Gadaffi’s Finished. Middle East: Egypt, Tunisia And Libya Claim Their Freedom With Awesome Courage
Posted: Friday, February 25, 2011
by Jennifer Stewart
Stepping out of History
I think the term “going Gadaffi” can now be used when referring to anyone who is losing or has lost their sanity… #libya [onewmphoto]
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about entitlement and good self esteem and all the different things that contribute to them. The explosion of consciousness of people’s rights in the Middle East has made me think about my own life, my own entitlement and the importance of independence of mind, of questioning people in authority positions, whether it’s political or social or even personal. Yes, these revolutions and the blossoming of people’s awareness of their rights has really affected me personally. How could it not?
I’ve watched an entire country suddenly wake up to the fact that individuals have the power to determine their own life, even when their government is an autocratic regime with zero integrity. I’ve seen how they brought that regime down in a relatively short period. By reaching out to each other, encouraging each other, letting the flame of courage light up from person to person. Not giving up when the regime upped the ante, as bullies do. And so many of them are so young. That’s a wonderful thing. It tells me a lot about humanity, and where we’re headed.
It’s always bothered me that millions of people can be controlled so easily by a small group wielding a their power of PR or fear-driven ideas. Maybe those days are over, though. Now when a people rise up, they have the support of others around the world, they aren’t isolated. And dictators can’t use their control of the media with such effect any more. Because nobody can control bloggers or Facebook or Twitter. Speaking of which, here are some more tweets about Gadaffi when he was giving his ridiculous speech the other day.
Gadaffi'sspeech seems to boil down to "Everyone is on drugs except me. Also I am Batman." [jrriddle]
Gadaffi; all-time master of the non sequitur. [Maxwellcooke]
So is the #gadaffi speech a list of reforms or a surrealist critique of Alduous Huxley's Brave New World? [WJM89]
Who is Gadaffiaddressing? Look at the reflection in his glasses, there is no one there! [nomoregenocide]
#Gadaffi is a buffoon, deserving the deepest ridicule, but never forget he is a mass murderer. [henksijgers]
Well, Gadaffi’s finished, that’s for sure. Extraordinary that a man who’s been in such control for so long could be so out of touch with reality. Wonderful that his dark threats don’t hold any real power, because everybody’s deserting him. Good is triumphing over evil. Even his own cousin, who had some major political position, has walked away. A couple of pilots who were ordered to bomb citizens in the Benghazi area ejected and dumped their planes.
And for all the chaos and the punishment that Libyans seeking their freedom have taken, they have already, in Benghazi, formed governing committees made up of professionals and clear-thinking citizens, who are urging people to go back to work, to keep society intact.
There have been rumors of some looting in the east but I haven’t seen it substantiated by any of the networks, or any of the people interviewed by CNN or BBC who were in Benghazi. With the exception of a hated army base, which was destroyed by citizens using whatever weapons they could come by. A CNN journalist walked through it, and spoke of the torture that was committed there. So I’d say that looting and destruction is understandable.
But from the news coverage I’ve seen on BBC, CNN and SkyNews, there’s very little blood lust and revenge motivating Libyans, and it was the same with Egyptians. I admire these people so much, I’m quite overawed by them. Up until now I’ve known nothing about the Middle East and it’s inhabitants. Now I want to know more.
I’ve watched an entire country suddenly wake up to the fact that individuals have the power to determine their own life, even when their government is an autocratic regime with zero integrity. I’ve seen how they brought that regime down in a relatively short period. By reaching out to each other, encouraging each other, letting the flame of courage light up from person to person. Not giving up when the regime upped the ante, as bullies do. And so many of them are so young. That’s a wonderful thing. It tells me a lot about humanity, and where we’re headed.
It’s always bothered me that millions of people can be controlled so easily by a small group wielding a their power of PR or fear-driven ideas. Maybe those days are over, though. Now when a people rise up, they have the support of others around the world, they aren’t isolated. And dictators can’t use their control of the media with such effect any more. Because nobody can control bloggers or Facebook or Twitter. Speaking of which, here are some more tweets about Gadaffi when he was giving his ridiculous speech the other day.
Gadaffi'sspeech seems to boil down to "Everyone is on drugs except me. Also I am Batman." [jrriddle]
Gadaffi; all-time master of the non sequitur. [Maxwellcooke]
So is the #gadaffi speech a list of reforms or a surrealist critique of Alduous Huxley's Brave New World? [WJM89]
Who is Gadaffiaddressing? Look at the reflection in his glasses, there is no one there! [nomoregenocide]
#Gadaffi is a buffoon, deserving the deepest ridicule, but never forget he is a mass murderer. [henksijgers]
Well, Gadaffi’s finished, that’s for sure. Extraordinary that a man who’s been in such control for so long could be so out of touch with reality. Wonderful that his dark threats don’t hold any real power, because everybody’s deserting him. Good is triumphing over evil. Even his own cousin, who had some major political position, has walked away. A couple of pilots who were ordered to bomb citizens in the Benghazi area ejected and dumped their planes.
And for all the chaos and the punishment that Libyans seeking their freedom have taken, they have already, in Benghazi, formed governing committees made up of professionals and clear-thinking citizens, who are urging people to go back to work, to keep society intact.
There have been rumors of some looting in the east but I haven’t seen it substantiated by any of the networks, or any of the people interviewed by CNN or BBC who were in Benghazi. With the exception of a hated army base, which was destroyed by citizens using whatever weapons they could come by. A CNN journalist walked through it, and spoke of the torture that was committed there. So I’d say that looting and destruction is understandable.
But from the news coverage I’ve seen on BBC, CNN and SkyNews, there’s very little blood lust and revenge motivating Libyans, and it was the same with Egyptians. I admire these people so much, I’m quite overawed by them. Up until now I’ve known nothing about the Middle East and it’s inhabitants. Now I want to know more.
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Now the Libyan people can breathe freely without fear from their governmentGood article JenniferThanks, David. I heard that Gaddafi has deposited $3 billion in a London account. He's going to jump ship.
I hope that we find the vacuum filled by reasonable people with integrity and honesty. In too many cases, it's "meet the new boss, same as the old boss."Indeed, Jack. I think it's the dawning of a new era.Yes, the restoration of the world wide caliphate.
People are starting to believe in 'unity is strength'. One revolution leads to another and slowly the fire catches on. It's gong to spread wild. "Earthquake in New Zealand by the way, after Australia. " Climate change is spreading too along with topographical changes. Everything is falling on the mighty earth. What's next? Maybe we won't be able to keep track of changing events as things are moving fast now.I think it's true what you say, things are moving faster at a material level. Gathering momentum. But also, information is instantaneously available about everything that's happening, so we're much more away than we used to be.
But our spirits? I don't think they're affected by this speeding up of things material. Maybe the challenge is to not lose sight of that fact.
Libya is not free yet. THE USA empire CIA and army of private contractors will do their best to get another USA compliant servant while they liberate the oil for the multinationals. The people of Libya better watch out or they will get another ZIONIST-USA domination disguised as DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOMI hope that Libyans are able to avoid that terrible scenario, Carlos. Thanks for commenting.
My only concern with this situation is that by experiencing revolution at the same time each of these countries is opening up a "power vacuum" that could be filled someone even worse. Carlos is all-too correct in his fears I'm afraid and while this is not a "Year Zero" scenario like Iraq was one has to wonder "Why now?"
Don't get me wrong, these people have a right to eat, work and practice their faith in peace. My hope for these battered and strong (very damn strong) people is that they do not stop until they can eat, go to work and raise a family without the banner of tyranny hanging above their heads.
So long as Western contractors and extremist Muslims do not take control of any of these burgeoning revolutions they may just have a shot. I am eager to see what they do with it.I understand your fears, James and I agree that both of those scenarios would be disastrous. But I have absolute faith in both the Egyptian and the Libyan people. I think in the west we have a very diminished understanding of them and what they're capable of.
You write, "It’s always bothered me that millions of people can be controlled so easily by a small group wielding a their power of PR or fear-driven ideas". Boy, how true that statement is--it amazes me too and always has. Hate to say it, many people are like sheep--they get herded easily. Nice article as usual Jennifer--thanks.
SteveThanks for your comment, Steve. I've just had a song come into my head "talking is cheap, people follow like sheep, even though there is nowhere to go" - oh, I can't remember the title. Do you know it?No, I can't place it...........
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