Back talk, and playful jabs at the political whirlwind in today's society. Never one to hold my tongue, I semi-control myself as I voice my opinion on today's world.
My name is Adesina "Nina" Davis and welcome to my blog. I am CEO of Sina Davis LLC and run several companies including Simply Tasteful Catering & Entertainment. I do my best to enjoy life to the fullest and urge everyone I know to do the same. Change only comes when you do something about it. Let's just say I am doing a lot!
Whenever a country resorts to lethal violence on its own...it has lost control and true power over the people....
As the middle east shakes and quakes with the voices and turbulence of its people, Libya stands unique among its Egyptian and Tunisian counterparts. Whereas the governments in both Egypt and Tunisia fell after international pressure and increasing civil violence, Gaddafi promises to leave in a body bag. You have to respect the ruthlessness of leader, his honesty is somewhat refreshing to the smiling fakeness of the other tyrannical leaders within the middle east region. What should be noted is despite the hundreds of dead shot down in the streets with hollow points the country still screams for freedom. Unlike Egypt, Libya is run under tribal guidelines and various tribes formally loyal to Gaddafi have broken ties to join the revolution. If you caught Gaddafi's speech yesterday in which he referred to the opposition forces as "rats" and assured that his violence against his own would continue you catch a glimpse into what the Libyan people are fighting and dying for. For those of us completely unfamiliar with civil war and systematic dictatorship and oppression we should send our prayers and thoughts to the people asking for the right to live without fear and oppression and the right to choose who leads them to those ultimate goals.
How utterly ridiculous is it that the "Vice President" (recently appointed after a 30yr vacancy in the position) of Egypt has announced before the world that Egypt is not ready for democracy. When I first heard the report on AM 640 radio I automatically assumed that the reporter had it wrong or was simply paraphrasing what the VP had said. It wasn't until later that evening while watching the news report on Egypt that I realized that I had indeed heard correctly. In 2011 in one of the wealthiest Arab nations in the world, the questionable VP appointee Omar Suleiman has the nerve to tell hundreds of thousands of protesting Egyptians that they were not ready for freedom. Am I the only one completely astounded by such a stupid statement ? Perhaps I am relatively spoiled here in the US where democracy is the only government we know. Perhaps I am naive in believing that any rational argument concerning the rights of men and women would require democratic principles, values and beliefs. By no means do I mean that democracy is the sole means of obtaining personal freedom and choice but thus far its the best method man has seemed to come up with. With the history of dictatorships and tyrannical leaders always leading to mass social injustices, oppression and a collapsed society one would think that in this day an age, the dynastic style governments would be outdated. Perhaps, the Egyptian elite and the powers and money that sustain them are threatened by the ability of the "people" to think and choose for themselves. Furthermore, anything the VP has to say would obviously be met with scorn for the Egyptian people know exactly who appointed him in the first place. If a people rise up, not hundreds, or merely a few thousand, hundreds of thousands, all screaming Freedom with no compromise why would they accept the appointee of a person they detest and demand to be removed? President Mubarak is only president in name for his country has turned against him. He can appoint the second coming and Egyptians will still reject him and the policies he attempts to bring forth. Speculation on who will take power is irrelevant if the peoples demands are not met. (Sidenote: All you idiot pundits, opinions and personalities should zip it closed regarding a society you just recently learned about. Pallin, Rush and all of you empty headed Republican elitists need to shove it and get off it with your "Oh no we must do it this way, slowly and with our control and guidance, the Islamic extremists are coming". If the Egyptian people elect an Islamic government deal with it. American is hardly the moral police and 1/2 the world is Muslim. Sorry really hate undisguised racism and hysterical religious fears from our Red White and Blue self appointed Patriots.) Its obvious that the revolution has just begun, millions are expected to take to the streets and hundreds of thousands have marched. How long will the discarded government continue to assert its will so contradictory to that of the people?
Is it really any surprise that a relatively peaceful demonstration has turned violent? Is anyone truly surprised that once President Mubarek declined the peoples wishes that the masses turned impassioned protests into violent retaliation? How comical it is that a leader refuses to listen to the pleas of the people and most of the democratic world and unleashes his thugs on the masses to subdue them. CNN News in particular has demonstrated the violent extremes Pro-Mubarek camel riders will go in attempts to force his will. Anyone familiar with the stubborn Pharoah of the Bible who was willing to take on all the curses of God rather than free an enslaved people should reflect on the state of affairs in today's Egypt. Well thousands of years later the scene has returned remarkably close to that of the original parable. Perhaps Mubarek is not familiar with the ending in which his people suffer the most, he dies of heart break,and his country is eventually left in ruins, his people cursing him for generations.
As Bill Handle stated this morning on 640am radio, how can any supposedly democratic government stand by while other countries people we have "good relations" with suffer under tyranny. Any idiot who finds a "slow transition" necessary to prevent the rise of Islamic extremists are simply voicing personal terror over any country that would support the faith of Islam. Islamic extremists do not rule the world people. They are a very small percentage of the opposition force in Egypt (approx 25% by all accounts) and it is becoming redundant to excuse the behaviors of dictatorial leaders on the basis that its better that the "Muslim" alternative. Half of the world is Muslim, its not really a jump to assume that some of their leaders may be! Our Republican bleeding hearts like John Boehner, McCain are sitting nervously as the tenuous relations we have with Israel and Jordan are tested as Obama asserts his support with the Egyptian people clearly denouncing Mubareks attempt to resign in September. Why would some of the most "patriotic" republicans of our century side with a leadership that was utterly rejected by its constituents? Why would they encourage the Egyptians to hold on a little longer while the President works some things out. Thats like saying lets delay slavery just a little longer, while we get our staffing taken care of. Hmmm, perhaps this says more about their character than any of their pre scripted debates, commercials and media snip its. Hopefully Egypt is watching the characters in our democratic government and note that absolute power breeds absolute corruption no matter the form of government and that leaders themselves forget they are truly subject to the people.
Are we really that terrified of any Arab nation having a Muslim government come to power? I am so sick of hearing "Oh we feel for the Egyptian people...BUT what if the extremists take over?" Are we serious? How about we free the oppressed and cultivate humanity, fair treatment among men and women and worry about the relatively small group of violent psychos that seem to be holding the world and all its armies hostage later.
"Foreign governments stop your hypocrisy, stand with the people of Egypt" Stolen right off the placard of a pleading young Egyptian man televised on CNN just a few minutes ago. Shortly before his plea and army tank had rolled over protesters like mere road bumps in the street. Surrounding governments, in tuned with the struggles of the Egyptian people such as Jordan and Saudi Arabia stand silent and watch the rage in the streets. Obama silently pleads for Mubarek to step down while Mubarek continues his tyrannical raid, shutting down phone, internet and train service, watching the infrastructure of his country crumble. Really, has humanity not really evolved at all? Do world leaders truly stand politely aside where millions are screaming for rescue? America, typically the morality police of the world is no stranger to spreading democracy, but is quite hesitant to speak against those whose stand against it. By all means and measures Mubarek is a dictator, exhibiting unlimited control over millions of suffering. Egypt, home to one of the 7 wonders of the world, is filled with starving, uneducated, unemployed people. Egypt is not a third world country, with war torn interiors and social disruption. Muslims, Christians and extremists alike have lived in relative peace equally exposed to the oppression of its current government. How dare we speculate on who is to come to power? Our speculation should be on how to help those suffering at the hands of a corrupt leader. 75% of young people do not go to school as the unemployment rate is the equivalent of the drop out rate. 50% live below the poverty line in a land filled with gold, tombs and some of the most revered sites in the world. The corruption lies clearly at the top, with a thirty year history of ultimate supremacy and finally the people have risen up. I implore the rest of the world to stand up and take notice and encourage freedom from where ever you stand. Whenever a portion of humanity is oppressed we all are oppressed. The world powers that be stand only because those they supposedly represent support them or oppressed by them. If the people no longer support the government which stands to represent the will of the people, it should be the people's choice to change their government. How can Mubarek justify his refusal to step down when the people he is said to represent are violently demanding it? Nina Davis
Those not otherwise inclined to follow Egyptian history and conflict were quite surprised at the turn of events broadcast world wide. A nation on fire by all accounts is prompting the attention and passions of millions around the world. On the heels of the Tunesian overthrow of its oppressive government Egyptians poured into the streets, a parade of rich, poor, religious and non religious, Christians and Muslims in defiance of its government. For those not up on Egyptian politics, in short millions of people are incensed over the flagrant riches of the elite and government officials when more than 50% of its people live below the poverty line. In terms of dollars, that's $2 per day. Amidst a culture of proud ancestry, gods, enormous wealth and opulence and some of the most revered historical sites and artifacts in the world lies corruption, deceit oppression and outright tyranny. A brief look at any culture rich in any resource, whether it is water, labor, minerals, gold, religion etc. will outline the eventual rule of an elite class and the subsequent oppression of its populace. History provides ample evidence that greed and corruption rise with any hoarding or control of wealth and power and Egypt, since its early Dynastic Period is no different. The name, religion and ethnic background of the ruler may change but the face of absolute power never does. The world runs on capitalism which depends on a ruling elite to control subject and eventually oppress its masses to continue their control and power. Whether in Nicaragua, Angola, America or Tunesia "the people" are only responding to their awakening of the puppet masters stepping on their necks. Poverty and its effects in 2011 anywhere is a disgrace to mankind and the abundance of wealth and power controlled by the very few will continue to ensure that human rights remain second to human profits. Don't agree? Where are our leaders who stand against this? Where are those within governments and those with true power finally separating from their propaganda, rhetoric and empty promises? Well lets look at America and Israels official responses.
Israel is very afraid (as it very well should be), for Egypt stands as its closest Arab ally within the middle east poised to wipe Israel off the map. Any sort of government overthrow or dissidence weakens its ability to protect its much hated neighbor. Now, historically the Jewish people should be intimate with oppression, subjucation and inequality. Many governments, leaders and powers have toyed with the fate of the race as it suited their purposes. If any people should understand the necessity in uprising and overthrowing tyranny and oppression you would assume it would be those of the Jewish faith. As reported by Karl Vick in his article Israel has Faith Mubarak will prevail, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu states "We believe that Egypt is going to overcome the current wave of demonstrations, but we have to look to the future...Having said that, I'm not sure the time is right for the Arab region to go through the democratic process." Really? So what exactly leads to the democratic process? Is President Mubarak going to have a change of heart and come out and say "I give up people, the country, the gold, the palaces, pyramids, their all yours." That would be the equivalent of Southern slave masters saying "You're all free now, take some cotton with you!"
And Obama nicely applied a band-aid to a gun shot wound when he stated ""All governments must maintain power through consent, not coercion," on a phone conversation to President Mubarak. Thanks for that. Can you call him back and tell him to turn the internet and phone service on to his constituents? This is ridiculous. Any government that exercises absolute power will corrupt absolutely. (shout out to MF DOOM).
To maintain power and wealth within 1% of the population you have to control the other 99%. The current government systems that are experiencing revolution know this and will fight, fire upon and kill their own people to maintain it.
