If We Don't Support Peaceful Revolution We Make Violent Revolution Inevitable

They need to find out where Mubarak is hiding otherwise he will wait them out.

The longer this goes on the more likely extremists will be able to hijack the movement.

the peace-nik is self defeating, peace comes from outside the conflict.
-me

whether or not some peaceful revolution turns violent has to do more with how badly those in power want to stay there and whether or not key figures in state like the military support them.

Otherwise a peaceful revolution to oust a dictator is a fantasy in a idealist's dream because they wont be able to apply enough pressure.

let's hope they don't destroy the pyramids because there is no way the Jews will rebuild them.

Looks like the shiite has hit the fan

We can support peaceful revolution all we want, but the truth of the matter is the system doesn't listen to peaceful revolution.
With chaos comes order.

we never learn.
we prop up democracies in name only, and when a legit time arrises for us to step up and support that wich we claim we do, we never do.making us look toothless at best, and greedy (in regards of who gets free democracy) at the worst.

imagine we didnt fuck around in the middle east, we could have peace troops ample enough to sheppard in a new democracy.

Supporting a coup by islamists over such dictators as the Shah and Mubarak is overthrowing the dictator you know for the dictator you don't know. The Shah may have had torture prisons but Iran seems to be doing quite well today in this respect by stoning people and such garden spots as Evin prison. Mubarak may be into this as well but what makes any rational person think that the islamist based replacement government will be more benevolent? The history of that violent cult belies any such supposition.
When Barry O became president, indeed when he was campaigning, there was much talk about how he would mend the rift between the Middle East muslims and the west. To say that it has gone the other way would be an understatement. In addition to dividing his own country, Barry has done nothing to bring people together in the Mid east. In his defense I'm not sure he can do anything but since he was touted as the panacea I bring it up.
Personally I am in favor of not getting our country involved in foreign entanglements, peaceful or otherwise. HOwever, it does not seem that the ascention to power of either islam or communism has brought safety and civil rights to the people of the affected country. Both of these philosophies seem to thrive on strife and neither bring any sort of democracy, except as a wink and a nod in its direction, to the table.
I will agree that if we keep a boot on the neck of the ordinary people they will eventually rise up and throw off the shoe. People who feel disenfranchised by their government, that the rule of law means nothing will take matters into their own hands. Egypt is having such a Darwinian moment. Our government would do well to look at this and take notes that it does not do the same thing.

Well I hope this sticks to a democracy and if it does we meaning the US and even Israel need to back off and let Egypt do their own thing. If they need our help give them aid but the fact that we both supported this Jerk for 30 years is a good kick in the balls right now. The last thing they want is any pressure for influence.

I think Obama should go ahead and call for Mubarak's resignation. This could be his "tear down this wall" moment!

I agree we have to follow in the footsteps of the peaceful tea party supporters not the angry left.

this is how the empire falls a little here a little there. And then the monster falls.... simple..bout time too...

This article is really on target and offers an excellent analysis.

There is no such thing as a peaceful revolution! No matter what many die so in my view it is better to die standing then on your knees! To hell with Egypt people,as our Constitutional rights are stolen from us by the elite it is well past time for the people of this nation to rise up,defend the Constitution,and return this nation to rule by the people not the elite and their political puppets! The founders of this nation stated that if the government ceases to serve the people we have a right to replace it with one that does!

I can't see Mubarak staying in power much longer. It seems that the military isn't even enforcing the curfews that have gone up in the past days. Hell, I've even see pictures of Egyptian army commanders, hand in hand with protestors, denouncing Mubarak's regime. Its the same story with the regular soldiers. If you cant depend on your military to support you, than you might as well step down, before you get killed or lead the country into a civil war. These demonstrations may become popular revolution in the coming days and weeks.
I can do nothing but voice support for the Egyptian protestors, and hope that Mubaraks successor government will be a democratic and peaceful one.

wow, great article .

So true. Our government supports leaders (dictators) who facilitate their agenda regardless of how they came to power. Then when the proverbial _hits the fan then they come out with verbal support for the demonstrators even though it was their support of the dictator that gave them the weapons and power necessary to subjugate the people in the first place.

IF A GUBMENT IGNORES THE PEOPLE THIS IS WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN...

O and by the way, this revolution will not be televised ... Unless you have Al Jazeera.

Egypt Protests

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By Ayesha Bhatty and Michael Hirst

Live coverage of the fifth day of anti-government protests in Egypt, as tens of thousands of demonstrators return to the streets in several cities, after the Egyptian president fired his cabinet and promised reforms but refused to step down.

2223 Analysing the international response to Egypt's crisis, BBC world affairs correspondent James Robbins sees a definite turning up of US and UK heat on Egypt's beleaguered leader in the latest statements from the White House and Downing Street. But do western governments also fear possible regime change in Egypt, and the risk of Islamists taking power? Yes, says our correspondent, but they also seem to think that if Egypt's people really are allowed to choose their leaders freely, then a moderate, progressive government is a much more likely outcome.
2217 An interesting observation from one of those involved in the neighbourhood watch groups that are now prevalent across Cairo. He told the BBC the absence of police on the streets was a deliberate strategy on the part of regime to frighten people about the repercussions of a security vacuum, prompting them to opt for the security that they know rather than the future that they don't.

2209 Speaking on the BBC News Channel, Jeremy Bowen says that President Mubarak clearly thinks he can hang on, having sacked his government, brought in new people and having nominated a vice-president for the first time in his 30-year leadership. "But one change I've seen on the streets in the past 24 hours is that it's no longer children of the rich who are protesting," says our Middle East editor. "The great mass of Egypt's poor are out there as well and that could suggest Mr Mubarak is in real trouble."
2200 More details on those casualties in Beni Suef: Reuters cites medical sources as saying police shot dead 17 people who were trying to attack two police stations in Biba and Nasser city. More were injured in the clashes, the agency says.

2151 Jan25 Voices tweets: "Most of Heliopolis is now being policed by youth with makeshift weapons and all apts have lights on for visibility."
2149 A word of warning for tourists who had been planning a winter break along Egypt's Red Sea coast-line. The UK Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to Cairo, Luxor and other cities, while saying the Red Sea resorts to which most British tourists travel remain calm. But the BBC's Alex Bellfield is on holiday in Sharm El Shiekh, where he says the atmosphere has changed dramatically in the past few hours, with barricades being erected and staff huddling around TV screens to catch the latest news on the protests. "We were told now we're not allowed out of the hotel until at least tomorrow night... They're getting nervous here, that something's going to happen."
2144 On the other hand, protesters argue that they've been waiting for reforms for years. Now that they can see their demonstrations are making an impact, they will not give up until Mr Mubarak is ousted. Gigi Ibrahim, who took part in Saturday's protests in Cairo, told BBC News: "All they want is a humane life, they want justice, they see the disparity between the rich and the poor, they know that they are repressed and they're struggling every day to live a humane life. So they want an end to this and there is a direct link to Mubarak regime."
2140 Kareem Bissada, who lives in Cairo, believes the protestors don't represent the majority of people in Egypt, telling BBC News: "Many sectors in the society want Mubarak to stay because, me as a person, I believe that this person, specially Mubarak, has preserved peace for Egypt for many years and it was not the case before."
2133 The BBC has put together a gallery of some of the best images from across Egypt on day five of the so-called days of rage. Take a look at the gallery here.
2126 Thanks for following developments from Egypt with the BBC. We'll be bringing you the latest updates late into the night, incorporating reports from our correspondents on the ground, expert analysis and your reaction from around the world, which you can send via email, text or twitter. We'll publish what we can.
2119 Cairo citizens have taken the advice of the army to protect their own homes seriously, with impromptu neighbourhood watch groups, armed with machetes, hockey sticks and other weapons, protecting different parts of the capital. Nader, a Cairo resident, told the BBC the looters were "poverty-stricken people from bad neighbourhoods".

2112 Sarah Abdallah tweets: "It is 11pm in the capital city of #Cairo and thousands are still protesting against #Mubarak. The dictatorship is falling."
2110 In the absence of police on the capital's streets, there are reports that teams of youths are stopping and searching cars.

Great post! I have missed your posts and commentary. Hope you are well.