When Will This Be Over?

Another BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Where'a Waldo - Er - Kim Jong Un?

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un misses shrine visit, KCNA reports

Watch the video. The lies are hilarious.

Heavy, Heavy Sigh

Hunger Growls in Egypt

"...malnutrition stunts 31 percent of Egyptian children between six months and five years of age, one of the highest rates in the world."

Will Middle Eastern/Arab dictatorships ever get governments that provide adequately for their people? I'm not holding my breath.

Egyptian Courts...

...are kicking ass:

Egypt sentences Muslim Brotherhood leader and 182 followers to death

"Lawyers say the ruling can be overturned on appeal. It was not immediately clear how many sentences had been confirmed, with the lawyers giving estimates ranging from 182 to 197. In either case, it would be largest mass death sentence to be confirmed in Egypt in recent memory."

Death Sentence Upheld for Leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood

"An Egyptian judge confirmed the death sentences of the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood and nearly 200 supporters on Saturday, in a trial of Islamists who held power in Egypt for a year, but were overthrown last July."

To be honest, I am sort of of two minds about this. The Muslim Brotherhood are a bunch of hoodlums, but the death penalty? Is the new leader, an army general, any different from the countless coups and counter coups and coups to counter the counter coups, that took place during the '50s and '60s during the end of the colonial era? One dictator replacing another, and then another, and another, ad infinitum, which, BTW, also happened in Egypt.

Revolutions tend to be messy and bloody.

Truth Telling

Uh, huh

Sisi won 96.91 percent in Egypt's presidential vote

"But turnout was only about 47 percent of the country's 54 million voters, it said. That was less than the 40 million votes, or 80 percent of the electorate, Sisi had called for."

[---]

"He now faces staggering challenges in a country where street demonstrations have helped to topple two leaders in three years.

The lower-than-expected turnout raises doubts about Sisi's ability to maintain popularity while attempting to fix a battered economy, ease poverty and prevent further political crises from paralysing Egypt."

[---]

"The general, who toppled Egypt's first freely elected president, also described the future as a blank page that must be filled with bread, freedom, human dignity and social justice.

Those same slogans were uttered in the 2011 popular uprising that ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak and raised hopes of a democracy free of influence from the military."

[---]

Fireworks could be heard downtown and in other parts of the capital, which has witnessed frequent street violence since security forces began a relentless crackdown against the Brotherhood after Mursi's fall.

"Sisi saved us from the nightmare we were living in. Egypt was falling and he has raised us up," said Nadia Ibrahim, 50, who works in a computer shop.

Hundreds of Mursi supporters have been killed and thousands arrested. The movement's top leader has been sentenced to death and other prominent figures could face a similar fate.

Authorities declared the Brotherhood a terrorist group and the movement, which won nearly every election since Mubarak's fall, was demonised by state and private media."

"Critics view Sisi as another strongman who will rule with an iron fist, protect the interests of the military and crush dissent the same way his predecessors did. Sisi has promised to bring democracy to Egypt.

Human rights groups say abuses have spread since Mursi's downfall, with opponents of the government that Sisi installed thrown in jail and tortured. Authorities deny that abuses occur."

I'll believe it when I see it.

Oh My

UPDATE: From Walid Phares' Facebook page:

Islamists on defensive throughout Middle East

"The backlash against Muslim Brotherhood rule in Egypt comes as secular forces across the Middle East are rising up in opposition to political Islam. Divisions reach from top leaders to the street.

Political leaders in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan have sided with the Egyptian military and secularists who backed the July 3 ouster of President Mohammed Morsi.

On the streets of Cairo over the weekend, mobs and snipers attacked Morsi supporters, forcing security forces accused of slaughtering the Islamists to stand between them and the mob. The violence in Egypt echoes similar, though less deadly, backlashes against a recently installed Islamic ruling party in Tunisia, and one in power since 2002 in Turkey."

Gulf nations split with West to back Egyptian military

"Efforts by the West to pressure Egypt’s new government to end its crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood could be moot thanks to Saudi Arabia’s oil money – and whole-hearted backing of the military.

While the West calls for peace in Cairo, the Saudis are supporting Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, who led the ouster of Mohammed Morsi. The Kingdom has pledged to make up for any loss in foreign aid resulting from the military’s brutal crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood"

Unbelievable! You know, I used to be amazed at how quickly the Soviet Union crumbled and the Berlin Wall fell. This has the same feeling about it. But I'm not so sure about the sincerity of the House of Saud, tho. Only time will tell.

And in my ever-so-humble opinion, this all started with Gulf War I and II. All hail Bush Senior and Junior. And I should also put in a good word for Tim Berners-Lee, who invented the WWW, and the British Empire for making English a global language. Thanks to them, we can now communicate with people on the other side of the globe.

History is just one damned thing after another, and you just never know where it's going to lead. PS: I didn't know Berners-Lee was a Brit. I just learned that right now.
============Original Post Starts Here============
...What's up with Pakistan?

Former Pakistani leader Musharraf charged with 2007 assassination of Bhutto

Was it because Bhutto was a woman, or was she just a threat to his dictatorship?

More here

"The former president was brought to a special anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi under tight security after his lawyers warned of threats to his life."

Pakistan has "anti-terrorism" courts? The world is changing. Never thought I'd see the day. I'll bet you he gets off.

And here.

Morsi and Musharraf. Both from yesterday, er, I mean the 7th century. The times, they are a changing.

And look at this!!!

Egypt arrests Muslim Brotherhood’s leader

And, of course, we shouldn't forget Turkey, where there have already been massive protests against their Islamist government.

And on the home front:

Who Saw That Coming? /sarc

Venezuelan VP Maduro readies to lead after Chavez's death

"Hours after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's death, Venezuelans and politicians are wondering how the nation will choose Chavez's successor, as Vice-President Nicolas Maduro has been named the nation's interim president — contrary to the constitution.
Venezuela's constitution mandates an election be called within 30 days, but it is currently unclear when an election will be held.

The constitution specifies that the speaker of the National Assembly, currently Diosdado Cabello, should assume the interim presidency if a president can't be sworn in. But Maduro — who will be the governing socialists' candidate in the upcoming election after being named Chavez's successor by the late president — is filling the post instead."

[Emphasis mine throughout]

How much do you want to bet there will be a coup, and maybe a counter-coup, and a coup to counter the counter-coup. It used to be the Latin American tradition. Chavez kept certain thuggery traditions alive and well.

Related: Here and here and here.

Now would be the time for a well placed nuke, straight up Ahmadinejad's ass, while he's attending the funeral, along with all the other adoring thugs of the world.

No Surprise...

...here:

State TV presenter says cutting of broadcast part of "Brotherhoodization"

"After holding a burial shroud on-air on her Sunday evening show to protest the Muslim Brotherhood, state media presenter Hala Fahmy said state TV cut the transmission of her program.

Fahmy told Egypt Independent that the incident is a part of what she described as the “Brotherhoodization of the media.”

Fahmy pointed to the television coverage of Saturday’s demonstration in front of Cairo University as evidence, saying that both satellite and terrestrial channels spent hours covering the protests in support of President Mohamed Morsy’s recent constitutional declaration, in contrast to the amount of airtime these channels have given anti-Morsy protests in Tahrir Square over the last week."

Previously

Sure...

...We believe you:

Cuba's Fidel Castro attacks 'lies' about his health

Publishing photos of yourself is sure to do the trick.

Lest There Be Any Doubt

Somehow...

...I don't see this working, unless Togo men storm the gates, as it where, and overthrow the dictator in order to restore what they've been missing:

Togo women call sex strike against President Gnassingbe

Anyway, good luck, ladies.

Oh Those Middle Eastern Dictators...

...can always be counted upon to give their people exactly what they want. After all, that's what our leftards tell us. But what are they gonna do when they're at odds with the hallowed UN?

Syrian onslaught in Homs appalls UN

"The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, told the UN General Assembly that Syria was launching indiscriminate attacks against civilians and accused the Syrian army of implementing a “shoot-to-kill” policy.

“The nature and scale of abuses committed by Syrian forces indicate that crimes against humanity are likely to have been committed since March 2011,” she said.

“I am particularly appalled by the ongoing onslaught on Homs,” Ms. Pillay said, noting that government forces have been using tanks, mortars and artillery in the assault on the city.

Her comments came as European powers welcomed an Arab League decision to ask the United Nations to send a joint peacekeeping force to Syria, although Moscow cautioned a ceasefire is needed before peacekeepers can be deployed."

Of course, I would have to ask, what's the point of sending "peacekeepers" in where there is no peace to keep. If anything, what's needed is a full-scale force of fully equipped warriors. But does the West have the stomach for it?

The Chief thug in Syria certainly knows how to oppress his people. But that's what they want, right? And the UN is as useless bedraggled alley cat.

Yup. Better Chance Of Survival...

Maybe do a bit of grand standing.

Ghadafi Was Hiding In A Drain Pipe?

Shades of Saddam Hussein. Makes me laugh. These lions among men. (Spit!!)

Bring It On ..

Kadhafi's death spurs Syrian opposition

...I'd Love To see Baby Assad come to the same end.

Why Is It....

...that old commies have such difficulty with growing old and facing the certainty that their life may soon be over?

New Fidel Castro photos aim to dispel health rumors

What does he think? We're stupid? Maybe. After all, he seems to think the Cuban people are stupid. As if they haven't figured out his "revolution" is a sham.

I remember when Mao and several of the old head haunchos of the soviet politburo croaked. It was days before the state run media would admit he was dead. You'd think they'd have the succession issue settled before the old man croaks, but I guess no one wanted to admit that old men, even commies, eventually die. Perhaps planning for such an eventuality could land one in prison, or the gulag.

And, ya, I know Fidel hand picked his brother to take over, but I'm sure Fidel himself is still involved. That sorta comes with the perq of being able to handpick your successor.

Can You Imagine?

...A world without political cartoonists? Apparently Syria's goonish dictator can.

Syria - With Videos

...not for the faint-hearted.

Happy Easter, Syria!

On one of the videos is the following intro:

"For the first time, we see the Syrian flag that was used after Syrian independence on April 17, 1946. This means Syrians are refusing to raise the Ba’ath Party flag, an imitation of the ultra-nationalistic Nazi Party, and instead are choosing the flag that ushered a real democracy after WWII."

Go Syria!!