One of my best friends is an American citizen, who grew up in Philly, but whose family was from Eqypt. His grandfater was a very influential judge under Sadat. His mother and sister run a Montesori school in Egypt and I emailed him to get his, and his family's, take on the Egyptian presidential election and the Muslim Brotherhood. His brief answer follows FWIW:

It was the better of two evils. If Shafik won that would have been a direct insult to the revolution. It was a very small step in the right direction. There is a long ways to go. As it stands the military will not give any true power to the MB. The MB is not really a good thing - they are similar to the far right in the US. The majority of Egypt is rather liberal, but they could not get organized and get behind one candidate or platform so even though the majority originally voted for others (60%) it was spread thin across multiple liberal candidates. Anyways at least a small part of democracy won - here is hoping it continues.

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

One of my best friends is an American citizen, who grew up in Philly, but whose family was from Eqypt. His grandfater was a very influential judge under Sadat. His mother and sister run a Montesori school in Egypt and I emailed him to get his, and his family's, take on the Egyptian presidential election and the Muslim Brotherhood. His brief answer follows FWIW:

It was the better of two evils. If Shafik won that would have been a direct insult to the revolution. It was a very small step in the right direction. There is a long ways to go. As it stands the military will not give any true power to the MB. The MB is not really a good thing - they are similar to the far right in the US. The majority of Egypt is rather liberal, but they could not get organized and get behind one candidate or platform so even though the majority originally voted for others (60%) it was spread thin across multiple liberal candidates. Anyways at least a small part of democracy won - here is hoping it continues.

You're kidding right? You know the country is going to fall under Sharia Law here. The Muslim Brotherhood is already in the process of purging books and recordings and creating the beginnings of the new Caliphate. They've replaced Egypt national anthem with the anthem of the Caliphate. In a speech their new President said with "Allah's Will" Jerusalem will be the new capital of this Caliphate.

This is the beginning of the end of true freedom in the Middle East for all who live there who are not slaves to Shariah.

Originally Posted by RichieLion

You're kidding right? You know the country is going to fall under Sharia Law here. The Muslim Brotherhood is already in the process of purging books and recordings and creating the beginnings of the new Caliphate. They've replaced Egypt national anthem with the anthem of the Caliphate. In a speech their new President said with "Allah's Will" Jerusalem will be the new capital of this Caliphate.

This is the beginning of the end of true freedom in the Middle East for all who live there who are not slaves to Shariah.

First of all, no I am not kidding. The words were not mine but those of my freind. Second, I was seeking the feelings and opinions of someone who is in position to know what is going on, and thought I would simply pass them on. Third, I passed it along as one person's opinion, albeit a person in good position to be informed, with close family ties to the region. Fourth, my friend is a registered republican, and wasn't making a political statement as it relates to American politics, and he did say the MB was not a good thing. Fifth, I was far more interested in hearing his opinion than yours.

You'll get it whether you want it or not....

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

First of all, no I am not kidding. The words were not mine but those of my freind. Second, I was seeking the feelings and opinions of someone who is in position to know what is going on, and thought I would simply pass them on. Third, I passed it along as one person's opinion, albeit a person in good position to be informed, with close family ties to the region. Fourth, my friend is a registered republican, and wasn't making a political statement as it relates to American politics, and he did say the MB was not a good thing. Fifth, I was far more interested in hearing his opinion than yours.

If you can't deal with others opinions you should not be post on this forum. THIS IS A FORUM, you do know that??

So you posted your friends opinion, and one has to assume since you added no caveat, that you are supportive of this opinion.

SO WHY DID YOU POST IT IF YOU WANTED NO RESPONSE???

Originally Posted by RichieLion

If you can't deal with others opinions you should not be post on this forum. THIS IS A FORUM, you do know that??

So you posted your friends opinion, and one has to assume since you added no caveat, that you are supportive of this opinion.

SO WHY DID YOU POST IT IF YOU WANTED NO RESPONSE???

I WAS FINE WITH A RESPONSE, EVEN YOURS. I posted it as an opinion voiced by someone with a degree of inside knowledge. I thought some with open minds and an interest in first or near first-hand knowledge might find in interesting or even insightful. YOU made it personal, by asking "are you kidding me?" I did not imply that it was my opinion, thinking it clear that I asked for his to help enlighten me, otherwise I would have added some statement of agreement or disagreement. I absolutely realize THIS IS A FORUM, but I am happy to be straightened out by the self-absorbed expert of the board.

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

I WAS FINE WITH A RESPONSE, EVEN YOURS. I posted it as an opinion voiced by someone with a degree of inside knowledge. I thought some with open minds and an interest in first or near first-hand knowledge might find in interesting or even insightful. YOU made it personal, by asking "are you kidding me?" I did not imply that it was my opinion, thinking it clear that I asked for his to help enlighten me, otherwise I would have added some statement of agreement or disagreement. I absolutely realize THIS IS A FORUM, but I am happy to be straightened out by the self-absorbed expert of the board.

Thank you for finally recognizing my expertness. It took you long enough.

You posted a laudatory post on the Egyptian election.

I was to assume it did not represent your thinking?

Do you often post things you don't agree with without caveat?

If anyone thinks this is going to turn out well for the free western world, they are extremely delusional.

Originally Posted by RichieLion

Thank you for finally recognizing my expertness. It took you long enough.

You posted a laudatory post on the Egyptian election.

I was to assume it did not represent your thinking?

Do you often post things you don't agree with without caveat?

If anyone thinks this is going to turn out well for the free western world, they are extremely delusional.

I shouldn't have to explain these things to you, but since your reading comprehension seems to be compromised, I will. I simply posted what my friend said - I neither stated, nor implied agreement. In fact I added FWIW (for what it's worth), to demonstate that it was just an individual's opinion and not a definitive work of journalism. I was interested in his opinion and thought perhaps, others would be as well, since he seems highly likely to have strong and well-formed ideas on the subject. I hardly saw it as a "laudatory" post, as he clearly was not enthusiastic about the result or the muslim brotherhood, but was clearly not in favor of a military victory. I anxiously await your next confused volley.

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

I shouldn't have to explain these things to you, but since your reading comprehension seems to be compromised, I will. I simply posted what my friend said - I neither stated, nor implied agreement. In fact I added FWIW (for what it's worth), to demonstate that it was just an individual's opinion and not a definitive work of journalism. I was interested in his opinion and thought perhaps, others would be as well, since he seems highly likely to have strong and well-formed ideas on the subject. I hardly saw it as a "laudatory" post, as he clearly was not enthusiastic about the result or the muslim brotherhood, but was clearly not in favor of a military victory. I anxiously await your next confused volley.

Nah, I'm done with the pomposity of your attitude and the strangeness of your reasoning. It makes no sense, and is just twisting all comprehension in trying to pretend that your intentions in your OP were clear, if what you're saying now is anything close to accurate.

I'm done with this strangeness.

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

One of my best friends is an American citizen, who grew up in Philly, but whose family was from Eqypt. His grandfater was a very influential judge under Sadat. His mother and sister run a Montesori school in Egypt and I emailed him to get his, and his family's, take on the Egyptian presidential election and the Muslim Brotherhood. His brief answer follows FWIW:

It was the better of two evils. If Shafik won that would have been a direct insult to the revolution. It was a very small step in the right direction. There is a long ways to go. As it stands the military will not give any true power to the MB. The MB is not really a good thing - they are similar to the far right in the US. The majority of Egypt is rather liberal, but they could not get organized and get behind one candidate or platform so even though the majority originally voted for others (60%) it was spread thin across multiple liberal candidates. Anyways at least a small part of democracy won - here is hoping it continues.

eweissenbach: Your OP based on observations/opinions of your Egyptian, if acurate, a real eye opener. However, when you think about it, each of us views the world through our own built prism, you as an independent, DaleMN and buggyone liberals, Richielion Republican and me leaning more Republican. So it is no surprise that what comes out the other end of our prisms is a different view and this is a good thing. Because it provides a variety of opinion and somewhere in between lies the real truth for the most part.

I speculate that what your friend has offered is his view of the people and events as he sees them. I understand in all of this that he speaks truth but it is his truth. However if your a member of the MB then thetheir truth is Sharia Law is a good thing. Since you describe your friend's political leanings to be Repubican I would likely share his view and hence his truth

Ciao

Originally Posted by rubicon

eweissenbach: Your OP based on observations/opinions of your Egyptian, if acurate, a real eye opener. However, when you think about it, each of us views the world through our own built prism, you as an independent, DaleMN and buggyone liberals, Richielion Republican and me leaning more Republican. So it is no surprise that what comes out the other end of our prisms is a different view and this is a good thing. Because it provides a variety of opinion and somewhere in between lies the real truth for the most part.

I speculate that what your friend has offered is his view of the people and events as he sees them. I understand in all of this that he speaks truth but it is his truth. However if your a member of the MB then thetheir truth is Sharia Law is a good thing. Since you describe your friend's political leanings to be Repubican I would likely share his view and hence his truth

Ciao

My friend is the farthest thing from a radical muslim, or a sharia law advocate that I know. He is intelligent and thoughtful and reasonable. I viewed his statement as coming from someone whose family is in the middle of a country in chaos, who hopes for some stability and feeling that, while not the ideal outcome, it may offer some hope. I personally have not followed the Egyptian situation closely, and reached out to him for some insight into the mind and attitude of someone who is directly touched by these events. Thanks for the thoughtful response Rubi!

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

My friend is the farthest thing from a radical muslim, or a sharia law advocate that I know. He is intelligent and thoughtful and reasonable. I viewed his statement as coming from someone whose family is in the middle of a country in chaos, who hopes for some stability and feeling that, while not the ideal outcome, it may offer some hope. I personally have not followed the Egyptian situation closely, and reached out to him for some insight into the mind and attitude of someone who is directly touched by these events. Thanks for the thoughtful response Rubi!

When I lived up in Minneapolis area our neighbors across the street were Egyptians. Their parents were professionals in Egypt, doctors, etc. Our neighbors were very gracious and well balnced individuals. My wife and I often wonder how the Egyptian revolution affected their families and our neighbors?

Originally Posted by rubicon

When I lived up in Minneapolis area our neighbors across the street were Egyptians. Their parents were professionals in Egypt, doctors, etc. Our neighbors were very gracious and well balnced individuals. My wife and I often wonder how the Egyptian revolution affected their families and our neighbors?

Coincidentally, my friend's wife is a Lutheran from the Twin Cities.