Street riots in Libya and Bahrain. Where will it end?

Bigthumb · 17-02-2011, 09:34

I've heard that people are rioting on the streets of Bahrain and Libya today, and riot police are using tear gas to break up anti government demonstations.

It seems no Arab state is immune from the pro democracy domino.

Vague_Boy · 17-02-2011, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigthumb

It seems no Arab state is immune from the pro democracy domino.

Egyptians are paying up to 40% of their income just on food.

That might have something to do with it (3 meals away from revolution and all that).

Are high food prices fueling revolution in Egypt?

spooky3 · 17-02-2011, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigthumb

I've heard that people are rioting on the streets of Bahrain and Lybia today, and riot police are using tear gas to break up anti government demonstations.

It seems no Arab state is immune from the pro democracy domino.

Tear gas! There reporting about many dead bodies who "are pock marked with lead shot", another has been shot in the back of the head!

mj.scuba · 17-02-2011, 12:15

In Yemen it ends in the afternoon when the yearning for freedom takes a back seat to chewing Qat.

Nagel · 17-02-2011, 12:35

Libya. I know it's a country lots of people have a problem spelling.

Joe9T · 17-02-2011, 12:44

It'll end with rioting in the UK, the way things are going!

L00b · 17-02-2011, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe9T

It'll end with rioting in the UK, the way things are going!

That's not completely out of the question, according to these guys.

And, more unfortunately, their take on things has been proven more often right than wrong in the past few years.

Bigthumb · 17-02-2011, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nagel

Libya. I know it's a country lots of people have a problem spelling.

Its actually spelled أ. ليبيا but folks in the west make up their own version.

Bigthumb · 17-02-2011, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by spooky3

Tear gas! There reporting about many dead bodies who "are pock marked with lead shot", another has been shot in the back of the head!

I'm sure the west will take more notice now it is oil states that are kicking off.

munster · 17-02-2011, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by L00b

That's not completely out of the question, according to these guys.

And, more unfortunately, their take on things has been proven more often right than wrong in the past few years.

riot in uk most the brits will do is send mr cameron a rather strong letter saying he is a very naughty man putting up all these taxes signed annon

spooky3 · 17-02-2011, 13:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigthumb

I'm sure the west will take more notice now it is oil states that are kicking off.

Didn't I hear them say we should not get too directly involved earlier?

Nagel · 17-02-2011, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe9T

It'll end with rioting in the UK, the way things are going!

I don't think that's as far off as you might think.

Nagel · 17-02-2011, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigthumb

Its actually spelled أ. ليبيا but folks in the west make up their own version.

Yeah, lol.

It's actually called (in English) "The Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya"

Or if you prefer

الجماهيرية العربية الليبية الشعبية الإشتراكية العظمى

What a Jamahiriya might be is anyone's guess.

Phanerothyme · 17-02-2011, 13:23

Interesting disparity in the reaction to Egyptian popular unrest and Bahraini popular unrest from the US and UK administrations.

Bigthumb · 17-02-2011, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nagel

What a Jamahiriya might be is anyone's guess.

I think I had one for lunch a few years back in New Orleans.

spooky3 · 17-02-2011, 13:39

I know your all clever enough to find out yourselves, but:

Jamahiriya = "state of the masses"

Nagel · 17-02-2011, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by spooky3

I know your all clever enough to find out yourselves, but:

Jamahiriya = "state of the masses"

Yes, but there's only one Jamahiriya because it's a word made up by Gaddafi. It means whatever he wants it to.

Joe9T · 17-02-2011, 13:54

Remember we stitched up Gaddafi in the 80's/90's for Lockerbie, when it was Iran really, but you couldn't blame Iran, when your at war with Iraq can ya?!

Nagel · 17-02-2011, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phanerothyme

Interesting disparity in the reaction to Egyptian popular unrest and Bahraini popular unrest from the US and UK administrations.

The US reaction to Egyptian unrest was a total shambles. They were saying a different thing every day and they couldn't get their act together to have one unified view with different government officials coming out with opposing viewpoints.

They would have been better off saying nothing.

The only US government statement on Bahrain I can find just 'urges restraint' from both sides, which is a standard diplomatic response:

The United States said Tuesday it was "very concerned" after two protesters were killed in clashes with police in Bahrain, and urged all sides to exercise restraint.

"The United States is very concerned by recent violence surrounding protests in Bahrain," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said in a statement.

He welcomed Bahraini government promises to investigate the deaths of two protesters and to "take legal action against any unjustified use of force by Bahraini security forces.

"We urge that it follow through on these statements as quickly as possible. We also call on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from violence," Crowley said.

Joe9T · 17-02-2011, 14:02

They (US) blamed Gaddafi for the German discoteque bombings of 1986, frequented by U.S. servicemen and killed his adopted daughter, Hannah, when they bombed Triploli and Benghazi. Gaddafi wasn't to blame for the discoteque bombings!