Wael is a gifted young film critic who joined his fellow Far-Flung Correspondents at Ebertfest 2010. Today the group received this word from him after a week of silence.
• Wael Khairy in Cairo
We took a specific safe route to my grandfather's house on Thursday night. After a good night sleep, I met up with fellow friends and protestors of Zamalek and walked to Tahrir Square where the majority of the protestors chanted and waved their hands in unity. The Friday protest was exhausting for we were struggling to stand our ground. The police fired tear-gas and it was the first time for me to inhale this toxic material.
I don't know if any of you have experienced the effect of tear gas. It is unbearable. Besides the obvious name it is given (because it causes eyes burning, severe tears and temporary limited sight) once I inhaled it my nose kept running non-stop. I experienced difficulty in swallowing; my throat was itching and my lungs burning. The crowds cleared and ran as the shooting of tear gas intensified.
Once we reached somewhat clear air. We chanted, "we can fight this." It was a matter of retaliating. The routine of running away and back to the police was constant and more organized than the initial chaos of people rushing and stumbling over each other while not being able to see anything. We waited, saw the cans being fired in the air, saw the cans land among us and finally picked them up and threw them back. The police were too far away so we couldn't actually reach them. The key was to get a little bit closer every time. Eventually a day later this happened and they withdrew.
I know you all know this from the news, but I'll say it anyway. Mubarak went on television the day after and asked the government to resign on Saturday. However, he still didn't indicate that he would leave which is what this movement was all about. I think this is what ultimately triggered his downfall. He thought people would be satisfied by his orders, but what we thought was...it's working. If we could get rid of the government in one day, it wouldn't take much longer demonstrations for the big guy to step down.
It is still unclear what exactly happened in the events that followed, but rumor has it that one of the ministers responsible for the security of the nation didn't react well to Mubarak asking him to resign and ordered the police to leave and opened the doors to dozens of prisons so that more than 2000 prisoners could leave. Others say Mubarak was responsible because the minister couldn't have ordered anything once resigned. Either way, prisoners escaped, thugs went into empty police stations and stole all the weapons.
That's when real fear spread around the nation. We didn't fear the government or Mubarak but our own people. The triggering of this event brought out the best and worst of Egyptians. The looters started breaking into homes, raping girls (one of them the daughter of a friend of mine), stealing whatever they could and threatening citizens with the guns they stole. The sound of gunfire echoed all over the city.
The malls I went to on a weekly basis are now history. All that is left of them is rubble, broken windows and emptied drawers. So many areas of the city of Cairo were transformed into ruins and debris. The real wreckage hit everyone when we found out the Egyptian museum was attacked and the looters ripped off the heads of mummies and damaged other artifacts. That's when everyone realized that the police had fled and we were the only ones left to protect the country, its history and our homes.
The best of men walked out at night with baseball bats, swords, sticks and other weapons to protect the streets and homes of so many. Me and my friends and a bunch of other people protected Zamalek till dawn. At around seven when the sun came up we would go back home sleep a few hours, wake up, demonstrate, go home, eat, sleep an hour or two and patrol the area at night to fend off looters. So far my group has been responsible for the capturing of 7 looters and 3 escaped convicts.
The convicts confirmed to us that they were indeed forced to leave their prisons or get shot. All they wanted was food and to surrender themselves. We handed them to the army. Whenever we would hear screaming or a shouting or gunfire we would rush to see what happened. Zamalek is an island so it's well protected with only a few bridge entrances. However, it is also any criminal or thieves' main target for it is where the rich people live. We blocked off the entrances with all kinds of blocks, fridges and what have you. A day later they found another way in, through the Nile on little boats. When I spotted two guys crossing the Nile into Zamalek, I shouted and the crowds gathered. We caught them and asked them what they were doing at four o'clock in the morning. "Fishing" was their answer. They didn't have any fishing gear, only one machine gun and three pistols.
By now the whole town of Zamalek knew each other. We had special passwords "chicken" "courage" "Thank Goodness" that we would ask whenever someone passed by the road blocks we set up on every street. Two foreigners came by too. They were reporters, one was Swiss and worked for Time magazine and the other was British and worked for the Wall Street Journal in the UK. The latter took pictures of the road blocks and sent in food, blankets and tea late at night as a thank you for protecting where his apartment among others.
He asked if he could take pictures of me holding my bat "to show the world your kind service in the absence of police" and I didn't decline. He said the pictures would appear on their website online only. Besides throwing back two tear gas cans to the cops, I did not get involved in any violence whatsoever. I even stopped the guys from beating up one of the looters and they listened and just handed them to the army. I also stopped some of the protesters from throwing the tear gas cans into the river because of the pollution in water and all.
This routine of patrolling, demonstrating, resting, and resting went on every day. Till finally the million march forced Mubarak to step down and announce that he wouldn't run for president later this year. I have to say this satisfied me and realistically speaking, I don't think the country is in any condition to be handed in to someone else in a day or two. The shift has to be smooth and gradual yet not too long. So to be honest, think his speech was satisfying and fair (expect for the parts where he said that he always stood for protecting the country, instead of saying the people, which is what matters).
Either way, with fighter jets and helicopters hovering above us, hectic days later we finally made it. A lot has changed in the past few days. I no longer want Nobel Prize winner El Baradei to be president because of his speeches and the way he handled and addressed the situation. I'm not sure who I want at the moment, but the only good thing Mubarak did was announce Omar Suleiman as Vice President. My grandfather speaks highly of him and thinks he more than anyone can bring stability to the region, manage extremist groups, and be responsive to the people's demands. Still, I will have to wait and see who wants to run for president before supporting anyone.
The protests in Tahrir continued after the presidential speech. They wanted him to leave instantly, which is very unrealistic and would lead to chaos, so I left and spend the night at home. Today the internet is back but things got a lot worse. Pro Mubarak protesters appeared out of nowhere and are attacking the originally "peaceful" protesters in Tahrir Square. This happened everywhere and at the same time. They rode horses and camels and marched in. Some of them are reported to have badges and be police officers in disguise (hmmm...Mubarak trying to free the streets and show that he's not completely hated?).
Either way I decided not to fight with my own people. It is getting out of hand and our demands were answered. I won't take part in what could lead to a civil war if any armed extremists got involved. From today I on, I'll continue protecting my grandfather's house from looters, I'll stay up all night making sure all the streets are safe, and I'll play the waiting game. I go up and check the news every once in a while and to get an occasional bite. However, phone calls keep coming in and false alarms keep luring me back to the streets. This email was rushed, so I apologize for all the errors. I will contact some of you individually tomorrow. Right now, I'll go back down to the streets. Feel free to ask any questions but don't expect instant replies because of the internet cutting out every once in a while and my absence from home. Thanks for asking about my well being and all the support.
i'm a critic at a student paper
dude more than a hundred people are dead more than a thousand are injured because of one man
this man refuses to leave
the protesters are heroes
long live egypt
Thank you Mr. Ebert for posting this, and thank you, too, Wael, for everything. What the people of Egypt are doing today amazes me. I hope that the violence can be quickly stopped and that soon the people of Egypt will know true freedom. You're all in my thoughts constantly, stay safe.
Stay safe, Wael. My thoughts (and the thoughts of millions) are with you and the rest of the demonstrators out on the street.
Cannot even fathom the excitement, hope & courage among your people as they live & make history. Viva Egypt!
Dear Wael,
Please stay safe and keep your family safe. My thoughts and my prayers are with you. America stands with you. I strongly desire to see Egypt's people prevail in their fight to transform Egypt from an autocratic state into a democracy.
مع سلامة
-Tim
I emailed Rachel Maddow.
Wael, I've been thinking about you and hoping for your safety ever since your tweet of Jan 26 and then nothing further. Thank Goodness you are still well.
It is both heartbreaking and thrilling to read your account. We in the United States mostly have only the vaguest idea of what is really going on (see Roger's Glenn Beck feature/deconstruction; and my own pathetic attempt to understand may be found by clicking my URL). You and your friends guarding your homes and protesting are going to be in the history books. May you be safe and emerge from this as part of an Egypt of its people and of the future, sir!
May Egypt rise victorious and free from tyrants. My thoughts are with those who fight a just cause. May her people enjoy a better quality of government and power.
Thanks Roger for posting this!
We have all been following Egypt on TV and on the internet but to hear from a person who has participated in the protests gives goosebumps. What is so inspiring about this protest was that this is one of those rare occasions where a non-violent protest by the citizens have been able to bring down a tyrant from his throne. Long live the people of Egypt!!!
dear wael, i trust all my brothers and sisters in egypt, you can make a revolution for your rights. everybody all around the world, who wants to live like a human must pray for you.
On the news, we don't get a clear picture of what's going on. When they do interviews, the protesters seem to hate Americans.
Your President is described as "the first Arab leader to support Israel"
Is this a protest against his support of Israel, too?
The Muslim brotherhood is described as "the largest opposition party." Is the next government going to be Islamic, replacing the current secular one?
Right now, there's an opportunity for Egypt to move forward, but that would place them at odds with the rest of the Arab world. Do the protesters want Egypt to close ranks with other Arab nations and reject ties to the US?
Awesome. Respect.
I have to warn you of something so that the same scenario that happened here in Maadi won't repeat itself in Zamalek. In the morning, after all the men have gone to bed after a long night, a car appeared out of nowhere and started shooting fire. When the men got up from their beds and the army arrived, the car has, of course, already escaped. They knew no one will be guarding the area in the morning. This time they just wanted to spread terror. Who knows what they'll do next time?! I don't know if, in Zamalek, people guard the area day and night, but I thought this was worth telling.
Thank you to Roger and Wael for this report.
Wael, you have the attention and thoughts of us here in America. We are inspired by your courage, and deeply worried about this perilous situation for your great country. We, of course, support democracy and wish that to come fully to Egypt in an orderly fashion. It was helpful to hear your thoughts on how a transition could happen.
Stay courageous in protecting your family and neighbors.
You are all so brave. Stay safe.
If you want the real news on what's happening in Egypt, go to: http://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23Egypt
The American media hasn't got a clue.
Egypt: Justice can be lost because people are only concerned with independence. But when freedom is lost, justice will also be gone.
Human pillars, we can draw lessons from our nation's history, from the history of mankind. That "the struggle was designed by the pious, championed by those sincere, won by the brave people, and eventually enjoyed the people cowards!"
Thank you for sharing this Mr. Ebert. I have been watching the situation unfold since Tunisia, I have great interest in that region.
Mr. Khairy, you are a true hero sir. Bless you and all the brave Egyptian people. I hope the situation resolves soon and with a government good for all.
Oh, and if they make a movie about this, who do you think should play Mr. Khairy? :)
thanks, this is a great account. all strength and peace to you in Egypt!
Thoughts from Chicago:
Each snowflake is different, completely unique. Sometimes it takes a microscope to see the differences. These tiny snowflakes, when added together,can shut down an entire city.
I pray for the safety of the people of Egypt and that they will be guided to a happier future where they will be able to create the country they want.
Thank you for your post.
Wael, I felt many emotions as I read this post - anger, fear, pain. But most of all pride. Fight the good fight, brother. A brighter future for you and your country is just around the corner. May God keep you and your family/friends safe and strong. And may the voices of reason always prevail.
Pray your safety.
@Bill Hays Mubarak is not the first Arab leader to support Israel, Sadat is the one who made the peace treaty. Mubarak simply maintained the peace with Israel. Many neighboring countries hate Sadat for this but just as many Egyptians love him for bringing peace within the nation. The protest is for human rights and true demcracy. The last thing people want here is to anger other nations and trigger a war. It's all about peace within and outside of the country.The Muslim Brotherhood is the most organized opposing party. However, they had nothing- absolutely NOTHING to do with this protest. I understand how the US and many other countries fear an extremist taking over. The fear is here too, but remember that all the people here are trying to rid the country of a dictator so the last thing we'll do is vote for one. The future leader will most likely be one who has good relations with both Israel and the US, but most importantly the people of this nation.
@ao The number of detahs are over 300. This figure is based on reported deaths, many doctors have been forced not to report any deaths, so the figure is probably well over that. The same can be said about the number of injured, for most people are treating the injuries themselves and with the help of others not in hospitals.
@Sarah Dorra Unfortunately, we are only guarding the area at night because we protest during the day. I will notify my people to at establish shifts during the day too. I hear Maadi was hit pretty hard. Stay safe and don't let women and children walk the streets at night.
@EVERYONE ELSE I'm deeply moved by your words and support. People here know the whole word is watching and it's part of the reason we made it this far. I'm surprised and proud myself that we did it peacefully. My fear is that things will get ugly with the absence of news reporters, especially at night when gunfire always reupts and interupts the peace.
It's Friday here, I used one of the protestor's computers to write all this. I'm in the midst of the protest. It's getting very very crowded but it's peaceful as well. I hope the women and children here leave before night falls, it isn't safe for them here. Hopefully no blood will be spilled today. Last night I walked the streets of Zamalek. It was very quiet for people were staying indoors resting for today. We made a small fire using wood and paper in the middle of the street. We then sat around it and talked about the past few days and the today (Friday of Departure). Some of the talk was about Obama. We talked about how people are using this event to bash him. However, we believe that he's simply maintaing ties with Egypt, not Mubarak, Egypt which is vital for the future stability of the region.
I tried talking a fourteen year old and thirteen year old out from joining the Tahrir square but they wouldn't listen. It's not safe for young ones here- especially women and children. However, their presence is what keeps it peaceful, so I don't have much to say about that. I also walked to Agouza last night where gunfire is much more intense there. The soldiers were firing in the air to keep any oppoing force from entering the area.
The night before that people shot at the protestors at Tahrir square. Just as I was going to bed. I quickly wore jeans of my PJ's and rushed to the streets. People were firing from the bridge and many were killed. This is what we fear at night...the bridges. When they can't get in through the entrances and road blocks, they shoot from above.
My grandfather was trying to help an American by the name of Anthony and a Portuguese by the name of Nuno to leave the country. It wasn't safe for them to walk anywhere so we took them into the safety of my grandfather's house. They showed us pictures of them protesting. We'll keep them safe and feed them till it's safe to escort them to the airport. Hopefully tomorrow they will be on their way home. Th US embassy is in Tahrir square so there was no way of reaching them. They told us that they didn't have access to the internet at home and that they couldn't get the number of the embassy but my grandfather gave them numbers. I must leave now. I'll write more soon. Feel free to ask any questions.
Since the Israel-Egypt peace accord of 1979, these two countries have received more foreign aid than any other country.
From NPR: On Tuesday, in a scrum with reporters, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) chastised a proposal by the Republican Study Committee in the House to eliminate $250 million in economic assistance to Egypt. "All I would say to my colleagues is that we live in a dangerous world, and foreign aid is in our national security interests," he said. "There are people in my party, in the Senate, who are talking about eliminating aid to the state of Israel — over my dead body!" (He's referring to Rand Paul's proposal to zero out aid to Israel — not surprisingly, Democrats are already pouncing on that.)
Graham went on to make a forceful case for foreign aid — the protests in Egypt, he suggested, were caused by a mix of "oppressive governance with a bad economy," and added that "Jordan is economically disadvantaged, so I worry about this moving to Jordan." What's more, he argued, the Egyptian army was a bulwark against radicalism in the country: "If you cut that aid, you'll be cutting your own throat." (end)
Egypt shares a border with Israel. If Egypt installs a Muslim government, and the Muslim mindset is to find a way to attack and eliminate Israel... in the news reports, the Muslim Brotherhood has blamed Israel for the protests.
My recommendation? Find a Egyptian who is teaching political science at Yale, Harvard, some influential school, and task him with setting up a democratic election. If you try to create a new government from inside Egypt, you are inviting assassination attempts on everyone involved. Make him the temporary President of Egypt, with a date for turning over to an elected replacement. If Egyptians can't accept a temporary President or council to set up fair elections, it's never going to succeed.
@Bill Hays I don't think an Egyptian who has been living abroad his whole life can handle this country. That's what many are holding against El Baradei. You have to be here and know what IS happening within the country not what is written in a bunch political science books to be able to control a lot of elements that would lead to stability.
All these riots internationally - if their politicians behave like ours do in the UK, no bleeding wonder!
Dear Wael, I would like to express my admiration for you personally as well as for your people who are protesting. After so many deaths and so much atrocities, it is really commendable (and not easy at all) that you (and the majority of your people) are still protesting peacefully. Hope you and your friends and family stay safe, and hope the people of Egypt will succeed in their collective aim, soon...
What is happening in Egypt is not because of one man. It is because of men who are behind this one man. Corruption in any government takes place with many people in that government and those from outside that country that benefit from that corruption.
What is happening in Egypt is not because of one man. It is because of men who are behind this one man. Corruption in any government takes place with many people in that government and those from outside that country that benefit from that corruption.
Reply to: @Bill Hays I don't think an Egyptian who has been living abroad his whole life can handle this country.
I would search for a man born in Egypt, who went to the US for grad school and stayed to take a teaching position. Like Obama did before he went into politics. Obama went to Law School and then taught constitutional law. I didn't say make him the President. I said give him the authority to set up a democratic election.
If a man values freedom, or understands democracy, he wouldn't have been living in Egypt these past 30 years, or even in the past decade. I know it's hard to admit there are college professors in the US who understand more about government than you do. but until you give them the proper respect, you can't make progress.
What Egyptians need to understand is, they've been living under a dictator for 30 years. They don't understand how freedom works. They might have a vague idea, but what they really have are slogans and sound bites. Freedom is hard. Freedom of speech is an elusive and difficult concept.
An Egyptian who respects and enjoys freedom... would have found living in Egypt for the last decade intolerable. .
Islam wants to pull your country back to the Middle Ages. You need to stop them. Muslims thinks Mohammed is so wonderful, any government based on Islam would be equally wonderful. They think the world works a certain way. And it doesn't. go across the border into Israel and talk to some people who are terrified of Islamic suicide bombers, and you'll learn a lot.
Reply to: You have to be here and know what IS happening within the country not what is written in a bunch political science books
Kind of a sad opinion on the value of books.
Books are written by people who have lived through events, learned from them, debated them, and want to pass on their knowledge to future generations.
For example, a revolution in France:
I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.
Voltaire
It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.
Voltaire
Islam is famous for not allowing Muslim children to read any books except the Qur'an.
If you know anything about the current world situation, you know why Israel doesn't want an Islamic government in Egypt. Terrorists and suicide bombers will cross the borders with government help... because the Qur'an was written by a terrorist who said "God wants you to use terror to force the Jews to leave their homes, so Muslims can move in."
Ishaq:326 "If you come upon them, deal so forcibly as to terrify those who would follow, that they may be warned. Make a severe example of them by terrorizing Allah's enemies."
Ishaq:588 "When the Apostle descends on your land none of your people will be left when he leaves."
Ishaq:327 "Allah said, 'A prophet must slaughter before collecting captives. A slaughtered enemy is driven from the land. Muhammad, you craved the desires of this world, its goods and the ransom captives would bring. But Allah desires killing them to manifest the religion.'"
This is very important... Muslims who think Mohammed's words actually were given to him by God.... so they would know God wants them to use terror against Jews, to force them out of their homes.... are going to vote in your next election. They want to elect THEIR government. How are you going to stop them?
I was just watching NBC News. This week, they're interviewing the leaders of the protest movement. Tonight's leader uses the name Sandmonkey on Facebook. He went to college in the United States. And he's using the knowledge he gained while living in America to demand change.
As long as the current President is in office, the protest has gained nothing. You've got to make him leave office, and replace him with a temporary leader who can organize elections and rewrite the constitution. and if he's living in the US, he might not be blown up before his term expires.
One thing about free speech. It means people who have opinions different than yours have the right to speak. I know they would prefer to silence everyone who doesn't agree with tje,, but that's one of the difficult lessons that American leaders have learned over the last 200 years.
Let's talk about Facebook. Suddenly, you didn't have to get an article printed in the newspaper. You could instantly post your opinions on the web page, and hundreds of people could reply. So, in a very real sense, the protest movement couldn't have happened without the United States, without the "book learning" of a Harvard student who started a web site called Facebook. funny, that an American kid who went to Harvard did more for the Egyptian revolution than the Egyptians did. Egypt is 94 percent Muslim. Christians are being driven out of Middle East countries. Will the new constitution protect the rights of Christian minorities who will never agree with the Muslim majority? Assuming that Muslims won't follow the rules laid down by Mohammed is naive. The danger to Israel is now greater than any time since the peace treaty was signed. When there is massive unemployment, it's easy to blame one group, and the Muslim Brotherhood is already blaming the citizens of Israel.
@Bill Hays I won't reply to all the racist comments replies. Children are taught not to read anything but the Qr'an? I'm sorry but I laughed out loud when I read this. Seriously man, you need to read more books yourself. All the Harvard student did more for this revolution than any Egyptian talk is a bunch of nonsense. Egyptians used the technology available to organize this but believe it or not Bill, revolutions have happened in Egypt in the past...without the internet. A revolution was bound to happen sooner or later. I myself don't want the Muslim Brotherhood to run the country but they're not nearly as dangerous as the Western media makes them out to be. Look at Turkey and who's running it. Look at how the economy boosted when one of them took over. I'm not saying they should, I'm just saying it won't be the end of the world and all this crap.
You obviously misunderstood the political science books bit of my comment as I simply suggested that someone who has experience should make sure the elections go smoothly and fairly. You also misinterpet our holy book to which I won't reply because I don't need to. If anything you should watch what's happening in Tahrir and learn a thing or two about our culture. Muslims protecting Christians and the other way around. Sheikhs hugging and embracing priests and people chanting in unity. Frankly I think the world would be a much better place if it was modeled after what's happening in Tahrir Square right now. It must have been hard for you to watch all this solidarity in Egypt.
I never tried to silence you. I just don't respect your opinion at all. You say I should go talk to people who are terrified of Muslims and learn a lot. I think I know now your where your poor knowledge about Islam comes from. No, my friend go talk to those who don't fear Muslims and you'll learn a lot. One last thing, this revolution was pulled off by Egyptians. Egyptians are the ones who took it to the streets by the millions. Egyptians are the ones who kept it peaceful and are in the process of changing an entire regime peacefully. Don't try to take this away from us because you can't. Egyptians will deide what happens to us, not a racist indvidual like yourself. It's up to us, Egyptians to do whatever we want with our own country. So with no due respect, mind your own business. This is our moment, we earned this.
Reply to me all you want I won't silence you, but I'll silence myself because frankly you're a waste of my and any other reader's time.
Ebert: Well said, Wael!
Reply to: All the Harvard student did more for this revolution than any Egyptian talk is a bunch of nonsense.
I'm always amazed and impressed at how much of an impact the Internet had in America. Roger's blog, for example, or his Twitter posts, wouldn't be possible without the Internet. Until you've looked at how much technology is necessary for this kind of communication, it's easy to think, "Oh, that's just the Internet." AOL. google, and the computers and cell phones that log onto the net... In a few months, after the dust has settled, you may have a more informed view about the importance of Facebook and the ability to communicate without government interference.
Reply to: You also misinterpet our holy book to which I won't reply because I don't need to.
I remember when I was in Law School, doing moot court, also called oral arguments. We spent weeks writing a brief, and then had half an hour to answer questions from a three-judge panel. The year after I left, Justice Scalia had the middle chair for the finals.
I'm certainly impressed when you say, "I won't reply because I don't need to." I would imagine you could easily win a moot court competition with such eloquence, brevity, and insight.
My point was, if an Egyptian was truly concerned about freedom, the United States offered him a way to experience it. College scholarship, visas, even teaching positions and fellowships. The Muslim world does not offer a comparable experience to four years of undergraduate study at an American college.
Reply to: Egyptians will deide what happens to us, not a racist indvidual like yourself.
Accusing your opponent of being a racist, without proof... without justification.... I wish you could have stood where I did, in a law school classroom, in front of a federal judge and two professors, just to see how big a "thud" that kind of comment makes.
Let me try this again.
If you go back through my posts, you'll find a common theme. Not racism. Exactly the opposite of racism.
BE SMARTER.
Whether it's Islam, or the movies Leonardo DiCaprio chooses, or why GM refused to sell their first-generation electric cars, there's no racial component to my comments.
If you want to get better, or smarter, you have to work at it. You have to think.
Right now, in Egypt, a group of people want to replace a President who has been in office for 30 years.
If you've got a million people willing to make that kind of change, then get rid of Mohammed and daily prayers and the nation of Islam at the same time. It's exactly the same kind of oppression. And... not being smart.
When I was in college, a Christian fellowship was recruiting on campus. They were the whitest, non-ethnic group possible, and I stood outside in the Quad and argued against their nonsense five days a week at lunch.
Reply to: It's up to us, Egyptians to do whatever we want with our own country.
But Egypt shares a border with Israel, and if you abandon the peace treaty, the risk of living in Israel goes up.
I'm not working from notes. I'm looking for answers.
Reply to: You also misinterpet our holy book to which I won't reply because I don't need to.
Why is it a holy book? It's just time to move past that kind of thinking. Books are books. If you would write out an answer, you might realize that you don't have one.
Your President has fired some people. The way I see it, he's fired everyone that he wanted to fire anyway, everyone who might have staged a coup to replace him. As long as he's the President, he's got more than enough money to wait out any protest.
Be smarter. That's the theme, and I think the best way to accomplish it is, write out the answer instead of pretending you don't need to.
Wael, what a magnificent answer to the monomaniacal blowhard who is souring the milk on thread after thread. I have finally figured out his religion. He is a Shuddhist. Everybody "shuddh" do this and that, and particularly Muslims "shuddh" discard their traditions and way of life, in all its many flavors and nuances? I wish the guy would just Shuddhup!! :o)
Jesting aside, I'm sending continued good wishes your way, and hope the breaking news (rumors?) about Mubarak's stepping down is substantive. Take care and rock on, Wael!
Saved to bookmarks!!!4!!44 A letter from the barricades in Cairo - Our far-flung correspondents is the best. (although it definitely has a little too long title :)