Clashes in Iran, Yemen, Bahrain, Algeria, Libya

[zerogravityfat]

Arrests to the media criticizing the government in Turkey, it will most likely spark clashes there, too, from the leftist students. Burn the government down to the ground! Leave nothing behind!

[Chino]

Yeah, I have been reading up on this all morning. Yemen seems to be the worst right now. If it escalates, I'm curious what the US is going to do. I don't know if it is in our interests to have Ali Abdullah Saleh step down. The videos coming out of there seem brutal. I saw one of a guy getting his head smashed in by 3 guys with pipes. It is going to be really interesting to follow this the next few days.

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

Sharif don't like it.

[PlaysLikeMyung]

Sharif don't like it.

ROCK THE CASBAH

ROCK THE CASBAH

[zerogravityfat]

Libya joins in on the fun, clashes and police firing back.

[Chino]

Libya joins in on the fun, clashes and police firing back.

Yeah, it's starting to get really bad. One article I read earlier said riot control is using water cannons on the crowd, and the water coming out is close to 200 degrees.

[The Texas Pirate!]

It has spread and is spreading farther. This shall turn into a conflagration that shall reach to all corners of the world.
The reigning powers should be worried about the well being of their huddled masses. And the huddled masses should be thinking about their rights, are they being trampled by their respective governments?
The fight for freedom is not easy and it never ends. For as soon as you win a freedom there are nefarius government forces dreaming up ways to strip it from you.

[El Barto]

Libya joins in on the fun, clashes and police firing back.

Yeah, it's starting to get really bad. One article I read earlier said riot control is using water cannons on the crowd, and the water coming out is close to 200 degrees.

The problem is that the Libyans aren't terribly bad off.  You certainly don't want to ruffle Moammar's feathers, but from what I can tell, most people don't feel the need to.  They have pretty good quality of life, and while they do have an eccentric leader, he doesn't really rub his wealth in their faces while they suffer.  The Egyptians and Tunisians were both getting ripped off by the system, as well as being oppressed.  The Libyans appear to be oppressed but otherwise pretty well off.  Unless he gets medieval on them during the day of rage thing tomorrow, I don't think this will get a whole lot of traction.

I'm kind of starting to wonder if some of these protests aren't just bandwagoning.

[ResultsMayVary]

Interesting developments. I'm interested in seeing where all these lead and how the governments of these nations act.

[AndyDT]

I feel sorry for the brave Chinese who were slaughtered all those years ago in Tiananmen square.

[Chino]

I'm kind of starting to wonder if some of these protests aren't just bandwagoning.

I think some of it is bandwagoning. Many people have probably been wating to revolt for years, and Egypt was trigger to making them go through with it as well. Some people probably see it as, I'm unhappy with a few aspects of government, lets fight.

[The Texas Pirate!]

I'm kind of starting to wonder if some of these protests aren't just bandwagoning.

I think some of it is bandwagoning. Many people have probably been wating to revolt for years, and Egypt was trigger to making them go through with it as well. Some people probably see it as, I'm unhappy with a few aspects of government, lets fight.

I say we all start protests accross america

[Ben_Jamin]

People are too busy on their phones watching Jersey Shore to go out and rebel.

[Chino]

I'm kind of starting to wonder if some of these protests aren't just bandwagoning.

I think some of it is bandwagoning. Many people have probably been wating to revolt for years, and Egypt was trigger to making them go through with it as well. Some people probably see it as, I'm unhappy with a few aspects of government, lets fight.

I say we all start protests accross america

American's are too lazy.

[jsem]

I'm kind of starting to wonder if some of these protests aren't just bandwagoning.

I think some of it is bandwagoning. Many people have probably been wating to revolt for years, and Egypt was trigger to making them go through with it as well. Some people probably see it as, I'm unhappy with a few aspects of government, lets fight.

I say we all start protests accross america

American's are too lazy.

But.. There's a REVOLUTION CALLING.. REVOLUTION CALLING NOOOWWW

Queensryche were ahead of their time in prediciting arabian revolts

It's going to happen in USA too once ppl understand how badly they're being screwed by the corporatist system.

[El Barto]

It's going to happen in USA too once ppl understand how badly they're being screwed by the corporatist system.

Nope.  Nobody here will notice if they're getting fucked as long as they have internet porn and a 3D television to watch NASCAR on.  Honestly, while I maintain that the freedom we so pride ourselves for is an illusion, we really do have a pretty good quality of life.  Americans have created the government they deserve, and it works quite well for the majority of them.  As long as they don't ask too many questions,  that is, but when has that ever been a problem. 

[emindead]

It's going to happen in USA too once ppl understand how badly they're being screwed by the corporatist system.

Nope.  Nobody here will notice if they're getting fucked as long as they have internet porn and a 3D television to watch NASCAR on.  Honestly, while I maintain that the freedom we so pride ourselves for is an illusion, we really do have a pretty good quality of life.  Americans have created the government they deserve, and it works quite well for the majority of them.  As long as they don't ask too many questions,  that is, but when has that ever been a problem. 

Want to get people out of their couches? Let Texas or Califonia secede from the union and you got it.

[zerogravityfat]

I feel sorry for the brave Chinese who were slaughtered last year  in Xinjiang.

I agree, revolt and take back what's yours East Turkistan!

[zerogravityfat]

Libya is going to hit the fan tomorrow morning, they are just shooting each other in the streets. If the army obeys the orders to put down the protesters at all costs as directed, there will be blood.

[Chino]

What time will that be EST?

[emindead]

Libya is going to hit the fan tomorrow morning, they are just shooting each other in the streets. If the army obeys the orders to put down the protesters at all costs as directed, there will be blood.

I don't want to post the video, but blood has already been spilled.

Also, Twitter:
@ShababLibya LibyanYouthMovement

BREAKING: Libyan ambassador to China has resigned #Libya #Feb17

https://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/02/17/live-blog-libya
12:11 am: Libya's ambassador to China, Hussein Sadiq al Musrati, has just resigned on air with Al Jazeera Arabic. He called on the army to intervene, and has called all diplomatic staff to resign.

He made claims about a gunfight between Gaddafi's sons and also claimed that Gaddafi may have left Libya. Al Jazeera has no confirmation of these claims.

Edit: According to EuroPress Gaddafi escaped to Venezuela. PLEASE LET VENEZUELA BE NEXT, PLEASE LET VENEZUELA BE NEXT!

[El Barto]

Wow.  Moammar really does seem to be as nutty as they've been saying.  I always figured he was just eccentric.

He was really in a pretty decent situation.  He had enough supporters to prop him up, and there really hadn't been a common anger.  Once you start killing protesters indiscriminately,  all bets are off.  This things got all the makings of a civil war.  I've seen reports that protesters have taken Benghazi and that some military units have changed sides. 

[MetalMike06]

Warning - graphic, bloody, maybe NSFW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwnUQcKXmMM&feature=topvideos&skipcontrinter=1

[AndyDT]

I feel sorry for the brave Chinese who were slaughtered last year  in Xinjiang.

I agree, revolt and take back what's yours East Turkistan!

I can see China clamping down far harder than the Middle East. They have greater state "infrastructure" AFAICT.

[PlaysLikeMyung]

Warning - graphic, bloody, maybe NSFW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwnUQcKXmMM&feature=topvideos&skipcontrinter=1

Jesus fucking christ what is wrong with everyone?

[Chino]

Warning - graphic, bloody, maybe NSFW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwnUQcKXmMM&feature=topvideos&skipcontrinter=1

Jesus fucking christ what is wrong with everyone?

That's really disturbing.

[Ben_Jamin]

All I can think of is PoW, and the POW button.

[zerogravityfat]

so gaddafi is bombing his own people, time for the west to remember how much they fucked up in bosnia and go save the people from this murderer.

[El Barto]

I really don't see a good way for this to end.  If this thing turns int a free-for-all, anybody could come out on top, but somebody's got to be able to take charge.  The military is completely incompetent, so it won't be them.  There don't appear to be any popular opposition leaders.  It seems like they're destined for a power vacuum. 

As for outside involvement, it seems like the two things they need is border security and air suppression.  Given the ineptitude of the Libyan air force, anybody could keep them grounded (one way or another).  Securing the borders sounds like it'd be a lost cause, though.  Moammar's got a gazillion dollars to spend on African mercinaries, and I don't see how they could be kept out. 

What a mess. 

[Dr. DTVT]

so gaddafi is bombing his own people, time for the west to remember how much they fucked up in bosnia and go save the people from this murderer.

I agree.  While I hate the idea that the US sort of has to become the defacto world police because it puts us in a damned if we do, damned if we don't situation; I'd rather be damned if we do if it saves the lives of some civilians.