Civil unrest around the world

[piercehawkeye45]

Some of the largest protests in Egyptian history has occurred in the past few days to call for Morsy's resignation. The Egyptian military has stated that Morsy must resign by the end of today to enforce the "will of the people" or they will take matters into their own hands. Morsy has refused to step down and believes he is the legitimate ruler until the next election.

CAIRO -- In what may be Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy's final day in office, Muslim Brotherhood officials continued to strike a defiant note against their civilian and military opponents.

The Egyptian military's deadline for all political forces to reconcile -- a possibility that seems more remote than ever -- will expire around 5 p.m. in Cairo. After that time, the country's top generals have promised to lay out a political roadmap that reportedly includes plans to suspend the constitution, dissolve the Islamist-dominated Shura Council, and set up an interim council to rule the country. But Egypt's Islamist elite have vowed to defy the ultimatum, even at the risk of bloodshed.

http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/...t_backing_down

[tw]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

Some of the largest protests in Egyptian history has occurred in the past few days to call for Morsy's resignation.

What will happen is to be defined in these hours. Most political solutions do not come down to a specific time defined in advance:
Tens of thousands in the streets as deadline arrives; Morsi has vowed not to cede power

“Rarely in history do elected presidents leave power without a lot of bloodshed,” said Joshua Stacher, an Egypt expert and a political scientist at Kent State University in Ohio. “The Brotherhood is viewing what happened yesterday as an existential threat.”

Ironic he discussed presidential removal at Kent State.

[piercehawkeye45]

The army is moving onto the streets and a travel ban is placed on high ranking MB members.

Updates, photos, and videos can be found here:

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/globa...eadline/66815/

[Lamplighter]

CBS is now reporting that the Egyptian army has taken control,
that Morsi has been ousted, and the constitution suspended.

[ZenGum]

I've read claims of up to 14 million demonstrators. Wow.

I'm torn on this one.

(a) I don't like any religion based government.

but...

(b) AFAIK Morsi was properly elected under the new constitution, and is in fact the legitimate government.

... Unless ...

(c) he has been behaving unconstitutionally. And seriously so. Has he? I haven't been watching too closely, but I've heard complaints about this, with him essentially turning Egypt into a religious state (or trying to). If so, out with him.

But if so, the constitution should have a clause allowing the supreme court to order this. Unless he has also stacked the court or is ignoring its orders. In which case, mobs to the street it is.

And, just quietly, (d) I like a good mob-based ousting of a dictator.

[classicman]

he has been behaving unconstitutionally.

Yes he haD.... He is old news.

What is interesting is that the US govt is not calling it a coup when thats absolutely what it is. Why you might as?
So that we can continue to give them shit-tons of aid money.
No no, I'm serious. Really.

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Originally Posted by Griff

That would be the healthy response...

Tillering up your own longbow out of osage-orange -- also called bois-d'arc for darn good reason -- makes a neato hobby. Turning fletcher, there's another.

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by classicman

What is interesting is that the US govt is not calling it a coup when thats absolutely what it is. Why you might as?
So that we can continue to give them shit-tons of aid money.
No no, I'm serious. Really.

Purely from the definition, this was actually not a clear cut coup. Coup implies military takeover and the Egyptian military has 'said' that it plans on giving the government reigns back to a democratically elected leader. Also, aid money to Egypt is about buying influence in the region. With everything that has been going on in the Middle East lately and the uncertainty of Egypt's future, I don't think Obama wants to lose influence with the most powerful institution in Egypt.

Its just semantics at this point though. I'm not very optimistic since the Islamists are calling for civil war...

[ZenGum]

I don't consider this a coup by the normal definition because it was preceded by 10,000,000 or so citizens on the street demanding change. Perhaps more of a military-assisted-people's revolution.

I think Egypt *might* avoid civil war, because its unique geography fosters an "Egyptian" identity rather than a Sunni / Shia / Christian / whatever identity. But it might not, because those other identities are pretty gripping, at least on some people.

[classicman]

Everyone is calling it a cop EXCEPT the US. Why? because ...

The US government is barred by law from giving foreign aid to countries under military coup.

"There are significant consequences that go along with this determination," Mr Carney said, "and it is a highly charged issue for millions of Egyptians who have different views about what happened."

[Sundae]

51 protesters shot dead in Cairo.
These people play for keeps.

[ZenGum]

They're being a lot more ruthless with the Brotherhood than they were with the general protestors.

[Sundae]

I'm just glad I went in one of the periods of relative calm.
I'd be wary of visiting now.

Then again, even in "safe" countries you can be in danger.
When I went to Sri Lanka we ignored much of the official advice from the rep, because she only wanted to sell us official tours. My companions? A couple from Belfast.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

They're being a lot more ruthless with the Brotherhood than they were with the general protestors.

Well, the general protestors were using laser pointers against helicopters when they protested. The Brotherhood is showing up with guns at their demonstrations.

[Sundae]

Wolf shows up with a gun pretty much everywhere she goes.
Should she be gunned down in the street too?