Egypt

Truth or Hoax? How can we tell?

Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada, was rushed to hospital after he choked on a piece of hash brown while having breakfast with his children. His wife called 911, but his bodyguards thankfully were there to perform first aid.  True? Absolutely not; it is a hoax in its entirety—a fictitious story from a highly imaginative hacker. And CBC picked up the piece and went with it as well. We, the naïve readers, especially when CBC validates a story, accepted without hesitation.  

In Texas, 30 bodies were found in a mass grave; some of these bodies were dismembered and others were of children.  Again, not true, but a made up story by a local psychic. This story was picked up by one of the most credible news organizations, Reuters; soon The NY Times joined the bandwagon, promoting the story and sending it to its automated Twitter feeder. From there, the story enjoyed a life of its own and continued to grow.

On Twitter similar fiascos are even more devastating since names and identities are hidden. The Gay Girl in Damascus is a case in point. Amina Arraf, aka the Gay Girl in Damascus, had been hailed as a gutsy blogger who wound up having quite a following. One day, her cousin used the Gay Girl’s account to report that Amina had been abducted and is held by the Syrian authorities. All hell broke loose on Twitter with activists around the world asking the Syrian authorities to release her.  

Then a growing skepticism emerged. Does Amina Abdulla actually exist? She was connected to the world only via cyberspace. No one knew or had talked to Amina in person. When she was asked to forward a photo of herself, she used photos of a Croatian woman who lives in the UK. Needless to say Amina Arraf could have used this subterfuge technique to avoid being found by the Syrian government; however, she could also be anywhere or anyone in the world, depicting a fantasy or a persona.

Actually the latter is true since only today has it come out that the real identity of the Syrian lesbian blogger is a middle-aged married American man based in Scotland, which explains “her” perfect command of English. Good grief! Did this nonchalant and blasé fellow realize that he played a major role in inciting the world against a country? Where is the world going to?

As far as Egyptians are concerned, we too are in the same boat. We fall victims to reported information as everyone else in the world. We are still under the impression that everything posted, tweeted, and written is valid, honest, and definitely true. Not true!

Egyptians, like everyone in this new world, must pay close attention to what they read and what they post, or retweet for that matter.  We must become skeptic and shrewd by nature. We should stop believing everything that is being reported. The fictitious stories are in the hundreds—we all know them. In fact, we have all believed them at one point or another.

 I can understand the hallucination on Twitter and Facebook since tweeters and Facebook followers are at the mercy of every Tom, Dick, and Harry. Still, the end result is that hundreds of stories circulate in cyberspace and come out at the other end as real and honest-to-God truth.

 I have often said we must become skeptic readers; we have to question the authenticity of every word, photo, or video unless it is validated or is from an extremely reliable source.  It seems even this action is not enough. We must reach a higher level of skepticism or else we will continue to be duped.

So, where does the ordinary news finder go when even the NY Times, CBC, and Reuters err? I’m afraid to the same reliable sources we have always gone to. But first we must ask these sources to perform due diligence and the necessary fact checking because amidst these baffling hoaxes we have no one to rely on but them.

I suggest we doubt everything said, realize that most of what is reported is suspiciously incorrect or at least embellished, pause and ponder before we report, check the validity of stories, filter the acceptable from the unacceptable, and weed out fictitious hearsay. I suggest we become stringent disbelievers before we become promoters of false information.

This is a truly tough hurdle to overcome. Beware and behold!

BBC News - Egypt embraces freedom of speech

Freedom of speech has become a major issue for Egyptians following the January revolution.

For the first time in decades they can say what they please publicly, without fear of retribution from secret police or the state.

And there's been an explosion of entrepreneurs looking for ways to make money in this newly available niche.

Philip Hampsheir reports from Cairo

via www.bbc.co.uk

Cairo Street Art After the Revolution: Zamalek | suzeeinthecity

It’s not that street art never existed in Cairo before January 25^th; it’s just that it never breathed this vibrantly before. There’s something raw, quick, witty and unpredictable about street art that gives an identity to the city; be it New York City, Barcelona, London and now Cairo.

Before January 25^th, the underground street art scene in Cairo pretty much stayed undercover. Occasionally, a graffiti stencil or a poster would pop up on main streets of Zamalek, Maadi, Heliopolis and Nasr City, but they were often painted over or torn down in short time.  I heard about a group of graffiti artists getting together for graffiti projects in Cairo and Alexandria, where they would work late at night on a street wall, get chased away by police and often come back in the mornings to find their hard work erased.  Otherwise, street art in Cairo has been limited ‘Mido Love Sawsan’ and ‘Hamada Bakabort El King’ scribbles along the walls. Not exactly fascinating, but maybe it helped get some people laid.

via suzeeinthecity.wordpress.com

What? An Egyptian Oprah, You Say?

For three consecutive days, and after a month’s countdown, and 25 years of absolute success, the Oprah Winfrey Show finally ended. In a star studded bash equivalent to the Academy Awards—no, more like the opening ceremony to the Olympics—Oprah enjoyed being surprised and revered by loyal followers and devoted friends.   

Oprah had started off as a modest talk show host on a local channel. She developed into a full-blown syndicated triumph, a media diva, and a financial whiz, but a philanthropist nonetheless, sponsoring thousands of scholarships, establishing tens of schools in Africa, and supporting endless programs across the world.

More importantly her success allowed her to promote righteousness, empowerment, and betterment amongst the public. She understood marginalized women and other underdogs; she got kids interested in school and others interested in reading. All in all Oprah had done wonders for her viewers.

Sure there were Oprah’s favorite things, fashion episodes, extreme makeovers, plug-ins, driving with Gail across the US, and Hollywood moments; however, the good definitely outweighed the frivolous.

After watching the three final shows and reliving the last 25 years with millions of viewers, I really appreciated what Oprah did. I then had an “aha” moment; wouldn’t it be wonderful if Egypt had its own Oprah?  

 Ok, I know this sounds bizarre, but bear with me for a moment. An Egyptian Oprah doesn’t necessarily have to be a female and definitely won’t be a westerner. I’m merely exhibiting what a leading and exemplary figure can do for Egypt. This figure, be it female or male, must be a true Egyptian and must enjoy the charisma that presidential candidates of today lack.  

In Egypt, and in the Arab World in general, the multitudes have no one to look up to—not a single individual is good enough for people to congregate around—no  president, no star, no academic, and  no religious or political figure—none.

That captivating figure, the Egyptian Oprah, would be profoundly effective in today’s Egypt. Although Egyptians believe wholeheartedly in the revolution, the different and contradicting views left them disbelieving everyone and everything beyond the revolution. With no leaders to guide and no icon to follow, the country is in a pretty miserable state. The Military Council is only an alternative—Egyptians dread the Council but realize there is no other option. And the current government is clearly an interim one.

Beyond charisma, Oprah has integrity. She is genuine in her love and devotion towards those in need. Someone with Oprah’s integrity would work for Egyptians devoid of any personal aspiration.  Oh, she still has dreams, but she has fulfilled so many of her own expectations that most probably she has no desire to pursue any personal ones, financial or otherwise. True Essam Sharaf, the interim prime minister, has integrity, but he neither has charisma nor leadership.

Oprah also has the power. She is a voice to be reckoned with. On her program appeared presidents, queens, academy award winners, sport heroes, intellects, poets, writers, and remarkable individuals. They all were on her program free of charge because it was a win-win situation. She won from their presence, but they won more from appearing on her show.  That is how powerful she was.

The Egyptian Oprah would have similar powers. Since her causes are noble, Egyptians would follow her fervently. If she says the sectarian conflict is depleting our success, they would agree.  If she says rumors and hearsay are stumping Egypt’s growth, they would believe her. If she says protests are futile, they would concede. If she says working is the best alternative, they would go back to work. Indeed, she would become a pivotal beacon that lights the path to a better Egypt.

Oprah has empowered women, the troubled, and blacks and other ethnic minorities alike. The Egyptian Oprah would be as empowering to the poor, women, and different sects, but most importantly she would be the voice to Tahrir Square.

In spite of their amazing success, the Tahrir Square activists had no leader. They now need not only a leader but also a symbolic icon. This Oprah figure would have the necessary traits. She would not be judgmental and would not side with one group over another but would listen to everyone and maybe even get groups to work together.  

Hence, this Egyptian Oprah--call her Ahmed, George, Mariam, or Azza, it doesn’t matter—will  join all the disintegrated forces, unify them, and come out with a very clear vision for Egyptians.

I may be dreaming but I’m wishful. Though I am anti-Nasser, I believe he created a following in Egypt and the Arab World, which was not surpassed by any other leader even when Sadat signed the peace treaty with Israel.  This was because he had the charisma if not the outlook and foresight. Maybe we need a charismatic figure like Nasser once more, but with Oprah’s empowering nature and integrity.

Dream on, Azza, dream on!

 

 

The silencing crime: Sexual violence and journalists - Committee to Protect Journalists

Nine years passed before Colombian journalist Jineth Bedoya spoke publicly about the brutal rape she endured while reporting on right-wing paramilitaries in May 2000. On assignment for the Bogotá daily El Espectador, Bedoya was abducted, bound, blindfolded, and taken to a house in the central city of Villavicencio, where she was savagely beaten and raped by multiple attackers.

via www.cpj.org

Poll: Egypt optimistic but worried about jobs - Al Jazeera English

Egyptians are more optimistic about the overall direction of their country since former president Hosni Mubarak stepped down, but they are also increasingly worried about the economy and crime, according to two new polls released on Sunday.

via english.aljazeera.net

No, this is not freedom—this is lawlessness!

So, what happened exactly? Was the bus driver beaten to death by the police force or the mob? Did he attack the police officer? Why did it suddenly turn into an onslaught on the police station? Why did the mob torch the police vehicle and throw Molotov bombs? Every query asked above reflects a sign of lawlessness.

No one knows what happened exactly, and we may never know.  Stories are many and varied. Some are questioning the brutality of the police force, but most are wondering for how long the man on the street will rely on lawlessness.

Quoting Essam Sharaf, the interim PM, “The police force did not and will not attack any Egyptian—what happened in El Azbakeya was that someone insulted a police officer and, out of love to the officer, people assaulted the driver till he died.” I tend to believe Essam Sharaf, more than any other source, but the fact that people would take the law in their hands and beat someone to death is total anarchy. Nothing gives anyone this right—no excuse. Whether the culprits are the police force or the man on the street is not important—this is lawlessness, fair and square.

Setting this incident aside, people have become outspoken and forthright, which may be good, but they also have decided that they are the law. A situation occurs, people react thoughtlessly and venomously, and we end up with incomprehensible chaos. Egyptians had lived in a censored society for a good 60 years. Now that they are free, they tend to confuse freedom with anarchy—on the street and in their relations with others.

Talking to my son on Skype in Heliopolis, Cairo, I hear barking in the background. It is 6 a.m. Cairo time. I’m a bit surprised and question the constant noise. My son replies, “The dog has been left on the balcony for the night.” In my logical approach to things, I suggest he let the neighbors know that no one in the proximity can sleep. I realized that I was asking for too much when my son gave me his usual cynical smirk.

I wish Egyptians would understand the true meaning of freedom. Freedom at its best is quite restrictive because one cannot invade someone else’s life or privacy, let alone beat them to death on a whim.

So here are a few examples of how restricting freedom can be. While in Vancouver, I cannot mow the lawn, hammer a nail, or work a gadget early on weekends so as not to disturb my neighbors on their days off. In spite of the deluge of rain we have year long, I cannot water my lawn from June to September except twice a week in the wee hours of the morning or late at night to conserve water for all.  No one can smoke within eight feet of a public building, even in one’s own car while a child is in it, and definitely not in public places. But more importantly my freedom means I can have the opinion and the belief I want, but I must respect the other person’s rights and views, too, and I definitely cannot take the law into my hands.  

So where are Egyptians now? All the factions of the community—the media, the social media, the man on the street, the unions, and the sects—have taken decision making upon themselves. They think that freedom allows them to say and do whatever they please. Needless to say, they have a long way to go before they understand the true meaning of freedom.

In Tahrir Square, and only last week, a woman was harassed. Why? Because some men believed their newly gained freedom allowed them to do as they please. After a football match, spectators came down to the pitch and assaulted the players, angry that the competing team won. Heedless of international laws, some vowed to get the Israeli flag down off the embassy. Better yet, I don’t like the actions taken by the other sect, let’s torch their churches. And what instigated the driver incident was that he had willfully gone against the traffic, and because he was apprehended, he assaulted the police officer.  This is definitely not freedom—this is lawlessness.

This is going to be a very long process, and it will take forever to get the country back on track.  We will have to slowly teach society what freedom is all about.

Baby steps, and more baby steps, but ultimately it will come.   

 

Words & Swords: Please Poke Now!

jonamorem.blogspot.com

I have a confession to make: I am not a virgin anymore. I think it is better to say this right out loud so that if one day the Egyptian military should get their hands on me, they won't have to take the trouble to poke their fingers into dark spaces to find out anything that some might think is none of their business. No, I confess it right here and now to spare them the trouble. So please take it down in your files, dear army: no virginity left - so nothing to test.

via jonamorem.blogspot.com

Egypt: Nuclear reactor loses radioactive water

From crofsblogs.typepad.com

Thanks to FluTrackers' Ironorehopper for the link to this report in Il Messagero.it: Egypt explosion nuclear leak of radioactive water. Excerpt from a computer translation, with my editing:                    

A leak of radioactive water occurred the last few hours in the small nuclear facility Anshas, ​​Egypt, after the explosion of a reactor pump. An anonymous source in the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority told the local newspaper Rose el Youssef, which ran the headline "Egypt is saved from a nuclear disaster." 

via crofsblogs.typepad.com

From crofsblogs.typepad.com

Thanks to FluTrackers' Ironorehopper for the link to this report in Il Messagero.it: Egypt explosion nuclear leak of radioactive water. Excerpt from a computer translation, with my editing:                    

A leak of radioactive water occurred the last few hours in the small nuclear facility Anshas, ​​Egypt, after the explosion of a reactor pump. An anonymous source in the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority told the local newspaper Rose el Youssef, which ran the headline "Egypt is saved from a nuclear disaster." 

IMF welcomes Egypt budget reforms, businessmen skeptical | Al-Masry Al-Youm

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) welcomed the social reforms announced by the Egyptian government as part of the state budget for the fiscal year 2011/2012.

In a statement published on its website two days ago, the IMF said the fresh set of procedures proposed by the government show that it is on the right track, as they bolster the economy, create new jobs and help limited-income categories. The IMF also said negotiations for the granting of a loan to Egypt are proceeding well.

via www.almasryalyoum.com

Dissatisfaction is a common thread today. Everyone has an opinion and voices it--whether it is logical or illogical