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Subscribe to RSSProtesters fill Cairo's Tahrir Square after former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is sentenced to 25 years in prison. NBC's Richard Engel reports.
Updated at 7:20 p.m. ET: CAIRO - Egypt's ousted ruler Hosni Mubarak was sentenced to life in prison Saturday for complicity in the killings of protesters who eventually overthrew him. He could have received the death penalty.
Presiding judge Ahmed Refaat also sentenced his former interior minister, Habib el-Adli, to life in prison on the same charge. But Mubarak's two sons -- Gamal and Alaa -- were acquitted on corruption charges.
The mixed ruling set off street protests and by nightfall, a large crowd of up to 10,000 was back in Cairo's Tahrir Square, the birthplace of the uprising, to vent anger over the acquittals. Similar protesters were held in other cities, including the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria and Suez on the Red Sea.
On Sunday morning, dozens of young Egyptians stormed into the campaign headquarters of presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq for the Fayoum area south of Cairo on Sunday, the state's Al-Ahram news website reported.
All the headquarters contents including furniture and computer devices were destroyed, Al-Ahram online said. It was the second attack on Shafiq's headquarters in few days.
Shafiq was the last prime minister of deposed president Hosni Mubarak and his success in getting through to a second round of Egypt's presidential election has angered opponents who see him as a symbol of a regime that they took to the streets to oust in mass protests.
Shafiq on Saturday said Mubarak's sentence proved no one was above the law.
"Those rulings certainly disprove any claims that a presidential candidate can reproduce a ruling system that has ended," he said, responding to critics who say Shafiq would revive the old order.
Protesters disagreed.
"Justice was not served," said Ramadan Ahmed, whose son was killed on Jan. 28, the bloodiest day of last year's uprising. "This is a sham," he said outside the courthouse.
Protesters chanted: "A farce a farce, this trial is a farce" and "The people want execution of the murderer."
NBC News, citing state TV, said Mubarak was taken to Tora prison after the court hearing. Egypt TV quoted unidentified medical sources as saying Mubarak had suffered a health crisis as he arrived at the prison and was being treated in the helicopter that transported him and then in the prison hospital.
Asmaa Waguih / Reuters
Pictures of people who died during last year's revolution are seen in front of security forces next to the courthouse in Cairo where former president Hosni Mubarak will heard the verdict in his trial Saturday.
The Ahram Online newspaper reported Saturday Mubarak, wearing sunglasses, a beige top and black trousers, was wheeled in to the police academy for the hearing as he lay on a stretcher.
Judge: 30 years of tyranny
The judge said the uprising ended 30 years of tyranny, saying the people who protested against poverty and oppression were peaceful, according to the newspaper.
Mubarak, 84, was acquitted of the graft charges he faced. His life sentence -- which in Egypt typically is 25 years but in Mubarak's case really means the rest of his life -- was for failing to prevent the killing of 900 protesters.
Mubarak's ex-security chief, Habib el-Adly, also was convicted of complicity in the killings and received a life sentence.
Violent reactions between both opponents and supporters of Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak can be seen after Mubarak was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of protesters.
A statement issued by the Muslim Brotherhood's presidential campaign team called for a retrial.
"The public prosecutor did not carry out its full duty in gathering adequate evidence to convict the accused for killing protesters," said Yasser Ali, official spokesman for the Mohamed Mursi campaign.
Others also expressed discontent.
"Initial, fleeting satisfaction, followed by disappointment, and then anger," said Shadi Hamid, director of research at the Brookings Doha Center and a fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, in a message on Twitter.
"I'd think this verdict would spur greater consensus between Islamists ... and liberals," he added.
'Filled with anger'
Nader Bakkar, the spokesman of Al-Nour Salafist Party, said in a tweet translated by Ahram Online that Egyptians were "filled with anger and disappointment."
But some reacted with joy at the news.
Voters lined up in Cairo to choose from five leading candidates: a socialist, two Islamists, and two with ties to former President Hosni Mubarak. NBC's Richard Engel reports.
Soha Saeed, the wife of one of about 850 people killed in the street revolt that toppled Mubarak on Feb. 11, 2011, shouted: "I'm so happy. I'm so happy."
Can voters force candidates to compromise in Egypt run-off?
Few Egyptians expected Mubarak would go to the gallows, even if some thought that was what he deserved. Protesters have often hung his effigy from lamp posts since he fell on February 11, 2011.
NBC's Richard Engel spoke with former President Jimmy Carter to talk about Egypt's elections and the country's future. The Carter Center has been in Egypt monitoring the presidential elections.
Runoff could take Egypt's voters on one of two very different paths
NBC News' Charlene Gubash, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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This trial of Mubarak has done one thing, it as ensured that no other Middle East dictator will step down peacefully. Anyone who does not think that Assad is looking at what is happening to Mubarak and saying to himself why would I ever step aside is completely naive. If the ruler knows that if they step aside they will be out on trial an executed what incentive do they have to step aside. This was a huge mistake. Mubarak was not a monster and not a brutal ruler. In fact by Arab standards he was a fairly moderate, fair minded ruler. The fact that he outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood was because he did not want to see the religious intolerance and the violence that goes along with it tear Egypt apart. It as not about preventing anyone from worshiping their faith as under Mubarak all Egyptians were free to worship as they wished. What was bout was keeping a radical political organization from fomenting unrest and tearing apart the country with false promises and extreme interpretations of Islam. I think that if you took a poll of Egyptians today most would agree that their lives were far better under Mubarak than they are today. They would also tell you that Egypt was a far safer and more peaceful and prosperous place under Mubarak than it is today. This trial was a huge mistake and has lead to the violence in Syria caused by Assad trying to hang on to power in order to avoid the same fate. Unlike some other brutal dictators who truly did deserve to be tried for their crimes, Mubarak was actually doing what he thought was best for his country, not just himself personally. His attempt to put down the rebellion was because he recognized who was behind it and did not want to see his country fall into the hands out Islamic fanatics, not because he was trying to repress the people as a whole. Mubarak should have been allowed to either quietly drift off into obscurity or, if they wanted him out of Egypt, to self exile himself to another country to live out his years.
Well put.
Defending a dictator suites you.
Well, JS has been reading around a bit and was making an observation. This is the first time I've had a chance to actually read about it. I thought JS's logic made perfect sense, but I didn't say I agree because I haven't had a chance to look more into it yet. I doubt he/she actually supports dictators in general.
Well he did put a lot of money in his pocket while doing what he thought was best for his country. But it is true that he probably is not worse than either of his potential successors and a secular leader is always better in this region.
As the polls showed us, a majority of Egyptians enjoy a repressive regime anyway, even if those are not the now disheartened, progressive thinking, social-media users, democracy oriented people coming from the Egyptian youth who have started the revolution in the first place.
Now that the Arab Spring has petered out, we will probably assist to a Theocratic Winter. Even if it smells like summer to the conservative locals, the economy of the region will most likely suffer due to huge drops in the tourist sector.
While it is true that Mubarak was not the best, he was certainly not the worse for Egypt. To know that, we just have to wait and see...
I doubt Mubarak's fate will have much affect on other rulers. Each country has it's own particular circumstances and each ruler his own particular mindset. We saw Saddam Hussein get the death penalty. Yet Mubarak finally did step aside and did not try to flee or go into hiding. If anything the message is that autocrats should not conspire in the killing of protesters to stay in power because if they do lose power they could face similar sentences. But I doubt any of them will think that way.
Besides you don't base justice on trying to second guess how it will affect others who may be complicit in murder. You base justice on the standards of what is seen as a fair punishment for the offender.
To answer the question, no I do not in general support dictators. I think that the people should have the right to choose their leaders and form of government. That said, when you have a largely uneducated and illiterate electorate, that is easily taken in by charismatic religious fanatics, sometimes a benign secular dictator is the best option you can hope for in the Middle East. I would much rather see a relatively benign secular dictator like Mubarak running Egypt than see the Muslim Brotherhood in control. Under Mubarak you had freedom of religion, relative freedom for women with the ability for girls to go to school and women to have careers, many social freedoms, etc. Under a government run by a democratically elected Muslim Brotherhood you will see the rights of women go hundreds of years backwards, an end to the ability to freely practice the religion of your choice in peace, and a loss of many of the other social freedoms that Egyptians had enjoyed under Mubarak. Mubarak was no saint, but which option do you think is better!?!?! Ideally you have an educated, literate electorate that can make reasonable choices in electing their leaders. You would have elected leaders that would protect the rights of all citizens. Under Mubarak the education level and literacy rates in Egypt had improved steadily they just needed a little more time to get to a level where people could not be taken in by the likes of the Muslim Brotherhood. I think that with the fall of Mubarak Egypt has taken a huge step backwards as a nation. We are already hearing the Egyptian parliament that is controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood talking about abrogating their peace treaty with Egypt, rolling back women's rights to where women will not be able to leave the house without a male relative, an end to girls going to school, etc. This is a complete disaster for the people of Egypt and I think that we are going to see continuing unrest in the country due to religious violence both between the different religions like the Coptic Christian and Muslims as well as sectarian violence between the different Islamic sects for a very long time.
I do not as a rule support dictators, but being a realist tells me that sometimes a benign dictator may be the best option you have available.
Come on, man! Defending the dictator..... MORE?! Give it a rest. If the Egyptian population wants a religious leader,let them have it! If they want draconian moral/religious laws, let them have it! The most they lose is tourist dollars.
You're repeating the same nonsense that the media has fed you! Mubarek and his sons should be behind bars.
Assad doesn't know anything other than he wants to kill people that want to oust him.. You think he cares about Mubarek?? That's part of the ignorance that the media has fed you..
Assad doesn't care about Mubarek. Mubarek got off clean except for a life sentence.. That ain't good either.
Laws in civilized society will count towards everyone and Assad knows it too. He's hedging his bet that he will overcome his killing spree!
The media loves to sensationalize their statements and make points that are mute!
Mubarek is guilty! His sons got off and that is the only thing that is a change!
Criminals are brought to justice in this world. They all know it and they all avoid it. That's that!
Whats with the picture of a rat? Thank you very much genius.
Squash your anger Brothers and Sisters...
Be proud that you do not lower yourself to the level and means Mubarak wallowed in. Your show of mercy is a badge of honor as seen by the rest of the world... and to Mubarak, it is a level of Godliness that he knew he was not, and never would be, worthy to achieve.
Peace be with you from this day forward.
You're the one to talk douglas.... What's your picture supposed to be? Painted mini cereal boxes?
All of you should be looking at this country where apparently money rules
We have been experiencing the same oppression - look at Michigan where elected officials have been removed
It's time you woke up whether you want big money to run your lives or a fairly elected candidates can be elected for you or what the Koch Brothers - want them to be
Enough clean up our back yard - Do you want all states to have no unions - which gave you fair wages - clean working environments - a forty hour work week - no child labor - and a place at the table of Corporations which Germany has - and don't give me that European crap - they have health care for all - six weeks paid vacation and a chance at being a middle class nation
Public schools are under assault - Fire Fighters are under assault - Teachers are under assault - go be a School Teacher - with a Masters who are being demeaned because they belong to a union - what did that cost them - go be a Police Officer - who are there to protect us
Our entire structure - by the Republicans want to be sold to the highest bidder - sell our parks so only the wealthy can enjoy -
Look at Michigan and tell me if this is what you want?
It's for you to decide - I am only one vote - but if you by into this country can be sold to the highest bidder than it's up to you to decide
I for one say no - WE ARE THE PEOPLE - and hopefully you start reading learning what is happening - an uninformed public is to me a hare caught in a snare - good only for lunch
Sorry to get dramatic - but WAKE UP
@douglas - To answer your question, the picture is of a chinchilla, one of a family of four that were rescues that we used to have as pets. They are quiet friendly and playful. As for your snide remarks, at least I try and put some real thought and analysis into my comments, something I wish we could see more of on newsvine instead of the usual barrage of regurgitated political talking points which often have little if anything to do with the story.
Interesting timing - Just before the election - perhaps out of concern the Brotherhood candidate would win and execute him.
If the Brotherhood loses, the other candidate will likely 'pardon' him, since he served under Mubarak.
Roadkill "Defending a dictator suites you."
So, are you a modern day Robespierre?
I agree with JS in SD. His was a well thought out comment that reflected the realities of middle eastern politics. Just because someone was a 'dictator' does not automatically mean they should be killed - In fact, it's often said that the most effective type of government is a 'benevolent dictatorship', but unfortunately, the 'benevolent' one is often replaced with one that is 'malevolent'.
JS in SD.
One other thing that the Muslim Brotherhood would like to bring back is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) of young girls to make sure they do not enjoy the sexual experience, which was largely banned under Bubarak.
The Feminist Movement and 'Hollywood elite' in this country are curiously silent on the issue of women's rights being taken away in radical Islamic areas of the World. Is it because they are afraid from the intimidation tactics by radical Muslims, or is it that they just don't care?
Just get a rope
Any Seated government recognized by the world as the defacto government has the right to use force to put down an armed insurrection. Yes, this includes killing them as they try to overthrow the seated government. The U.S. did it during the Civil War. And the difference here is the South wasn't trying to overthrow the seated government, rather just secede from & start their own country leaving the existing government unmolested. These dictators may be cruel A-holes and do need to be removed, however the rest of the world should not have recognized them as the defacto seated government by trading or giving them aid of any sort. If either Mubarak or Assad ordered the killing innocents then they are war criminals and he need to be executed.
@JS in SD, I pretty much have your point of view. I also don't believe in Dictators.There are a few very small countries that have Dictorial leaders, but they operate like any other country and are to small to have a democratic set up, but they treat their peeople respectfully and want their country to go foward.
I consider Dictators (the ones that we really hear about) to be men of evil. Dictators don't allow anything around them that will interfere with their Reign. They really do need to be removed.
Now heres the kicker, sometimes leaving a controlling evil in place can be a good thing but it is a gamble. I feel that if we left Saddam in place and not invaded Iraq we could have used him to an advantage. Based on the fact Dictators don't like to have their power threatened. We seamed concerned that the Taliban and Al-Quaida would have ran to to Iraq. Yes they may have but I think Saddam would have taken care of them for us. After all Al-Quaida was not heard of in Iraq until after we invaded them. This would have been the gamble on our part.
I'm sure he'll soon recieve flowers and condolences from his buddy and long time supporter Dick Cheney. Glad the former administration really stood up for democracy, didn't it?
Nailed it. I'm counting the minutes until the Egyptians "vote" for an even bigger blow-hole than Mubarak ever was. It's how they roll over there. This "life in prison" term? Utter twaddle. Like it means anything. NOT!
At fist I thought it was Gene Simmons. But this should make the anti death penalty crowd smile and this is why it it front and center anyway. Don't really care, it's their business but, with all the money, super pacs, and lobbyists who thinks we have a better system anyway? We vote in puppets from city councils, county commissioners, reps, senators and governors and dog catchers. And the charade that we have suffered through the last three years confirms we would be better off throwing a dart at a phone book to see who gets to run for POTUS.
JS in SD,
thank you for posting on this vine. I do appreciate your comments, though I do not always agree, they are well thought out and well written.
Best to you.
JS, I don't think it really matters. However, the unusual thing here is no death penalty. Usually a trial of a former leader is only a formality preceding execution.
@MOSinEUR - Thank you.
@Roy Wilson - Yes, I forgot to include the reintroduction of FGM as one of the Muslim Brotherhoods changes. Just one more thing to include in the long list of reasons to believe that they should not gain control. Egypt is becoming a prime example of the old adage - Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
Like I said, JS, let's count the minutes until these poooooooor oppressed Egyptians we helped "liberate" get to "vote" again in their runoff "election". Note the quotations. The Muslim Brotherhood, to say the least, is NOT going away.
Yeah but are the trials in the United States to prosecute George Bush Jr for his crimes against humanity. Oh by the way the Muslim brotherhood needs to stay out of American politics.
This is really B.S. Yes, Mubarak was corrupt and he oppressed Egyptians during his tenure. But the U.S. knew that and celebrated him as a great friend. Karzai is also celebrated and he is just as corrupt as Mubarak, both of them pocketing most of the financial aid for their countries.
Perhaps we should send George Bush to the Hague. Finally.
I love how ignorant Americans like JS in SD want to rewrite history of a country that they know nothing about. Hosni Mubarak was a dictator and a tyrant...Anyone who spoke out against him simply disappeared..never heard of again....The only reason you are calling him fair minded is because he was an American and Israeli ally...shows how brainwashed you are..not to mention hypocritical...if America had Saddam hussain and Moammar Gaddafi ousted because of western ideals of democracy, then why do you not mention those same ideals in dealing with Hosni Mubarak's regime..Just because he wore western clothes that you thought he was a nice guy?
Heya, JS, you need to take something for you verbal diarrhea.
"That said, when you have a largely uneducated and illiterate electorate, that is easily taken in by charismatic religious fanatics"
That sounds a lot like the U.S., except for the fact that most of our populace are literate to the level of a middle school kid. As for education, the bible and your checking account are not high standards in such a complex world.
the people of the middle east would have a lot better chance if people left them alone. The U.S. has only one concern in the world, to make sure we get their resources. You can say that we are giving and charitable, but in comparison to the harm we do both indirectly and directly to other countries we are anything but generous.
A lot of the news we here about foreign countries is extremely skewed.
"ME"
Yes, always, and no one here really cares about getting to know the details from anywhere, since we think with almost 10,000 registered religions, that we are the right ones!
But wait and see give it another 10 years, and we will be no body on this globe--remember how we used to laugh at Japan, now we are waiting for China, and India, and others, but not so much the western world, their time has past!
I agree with JS.
Mubarak squashed the Muslim Brotherhood, which somebody like Carter would say was wrong. So he would say all voices should be heard especially the ones he deems to be correct. The issue is that a group with the right leader can during economic hardships get the ear of those that frankly do not have the capacity to know if they are hearing the truth or not.
Egypt relies heavily on tourism which is down about 30 percent. So they are hurting big time. If the Muslim Brotherhood get back in power, which it looks like they will, that tourism will not return. It is one thing to know that certain countries have odd customs, but for families to now visit Egypt knowing that mutilation will be back in vogue is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Maybe once people would look the other way, but not today. Muslim countries thinking they can revert to old customs or keep ones that are barbaric are not facing reality.
I wish I could say I see an upside to the future of Egypt, but I do not. Both candidates are awful. There isn't a good choice. The uprising may have been secularists but they are a small minority and right now have little representation.
Obama threw him under the bus. The Muslim Brotherhood is the big winner. The world is much more dangerous because of Obama's foreign policies.
Governments supported by the U.S. need to remember the U.S. giveth and the U.S. taketh away.
Oy vey! Why couldn't Mubarak be a respectable person like the dearly-departed King Hussein of Jordan?
I think Egypt needs a new Pharoah and a new batch of plagues. They didn't get the message.
JS's arguement is valid. We never hold FORMER leaders accountable for their actions. If we did Bush Cheney would bothe be serving time.
True that. Clinton and Johnson were impeached, but still continued to stay in office. Nixon resigned before it got that far (smart move). Unless Bush and Cheney go to another country that wants them prosecuted, chances they'll never be held responsible, unless the U.S. changes it's policy on war crimes.
rk54 Johnson was never impeached - he decided not to run for a second term - Where the hell do you get your history lessons from?
Clinton - yes was impeached on a bogus BS and then went on to win a second term because the American public said this was a bogus BS witch hunt by the Republicans and was one of our best Presidents
Even FDR - said come and get me- and they couldn't but they have been lying in wait ever since - why is that do you suppose? Maybe just maybe - Democrats are for the people and Republicans are for the "Puppet Masters" Big Money
Notice how the Republicans have gone after every Democratic President - even today's - did you ever wonder why?
Jimmy Carter put solar panels on the White House - promptly taken down by Reagan - why BIG OIL maybe?
Barbara, where the hell do YOU get YOUR history lessons from?
Clinton was impeached on his 2nd term, after the so-called bogus BS. If it was during his first, I doubt very seriously he'd have been reelected. True, it was a "witch hunt" that shouldn't have happened (IMO), but I can't call it bogus, because it was real (proof of the puding is on Monica's dress. Pun intended.)
If Democrats "are for the people," what's going on now? If you think lavishing special interests, for the cost of stifling growth is for the people, well I'd rather us go to the dogs, which is still happening anyway.
I don't trust the history they gave us in high school, because it's skewed and most of it is garbage. The books aren't even written by real historians. But yes, Andrew Johnson was indeed impeached. It's the middle of the night, so I have to resort to the internet to double check, since the libraries are closed for me to access a book right now. I looked at several website (not ones like wikipedia) and there are well over a hundred of them. They all say he's been impeached, just not convicted. Personally, I think both parties are quite stupid to the point where it's just continuous bickering and disagreement with each other and nothing gets accomplished.
Maybe you were thinking about Lyndon B. Johnson, while I was referring to Andrew Johnson. That might explain the misunderstanding. lol
rk54 - I think @Barbara Adams Jackson must not be much of a historian. She probably did not realize there as another President Johnson beside Lyndon Baines.
Lol, I'll admit it took a few minutes before it finally dawned on me that she was probably thinking of the other Johnson. Hard to keep them straight when a handful of them have the same first or last name. lol Even so, not all of them are well known for all of them to be remembered without having to look them up.
Although I too would have like to see both Cheney and Bush turned over to the Hague it still puts a smile on my face to know these war criminals and propagators of death, destruction and lies will never be able to leave the U.S. for fear of arrest. Futhermore, I'm not sure they could make a public appearance anywhere without massive protests other than the Faux news studio.
Barabara - President Andrew Johnson was spared impeachment by one vote. President Lyndon Johnson did not run for term 2 because his numbers were not good enough to win re-election. Obama's numbers have been playing tag with LBJ's numbers and Jimmy Carter's numbers. Carter ran anyhow and lost, so odds for Obama winning term #2 is not looking good.
@DB Akron, What people are running around and ranting about right now this moment really means nothing. It is a well known and admitted fact the before people put that X in the block that they actually give it a second thought. I know I do and than after that hope that enough people have voted in good conciouns.
Does anyone know what an Impeachment procedure is? It is not a trial but and indictment. It said they had enough evidence to say President Clinton had lied. He lied to a question that 50% of the male population of the US would as well. What he lied about was not a crime, if it was then most of the entire population would be guilty and imprisoned. However, President Clinton was never convicted, which would then have completed the process. And then he may have been removed from office, if the offense was considered grevious enough.
Bush and Cheney? How about every President since the Cival War you sophomore. Drink more liberal Koolaid you're still "kicking" so it hasn't quite done its job yet. If Hitler had won Nurenburg would have taken place in London or NYC and you'd be speaking German and wearing hobnailed boots. Get your GED and try a college class at an independent school!
yep, and I'd be tracking you!
Imagine if more Americans got their GED's where John Smoot got his. They would know more about the Cival War. Because I don't ever remember the Cival War in any history books I read. Great post John Smoot, although I fear somewhere there's some fries being neglected.
Cival ? that's a new one.....back to the books dude....at least grammar.
Mubarek is very old, so executing him would serve no good purpose. I hope the people of Egypt choose wisely in the run off, because they could go from not so good to horrible. Maybe the best solution is to divide the country in half along the Nile River with Muslims living in one part and the non-Muslims living in the other part. But that will never happen. I do not think most people in the Middle East ever want to live in peace.
That will never happen, it is stupid and not even fair. Have you thought about what you were writing?
Separating the Muslims from the non Muslims in that fashion would be almost analogous to give the United States east of the Mississippi river to a quarter of the catholic population and to put the rest of the Catholics and all the other religious groups of the American population west.
Does it sound like a fair share to you? I thought so....
Where can the folks who do not think there is a bearded man in the sky live in the US if you divide it up like you say? Any politics that is derived from religious beliefs be it the Muslim Brohood or the RWNJs here in the USA is bad politics. Keep religion OUT of ALL politics
Well they are pretty much negligible, 3% according to Wikipedia, so I guess they could go where they want.:-)
I totally agree with you, religion has nothing to do with politics. But it seems harder for the populations of the Middle East to separate the two. Hell, it is even hard for some Americans to do it so who can blame them?
Liege and Noisy, my point just went right over your LWNJ heads. Of course dividing a country is not fair, and it is downright impractical. My point is there will never be peace in the Middle East until the Muslims either kill all the infidels and send women back to the stone age, or until the Muslim population is eliminated. The US needs to get out of the Middle East and let these people kill each other off. Maybe that will bring peace to this region of the world.
.... you'd think Mubarak would have seen that coming..change that is. I guess that kind of a ruler/family thinks of power forever.
Mubarak, made a deal with his opposers, they reneged on the deal. He and his family could have very easily left, actually fled, to live out their lives in alleged luxury. They did not do this, they believed they had done no wrong.
Any leader can be found guilty of almost anything if popular opinion is against them. Was he a dictator? I believe Yes. Was that a crime in his native country Egypt? No and it isn't today. Did he ORDER his troops to kill citizens? We did not see that, a point that was made so many times on TV! Did we see someone kill citizens? YES, but who were they?
I do not for one minute believe in a Dictatorship, or life long rule as anything lifelong except being a husband and father. His actions tell me he did not believe he was guilty of any crimes. He did not run away! He believed leaving his Presidency would preserve both his country and his life. He was wrong on both counts.
And now his country will exist to see that the promoters of the "Arab Spring" will do everything in their power, to increase their hold on and promote their Islamic ideals. Islam is a practice in dictatorship, and abusive power, I do not find there is anything honorable in Islam as it is practiced by most of the clerics and those in Power. Everyone else is a slave to them, everyone!
However, what has happened in Egypt is an example to every other dictator. If their tides and fortune turn kill every bit of the supposed opposers in sight. That is what this trial has promoted, and in reality nothing else, evil has won!
Sully summed up the Mubarak situation very well. I would add that the US sold him down the river. We should keep in mind that Mubarak did as the US asked him to do and that is to step down. He did it and the US has done nothing to help him in assuring that crazy muslims don't end up hanging him.
Mubarak was good to the US as well as assuring a hands off approach to Isreal. Watch now what happens!!!
the guy is 84 and his health is in decline, just about any sentence of "prison time" is going to be a "life" sentence for him, if he lasts even a couple of years I would be shocked...
Well deserved; however, death would have been more appropriate. He should reap that in which he sowed.
I wonder how many people in the U.S. that wanted the death penalty for Mubarak are the same people that scream and squawk about the death penalty in the U.S.
I'll believe this sentence when the evening news shows videos of Mubarak standing in line at the prison condom machine....
Muslim prisons are big on condoms, right? Please, don't advertise the benefits of public education. It's too awesome for MSNBC.
The people got rid of Mubarak lets hope they are smart enough not to vote for the religious fanatics because if the Muslim Brotherhood takes power it will be a new kind of hell for the Egyptian people,
Who gives a crap!
There is not anyone who gives a crap, piss one the middle east.
We should have that kind of deal in this country, serve a term in office and then go to prison to serve a term.
Some people want Bush in prison others want Clinton. Both served the Elite Masters well. But try overruling the FED like Kennedy and nobody will watch your back. Oh, Reagan tried and they missed. He learned his lesson. What's in your wallet, Einstein? Check that piece of paper, notice what's on it and ask why? The same for the EURO if it lasts. It may last if the Elite can rob the German people blind first. The Greeks know how to play the game. They practiced it on the Turks for centuries.
This is NONE of our business. If every dictator of a $hitholeistan want to play evil dictator then so be it. When the US or UN get involved it only brings more hatred on WE THE PEOPLE. We need to stay the hell out of these crapholes and start paying attention to the United States. BTW our Marxist in chief is a failure at doing just that.
Libya was such a failure?!? I think not. But I agree that we can limit our "help" to waiting for legitimate rebelions against tyranny to ask for our help and then limit it to airpower. No more US boots on the ground to nation build and anything else. Stop with the stupid "marxist" comments about the POTUS it makes you sound stupid
Libya is not going well. Haven't you noticed how little you hear about it these days in the msm? That's because it is basically in a state of low-level civil war. Life has not improved for the people of Libya since Gadhafi was overthrown. Life has gotten worse. I'm not saying that Gadhafi was a good guy, not at all, but what's come after is even worse. It's a lesson that SHOULD be taken to heart, both for Egypt and Syria, but it won't be. Replacing bad with worse is not progress.
Why hasn't Bush and Cheney been put on Trial for their Invasion of Iraq, Based on False and Misleading Information and putting the U. S. into a Depression?
You BetCha.....Fer Sure.
i bet you miss posting on fox news
You must be another one of those greedy lawyers, huh? Countless millions of dollars would go into this show trial and we'd know less than we do now. First figure out who's in charge. jstdafacts, you and your crowd are the reason a lot of misleading information passes inspection and countries go into depression. You're part of the gulible, uninformed, naive, easily fooled and herded like cattle crowd.
Why hasn't Bush and Cheney....? Because they obeyed their Elite Masters. If you're looking for a dictator you'll have to go higher. Start at at the FED. Bernanke doesn't answer to the President or the Congress. You think he does? Think again. He answers to the Elite. We the people govern ourselves through the Congress. If they are neutered so are we. Your ignorance weighs you down like jailhouse chains.
Folks, the reason for the Riots and Revolutions going on in the Middle East is due to High Unemployment, Poverty, Middle Class being wiped out, Financial Injustice and Oppression from their Government. Sound Familiar? Don’t be surprised when it happens here.
For years this Country has been ran by by the Lobbyist, Special Interest, and the Self Righteous. It’s gotten to the point where the young people are fed up with the Greed and Corruption in our system. It has reached a Boiling Point.
Republicans only believe in “Middle Class Warfare”. They always think the Middle Class should carry the Burden.
is your moms basement damp
The democrats only believe in keeping the underinformed and uneducated beholding to the government for there food, housing and thinking. The democrats are always in the mode of telling the middle and lower class that the are victums and only the government can help them. I just read in california in order to get more "minorities" to graduate they are again lowering the graduation requirements! keep the people dumbed down and they will continue to give you food.
The republicans want everyone to be productive and have freedom to choose! They do not believe that everyone should have the same, but that everyone has the same opportunity!!! That is the key difference!
When the democratic socalist party sees someone who fails to reach there full potential eather by giving up because it did not come easy or thru lack of vision or determination then they blame the republicans for not GIVING it to them to keep everyone equal.
@Shawn3179, I don't know who brainwashed you but they did a good job. They even took away your ability to think for yourself.
6 - you shouldn't talk to yourself in public.
You've got the truth but only half of it and most of the time a half truth is worse than a lie. You become a useful idiot in the hands of the Elite. The Republican vs Democrat, Muslim vs Christian, Muslim vs Hindu, Communist vs Capitalist, Sarah Palin type vs feminist or gay vs straight game is part of their divide and conquer strategy. It's worked well for them and allowed them to control over 80% of the world's wealth. They wouldn't last a day without stooges and brainwashed, true believers carrying their water. Drink the koolaid. It's free!
The Middle East is the Land of da Devil. The U S should just stay out of there. They will never have Peace.
Why do all the Middle Eastern women have to dress up like “Cousin It”?
Hopefully there will come a day when we can tell them to “Drink their Oil and Eat their Sand”.
Remember Republicans, when these Foreign Countries ask for Aid and Funding….just say No.
Cut off all Funding to Pakistan. Why are we giving them Billions of $$$$$$ just to be our “Little Friend”? Did they Apologize for Hiding Out Bin Laden?
You Bet Cha….Fer Sure
Israel is there, the promise land and not to mention your Holy Bible is written in Middle East as well. I guess if it comes from evil place, it must be evil as well.
Edit: The women cover up theirs body because it was traditionally for thousands of years, even during the time when Jesus roam those land.
Muslim is another branch of Christian, the only different is that they don't believe Jesus is the Son of God, but just another prophet.
please consider your dignity when you sleep with your dad
Leave Brokenback alone. You're Dad and his Dad are brothers by a different mother.
What a travesty of justice. I guess the "non-thinking" free world wants the hoodlums and hooligons to rule. With the likes of Obama, Romney and their ilk, like Jimmy Carter, George Herbert Walker Bush, William Jefferson Blythe Clinton and W, we are all (free thinking Americans) doomed. But then again, actions speak louder than words and we just set on our butts and watched the world go to hell in a hand basket as our government did and does NOTHING except steal from us. Who in the hell voted for the World Court,.....was it the Pope and his pedophile nation?
@Fredd4life, It's like playing poker, you can only play with the cards you are delt. Make the best hand you can, throw in some chips and hope you win.
This sentence was a prearranged deal between the "leaders" of the revolution and the Egyptian military, who hold the real power in Egypt. While they threw Mubarak under the bus, the top military commanders were not about to allow a death sentence for one of their own. After all, it could be one of them somewhere in the future. The fact that both sons were acquitted goes a long way in revealing the deal in place. It would not surprise me that somewhere down the road, for health reasons, Mubarak is moved to a "private" facility....again prearranged. The man is 86 years old and they will let him pass with dignity.
Good riddance. Now USA can hopefully take example and finally hold Bush accountable for the thousands of Americans he killed. I'd like to see Bush done exactly the same way those Libyans did Gadhaffi. Those bitches weren't playing.
Another huge blunder by The Current Presidential Administration has made and The Regressive liberal left MSM sweeps under the rug.
Backing the ouster of the wrong Middle East despot as Syrians are being slaughtered left and right.
Why don't we just Bomb the Middle East with Sarah Palin Books.
You BetCha....Fer Sure.
does your life partner know you tested positive
LOL!!!
Only a jealous GAY BOY would even think of a moniker like yours.
Better yet, just send them Sara Palin.
Unemployment is up in the USA and Europe. It looks like a big % are taking out their frustrations here on the web and now we can actually see why they are unemployable.
SOrry for the leftists, but it should be noted that democracy is not compatible with Islam.
While I am really an independent I tend to vote center or a bit left, Only an idiot would think that Islam could be compatable with democracy. It is a religion(?) of dominance, and absolute rulers the Imans. But then so are most of those who now vote Republican, the sameness with Islam is frightening.
Ahh, I don't know. Didn't Bush have his republican friends in congress insert language (hidden) recently into the patriot act that will keep him, or anyone in his administration from being held accountable for war crimes.
I'm just stating that he did.
@moshuluu, I sure would like to read a lot of these act and bills because I'm getting tired of sifting thru the BS to figure out the truth.
What are you talking about? Paranoid and stupid are a bad combination!