Trying to get back into this habit (encourage me if you like it; otherwise I’ll quit trying). Here’s what we have right now:
- Egyptian protesters defy curfew in Cairo (WashPost) — Wow. The dominoes DO seem to be falling.
- Clinton Calls for ‘Restraint’ and ‘Reform’ (NYT) — And that’s pretty much the U.S. position right now. Don’t y’all get carried away, but let’s have some change.
- Stocks Retreat on Unrest in Middle East, GDP Report (WSJ) — As promising as pro-democracy movements may sound, Wall Street gets nervous over uncertainty.
- Stronger Consumer Spending Boosts U.S. Growth (AP) — Then, on the other hand, there are causes for optimism.
- Weekend crackdown on Columbia scofflaws coming (thestate.com) — Y’all better act right, starting today, because the cops are gonna (gasp!) — enforce the laws…
- Uganda priest berates gays at funeral (BBC) — So much for laying the poor guy to rest.
Related Posts
So glad to see this back.
So I’m inferring that scofflaw is perhaps a synonym for traffic regulation? How have I missed this fascinating word all my life?
Wouldn’t it be a better crackdown if they didn’t announce it – you know, like a pop quiz.
Oops, I didn’t infer very well. Should have looked it up, first. A scofflaw is a person, not a law. Sorry.
Still a neat word.
Re #1, and my comment on the other thread, here is a superb analysis of the Obama administration response, as much about what they are NOT doing, at least publicly, as what they are doing.
http://lynch.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/01/29/obamas_handling_egypt_pretty_well
The scofflaw story explains why I saw no fewer than 5 people pulled when I went to Columbia today.
In order to understand the situation in Egypt historically and religiously, I recommend Nabeel Jabbour’s book, The Rumbling Volcano: Islamic Fundamentalism in Egypt, published in 1993. As Phillip has pointed out in a thread below, the Muslim Brotherhood is not necessarily connected to other prominent Islamic radical groups, but it has spawned many. The common aim between all of them is the ultimate reestablishment of the Caliphate.