Charles_Main
AR15 Owner
Large numbers of Egyptians streamed into polling places, taking the first step toward moving their revolution from Tahrir (or Liberation) Square into the halls of government. Voters standing in long lines, some waiting uncomplainingly for up to three hours, applauded the promise of an end to the rigged parliamentary and presidential elections under toppled president Hosni Mubarak, which they derided as frauds that produced precooked results.
“Before, we could all just sit at home,” said Khalid Hassan, a 46-year-old window repairman voting in Cairo’s humble Abassiyah neighborhood. “We knew they would just say what they wanted about the results, and our vote had no meaning. I could say no, they would say yes. I could say yes, they would say no.”
The turnout, described as unprecedented by State Information Service Director Ismail Khairat, was estimated by the government’s High Judicial Commission at 60 percent, three times that of the last election. It suggested an eagerness by millions of Egyptians to carry forward the democratic uprising that began Jan. 25 in Tahrir Square and led to Mubarak’s departure Feb. 11.
Whatever the verdict on the proposed amendments, the vote propelled Egypt to the front of the line in a reform movement that has swept through Arab nations across the Middle East over the last three months.
Egyptians swarm polls in first vote since revolution - The Washington Post
A good day for Egypt, lets hope this trend continues.
Where is the recognition from those on the left that this wave of up risings in the Middle east and North Africa can be traced back, at least in part to our actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
At least that was part of the argument for attacking those countries. That if we brought democracy there it would increased the popular demand of more Democracy across the middle east. Seems like now that is happening, and nobody is talking about how Iraq and Afghanistan may have been part of the catalyst.
I'm not so sure about Afghanistan, but an argument can be made that what's happened in Iraq has influenced the events in these other ME countries. Although my guess is internal issues that have been under a pressure cooker for the last few decades have played a much larger role. I think the rise in social media has played a role in all this too.
Absolutely these places have been boiling for Decades, and communications through social Media are a factor. All I was saying is there has to be some credit given, especially with Iraq, to the effect of seeing 90% of Iraqis vote and determine their own Futures. That had to add fuel to the fire at least.
The Same can be said about this current action in Libya. Seeing the world respond and defend these rebels in Libya, has to be adding fuel to the fires in Up risings across the region.
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