Thoughts of strength & compassion to everyone in harm's way in Egypt...
AND, unfortunately, most "this day in history" items are downers to go with the uncertain & dangerous atmosphere in Cairo; however, I'll try to lighten things up a bit in SPARK.
The plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper was on this date in 1959. So, expect some music from all 3 gentleman in comments.
Alberto Gonzales became this nation's first Hispanic AG on this date in 2005; he made a hell of a mark for the Hispanic community, yes? HAS HE BEEN DISBARRED YET?!
OK...quickly on to SPARK... If a big 'ol coat, gloves, a hat, and a scarf just aren't cuttin' it for you to keep warm, try getting yourself good & "marinated!"
On 2nd thought, no, don't get yourself sauced.
After looking at these pics, y'all can list packing tape right next to duct tape as far as "doing everything" properties! Hey, if dryer lint worked, why the heck not?
Finally, we'll end with yet another tale of criminal "brilliance!" I've heard of absent minded but holy $hit!
On with The Rachel Maddow Show...
In the interest of full disclosure, I have a mother sparker of a headache so apologies all around if I come off as catty or #itchy. I took some meds, so we'll see if I feel better later. Also, if any of you are following me on teh Twitter but I'm not following you yet, please let me know who you are so I can return the favor. We now return to your regularly - scheduled Rachel Maddow Show.
"The Whole World is Watching" - Journalists are still getting roughed up & some pretty badly. $hit! Rachel called what's going on in Cairo a strategy - a plan by the Mubarak government to use violence to get their way & stay in power. It's not uncontrolled or chaos. Protestors come out on top via information & getting their story out there - hence the attack on all the journalists trying to cover what's going on there. Staying non - violent even though others are trying to beat the $hit out of you is easier said than done. Check this out:
CPJ [Committee to Protect Journalists] has documented at least seven instances on state - owned television or on private stations owned by businessmen loyal to [President] Mubarak in which individuals described elaborate foreign plots to destabilize Egypt...In several instances, they were described as "Israeli spies." In one instance, a woman whose face was obscured "confessed to having been trained by "Americans and Israelis." She went on to say that the alleged training took place in Qatar, where [the news network] Al - Jazeera is based.
OK, number 1, I thought there was a peace agreement between the Egyptian government & the Israeli government in the late 70s; it was in all the papers, I think! Number 2, that "Israeli spy" stuff really has an oogy ring to it. Remember Daniel Pearl?
"The Whole World is Watching Part Deux" - State - run TV is showing a nice peaceful bridge spanning the Nile. Well, ain't that special? I guess they assume people can't look out their windows - especially in Cairo - to see what's going on! Shahira Amin quit her gig in state - run TV because essentially she ran out of bull$hit. She's on the people's side & didn't want to be a government stooge anymore.
"The Whole World is Watching Part Whatever - 3 - in - French - Is" - Ron Allen's in that seemingly not - very - exclusive club of journalists getting knocked around in Cairo. The efforts from protestors is pretty sustained; lots are wondering how much longer they can do this. There are pro - Mubarak forces in Alexandria, too, and protestors trying to hold their ground against them. Friday could be a big day. No media outlets or networks are being real specific about where their reporters are; that's probably a good idea. It doesn't sound like a whole lot of journalists are actually in Cairo anymore; they kind of have to sneak in & sneak out & still be able to do their job.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has a website; check this out & be grateful for those willing to put their lives on the line to bring out the truth.
"Seriously?" - Lonesome Rhodes returns AGAIN! The Mannity's here, too, & TurdBlossom! Huh...all FAUX News employees, too...go figure. OK, I don't know how much more of these "people" I can take. We're going to have to be an Islamic state because of what's going on in Egypt, and the Muslim Brotherhood is working for President Obama. Cute flashlight scary thing, Rachel; the only thing missing is s'mores! This is actually the perfect time for Mark Fiore brilliance. :D Wow, names in the administration were actually named.
"Toppelgangers" - Is what's going on in Egypt a Berlin - Wall - falling kind of thing? Who knows, but it does seem that a whole lot of people in more - than - a - few Arab nations are not happy. What happened in Tunisia is being discussed a lot in protests in other nations. Tunisia, however, isn't exactly all calm, sedate, and happy these days! Here's former SOS Madeleine Albright! She spoke at the university where I work & teach, and I got to ask her a question! :D Even though the White House might be in talks how to get rid of Mubarak yesterday, she thinks the end result of all this is ultimately up to the people of Egypt. Well, that's all well & good until lots of people end up dead. *&^%$#@! SOS Albright reiterated the importance of the role of the journalist & clarified the history of the aid we give to Egypt. Apparently, the aid can be a bargaining tool, of sorts. OK, so if we decrease aid to Egypt, do we then have to do the same to Israel? And, can y'all imagine the freakin' outcry if aid to Israel was cut back?! The most recent parliament elections in Egypt were "not free & fair" - to be charitable. How damn ironic would it be if President Carter was the one picked to babysit future elections in Eqypt?!
"The Whole World is Watching Part Whatever - 4 - in - French - Is" - Sharif Abdel Kouddous is back again & still apparently doing OK; he's in Tahir Square still! DAMN! He was there yesterday when all the $hit came down. A make - shift hospital has been created on site with men, women, and children as patients. Tahir means "liberation." He actually feels pretty safe where he is. Wow...even human rights workers are being targeted. Yea, that'll do A LOT to boost the creds of the Mubarak government.
The people didn't think the military would harm them, but they didn't expect pro - Mubarak forces to run roughshod over everyone. As we saw last night, the military did eventually intervene to protect the protestors.
"First Amendment Remedies" - Look at that internet shut - off & turn - back - on charts. Pictures of injured protestors are now out there for all the world to see. The Egyptian government is trying to monkey around with cell service, text messaging, and other social networks.