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**11Pecepebra** · 11-10-2011, 08:48 AM

Burning down the hope

he deadly weekend clashes in Cairo demand reexamination of some clichés that have distorted our perceptions of the Arab Spring -- and specifically its Egyptian version.

At least 25 people, almost all Christian Copts, were killed Sunday in clashes with the military, which has ruled Egypt since February, when Hosni Mubarak ended his near-30 years of one-man rule. More than 300 people were injured in the clashes, which also involved Islamist militants.

It was the toughest test yet for Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces -- and that interim government flunked it.

Yes, Egypt’s revolution was never as “bloodless” as so glowingly portrayed in some outlets, but Sunday’s bloodbath should end any notion that the Arab world’s transition to democracy will be peaceful.

While we’re at it, let’s also do away with “Facebook revolution.”

Sure, some Cairo students may have initially social-networked for mobilization. But more than 60 percent of Egyptians can’t functionally read or write, so the idea that such modernity could instantly catch on was always a fantasy (and one much more widespread in the West than among Arabs)
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As this weekend’s events amply demonstrate, the quality of communication is more important than its speed; indeed, events in Egypt are often ignited by mis- and disinformation.

Early on Sunday, Egypt’s state TV started running unfounded stories about Copts shooting and killing government soldiers. This came on top of reports that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had offered to send troops to protect Egypt’s Christians (a fantasy that any rudimentary familiarity with current US politics would immediately dispel). As they heard the first media “reports” of Copt violence, Salafists and other Islamists immediately joined in fighting the infidels.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion...#ixzz1aTk24800

AP
Conflagration: A car burns in Cairo on Sunday in the wake of Egyptian soldiers’ attack on peaceful Coptic demonstrators.
It started when some 10,000 Copts, angry at several recent incidents of religious discrimination, marched peacefully in central Cairo. Troops rushed to the scene, then shot indiscriminately at demonstrators and ran over bleeding bodies with armored vehicles.

Read more: --Benny Avni - NYPOST.com

Meet the New Boss......
Egypt sets up inquiry into Coptic deaths
Updated October 11, 2011 15:01:00

Egypt's military rulers have ordered an investigation into clashes that killed at least 25 people, mostly Coptic Christians. Cairo's main Coptic cathedral was packed with mourners who gathered for the funerals of those killed when military vehicles drove through crowds of protestors on Sunday. There's been fierce condemnation from Europe and the United States, and calls for Egypt's rulers to protect people of all faiths. There are also growing fears of wider sectarian unrest.

11-10-2011, 08:48 AM	#16
11Pecepebra Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 412 Senior Member	Hows That Arab Spring Working Out ? Burning down the hope he deadly weekend clashes in Cairo demand reexamination of some clichés that have distorted our perceptions of the Arab Spring -- and specifically its Egyptian version. At least 25 people, almost all Christian Copts, were killed Sunday in clashes with the military, which has ruled Egypt since February, when Hosni Mubarak ended his near-30 years of one-man rule. More than 300 people were injured in the clashes, which also involved Islamist militants. It was the toughest test yet for Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces -- and that interim government flunked it. Yes, Egypt’s revolution was never as “bloodless” as so glowingly portrayed in some outlets, but Sunday’s bloodbath should end any notion that the Arab world’s transition to democracy will be peaceful. While we’re at it, let’s also do away with “Facebook revolution.” Sure, some Cairo students may have initially social-networked for mobilization. But more than 60 percent of Egyptians can’t functionally read or write, so the idea that such modernity could instantly catch on was always a fantasy (and one much more widespread in the West than among Arabs) . As this weekend’s events amply demonstrate, the quality of communication is more important than its speed; indeed, events in Egypt are often ignited by mis- and disinformation. Early on Sunday, Egypt’s state TV started running unfounded stories about Copts shooting and killing government soldiers. This came on top of reports that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had offered to send troops to protect Egypt’s Christians (a fantasy that any rudimentary familiarity with current US politics would immediately dispel). As they heard the first media “reports” of Copt violence, Salafists and other Islamists immediately joined in fighting the infidels. Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion...#ixzz1aTk24800 AP Conflagration: A car burns in Cairo on Sunday in the wake of Egyptian soldiers’ attack on peaceful Coptic demonstrators. It started when some 10,000 Copts, angry at several recent incidents of religious discrimination, marched peacefully in central Cairo. Troops rushed to the scene, then shot indiscriminately at demonstrators and ran over bleeding bodies with armored vehicles. Read more: --Benny Avni - NYPOST.com Meet the New Boss...... Egypt sets up inquiry into Coptic deaths Updated October 11, 2011 15:01:00 Egypt's military rulers have ordered an investigation into clashes that killed at least 25 people, mostly Coptic Christians. Cairo's main Coptic cathedral was packed with mourners who gathered for the funerals of those killed when military vehicles drove through crowds of protestors on Sunday. There's been fierce condemnation from Europe and the United States, and calls for Egypt's rulers to protect people of all faiths. There are also growing fears of wider sectarian unrest.
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