Katie Couric spoke with Wael Ghonim, Google’s Middle East and North Africa marketing manager, on whether or not he feels Google will rehire him after his role in sparking Egypt’s uprising. Here’s the clip and Charles Cooper’s take.
Between the Lines
Larry Dignan, Andrew Nusca and Rachel KingWael Ghonim: I'll go back to Google if I'm not fired
Summary: Katie Couric spoke with Wael Ghonim, Google’s Middle East and North Africa marketing manager, on whether or not he feels Google will rehire him after his role in sparking Egypt’s uprising.
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Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and SmartPlanet as well as Editorial Director of ZDNet's sister site TechRepublic.
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Larry Dignan
Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and SmartPlanet as well as Editorial Director of ZDNet's sister site TechRepublic. He was most recently Executive Editor of News and Blogs at ZDNet. Prior to that he was executive news editor at eWeek and news editor at Baseline. He also served as the East Coast news editor and finance editor at CNET News.com. Larry has covered the technology and financial services industry since 1995, publishing articles in WallStreetWeek.com, Inter@ctive Week, The New York Times, and Financial Planning magazine. He's a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism and the University of Delaware.
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if i were google i wouldnt want to be anywhere near this thing. theres so many ways this could go sideways on them if the muslim brotherhood takes over and turn this into another afghanistan. somehow public hangings and stonings and cutting off womens private parts doesnt go so well with their "do no evil" motto. it's just bad business to be near this...
@Johnny Vegas You are deeply misinformed. Or maybe your hate that made you spread the FUD
@NaderBelaid okay then inform us because human rights groups do back his statements.
@Peter Perry Do you have links to support your claim????
The only thing that support such claims are the American biased media
The only thing that support such claims are the American biased media
Seriously? Because they don't. They are proud of their terrorism and their assasinations. They are open about their desire to have the entire world ruled by fundementalist sharia law. That's where you get the choice between converting to islam or being killed for not being a muslim. Or being a female one that doesnt cover herself from head to toe, or wants to be educated or even just learn to read. You women out there like the sound of that? How about getting your privates cut off so you cant enjoy sex for the rest of your life? Sound good? Guess what girls, your dad has to pass you off to one of his sick twisted friends for marriage at the ripe old age of 9 or 10 because you have to be married by the time you have your first period. Doesn't every one want that for their daughter? Did you know that Egypt is a hotspot for Cristian women getting raped by muslims? Thats right because by muslim law not only doesn't the testimony of a female not count for as much as the testimony of a male but the testimony of a non muslim doesnt count for as much as the testimony of a muslim so they can get away with it scott free. Okay there's just a tiny taste of the FUD free truth for you without the media whitewash. There's plenty more fun facts about the muslim brotherhood for those who care to see...
@Johnny Vegas You failed to provide one single fact to all what your saying. If you want to state your opinion as a fact you need to provide facts that support your claim. Otherwise, what your saying is simply a biased opinion that has nothing to do with the facts. C'mon, You can do better then that, right? Or you didn't find anything on the web that can support your biased opinion?
"getting your privates cut off so you cant enjoy sex for the rest of your life"
Just from where did you get this crap???
"getting your privates cut off so you cant enjoy sex for the rest of your life"
Just from where did you get this crap???
You can't just state that someone is mistaken or misinformed if you don't retort with the "real facts".
So, come on, what is the real truth?
So, come on, what is the real truth?
@adornoe
Sure you can. It is basic "burden of proof", a concept taught in intro logic classes. Classes your replies in such threads as the one on Hiroshima, where you steadfastly ignored the definition of the word "revisionist", make it clear you have never taken.
Sure you can. It is basic "burden of proof", a concept taught in intro logic classes. Classes your replies in such threads as the one on Hiroshima, where you steadfastly ignored the definition of the word "revisionist", make it clear you have never taken.
Look, we're not here to argue about logic or the teaching of logic. We're here for some basic back and forth, and some discussions don't require deep logic in order to get at the truth or the facts.
Some things are a lot simpler than some would try to make them. That's something that, hopefully, sounds logical to you.
And, hey, in that Hiroshima discussion, you still didn't make sense, and your logic was woefully lacking.
Some things are a lot simpler than some would try to make them. That's something that, hopefully, sounds logical to you.
And, hey, in that Hiroshima discussion, you still didn't make sense, and your logic was woefully lacking.
@adornoe
I made perfect sense.
1) Revise mans to change
2) My version is how the history has been taught since the 40s
3) Therefore, my version is NOT revisionist.
Simple enough for you?
As to this issue, you claim the OP can't do something he clearly can. Who is not making sense, again?
I made perfect sense.
1) Revise mans to change
2) My version is how the history has been taught since the 40s
3) Therefore, my version is NOT revisionist.
Simple enough for you?
As to this issue, you claim the OP can't do something he clearly can. Who is not making sense, again?
I made perfect sense.
Yeah, but, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, and Ahmadinejad, Kim Jong Il and Hitler, also believe that they made sense. In an inside-out world, you'd fit right in.
1) Revise mans to change
Yeah, so?
2) My version is how the history has been taught since the 40s
That depends on where you studied YOUR history and who taught you that history.
3) Therefore, my version is NOT revisionist.
When you live in a bubble, and your environment is the only one you've known for your whole life, then of course, everything in that world will make perfect sense to you, and everything else is "revisionist" and wrong.
Simple enough for you?
Nothing is as simple as it might first appear. And that's where you have a hard time recognizing and accepting that, the world is not as cut and dried as what you have been taught.
As to this issue, you claim the OP can't do something he clearly can. Who is not making sense, again?
Asking for the simple facts is not the same as asking for something that can't be produced. I challenged someone to produce the set of facts that would back up his assertions, and it doesn't have to go into the realm of "deep logical analysis". The facts exist or they don't, and assertions can either be backed up or not. It's simple common sense, and being facetious and annoying, like you are being, isn't going to change anything.
Yeah, but, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, and Ahmadinejad, Kim Jong Il and Hitler, also believe that they made sense. In an inside-out world, you'd fit right in.
1) Revise mans to change
Yeah, so?
2) My version is how the history has been taught since the 40s
That depends on where you studied YOUR history and who taught you that history.
3) Therefore, my version is NOT revisionist.
When you live in a bubble, and your environment is the only one you've known for your whole life, then of course, everything in that world will make perfect sense to you, and everything else is "revisionist" and wrong.
Simple enough for you?
Nothing is as simple as it might first appear. And that's where you have a hard time recognizing and accepting that, the world is not as cut and dried as what you have been taught.
As to this issue, you claim the OP can't do something he clearly can. Who is not making sense, again?
Asking for the simple facts is not the same as asking for something that can't be produced. I challenged someone to produce the set of facts that would back up his assertions, and it doesn't have to go into the realm of "deep logical analysis". The facts exist or they don't, and assertions can either be backed up or not. It's simple common sense, and being facetious and annoying, like you are being, isn't going to change anything.
@adornoe
As predicted, you were incapable of following a simple logical argument. If history has been taught that way in the majority of the world, since the event took place, stating it is NOT revising anything. Period.
As predicted, you were incapable of following a simple logical argument. If history has been taught that way in the majority of the world, since the event took place, stating it is NOT revising anything. Period.
As predicted, you were incapable of following a simple logical argument.
Nonsense!
That somebody dares to disagree with your alternate reality world is not the same as "predicting". You could expect the same kind of response from most people that disagree with your worldview, and thus, it wouldn't be something out of the ordinary. What is out of the ordinary is your viewpoints and your attempts to sound "more logical", while you're just another one of those lefties trying to win the argument with nonsense.
If history has been taught that way in the majority of the world, since the event took place, stating it is NOT revising anything.
Historical events are mostly recounted by those that witnessed them, and oftentimes, they are also told with the personal views or politics of the people who are doing the retelling. Thus, you are always going to have many different versions of the history, and, the versions that are chosen for teaching can be very dependent upon the ideological preferences from teachers and professors. School districts often make decisions about what books and what versions to include in their curriculum, and many of those decisions are politically motivated. Why tell the history of Ronald Reagan, as an example, from the perspective of a conservative, when a liberal school or liberal district could opt to get their version of that history from the perspective of a liberal historian?
That's part of the common sense that escapes you because you're too busy trying to come up with "deep logical analysis" into simple everyday situations.
Look, forget "logical analysis" and concentrate on simple common sense. You'll actually learn more, and you might end up not being so annoying.
Nonsense!
That somebody dares to disagree with your alternate reality world is not the same as "predicting". You could expect the same kind of response from most people that disagree with your worldview, and thus, it wouldn't be something out of the ordinary. What is out of the ordinary is your viewpoints and your attempts to sound "more logical", while you're just another one of those lefties trying to win the argument with nonsense.
If history has been taught that way in the majority of the world, since the event took place, stating it is NOT revising anything.
Historical events are mostly recounted by those that witnessed them, and oftentimes, they are also told with the personal views or politics of the people who are doing the retelling. Thus, you are always going to have many different versions of the history, and, the versions that are chosen for teaching can be very dependent upon the ideological preferences from teachers and professors. School districts often make decisions about what books and what versions to include in their curriculum, and many of those decisions are politically motivated. Why tell the history of Ronald Reagan, as an example, from the perspective of a conservative, when a liberal school or liberal district could opt to get their version of that history from the perspective of a liberal historian?
That's part of the common sense that escapes you because you're too busy trying to come up with "deep logical analysis" into simple everyday situations.
Look, forget "logical analysis" and concentrate on simple common sense. You'll actually learn more, and you might end up not being so annoying.
@adornoe
Nonsense? The empirical evidence is directly above.
Revise means to change
No change was made
Therefore there was no revision.
It is a basic syllogism. They were detailed by the ancient Greeks, particularly Aristotle, 2400 years ago. One learns them in the first week of logic 101.
FAIL.
Nonsense? The empirical evidence is directly above.
Revise means to change
No change was made
Therefore there was no revision.
It is a basic syllogism. They were detailed by the ancient Greeks, particularly Aristotle, 2400 years ago. One learns them in the first week of logic 101.
FAIL.
Nonsense? The empirical evidence is directly above.
Yes! Nonsense!
Forget that garbage about empirical evidence, and go with the simplest analysis, that being common sense.
Common sense doesn't delve into the "deep analysis" of situations when the simple facts will suffice.
The problem in question was about the true history, and like I've already pointed out, the recording of history is dependent upon who the winners are, who the witnesses are, and the ideological leanings of those recording the history.
That is simple and straightforward, and no deep logical analysis is going to change that.
Revise means to change
I'll bet you had to use deep logical analysis to arrive at that conclusion.
No change was made
When there have been different versions of historical events, then, you would be wrong.
Therefore there was no revision.
Since the original premise has some problems with it, then the conclusions would have the same problems. It's like global warming "science", where, if the data is faulty, and the models start out being faulty, then, of course, the conclusions will be "garbage". GIGO!
It is a basic syllogism.
And, the logic would still be applicable with GIGO, where faulty premises yield faulty results.
They were developed by the ancient Greeks 3000 years ago. One learns them in the first week of logic 101.
Yeah, sure. But, when one also fails to use common sense, the logic won't matter. You're not using that simple common sense, and you want to over-complicate matters with your "logic 101". You need to get out more, and get out of the classroom, and into the real world, where you might get to learn the real facts of life.
FAIL.
Yes! Nonsense!
Forget that garbage about empirical evidence, and go with the simplest analysis, that being common sense.
Common sense doesn't delve into the "deep analysis" of situations when the simple facts will suffice.
The problem in question was about the true history, and like I've already pointed out, the recording of history is dependent upon who the winners are, who the witnesses are, and the ideological leanings of those recording the history.
That is simple and straightforward, and no deep logical analysis is going to change that.
Revise means to change
I'll bet you had to use deep logical analysis to arrive at that conclusion.
No change was made
When there have been different versions of historical events, then, you would be wrong.
Therefore there was no revision.
Since the original premise has some problems with it, then the conclusions would have the same problems. It's like global warming "science", where, if the data is faulty, and the models start out being faulty, then, of course, the conclusions will be "garbage". GIGO!
It is a basic syllogism.
And, the logic would still be applicable with GIGO, where faulty premises yield faulty results.
They were developed by the ancient Greeks 3000 years ago. One learns them in the first week of logic 101.
Yeah, sure. But, when one also fails to use common sense, the logic won't matter. You're not using that simple common sense, and you want to over-complicate matters with your "logic 101". You need to get out more, and get out of the classroom, and into the real world, where you might get to learn the real facts of life.
FAIL.
@adornoe
As per your usual, you did not address a SINGLE point of fact or logic in the OP.
You merely bloviate.
Fail.
As per your usual, you did not address a SINGLE point of fact or logic in the OP.
You merely bloviate.
Fail.
As per your usual,
Yes, as per my usual, I used simple common sense to destroy your usual nonsense.
you did not address a SINGLE point of fact or logic in the OP.
Why are you now concerned about the "fact or logic in the OP"?
Every one of your points, or lack thereof, is what you and I have been addressing. Since you really didn't have any coherent or real points that mattered, they were very easy to bat away. You just jumped in to a part of the discussion to try to derail the discussion into another discussion which occurred months ago. If you want to win that old discussion, just go back to that one and enter your latest nonsense at the end there, and I promise that I won't even bother to retort. Meanwhile, since this discussion is kind of still current, I'll keep batting away all of your nonsense. But, I promise, a month from now, you can come back here and have the last word in this discussion, and I won't care. You can pretend that your "logic 101" won the day again.
You merely bloviate.
Meanwhile, you never did make any points that would've even interested any of the other readers/posters in this forum. The only thing you're good at is making a nuisance of yourself and pretending that, you're high and mighty with your "college logic 101". That's arrogance to the max and proves someone like you to not even be able to use everyday "common sense" to understand or to make coherent arguments. You need to relive your life, where perhaps you then will have forgotten that "college superiority complex", and that "college logic 101", and will have learned to not over-complicate matters.
By the way, there is a real world, and the alternate reality world. You need to go out more to meet the real world.
Yes, as per my usual, I used simple common sense to destroy your usual nonsense.
you did not address a SINGLE point of fact or logic in the OP.
Why are you now concerned about the "fact or logic in the OP"?
Every one of your points, or lack thereof, is what you and I have been addressing. Since you really didn't have any coherent or real points that mattered, they were very easy to bat away. You just jumped in to a part of the discussion to try to derail the discussion into another discussion which occurred months ago. If you want to win that old discussion, just go back to that one and enter your latest nonsense at the end there, and I promise that I won't even bother to retort. Meanwhile, since this discussion is kind of still current, I'll keep batting away all of your nonsense. But, I promise, a month from now, you can come back here and have the last word in this discussion, and I won't care. You can pretend that your "logic 101" won the day again.
You merely bloviate.
Meanwhile, you never did make any points that would've even interested any of the other readers/posters in this forum. The only thing you're good at is making a nuisance of yourself and pretending that, you're high and mighty with your "college logic 101". That's arrogance to the max and proves someone like you to not even be able to use everyday "common sense" to understand or to make coherent arguments. You need to relive your life, where perhaps you then will have forgotten that "college superiority complex", and that "college logic 101", and will have learned to not over-complicate matters.
By the way, there is a real world, and the alternate reality world. You need to go out more to meet the real world.
@adornoe
Your simply stating it des not make it so. It is quite clear to anyone who reads this where the truth lies. You live in a fantasy world, as all your posts on multiple threads make clear.
Your simply stating it des not make it so. It is quite clear to anyone who reads this where the truth lies. You live in a fantasy world, as all your posts on multiple threads make clear.
@Johnny Vegas
...if the muslim brotherhood takes over...
Highly unlikely.
...if the muslim brotherhood takes over...
Highly unlikely.
associated with this will good. Should they not rehire him, Google may be viewd apon as "anti-Egyptian Democrocy" and could hurt them in reference to sales of advertising.
heres a few starters. there are thousands more. and heres a tip that may help you as you read the mass media whitewash versions: "Democracy" does not mean the same thing to the muslim brotherhood as it does to the rest of the world. Their "democracy" means all the rights you have "under sharia". It's very important that you understand the difference when you read/hear people saying all they want is "democracy"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/evelyn-leopold/female-circumcism----90-p_b_822283.html
http://www.investigativeproject.org/profile/167
http://thesop.org/story/20110206/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-in-their-own-words.html
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MB02Ak01.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/evelyn-leopold/female-circumcism----90-p_b_822283.html
http://www.investigativeproject.org/profile/167
http://thesop.org/story/20110206/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-in-their-own-words.html
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MB02Ak01.html
@Johnny Vegas let me clear few things for you,
there is no single rule in Islam that force female circumcision.
Here, read this: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Female_genital_cutting#Cultural_and_religious_aspects
The rest of the links you posted are about Yusuf al-Qaradawi, The thing is that he is not member of Muslims Brotherhood nor he represent any of their views.
You really don't know nothing about Islam except from what you get in the western media, cause that's how they get page views
there is no single rule in Islam that force female circumcision.
Here, read this: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Female_genital_cutting#Cultural_and_religious_aspects
The rest of the links you posted are about Yusuf al-Qaradawi, The thing is that he is not member of Muslims Brotherhood nor he represent any of their views.
You really don't know nothing about Islam except from what you get in the western media, cause that's how they get page views
@Johnny Vegas Wow... you really sound like a badly informed, fear-mongering individual. To be honest, this kind of ignorant post makes you seem backward and inbred.
You don't know a lot about Egypt, or the Muslim religion, do you? Anyway, I would like to suggest opening your mind, and realize that different lifestyles and belief are as valid as yours.
Quality and ethics are the ultimate standards anyway. Perhaps the quality and ethics of many Muslims surpasses yours?
You don't know a lot about Egypt, or the Muslim religion, do you? Anyway, I would like to suggest opening your mind, and realize that different lifestyles and belief are as valid as yours.
Quality and ethics are the ultimate standards anyway. Perhaps the quality and ethics of many Muslims surpasses yours?
@whitenorthstar Or he just watched Glenn Beck...
@whitenorthstar
Bizarre how you leftist's coddle the very people that would saw your head off with a dull knife.
"To be honest, this kind of ignorant post makes you seem backward and inbred."
Yeah, but those Muslim terrorists, they're just poster boys for civilized folk aren't they now.
"Wow... you really sound like a badly informed, fear-mongering individual"
You would really just have to be in denial, asleep, or just plain stupid not to know of some of the evils perpetrated by Muslim terrorists. Don't ask me to provide you with an example, it's everywhere but wikipedia.
Bizarre how you leftist's coddle the very people that would saw your head off with a dull knife.
"To be honest, this kind of ignorant post makes you seem backward and inbred."
Yeah, but those Muslim terrorists, they're just poster boys for civilized folk aren't they now.
"Wow... you really sound like a badly informed, fear-mongering individual"
You would really just have to be in denial, asleep, or just plain stupid not to know of some of the evils perpetrated by Muslim terrorists. Don't ask me to provide you with an example, it's everywhere but wikipedia.
@StoneSatellite
Then why are you having such a hard time providing them?
Then why are you having such a hard time providing them?
@Johnny Vegas
FYI....and um sorry to say that but all your information about Muslims and Islam are fake, and built on the fake media which only aims to defame the Muslims and Islam view for whole the world.....and um sure that u have never treated with Muslims ever or u have never red a book about Islam Muslims sharia...if u do or unless u visit any Muslim country u well discover what um talking about, Islam is a religion of tolerance and forgiveness with all the human beings...doesn't matter what is your religion ....more and more to say, but only don't want u to judge through the media....specially that also they are not Muslims and have another aims regarding the Islam
may this link help u to have a clear view about what is the Islam
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Islam
by the way, um a Muslim Egyptian and proud to be....
FYI....and um sorry to say that but all your information about Muslims and Islam are fake, and built on the fake media which only aims to defame the Muslims and Islam view for whole the world.....and um sure that u have never treated with Muslims ever or u have never red a book about Islam Muslims sharia...if u do or unless u visit any Muslim country u well discover what um talking about, Islam is a religion of tolerance and forgiveness with all the human beings...doesn't matter what is your religion ....more and more to say, but only don't want u to judge through the media....specially that also they are not Muslims and have another aims regarding the Islam
may this link help u to have a clear view about what is the Islam
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Islam
by the way, um a Muslim Egyptian and proud to be....
@Johnny Vegas
FYI....and um sorry to say that but all your information about Muslims and Islam are fake, and built on the fake media which only aims to defame the Muslims and Islam view for whole the world.....and um sure that u have never treated with Muslims ever or u have never red a book about Islam Muslims sharia...if u do or unless u visit any Muslim country u well discover what um talking about, Islam is a religion of tolerance and forgiveness with all the human beings...doesn't matter what is your religion ....more and more to say, but only don't want u to judge through the media....specially that also they are not Muslims and have another aims regarding the Islam
may this link help u to have a clear view about what is the Islam
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Islam
by the way, um a Muslim Egyptian and proud to be....
FYI....and um sorry to say that but all your information about Muslims and Islam are fake, and built on the fake media which only aims to defame the Muslims and Islam view for whole the world.....and um sure that u have never treated with Muslims ever or u have never red a book about Islam Muslims sharia...if u do or unless u visit any Muslim country u well discover what um talking about, Islam is a religion of tolerance and forgiveness with all the human beings...doesn't matter what is your religion ....more and more to say, but only don't want u to judge through the media....specially that also they are not Muslims and have another aims regarding the Islam
may this link help u to have a clear view about what is the Islam
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Islam
by the way, um a Muslim Egyptian and proud to be....
Google should be proud with such a man like you and be sure that all Egyptian com. want such a man like you
be proud you are Egyptian
be proud you are Egyptian
The man is a hero. He put it all on the line for what he believed in. He advocated the peaceful path through the whole thing. He did not involve the company in what he was doing.
If anyone at Google suggests that he would be a liability they are the ones that should be fired. Corporations need to understand that in the long run principles are more important than the quarterly bottom line.
If anyone at Google suggests that he would be a liability they are the ones that should be fired. Corporations need to understand that in the long run principles are more important than the quarterly bottom line.
@lars626 To a (for profit) corporation, NOTHING is more important than the bottom line. That is their "long run principle". It's the nature of the beast.
@Burnin Vernon
Um, no, it is NOT. This is a bogus myth perpetrated by extreme market apologists, with no basis in fact or law. In fact, the whole legal framework that provides for corporations in the first place exists solely to give groups of people the legal status of a single entity. That is what the word means. Corp, as in corporeal.
The only things that are important for a corporation is that it further the objectives in its incorporation statement. While for most that involves profit, this is NOT a requirement per se, and shareholders know what they are getting into in advance.
Um, no, it is NOT. This is a bogus myth perpetrated by extreme market apologists, with no basis in fact or law. In fact, the whole legal framework that provides for corporations in the first place exists solely to give groups of people the legal status of a single entity. That is what the word means. Corp, as in corporeal.
The only things that are important for a corporation is that it further the objectives in its incorporation statement. While for most that involves profit, this is NOT a requirement per se, and shareholders know what they are getting into in advance.
If this guy is responsible for selling Google to Libya and Algeria, then he would not be a good fit. At least not if Google thinks and acts like a typical corp. OTOH if Google has moral integrity, unusual in a large corp., it will not only hire him it will hire and promote him.
@none none
Google, for however they may feel about the situation, have no chioce but to rehire him, and even support him.
Google can not afford to have an upcoming generation of users view them as someone who "backs the government" by openly not hiring a person who "risked it all" for their freedom and democracy.
Google, for however they may feel about the situation, have no chioce but to rehire him, and even support him.
Google can not afford to have an upcoming generation of users view them as someone who "backs the government" by openly not hiring a person who "risked it all" for their freedom and democracy.
@none none Selling Google to Libya & Algeria!! what does that mean?????
Assuming, of course, he was a good employee.
One of the assumptions I'm getting from the other talkbacks is that a de facto one party state dominated by military officers is as good as it's ever going to get in Egypt and that the overthrow of Mubarak will probably lead to a totalitarian Islamic state. Since, as far as I can determine, few of the protesters and none of their spokesmen are Islamists (ie. advocates of an Islamic state), I think those sorts of assumptions are premature. The current situation appears to be radically different than that in Iran in 1978-79 (which I'm old enough to remember) which was openly and obviously orchestrated by the Ayatollah Khomeini's followers. When Khomeini returned to to Iran, the game was over. Methinks things would have gone much better if the Shah had maintained a real constitutional monarchy all along.
It's unfortunate that Egypt has been governed by a political machine for the past 58 years, but at least there's a constitutional form that can be democratized (or at least, run honestly). We'll see what happens.
One of the assumptions I'm getting from the other talkbacks is that a de facto one party state dominated by military officers is as good as it's ever going to get in Egypt and that the overthrow of Mubarak will probably lead to a totalitarian Islamic state. Since, as far as I can determine, few of the protesters and none of their spokesmen are Islamists (ie. advocates of an Islamic state), I think those sorts of assumptions are premature. The current situation appears to be radically different than that in Iran in 1978-79 (which I'm old enough to remember) which was openly and obviously orchestrated by the Ayatollah Khomeini's followers. When Khomeini returned to to Iran, the game was over. Methinks things would have gone much better if the Shah had maintained a real constitutional monarchy all along.
It's unfortunate that Egypt has been governed by a political machine for the past 58 years, but at least there's a constitutional form that can be democratized (or at least, run honestly). We'll see what happens.
I'd rather see a man of his background and integrity be a part of the new government in Egypt actually. This is the sort of person a new start needs. If not then Google should be proud to have him back.
Re: Johnny Vegas
It's funny how so many Americans view Egyptian peoples triumph as a victory for the Muslim Brotherhood, perhaps they need to stop watching Glenn Beck and read some independent journalists and photographers views on the ground realities of the situation in Egypt. Including visual evidence of Muslims & Christians taking part in the revolution together as one. Many Americans feel that democracy is only only their birth right and where going to war in Iraq to give its people democracy is morally just, supporting dictators elsewhere is also a civil virtue. All this talk about Muslim Brotherhood coming to power is hogwash and typical propaganda spread by conservatives who rarely ever have enough brains to form opinions of their own. They will parrot everything Fox and others tell them and refuse to open their eyes to the reality of the world. It's also funny to learn how unhappy conservatives are with whats happened in Egypt; perhaps their concern is what will happen to Americas 51st and most beloved state, Israel, after Egypt becomes a democratic country. Ghonim is a leader and what he has achieved in his life is rare and Google will be lucky to have him back if that's what he decides. Otherwise he won't find any shortage of jobs which offer better pay, I think it's Ghonim who wants to get back to living the life of an average citizen and he genuinely does not want to benefit financially by accepting gracious offers from other places. From his interviews its obvious that he believes that his efforts were merely that of any responsible citizen and after accomplishing the goal successfully he just wants to return to normal life.
It's funny how so many Americans view Egyptian peoples triumph as a victory for the Muslim Brotherhood, perhaps they need to stop watching Glenn Beck and read some independent journalists and photographers views on the ground realities of the situation in Egypt. Including visual evidence of Muslims & Christians taking part in the revolution together as one. Many Americans feel that democracy is only only their birth right and where going to war in Iraq to give its people democracy is morally just, supporting dictators elsewhere is also a civil virtue. All this talk about Muslim Brotherhood coming to power is hogwash and typical propaganda spread by conservatives who rarely ever have enough brains to form opinions of their own. They will parrot everything Fox and others tell them and refuse to open their eyes to the reality of the world. It's also funny to learn how unhappy conservatives are with whats happened in Egypt; perhaps their concern is what will happen to Americas 51st and most beloved state, Israel, after Egypt becomes a democratic country. Ghonim is a leader and what he has achieved in his life is rare and Google will be lucky to have him back if that's what he decides. Otherwise he won't find any shortage of jobs which offer better pay, I think it's Ghonim who wants to get back to living the life of an average citizen and he genuinely does not want to benefit financially by accepting gracious offers from other places. From his interviews its obvious that he believes that his efforts were merely that of any responsible citizen and after accomplishing the goal successfully he just wants to return to normal life.
@supernatural85
"It's funny how so many Americans view Egyptian peoples triumph as a victory for the Muslim Brotherhood, perhaps they need to stop watching Glenn Beck and read some independent journalists and photographers views on the ground realities of the situation in Egypt."
Americans have been told by Republican/Conservative politicians and activists for the last 40 years that the mainstream news media (talk radio excepted) are biased in favor of The Left and completely unreliable (only Conservative news outlets are trustworthy). As a result there are a large number of people who only believe news reports that support their pre-existing beliefs. Ergo, independent journalists and photographers will be seen as propagandists for the International Socialist Conspiracy (TM) if their reports about what's going on in Egypt aren't favorable to Mubarak.
"It's funny how so many Americans view Egyptian peoples triumph as a victory for the Muslim Brotherhood, perhaps they need to stop watching Glenn Beck and read some independent journalists and photographers views on the ground realities of the situation in Egypt."
Americans have been told by Republican/Conservative politicians and activists for the last 40 years that the mainstream news media (talk radio excepted) are biased in favor of The Left and completely unreliable (only Conservative news outlets are trustworthy). As a result there are a large number of people who only believe news reports that support their pre-existing beliefs. Ergo, independent journalists and photographers will be seen as propagandists for the International Socialist Conspiracy (TM) if their reports about what's going on in Egypt aren't favorable to Mubarak.
@supernatural85 - the concern is that the Muslim Brotherhood is very opportunistic, and it's always easy to destroy nascent democracy and leverage emotion in the chaos.
@supernatural85
"It's funny how so many Americans view Egyptian peoples triumph as a victory for the Muslim Brotherhood, perhaps they need to stop watching Glenn Beck and read some independent journalists and photographers views on the ground realities of the situation in Egypt."
Yes, we Americans are concerned that some extremists could gain power in Egypt. They don't have to be a majority to cause problems with Israel and us. A lot of countries in the Middle East have been over taken by some very unsavory types (putting it lightly) after a revolution over there. Like Iran with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and Iran's revolution in 1979. Yeah, this isn't our first time to the rodeo.
Most of us, Americans, are looking forward and are hopeful that they get a great democrat government. One that can live in peace with Israel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt%E2%80%93Israel_relations
"It's funny how so many Americans view Egyptian peoples triumph as a victory for the Muslim Brotherhood, perhaps they need to stop watching Glenn Beck and read some independent journalists and photographers views on the ground realities of the situation in Egypt."
Yes, we Americans are concerned that some extremists could gain power in Egypt. They don't have to be a majority to cause problems with Israel and us. A lot of countries in the Middle East have been over taken by some very unsavory types (putting it lightly) after a revolution over there. Like Iran with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and Iran's revolution in 1979. Yeah, this isn't our first time to the rodeo.
Most of us, Americans, are looking forward and are hopeful that they get a great democrat government. One that can live in peace with Israel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt%E2%80%93Israel_relations
Would it be anything like the U.S. or like Germany or the UK or France or Iran or Pakistan or Venezuela or Cuba or China or North Korea.
What is the meaning of "democracy" to people over there and especially to you?
What constitutes a democracy?
What is the meaning of "democracy" to people over there and especially to you?
What constitutes a democracy?
With the number of book, TV or movie deals that are surely about to roll his way, he certainly won't need Google.
I vote for letting Ghonim keep his job and firing the CBS Bimbo Couric.
Everyone on both sides of the argument are free and easy with their opinions. The short term future will tell the truth about Egypt. Let's get together six to twelve months from now and compare notes.
For now, we have suspended the constitution, disbanded the parlament, run off the president, submitted to military rule, headed by one of Mubarak's close associates. From what I am familiar with of freedom and democracy, this sounds rather scary. Time will tell.
Should a U.S. based company maintain their relationship with one of their employees who has brought such notariety to their brand, well this is a lose-lose situation. I'm sure they have a well documented conduct policy. But if I were him, (Ghonim) I would not show up late to work, or commit some other regular old irregularity that could cause a separation of employment.
For now, we have suspended the constitution, disbanded the parlament, run off the president, submitted to military rule, headed by one of Mubarak's close associates. From what I am familiar with of freedom and democracy, this sounds rather scary. Time will tell.
Should a U.S. based company maintain their relationship with one of their employees who has brought such notariety to their brand, well this is a lose-lose situation. I'm sure they have a well documented conduct policy. But if I were him, (Ghonim) I would not show up late to work, or commit some other regular old irregularity that could cause a separation of employment.
Hey, wait a minute. Isn't this about Wael Ghonim? Google should definitely hire him back (I didn't know he'd been let go). He's exactly the kind of person I associate with Google!
@gmosley
They didn't. Most people who post here are not renowned for their reading comprehension.
They didn't. Most people who post here are not renowned for their reading comprehension.
@Johnny Vegas
FYI....and um sorry to say that but all your information about Muslims and Islam are fake, and built on the fake media which only aims to defame the Muslims and Islam view for whole the world.....and um sure that u have never treated with Muslims ever or u have never red a book about Islam Muslims sharia...if u do or unless u visit any Muslim country u well discover what um talking about, Islam is a religion of tolerance and forgiveness with all the human beings...doesn't matter what is your religion ....more and more to say, but only don't want u to judge through the media....specially that also they are not Muslims and have another aims regarding the Islam
may this link help u to have a clear view about what is the Islam
FYI....and um sorry to say that but all your information about Muslims and Islam are fake, and built on the fake media which only aims to defame the Muslims and Islam view for whole the world.....and um sure that u have never treated with Muslims ever or u have never red a book about Islam Muslims sharia...if u do or unless u visit any Muslim country u well discover what um talking about, Islam is a religion of tolerance and forgiveness with all the human beings...doesn't matter what is your religion ....more and more to say, but only don't want u to judge through the media....specially that also they are not Muslims and have another aims regarding the Islam
may this link help u to have a clear view about what is the Islam
@Johnny Vegas
FYI....and um sorry to say that but all your information about Muslims and Islam are fake, and built on the fake media which only aims to defame the Muslims and Islam view for whole the world.....and um sure that u have never treated with Muslims ever or u have never red a book about Islam Muslims sharia...if u do or unless u visit any Muslim country u well discover what um talking about, Islam is a religion of tolerance and forgiveness with all the human beings...doesn't matter what is your religion ....more and more to say, but only don't want u to judge through the media....specially that also they are not Muslims and have another aims regarding the Islam
may this link help u to have a clear view about what is the Islam
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Islam
FYI....and um sorry to say that but all your information about Muslims and Islam are fake, and built on the fake media which only aims to defame the Muslims and Islam view for whole the world.....and um sure that u have never treated with Muslims ever or u have never red a book about Islam Muslims sharia...if u do or unless u visit any Muslim country u well discover what um talking about, Islam is a religion of tolerance and forgiveness with all the human beings...doesn't matter what is your religion ....more and more to say, but only don't want u to judge through the media....specially that also they are not Muslims and have another aims regarding the Islam
may this link help u to have a clear view about what is the Islam
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Islam
What is happening the Middle East is historic, and one day we will all wonder why did this start when it did? Why are they protesting? Why is the protests spreading? Which country is next? Very historic times in my opinion.
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