Albert, I liked at least much of what you said in the last post.  I agree, they've got a lot going against them - if you've been there, you've seen it first hand.  But, I think the thing that might be changing the playing field is the same thing that draws us here - the desire to learn and to express.  Along the way, to experience disparate perspectives, and perhaps start the slow process of changing stereotypes and self-imposed limitations.  The youth are seeing the life that freedom brings, and they want a taste of it.  They're chatting with those who have it, and they're starting to ask "why not us?".  The optimist in me says maybe that will be enough...

"The youth are seeing the life that freedom brings, and they want a taste of it."

I am not sure of this. As you mentioned previously, somewhat tongue in cheek, since you had spent some limited time there, you were an expert on conditions on the ground. Truth is, even with a limited experience, you most likely know much more than I in this particular instance.

I have never been there, but I have been to several places outside the U.S. My concern in this situation is, these people, the "youth", are seeing only the things their gov'ment allows them to see. After thirty years as dictator, Mumbarak had absolute control of the news and T.V.  Recently, and that is very recently, the people have had access to more information, the internet has allowed more unfiltered information through. But even the internet can be controlled, and filters can be used to limit the information getting through.

Even if the access was not censored or filtered, one wonders what kind of picture they see. After all, is youtube and reruns of sitcoms a true cross section of life in the U.S., and then, there is the question of whether any foriegn peoples can ever really understand life in a society such as ours without actually living in it.

We only need to look at England, Canada and Australia for examples. While they all are democratic, free societies, they are very different from eachother and from us.

One of those "man on the street" interviews in the follow up of the resignation, a person was asked their opinion of America, and that age old common denominator answer came out, "We love the Americans, but we hate the American gov'ment"

Later
Albert

Congratulations Humanity!

A music video made by Egyptian musicians with the revolution as their backdrop. I simply have no words.

http://www.youtube.com/wa...=player_embedded#at=12

Albert, you've probably heard me say it before....we can't get a single station here without getting a pretty fancy antenna. Too many hills I guess.  And my husband won't get cable.  My son he could set us up for $150 with a good antenna, etc. (I'd have to do a little arm-twisting first), but then we'd still have to buy a new-fangled TV.  :(  So...I'll be patient.  I don't have much time for TV anyway.  And I don't need it when you guys can distill the news for me. :-)

bapu


I've been keeping my eye on this one.

I wanna learn how to walk like one of those guys.

There was some really interesting sampling in that record.  Who produced it?