli), clean up our own economic mess so we set a
good example, and allow them to work out their own conflicts.”
Oldefarte| 4.8.12 @ 1:23PM
'.....MJ Rosenberg to Leave Media Matters Website Saturday, April 7, 2012 02:47 PMMJ Rosenberg is leaving the liberal activist group Media Matters, Fox News reports. Rosenberg plans start his own blog, saying he doesn't want his criticism of Israel to "harm" Media Matters.
Rosenberg's recent comments have drawn heavy fire. He mistakenly accused the Drudge Report website of racism in its coverage of the Trayvon Martin case, for which he has apologized. He also branded pro-Israel Americans as "Israel-firsters" and verbally attackd a Harvard professor.
Rosenberg announced Friday on the Media Matters website that he was "striking out on my own with a brand new website and blog."
Harvard Professor Alan Dershowitz branded Rosenberg an anti-Semite for the “Israel-firsters” comment. When Dershowitz, a lifelong Democrat, urged the Democratic Party to distance itself from Media Matters, Rosenberg responded by telling him to “go to Hell” and urging Dershowitz’s students to boycott his class
"My presence here is being used in an effort to shut Media Matters up," Rosenberg said. He plans to create a new site, MJayRosenberg.com....'
C Bowen | 4.5.12 @ 7:53PM
Mr. Smith;
The NGOs (the hated Soros crowd) have been actually appealed to (even in the form of Rand Paul) when the Egyptian government cracked down---not without reason. To attack State, without considering the State vs Soros et al NGO, is limited thinking, as we need to look for tactical splits for opportunities--or just good palace watching.
Certainly, I cannot unwind anything, but of all people Rand Paul, appealed to the NGO's (in so far as protecting the arrested--which I did not blame Egypt's government for doing) to balance State tells me something very complex is up.
A person in your position, Mr. Smith, needs to address this split--if there is one, and have a 'take.'
Dixie Pixie| 4.5.12 @ 9:04PM
One thing is certain, Egypt is about to get a lot, Lot, LOT worse.
Consider the Democratic Alliance Party (Muslim Brotherhood) has 44.9% of the Parliamentary seats.
The Islamist Block (Salafist) has 25%.
The Al-Wasat ( Muslim Brotherhood splinter group) has 3.7%.
That gives the Islamic Parties around 73.6% of Parliamentary seat and a controlling super-majority.
As a result, the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafists have runoff the Liberals, Secularists and Coptics from the Egyptian Constitution Committee and will be rewriting the Constitution according to strict Islamic Sharia principles.
Naturally the Courts will have to be reformed to aline the Courts with Sharia Law after the Constitution is adopted.
With the Muslim Brotherhood fielding a Presidential Candidate who is almost certain to be elected, the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist will soon control all three branches of Egyptian Government.
The military, who's enlisted ranks are majority Islamic or Salafist, will not interfere and will help implement Sharia Law throughout society.
It is no guess that a massive crackdown is coming, as it is the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists goal to transform Egypt into a 7th century Islamic state.
Also it has long been understood that the long-term goal is to destroy the western imposed nation-states and create a Islamic Caliphate out of North Africa and the Middle-East.
If Mark Twain is right about history not repeating but rhyming, then the current Islamic world rhymes with Germany’s nineteen thirties.
So what is the next number in the World War series?
tresor paris jewellery | 4.6.12 @ 1:07PM
tresor paris bracelets
Occam's Tool| 4.6.12 @ 3:12PM
We are stuck in a hopeless position because certain airheaded foreign policy PhD students have their heads firmly up their rectums when it comes to reality.
Or, if Iran gets the bomb, it will nuke Tel-Aviv. Your palestinians will smile cheerfully as they die in the fallout, reid. How will you explain that, buffoon.
Some of us had real majors in college.
Occam's Tool| 4.6.12 @ 3:13PM
Sorry, "Reid." Forgot to capitalize, schmuck.
Reid Smith| 4.6.12 @ 3:32PM
I would think a man with your education could do better than "schmuck," "a**hole," and "wanker." You're regularly insulting, and you generally do no better than to insult my intelligence, my education and opinion. As such, this is my last reply to you.
Again, thanks for reading.
Occam's Tool| 4.6.12 @ 4:41PM
Reid, you were the one who called me a Nazi, dear boy. Can't take much, can you?
The problem with you, as I shall continue to point out, whether you respond or not, is that you lack critical thinking skills.
First, you fail to realize that Muhammed's writings are incompatible with Democratic principles. Second, despite trying to be "multi-cultural," you fail to realize that some cultures want to kill you. Third, you fail to realize that when someone STATES they want to kill you, they usually do. Fourth, you fail to read history to realize what the usual cost in blood, treasure, and pain is to stop a tyranny that is as vicious as the one you poo-poo.
It took TWO atomic bombs to knock out Japan, after Tokyo was firebombed with a loss of life greater than EITHER of the two nukes. Japan had a population of about 100 million. What we are facing is a potential enemy population of over 1 billion, who are increasingly swayed by the Muslim Brotherhood and their ilk, whose views are conguent, exactly, with the Nazi party regarding Jews and Christians.
The fact that you cannot come to grips with these topics without insulting those of us who have with comments calling us "Nazis" (if being willing to kill to protect my 9 year old daughter from vermin who want to put her in a burqa makes me a Nazi, so be it, you pompous semi-literate ass) without coming to grips with the fact that your worldview is both simple-minded, immature, and dangerous, so be it.
I'm happy to play Whittaker Chambers to your Alger Hiss. And, incidentally, I view your point of view on the Sharia issue quite analogous to Hiss' on Communism, point by point, if I wished to discuss it further, which, quite frankly, would nauseate me.
Was that erudite enough for you, Reid?
Occam's Tool| 4.6.12 @ 4:43PM
Actually, as I am Jewish and you called me a Nazi, "wanker" was quite tame and generous, I think. Might want to ask Aaron how he would respond to a goyische kopf who called him a Nazi.
You are a bit lower than the terms I used for you, Reid. Thanks for reading.
Wayne| 4.6.12 @ 7:48PM
All of these MB groups have one goal in common: the creation of a Caliphate in the Islamic world that can legally call for Jihad.
Is there not a single person in DC who has a clue what creation of a Caliphate in Egypt would mean for the world?
I promise you the Israelis are very aware of it as they are certainly 1st on the list of Jihad "projects" ... but absolutely not last.
Martin Owens| 4.6.12 @ 8:26PM
I think we overlook our most important ally in rendering an Islamist Egypt ineffective as an aggressor.
I refer to the Egyptians themselves. Whoever might be ready to step into the shoes of the world- dominating caliphate, it sure as hell isn't them.
Back in the days when Egypt was crammed with Russian gear and Russian advisors, and Cairo West was a Russian airbase, word came back that the Russians were absolutely disgusted with their protégés. The ( least profane) saying among the Soviets was that "when the Egyptians say they've gone on full alert, it means they sleep standing up."
Not only has their Army proven ineffective in the field time after time, but their social structure is in what can only be called a perpetual state of collapse. Suppose you threw out the SCAF. That would only be a guarantee that their successors the Salafists or Muslim Brotherhood or whoever , would simply step into the same roles and practice the same corruption.
That is the Achilles' heel of the whole Arab and Muslim world. However much they talk of unity, the plain fact of the matter is that there is no social contract beyond the clan, and it's every thief for himself.
Bad times are surely coming to the Land of the Pharaohs, but it won't be our problem unless we make it so
Occam's Tool| 4.6.12 @ 8:31PM
Let's quote our young man again:
"Regardless of whether an aerial assault is conducted by the United State or Israel, the ramifications would be colossal. Military action would guarantee an increase in violence against American targets, both at home and abroad. Iran would win sympathy in the Arab street -- and across much of the Muslim world. Historic rivalries and antagonisms would undoubtedly fall by the wayside. We would allow the Islamic Republic to escape its current international isolation, and assume the "heroic" vanguard of anti-Americanism. Perhaps most importantly, air strikes would unite the Iranian people in their opposition to intervention, and cement support for what has become an increasingly unpopular ruling cabal. Moreover, it would harden the country's collective nuclear ambition.
All this for the sake of degrading -- not demolishing -- Iran's nuclear program. Something to consider before we pull the proverbial trigger..."
Therefore, the solution is to launch annihilating force. That is what I am suggesting, and that you view as "nazi-like." Forgetting that precisely that approach won the war against Japan, and that full scale war against the Islamic world is to be avoided if posssible, how does mangling the most disruptive force in the Muslim world and revealing it to be an impotent tiger damage us?
In addition, I don't think attacks will go up. Being a falling camel INCREASES attacks. Being a bad mama jama decreases them---Libya gave up its nuclear program when we were dangerous bad asses in Iraq, before the worthless nation building began.
My job once involved controlling violent behaviors in psychopaths. You are clueless, Reid. Your logic starts in a rabbithole, and chases its rabid tail round and round before collapsing in futility. You will make a GREAT fit in the US State Department, which Keith Laumer accurately portrayed in his seires of Retief novels. (FYI, I count among my high school pals a State Department guy who just got back from Kabul. He noted an amazing amount of fecal particulate matter in the air there. No joke.)
Bookwarren| 4.7.12 @ 11:23AM
"My job once involved controlling violent behaviors in psychopaths." Maybe it takes one to fix one, but for sure, you skipped your meds today...or you're off them altogether. Let's see how much more trash you can spew out...Don't be shy...
Occam's Tool| 4.6.12 @ 8:32PM
Sorry: series.
Yes, I am questioning the patriotism and intelligence of State Department people.
Dylan | 4.7.12 @ 3:13PM
Relevant Erudition:
Cairo Rising?
http://conjectureandconsequenc.....ro-rising/
John| 4.8.12 @ 3:02AM
Matter of time before Isreal will have to defend itself against the MB in Egypt.
It is bad enough they are attacking and killing the Christians, so going after Isreal makes no sense, and on our nickel to boot.
Oldefarte| 4.8.12 @ 1:28PM
The fact of the Muslim Brotherhood being allowed inside the White House, much less even 10 miles from same, is deplorable, asinine and TYPICAL. 11/4/12 can't get here soon enough for some of us!!!!!
Oldefarte| 4.8.12 @ 2:47PM
To Clint:
'..... Breitbart.com: MJ Rosenberg Sacrificed For Media Matters' Sins by Ben Shapiro Anti-Semitic Senior Foreign Policy Fellow MJ Rosenberg is leaving far-left, Obama-connected Media Matters for America. At the Political Correction page on the Media Matters website, Rosenberg posted a piece explaining that he would be exiting the organization:The reason for this step is that it disturbed me greatly to see an organization to which I am devoted facing possible harm because of my critical writings about Israel. I have no doubt that the crowd that opposes any and all criticism of Israeli government policies will continue to turn its guns on Media Matters if I am associated with it.I could not live with myself if that happened — not only because I care deeply about the organization and my colleagues, but also because Media Matters does such important work confronting the lies that emanate from the far right and especially Fox News.My presence here is being used in an effort to shut Media Matters up. That won't happen, of course. This is an incredibly successful organization. (Just ask Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh — or Rupert Murdoch, for that matter — about its impact). But the last thing I want to do is allow the right to use my support for a reinvigorated Middle East peace process to distract Media Matters from its primary mission: fighting for truth in the media.Rosenberg routinely uses anti-Semitic rhetoric; he has suggested in the past that any Jew who supports Israel is an “Israel firster” – a typical white supremacist slur. He has stated that Israel’s supporters would support Israel no matter what Israel did, and he has especially singled out Jewish Congresspeople for such comments. He recently tweeted, “I wonder if any candidate in either party other than Joe L [Lieberman] would slobber over Israel if it wasn’t for the $. Actually I don’t wonder.” Rosenberg is a big fan of anti-Semitic canard-masters John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, who suggested that the Israel lobby pays its way to power in the United States.The notion that Rosenberg is leaving voluntarily seems quite suspicious. Media Matters is feeling pressure – possibly from the White House – to oust Rosenberg because conservatives have rightly focused on Rosenberg as the tip of the spear of Media Matters anti-Semitism. If Media Matters isn’t firing him, they remain as anti-Semitic as they ever were, and Rosenberg is just taking one for the team. If Media Matters is firing him, the question is: why now? The answer is clear: Obama and Media Matters are coming under severe scrutiny for their anti-Israel and anti-Jewish positions, and they want to disassociate from Rosenberg before American Jews realize with whom they are in bed.It is also worth noting here that Media Matters is claiming credit for boycotts against Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh. This shows that Media Matters is a partisan organization dedicated specifically to putting conservatives out of business. They’re not interested in what Beck and Limbaugh say – they’re interested only in shutting them up, in coordination with Democrats and the White House.In any case, this isn’t an ideological break between Media Matters and Rosenberg. As Rosenberg writes:So I am moving on, although my readers won't notice the difference. The twice-a-week email columns will continue to be sent to the same list. (If you aren't on it, just click here). My columns will continue to appear on Huffington Post, Al-Jazeera and dozens, if not hundreds, of other outlets where they tend to be reposted. And then there is my twitter account: @mjayrosenberg.
When you click on the link to sign up for Rosenberg’s email list, it goes to Foreign Policy Matters, a subset of Media Matters. And Rosenberg is keeping his mailing list, which heretofore had likely been the property of Media Matters. Not only that:Additionally, there will be the new blog, which will not be limited to Middle East issues and which will be continuously updated. And there may be a book in the works too. More on that later. A final word of thanks to Media Matters, which is a great organization. I started here at 62 years old, and it's the best job I've ever had.Richard Nixon famously said to the press after his failed attempt to become governor of California, "just think how much you're going to be missing. You don't have Nixon to kick around anymore." I, however, will most definitely be around. More than ever.Media Matters remains a deeply anti-Semitic organization. They’re just not a stupid one. And they realize that having open anti-Semites like Rosenberg on staff is a losing proposition. Nobody, however, should be fooled by the move. It means nothing. It’s just for show. And Media Matters remains just as anti-Israel and anti-Semitic as it ever was......'
BarocheDique | 4.8.12 @ 4:50PM
The Sleeping Giant awakens 11-4-12....the silent majority will have had more than enough of these un-American thugs and their useful idiots. Remember when the msm ignored the Tea Party and intentionally falsified polling information leading up to the 2010 mid-term elections? Well, "you ain't seen nuthin yet".....