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Subscribe to RSSThe Internet has returned to Egypt, as demonstrated in a new graphic from Renesys, which looks a lot like its Jan. 27 graphic of the Web going dark but indicates the opposite: a sharp increase in "Globally Reachable Egyptian Networks."
Renesys.com
That means at least one of the Egyptian bloggers we covered last week in a series of 10 portraits by Anastasia Taylor-Lind is back online, reaching the globe, and posting pictures with clear political intent, not all of it positive toward American foreign policy on Egypt.
Hossam el-Hamalawy, pictured here, has posted a number of pictures to his Flickr feed and tweeted (there is language in pictures of graffiti in the Flickr feed that some may find offensive.)
Distribute pix of the uprising for free. I don't want any money for them. Spread them around http://www.flickr.com/photos/elhamalawy/ #Jan25
Below are two pictures posted to his blog, 3Arabawy.org, under the headline "MADE IN THE USA: From Obama with love."
Hossam El Hamalawy via Flickr
A photograph updated to Flickr today, otherwise undated, with the caption: "Birdshots used on protesters in Mohamed Mahmoud Street, made in the USA."
Hossam El Hamalawy via Flickr
A photograph updated to Flickr today, otherwise undated, with the caption: "Birdshots injuries"
We are reaching out to el-Hamalawy and other Egyptian bloggers for more information on events in Cairo. Meanwhile, the Washington Post interviewed El Hamalawy in Tahrir Square. He explained some of his attitude toward the United States:
On Oct. 8, 2000, he was detained after pulling down a U.S. flag from the top of a building at the American University of Cairo, where he was a student. It was a protest against what he calls the hypocritical policies of the United States, which has supported Mubarak despite his autocratic rule.
Hamalawy was stripped naked, his hands were tied behind his back, and he was beaten for days, he said. State security interrogated him and threatened him with rape. After four days, he was released.
The flag was not replaced.
"I'm still proud of that," he said. (Full Washington Post story here.)
If you're taking pictures in Egypt, let us know and upload them here. If you're seeing other notable images from events there, you can public message @msnbc_pictures on Twitter.
You can see more pictures out of Egypt here, and follow fast-breaking developments over at World Blog or BreakingNews.com.
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Now is the time to watch for Western supported leaders like Muhammad Elbaradei to be brought in to become the faces of the opposition protesters.
The Tea Party was co-opted by the Republicans when they saw that it was gaining popularity, so ...Sarah Palin became the public face.
The same situation is occurring in Egypt. Rather there is multi-front assault being launched at the protesters.
Front 1: They are being bribed and given token gestures by the Mubarak regime, a few people moved around from post to post, to see if that is enough to shut the protesters up.Front 2: Western supported opposition leaders like Muhammad Elbaradei are being brought in to try and co-opt/hijack the protest movements, so that the West and Western policies remain in place, just with a face that the public accepts.Front 3: Time. The attempt on the part of the regime must be to stall for time, to wait and tire out the protesters, especially since there must be logistical problems with regard to providing food to maintain the energy of the protesters; stall for time and tire out the protesters until they get fed up and head for home having gotten only token gestures and Western supported agents co-opting the efforts they have exerted.
As regards the policies of the West, they are asking for things like transitional governments, and transitional governments mean that the West have an opportunity to buy off candidates, influence the wording of the re-write to the constitution and pay for the campaigns of the future candidates, so that there is still a Western agent ruling over Egypt and the people are none the wiser to the truth.
AbdulKhaliq: With violence escalating, you forgot Front 4: kill them in what appears like a pro-government rally clash. It looks like the Egyption government is starting to move in radical elements as "supporters" to kill off the heads of the movement without being connected to the government. They will see if that will dampen spirits.
God help the protesters if the government goes to Front 5 -- use the secret police to detain, torture and dismantle the opposition.
It will take the US, Israel and European governments to drop support for "Mubark" before he'll finally leave, and that won't happen.
The internet is a great resource. I'm using it right now. But, I can't help but think that some radicals with bad intentions are using the net to stage "flash mobs" of violence in Egypt. I would not condone the government shutting it down, but this is a tool that can be used for very wrong reasons. We all know that pedophiles, and racist hate groups use the internet for illegal purposes. I think this could be the case with some of the radical Islamic terorist groups in the middle east. They want to see Egypt in turmoil. Thats when the swoop in, and try to instill radical ideals on the people. Remember Khomeini, Hitler and what the Taliban did. They took advantage of desperate populations to ultimately take over and rule. Hosni Mubarak needs to go, NOW!. 30 years is too long for any president of any nation. The Egyptian people need new elected leadership. Not an overthrow of the existing government. Riots and chaos will only lead to one bad government replacing another. God help the people of Egypt.
The audience must expect that mubarak will resort to dirty tricks like sending anarchists to beat up protesters or blow up buildings, this will be blamed on the protesters and mubarak has an excuse to say that because of the chaos he is the only strong man who can bring law and order to the streets. Allah there is no plot that you cannot bring to ruin. allah ruin the plots of the evil doers. ameen.
Chaos is what rules this world, period. Peace and harmony is what we pursue. Reality is what we Believe, right or wrong. These 3 things are never changing, "we are".
I suggest that you folks find a way to keep your uprising to yourselves, leave the rest of the world out of it. As long as you don't blow up the Suez canal or other things that affect the world, have a good time fussing amongst yourselves.
We Americans need to be on the right side of the history in the making and get ahead of the curve. We should not be supporting the despot leader who appears to be disconnected from the reality on the ground and cannot see or hear the cries of his people. It is obvious what the regime is trying to do, by orchestrating the pro regime violent line up by the plain clothes security people, to show his support so he can hang on to power till Sept and transfer to a chosen successor. We need to be more assertive to nudge this man out, and tell the military to side with the people in a non violent way, so we can show our continued support for democracy and the rights of the people for freedon and self governance. That will serve our interest the most, regardless of who comes to power in a post Mubarak era. Obviously, we do not wish to see a repeat of Iran in Egypt, and we should not forget that Al Queda may have silent support within the Brotherhood, so by siding with the people of Egypt, we can help shape and influence the next government.
300,000 protestors (for and against) gather in a country of 30 million. The US says the country's leader should immediately step down. There is no organized way to immediately replce him.... Why not support free elections in September and support Mubarak's statement that he'll not run for reelection. Then engage world leaders to pressure Mubarak to do what is needed to assure free elections come September? 8 months is not a lot of time to put the structure in place to do this correctly. To me it makes more sense to do that than to support throwing the guy out because less than 10% of the population says unemployment is too high and they want change.
What you say makes sense. Mubarek must go but organized elections is the way to go.
im sitting here watching a midevil battle between 2 arab armies. Just knives, clubs, swords etc. wow its like watching them in the 700's...really cool @!$%# but damn theres alot at stake ain't there? The Moslem Brothers will turn it into an anti-Israeli-US theocracy. In the meantime, enjoy the war...
Mubarak is hoping to ride this out. He has no intention of leaving, not now anyway. I think the "cavalry" kinda broke their lines, with infantry running blindly..they swooped in and BAM!! A sheep shish ka bob nailed him. They gain ground, they put up ramparts, block by block, damn. Where have you gone Sir Lawrence?
" Birdshots used on protesters in Mohamed Mahmoud Street, made in the USA."
You have to love MSNBC and the rest of the non-relevant liberal press. Made in the USA? So what? If somebody uses a Chevy to run over somebody in another country will they also be touting that the weapon was made in the USA? The media bias is getting more and more disgusting every day and that's exactly why they have become irrelevant and lost all credibility.
On the other side of the story I agree with some of the posters that we need to be on the right side of this struggle. Glenn Beck pointed out on his show the other night that we have gone around the world proclaiming that we support democracy for all yet we prop up dictators who abuse their people. Beck is right and Mubarek should not receive our support. On the other hand we must do all we can to make sure that the Muslim Brotherhood doesn't come to power. I've been to Cairo and I found that even amongst great poverty the people there were warm intelligent people who are proud of their culture and heritage. Like all people, they deserve to live in a free society where they can prosper and build a future for their country.
"Glenn Beck is right" "the liberal press" You are obviously a Beck, Hannity, O'Reilly, anything THEY say is believable, FOX fan. What the hell does the so called "liberal" media have to do with an Egyptian photo of a shell casing? do you think that was some anti gun conspiracy? you better ask Beck.. FOOL! or maybe better still, ask Sarah. You probably believe anything she tells you too.
If Mubarak is sincere, he should and would reach out the other parties and begins to dialogue. He can make a peaceful and civilized transition instead of a bloody and militia-style transition.
Obama screwed the pouch on this one. By calling for Mubarak's immediate removal he turned is back on a long Allie and sided with the Islam extremists. This should be of deep concern for all Americans.
There are now 5 million people in Egypt who have facebook acounts. It looks like the internet has just been turned back on there.
.datagenetics.com/blog/february12011/index.html
facebook registrations are growing
rapidly in Egypt (doubling in the last year).
egyptians should be proud of what they accomplished alot ! but they must be ready to start choosing their leaders.they must look at afhganistan,iraq,now pakistan.i do not want violence or bloodshed for your country.nor do we like to see rocks thrown at each other.again ready yourself for elections for that is the democartic way the peaceful way.it is very impressive to see you's pray for goodness and fairness.you are a great nation with a lot of great common people.a nation that can improve in all area's and nation that can keep peace and maintain it.yes i sit on the other side of the world and i want the best for you's.set your brick's down and build a wall of democracy.with a foundation of peace and security for us all.one day i will travel the suez canal and i will see a brother.