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Subscribe to RSSMona El-Tahawy explains why President Mohammed Morsi's recent decree is very insulting to many Egyptians who demonstrated against Former President Hosni Mubarak's regime.
UPDATED AT 3:55 p.m. ET: CAIRO, Egypt -- After Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi received a final draft of the constitution from the Islamist-dominated assembly, he called for a Dec. 15 referendum and urged a national dialogue.
This latest move indicates that the president aims to appease demonstrators who accused him last week of attempting to assume Pharoah-like status after he expanded his presidential powers.
The protests come from both sides -- on Saturday, at least 200,000 Islamists demonstrated in Cairo in support of Morsi.
"The people want the implementation of God's law," chanted flag-waving demonstrators, many of them bused in from the countryside, who choked streets leading to Cairo University, where Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood had called the protest.
Morsi set the date for a referendum on the constitution after it was hastily approved after a 19-hour session.
Morsi plunged Egypt into a crisis last week when he gave himself extensive powers and put his decisions beyond judicial challenge, saying this was a temporary measure to speed Egypt's democratic transition until the new constitution is in place.
His assertion of authority in a decree issued on November 22, a day after he won world praise for brokering a Gaza truce between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement, dismayed his opponents and widened divisions among Egypt's 83 million people.
Analysis: Egyptians fear decades of Muslim Brotherhood rule, warn Morsi is no friend of US
Morsi, once a Muslim Brotherhood figure, has put his liberal, leftist, Christian and other opponents in a bind. If they boycott the referendum, the constitution would pass anyway.
If they secured a "no" vote to defeat the draft, the president could retain the powers he has unilaterally assumed.
As protesters clashes, President Mohammed Morsi of Egypt announced a referendum on a proposed constitution. NBC's Jim Maceda reports.
And Egypt's quest to replace the basic law that underpinned Mubarak's 30 years of army-backed one-man rule would also return to square one, creating more uncertainty in a nation in dire economic straits and seeking a $4.8 billion loan from the IMF.
Morsi's well-organized Muslim Brotherhood and its ultra-orthodox Salafi allies, however, are convinced they can win the referendum by mobilizing their own supporters and the millions of Egyptians weary of political turmoil and disruption.
"There is no place for dictatorship," the president said on Thursday while the constituent assembly was still voting on a constitution which Islamists say enshrines Egypt's new freedoms.
Video: Morsi loyalists rewrite Egyptian constitution
Human rights groups have voiced misgivings, especially about articles related to women's rights and freedom of speech.
The text limits the president to two four-year terms, requires him to secure parliamentary approval for his choice of prime minister, and introduces a degree of civilian oversight over the military - though not enough for critics.
The draft constitution also contains vague, Islamist-flavored language that its opponents say could be used to whittle away human rights and stifle criticism.
For example, it forbids blasphemy and "insults to any person", does not explicitly uphold women's rights and demands respect for "religion, traditions and family values."
The draft injects new Islamic references into Egypt's system of government but retains the previous constitution's reference to "the principles of sharia" as the main source of legislation.
"We fundamentally reject the referendum and constituent assembly because the assembly does not represent all sections of society," said Sayed el-Erian, 43, a protester in Tahrir and member of a party set up by opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei.
Several independent newspapers said they would not publish on Tuesday in protest. One of the papers also said three private satellite channels would halt broadcasts on Wednesday.
Egypt cannot hold a new parliamentary election until a new constitution is passed. The country has been without an elected legislature since the Supreme Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the Islamist-dominated lower house in June.
The court is due to meet on Sunday to discuss the legality of parliament's upper house.
Meanwhile, at the protests, two people have been killed and hundreds wounded in protests by disparate opposition forces drawn together and re-energized by a decree they see as a dictatorial power grab.
PhotoBlog: Dueling demonstrations in Cairo
Tens of thousands of Egyptians had protested against Morsi on Friday. "The people want to bring down the regime," they chanted in Cairo's Tahrir Square, echoing the trademark slogan of the revolts against Hosni Mubarak and Arab leaders elsewhere.
In the protests supporting Morsi, Mohamed Noshi, 23, a pharmacist from Mansoura, north of Cairo, said he had joined the rally in Cairo to support the president's decree. "Those in Tahrir don't represent everyone. Most people support Morsi and aren't against the decree," he said.
Mohamed Ibrahim, a hardline Salafi Islamist scholar and a member of the constituent assembly, said secular-minded Egyptians had been in a losing battle from the start.
"They will be sure of complete popular defeat today in a mass Egyptian protest that says 'no to the conspiratorial minority, no to destructive directions and yes for stability and sharia (Islamic law)'," he told Reuters.
Related: Christians, liberals left out as Islamists back Egypt's draft constitution
"We want stability. Every time, the constitutional court tears down institutions we elect," said Yasser Taha, a 30-year-old demonstrator at the Islamist rally in Cairo.
More world stories from NBC News:
- PhotoBlog: Dueling demonstrations in Cairo
- Video: US-Cuban spy swap in the works?
- Egyptians fear long Muslim Brotherhood rule, warn Morsi is no friend of US
- Bread and expired milk: School lunch scandal sparks outrage in China
- Fast cars go cheap as bubble bursts in 'China's Dubai'
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Civil war will reign much like Syria and Libya in the coming years Egypt will fall apart at the seams. There can never be peace with Muslims at the reins.
"Mohamed Ibrahim, a hardline Salafi Islamist scholar and a member of the constituent assembly, said secular-minded Egyptians had been in a losing battle from the start."
How anyone can have peace with such one-track mind seventh century Sunni Islamic haters and killers?
Morsi and his Sunni Muslim Blood hounds will not last long!
Followers of Sunni Islamic cult have fast marched backwards to their seventh century tribal days stealing, looting, raping, kidnapping, killing and genocides of non-Muslims and their own Muslim minority sects like Shiites, Sufis, Ahmedias and minority tribes.
Assad is one of the best ME Muslim leader. Why can’t the Sunnis tolerate him?
See the seventh century Sunni Saudi, Qatari, Turkey (a new entry for dancers) and other Sunni Arab League rulers' dances for the US, British and Europe's help to over throw Assad!
They conned and outsourced their dirty jobs on Iraqi wars. They are conning again on Syria and Iran.
Remove sanctions on Iranian oil. Iran can get nukes from Pakis.
Let the brave seventh century Sunni Saudis and co hating and killing dancers handle Syria and Iran on their own!
If Assad is not acceptable to Sunnis, why a Shiite leader is not permitted to take over in Bahrain?
We see Muslims inventing problems in most of the non-Muslim nations and many Muslim nations.
Even in the US, we can notice these actions!
When Muslims form more than five percent, downhill march starts.
Muslims are inventing problems in Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, India and other places.
When they form more than 30 percent then it is Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Lebanon (few decades back)
Islam has to reform with times. If it fails to do then it will be end of Islam in this century itself as their Allah has predicted. It will follow communism!!
We have our own power grab here in America by right wing religious terrorists. They are called republicans!
islam can reform no more than a disease or a mental illness can become a good thing for a civilized society.
Morsi declared himself above judicial oversight, and the Islamists support him.
It's as though Obama declared he should be able to spend whatever he wants without Congressional oversight, in violation of the Constitutional separation of powers, and the Democrats supported him.
Oh, wait .........
dam clwyd, you lefties are in charge now, didn't you notice November 6.
How is that foreign policy working out for you now Mr. President? It's kind of like the old saying about "out of the frying pan and into the fire". Sometimes, the devil you know is a lot better than the one you don't know.
This is like Iran all over again except we have a bumbling foreign policy under Barack Obama replacing a bumbling foreign policy under Jimmy Carter.
For the Muslim Brotherhood, this constitution IS moderate! Sure, they kept their child brides. And, yes, they can beat and rape their women into submission, but, hey, doesn't everyone? Also, in polite circles, you don't bad-mouth the prophet, and if you do, we KEEL YOU! The rest, like death for apostasy (leaving Islam) and such, is just common sense. /sarc
I fear war is coming too if Morsi and the M.B. does not pull their heads out of their asses soon. How stupid can you be? Had they pushed for a balanced/fair constitution that gave protection to all religions and did not favor one above the others, it would have BENEFITED them. It would have been good P.R. and would have attracted people to Egypt, the M.B., and Allah. Instead you will drive people away from those things.
Many of those people are highly intelligent ones that would be a benefit to your country and you will instead force them to leave or to be subject to persecution by Muslims. Look at what happens in other Muslim countries. How many times does a Muslim accuse another Muslim of blasphemy for other reasons like economic reasons, revenge, etc.? How often will a Muslim do this against a non Muslim? More often then they would to another fellow Muslim (it is a "human" thing and not a religious one). To think that your people would be above this and not do things like it is asinine, plain and simple. Either protect ALL the people or else you will not be leading very long. What do you think this will do for tourism Morsi the moron? I used to think you were intelligent, but these past couple weeks have left me wondering.
There is a reason we have "innocent until proven guilty" in this country and that is to prevent things like the Salem Witch Trial from happening (or blasphemy). You cannot favor one religion over another and have a fair or balanced system. Most religions have more then enough power as it is and most could stand to do with less. More then enough people get beaten, killed, intimidated, etc. over something that man will never be able to prove. Remove your head from your a$$ or else.
tom mc:
It's better to not dignify a moron by responding to his obtuse ranting. Just ignore it as you would an odorless fart.
The Muslim Brotherhood wouldn't be able to gain power in countries like this if they were ruled properly in the first place. Rampant corruption and poor economic policies encourage the people to pick any form of authority that promises a better future.
We're blaming Islam when we should be blaming bad leadership. Islam is just a symptom.
tome,
And your Nazi's keep walking out and refusing to do what the American public voted you to do. Compromise and negotiate rather than always walking way or out! Just like bush Obama has a mandate!
Forget Egypt and let them stone their women & abuse their little girls. We have the same thing going on here with Obama. Power Grab, trying to consolidate all power from Congress to himself, same as Mors and no better!!
lee,
You're nuts like the rest of the right wing that have been brainwashed by the FOX Network and Murdcock, the criminal. You said Obama has ""abusing woman and stoning them. Oh, it seems to me that Romney did enough abusing of women during the campaign along with Akins and others. How can Obama try to consolidate power when the republicans keep walking out or adding the Keystone Pipeline to almost every Bill passed by the Senate? Off with their heads and let them eat cake!
These fools voted Morsi and the MB in and now they are surprised? Islamists may be voted in, but they can't be voted out. They deserve what they got for being stupid and now they are stuck with them, the MB will no more give up power than the Mullahs in Iran will give up power.
(I posted this on another link, but I think it applies here as well)
"Well jeepers mister, 'how did that happen'?" "The is shocking."
"Gooolllllyyy, you know Andy this is the strangest thing. Sure did surprise me."
Someone one got anything from Deputy Fife to go along with the liberal MSM here. "Boy, I don't know how we missed that one"
and to paraphrase Yosemite Sam, "City peoples is so stupid".
Yeah, I know Glen Beck is a one of those "Crazy Kooky, nut job, right wing hacks" but you know something...HE PREDICTED THIS. Spot on, word for word. I think it was even on the day after Mubarak stepped down.
Yep, boy, the odds of Beck getting something right are like a billion to one right. (I would guess he is accidentally correct about 70% of the time)
But here's the thing, maybe if you people ACTUALLY listened to guys like Beck, instead of ridiculing them, maybe you would not be so surprised.
Caliphate, here it comes. And I guess Nostradamus may if fact be correct after all, about The apocalypse.
And if you think Obama is going to do anything to stop it, you have another thing coming. Obama is a Muslim sympathizer, because the Muslims were oppressed by British and the US (i.e. the white man Capitalist), (why do you think he spent hours in his dorms "smoking cigarettes, wearing leather jackets, and discussing necolonialism, Franz Fanon, Eurocentrism.")(and why do you think he is waging class warfare on the 1%, mostly white "they oppress people" Capitalist)
Nope, I see, Europe 1938, and appeasement. (I don't see Obama telling Morsi to stand down or forgo foreign aid) I give it 3 to 5 years. Of course, I think the New Depression, do to arrive in late 2014 early 2015 may negate it.
One thing for sure is, we live in interesting times, as an old proverb (curse) goes.
A certain level of authoritarianism is needed to modernize. It happened with Stalin in Russia. It happened with Mao in China. It happened with the Enclosure Acts in England. A modern industrial economy (much less an informational one) isn't something that arises naturally - it has to be imposed on people. Having a party with a strong ideological committment - one that is willing to push people into the corner when they step out of line so to speak - might be exactly what Egypt needs (provided that you live under the impression that the Western way of life is the most wonderful thing imaginable that is).
At any rate, it certainly isn't going to happen under a moderate. Just look at Jordan.
@more2bits-4021678
WTF are you talking about?? There are many peaceful Muslim countries. Maybe you should pay less attention to conservative talking points and try to find some actual facts before you post nonsense.
clwyd-2621393
And WTF are you talking about??? The republicans are the ones compromising by agreeing to additional revenue. It is Obama that won't compromise now; where are the budget cuts that are suppose to come with tax increases? Hmmmm???? He's out campaigning (does he even know how to do anything else?) for more taxes but not a peep about the budget cuts that are supposed to come with them.
ROTFLMAO!!! you're @!$%#ing joking right???? What about the "mandate" the republicans got in 2010??? Should they abandon that because the President got 51% of people to vote for him?? Mandate LOL!!! Who could possibly be stupid enough to believe either Bush or Obama was given a mandate by narrowly winning an election. I hate to break it to you but I think you may have mistake anti-freeze for Kool-Aid because very little of what you say makes any sense whatsoever. Oh and your constant reference to Nazis does little other than to make you sound like a @!$%#ing moron. Get some perspective and a clue while you're at it.
This is a very disappointing move by Morsi. The Egyptians are not going to sit still on this one. I also see a lot of Republican ranting here that seems to suggest that this was Obama's doing. Obama had nothing to do with it. And how exactly should he have interfered? Assassinating Muslim Brotherhood leaders from a different country just because they were Muslim fundamentalists? "fixing"/propping up a democratic election? If we could do that, what's to stop a democratic leader from assassinating his competition during elections? Interfering with elections is what the badguys do. As for domestic policies, stop being a bunch of babies. Obama won, twice in a row after the economic depression was caused by wall street and runaway military spending during Bush [a republican]'s term. Now that you can't have your way, you're sooking. What you should be doing instead of raising a stink every two seconds is cooperating in a way that makes everybody better off. And no, Obama hasn't done anything like Morsi. Bush however, did. Remember when he declared a national emergency and started to ignore the law when detaining his own citizens? Approving torture? Ignoring the Geneva convention? Invading countries based on trumped up intelligence? Shifting public opinion in the middle east to the right because of his American arrogance? Shredding laws that protected the environment? Do all of these policies sound a little bit despotic? Be honest. Oh, and was Bush a republican or a democrat?
@Backcountry can you name those countries? I am having trouble locating them, it seems as though they have finally managed to even rile the Buddhist, there is violence from central Africa to Indonesia and north to Georgia, skip across the water to the Philippines and surrounding Island nations there is violence caused by Islamist, there is violence in the Balkan states Tension in Australia, and problems with Muslims in Europe, Turkey is beefing its defenses against a possible spill over of islamist fighting Islamist. when they are not fighting with the Christian's, Jews, Hindu's, Buddhist, or the Atheist or simply any infidels, then they are quit content to kill each other because one teaching might differ from the other. oh yes its a peaceful religion alright and there are so many peaceful Muslim countries, you must be referring to Yemen, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, they prefer to export the violence. they do protect the money hubs like Kuwait because that is where their funding comes from. the days of killing with a knife are winding down today they need explosives and bullets, that takes money. I would appreciate knowing that there are more then two Muslim countries that are not bent on destruction.
Obama...what a piece of work, he even managed to have a hand in dividing Egypt as well as the US.
back country,
Agreeing to compromise? Have you heard the latest words out of Bonehead Boehner. They weren't compromising and negotiation coming out of the laughs of McConnell either. These men and the party are pitiful and pathetic!
back country,
Agreeing to compromise? Have you heard the latest words out of Bonehead Boehner. They weren't compromising and negotiation coming out of the laughs of McConnell either. These men and the party are pitiful and pathetic!
What's happening in Egypt is happening here. The majority rules. Here we have the liberal with all their immorality agenda and what the government could do for them, and Egypt has the Islamic agenda on how many they need to kill to satifide Allah or Mohammad.
I am so sick of hearing you liberals blaming the Repulicans for everything, this is Obama's fault, he inbraced the Muslim Brotherhood the first months in office and still kiss's their ass. Their backdoor deals with him to send American troops to the west bank to keep peace, yea this is Obama's mess. No more Brush's screw up it's @!$%# Obama's mess now. Maybe he can give his daughters away to keep kissing their ass's. As for Congress, yea that's right they write the checks and that proposal that Obama wants is a joke, maybe he should sit his ass at the White House instead of still being on a campaign trail. O thats right he likes the Hollywood Status that he gets. It was a joke, hiow about all the taxes that he wants to raise on middle class and gee have you stupid liberals notice all the Union strikes since the election and closing of Hostess, which was great. Yea he really cares about you jackass's, going to Hawaii for $4 Million dollars while the people on the East Coast still do not have homes, jobs, running water, electricity, but than again they voted this @!$%# back in office and all he wanted were the votes. When does this @!$%# stop spending. I hope the Republicans walk away and have a Merry Christmas and lets not forget @!$%# Harry Reid who screw's everybody, he, Pelosi and Obama need to stop bad mouthing the Repulicans and work with them, after all that';s what @!$%# Obama said on election night and 4 years ago but we all know the only thing that comes out of his mouth is @!$%#.
@clwyd-2621393 you are an abhorrance to humankind. First off, you state Republicans are religious terrorists (I believe that is what is happening in Egypt currently with their soon to be ill-fated leader), then you have the audacity to refer to Republicans as Nazi's, seriously?
Please take a look at whom is allowing the annihilation of unborn children, not as you say religious terrorists, no, it is liberal-minded individuals such as yourself. Let's then take a look at whom is feeding the minds of children with ignorance and hate, the "religious terrorists" again, no, it is once again the liberal-minded individuals such as yourself.
You state the election was won. Quite the contrary, it was stolen by fraud and will one day be proven as such. I find it funny that those liberal-minded individuals who state they want everyone to be able to vote actually destroyed the right to vote for our members of the military and those who could have actually voted but who showed up to vote and were already told they had voted.
How can this happen? Easy, you follow Chicago style politics and vote early and vote often. You have illegal immigrants vote for actual voters, you have dead people vote, you have animals vote, you create fictituous people to vote, you rig the voting machines, you rig the counting of the votes, and you destroy registration information for those that wish to register as a party member other than Democrat.
You want Republicans to sway to your thought? Is this the thought that you wish to sway them toward; that it is alright to lie, cheat, steal, and that is alright with you? How about everyone who wants to have a say in the election of our government has their voice hear, not demolished in this mockery we called an election.
What is happening in Egypt will be here on US soil before you know it. Our government is corrupt (both parties are to blame), our people are being dumbed down and becoming lazy and reliant on the government. Remember the USSR, Rome, etc.? The US is following suit and those that have the intellect and fortitude to stand up will see the US back to what it was suppposed to be, COUNT ON IT!
more2bits-4021678
Sadly more2bits you are probably right. Very few countries can be considered Muslim and (kind of) democratic at the same time.
No, its the Islamic interpretation of God's law. There is no way I will ever believe, among other things, that God thinks its a good thing to stone people. Or that it was a good thing to go around and kill all the dogs they could find (as Muhammad ordered), nor that black dogs are evil. Nor that a woman's testimony is worth less then that of a man. ETC. There is so many things that are wrong with this "religion".
Wow. What a surprise. Elect the muslim brotherhood and get tyranny. All this high talk about letting the country choose for themselves without any input from others--this is what you get. Those folks that started this revolution needed a lot of guidance they didn't get, about how to make sure that before you have a revolution you have a suitable candidate to put up for election, and a reasonable chance for success. Did those revolutionaries even CONSIDER this possiblity? Because it sure was on plenty of people's minds over here....
My, such language from the moral right. Boo hoo. wah-wah.
clwyd-2621393 (1.2)
I don't know why clwyd-2621393 (1.2)'s comment was collapsed as it's the truth.
Jean: If you don't know why clwyd's post was collapsed, then you need to read the Code of Honor for this website. Many posts are collapsed unfairly; clwyd's post isn't one of them.
I'll be brief and to the point....clwyd-2621393 you're a douchebag. STFU
Bring back the real America, 1.26…..an interesting comment you have there, something to think about..
President Obama is slowly chipping away at our way of life and bit by bit bringing the whole nation to its knees. Morsi and Obama are one and the same. When the spin takes over the truth and we swallow it boots and all, we are all in trouble.
What surprises me is that we, a nation like no other, can so easily be led down the path of self destruction by one man and he gets away with it?
@MDoubter, couldn't have said it better! Thanks.
clwyd-2621393
LOL! As if you have! It's painfully obvious that all you do is listen to spin and rhetoric.
...it is quite evident from clwyd's postings that he is 'handicapped' in the part of his anatomy he thinks with which is located in his pants...
Back to the story
Hamas has been backed by Iran since it took over Gaza. The Muslim Brotherhood created Hamas and now has control of Egypt. The Rafah crossing will soon be the route to transport Iranian made nukes through Egypt to Hamas. Hamas will have no hesitation to use nukes. Islam says if you kill infidels, Jews and non believers, you are guaranteed a spot in heaven.
I am not a doomsday person, just a realist. This scenario is developing.
@clwyd #1.2
Since when have the Republicans tried to change the filibuster rules? or How about doing away with the debt ceiling? or the fine print in the ACA?
When was the last time a mob of unruly Conservatives marched (anywhere) and destroyed public and private property?
I have to hand it to you liberals, you sure do have a funny backwards way of looking at things.
@ ComradeChaos #1.36
They call that "Cranial Rectalitis" or "Cranial Rectitis"
*Cranial Rectitis: 1. n. A condition noted by behaving in such a puerile, obnoxious, and moronic manner as to have one's head up his or her ass. Note that things are dark and smelly for someone with this condition.
2. When someone is severely afflicted to the point that his or her shoulders are two-blocked against the buttocks, this is known as "perpendicular cranial rectitis."
The sad thing is, it is contagious among liberals. When conservatives are exposed to it, it can cause "Optical Rectosis" or "Optical Rectalitis" which gives us a shi++y outlook. *The symptoms are everywhere - too much government, failed corporations, discredited government officials and executives, corporate bailouts, public dishonesty, abuse of power, superficial strategies, and failed initiatives.
*courtesy of the Urban Dictionary
Dumb Farm Boy...LMAO me likes ;)
And just an observation,I take a look at the comments on and off though out the day,due to Obama's Shovel ready jobs I've been unemployed for 2 yrs but I digress,I notice the libs spew in massive numbers during the weekdays but dwindle sharply on weekends,Maybe they have no jobs and have endless hours to stare at the computer or they waist Company money doing it at work(thats more plausible)and party all weekend and are too hung over to think straight(benefit of the doubt that they can think on there own inserted here)Or is it because Maddows,Mathew's,all the left Propaganda take the weekend off too? Just wondering? And before Im attacked for not paying my fair share,We are fortunate that my Spouse still has a job,If I ever get hired I will have gone from $31hr to whatever restaurant's or fast food has to offer,you see I had to take a few years of training that gave me those nice livable wages,and with this Recovering( LMAO) economy,I may make enough to pay for my gas to get to work and maybe buy a loaf of bread when payday comes.Obama,you really Phuked America over,you accomplished exactly what you came here to do.And you helped Egypt get screwed over too by backing your Radical homies the Muslim Bro-hoodlums,I notice how this article FAILS to give the
whole truth about Morisi being the President of the Muslim Bro-Hoodlums,they act like he just happens to know a couple Bro-hoods,as if he is not affiliated with them to the teeth.But again this is the news you trust,the ones that Purposely lie,withhold or mislead,to protect Obama and the Company he keeps.
@ Ster2
You raise two extremely good points.
First, I too have noticed that it is mostly the liberals who always seem to be the first to post comments and it is later in the day, (obviously after work ours, that you see most conservative comments, but by then the liberals have already posted their "witty" comments and have moved on.
Three reasons, 1st, most are college students or professors, with time on their hands. 2nd, unemployed receiving some sort of parental or governmental assistance (living at home, and food stamps) 3rd, like you said, are at "work", most likely a government job, and wasting their employer's time, like most politicians, not doing what they were hired to do.
Secondly, I had not considered that, even though I often use the phrase:
So it makes complete sense, that without their propagandists telling them what to say...they have nothing to say.
Of course you realize the first comment on this post will be, "That I am just parroting, what was said on Fox or FAUX News as they call it. (Still the most highly rated news channel on TV, evidently it can't be too fake, otherwise it would have a viewership like MSNBC, (even Microsoft decided it sucked so bad they are moving away from it, and Microsoft, sucks even worse than NBC)
Well, this (NBC) or (MSNBC) is the news THEY trust, I get my information from many sources, and try to verify all of it. I am often amazed(and I know I shouldn't be) how many holes I find in the MSM stories, and how many unanswered questions I am left with. I am just a dumb farm boy from north central Kansas, in the heart of fly over country, hayseeds, hicks and rednecks, supposedly the least intelligent populace in the country, yet I can think up questions that should have asked in an interview. So being as dumb as I am, how incompetent must that reporter be?
the devil you fear may not be the devil at all- Egypt did ok under Mubarek at least they had the courts but now- oh well its time for another good old revolution the arms dealers love to promote these things- watch stock in defense contractors start going up and Iran will make a killing
Egypt didn't do well under Mubarek; it's why they had a revolution. If Egypt had been better governed, none of this would have happened.
the 99 % of all muslem countries do not do well no matter where.
The voters in the USA, in their infinite wisdom, have placed a Moslem in the White House twice. Regardless of what he says, Obama was raised as a Moslem until he was 11 years old, mostly in Jakarta, Indonesia. Those first years are not known as the "formative years" for nothing. He has assisted in the ousting of friendly governments in the Middle East and hence the installing of organizations such as the Moslem Brotherhood in power.
Many people have warned about Obama since 2007, but liberals and most minority groups either could not or would not understand the implication of placing such a man in the Oval Office. Now they're going to get their chance to witness those consequences before their very eyes.
It looks like crazies like you are still around Obama has stated he believes in Jesus Christ as his saviour this would be blasphemy for a Muslim to say punishable by death.
Typical redneck moron reply. Get a life or go back under the carpet!
I suppose you think flip-flopper would have been better.
Hanko37..................Prove "with fact" that he is wrong
Just give him time, bend over America, you're fekked
and God help the Jews and Christians in the Middle East. The Christians are already being barbecued in Africa, all for Allah. the Frenchies are next then the Brits, and then Dearborn Michigan. Islam is the most intolerant, barbaric religion on the planet. They make the most radical Tea Party members look like Mother Teresa. Bye Bye American pie because you are fekked
Stephen Carlson,
"claiming Jesus Christ punishable by death," I rest my case
@Hanko37
Well I doubt Romney would have been any better but an actual flip-flop might have.
There is actually a wealth of data that suggests California's government would ultimately be more efficient than it is now.
Of course, however you define it, government efficacy is just one metric of success. But when your state runs a chronic $20b+ deficit for 4 years, can't pass a budget on time in over 12, has the second worst credit rating in the nation, the fifth-highest unemployment rate, etc., government efficacy is arguably the best place to start.
Consider the current spending restrictions:
In lieu of becoming a sovereign nation, these impediments would suddenly be lifted, and therefore the easiest way to solve the budget mess would be to immediately issue its own currency.
California as its own country would have one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios in the world at only 4%. This would make it very attractive for outside investment. Its location on the Pacific Rim is perfect for attracting Asian lenders. In fact, we are already seeing this with China and its interest in local high-speed rail projects (010/04/0...). This new financing would be a gold rush for public works programs in the short term (though Europe has shown us this path is simply not sustainable).
Sovereignty might also boost decades-long efforts to reform the state's constitution into something less cumbersome. As it stands now, California's constitution is 110+ pages and growing. There are 500+ agencies, departments, and commissions -- many duplicates of those that exist at a federal level. No doubt you remember the spat this caused back when the EPA refused to let California set its own emission standards. A broad reorganization of government is clearly needed, but if we're being realistic about it, I doubt things would change much.
The next issue to discuss is California's economy. There is little doubt that independence would help the economy more than hurt it. As things stand, we are currently the eighth largest economy in the world on our own. 17 of the top 30 U.S. tech companies are in California, which should come as no surprise. Tourism, entertainment, biomedicine, and agriculture are multibillion dollar industries already. Aerospace and defense contracts still rake in around $25b a year. And many state business leaders are now betting on renewable energy in a big way.
In Obama's recent State of the Union speech, he talked about slashing the corporate income tax rate from 35% to something like 30%. California itself levies an additional 10% on businesses. Obviously, the tax code as it is now is in dire need of fixing, but even a tax rate of 25% would still make California competitive (and maybe, even those multinationals we hear so often about, that are moving their operations overseas, would simply move them across the border to us ;).
There are other factors we must consider as well. California, as a state, would no longer share expenses for a $700b defense budget. Instead, we would likely have to provide for ourselves, unless the U.S. subsidizes us (which is not too unlikely). Social security and immigration could be two sticky issues. And water rights is a big one too, seeing as the Colorado River accounts for roughly 60% of SoCal's supply. The worst case scenario is that none of these matters would get practically resolved, and then you've got a failed state.
Overall, while I believe there is definitely more potential for a European style of government if California were its own country, the changes would not be that drastic. Barring a major collapse, California would, like Canada, still always be in the U.S.'s shadow. And who knows? Maybe California leaving could be the best thing to happen to other states like Texas, New York, and Massachusetts. Who else would fill the void left in the energy, media, and technology industries? There is certainly upside in such a move but also a great deal of risk.
Charlie,
Me thinks you have the wrong vine. This is about Islam/Egypt and their Constitution. Perhaps, you can repost on the article you read about California and it's secession from the US?
bye charlie.....
...don't forget pelosi, we sure as hell don't want her and how about "augmenting" your labor force first? we would gladly send you all of our states illegals, and i am certain others would be more then happy to help out as well. of course you will need a great plan for "immigration reform " so we will send ya this guy named Reid as well, he has one already written up. can we interest you in a president and vice buffoon as well?..
G.M. jack...why discourge this type thing? ya know they cant stay on topic and its a weekend.
California like Illinois and New York are beyond help. They continue to raise taxes and businesses and people leave. I live in Phoenix and most people that I meet are from California. There is a reason why it is now the 5th largest city in America.
Do you know how much debt is owed by California? Larger than Greece. ...And they just keep spending and the people in power get richer.
World has seen extreme levels religious extremism and violent actions. Their life spans were short.
This is similar to ideological extremism! Here communism had the shortest life span.
In 21st century Sunni Saudi and other Sunni Arab League rulers led Islamic extremist versions of Salaffi and Wahhabi are going to have short life.
Even oil companies, Christian right, Jewish extremists and their lobbyists can't save them for long!
House of Saud, a strict Wahhabi, is not even tolerating Prophet Mohammad’s heritage places. House of Saud consists of a megalomaniac, despotic and bigoted ruler and highly corrupt, despotic, bigoted seventh century mindset 5000 princes and princesses.
In Mecca, the house of one of the wives of Mohammed was demolished and converted into public lavatories. Mohammed’s birth place may vanish with plans to have skyscrapers, mega shopping malls and a Grand mosque!
In Medina, ten years ago a mosque of grandson of Mohammed was dynamited and the religious police were celebrating on this. There are plans to pull down three seventh century mosques in future.
Iraqi wars outsourced to the US, British, Europe saved them.
Now Turkey is dancing along with the Sunni Saudi and co on Syria and Iran!
Hope those, who want to do their dirty jobs for Sunni Saudis and co in Syria and Iran, remember Iraqi wars, Afghan war and Libyan intervention.
During Benghazi attack by Sunni Saudi agents, McCains, Hillarys went into hiding!
No one can save the House of Saud and other Sunni Arab League rulers for long!
"ANALYSIS: Protesters are shouting on bullhorns again in Cairo's Tahrir Square,
outraged that an extremist interpretation of Islam is being forced down their
throats by a president who critics say is acting every part the tyrant." Change a couple of words in this headline, and you could be talking about Obama
Netanyahu KNOWS that America has no choice but to back Israel's play, no matter what kind of false outrage the QWhite House puts out there....
Israel is America's strongest ally; Bibi is the strongest leader in the world, and Obama will dance to Netanyahu's tune.....
That Barry can dance man.....dance Barry-boy......dance.
This is basically what right wing Christian fundamentalists want here in the us: "Natural Law" and "Natural Rights", meaning the Bible is the "Word of God" and America should be ruled by religious law. "Natural Rights" means that those who have the "education, wealth and leisure" should rule the United States. In other words, right wing Christians are no different than religious fanatics anywhere in the world....
will4203 your statement has "anti Christian" written all over it... You (and others) can try to point to "history" as best you can but this is the facts:
We abide by the law here in the US.. we may not like the choice or directions but you cannot deny that "Christians" also voted for Obama.
Christians are responsible for not 10 not 50 but 90% of All charity organizations that have operated in this country and internationally.
"Christian fundamentalism" is a Misconstrued FARCE. You are trying to equate with "Muslim Fundamentalism" problem?.. Christian follow Jesus... Jesus spoke against the politics of His day and for Heaven, peace, love, salvation but no "war" "jihad" and sure as Hell not going to find ANY examples of Christians strapping bombs to themselves. That "Jihadhist" mentality is supported, preached, lived TODAY by Muslim fundamentalist. ... Fundamental Christianity follows Christ... not to be confused with "extremist" which exist in ALL sectors of human existence. So please... sir.. find another vine.
I don't know if you have been educated on American history or not, but our govt. is based on Judeo-Christian ideology. There are liberals that are Christian, too, by the way. The United States is the one of the greatest countries of the world. And I believe liberals elected their right wing president twice. So how are the so called "fanatics" ruling your extremist right world?
@Will4203
Care to back any of that up with facts/quotes??? Or do you let your ass do all of your talking??
Will is referring to the Christian extremism that relies on the rhetorical key words "natural law" and so forth that is regurgitated so often in the question of gay rights. There are Christian fundamentalists in the states. As someone who has traveled to many different countries and met people from all over the world, I have always been shocked by the severity of attitudes coming from Christian fundamentalists.
"Natural law" and biblical quotes were behind the racist rhetoric of the civil rights era. Christian fundamentalists have been behind many of the darkest chapters of American history, including Slavery, the rise of the KKK, Utah, McCarthy's paranoia, and the war in Iraq+Afghanistan. Granted, the last one was mostly a nationalist event, but Christian fundamentalists have always been trying to remind us that Islam is an awful religion and should be eradicated. Christian fundamentalists won't rest until the entire world is converted, or destroyed. They also want to kill gays, but they're too afraid of the law. They would if they could, and often do anyway. Christian fundamentalists exist, I have met them, they are a threat, and although they do not have to be destroyed, they must be prevented from attaining power through the Republican party.
Judeo-christian ideoplogy? really? since when?
the concept of judeo-Christian tradition/ideology was shoved down our throats post 1945
politics and for 'public relations'. it doesnt have anything to with historical and Biblical reality.
I would've agreed if you said the founding fathers had christian background and principles, but your assertion is a MYTH.
Will?
Seriously? When did you ever see or hear out of the mouth of any politician that they were running on getting back to the bible? Where are the no cursing,Adultery,no baby killing?no condoms being distributed in schools?mandatory praying in school and using God in the Flag Pledge?ect Your being filled with Propaganda and you are dangerous, spewing such a hateful message,however because we have been a Strong Country and fought against Dictators,commies,Marxist ect you are able to say what you wish(you should thank a vet) Freedom of saying what you want does not however make it true,and there is no truth to what you say,there have been the extremes of many different groups in the history of this Country(Jim Jones,WTO,Abortion clinic killings,Vietnam protest calling soldiers baby killers)many screwy Cults of personality's But no America Religious group has ever tried to do what these Terrorist's Religious cults are doing.
Barry, i know they mentioned your "recognised" pals the muslim brotherhood. but keep our money and troops home.
Egypt is for Egyptians. They had the opportunity to choose their leader and they did. The Egyptians are smart. they chose a leader who would put Egypts interest before the US's se or israel's. The days where the US and Israel had control over Egypts decisions and actions are gone. Though, the US should do the same and cut all aids to israel, Egypt and so forth. US politicians work AGAINST THE INTEREST OF THEIR OWN COUNTRY.
Muslims are the most ignorant, least educated people in the world. If you take all of the books purchased in the arab world, it would be less than sold in Portugal.
okso
Yeah those Egyptians are smart. They had a revolution for democracy, voted in another islamic virus carrier, and now they have the freedom to do whatever the new dictator says. Brilliant Egyptians. I say if you follow the rules of a book written about a murderer of innocents, a thief, a liar, a rapist of children, and an evil satan serving egotist, you have nothing to contribute to a civilized society and have my permission to end yourself. If this diseased filth is what these people call a prophet, why do we even give a crap about what happens to them? Let the virus carriers kill each other so the rest of humanity can have some peace.
This is the backlash from the USA backing a bad guy in the first place. When will we (the USA) take the high road instead of the expedient road? I think we have a good start with President Obama.
Evidently not.......
Egypt will soon turn into Iran, Iraq, Syria and Qatar all rolled into one. Hate for any freedoms will necessitate imprisonment of all non-Muslims and there will be public executions of Christians and Jews every Thursday night on state TV stations. Islam teaches murder, hatred, intolerance and lying from the outset. Muslim clerics and imams are also free to interpret the twisted shariah law to be what they want it to be, so all non-Muslims should be looking for somewhere else to live pretty soon.
That what they said about Turkey when Erdogan was elected. The exact opposite happened. Turkey's economy and civil rights liberties improved dramatically. He was elected 2 times in a row because he put his countrys interest first as he should.
Did anyone really think a member of the Muslim Brotherhood was going to do democracy, the people or the U.S. any favors?
Sure-The President thought that, as did the Secretary of State. Makes you wonder about their judgment.
Radical Islam is not merely an extreme version of Islam. Rather, it is a cultural-social ideology dominating all aspects of life. Like many violent totalitarian movements, its primary objective is to dominate all those within its reach and suppress all other ideologies, movements, and beliefs in its path.
In short, Radical Islam is dedicated to the conquest of the world, by any means possible.
Radical Islam draws on widely accepted Islamic religious philosophy and customs. However the movement also draws heavily on dangerous ideas that negate basic human rights and freedoms of expression.
All Islam is radical. This is not a peaceful religion. Their goal is world domination. You can not negotiate with them because they are taught that any agreement with non-believers is void.
If nothing else the Egyptians should look at Iran. 1979 Shah in power 70 Rial = $ 1.00 USD. Under the current idiot 12,000 Rial = $ 1.00 USD. Say goodbye to your freedoms and your money.
If re-incarnation is a true thing, I would rather come back as a dog than a woman in any of these islamic countries. Dogs may be beaten but at least they don't get raped (not sure) or have acid thrown at their faces.
Muslims are the most backward, least educated people on the planet.
Sharia is the most extreme of the Islamic religion. Morsi used his intersession in the Gaza strip as a means to help the Muslim brotherhood to be recognized as a ruling power in the region and give the Palestinians recognition as a state. The US in turn agreed to send 6 billion dollars in aid to Egypt. Morsi then in turn used this elevation in recognition of the Muslim Brotherhood to give himself a free hand in seizing control of Egypt's judiciary and legislative branches in order to make sharia the law of the land. The Gaza Strip will soon follow suit . Once Egypt, the Gaza Strip, and Iran all are under Sharia control Iran will be able to get nuclear arms from Egypt. Israel will become an Island and a target in the middle of extremist states. A global conflict and possible nuclear war will not be much further down the road if Morsi is not stopped.
Egypt doesn't have nuclear weapons. They are lucky to have fire.
Oh, they're not going to run out of fires any time soon!
Doug-3495307
New poll: Egyptians turning toward Iran, want nuclear weapons ...
thecable.foreignpolicy.com/.../19/new_poll_egyptians...nuclear_weapons
A poll of Egyptians conducted last month shows that they have increasingly positive views of Iran, believe that both Iran and Egypt should obtain nuclear weapons, and ...
lets assume that the poll is real. every nation should have a right to nuclear weapons just like China, Russia, israel, india, paskistan, UK and France. Why should some countries have it and not others. I personally would prefer a world without nukes. But no double standrads.
what is sharia?
There are Country's that are dangerous and their leaders are CRAZY and in that position for life.So give them a weapon of Mass destruction and they have a temper tantrum and Boom were dead.....so NO every Country should NOT have NUKS! Geez this is CRAZY talk ! I too wish we never had to worry about Nuks but Because many powerful Country's do have them,we do,and I do like knowing nobody wants to have to use them but its an Option if a Loony does get one like they are striving for over in the ME,they want us all dead.
simple solution to get rid of them, wait till they are gather in one place, drop a nuetron bomb on them they will vaporize and give the place 24 hours to cleanup and forget about it, for those who dotn know, a nuetron bomb doesnt hurt the infrastructure, jsut vaporizes all livign things with in a 3 mile radius, low levels of radiation which is gone in about 24-48 hours,woul dm,ake life a lot simplier with all the muslims gone
You could not have chosen a more appropriate screen name.
They must have used the Sharia version of Legal Zoom to write their constitution in 19 hours. We'll have to wait for the Egyptian army to weigh in before the final outcome of this confrontation is determined. A military coup and redo of an election might be the only thing that saves them, as any vote on their constitution will be rigged.
Egypt may turn out to be another version of Pakistan, but instead of paying them billions to keep their nukes in check, we'll be paying billions to ensure Israel's southern border.
Be careful what you wish for...
The Middle East is in the process of a total implosion thanks to the policies of Barak Obama. May be the UN will save us.
Don't you just hate it when the United States kills thousands of people "to bring democracy to the Middle East" and then they go and elect an anti-American government. Who would have guessed that in a region of the world noted for strong anti-American feelings that their new democracy would reflect the will of the people? Of course in a democracy it is the will of the majority and there are a few in the crowd over there that love us for the money we gave them. We can't buy everyone's love, but we keep trying.
Another disastrous Middle East policy failure in Egypt by Obama supporting Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood. He chose to back the worst of the evils the same as Libya with Benghazi being Obama's legacy of failure and cover ups.
This Prez is a foreign policy disaster and a threat to our National Security being an incompetent and clueless non leader. His last 4 years were a failure, the next 4 already promises to be much worse, stay tuned for more.
Tad you are ignorant self leaking conservative that saying something like this just to pleas himself... There is nothing that you doodled here is correct or have anything to do with the facts...
For over 10 years NOBODY MADE MORE TERRORISTS THEN BUSH DID... You know it, but what angers me the most about guys like you, the truth is that YOU DON'T GIVE A SH about it>>> All I hear is that Republicans cant shut up about "death of our brave Americans" that they may signed the death row for them by slashing security funds in Congress.
Tad needs to add an "r" between his "ad" if you get my drift......
and..Obama is so very proud of them. Now he only has to make sure that the rest of the Countries, Lybia, Syria, Jemen, all the ones he brought "Spring " to, start toeing the line too.
Anne you are a moron. Obama did not bring anything to anyone. We have a modernizing world and people are yearning for freedom everywhere and they are going to have to not only fight off dictators but Islamic Fundementalism. All you small minded people who have a thirty second Fox News attention span can't process it....sorry!
Randy...any time you clowns call people names and bring up the word FOX, you have automatically lost the argument. Please get some of public school education instead of watching MSNBC all the time.
My Great Grandmother had a Chihuahua named Rex....never liked him much!
Randog, you're just an ignorant follower who has not enough brain to distinguish between original thought and regurgitated b.s. You always go for the regurgitated.
This is what obama has bought with billions of borrowed American tax dollars. Is there anyone left in the US, except obama of course, that supports giving these downwardly mobile nations billions more?
obama "bought" the support of the egyptian military with our aid dollars. Its kept them away from isreal for decades now, being official policy of presidents through the years. The military opposes the fundamentalists.
If you support israel or peace in general, its not a bad investment.
These governments are very much like backwards Socialist countries; Cuba, N.Korea.
The result is more of the world's resources are available to modern civilizations.