This post is due by Tuesday, February 25 @ midnight. No credit given for late posts. Yalla.
Read the assigned chapters above, and then:
1. Provide 3 SPECIFIC observations about the Arab Spring you learned from EACH chapter of our book, using 2-3 sentences combining the book and your own IYOW analysis.
2. Finally, ask ONE specific question you have of the Arab Spring after completing our reading.
Chapter 7:
ReplyDelete• The security forces that interrogated Ghonim were focused on uncovering a non-existent conspiracy against Egypt orchestrated by some religious, political, or foreign power. Ghonim continued to argue that he was an ally of Egypt and only had the country’s best interests in mind when he created the Facebook page.
• The government made one of its largest mistakes on the morning of January 28th when it decided to cut off all communication within Egypt by shutting down all internet and cellular services. This gave the public who had not been following the protests indication that something was happening and raised awareness. Many people took to the streets because of this just to discover why their communications had been cut.
• Mubarak made an announcement on January 28th to the nation that he would be dissolving his cabinet. Instead of stepping down, Mubarak appointed a vice president. While this was seen as evidence that Egypt would change for the better by some, for many protesters nothing less than the resignation of Mubarak was acceptable.
Chapter 8:
• While the police officers treated Ghonim poorly by blindfolding and keeping him handcuffed, they treated him better than he expected. One of them showed concern for how Ghonim was being treated by the other officers while others spoke to him in an aggressive manner, but avoided physical violence. Ghonim was never certain whether this was a “good cop, bad cop” act. Maybe they were acting nice because they knew the amount of influence that Ghonim’s word would have on the protests.
• Because international and regional media was covering the protests, the government avoided using lethal force to stop protesters. This was because even if the security forces had been able to suppress the protesters using lethal force, it would be very bad for the regime’s reputation to have been documented using these methods.
• The police officers attempted to get Ghonim to sympathize with the regime’s decisions in preparation for his release. These attempts were done in two several hour long sessions where the officers denied that torture was a common occurrence and explained that people released from police custody were just quick to make false accusations.
Chapter 9:
• Even during the raging protests organized in part by Ghonim, the minister of interior maintained a professional and reasonable demeanor over the course of their meeting.
• Some of the government officials sincerely believed that the protests were the work of a conspiracy of a group that wanted to take control of Egypt. They thought this because they had faith in the current regime and could not see the things wrong with from their position. In addition they would believe any information given to them by the regime, even if it was false.
• The media began to broadcast that Mubarak would soon announce his resignation as president. During the last 30 seconds of his resignation speech Mubarak delegated power to his vice president and said that he would not run for office during the next election. This was not a real resignation in the people’s eyes. After this failed to quell the protests, the next day Mubarak officially resigned from office.
Question: Why did the regime constantly mislead the people with promises, only to fail to deliver on them?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1. A brave young man stood in front of a truck using water cannons to stop its progress. The driver then increased the cannon’s water pressure, but another protester redirected the cannon so the water went straight up (189). This is a very powerful example of how people came together to try and bring down the police efforts to suppress the protest.
2. “You were recruited by the CIA, and the Google job was the perfect cover, since Google is an American company. Your privileged life in Dubai was the reward for your betrayal (206).” It is interesting that one of the officers would consider this considering the American government’s support of the Egyptian government.
3. Right after midnight, Mubarak delivered his first speech since the protests had begun on January 25. He announced to abolish his cabinet and the next day he appointed a vice president (216). Enough fear had reached Mubarak from the Egyptian public and this was enough for him to give in.
Chapter 8
1. “Three days passed before my guard told me I was due for interrogation again soon. I felt a strange happiness: finally I was at least going to talk to someone, even if he was a State Security officer (220).” This goes to show how painful it must be to be secluded from people in pure silence especially for someone who is used to communicating with the world 24/7.
2. The sit-in participants were organized and divided duties among themselves. Doctors who were protesting established a field hospital in one of the square’s small shops to provide emergency first aid to those who were getting injured (225). I found this very cool because protestors were extremely organized in making the sit-in as productive as possible because who knows how long it would last.
3. The armed forces’ response was a clear statement of support for the protestors. It was a signal moment in the revolution: there would be no bloodbath at the hands of the army (227). I feel like this was the turning point in the revolution. With the military on the public’s side the protestors have that much more power.
Chapter 9
1. There was no time to write any notes or posts, but I decided to write a personal message for the first time ever. It revealed my identity without mentioning my name (255). This post is unlike Wael. He wanted everyone to know that he had not been brainwashed by State Security and still had his same perspective.
2. Hundreds of Egyptians had been killed defending their dreams. The situation was irreversible now (258). The only solution for the protesters to leave Tahrir Square is if Mubarak stands down.
3. “My fellow citizens, in the difficult circumstances our country is experiencing, President Mubarak has decided to give up the office of the president of the republic and instructed the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to manage the affairs of the country. May God guide our steps (289).” Egyptians finally achieved their goal of freeing their country of Mubarak’s rule but as of right now their future does not look promising.
Question: If Wael was not contained by State Security, would his identity have ever been discovered?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1.) “Access to Facebook was only intermittently available in Egypt on the night of the twenty-fifth and the morning of the twenty-sixth, so I prepared an online form to collect e-mail addresses of the page’s members. If Facebook was suspended till Jan28, we would need an alternative means to communicate with as many enthusiasts as possible. A few hours after I posted the form, more than 20,000 members had filled it out.” (190)
2.) “Facebook was blocked once again less than fifteen minutes after the demonstration venues were published, making it nearly impossible for protesters to locate the list. However, several activists had begun spreading the information via traditional means. I remembered the backup e-mail list that included 20,000 members, and I quickly set up a Google Group to send the message to everyone.” (195)
3.) “Then the Egyptian regime committed a fatal mistake. On the morning of Jan28, all communication in the country was cut off. All three cellular operators, Internet services, and short messaging services ceased to work. Little did the regime know that this was the single largest promotional effort possible for the revolution.” (212)
Chapter 8
1.) “To me, leaving prison was like a dream now. The alienation, darkness, and silence were killing me. I fell fast asleep after my brief conversation, telling myself that things were getting better. The interrogating officer had asked the guards to treat me well, the officer who had come to talk to me ended the meeting with a more favorable impression of me, and I had spoken to one of the guards for the first time, forging a brief connection. (228)
2.) “Outside the prison, Tahrir Square was reviving as I had. Mubarak’s speech had caused a lot of people to change their position, yet when the decision was made to try to kick the protesters out of the square violently, in the Camel Charge Battle, the revolutionary spirit surged again. People wanted to believe that the regime was changing, but the use of violence proved that nothing would change as long as Mubarak remained in power.” (240)
3.) “I bid the guards farewell and even hugged some of them. I told them that I was not a traitor and that I loved my country. One of them said that even though he was not supposed to say it, he appreciated knowing that Egypt had people like me. He told me that he had been inspired by all that was happening…” (247)
Chapter 9
1.) “My lack of knowledge of events, which I had perceived as my main point of weakness, turned into my greatest strength during the interview. Most protesters who appeared on television during those days were angry, which is understandable, since many of them had witnessed young Egyptians dying from bullet wounds or being arrested and tortured. But most of the Egyptian public had not lived through the revolution with the protesters, and media outlets were still largely controlled by security forces.” (258)
2.) “The fact that the revolution did not produce an undisputed leader was viewed by some as a drawback and by others as the secret to its success. The pulse from Tahrir Square was the main driver of consciousness and decision making. There was no use trying to stand against Tahrir’s pulse. All of the regime’s desperate attempts failed because the officials could not understand or accept this fact.” (268)
3.) “Two surprising pieces of news surfaced when I met my friends to discuss our next steps. The first was that the Middle East News Agency reported that I had issued a statement inviting all Egyptians at Tahrir Square to return to their homes following the president’s speech. The second was that hundreds of angry protesters had begun marching from Tahrir Square toward the presidential palace to force the president to step down.” (284)
Question: If Mubarak had not stepped down or had not given any speeches, would Wael Ghonim still be in prison? Would there still be mass protesting?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1. “History is made on the streets, not on the internet” (190). The author makes a very interesting point here, considering what helped make the Egyptian uprisings unique was the use of the internet to help rally support.
2. “To my surprise, my driver knew very little about the Tahrir Square event the night before…the regime was in denial pretending nothing had happened” (194). It seems that those who were not directly involved with the protests only knew what the government wanted them to know, which was very little.
3. “The fact that President Mubarak has not come out and addressed the nation is the greatest proof that he and his government are terrified that what happened in Tunisia would be repeated in Egypt” (195). Like any dictatorship, the leaders become worried when the people begin protesting, and the January 25th protests rallied so many that I don’t blame the regime for being nervous.
Chapter 8
1. The protests and riots on the Day of Anger were not contained just to Tahrir Square, but spread all over, including prisons. But no matter where the protests occurred, they were accompanied by violence.
2. “To achieve your vision, you need friends and communication channels more than you need plans. The world moves too fast for even the best-laid plans to hold up” (232). Pretty good advice; during a revolution or other unstable times, you have to be able to adapt and change plans. Any way you can find to make this easier for you is better.
3. “One can only learn the value of freedom when it is lost” (242).
Chapter 9
1. The overall comparison of Mubarak to a pharaoh was interesting. Pharaohs ruled for life and were usually obeyed by their people without question.
2. Wael’s selflessness after his detainment is a prime example of a leader who wants to better his country and not himself.
3. Even when calling himself an Egyptian in his speech, Mubarak still separated himself from the protesters.
Without the help of his friends, family, and colleagues, would have Wael been as successful has he was?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1. The projection of popular courage on the internet motivated and encouraged people. It stimulated people to come on the streets and voice their resentment. Internet also played a big role in organizing and managing public protests.
2. The Egyptian regime did its best to suppress the uprising by using force. It resorted to brutal violence. It intended to intimidate and scare people.
3. The popular unrest finally fomented into mass uprisings in Egypt. Perhaps people had, had enough of repression and misery. Eventually people were ready and willing to risk their lives for a cause.
Chapter 8
1. There were disgruntled elements within the regime. However, these elements stayed quiet owing to fear. Revolution facilitated to them a chance to voice their resentment.
2. The regime was worried about the internal dissent. It believed that the internal dissent could offer an alternative to the people. However, this dissent was miniscule and rather cautious.
3. The things happening in the neighboring Arab nations did take a toll on the moral of the regime. Things happening in the neighboring nations discouraged Mubarak.
Chapter 9
1. The regime did try to co-opt the popular leadership. It tried to absorb the popular leadership within its ranks. However, the regime failed in doing so.
2. Mubarak tried to placate people by promising imminent changes. Yet, people were not willing to believe him. They wanted Mubarak to come down.
3. It required real courage to oppose the regime and many were more willing to hide behind the internet. Yet, the mass demonstrations and protests did attract many people from all sections of the Egyptian society.
Question
Was the regime willing to learn from the things happening in the neighboring Arab nations?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete- On page 191 Ghonim mentions the bias Egyptian TV channels had against the protesters. Ghonim says they even went as far as to say that protesters in Tahrir were attacking unarmed police while soldiers voluntarily carried fainted protesters to ambulances. (191). Not too long afterwards, Ghonim did a phone interview on a television show his friend hosted and even she had restrictions about the facts she could say about the protests. The Ministry of Interior’s intimidation tactics had everyone walking on eggshells. It’s scary to think that telling the truth could land you in prison.
-The day before Jan28 Ghonim said on page 195, “The driving factor now was the barbarity of the regime’s response to peaceful protests across Egypt over the past few days.” My question is how did the regime think that they were going to be able to stop these protesters? By now they should have realized that the protesters weren’t going to back down and that reacting violently against them was only going to make their situation worse.
-On page 212 Ghonim talks about how they regime cut off all major communication in the country. They cut off all cellular operators, internet services and short messaging services in the country. What seems like a giant strike against the revolution actually turned out to be the biggest promotion for the revolution. All citizens found out about the uprisings and Ghonim says that those who didn’t even care about the uprisings took to the street just to find out what was going on.
Chapter 8
- The conversation Ghonim has with the officer while he’s being held on page 223 really strikes me. The conversation clearly shows that there is a huge miscommunication between the protesters and the regime. The officer he is talking to tells him he is a traitor and that in the nineties he took bullets for Egypt trying to keep the country safe, implying that what the uprising is doing is against protecting the country. Clearly, that is not what the uprisings are for and even when Ghonim tried to explain his side, the officer did not get it.
- Mubarak’s speech about how he was not going to run in the next election and no longer wanted to remain in power poured out sympathy from some people to him. (pg 233). Ghonim says that most of the divide among the protesters about the speech was generational and that many of the parents of the protesters wanted their kids to return home. Ironically enough, the protests that occurred afterwards between the revolutionaries and Mubarak supporters were the most violent.
- It must have been emotionally overwhelming for Ghonim when he was able to remove his blindfold and see where he had been being held. Then he gets to see the guard’s faces and can’t believe that the faces he sees are the same men who tortured him. He can’t help but feel sorry for them, but what stands out most is when he says, “Egypt’s real enemies were the leading figures of the regime, who had corrupted these people and stripped us of freedom and dignity for the sake of sustaining themselves in power.” (Pg 247)
Chapter 9
- Ghonim does not claim himself to be a hero in the uprisings. He says the heroes are the people who were out on the street fighting, the same people that lost their lives. He still says though that he feels like he fulfilled his duty.
- The Vice President, General Omar Soliman said in an interview that the Muslim Brotherhood and some islamists were behind the revolution and that the youth was being exploited. He believed that young egyptians were being pushed to protest by people abroad. My mind was blown to think that the Vice President, whether he actually believed what he was saying or not, thought that people would believe that.
- Ghonim dissects what Soliman is saying in his interviewing. Ghonim says that Soliman was sending a message to western governments because western governments were for once backing Egyptian citizens. His message to these governments were that Egypt’s citizens are not ready for democracy and it would be a threat to the West.
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1. Police forces at Tahrir Square became intense. They even started using water cannons. A brave protester stood in the way of one truck shooting water cannons to stop them. (189)
2. On Jan28 the regime shut off all forms of communication including internet and cell phone towers. This caused an even larger number of people to join the protests, even ones who hadn’t heard of the uprisings. (212)
3. During a violent protest, security forces ran out of ammunition and energy. Many officers pleaded for forgiveness, explaining their violence was not their choice. (214)
Chapter 8
1. The guards that dealt with Wael while he was arrested were unjustifiably verbally abusive to him. They called him names and put him down. (220)
2. The protesters at Tahrir Square formed an amazing community and looked out for each other. Doctors attended to the injured, plumbers created restrooms, and there were even performers singing. (225)
3. While under arrest, Wael provided the officers with the password to his Kullena Khaled Said Facebook page. However they never deleted or modified it which I find surprising and fortunate. (232)
Chapter 9
1. Wael realized the difference the protesters were already making when he went to the minister’s office. The minister was now open to Wael’s opinions and criticism of the regime. The secretary-general of the NDP helped to get Wael out of jail and personally took him home. (252)
2. When Wael arrived back to Tahrir Square after he was released, the site was much more organized. There were check in points and people were searched as they entered. (263)
3. The minister and other people a part of the regime seemed to be brainwashed by the regime. They believed that the uprisings were a part of a conspiracy against Egypt. (271)
Ch 7
ReplyDelete1. “The mob was now in charge, whether it was rational or not.” This quote strikes me because it shows how facebook may have been what originally rallied the people, but it was the shear force of people. Whether the people came from facebook or not wasn’t important, it was just about coming together (189).
2. On Jan 26 the news media spun the Jan25 movement in a way that made the protestors look like they were the only aggressors in the protests. Yes, soldiers got injured, but so did the protestors. It doesn’t help anyone when only one side of the story is told (191).
3. “Dozens of people were killed in the process; many were run over by armored vehicles, and others died from birdshot. Hundreds were severely injured” This shows a contrast from the previous protests, which were all peaceful for the most part (215).
Ch 8
1. “Yes to Mubarak for the sake of stability. Yes to the president of war and peace... We will not be another Iraq… Whoever loves Egypt should not drown Egypt” These slogans show that there was a divide among Egyptians about the protests, for some people stability was more important than the notion of freedom. This shows how clashes happened (234).
2. “This is no time for Google” Seeing him have this reaction shouldn’t have taken me by surprise given what he said in the video we watched in class, but I expected him to be a little more grateful after his wife told him that Google did a lot for him. This also shows how much he wanted the Egyptian affairs to stay in Egypt (245).
3. “Pray that I find another job and leave this place.” I believe this showed Wael that sometimes the Security Forces are forced into their positions as well. They don’t really hold any power; instead they are the puppets of the regime. That quote gives the security forces humanity (247).
Ch 9
1. The Egyptians were showing that they wanted to rule themselves. They didn’t want some dictator telling them what they were or weren’t allowed to do anymore. They were willing to protest until they got their demands (264).
2. Soliman’s message showed that Westerners should be scared of a possible democracy in Egypt. For the first time in decades the West was supporting the people of Egypt instead of the regime. Soliman tried to show that it was in the West’s best interest to stay away from the Egyptian population (268).
3. Mubarak wasn’t the one who said he was stepping down it was the vice president. This shocks me since the news media made it seem like Mubarak was the one who told the Egyptian people that he was no longer going to be the president of Egypt (289).
Question: Had Mubarak not stepped down, do you think that Egypt would mirror the bloody civil war in Syria, or do you think that Egypt would have pushed for freedom peacefully?
Ch.7
ReplyDelete1.) "I was walking down a dimly lit street. Suddenly three men jumped me from behind. They wrestled me to the ground. ...," (197). And the rest that follows, gives a very vivid description of what truly happen.
2.) "Google is a huge company - its revenues exceed one hundred billion Egyptian pounds a year. Over 90 percent of their revenues come from advertising to end users, and over 50 percent of that comes from countries outside the U.S.,"(207). And the next paragraph to follow, were great ways to come back to an insult that be betrayed the country.
3.) "Across the country, people marched from their mosques to the major squares in their cities, particularly in Cairo,..."(213). Its crazy to think that everyone just went for it, and didn't have social media to keep in touch across the country, as if it was their duty to go. It had always been a definite, rather than a question, as if the revolution was inevitable.
Ch. 8
1.) "The aftermath of the Day of Anger was deadly, though I wouldn't learn of it until I was released," (224). I wonder what other people were thinking, if some of them saw him as a leader, do you think that they would ask themselves if Wael was happy with the protest? Or, asking themselves if Wael would be angry with the violence?
2.) He repeats himself a lot saying he feels alone and time is slowing down, while in his jail cell. Do you think it is anxiety of not being at the protests, or scared of being there?
3.) "I bid the guards farewell and even hugged some of them," (247). I couldn't imagine hugging them if I was in his shoes, shows respect and loyalty to some higher authorities in his country.
Ch.9
1.) "I did not want anyone to spread rumors that I had been brainwashed by State Security or that my perspective had changed after detainment," (255-256). If people knew he was running the site and had put up the page for all of the Egyptian people to share their common thoughts, I can't see how they would think he turned, and if so, I wonder what they would think he was capable of.
2.) "It was at this moment that I changed my mind about appearing in the Western media," (268). I think from the Western world point of view, it is more appreciated that he did. Hearing the real story from his side, the one would started the page, and lead the Revolution to spread so fast, in the easiest possible way.
3.) I think the comparison between the the pharaoh and the ruler is quite unique. I think of it as he is trying to show how powerful he really was, in comparison to the pharaohs making slaves made a pyramid. Or, pharaohs having an extreme amount of privilege compared to the rest of the country.
If he didn't start the page, do you think he ever would have came out and told the world about this point of view of the revolution? Or, tried anything besides the social media to try and get people together?
Ch 7
ReplyDelete1. Following the Jan 25 event many people began being arrested and he received requests to take down the page, deciding that "history is made on the streets not the internet" he took down the invitation and then created a new page "The Friday of Anger" for Jan 28.
2. State owned media news coverage, along with many of the privately owned Egyptian TV channels were extremely biased against the protest. Media campaigns were made in order to ruin public opinions of the Jan 25 movement.
3. After the events of Jan 28, the admin of We are All Khaled Said, utilized the pages growth, 10,000 new members were joining per day, from 12 different countries, the US, Canada, the UK, and France, the page worked to help coordinate the members from different countries to be able to act as one.
Ch 8
1. The aftermath of the day of Anger was horrific, by Saturday 15 protestors had been killed; live ammo was fired into the crowds until the army formed a barrier separating protestors from the building. Inmates are various prisons tried to escape and were met with live ammunition from guards, the government was trying harshly to shut down this day
2. Egyptians went to the grocery stores in the masses trying to stock up on basic supplies; none knew how long the disruption of trade and transportation would last affecting their daily lives. Signs of hope approached, with the absence of police protection Egyptians elsewhere joined together in a display of solidarity.
3. Citizens outside the square played the vital role of delivering food and medical supplies to those stuck in the square, also handling traffic control, directing drivers through detours and around barricaded streets, this cooperation was something unseen in Egypt before.
Ch 9
1. After release he quickly contacted Mona Al-Shazly to speak on national television, setting the two conditions, 1. Being able to fully speak freely and not have the network drive the conversation, and 2. Having the network donate 1 million pounds to the families of Martyrs from the revolution.
2. After the presidents second speech he had won the sympathy of millions of Egyptians, tens of thousands took to the streets to demand that the protestors evacuate the square, many of the prior for revolution people had switched to having support for the president now.
3. “My cell phone started ringing as soon as I left the studio, and it did not stop” (261). After going and speaking thousands of people began to call and show their support, this television appearance brought together people regarding the tragedies from the revolution. Thousands called or messaged to show their support for what has taken place in Egypt so far and showing support for the hope of the country.
Ch 7
ReplyDeleteThe internet has definitely changed the way the world has come to work. Nothing can ever be done again where someone somewhere will not know about it and then share it. This is the most powerful weapon our society, especially this generation, now has to fight tyranny.
You would think that by now the regime would have learned that this will not be stopped through violence. But they still had not understood that it was too late people new to much and could not be stopped now.
I do not truly believe that the officers we were so oppressive to Ghonim and other Egyptian protestors. I believe they thought they were doing best for themselves and their country. I feel they themselves may have even wanted to rebel but were overwhelmed by a sense of duty.
Ch 8
It is unfortunate how much violence must occur before others are willing to make a change. These protests are just another example of how humanity feels it still needs to solve problem. I am even a firm believe that change will not happen without some sort of fierce action.
Thankfully do to all the media attention these protests were receiving a huge amount of crowd violence did not happen. I fear for what might have happened if the coverage had not been international.
They tried their best to make Ghonim there puppet but this never worked. As soon as he was free the revolution was in such a way he never even would have been able to predict.
Ch 9
One major problem I still believe is plaguing this cause today is the lack of a plan to do after the rebellions and not having a clear leader to spearhead anything. Ghonim would have been an excellent choice, but even he did not have the right strengths to lead a mass of people such as this.
At the same time I do not know what I believe about Ghonim starting such a revolution and then abandoning it. It seems a little irresponsible to me. Even though I don’t think he would have been a good leader he could have potentially used his influence to find a proper one.
For the future all we can hope is that all of this death and destruction was not all for nothing. Also that the history books do not look back and see this revolution as a blimp in Egyptian history that marks it as a mistake that will be then on ignored.
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1.) The fact that the Egyptian TV channels were influenced by State Security Officials and made the protestors look like the bad guys and say that they were attacking unarmed police officers, which was false. It’s hard to imagine if all out news stations be that biased based on influences from the government.
2.) On pages 200-210, I was painfully reading the interrogation, and if it was painful for the reader, I can’t begin to imagine how it was for Ghonim. Knowing that all your responses, as honest as they might be were going to be used against you, or the facts ignored.
3.) Another thing that stood out to me was when, on page 214, it says that the officers appeared to run out of energy and ammunition and that they stood passively, no longer being able to face a raging population. This is interesting because Ghonim describes it as the officers pleading and saying they had no choice, taking their side after they were ultimately powerless. But one could argue that during the protests when they had full clips they had their own hearts in mind, as so it seemed anyway.
Chapter 8
1.) “Moreover, the fact that regional and international media organizations such as Al Jazeera and CNN covered the events was key in ensuring the safety of protesters” (Page 236) This is interesting because it goes back to the very important topic being awareness. The more people that know about this, the less the government is going to do, and the less people are going to get hurt because it would only give them a bad rep.
2.) When Wael was told about the events that were taking place outside the prison walls, the thoughts going through his mind must have been indescribably. Being locked up, having no contact with the outside world, on top of being tortured mentally and accused of being a traitor to his country.
3.) “Do you plan to mention this?” regarding the treatment Ghohim received and whether or not he was going to discuss it on television. (Page 257)
Chapter 9
1.) 1.) The fact that Wael didn’t want to be looked at as a hero, but more of a “member of the revolutionary masses who had fulfilled his duty toward his country.” Shows you that he was doing it selflessly. And he was really dedicated which is another reason why it was somewhat painful to read the dialogue between him and the interrogator in the previous chapter.
2.) “As happy as I was with all the love and appreciation I had seen, I was not happy that my anonymity had been lost. I had hoped that no one would ever find out about my political activism or that I was the “Kullena Khaled Said” This is interesting because it’s hard to believe that he would even imagine that his anonymity would be able to be kept due to all the publicity his activism had created. (Page 266)
3.) The minister not being on board with Mubarak stepping down because he felt that “the ongoing events in Egypt were the result of a conspiracy against our nation.
Why was the Egyptian government so against the TV channels broadcasting the truth and how had the government infiltrated something as simple as media broadcasting?
Chapter 7:
ReplyDelete1.”Access to Facebook was olny intermittently available in Egypt on the night of the twenty-fifth and the morning of the twenty-sixth, so I prepared an online form to collect e-mail addresses of the page’s members.” This was a smart move by Wael, although I believe he should not have relied on one service from the beginning. This allows the movement to continue forward without government, company censorship. (190)
2. “The fact that President Mubarak has not come out and addressed the nation is the greatest proof that he and his government are terrified that what happened in Tunisia would be repeated in Egypt .. Please, let there be no bloodshed.” Very noble post by Wael. (195)
3. “On the Day of Anger Jan28 … all communication in the country was cut off. Little did the regime know that his was the single largest promotional effort possible for the revolution.” By cutting off the internet and all communication within the country, the regime was advertising that something was amiss.
Chapter 8:
1. “During his disappearance, I trusted who he trusted and was glad I had paid attention to names he mentioned.” This was very smart of his wife, but I don’t understand why wael’s family would lie to her and tell her that he is safe, false hope is the last thing a person needs in a time of crisis. (228)
2. “He knew that even though these social networks were blocked, I could easily use proxy technology to gain access. So he got worried. He tried to call me on Friday and Saturday, without success. When nothing happened to ease his anxiety, he decided on Sunday that he must change the password on the Gmail account.” (230) Wael was smart to include others on his plans.
3. “He told me that he had been inspired by all that was happening, and he ended by saying , “Pray that I find another job and leave this place.” These strong words made me think about how he was imprisoned by State Security just as I was.”(247) Oppression can be felt by all even the ones enforcing it.
Chapter 9:
1. “When I reached the stage, what stood before my eyes was like nothing I had ever imagined. Some people started chanting ‘Wael, Wael,’ but I asked them not to. This is showing how much faith the Egyptians put into their cause they were not about to give up until their demands were meet. (264)
2. “He was sending a clear message to those Western governments that had decided, for the first time in decades, to take the side of Egyptian people rather than the regime.” This is obviously not helping the cause of the revolution. (268)
3.”Vice President Omar Solman appeared on national television ... ‘President Muhammad Hosi Mubarak has decided to give up the office of vice president of the republic and instructed the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to manage the affairs of the country.’” I thought that is was Mubarak who had delivered this speech.
Question?
Why hadn’t protesters demanded other members of his regime step down? I imagine they were just as bad as he was.
Yalla - fine insights here, colleagues.
ReplyDeleteOn we go, inshallah.
Dr. Rob
CH 7
ReplyDeleteEfforts to stop the protestors took both physical and psychological forms. In addition to actual police force , brutality, water grenades and tanks the State Security Officials mobilized a media campaign to put public opinion against Jan 25 and make it seem as if the protests "had been driven by foreign efforts to cause chaos". (191)
Cutting of access to cellular, internet and messaging services was accordion go to Ghonim the "single largest promotional effort possible for the revolution." (212) This degree of censorship/shut down and government control alerted even those unaware of the protestors efforts that something major was taking place.
On Jan 28th Protestors met the army tanks that "rolled into every major square" with joy despite not knowing the position they held. This is revealing of the human condition … but more concretely signifies the climate of the country and how collectively opposed the people were to their regime… enough to hug the tanks and gunman now occupying their space.
Ch 8
-Despite the lies that the administration had planted to create fear amongst Egypt's citizens which proclaimed that all chaos and havoc would ensue without the regime in place to run the country; protestors banned together in an organic civic movement uniting Egypt's multifaceted society. (225) This civic movement and effort was quite revealing of the people's shared desire.
-" Citizen journalism and social media played a great role in informing the wold of the events in the square and many other areas across Egypt." (235) The minute to minute updates of photos, info and videos helped to disseminate information in ways that traditional media was unable to. Big name/ mainstream news sources did however cover the safety of protestors.
-Blaming the chaos and protests on "foreign instigators" was a tactic employed by Mubarak's regime used to suppress and silence those opposed to his reign. Wael was released on the basis that there investigation showed he was innocent and the government had claimed "foreign groups had helped to use tractors to break into Egypt's prisons. (242)
Ch. 9
" The regime was facing an angry generation, a generation that was not politically savvy." (268) The regime believed the lack of Egyptian youth's political, social and economic consciousness prohibited their ability to govern themselves, despite the fact that it was their policies that prevented such consciousness.
The role of media in the aftermath of Mubarka's "resignation" is extremely telling of today's day in age. Wael used face book to clarify his position and ideas in the face of television and news agency's reporting otherwise.
Wael's Facebook poll failed because the server was experiencing too much traffic and no longer worked. "Many visitors wanted to participate and share their opinions". This could be used as a metaphor for the new democracy Egyptian youth demanded.
Wael Ghonim ends the chapter by relaying his face book post "Proud to be an Egyptian" or in other words a message that signaled his resignation of political activism. With much of his and other protestors demands unmet where does he currently stand in regards to his involvement with political activism?
1.
ReplyDelete-Just by reading this you could see how desperate the State were. They knew they had little to no control of the situation. The absurd connection to google was where it showed they were truly desperate to arrest Gohm.
-It was a terrible mistake and miscalculation on the regime part to shut down the internet. Once the internet went down, it gave the citizens of Egypt hint that it was time rise up against the regime.
-Being tortured like that must have been terrifying for Gohm. The tactics they used were probably breaking almost every human right imaginable. I found it interesting that some of the guards has began to question what the regime had told them and what was really going.
2.
-It would make sense that because CNN had been watching, the protester were safe from the complete wrath of Mubarak. The regime wanted to keep a decent face as everything collapsed around it.
-The thirty year old guard treating Gohm with respect at the end shows that the guard were just following orders and in the end were just as human as he is.
-It was clever of Google to create a advertising program that they themselves associated with and were able to not being associated with politics. But instead plaster Gohn face across Egypt to find out where he disappeared to.
3.
-Gohm resolve against the NDP has its merits. They did just illegally torture and mistreat him for eleven days. He has every right to say he does not wish to see the logo of the NDP ever again.
-It is amazing what happens when you disappear for eleven days. Gohm’s twitter and facebook accounts skyrocketed from their original numbers. It also helped that the protests were a success and Mubarak had decided to step down.
-It was a wise move for Gohm to say he had no interest in playing a major in the riots. He wished for the youth of Egypt to rise up and take charge on their own. Which the revolution allowed them to do.
Question: Why did it take so long for Google, Gohm's family and friends to find out that he had gone missing and demand his release?
Chapter 7:
ReplyDelete- “State security was arresting people whose names appeared on the list of attendees for the event January 25th.” (page 158) Wael was forced to delete the event page in order to try to protect everyone who was planning on attending. This was a smart moving in not letting state officials stop the momentum of the movement.
- Wael got in a taxi to go to his friends house he claimed that the view of the taxi driver was the same as most other egyptians. They have great feelings of hopelessness. It was funny that the regime was in such denial of the revolution that even the taxi driver didn’t know about tahrir square.
- “We will continue until we either die as martyrs or our demands come to pass.” (page 162) The fact that these people would rather die than live under the corrupt egyptian rule says a lot to me. I know this statement was simply meant to get the revolution amped up but it is probably truthful for most egyptians.
Chapter 8:
- “ Hello traitor” said one of the officers to Wael. Where he quickly responded that he wasn’t a traitor he was doing everything he is doing for the country. I suppose a lot of people would consider you a traitor if you go against society but Wael would argue that he wasn’t a traitor simply because he only intended a good outcome.
- While Wael was in jail the egyptian people were in a state of chaos. People escaping from prisons and so on. There was even concerns that people should stock up at the supermarket because of the possibility of an inability to trade with people due to the revolution.
- The sit-in in Tahrir had everything you could ever want it was like a mini society within the square which made the sit-in more bearable and inturn successful. Ironically the plumbers turned armored vans into restrooms which brings some comedy into play here.
Chapter 9
- When Wael meets with the minister he tries to act as if he is a revolutionary as well. I think this upsets Wael and a lot of the points made by the minister just seem to make him very uneasy. I cannot imagine sitting in an office trying to contain myself while talking to someone with such ignorance.
- When he was released the first talk show he called he asked to not be lead by their conversation and a million pounds for the people. This was a steep deal but the network accepted. Just goes to show the demand for Wael at the time.
- “Freedom is a blessing worth fighting for.” This concept of freedom is often taken for granted by many of us Americans myself included. This whole revolution makes me happy we live in a country like America.
Question: If the conditions are that bad why not just leave?
Chapter 7
ReplyDeleteOnce again, media played a powerful role in the Arab spring. By blocking the media source it made the citizens angry and eventually got the to rally up and riot. “Facebook was blocked once again less than fifteen minutes after the demonstration venues were published, making it nearly impossible for protesters to locate the list” (195)
“You were recruited by the CIA, and the Google job was the perfect cover, since Google is an American company. Your privileged life in Dubai was the reward for your betrayal.” I think that it’s interesting to see that officers would even think about how American government’s “support” the Egyptian government. (206)
During a violent protest, security forces ran out of ammunition and energy. This made multiple forces to surrender and say that in fact fighting really wasn’t their choice to do. (214)
Chapter 8
I think this was well said, with the fact that people are in reality the true power in any situation. “To achieve your vision, you need friends and communication channels more than you need plans. The world moves too fast for even the best-laid plans to hold up” (232).
“This is no time for Google” I think that the fact Google is from the US and how throughout the years the US has been supporting the Egyptian government no one wanted a US program involved. (245).
“Do you plan to mention this?” This was when he was being interview in TV and it seems interesting to see that if he plans to have mention a certain topic. In most TV interviews it seems that there is somewhat of a script and. (Page 257)
Chapter 9
Hundreds of Egyptians had been killed defending their dreams. The situation was irreversible now. It seems that if people were to give up at this point everyone that had die, they would have died in banned. (258).
The Egyptians were showing that they wanted to rule themselves. They didn’t want some dictator telling them what they were or weren’t allowed to do anymore. I completely agree with the Egyptians, it is hard to be ruled under a dictator and with the Internet seeing how free other people was that’s what they clearly wanted. (264).
“He was sending a clear message to those Western governments that had decided, for the first time in decades, to take the side of Egyptian people rather than the regime. This shows that he never cared about its people rather in his relation with Western government. (268)
Chapter 7:
ReplyDelete- The security forces that interrogated Ghonim were focused on uncovering a non-existent conspiracy against Egypt orchestrated by some religious, political, or foreign power. Ghonim continued to argue that he was an ally of Egypt and only had the country’s best interests in mind when he created the Facebook page.
- You would think that by now the regime would have learned that this will not be stopped through violence. But they still had not understood that it was too late people new to much and could not be stopped now.
- The officers appeared to run out of energy and ammunition and that they stood passively, no longer being able to face a raging population. This is interesting because Ghonim describes it as the officers pleading and saying they had no choice, taking their side after they were ultimately powerless. But one could argue that during the protests when they had full clips they had their own hearts in mind, as so it seemed anyway.
Chapter 8
- The guards that dealt with Wael while he was arrested were unjustifiably verbally abusive to him. They called him names and put him down.
- Mubarak’s speech about how he was not going to run in the next election and no longer wanted to remain in power poured out sympathy from some people to him. (pg 233). Ghonim says that most of the divide among the protesters about the speech was generational and that many of the parents of the protesters wanted their kids to return home. Ironically enough, the protests that occurred afterwards between the revolutionaries and Mubarak supporters were the most violent.
- The armed forces’ response was a clear statement of support for the protestors. It was a signal moment in the revolution: there would be no bloodbath at the hands of the army. I feel like this was the turning point in the revolution. With the military on the public’s side the protestors have that much more power.
Chapter 9
- When he was released the first talk show he called he asked to not be lead by their conversation and a million pounds for the people. This was a steep deal but the network accepted. Just goes to show the demand for Wael at the time.
- “Two surprising pieces of news surfaced when I met my friends to discuss our next steps. The first was that the Middle East News Agency reported that I had issued a statement inviting all Egyptians at Tahrir Square to return to their homes following the president’s speech. The second was that hundreds of angry protesters had begun marching from Tahrir Square toward the presidential palace to force the president to step down.”
- For the future all we can hope is that all of this death and destruction was not all for nothing. Also that the history books do not look back and see this revolution as a blimp in Egyptian history that marks it as a mistake that will be then on ignored.