what about Libya and the rest of the Middle East and North African countries. Are they going to succeed? This is a greatest bit of history to happen since Iran invited the devil Komeini (sp).
Replies sorted oldest to newest
**also listening to R5**
Originally Posted by Garage Joe:
**also listening to R5**
I think they might succeed. Then again they might not. Maybe they will though. Or not. 
I think that I have mentioned it before but I do remember the Professor at my old University saying that a particular political situation had left him puzzled. So what chance to we have? Everyone seems turtelly baffled with no idea whatsoever.
Originally Posted by Garage Joe:
I do remember the Professor at my old University saying that a particular political situation had left him puzzled.
He probably believed politicians actually care what happens to those in their charge.
Prom, I think they might. He's trying to give them a few bits and pieces, but they want to be free of the stranglehold. When I lived in Nigeria, I was friendly with a couple who had lived in Libya and thought Gaddafi was doing a good job, but they were outsiders, working for Blue Circle Cement, so protected, just as we were in Nigeria. 
Where are we up to with Libya atm? I normally listen to R5 if I'm in but been working today and for some insane reason I seem to have cricket on in front of me. 
It's all looking unstoppable, now! 
*heads to Guardian*
Ha! Son of Senior accuses the revolting proles of a "Facebook Revolution". His Farmville crops must be getting vandalises or summat.
.. As long as he isn't sending damned hearts to everyone. 
Libyan People: Can't sleep. Might go out.
Gaddafi: Bugger. Get to bed \/
Gaddafi: Bugger. Get to bed \/
Originally Posted by Blizz'ard:
It's all looking unstoppable, now!
I hope you are right. This would really change the balance of power don't you think? We have been under the kosh for years (rightly or wrongly), but I would like to think that the East and West are in accord. Maybe now they will.
Originally Posted by cologne 1:
I hope you are right. This would really change the balance of power don't you think? We have been under the kosh for years (rightly or wrongly), but I would like to think that the East and West are in accord. Maybe now they will.
Obviously, there are different circumstances in each country, although poverty and injustice are shared themes. I just hope none of these turns into civil war and none of them go from the frying pan into the fire, like the poor Iranians did.
Originally Posted by Blizz'ard:
Originally Posted by cologne 1:
I hope you are right. This would really change the balance of power don't you think? We have been under the kosh for years (rightly or wrongly), but I would like to think that the East and West are in accord. Maybe now they will.
Obviously, there are different circumstances in each country, although poverty and injustice are shared themes. I just hope none of these turns into civil war and none of them go from the frying pan into the fire, like the poor Iranians did.
Originally Posted by cologne 1:
Blizz I agree, should we be politicians?
No, we will be hated!! Originally Posted by Blizz'ard:
Originally Posted by cologne 1:
Blizz I agree, should we be politicians?
No, we will be hated!!
Ah'll vote fer yers mind.
Seems some of the regional tribal leaders are threatening to cut off the oil unless the shootings and oppression of protesters does not cease. Feel a bit dumb for not knowing the exact social set up in Libya.
Originally Posted by Garage Joe:
Ah'll vote fer yers mind.
Aww, thanks Joe! 
*** sends pretendy donation form ***
Good summing up of the whole timeline on BBC2/24
Interesting thing in all this. Something I only came to truly realise some years back. People really are ruled by consent, even in the most apparently repressive countries. If everyone in Britain decided tomorrow we'd had enough and fancied a change, there's absolutely sod all the government, the police or army could do about it. Sheer force of numbers. If we all decided anarchy was a good plan, or whatever, we could just have it. Just like that, lol.
Originally Posted by Antiope:
Interesting thing in all this. Something I only came to truly realise some years back. People really are ruled by consent, even in the most apparently repressive countries. If everyone in Britain decided tomorrow we'd had enough and fancied a change, there's absolutely sod all the government, the police or army could do about it. Sheer force of numbers. If we all decided anarchy was a good plan, or whatever, we could just have it. Just like that, lol.
Indeed, Antiope. 
It's amazing, really, that it takes so long, most times.
Originally Posted by Blizz'ard:
Originally Posted by Antiope:
Interesting thing in all this. Something I only came to truly realise some years back. People really are ruled by consent, even in the most apparently repressive countries. If everyone in Britain decided tomorrow we'd had enough and fancied a change, there's absolutely sod all the government, the police or army could do about it. Sheer force of numbers. If we all decided anarchy was a good plan, or whatever, we could just have it. Just like that, lol.
Indeed, Antiope. It's amazing, really, that it takes so long, most times.
Interesting this was discussed today with friends. Came to the same conclusion.
Mainly due to discussing Egypt and then wondering what country will be next to follow.
History in the making.
Originally Posted by blue:
Interesting this was discussed today with friends. Came to the same conclusion.
Mainly due to discussing Egypt and then wondering what country will be next to follow.
History in the making.
Looks like it.
Funny, I expect parts of l'America view this as an extension of 'victory' in the Cold War. Democracy and people power. But a whole lot of these fuggers are client states to the US, kinda. They certainly weren't too concerned about the heaving masses having the vote as long as the oil kept flowing, the arms kept selling and they could have the odd strategic base here and there. They'll be pissing their governmental knickers if Saudi goes tits up...
Triumph for democracy, the next stage in the downfall of the US as numero uno?
Funny, I expect parts of l'America view this as an extension of 'victory' in the Cold War. Democracy and people power. But a whole lot of these fuggers are client states to the US, kinda. They certainly weren't too concerned about the heaving masses having the vote as long as the oil kept flowing, the arms kept selling and they could have the odd strategic base here and there. They'll be pissing their governmental knickers if Saudi goes tits up...
Triumph for democracy, the next stage in the downfall of the US as numero uno?
As long as they get Democracy and don't end up Commie, or Muslimy, I think the US will claim that they started the spread, Antiope.
Aye but Kissinger-esque diplomacy is all about what these twats can give to America. Spreading the power to the people can be a tad inconvenient.
Might not be their bastards any more.
They might be bastards but at least they are our bastards
Might not be their bastards any more.
I must say, I've seen no anti-Americanism, so far.
It could change, of course, but I get the feeling that the young Arabs, who seem to be leading this, are keen to embrace the 'Free world', rather than oppose it.
The US will still have their bastards, but they'll be Democratic bastards, hopefully!
It could change, of course, but I get the feeling that the young Arabs, who seem to be leading this, are keen to embrace the 'Free world', rather than oppose it.
The US will still have their bastards, but they'll be Democratic bastards, hopefully!
Noooo, you're getting me wrong. Not saying any anti-Americanism at all. I mean, say, putting the oilfields of Saudi, for example, in the hands of the people via a democratic government makes that supply chain slightly less reliable and pliable. shall we say. The Arab Oil Despots have been craven twats for the dollar for the most part and have been around so long the US have been degociating deals with the same people for 30/40/50 years. Changing governments in a democratic Arab world make that a lot harder.
I understand, but I don't think it would change that much.
Apart from, hopefully, more of the oil money filtering down to the people.
The US have a morbid fear of more Iranian type regimes, but I don't think a democratic regime would cause them too much of a problem, to be honest. Business will still be full of dirty dealings, just as it is over here, really.
Apart from, hopefully, more of the oil money filtering down to the people.
The US have a morbid fear of more Iranian type regimes, but I don't think a democratic regime would cause them too much of a problem, to be honest. Business will still be full of dirty dealings, just as it is over here, really.
Well, aye, that's true. lol
Unless they sell it all to China
lolUnless they sell it all to China
Originally Posted by Antiope:
Well, aye, that's true. lol
Unless they sell it all to China
lolUnless they sell it all to China
True!China, giving the world a lesson in Communist Capitalism!
Watching CNN...another massacre in Tripoli apparently...
Unfortunately, I cannot see a united democracy emerging in many of these states...with the possible exception of Egypt.
The leaders of these states have dragged various tribal groups into some sort of unity and ruled by repression....When that is lifted with the overthrow of the status quo.....who steps into the power vacuum....The army? The Clerics? Or another exactly like the one before?.
Revolution is one thing...stability etc is quite another
The leaders of these states have dragged various tribal groups into some sort of unity and ruled by repression....When that is lifted with the overthrow of the status quo.....who steps into the power vacuum....The army? The Clerics? Or another exactly like the one before?.
Revolution is one thing...stability etc is quite another
As long as nothing happens to Abu Dhabi im happy
Libya is paying a high price for trying to get rid of Gadaffi. 
........ Including a new Monkees tour by all accounts.