Posted on 11/24/2012 12:25:53 PM PST by John Semmens
The so-called “Arab Spring” took a decidedly ugly turn in Egypt this week when President Mohammed Mursi issued a decree barring any challenges to his decisions.
Egyptian opposition leader Mohammed El Baradei denounced Mursi’s action calling it “a major blow to the revolution. What good does it do us if we get rid of the dictator Mubarak only to replace him with a dictator Mursi? Isn’t sharing of power and open debate the whole point of democracy?”
Mursi denied he was trampling democracy. “Debate is fine, but there must be limits,” Mursi maintained. “The laws I decree must be enforced. There must be respect for my authority. Words or deeds that would serve to undermine either of these critical objectives cannot be tolerated.”
Whether Mursi’s expansion of his own authority will be tolerated is an open question. Many of the same protesters who rallied against Mubarak are back in the streets demonstrating against this latest development.
Clashes are expected as Mursi described these protests as “unwarranted interferences.” “Mubarak was a fraudulently elected tyrant,” Mursi pointed out. “In contrast, I, like recently reelected US President Obama, have a legitimate mandate from the voters. Mubarak was also sick and weak. I am not.” The Egyptian President warned opponents that “attempts to obstruct my rule will result in dire consequences for those who go too far.”
The US State Department said it was taking a “wait and see” attitude toward this seemingly antidemocratic shift. “They’re still working on their constitution, so it’s possible that what appears to be an unjustified usurpation may yet be endorsed by those drafting the document,” cautioned Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. “Then, too, Mursi was just recently elected. So we can’t rule out the argument that he, in fact, has a mandate of sorts. As we are wont to say, elections have consequences.”
As for Mursi’s declaration that actions taken by the courts or legislature in contravention to his wishes are void, Clinton expressed sympathy. “Sometimes a president may have to bypass other bodies in order to carry out his mandate,” she said. “Maybe we shouldn’t be so critical. For all we know, President Obama may find himself in a similar bind in the not too distant future.”
In related news, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s order blocking the Iranian Parliament from investigating President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s mismanagement of the economy was called “intriguing” by the US Secretary of State. “Khamenei’s point that such an investigation could weaken the regime seems well taken,” Clinton observed. “Congressional investigations of Fast and Furious and Benghazi are damaging to our country. Making them disappear might eliminate a great deal of the negative impressions these inquiries are causing.”
if you missed any of this week's other semi-news/semi-satire posts you can find them at...
http://azconservative.org/2012/11/23/president-omits-god-from-thanksgiving-address-for-fourth-straight-year/
He who invokes Nazi’s has lost the argument. I believe this statement. So if you have anything to add to the conversation that has substance I will happily respond. If not take your Nazi argument and have a nice day.
Yes, you do, but the actions and words of the new president speak volumes. He is staunchly against our interests, and therefor, if TOTUS had a brain cell, he would cut all aid to Egypt immediately. If the people of Egypt wish to elect an Islamic government, they can suffer the consequences of that decision. It’s not like we couldn’t use that money here, right?
If only the title was satire. It’s reality.
Always, always, check to see who is the author of the story.
Time to get rid of springtime weeds. Anybody got any weedkiller handy?
It’s a perfectly valid argument in this context. The Germans chose a radical government during a time of economic stagnation. It’s a question of how far you are willing to support democracy. My position is that autocratic societies serve a good purpose at times. I am glad that pro-American dictators were set up in South America during the Cold War, because had they not been, the people (mired in poverty) would have voted communists to power, who not only would have acted against our interests on behalf of the Soviet Union, but also acted against their own people, just as the Soviets did.
There are times when democracy is not what a society needs, and this is especially true in the Islamic world, where sectarian and religious extremism, violence, and murder are
facts of daily life. As I have outlined, elected leaders can do terrible things. Is Hitler not a good example of this? It is perhaps even more relevant because he and the new president of Egypt seem to have similar ideals.
This is a good argument. I certainly believe in the carrot and stick approach. We also need Egypt for a multitude of things in the region, including Israel, Gazza, and a stable democracy would be huge. Democracy is messy. Morisi already tried over reach and now protests have broken out. Also remember he did not get a majority.
Nope, sorry. Nazi argument never valid and will not respond.
.................The US State Department said it was taking a “wait and see” attitude toward this seemingly antidemocratic shift.....................
In real speak this means that Hitlery is waiting for Valerie Jarrett to load the proper talking points into TOTUS so that Zer0, the empty suit, can read them to the sheeple!
Neah. Obama is taking notes.
Best thing for Egypt will be overthrow Morsi and start over. Morsi is a bloodthirsty megalomaniac Islamist.
From the looks of it may happen. Certainly his power grab reduced his power not strengthened. The military will not back repression. The military is more pro US than Morisi.
From one dictator to another dictator. No change is no change. Just one murdering thug replaces another murdering thug. All others to the back of the dungwagon.
Who could have imagined...?!
That is ridiculously juvenile and illogical. Rational comparisons are always valid. Kneejerk emotional rejections of logic lack validity.
Yes because he was not beholden to Sharia Law. He was a nut, but he was our nut. Sharia Law is the evil enemy of free people. Obama would like to see the Caliphate take hold before dies.
Believe what you need to. It is not even close to relevant..
Sure, ok. Hard to respond to that.
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