February 11, 2011, - 4:54 pm

Photo of the Day: Who’s Running Egypt Now

By Debbie Schlussel

They tell us that the Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic extremists are not running Egypt, in the wake of Hosni Mubarak’s resignation.  They tell us that the country is now being run by the military, by a junta of sorts, and that we shouldn’t worry.  Well, we should worry. Check out the photo below of an Egyptian soldier and his mother.  It speaks the proverbial thousand words on who’s running Egypt now that Mubarak is gone . . .

Trite But True: A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

This is the Egyptian military. That’s their mothers. Yup, not extremist Muslims at all . . . if you consider women in full-ninja outfits with just eye-slits normal, Western-style democracy stuff. This is why the military generally did nothing and didn’t shoot at protesters in Tahrir Square. They sympathized with them. And now they–the sons of women in full-ninja bedsheets (niqabs)–are running Egypt. Think they want to have peace or anything close to it with Israel? allahu FUBAR.




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43 Responses

its funny how you think you are trying to be serious, the veils are a choice, if you weren’t so ignorant and racist you would notice that most of the women dont wear the full cover or any cover in Egypt – dont bother replying cause i dont use this email, haha

Beebee on February 11, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    its funny how you think you are trying to be serious, the veils are a choice, if you weren’t so ignorant and racist you would notice that most of the women dont wear the full cover or any cover in Egypt – dont bother replying cause i dont use this email, haha

    Beebee on February 11, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    I’m not in Egypt. I have no way of knowing if that veil is mandatory, if she’s wearing it because she’s afraid not to, or if she’s wearing it because she’s particularly pious. Either way, there’s nothing racist about Ms. Schlussel’s statements. That Egyptian soldier and his mother are the same race she is, Caucasian. Also, the ESSENCE of racism is a belief in INNATE differences. You find me ONE place where Ms. Schlussel suggests that Arabs or Moslems have INNATE differences.

    Miranda Rose Smith on February 13, 2011 at 4:31 am

It’s Iran, all over again, after they tossed out the Shah.

Michelle on February 11, 2011 at 5:27 pm

No Debbie, these are the people who are ruling egypt now…

http://1000memories.com/egypt

Out of 80 million people, you only decided to pick out one woman who wears a niqab?

however, you seem to dearly wish to see a man shoot his own mother to show his support for an oppressive dictator who terrorized his own people, for the sake of being pro-western.

yes we are fearing the outcome now, and yes, one of the possible outcomes will be that the Muslim Brotherhood will take over. However, it is a situation only the Egyptian people will be in control of now. They will decide how they will run their country. Supporting Mubarak only incited more sympathy to the Muslim Brotherhood, and people rebelled out of hunger, poverty, injustice and torture at the hands of the police and the system, despite the fact that you believe that we are not human enough to be given the same rights as you, and despite the fact that you see it fit that we be oppressed and treated worse than animals.

The situation now may lead the region to a catastrophe, or it may not, but Egypt and Tunisia,however long it may take them, are always a step closer to democracy than Iraq ever will, because this time it was the decision of the people, not of a foreign nation.

I doubt that the outcome of the US democracy would have been the same had the Americans been “given their freedom” rather than fight the British for it.

Natasha on February 11, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    You post a link to a website with just photos of men and no explanation?

    What organizations were they tied to,if any?
    **************************************************
    As far as the nijab photo,it’s called “representation”

    It’s just representative of what the future holds for Egypt from border to border.
    That’s why the picture was picked,it wasn’t to say that she’s a “typical” Egyptian woman.
    In other words,”Congratulations Egypt,you’re the new Iran or Afghanistan,this is how you will dress and act from now on.”

    ebayer on February 11, 2011 at 6:15 pm

      Exactly how does this give any “representation” of what is to come?

      Seriously, let people around the world fight for what they believe in. It’s not for you to decide who is free and who is not or in what way they should enjoy that freedom.

      Perhaps I misjudge your blanket statement that seemed very Anti-Muslim (though I doubt it).

      The Right-Wing has been waging an “Anti-communist” war throughout the last 100 years that has now been morphed into an “Anti-Muslim” campaign. Good on you for supporting the next big wave of hate. You guys are finally seeing progress towards greater Democracy in these regions as a result of it, yet you still complain. I’m very sorry to bring it to you that Democracy cannot turn these Egyptian people white (as much as I am sure you wish it could be).

      Rushmanyyz on February 11, 2011 at 7:57 pm

        You could turn purple with yellow polka dots it still wouldn’t make a difference. No one here cared for your dictator either but with a chance of the Muslim Nazi Brotherhood taking control, we rooted for the better of two evils. See, it’s the rest of the world that we’re worried for.

        So you went from a dictator who suppressed freedom of speech to a cult that totally supresses the human spirit. How long before the years of Mubarak’s rule will be known as the golden age?

        theShadow on February 11, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    My dear Natasha…there never was a “US democracy”…The USA was formed as, and still is a Republic, a Constitutional Republic. A Democracy is majority rule, also known as mob rule. Our USA Constitution is the *rule* of law.

    Dr Dale on February 11, 2011 at 9:09 pm

      Right on Doc!
      FYI…We were formed as a Republic that’s true, but since about 1861 we have been a Democracy (Mob Rules) under Military rule. Remember, didn’t the Congress of the Republic adjourned sine die back then?
      So then how can we be a Republic today if the Republic adjourned without ever re-convening?
      We have become a for-profit Corporate Military Democracy that profits financially off of wars because the War Machine grows & feeds off of all the people and businesses that depend on it for a paycheck. What would the unemployment rate be if there was peace on Earth? How long could this Democracy survive peace on Earth before going Bankrupt?

      Who cares? on February 14, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    Natasha, from what was written, I can’t see any reason for the belief that Debbie would want this soldier to shoot his mother. Also, our form of government is supposed to be based on a representative republic. ‘I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands’, not democracy. Through democracy by way of multiculturism, a division has been created among the people of this country. The old roman philosophy of war, divide and conquer. Which is why the founders were so against a democracy and wanted a republic instead.

    Gary on February 13, 2011 at 9:19 am

      “This is the Egyptian military. That’s their mothers… This is why the military generally did nothing and didn’t shoot at protesters in Tahrir Square. They sympathized with them. And now they–the sons of women in full-ninja bedsheets (niqabs)–are running Egypt.”

      Who else will be the mothers of the soldiers? there were many soldiers who refused to shoot when they saw their mothers among the crowd who were protesting. And obviously many will sympathize, since they know how much people have suffered till now. Had she expected that they would shoot in the name of western interests?

      I am aware of the political system in the US. I suppose “US democracy” has a different meaning from using the term “democracy in the US”, but I meant to refer to independence as self-earned. there is no such thing as a county giving independence to another.

      Another thing is that the youth of egypt have managed to accomplish in 18 days what the muslim brotherhood could not do for 80 years. that is an important factor in determining the future.

      Natasha on February 13, 2011 at 3:20 pm

This is to be a marked day (11/11) in history because it will lead to the attack of Israel. We do not like dictatorships but it may have been the a tool to hold back Muslim/Islamic destructive hatred. Wait until you see 11/11/11! Amedeo

Amedeo Bianchi on February 11, 2011 at 5:35 pm

The question these people haven’t asked themselves is “Then what?”

I suspect another Gaza or Iran.

Duck on February 11, 2011 at 6:06 pm

@ebayer

first of all the pictures are not only of men. if you cared to click on the pictures each one will tell you who that person is.
these men and women are the “fanatic” protestors that you claim to be behaving like animals are pharmacists, theatre directors, business entrepreneurs, waiters etc…

and no, the niqab may be found in some villages but it was selectively picked out. the niqab is not the typical representation of the Egyptian woman, and in any case, there are several differences between what happened in Iran and what happened in Egypt. Im not saying that it might not happen the same way, but i know for a fact that it was the muslim egyptians, men and women, religious and liberal, hijab wearing and non hijab-wearing, young and old who gathered around the coptic christmas mass to act as human shields as a form of protection for the copts. it was a slap in the face to al-qaeda and the terrorists who plotted the attack. Usually Mubarak turns a blind eye, puts some terrorists in prison and releases them in a matter of weeks.And he isnt the only pro-american arab “leader” to do that. This time he only decided to condemn the act because of the stance that the people took.

Anyhow, we will have to wait and see, but to act surprised and disappointed that Mubaraks brutal regime didnt succeed in suppressing 80 million people after 30 years is childish and silly. He is as much of a terrorist as any. Just because you are fooled by his clean-shaven face and tie and his pro-western stance that served him well wont change that fact.

in an arabic poem there was a line that said: Revolution is born from the womb of misery. if the west had truly wanted to avoid it coming to this, they shouldnt have allowed their wonderful friend mubarak to profit tens of billions of dollars from the hunger and misery of 80 million people. this outcome was inevitable. he is simply reaping what he sowed.

Natasha on February 11, 2011 at 7:20 pm

Till now it has been niqabs or burqas for some. Soon it will be niqabs or burqas for all. Then, clitoridectomies. Then, no school for women. Then, no driving for women. Then, no woman in public without male relative. Then, stoning for homosexuals. Then, public floggings. Then, stoning for adulterers. Then, honor killings. Then, rape of women that is automatically considered the woman’s fault. Then, the court testimony of four women being equal to that of just one man. Then, forced marriages. Then, stoning for attempting to evade a forced marriage. Then, wife beating not considered either a criminal or civil offense. Then, homicide bombers. Then, bacha boys. Not necessarily in that order.

CornCoLeo on February 11, 2011 at 7:58 pm

    “Till now it has been niqabs or burqas for some. Soon it will be niqabs or burqas for all.”

    Yeah, and not just Egypt, but Sweden and France.

    Irving on February 11, 2011 at 10:13 pm

      The Muslim Brotherhood planned for a long time to get their own people to rule Egypt, the ultimate plan to surround Israel and destroy her.

      LenaGoth on February 12, 2011 at 11:45 am

In Egypt, where barely anyone speaks the language, why were there so many protest signs in English? As Seinfeld would say: What’s up with thaaat? I sense unauthorized American involvement. Was Barry Soetoro out there doing his community organizing thing again?

theShadow on February 11, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    In Egypt, where barely anyone speaks the language, why were there so many protest signs in English?

    So the television camera crews and the TV viewers
    could read them

    Miranda Rose Smith on February 13, 2011 at 8:49 am

That is a heart-warming picture – a mother proud of her son. What that mother decides to wear or is wearing is none of anybody’s business!

bbc on February 11, 2011 at 11:28 pm

I would be surprised if more than 1% of the women in Egypt wore a ninja outfit (yes, I have been there).

George on February 12, 2011 at 12:54 am

The hijab or the burka, or the “slave-suit” as I call it, are representative of a truly hateful, backward society, pure and simple. Read the Pew poll and find out how 80+ percent of Egyptians believe in stoning, cutting off hands, and absolute intolerance of any religion besides islam. No one knows how often women are beaten, raped, or murdered in muslim communities. My dog has more rights than a woman in the middle east. I don’t waste my time listening to muslim lies or double talk any more. It’s clear to me that islam is an enemy to all of Western civilization.

David Lanham on February 12, 2011 at 2:17 am

George, we just got rid of the moderate, Mubarak. Wait till the next regime comes to power. Do you think it will be as moderate? My bet is that whatever is next, it will be less moderate.

David Lanham on February 12, 2011 at 2:48 am

There was large protests outside the London egyptian embassy
By Islamists , they were calling for more modest dress for women , no alcohol ,general chopping etc , I wonder how long it will be before the scenes in Egypt will be emulated in uk and Europe .

Londonstan on February 12, 2011 at 3:39 am

theShadow on February 11, 2011 at 11:09 pm wrote;

“In Egypt, where barely anyone speaks the language, why were there so many protest signs in English?”

I was wondering the same thing myself. As far as one picture of a mother in a burka…..well you are going to have to show me a little more proof then that.

Colonial Revolutionary on February 12, 2011 at 9:19 am

I don’t need to see any more ‘proof’. This is prophecy unfolding and I can smell the decay from California.

#1 Vato on February 12, 2011 at 10:28 am

Natasha: Thanks – just as scary! Hate is hate covered or uncovered.

Cat K on February 12, 2011 at 10:34 am

Fridays episode of the oreally? factor was the last I will dvr. Not since his having that hateful black professor lamont hill as a guest on his show have I been so disgusted with his b.s. Sheperd Smith has taken an even bigger dive lately as well. They should air drop him into the middle of Cairo so he can be given his western journalist beat down. Maybe that would dampen some of his enthusiasm for the “freedom” loving egyptians. Sickening. Soon I’ll be forced to watch nothing but UFC, and HDnet cage fights. Get my news from any other source but cable. sigh

samurai on February 12, 2011 at 10:35 am

The new “Democracy” will be very short-lived (as all Democracies are a short lived form of government).
“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what’s for dinner.

Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.”

Benjamin Franklin

Dr Dale on February 12, 2011 at 11:25 am

You see in sixth century Arabia, the function of women was to provide sexual pleasures to males. Men used to rent their wives to other men for sexual pleasure. A matter of fact Amro Ibn El-Ass mother was a prostitute with a flag on her door in lieu of the red light to tell people that she is open for business. Hold it do not spew your hate here; In Nahg Ul-Balagha, Ali Ibn Abi Taleb always referred to Amro Ibn El-Ass as the son of the whore.Transliteration(Ibn El-Aaherah). And he was not the only one.We are told that Hend Bint Utbah Ibn Rabeeah was a ptostitute. That is why they wanted to prevent any squandering of sex a woman may do. This led to the enforcement of the Hijab and the Niqab etc….

G. R. SCHAROUBIM on February 12, 2011 at 1:08 pm

Poor Natasha & other Muslims really are confused. The major reason the US took down Afghanistan and Iraq was the theory that if given a choice, people–even Muslims–would choose freedom, American style, and that this would make them less warlike.

It was an interesting theory that turned out to be wrong.

It is no plus if you end up with a regime that kills minorities and pursues jihad, and that is exactly what you will end up with. I couldn’t care less if you vote in a Muslim government that accurately “represents” the majority, which happens to be anti-Semitic, anti-West, pro-jihad, etc.

skzion on February 13, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    It is not we who are confused. The US was warned that the invasion of iraq would backfire.

    Another thing is that the US didn’t care about freedom in the middle east, nor did it care about peace in the middle east.
    freedom, equality and all these ideals that the west like to preach about to us uncivilized beings were never a priority, especially up against its own interests. You supported the Taliban when you saw it fit, and you supported Saddam Hussein when you saw it fit. Only when they no longer worked in US interests did they fall into the terrorist category.

    if we do end up with a regime of your description, then it wont be much different from the previous regime. its only because you are fooled by the clean shaven western-friendly image that keeps your conscious at ease, when the reality is they are as brutal as any terrorist.

    Natasha on February 13, 2011 at 6:51 pm

      “Another thing is that the US didn’t care about freedom in the middle east, nor did it care about peace in the middle east.
      freedom, equality and all these ideals …”

      Natasha, you seem literate, so I wonder why you manage not to understand my point. The argument by Bush et al. was that it would be in the US’s interest that the Middle East become “democratic” (by which was meant a democratic/parliamentary republic). I do not seriously believe that the primary purpose was to benefit the Muslims per se, but only to benefit Americans by freeing the Muslims. In the past “real politik” types thought, instead, that having a strongman (but “our” strongman) was the best approach.

      “fooled by the clean shaven western-friendly image that keeps your conscious at ease, when the reality is they are as brutal as any terrorist.”

      You mean “conscience,” I assume. Speaking only for myself, you completely misunderstand me. I am not fooled. I do not care about Muslim life anymore–I think there should be no Muslims in the world, just as there should be no Nazis. This is the result of my immersion in Islam for the past 10 years. Whatever weakens Islam and decreases the number of Muslims is worth considering. In general, I’d say that Westerners should maximize the humiliation and misery of Muslims, discriminating against them in every way possible. The point is to cause them to leave Islam for a real religion. I don’t care which.

      skzion on February 13, 2011 at 8:38 pm

Of course Egypt is Muslim!

The question is whether Egypt will become an imperialist Muslim nation. The Egyptian military tried their hand at regional hegemony under Nasser and even under Sadat. Every time, they got burned whether they were fighting Israel, Yemen, Sudan, or Libya.

I don’t see Egypt’s army becoming the tool of some charismatic (i.e. megalomaniac) leader seeking the domination of SW Asia and North Africa for Islam. IF (and that’s a big “IF” in my opinion) that were to happen, the first people who have to worry about it are the “Royal” families of the Persian Gulf nations. Israel can defend itself and doesn’t have a Muslim majority that could rise up against its leaders.

Egypt is one of the few Arab countries that is really a country (unlike the artificial Fakastinians). There was an Egypt before there was France, U.K., USA, UN, LMNOP etc.

So yah! I agree Egypt is a Muslim nation that won’t resemble a Jeffersonian Democracy anytime soon. That’s for sure. The question is whether Egypt will try to dominate the region. I don’t see evidence of that yet.

There is NO Santa Claus on February 13, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    Egypt will behave the same way that all other Muslim countries behave: like a Nazi regime. Islam is inherently violent, racist, and imperialist. I do not need any evidence for specific cases.

    The goal, as I said to Natasha, should be to end the practice of Islam. I suggest taking Mo’s principles and applying them to Muslims rather than the infidel: kill Muslims, allow them to convert away from Islam, or make them pay a stiff price for remaining Muslim.

    skzion on February 13, 2011 at 8:44 pm

I am not important, but I did see something strange about this “islam” thing. A website in English talking about seomthing totlaly different from what your saying. colud it be there are more than just two sides to a story? (2 sides meaning your side and people who read your side)?
anyway, i could be mistaken but i am looking for more guidance everyday.

Not Important on February 13, 2011 at 11:12 pm

Not Important, you sound like you’re an operative. Buzz off.

skzion on February 14, 2011 at 5:30 pm

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