So... Egypt...

[Svartalf]

Even big city hicks like in Alexandria

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Even big city hicks like in Alexandria

They aren't really "city folks".

[laklak]

Even big city hicks like in Alexandria

They aren't really "city folks".

They aren't really "human". Look at this mofo and tell me he ain't some kinda alien. Last time I got probed the dude looked remarkably like this.

[Robert_S]

I'll take a military dictatorship over a religious one any day.

Everything I'm reading from several news sources seems to have a consensus that the majority is more concerned with jobs, prosperity and fun than religion.

In other words, "it's the economy, stupid".

Yet, the economically inefficient muslim brotherhood has huge popular support, especially away from Cairo's intellectual elites.

You mean among the hicks.

I dunno, they got a majority, but didn't get a landslide.

I wonder how many people thought "I yeah, I'm for Islam." before they thought it through. There might be more basic nut & bolts things like road and sewer maintenance and public safety. Not to mention that the population might mean they like to pay lip service to Islam but still enjoy a night on the town, a few drinks with friends, the company of women who they aren't related to... In other words, they might want to compartmentalize their religion while they get on with life.

[Warren Dew]

I'll take a military dictatorship over a religious one any day.

Everything I'm reading from several news sources seems to have a consensus that the majority is more concerned with jobs, prosperity and fun than religion.

In other words, "it's the economy, stupid".

Yet, the economically inefficient muslim brotherhood has huge popular support, especially away from Cairo's intellectual elites.

I'm not sure how huge it is. They were only able to muster about 1/10 the number of people in street demonstrations that the opposition was able to muster. Also, even Al Nour sided against them at the time of the coup.

[Rum]

I'm not sure either. The intellectual class tends to be broadly secular in most middle eastern countries.

[Collector1337]

I'm not sure either. The intellectual class tends to be broadly secular in most middle eastern countries.

Try not to equate intellectualism with secularism.

[Azathoth]

I'm not sure either. The intellectual class tends to be broadly secular in most middle eastern countries.

Try not to equate intellectualism with secularism.

You can try as hard as you like. It doesn't make it untrue. The more education a person has the less likely they are to be religious.

[Warren Dew]

I'm not sure either. The intellectual class tends to be broadly secular in most middle eastern countries.

Try not to equate intellectualism with secularism.

He's not equating them. He's making a statement about the correlation in certain countries, which might not hold in other countries.

I tend to agree with the possible exception of the oil nations, where there seem to be religious intellectuals.

[Azathoth]

I'm not sure either. The intellectual class tends to be broadly secular in most middle eastern countries.

Try not to equate intellectualism with secularism.

He's not equating them. He's making a statement about the correlation in certain countries, which might not hold in other countries.

I tend to agree with the possible exception of the oil nations, where there seem to be religious intellectuals. it is rather unhealthy to admit not being religious

[mistermack]

The problem with all brand-new democracies is that the history isn't there, of voters seeing through the promises of the politicians. They tend to swallow the promises, and the lies about the other side. So, instead of a cynical electorate, as in Britain and the US, where most people you talk to will comment that "they are all the same", you get a gullible electorate.

This means that one side makes promises that they know they can't keep. And the people believe them.
So if the other side don't match that, with lies of their own, they won't get elected.

Also, that gullibility means that the side that gets voted into power can meddle with the constitution, to entrench themselves in power for ever, and get away with it, as the people will believe their lying excuses.

What it needs, is for a genuinely neutral person to sit on top of it all, and make sure that no foul play takes place.
Make Egypt part of the British Empire, and appoint a Viceroy, to oversee the emerging democratic process.

I would like to promote Tony Blair for the job, as he has done such a fantastic job as the middle east peace envoy.
I've never known the middle east more peaceful than today. If only he'd been around in 1939.

[pErvinalia]

None of that makes any sense.

[FBM]

Egypt just needs more Starbucks, Mikki D's, WalMarts and pickup trucks.

[Robert_S]

Egypt just needs more Starbucks, Mikki D's, WalMarts and pickup trucks.

...and hipsters. If you build it, they will come.

[Daedalus]

Egypt just needs more Starbucks, Mikki D's, WalMarts and pickup trucks.

...and hipsters. If you build it, they will come.

Hipsters... yet another reason to take up arms in bloody revolt.