Egyptians narrowly back Islamist-shaped constitution, say rival camps

Mahmoud Khaled / AFP - Getty Images

Polling station officials count ballots in Cairo at the end of the first day of vote in a referendum on a new constitution.

CAIRO - Egyptians appeared to have voted narrowly in favor of a constitution shaped by Islamists, officials in rival camps said on Sunday after the first round of a two-stage referendum.

The result based on unofficial tallies, if confirmed for this round and repeated in Saturday's second stage, may give Islamist President Mohamed Morsi limited cause for celebration as it shows the wide rift in Egypt at a time when he needs to build consensus on tough measures to heal a fragile economy.
Official results are not expected till after the next round.
Morsi and his backers say the constitution is vital to move Egypt's democratic transition forward. Opponents say the basic law is too Islamist and tramples on minority rights, including those of Christians who make up 10 percent of the population.

 


The build-up to Saturday's vote was marred by deadly protests. Demonstrations erupted last month when Morsi awarded himself sweeping powers and then fast-tracked the constitution through an assembly dominated by his Islamist allies.
The vote passed off peacefully with long queues forming in Cairo and other cities and towns where this round of voting was held. The vote was staggered because many judges needed to oversee polling staged a boycott to voice their opposition.
But late on Saturday, as polls were closing, Islamists attacked the offices of the liberal opposition Wafd party newspaper, a party that was part of the National Salvation Front coalition that pushed for a "no" vote.
"The referendum was 56.5 percent for the 'yes' vote," a senior official in the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party operations room set up to monitor voting told Reuters.

ANALYSIS: Egypt is rapidly approaching its own 'cliff'

The Brotherhood and its party, which propelled Morsi to power in a June election, had representatives at almost all polling stations across the 10 areas, including Cairo, where this round of voting was held.
The official, who asked not to be identified, said the tally was based on counts from more than 99 percent of polling stations in this round.
'Very close'
One opposition official also said the vote appeared to have gone in favor of Islamists who backed the constitution, after the opposition had previously said late on Saturday when voting ended that their exit polls indicated the "no" camp would win.
Another opposition official had suggested as counting proceeded through the night that the vote would be "very close."
Even a narrow loss could hearten leftists, socialists, Christians and more liberal-minded Muslims who make up the disparate opposition camp, which has been beaten in two elections since Hosni Mubarak was overthrown last year.
They were drawn together to oppose what they saw as Morsi's power grab and his constitution push. Their National Salvation Front includes prominent figures such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, former Arab League chief Amr Moussa and firebrand leftist Hamdeen Sabahy.

'Men don't have to worry about being caught': Sex mobs target Egypt's women

If the constitution is approved, a parliamentary election will follow early next year. Opposition leaders say the Front could help unite the opposition for that poll after their divided ranks have split the vote in previous elections.
But analysts questions whether the group in this form will survive to a parliamentary election. The Islamist-dominated lower house of parliament elected earlier this year was dissolved based on a court order in June.
Violence in Cairo and other cities has plagued the run-up to the referendum. At least eight people were killed when rival camps clashed during demonstrations outside the presidential palace earlier this month.
Several party buildings belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood's party have been burned by angry protesters.
'Move on'
On Friday, a day before the vote, rival factions armed with clubs, knives and swords fought in the streets of Alexandria. Opposition supporters trapped a Muslim preacher inside his mosque after he called for a "yes" vote.
"The sheikhs (preachers) told us to say 'yes' and I have read the constitution and I liked it," said Adel Imam, 53, as he queued to vote in Cairo on Saturday. "The country will move on."
Echoing the views of many Christians, Michael Nour, a 45-year-old Christian teacher in Alexandria, said: "I voted 'no' to the constitution out of patriotic duty. The constitution does not represent all Egyptians."
In order to pass, the constitution must be approved by more than 50 percent of voters who cast ballots. A little more than half of Egypt's electorate of 51 million were eligible to vote in the first round.

ANALYSIS: Egypt's military maintains watchful eye on politics

Rights groups reported some abuses, such as polling stations opening late, officials telling people to vote "yes," bribery and intimidation.
But Gamal Eid, head of the Arab Network for Human Rights Information, which is monitoring the vote, said nothing reported so far was serious enough to invalidate the referendum.
Islamists have been counting on their disciplined ranks of supporters and the many Egyptians desperate for an end to turmoil that has hammered the economy.
Howaida Abdel Azeem, a post office employee, said: "I said 'yes' because I want the destruction the country is living through to be over and the crisis to pass."
If the constitution is voted down, a new assembly will have to be formed to draft a revised version, a process that could take up to nine months.
The army has deployed about 120,000 troops and 6,000 tanks and armored vehicles to protect polling stations and other government buildings. While the military backed Mubarak and his predecessors, it has not intervened in the present crisis.

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Discuss this post

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Constitution is passed, with more than 50%, a majoirty vote; the other side please do respect the democracy.

  • 3 votes
#1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 1:41 AM EST

So you are advocating rule by the mob?

  • 7 votes
#1.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 2:03 AM EST

Of course it is going to pass. The Muslim Brotherhood will make sure of it the same way they made sure that Morsi won the election, through voter intimidation and stuffing the ballot boxes. The judges overseeing the referendum are all loyal to the Muslim Brotherhood so they will look the other way while the results are manipulated. The opposition judges are all boycotting the referendum because of the way in which the constitution was drafted and hurried through by the Islamists. Morsi kept the Egyptian high court from disbanding the Islamist dominated group writing the constitution with the special powers he gave himself. This was to prevent the courts from ordering the reconstitution of the committee drafting the constitution to be more representative of all of Egyptian society. Then as soon as the draft constitution was approved by the Islamist committee writing it and the document was sent to Morsi for the referendum he "graciously" withdrew those powers because he did not need them anymore. This entire constitutional process has been rigged by the Islamists from the start and the constitution does not represent a consensus of the people of Egypt, it only represents the Islamists views.

  • 16 votes
#1.2 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 2:05 AM EST

The Muslim Brotherhood will make sure of it the same way they made sure that Morsi won the election, through voter intimidation and stuffing the ballot boxes.

Which is about as equitable as their constitution will be once this is all said and done.

Off topic, JS...what kind of a mouse is that??? He's very cute and have always wanted to inquire.

  • 5 votes
#1.3 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 2:29 AM EST

There was only a little cheating and fraud, so just ignore that in a close election.

Muslim Brotherhood members on hand at all polling centers wouldn't intimidate voters. RIGHT????

  • 6 votes
#1.4 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:24 AM EST

Of course, majority has to be respected.

If the majority is a rigged one, such a majority is fit for garbage dumps!

First the exit polls suggested that "no" was a majority; then it became a close one; and now it is majority for Islamists!

This is typical of democracies, human rights, women rights, majority, secularism, fairness and other big words used by some.

For some Saudi Arabia is the model here!!!!

  • 2 votes
#1.5 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:29 AM EST

Well sure ... if it were a democracy.

    #1.6 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:43 AM EST

    Ha, Ha, Ha!

    Luv reading all the sour grapes!

    This from people that suffered (and maybe even voted for :O !) BUSH!

    Bwahahahaha!

    Deal with it.

    Bring on your grapes!!!

    • 2 votes
    #1.7 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:48 AM EST

    Good Morning Chef!

    Sort of sounds like our elections here doesn't it?

    This comes as no surprise really.

    Good luck with that Egypt!

    • 6 votes
    #1.8 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:54 AM EST

    Here Egypt is creating a Constitution.

    More than sixty years later the zionist state of Izrael doesn't even have one.

    Why is that? It isn't obligatory, but sometimes it is telling. Would Izrael codify their racism for all to see in black and white? Don't think so. And don't hold your breath.

    Izrael doesn't even have official borders, it would put a big damper on their theft of other people's territory if they made such a declaration.

    No Constitution, no official borders and no morals after more than sixty years!!! And some people think THAT is a country? Bwahahaha!

    • 2 votes
    #1.9 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:56 AM EST

    And some people think ur an idiot! sounds like what the GOPTPers Kochs Rove Fox and co. are trying to push down our throats with all the atacks on women, gays, elderly, poor, unions, teachers, abortion, just to name a few. this country is going to the rich racist plotocrats who are just the same as any muslem brotherhood its the same authoritarian rule just with a helluva lot more money and power and little different aproach HUH!

    • 2 votes
    #1.10 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:02 AM EST

    I heard that the majority of Egyptian women have voted in favor of the constitution shaped by the Islamists. So let's not hear anymore comments/complaints about the poor suffering Arab women. They made their choice. Now the rest of us should live with it.

    • 1 vote
    #1.11 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:18 AM EST

    One can't imagine many Muslim nations, especially Sunni majority ones, are marching backwards to seventh century desert Islamic days of hating and killing.

    Here Sunni rulers of House of Saud, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE and other Sunni Arab League nations are real culprits.

    The US, British, French, Germans and other western nations can't keep them floating for long as extremism and violence are Frankenstein monsters.

    Better dump them all soon.

    As a first step, keep away from them and remove sanctions on Iranian oil to reduce oil prices.

    • 1 vote
    #1.12 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:50 AM EST

    Well, it's not like they didn't "feel" this one coming. I mean, Muslims love a good iron fisted dictator it seems, and rules to go along with it so they can't overthrow him. A puppet backed by Militant Muslim Brotherhood (is there any such thing as a non-militant muslim?- I think not, the very fact people refer to them as "moderate" doesn't mean they abhore violence, it still means they are militant just to what degree.)

    Of course they are going to pass this stuff, it gives the Muslim Brotherhood a tighter grip, why? Because the Quran preaches violence against NON-MUSLIM. Think about that, ANY NON MUSLIM.

    And to those of you who would say that Christianity and Judaism Holy Books preach the same thing ... well, you're just plain wrong... Christianity and Judaism were both founded hundreds of years before Islam, meaning Islam wasn't around and therefore NONE of the verses preach violence specifically toward any specific group, much less ALL of them other than Islam, which by the way, they can't even seem to stop killing each other on horrific scales.

    Bring our troops back, support our real allies in the region and unite Israel, invest in our schools and teachers, put a cop in every school across america, patrol our borders, and stop giving billions in aid to nations who are Islamic and preach violence specifically toward America, Christians, Jews, and Israel.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7qrybtztJw

    There, that link is the FOUNDER OF HEZBOLLAH speaking, and despite what a person says about his views on Christianity, it's worth watching to know what Islam is truly about, firsthand, from an Iranian and the Co-Founder of Hezbollah.

    • 3 votes
    #1.13 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:39 AM EST

    @J.P

    Actually J.P, if anyone doesn't have a country, it's Palestine and the Palestinian people. I'd rather support a Jewish nation in Israel than an Islamic country anywhere on the planet.

    I can also pretty much speak for most americans when I say, I'd feel more comfortable with Jewish and Christian neighbors (I actually do!) than I ever would with muslim neighbors. At least I know in my mind that the Christian and Jewish people haven't been reading verses that command them to behead me because I'm not of their faith.

    Give it up, Israel is going to be united, and the only Laughable people are the militant muslims living in the West Bank and Gaza, using East Jerusalem as their capital. It's obvious they are heavily supported by Iran and other Islamic Totalitarian governments in the region. Furthermore, Israeli borders go back in Western Records much further than ANY ISLAMIC borders...why? Because Islam is a newer religion, by hundreds of years.

    Talk about a people or a country without borders...ummm...have you not heard? THERE IS NO PALESTINE!

    • 4 votes
    #1.14 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:49 AM EST

    Of course it is going to pass. The Muslim Brotherhood will make sure of it the same way they made sure that Morsi won the election, through voter intimidation and stuffing the ballot boxes. The judges overseeing the referendum are all loyal to the Muslim Brotherhood so they will look the other way while the results are manipulated.

    You talking about Egypt of the US?

      #1.15 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 12:20 PM EST

      Constitution is passed, with more than 50%, a majority vote; the other side please do respect the democracy.

      Billie-2352729 - This is a prime example of why a true Democracy is nothing more than a dictatorship by the majority. One group being able to vote away another groups rights is not cause for celebration. It's real easy to cheer Democracy, at least till you're on the losing end of the vote. This just makes me even more thankful for the foresight our founding fathers showed when putting together our constitution.

        #1.16 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 12:52 PM EST

        Seems like something as important as a constitution should have more than just a simple majority. It is going to be what the country is based on. It should need something like 75% approval. That way clearly it is what the people want, instead of barely 50% of the people wanting it, and 49.99% not wanting it.

        • 2 votes
        #1.17 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 2:45 PM EST

        A good constitution would be balanced to protect the rights of the minorities who could not hope to change it by majority vote. A bad Constitution will trample the rights of the minorities with no regard to their human rights.

        • 3 votes
        #1.18 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:36 PM EST

        A Theocracy can never be transformed into a Democracy, and it seems that muslim fundamentalists have derailed Egypt's move from a dictatorship into something potentially more frightening.

        • 3 votes
        #1.19 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 4:17 PM EST

        So you are advocating rule by the mob?

        Democracy: meaning rule of the people.

        If the people of Egypt have truly spoken, then this is their Constitution.

        Time will tell whether they'll be happy with it.

          #1.20 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:42 PM EST

          Egyptians need to stop getting emotional and boycotting voting - if you really do oppose MB then get out and vote! This is the exact reason MB is in power now - half the population sat out the presidential vote, a little over a quarter voted for Morsi and the rest for Mubarak's boy. So in essence a quarter of a population voted for Morsi, and MB has a pretty high turnout so you're just hurting yourself and doing your country a disservice.

          • 1 vote
          #1.21 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 11:21 PM EST

          If Morsi ever had the slightest doubt the Islamist majority would win,he would never have consented to a referendum in the first place. NonMuslins are screwed again.

          • 1 vote
          #1.22 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 11:54 PM EST

          Those, who opposed corrupt and despotic Mubarak, did not ask this Islamic fast backwards march to seventh century tribal and desert days of hating and killing.

          House of Saud and other despotic bigoted Sunni rulers inspired and funded barbaric and bigoted Sunni MB and Morsi have hijacked the Arab Spring in Egypt.

          Egyptians have to save themselves from Morsi and MB, the Sunni haters and killers.

          Morsi and MB are not saving Egyptians, Instead they will be destroying Egypt like Pakistan, Libya, Syria, Iran and other Muslim basket case nations.

          As a part of disobedience movement, new Arab Spring, start burning Morsi and his Bloodhounds constitution, which has Sharia laws.

          Army should rebel and send Morsi and his MBs to jails and kill if MBs oppose. Army should not leave a trace of MBs.

            #1.23 - Mon Dec 17, 2012 3:44 AM EST

            Ha, Ha, Ha!

            Luv reading all the sour grapes!

            This from people that suffered (and maybe even voted for :O !) BUSH!

            Bwahahahaha!

            Deal with it.

            Bring on your grapes!!!

            Yup, typical Democrat that thinks politics and peoples lives are a sporting event.

            "Haha, we won, you lost". That's some real maturity there.

            Issues-smissues....as long as I can say my team won, right?

            That mentality is the state of politics today for most....sadly. Take away political parties and 90% of the population of any country would have no clue who to vote for.

              #1.24 - Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:57 AM EST
              Reply

              Morsi and his backers say the constitution is vital to move Egypt's democratic transition forward. Opponents say the basic law is too Islamist and tramples on minority rights

              What is democratic about a constitution that does not support all of the citizens and just how do they expect to transition forward???

              • 10 votes
              Reply#2 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 1:44 AM EST

              A strict sharia based dictatorship is what they will transition to. The voting part is just for show so they can cash our checks.

              • 7 votes
              #2.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 2:05 AM EST

              Exactly!!! My question was merely rhetorical. Morsi and his bros are getting exactly what they want. Too bad what they want is not in the best interests of all Eygptians.

              • 8 votes
              #2.2 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 2:22 AM EST

              I think we need to stop judging other countries by American standards.The 3rd world countries are way different culturally than we are.

                #2.3 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:18 AM EST

                Chefaz..many Americans think the same thing about our recent election.

                • 8 votes
                #2.4 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:25 AM EST

                "Even a narrow loss could hearten leftists, socialists, Christians and more liberal-minded Muslims who make up the disparate opposition camp"

                Here Netanyahus and the US Jewish lobby is missing!

                It appears that they don't understand the dangerous implications of backdoor take over of Egypt by Sunni Islamic extremists like Salaffi, MB and other label ones.

                If the sane Muslims, females, Christians and Jewish lobby permit Islamist rule with Sharia law as guide, then they will be first targets of the Sunni Islamic extremist hating and killing machines.

                NO MORE OF OUR TAX MONIES OR ANY SUPPORT TO SAUDI ARABIA and THEIR FRONTS IN EGYPT, TURKEY, SYRIA, IRAN AND OTHER PLACES.

                • 2 votes
                #2.5 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:42 AM EST

                The (American taxpayer ) funded Military will decide who rules Egypt! That said Morsi has promised top Military leaders 72 virgins each to go the way of Sharia law ( no bombs attached).........However on the home front the Benghazi flu continues to spread throughout the O'Bama Administration!

                • 1 vote
                #2.6 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:51 AM EST

                Since we are currently a majority (non muslime) maybe it is time to re-write our Constitution leaving muslimes no rights whatsoever. Own or read a koran........beheaded. Go to a mosque......beheaded. Wear a burka in public......beheaded. Practice or preach sharia law......beheaded. Sound fair? Following the muslime brotherhood's plans, all we need is a majority vote. We can start by enforcing the laws in Dearborn, Michigan and San Diego, California. I know if I was a woman in Egypt I would be currently making travel arrangements.

                • 3 votes
                #2.7 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 11:10 AM EST

                50% of Egyptians are religious kooks. That's less than we have in the US, so that's a positive.

                  #2.8 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 10:01 PM EST
                  Reply

                  After she hit her head she came up with the idea of the Flux Capacitor. 1.21 GIGA WATTS?!

                  Oh wait, this isn't the thread for Hilary fainting.

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#3 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 1:51 AM EST

                  As long as the world believes in mythological beings and books written by profiteers, there will always be strife.

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#4 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 2:20 AM EST

                  actually we are not much better in the west.We believe the myths that money can do anything and our politicians are the profiteers.(both parties)

                  • 1 vote
                  #4.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:24 AM EST

                  Immediate profits are guiding factors.

                  Then myths, spins, excuses and lies are all part of the games to cover up sometimes rotten deeds!

                  House of Saud consists of a megalomaniac, despotic and bigoted strict Wahhabi ruler and highly corrupt, despotic, bigoted seventh century mindset 5000 princes and princesses. These maniacs of all kinds have assembled huge battalions of girls and women from all over the world.

                  House of Saud are the real culprits in the fast backward march of Islam through their Sunni one-way traffic hating and killing fronts like Salaffi, Wahhabi, MB, al Qaida, Taliban and other ones operating under different labels in different nation.

                  If many in the US, Britain, France, Germany and Europe support Sunni Islamic megalomaniacs and Islamic religious Nazis in 21st century, then anything is possible.

                  Can some give explanations to station the US forces without Bibles to save these barbaric and beastly fountainheads of Islamic extremism on rampage all over the world?

                  • 2 votes
                  #4.2 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:47 AM EST
                  Reply

                  Egyptian women should read up on Lucretia Borgia.

                  There's almost always something good to say about even the worst of people in the past.

                  Hitler promoted the Volkswagon, Mussolini made sure trains ran on time. Joseph Stalin? Organized religion got what it deserved for being involved with politics.

                    Reply#5 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 2:58 AM EST

                    Joe Stalin taught us how to keep the competition in check.

                      #5.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:20 AM EST

                      Remember 'It's not the votes that count. It's who COUNT the votes". Joseph Stalin

                      Who is counting the Egyptian votes?

                      Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood!

                      Guess who wins!

                      • 6 votes
                      #5.2 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:26 AM EST
                      Reply

                      51% is enough to elect a president but not enough to pass a Constitution. If the Constitution does not protect 49% of the people then there is something flawed with it.

                      • 1 vote
                      Reply#6 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:21 AM EST

                      Kinda sounds like the U.S at the moment.

                      • 6 votes
                      #6.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:30 AM EST

                      You are partly correct!

                      Religion is the opium of masses.

                      But Sunni Islamic extremism, invented, funded and exported all of the world by the rulers of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and other Sunni Arab League nations, is high dosage heroin!

                      Model is in Saudi Arabia, our "greatest strategic ally."

                      Sunni rulers can't tolerate even a fairly good leader like Assad in Syria as he belongs to a different Muslim sect!

                      These Sunni rulers may not know much difference between crackers and WMDs, but their pals and lobbyists are discovering dangerous WMDs in Iran.

                      For these Sunni rulers, Paki nukes are Allah's flowers on sale!

                      Sunnis are bravest when it comes to females, unarmed minorities, and helpless people. They number more than a billion! Vow!!!!!

                      But they could not save their Sunni Kuwaiti and Saudi rulers and their princes, princesses and harems from Saddam!

                      Here they needed the help of infidels of NATO forces to save them from Saddam.

                      Now their seventh century dances, dramas, weepings like cry babies, chest beatings of different varieties have started on Assad!

                      After their jobs are down, it is back to business: Down with Amerika, Kill Zionists and so on and on!

                      Has history seen more ungrateful and backstabbing barbarians than these Saudi variety Sunnis and their beastly promoters?

                      • 2 votes
                      #6.2 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 4:03 AM EST
                      Reply

                      Hope Obama will be happy with his Egyptian Policies now.

                      I'm sure the Israelis wont like it.

                      • 7 votes
                      Reply#7 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:22 AM EST

                      There probably is no way to make everyone happy in the middle eastern countries.They seem to enjoy constantly in some kind of conflict.The Balkans are not far behind them either.

                      • 1 vote
                      #7.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:32 AM EST

                      Obamas Syrian policies mirror his Egyptian policies. Just as in Iraq & Afghanistan & Serbia from previous administrations; aother win for extremists Muslims.

                      • 3 votes
                      #7.2 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 4:40 AM EST
                      Reply

                      Bad things, Man.

                      • 1 vote
                      Reply#8 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:26 AM EST

                      Let's send Pigotry and Feisty over there to straighten things out.Between those 2 they know it all.

                      • 8 votes
                      Reply#9 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:34 AM EST

                      Should it come as a surprise to anyone that the revolution has produced a new government which is even more despotic than the one it overthrew? these are not well educated critical thinking people, and the factional leaders are pretty much all corrupt, each having their own personal agenda and scheme to acquire power and wealth. Certainly there isn't much in the way of actual desire to create a better system of government for the people who are forced to live under it (and the key word here is "UNDER").

                      I understand why the extreme Christian right in this country feel threatened by Islam, because on balance it seems to be a very oppressive and fanatical religion, that replaces personal freedoms with religious subjugation, and cruel and extreme punishments for perceived violations of religious dogma. The practitioners of this "faith" have no compunctions whatsoever with regard to using the religion to oppress and enslave others, and the current events in Egypt demonstrate this.

                      I have no doubt, that ultimately the great war (You know it's prophesied in pretty much every holy book on the planet) will come to pass. Mainly because people (like myself for instance) who have never known oppression and persecution by religious fanaticism, will fight. I'll fight to the death before I'll let anyone tell me how to believe and how I have to live my life. The very notion is intolerable to Americans.

                      Bottom line is that these rag head radicals had better watch their @sses. We've already demonstrated our military superiority and our considerable skill at destroying their armies. If Iran, Syria, Egypt, or any of the rest of them really WANT a turn, I'm sure we can arrange it.

                      • 2 votes
                      Reply#10 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 4:56 AM EST

                      It's a start. People who bad mouth our Constitution of this country should take heed. Every country that has been freed since we became free have modeled their peace documents and bills of Rights have been modeled after ours. It's a far cry from perfection but we should be proud.

                        Reply#11 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:11 AM EST

                        And every year that obama is in office, he trying to find ways to destroy to our Constitution, what's next the right to carry arms?

                        • 2 votes
                        #11.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:09 AM EST

                        Well I see why they call you lol...you're a joke. So tell me there Tom Jefferson, just how has the evil socialist black man in the White house threatened your personal life and liberty. Please expound upon the insidious plot to undermine and ultimately deprive you of your rights under constitutional law.

                        Now the Republicans...THERE'S a buncha "Good 'Ol Playa's" with a game plan. They've Gerrymandered every one of the states where they control the state legislatures and hold Governorship's, to the point where it now takes anywhere from 1-3/4 to 2-1/2 Democratic votes for each 1 Republican votes cast in order to get a Democratic candidate elected. Ah yes the magic of redistricting, allowing the currently controlling party to rig future elections so they can remain in power...INDEFINITELY!

                        Then of course there are the voter suppression programs that the GOP is pressing forward with, even after having their fraudulent agenda exposed for what it truly is during the last election. Hey if ya can't beat 'em, keep their team bus from making it to the game.

                        Also there is their covert war on organized labor and collective bargaining. Red states (Appropriate, don't you think...the term "RED") are falling like dominoes. The GOP is passing "Right to work" laws over the objections of the very people who will be most negatively affected by them. Research and tracking of these laws have shown irrefutably, that the ONLY real discernible effect these laws have on jobs and employment...is to further reduce wages and benefits. But the laws also accomplish one other significant goal for the GOP. They cut the financial legs out from under one of the Democratic party's biggest supporters, the labor unions. Put the Unions out of business, take away the oppositions party's campaign contributors, and to hell with the people whose livelihoods are affected and whose children may go hungry in the process.

                        And in addition they've got their relatively new requirements that pending legislation receive 60% majority vote rather than the traditional majority that was the standard established measure outlined in the precious constitution you carp about the EXECUTIVE branch of government trying to destroy. When coupled with the GOP'S newly rediscovered love affair with the filibuster...well now, don't we have a near perfect recipe for obstructing and impeding virtually ALL of the governing power of the legislature?

                        And that's EXACTLY what this party of wealth representing shills are about, undermine the free, fair, and democratic vote of the people, establish a rigged system that places THEM into power and control, and maintains that control indefinitely by squelching the voices of opposition, and suppressing the vote of people who support their political opponents. Outlawing the unions (and thereby the rights of the people to hold out for fair compensation and living wages) in order to achieve political funding advantages through use of their wealth funded "Super Pacs" while leaving Democrats no viable large contributor funding other than the few business contributors that actually deal in good faith with their customers and employees. They control the legislature through chicanery and obstructive tactics to extort what they can not pass on merit, stifling any and all legislation that does NOT serve the very narrow interests of their wealthy oligarch constituents. They no longer even bother the represent the people of the congressional districts they were elected to serve, choosing rather to lock arms and stand defiantly against the will and wishes of the American people in their unyielding defense of wealth and privilege.

                        And you say that President Obama...is destroying the constitution.

                        Are you stoned? Or just really F$%&ing stupid.

                          #11.2 - Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:04 PM EST
                          Reply

                          Hey!!! Any of you folks remember way back when ... at the beginning of this "arab spring" ... obama was calling for President Mubarak to step aside ... let democracy ring, all the while the Muslim Brotherhood continued to assure the public and the rest of the world that their organization had absolutely no desire to even get involved in the political process ... well folks ... surprise!!!

                          • 5 votes
                          Reply#12 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:48 AM EST

                          once again

                          all 3 religions muslims, jews, and the christians are the same they all follow abraham who is the teller to all that there is one god

                          all 3 religions believe in abraham so what seams to be the problem in the middle east

                          ill tell you, no one fears god till they are on their death bed, peeps talk the talk but cannot walk the walk its called greed, we are imperfect humans, meanwhile they set up all actions on this planet for what mans wants not what god wants, and all religions have their greedy hands in that bucket of cr ap

                          and dont care to wash it off

                          its what i want its what others want what is best for me me me this is our world actions FOR MEEEEEE

                          start thinking about others once in a while, start thinking about what you do to others and what it does overall

                          if you cant do this you might as well flush because you will be no better than a turd in a bowl

                          festering all around you with a sickening stench

                          and right now all extremist who forcefully push their ideas on to others have that sickening smell to them

                          set religion aside and what do you have ? can you guess ? if not you are an idiot

                          YOU HAVE HUMANS WHO ARE ALL THE SAME DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH

                          we all forgot that didnt we

                          yep back to the greed

                          live with your stench you created it now you live in it

                          funny how peeps complain about what they created themselves lol

                          and no i do not live on greed money is irrelevent and yes i help everyone i can that needs help

                          oh believe me i still stink but not as bad as that outhouse we call the middle east

                          ya im no better but i try unlike others

                          • 2 votes
                          Reply#13 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:50 AM EST

                          But for Muslims, not many followers of other religions like Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and others get hung up on religion.

                          Just look at the fate of Pope! Pope and his Roman Catholics are all becoming weaker.

                          But rabid one-way traffic extremist Sunni Wahhabis of House of Saud and their other Sunni ruling pals and their clerics are getting stronger and are on rampage all over the world.

                          Egypt, Mali, Syria, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sudan are some examples.

                          For Jews even survival in ME is becoming a problem!

                          • 2 votes
                          #13.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 9:19 AM EST
                          Reply

                          Remember what Bush said about our Constitution? I do.

                          "...just a g-ddamn piece of paper"

                          Just a g-ddamn piece of paper.

                          You may even have voted for Bush. Ha!

                          The leader of the Republicans...what a disaster. Republicans should be seen and not heard. After the TWO terms of that disaster you should be so ashamed that you never speak up. NEVER! But you do, because not only do you know no shame you cannot descern a disaster when you see it. You are UNBELEIVABLE!

                          • 3 votes
                          Reply#14 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 6:00 AM EST

                          Bush / Obama / Carter / Clinton all disasters . you think the American people have a choice? Both parties are controlled from the same purse string. Americans were hoping for another Ronald Reagan.. not that he was perfect, but we got both G.H.Bush ( a globalist) and his son ( a globalist )

                          America has been taken over, but few see

                          • 2 votes
                          #14.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:58 AM EST
                          Reply

                          Here Egypt is creating a Constitution.

                          More than sixty years later the zionist state of Izrael doesn't even have one.

                          Why is that? It isn't obligatory, but sometimes it is telling. Would Izrael codify their racism for all to see in black and white? Don't think so. And don't hold your breath.

                          Izrael doesn't even have official borders, it would put a big damper on their theft of other people's territory if they made such a declaration.

                          No Constitution, no official borders and no morals after more than sixty years!!! And some people think THAT is a country? Bwahahaha!

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#15 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 6:06 AM EST

                          bless Israel and you will be blessed

                          curse Israel and you will be cursed

                          Seems the Hitler types and the Muslim world have something in common> Hate for the jewish people.

                          Soon the world will see what will happen in the Middle East but will not acknowlege the true GOD or trust on Him.

                          • 4 votes
                          #15.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:55 AM EST
                          Reply

                          Come on now....we all knew what the outcome would be. It is like Chicago. If you think a Republican will win the next election, you don't know how Chicago counts votes.

                          • 6 votes
                          Reply#16 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 6:55 AM EST

                          Isaiah 19

                          • 3 votes
                          Reply#17 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:12 AM EST

                          I always laugh when I hear people talk about democracy.

                          Here in the USA, only people with money have any real freedom. Only the very wealthy have any real representation in our governemnt. Only those with lots of money can expect to find justice in our courts.

                          The rest of us are just wage slaves Who live from pay check to pay check. That's how it is here in the Corporate States of America.

                          The Islamists are probably worse than us, but not by much. Maybe we should spend more time focusing on inequalities here in our country and worry about Egypt less.

                          • 4 votes
                          Reply#18 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:41 AM EST

                          So the rioting in the streets will continue and perhaps turn into civil war. It all depends on the military, who will have the last word.

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#19 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:08 AM EST

                          Rex-1306908

                          So the rioting in the streets will continue and perhaps turn into civil war. It all depends on the military, who will have the last word.

                          whoever has the most weapons and support wins

                            #19.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:45 AM EST
                            Reply

                            America should end all aid to Egypt immediately.

                            • 2 votes
                            Reply#20 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:24 AM EST

                            i'd rather keep the aid to the military going, since they are the real power in egypt and are essentially an ally of ours.

                              #20.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:51 AM EST
                              Reply

                              They must have taken a page right out of the Community Organizers play book : Voter Fraud tactics?

                              or just plain typical stupidity?

                              • 2 votes
                              Reply#21 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:44 AM EST

                              I hear that Fox News is having a special on now, quick, tune in. :)

                              • 1 vote
                              #21.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:46 AM EST

                              so witty lol Not :)

                              • 1 vote
                              #21.2 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 9:00 AM EST
                              Reply

                              Mathematically, the vote on the constitution should not pass. Morsi won the presidency election with a little more than 51%, now we have the majority of the secular people who supported him during the election are opposing the constitution; which reduce his supporters and put the Islamists in their real size of about 20%+ of the voters.

                              But the Islamists are not allowed to lose the constitution battle no matter how; it is vital for them, a matter of political life or death. Your best bet down the road (which will happen sooner or later) is when today’s Islamists allies fight among themselves; Muslim Brotherhood Vs Salafists vs. jihadists; it is the power struggle that will soon bring down the religious mask of those groups and send them to the darkest corner of the Middle East history.

                              • 1 vote
                              Reply#22 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:44 AM EST

                              Isaiah 19

                              • 1 vote
                              #22.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 9:02 AM EST
                              Reply

                              Having limited Judicial powers priors to the vote on a Constitution is highly suspect. Of course, any leader that has tanks surrounding him is probably not too concerned with a democratic process.

                              • 1 vote
                              Reply#23 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 8:52 AM EST

                              The 10% of christians in Egypt don't feel the constitution is based toomuch on islamic law. Thats the way it is in a dmocracy. In our country do you think anyone would be sympathetic if the 1-2% of muslims in the U.S. said we don't like the constitutionbecause it is based on judeo-chrstian princciples and not on sharia law? The dominant culturs gets to make the rules-period.

                                Reply#24 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 9:01 AM EST

                                Beware of the tyranny of the majority - always. The American constitution is supposed to guarantee that does not happen, but the Egyptian constitution does not.

                                I hope that many of the readers here realize that historically the majority is nearly always wrong, which is why "democracy" must be legally and often forcefully guided by a constitution written by wise men (which leaves Islamic "scholars" out, methinks). The USA was lucky to have such wise men coming together at a single point in history. Does not happen often.

                                • 1 vote
                                Reply#25 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 9:11 AM EST

                                Unfortunately, few Americans understand the concept of tyranny of the majority, even though the Founding Fathers were well aware of the possibility. People equate democracy with majority rule. A fundamental feature of a true democracy is the ability and interest in protecting minorities. The Egyptian system is majority rule, but is not a democracy. The same applies in the US when the ability to grant or deny civil rights to minorities if decided by 50% plus 1 of the people.

                                • 1 vote
                                #25.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 12:46 PM EST

                                The passage of Obamacare is an example of democratic tyranny.

                                • 1 vote
                                #25.2 - Sun Dec 16, 2012 1:37 PM EST
                                Reply
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