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[Puffin]

It ain't over yet . . . change is change. change for the better is the ultimate hope. We'll see who rises out of this.

Reflecting on similiar events that come to mind, South Korea, Phillippines, Poland, USSR and Perestroika, Hungary in the 80's, Germany in the 80's, all
were changes for the better. Even those that didn't succeed such as Hungary in the 60's and Tiananmen eventually led to success later on or at least more freedom in the case of China.
The benefits of change do not reach all people at the same time in the same country. Maybe those living outside the cities will not see benefits equal to their urban bretheran, but their children may.   

[Lifetime]

 "but their children may"
 
Usually that only way the Children of Peasants can succeed
 
Ability to get an education or ability to join the Military. Korea is such as the result of War. Count the whole peninsula and it looks bad overall and on average. If you leave cities like Seoul or Busan (Pusan), you will still see the peasant side of South Korea. Cities profit from ANY positive change and not all want to go live in the city.
 
Attitude about FAMILY units has a lot to do with the reluctance. Cities represent a seedier side to those who do live in the hinterlands..... corruption, decadence and terrible crime. This is true of most of the examples you made.
 
I see, as these "revolts" occur that the heads of those countries will become more overt in how they "take care" of the "dissidents". Those in power tend to want to hold onto power or hide the fact they are still in power even after a supposed change. Iran will kill more, in relationship to the "revolts". China just ran them over with tanks.... not a thought about human life. What we can't do is measure those people's definition of freedom by using ours. It just doesn't match.
 
Our Ideas of freedom were set in place centuries ago. Our Government is one of the OLDEST on Earth at this time. Most countries change theirs about every 60 years or so. Even the Country that we call the Father of Democracy is a Parliamentary Republic with a heavy lick of Communism. Almost everyone in Greece relies on a livable wage from the Government. Most of the people in those streets were Government workers who weren't being paid. The Government ran out of money. The US has about 2.15 million in the Federal Work Force to include, I believe, the military. ( no real figures on the State and Local Level.... police, fire , teachers, managers etc.)They were added to the employment figures under Reagan to lower the Unemployment rate. We have 2 million PLUS just going off Unemployment Compensation which indicates the private sector employs many more.

We are in the catbird seat to observe how this plays out. For myself,,, not seeing a large plus when it comes to where we are in this. In a world that seems to be getting smaller everyday, I can understand the saying... The enemy of my enemy is my friend....but I add..... "for now" .

[Amidala]

It ain't over yet . . . change is change. change for the better is the ultimate hope. We'll see who rises out of this.

Reflecting on similiar events that come to mind, South Korea, Phillippines, Poland, USSR and Perestroika, Hungary in the 80's, Germany in the 80's, all
were changes for the better. Even those that didn't succeed such as Hungary in the 60's and Tiananmen eventually led to success later on or at least more freedom in the case of China.
The benefits of change do not reach all people at the same time in the same country. Maybe those living outside the cities will not see benefits equal to their urban bretheran, but their children may.  

Agreed, Puffin. I have a lot of hope. The things I am reading and hearing, even from the far right, is quite hopeful. Thankfully, the military seems to be on the side of the people.

BTW, the first and ONLY hearing-impaired KFC is in Cairo. Everyone but the manager is hearing-impaired, and you order by pointing at the items on the menu imbedded in the countertop. Pretty progressive, huh?

[lifefeedsonlife]

Puff -

The countries you mentioned were a little different demographically though. (Case in point - try and find ANY middle eastern women in

this video

.) I don't know - it depends on who rises to the top.If it turns out to be a situation similar to that in Turkey (more secular in it's approach) it'll likely be a lot better for eveyone in the long run . . .

I'm hoping this doesn't lean towards a Caliphate - in any of these countries. I HOPE the folks in Egypt and Yemen and Bahrain etc are keeping an eye on what the regime in Iran (a Caliphate disguised as a Republic) is doing to its people right now so that it doesn't.

Stange days indeed - most peculiar . . . .

[Lifetime]

Yes... be thankful that the military APPEARS to be on the peoples side.. but remember ....Tiananmen Square.... I don't think those were civilian tanks lubricating their tracks. When the military is a necessity to retain power, the power is only there as long as the military allows YOU to have it. Mubarak was an Air Force Commander and I don't think the Egyptian Military is willing yet to end his existance. In North Korea.... the SON of the A-hole is now the Military Commander and he never served a day in the Military. When food and fuel is shipped to North Korea, by anyone, even us or the South Koreans....the Military gets the LIONS share. Keep the military well fed and clothed and you can remain "In Charge". Take that away and you have examples like the Russian Generals selling off the missles and arms after the Soviet Union fell.
 
We are lucky and yet unlucky in some sense...our Military is under Civilian Command....... so far.
 
 

It ain't over yet . . . change is change. change for the better is the ultimate hope. We'll see who rises out of this.

Reflecting on similiar events that come to mind, South Korea, Phillippines, Poland, USSR and Perestroika, Hungary in the 80's, Germany in the 80's, all
were changes for the better. Even those that didn't succeed such as Hungary in the 60's and Tiananmen eventually led to success later on or at least more freedom in the case of China.
The benefits of change do not reach all people at the same time in the same country. Maybe those living outside the cities will not see benefits equal to their urban bretheran, but their children may.   

Agreed, Puffin. I have a lot of hope. The things I am reading and hearing, even from the far right, is quite hopeful. Thankfully, the military seems to be on the side of the people.

BTW, the first and ONLY hearing-impaired KFC is in Cairo. Everyone but the manager is hearing-impaired, and you order by pointing at the items on the menu imbedded in the countertop. Pretty progressive, huh?

[Puffin]

True NP. Regional, and cultural differences exist. Always have. But everything changes over time.
 
If you look at old (50-60's) photographs of baseball and football games here, you will see the fans are almost exclusively male, most have suits and ties, and hats too.
 

[lifefeedsonlife]

This is an email message from a friend of mine who is an English teacher and writer at a University in Turkey. I asked her if the protests throughout the region are something that may occur in Turkey even though they are more democratic and secular in their approach in general. (I also asked if she was OK):
 

  Hi, (lifefeedsonlife)!
Thank you for your concern and you're right. This is what's happening in the region and our governmental structure, which is still secular on paper is also shifting towards a more conservative one that would function as an Islamic government. Our leader relates more to the views of Iran's leader, which scares what seems to be the minority in our country. Many journalists, military officials who are opposed to our government have been arrested, phones are tapped, our constitution is being changed, university students who protest are being beaten and arrested. So this is the picture we have here besides the high rate of unemployment, world's most expensive gas and poverty. We ran out of hope, my dear friend. And we are terrified and terrorized. I think there is a new era waiting for us and it won't be nice.
Love,

 
I DON"T think that these demonstarions will bode well for 'democracy' as we define it in the long run. Iran is a Caliphate masquerading as a Republic. What's happening in Egypt could very well go the way of Iran in '79 - along with other countries in the region as well.
 
There is a strong reason for the State not to endorse a particular faith in our Constitution . . .
 
And Israel is rightly worried.