WikiLeaks' First Scalp -- Tunisia

[Wezil]

Nah. They'll just do what Iran did and wear the opposition down with arrests and repression. It's the middle eastern way.

If the regime can get the military to do what it takes.

Cairo, 25 Jan. (AKI) - Gamal Mubarak, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's son who is widely tipped as his successor, has fled to London with his family, Arabic website Akhbar al-Arab said on Tuesday. The report came as violent unrest broke out in Cairo and other Egyptian cities and hundreds of thousands of people reportedly took to the streets in a Tunisia-inspired day of revolt.

Officials did not immediately confirm the report that Gamal Mubarak has fled to the British capital with his wife and daughter aboard a private jet.

The jet with Mubarak, his family and 97 pieces of luggage on board left for London on Tuesday from an airport in western Cairo, according to the US-based Akhbar al-Arab.

[Hauldren Collider]

I'd rather have Hosni Mubarak than Hamas, and so should you--Democracy is a bad idea when the people elect leaders who are Hitleresque. It's unbelievably naive to assume that democracy can work everywhere.

[Heraclitus]

I'd rather have Hosni Mubarak than Hamas, and so should you--Democracy is a bad idea when the people elect leaders who are Hitleresque. It's unbelievably naive to assume that democracy can work everywhere.

What is truly naive is the idea democratically elected government is more in the interest of the West than a Western backed dictator.

[Aeson]

Yet we still can't seem to figure out why we're the Great Satan... maybe we need to oppress them more?

[MikeH]

What is truly naive is the idea democratically elected government is more in the interest of the West than a Western backed dictator.

We can't truly claim to be pro-freedom and democracy, but then say "democracy only works if people vote for people we like!"

Either we believe in Freedom and Democracy for everyone, or we might as well get rid of it in our homelands too.

Democracy!

[BeBMan]

The "let's back some dictator guy as long it's our guy" stuff has also turned out to be short sighted and in the end counter-productive many times now, whether you look to Cuba, Iran or now Tunisia. Just sayin'

[MikeH]

Or even Iraq

[MOBIUS]

I'd rather have Hosni Mubarak than Hamas, and so should you--Democracy is a bad idea when the people elect leaders who are Hitleresque. It's unbelievably naive to assume that democracy can work everywhere.

You're another one of these hypocrites that are only in favour of democracy as long as it suits you!

Interesting how you use the term Hitleresque - perhaps you should take a long hard look in the mirror...

[MOBIUS]

The "let's back some dictator guy as long it's our guy" stuff has also turned out to be short sighted and in the end counter-productive many times now, whether you look to Cuba, Iran or now Tunisia. Just sayin'

Why do you think the Western democracies that have been propping up all these de facto dictators are now so worried that the respective citizens of these countries are going to vote in governments counter to their wishes...?

It is basically the ultimate hypocrisy of the foreign policies pursued countries like the US - you'd have thought they'd learned something after repeatedly ****ing up fledgling democracies across the world for the last 60 years and watching them backfire in their face time after time after time for exactly the same reasons...

[giblets]

What is truly naive is the idea democratically elected government is more in the interest of the West than a Western backed dictator.

Who cares? It's their country, why should it be run with western interests in mind?

[dannubis]

I'd rather have Hosni Mubarak than Hamas, and so should you--Democracy is a bad idea when the people elect leaders who are Hitleresque. It's unbelievably naive to assume that democracy can work everywhere.

For someone safely tucked away in the US you have a very big mouth and - surprise - Hitleresque tendencies.

[Fake Boris]

Bull****. No one actually cares about American presidents engaging in the same diplomatic doublespeak that all leaders in all times have used.

A government can't hide everything it does. If the electorate hates America, it does hinder an elected government's ability to work with the US.

[Wezil]

I'd rather have Hosni Mubarak than Hamas, and so should you--Democracy is a bad idea when the people elect leaders who are Hitleresque. It's unbelievably naive to assume that democracy can work everywhere.

I feel bad for the US.

It sucks losing friends.

[DinoDoc]

You're another one of these hypocrites that are only in favour of democracy as long as it suits you!

Why should style of of governance wrt being a democracy or not matter a whit on international relations?

[Heraclitus]

We can't truly claim to be pro-freedom and democracy, but then say "democracy only works if people vote for people we like!"

Either we believe in Freedom and Democracy for everyone, or we might as well get rid of it in our homelands too.

Democracy!

When did I claim to be profreedom and democracy?

Why should style of of governance wrt being a democracy or not matter a whit on international relations?

Unlike you and me he thinks the infidels should be converted to the worship of democracy and human rights. I say it should ideally be none of our business what exactly their form of government is, but if we must interfere lets do so for selfish rather than ideological reasons. Thinking we actually know what's best for them is supreme arrogance.