i can't face it

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As you know, I think the counter-demonstrating that suddenly sprang up upon Mubarak's statement that he would not run again for president was a calculated move by the regime to make sure the people would be satisfied with that. Mubarak and Netanyahu and Barackhenaten can all be happy with the appointed vice-president continuing on with the status quo, banking on the emptying of stomachs, the increasing danger in the neighborhoods, and the return of our fear of bodily harm to slide us right back into the prisons we carry around in our heads.

I hear that the clashes have turned into frank violence and I can't stand to look at it yet... not even to dwell on it in my mind yet. I may just need more coffee, or a little fresh air, some hassle in my life resolved, a phone call made, whatever, before I can bring myself to look at it and address it... or maybe I can just go back to my absorption in the ancients to become personally powerful enough to be of real use.

If you have been vexed by my repeated allusions to the oligarchs purposely keeping you too befuddled—nailing it coming and going—to think straight, this is why they do it. They can get anything they want, EVEN gain power over the masses who outnumber them by billions, because they are EXPERT at the mental conditioning it takes to manage any situation, any instance when the people get out of line.

It's been a week. Everything's shut down. People can't get to their money to buy the hugely overpriced food. Business people who hate Mubarak, hate the dictatorial constitution, nevertheless will now fight like rabid dogs to keep them because their entire life's work is down the tubes unless the government is restored to complete control. The IMF has gotten all their bonds downgraded to junk. There is NO impediment now to TOTAL control. So you might begin to fathom part of why I can't bring myself to it at this moment.

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Don't ask me, but I wouldn't doubt it for a moment....

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There has been plenty of time to prepare this. From last April:

Washington could quickly impose real democracy to Egypt, where it pulls all the strings, if it wanted.

Ayman Nur, the last man who dared run in an election against the eternal Mubarak – “pharaoh” to Islamist opponents - was arrested and tortured.

Now, as Mubarak’s health fails, the US and Israel are increasingly alarmed his death could produce a political eruption in long-repressed Egypt.

Mubarak has been trying to groom his son, Gamal, to succeed him. But Egyptians are deeply opposed. The powerful 72-year old intelligence chief, Gen. Omar Suleiman, an ally of the US and Israel, is another possible strongman. CIA will also be grooming another army or air force general for the job.

Egypt’s secular political opposition barely exists. The regime’s real opponent remains the relatively moderate, popular, Islamic Brotherhood, which predates World War II. It would win a free election hands down. But the Brotherhood’s leadership is old and tired. Younger, more dynamic leaders have all been jailed or bought off. Half of Egyptians are under 20.

Mohammed el- Baradai, the intelligent, highly respected Egyptian former UN nuclear chief, is calling for real democracy in his homeland. He presents the most attractive candidate to lead post-Mubarak Egypt. But the regime has already begun moving against him. Washington would do well to back el-Baradei, even if he refuses to toe the line.

Washington hopes it can ease another compliant general into power and keep the security forces loyal before thirty years of pent-up fury at Mubarak’s dictatorship, Egypt’s political emasculation, thirst for change, and dire poverty produce a volcanic eruption on the Nile.

Talking about it now....

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2pm... I still can't bring myself to snap on al Jazeera. From brief glances at their home page I see that only one person has died in this so far... and I'm imagining many, many are injured... but I'm not wanting to steep myself in more noise and imagery harking only the filthy visage of the too-invisible-to-too-many bad faith actor behind it all. Some call him Satan, but he is not one being. He is a collection of like mentalities who don't even have to conspire, though surely they do that too, to work their will upon the world.

Can't we be the collection of mentalities that overcomes that? "Yes we can." But we can't fake it, can't let fucksters invoke our desperation for it to get our votes. We have to be it. Many, many of us.

I'm wanting that. Not this.

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love, 99
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