Morsi supporters torch government offices in Egypt

[Bosonic]

Source: AP

CAIRO (AP) — Angry supporters of Egypt's ousted president have stormed and torched two buildings housing the local government in Giza, the city next to Cairo that is home to the famed pyramids.

Associated Press reporters saw the buildings — a two-story colonial style villa and a four-story administrative building — set ablaze on Thursday.

The Giza government offices are located on the Pyramids Road on the west bank of the River Nile.

State TV blamed supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi for the fire. Its footage shows both structures burning with fire men evacuating employees from the larger building.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/morsi-supporters-torch-government-offices-egypt

[RussBLib]

1. it's pretty horrible what is going on in Egypt

I don't want Islamists to gain control of Egypt, but gunning them down doesn't seem to be the answer.

In my pseudo-ideal world, every government would be a secular government. Islam has proven itself incapable of governing large numbers of people.

[jollyreaper2112]

2. well

If the solution to the problem involves slaughtering your political opponents, that might not be the right answer. But what if your opponents are incapable of working within the political system? Remember that the Nazis were elected democratically and then removed any means of democratically removing them. The islamicists were trying the same shit.

Remember how Republicans were nattering on about resorting to 2nd Amendment remedies if they didn't get their way at the ballot box?

My concern is that this simply gives the other side more ammunition. A bunch of Klansmen hold a cross burning and they get ambushed and slaughtered by black men with guns who consider this a lynch prevention action, the klan can say "See? See? This is what we're talking about!" and can radicalize those sympathetic but not actively participating in the cause.

So, what's the solution? Beats me. You let them into the government, they'll turn it into theocracy. You kick them out, they'll try to overthrow it. You shoot the treasonous sons of bitches, now you've got yourself a civil war. Not to mention that the very people capable of waging a secular war against religious nuts and thriving in this environment won't be sunshine and bunnies either. Some pretty awful governments have been secular. (Though I agree with the argument that their secular belief systems and cults of personality were quasi-religious, state as object of veneration instead of god.)

[jollyreaper2112]

5. the cynicism to me is pretty grating

Thanks.

The thing that really sickens me is how the only real gaffe a politician can make is accidentally telling the truth. So there are press conferences where bullshit is doled out, reporters dutifully transcribe the bullshit, talking heads on political shows provide a vigorous defense of the bullshit, and nobody actually admits to what's really going on.

I mean shit, the religious guys are lying just as bad. It's all about power. Now maybe the imam really believes his skydaddy wears a turban or maybe he don't believe in him at all but believe in the power the religion represents. I bet you a shekel to a donut he's not giving up his position without a fight.

The real question is if we can even have a civilized society without executive power? Because that's where things typically go wrong. Weapons lying around have a habit of being used. The moment one guy picks up a sword, everyone within reach is potentially in danger. And if the guy in question is a good bloke, maybe nothing comes of it. But what about the next guy who picks it up? And if we can all agree to get rid of weapons in our society, so that no one can organize to oppress, we'll get along fine until the guys the next valley over realize we're easy pickings.

[dipsydoodle]

3. The building are almost immediately adjacent to the pyramids.

Mentioned on UK TV news that its inevitable someone will shoot a photo from the right angle to convey that with the pyramids in the background. Can't really see tourism picking up there for at least a year now.

[sinkingfeeling]

6. Here's a picture...