Egypt Has A New President

[mrjarrell]

Well, moments ago they announced the results of last weeks presidential elections in Egypt and, as expected, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi won. Interestingly, they had a 51% voter turnout and Mr. Morsi won with over 13 million votes. It will certainly be interesting to see where things go from here. The military is essentially running the parliament and the people are waiting to see when a new election will be held, (I don't think the results will be much different, if the secularists and liberals don't get it together and run loads of candidates). As it stands, even with a new president, the military is still the defacto ruler of Egypt and will remain so until they manage to get them reigned in. Not going to hold my breath on that one. Even this victory smacks of deal making with the military.

Morsi wins Egypt's presidential election - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

 

[Citizen711]

As bad as this looks for the US, Israel must be about ready to resign themselves to the no-win situation and open up both barrels.

 

[mrjarrell]

I have my doubts about that. As I stated earlier, (and the article in the link points out) the military is firmly in command, in reality. While they have given the president the power to declare war they have the veto power over it. They are unlikely to go to war with Israel and jeopardise the billions they get in military aid from the US. I would say Israel is fairly safe for the moment.

 

[strahd71]

is this the same guy they were havin a rally and was declaring that Jerusalem was going to egypts new capital?

jake

 

[IndyDave1776]

is this the same guy they were havin a rally and was declaring that Jerusalem was going to egypts new capital?

jake

This raises a serious issue. When politicians make what seem like outrageous claims, given our political habits we generally accept it as someone mouthing off to rally his base. We often forget that others in the world (including and especially the Russians and Moslems) are most usually perfectly serious.

 

[strahd71]

This raises a serious issue. When politicians make what seem like outrageous claims, given our political habits we generally accept it as someone mouthing off to rally his base. We often forget that others in the world (including and especially the Russians and Moslems) are most usually perfectly serious.

here is a shortened video. there is a 10 minute one too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLtHGrsVqmk

 

[strahd71]

maybe mubarak wasnt that bad?

jake

 

[mrjarrell]

maybe mubarak wasnt that bad?

jake

If you consider that he had people falsely imprisoned, murdered and tortured and let the police and military do as they pleased "not bad", then I guess he was better than someone whom we know nothing about. Nope. Mubarak was a dictator and did nothing to improve conditions in Egypt. He was all about maintaining the power of the military and police and, obviously, his own. The new guy is an unknown factor, at this point. But the reality is, for the moment, that he is pretty much a figurehead with little or no real power. Everything is up to the military and they are not very likely to do anything that cuts off the flow of US aid.

 

[strahd71]

If you consider that he had people falsely imprisoned, murdered and tortured and let the police and military do as they pleased "not bad", then I guess he was better than someone whom we know nothing about. Nope. Mubarak was a dictator and did nothing to improve conditions in Egypt. He was all about maintaining the power of the military and police and, obviously, his own. The new guy is an unknown factor, at this point. But the reality is, for the moment, that he is pretty much a figurehead with little or no real power. Everything is up to the military and they are not very likely to do anything that cuts off the flow of US aid.

we'll just have to see what they do.

those folks dont care about democracy like we do. they seem to like dictators, i mean it is the norm over there. sure they may dress it up as "democracy' but its not.

jake

 

[mrjarrell]

we'll just have to see what they do.

those folks dont care about democracy like we do. they seem to like dictators, i mean it is the norm over there. sure they may dress it up as "democracy' but its not.

jake

Well, that's not necessarily true. The Egyptians have never known democracy. While they had election under Mubarak, they were rigged and there was truly only one party running, with a few token "independents" on the ballot, when allowed. The Egyptian people are experiencing something totally new to themselves and it's going to take some time to shake all the bugs out. One of the main reason the MB is doing so well in these elections is that they are throwing everything but the dishwasher into the fray in an effort to get elected. The voters just know that they don't want any members of the previous government and party elected, so they've been left with an "anybody but Mubarak and his people" choice. I'd really like to see the secularists and liberals do better, but I fear they don't have the numbers and money. And the military doesn't really want them in power, because they know they'd do everything in their power to strip the military and police of their power. Not seeing a lot of hope.

 

[IndyDave1776]

Well, that's not necessarily true. The Egyptians have never known democracy. While they had election under Mubarak, they were rigged and there was truly only one party running, with a few token "independents" on the ballot, when allowed. The Egyptian people are experiencing something totally new to themselves and it's going to take some time to shake all the bugs out. One of the main reason the MB is doing so well in these elections is that they are throwing everything but the dishwasher into the fray in an effort to get elected. The voters just know that they don't want any members of the previous government and party elected, so they've been left with an "anybody but Mubarak and his people" choice. I'd really like to see the secularists and liberals do better, but I fear they don't have the numbers and money. And the military doesn't really want them in power, because they know they'd do everything in their power to strip the military and police of their power. Not seeing a lot of hope.

The same could be said for Iran circa 1979. We see how that worked out.

 

[Expat]

As I recall MJ, you were sure the liberal secular majority of Egypt would never vote these Islamists into office. For whatever reason, they are there now. It looks like the military learned enough from the Iranian revolution not to repeat that. I assume they would like to replicate the Turkish situation until very recently. The government can do what they want unless they get too stupid, then they take over and let a new civilian government form.

 

[mrjarrell]

The secular and liberal voters in Egypt didn't vote overwhelmingly for the MB or salafists. In fact they protested their elections and the process that allowed them to dominate the now voided parliamentary elections. They also called for a boycott of the presidential election due to the two crappy candidates. Can't really lay the blame for this on them. It's squarely n the shoulders of the average man in the street who just didn't want any semblance of the Mubarak regime left in power.

 

[manwithnoname]

The Egyptians have never known democracy.

They are sure in for knowing it now!

Welcome to mob rule, the rule of law be damned.

With little doubt, we will be at the precipice of WWIII by mid 2013.

 

[sloughfoot]

And all of this effects me how? Thank you.

 

[kazaam]

And all of this effects me how? Thank you.

You don't think that global issues have any effect on the U.S.?

 

[sloughfoot]

You don't think that global issues have any effect on the U.S.?

Your answer does not answer my question.

 

[MACHINEGUN]

That's not real Democracy.. they're in need of a real civil war like Libya had or Syria is now having.

These are scary and beautiful times we are living in.. especially if you read the "Good Book".

 

[strahd71]

That's not real Democracy.. they're in need of a real civil war like Libya had or Syria is now having.

These are scary and beautiful times we are living in.. especially if you read the "Good Book".

i read and believe!

jake

 

[traderdan]

One thing is for sure.If Israel is attacked they will retaliate in any manner necessary,and an all out war in the Middle East will make the price of gasoline affect you.Nuclear weapons being lobbed around might disrupt the environment as we know it.EVERYTHING about this situation is dangerous.