Weekend Sober Thread: Shit's Gettin' Real in Egypt

Seeing all of these protests influencing each other, I feel compelled to admit in a very small way that the "domino theory" from the Vietnam War era actually had something going for it. Arguments were made, at the time, that if Vietnam fell to communism, the entire world across Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa would then fall under its influence in short order. Before January I'd have doubted that any idea or movement could have such widespread and rapid dissemination, be it communism or freedom from totalitarianism. But here we are.

 

A side-note, re: the Wisconsin protests. If people in this country want to be taken seriously at their demonstrations, this "Hey hey, ho ho [blankety blank] has got to go." shit has got to stop.

 

I contest the unfolding events are motivated by a desire to freely download music and porn, thus validating your initial thoughts.

 

Tunisia has taken another step towards becoming a true democracy. Even after Ben Ali fled the country, much of the ruling party remained in place. Cutting off the head did not kill the snake.

But now, the Prime Minister has resigned the post, a good sign that the revolution is continuing forward.

<a class="postlink" href="http://english.aljazeera.net//news/africa/2011/02/201122715234442377.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://english.aljazeera.net//news/afri ... 42377.html</a>

 

The article just describes them as propaganda, doesn't mention the Middle East.

I doubt the average North Korean cares at all about Egypt.

 

Do it.

 

Just visual commentary:



Note: the bigger the number, the worse it is.

 

I'm curious what sort of propaganda campaign the South is aiming at the military commanders of the North. Perhaps offering immunity of some stripe for any commander who sees the writing on the wall and refuses an order to fire artillery/launch missiles.

 

It's not clear whether he is referring to rebels within Tripoli, or in Free Libya, or if it's all just talk and has no relationship to his actual plans. I mean, it's clear he doesn't have free Libya surrounded, but it still may mean these are the rebels he's going to "deal with."

The rebels are armed, they have captured tanks and other heavy weaponry, so it looks like a liberation/siege of Tripoli may be coming within the next few days.

Lieberman and McCain have both called for the US to impose a no fly zone over Libya, to prevent more attacks from fighter planes. Unless I misunderstood, this would mean shooting down Libyan planes that violated the no fly zone. If nothing else, American jets flying over Libya may give a morale boost to the rebels. They have also called for weapons and other aid to be supplied to the rebels.

Obama has said he would provide "any type of assistance" the rebels ask for.

Now, I'm not in favor of American imperialism, but damn, it would be nice to see us use all this expensive military hardware for something so obviously right. Maybe we can just paint the rebel flag on a couple fighter jets, give our pilots a Jersey-shore level tan, and call it a "lend-lease" policy.

 

No balls! Do it faggot!

Now North Korea HAS to do it. They just got No Ballz'd.

 

Should the North start firing, it's not like the South Korean government has shown any willingness to stand up for its own. We just saw it a few months ago when civilians and soldiers alike were shelled by the North. What was the response?

"Stop it."

North Korea is the annoying kid that throws spit wads at the popular kids in class to get attention. Someone steps up to him and says "Cut it out, stop being immature." and he responds with "I'LL KICK YOUR FUCKING ASS YOU PUSSY!" and then brags to all his friends about how much of a hardass he is when you roll your eyes and walk away.

After all, who cares about a couple dead South Korean marines here or there?

 

Have the rebels captured/(had turned over to them) much of the Libyan Air Force? It'd be damn inconvenient if rebels happened to be on their first sortie and some American mistook their target.

Make it the Marine Corps, for bonus points.

 

With the rebels controlling the border with Egypt as well as at least 1 airport (cargo planes carrying aid have landed in Benghazi) you can bet the US forces would be coordinating with the rebels. I'd be surprised if we didn't already have CIA on the ground now (come on, if NPR can score an interview with the leader of the rebel military...).

 

That sounds too damn familiar.

 

Jesus. It seems the whole fucking world is at war. Who is going to be next?

 

Canada. Book it.