This isn't going to end well... protestors and pro-Mubarek forces facing off

[Vinnie From Indy]

The coverage on Al Jazeera shows two very large groups seperated by only a hundred yards. It looks like it could get ugly really quick.

[maddezmom]

1. Al J is talking about stampedes now and people being crushed

:(

[tekisui]

2. A shitload of rocks there. If they do ever reach other, I wonder how they

will tell friend from foe.

[HereSince1628]

3. It's a small thing shown large by the limited power of television

In a crowd of 10's of thousands a couple hundred people were clashing. Now the entire protest will be interpreted as having descended into chaos because the television camera has a narrow field of view.

[NNN0LHI]

4. small thing?

Not so sure about that.

Appears a lot of people are going to die today.:(

Don

[HereSince1628]

9. Percentage-wise it's a small thing and possibly a provocation by Mubarak

to give him the cover he needs to declare civil unrest and bring in his elite guard units, dictators always have these it seems, to crush the protests.

TV makes it seem that the entire protesting crowd is engaged in this, and that extraordinary steps, like shooting citizens is necessary. It's important that the rest of the world recognize that and hold Mubarak accountable for any trouble he stages.

[TBF]

10. POSSIBLY a provocation by Mubarak? Ya think... nt

[HereSince1628]

12. Yes, I think it is, POSSIBLY

I can only assume your demeaning arrogant tone stems from you over-valued faith in what is getting reported.

There is no way to know, now. I have no reason to believe that it is Mubarak supporters other than the news coming out.

I'll leave open the possibility that it could also be other forces, even outside forces from neighboring nations, that want to break the protests for their own reasons. I've got no reason to be closed-minded about how the counter-protest was organized.

What I appear to know about the counter protest...
It happened.
It was clearly organized.
Consequently, it was organized by some one with an interest.
It wasn't large enough to succeed in breaking the protest.
So alternative explanations must be considered.
It was large enough to fill a television camera.
It stole the attention of American and other western media.

Who benefits from capturing the media? Once that is known, the speculation leans toward the accusatory.
Mubarak is the obvious possibility, but only the obvious possibility. If you don't want to get caught off-guard, you must look to the obvious, but never trust that the truth is laying there.

[tekisui]

7. This is the epicenter of power on the street. Tahrir Square is

a symbolic stronghold. It is much more important and significant than a narrow camera.

[originalpckelly]

5. People sure do figure out how to war very fast.

The pro-mubarak protesters got the high ground and started throwing shit at the anti-mubarak protesters, and they managed to drive the anti folks off.

Basic warfare:
Always claim the high ground.

[tekisui]

6. They especially learn fast when they are comprised of trained security forces.

[originalpckelly]

8. Are you watching?

A lot of these folks are just boys. Teenage and younger.

[Qutzupalotl]

13. The pro-Mubarak forces could be police in civilian garb.

NPR was discussing that possibility earlier. They just happened to show up with camels and horses, and claimed the high ground as though they'd done it before.

[L. Coyote]

11. ***** EGYPT Live Blog ***** Al Jazeera English: Live Stream Feb. 2 *****

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x324590