More than 100 estimated dead so far as Egyptian protests resume for a fifth day

[Ichingcarpenter]

Egypt's crackdown on protesters evokes Iran's heavy hand in 2009 unrest

With more than 100 estimated dead so far as Egyptian protests resume for a fifth day, Egypt's 'zero tolerance' policy is reminiscent of Iran's force to quash unrest after Ahmadinejad's reelection.


But while ordinary Egyptians have been inspired by the ouster of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the forceful response of Mr. Mubarak’s regime more resembles how Iran successfully – if mercilessly – dealt with widespread protests in 2009 after the disputed reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Anyone who followed Iran's violent crackdown then may feel a twinge of déjà vu as they watched rows of Egyptian riot police and plainclothes security agents battle Egyptians with batons, tear gas, and water cannons in their bid to halt five days of unprecedented protest.........SNIP


http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0129/Egypt-s-crackdown-on-protesters-evokes-Iran-s-heavy-hand-in-2009-unrest

[aquart]

1. Only a twinge?

I can never go on Twitter without thinking of the sweet, goofy college boys who tweeted about the Allah Akbar from the rooftops, and the vandalizing invasion of Tehran University, and never spoke again after June 24. One execution every 8 hours. That's how dictators stay in power.

[xchrom]

2. Too many of them killed from arms and tear gas from America. Nt

[Maine_Nurse]

3. Its also reminiscent of Iran '79...

When a bunch of liberal students helped to overthrow that existing dictatorship. Only to be summarily executed by the new government after it was in place.

Dictatorships can suck, no doubt about it. But there can be worse things out there and it has been demonstrated many times in history. I believe it was Stalin who called such idealistic protesters "useful idiots".