At the time of this diary prep, events in Egypt were still unfolding, so I'm sure we'll know more later.
And, since this is the final night of this diary (or any diary of mine) pre - DK4, we need the appropriate music!
DK3, lots of people knew ye; let's hope to a relatively - stress - free transition to DK4! Watch for emails and/or Twits...er...uh...Tweets.
Let's look at more history on this potentially - history - making day. For "this day in history" with a local leaning (for me, anyway), Mike Tyson was convicted on this date in 1992 of raping a beauty pageant contestant in my fair city. Mr. Tyson served his time in Plainfield, IN - west of Indianapolis by about 30 or 45 minutes. The prosecuting attorney in the case has made quite a name for himself as the local right - wing bat$hit Boss Limbaugh wanna - be.
Keith Olbermann might be lighting a candle for this item. The final episode of Arrested Development aired on this date in 2006. All episodes are on Hulu, and I highly - recommend watching them; they are a hoot! :D
It's time for SPARK! Another unnecessary remake is on the way. Is the music from Queen going to be featured, too? As far as I'm concerned, that was the best part of the original! Here's yet another use for beer that I won't be touching with a 10 - foot pole.
This next item must be accompanied by the appropriate music! ;D
Finally, whether it's Valentine's Day or not, nothing says "I love you!" like buggery! No, not THAT KIND; get your minds outta the gutter!
On with The Rachel Maddow Show!
"Breaking News: Protesters Plan Massive Demonstration in Egypt Friday" - For awhile earlier, it looked like the military was going to step in on the side of the people in Tahir Square. Some big military meeting went on WITHOUT Mubarak; the Chief of Staff of the military told people in Tahir Square that Mubarak would be exiting stage right. So, all those people thought Mubarak would be gone by day's end. In Mr. Mubarak's speech, however, he did not resign & made only very vague statements about power transfers or something.
Rachel thinks the military are political participants now after today. Egyptian Ambassador to the United States Sameh Shoukry is on the phone. The Chief of Staff may or may not have been in Tahir Square today. The VP is in command of the military now - oh goody. *&^%$#@! The ambassador doesn't think there's been a split between the Egyptian VP & the military. Apparently, all powers have been transferred to the VP. So, Mubarak's still there why? Is he in the middle of some mini - series & doesn't want to be interrupted? Trying to find a safe place to run?
Protesters want massive change RIGHT NOW; the pace of changed discussed by the ambassador just ain't gonna cut the humus. Mr. Mubarak claimed today that those responsible for violence on journalists would be punished. He's going to punish himself? Doubt it!
Here's Richard Engel {insert standing 'o' here}! BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!! The government's actually going to try to instill confidence into the protesters that change will come. Uh - oh! Sources close to Mubarak thought he was resigning, too! Well, he just pulled the wool over a whole lot of peoples' eyes; he's crafty that way that dictators need to be. Richard thinks Mubarak WAS going to resign but changed his mind. He also thinks the military is feeling the pressure for Mubarak to go; they want his exit to go "smoothly" - whatever the hell THAT means.
"Egypt Breaking News" - Sharif Abdel Kouddous is still on the scene; he is in Tahir Square. He said he'd never heard such a big crowd go so quiet so quickly. Yea, that kind of sudden silence can be spooky to put it mildly! The response to Mr. Mubarak's non - exit was basically peaceful; many were afraid it wouldn't be. The military has detained hundreds of people. So, what makes the people think they're on their side? Juan Cole is a professor with specializations in the Middle East & the Muslim world. Professor Cole thinks it's pretty clear among the military that they'd really REALLY like for Mubarak to go. Ya' know, I'd trust nothing until Mr. Mubarak is GONE.
So, is Mr. Mubarak the loud drunk chic at a party that people are trying to ignore? That's the image I got with some of Professor Cole's thoughts!
"More Egypt Breaking News" - The reason why the military is so powerful in Egypt is we, the people, boys & girls! Ever since the Camp David Accords, we've given them & Israel a whole mess of money. Now, Israel's apparently getting damn nervous at the status of the peace agreement should the military take over Egypt. What is Israel NOT nervous about? Professor Shibley Telhami is here to clarify the role & potential consequences of military action - or inaction - in Egypt. He called today in Cairo "strange." THAT is an understatement! OK, my brain's beginning to glaze over. The current success of the protesters in Cairo is OBL's worst nightmare; if they fail, WE are in the soup.
"More More Egypt Breaking News" - 30 minutes before Mr. Mubarak's speech, singing of the national anthem could be heard a mile away! Ayman Mohyeldin had a first - hand front row seat to the protester reaction & change of mood. The chanting from the crowd for Mubarak to go began even before the end of Mubarak's speech. No one knows or can figure out what happened to change Mr. Mubarak's mind between this morning & this afternoon. The military is playing their cards very close to them; they've apparently acted like this for a long time for a lot of issues. Mr. Mohyeldin doesn't agree with the ambassador's assessment of the relationship between the VP & the military. Well, it's not like an ambassador is going to be REALLY honest about that kind of thing. He's gonna be like a young Kevin Bacon! ;D
I'm sorry I really REALLY needed to lighten things up a bit.
"Egypt is Changing!" - Even Egyptian state television began a crawler about Egypt changing? Wow! Rachel thinks what's going on in Cairo will change the world. She then took us back to previous popular uprisings against bad governments. Not all the outcomes have been or will be the same. Rachel thinks the protesters "winning" is a given. I'm not so sure; I wish I was!