Baheyya: Egypt Analysis and Whimsy بهية

This anonymous blogger from Egypt, a woman, comments on the recent election: Baheyya: Egypt Analysis and Whimsy بهية.

Most surprising of all is the tenacity and fearlessness of some Egyptian voters. Unfazed by knife- and stick-wielding thugs, intimidating police formations shooting rubber bullets and tear gas, and the sheer logistical hurdles and sense of doubt accompanying the act of voting, ordinary men and women have trudged to polling stations to demand their rights.

There is something deeply noble to me about this lone citizen trying to negotiate her way into this formidably fortified Alexandria polling station. Let me be clear and honest: if I were subject to the levels of intimidation and physical abuse that many voters endured, I would have paused for a very long time before venturing out of the house. Being an intellectual, I would surely overanalyse my fear and craft it into some pseudo-argument for why voting is futile in the first place. But, you see, the vast majority of Egypt’s people don’t have the luxury of overanalysing anything. Their life circumstances are much more pressing. The act of voting for them is a matter of survival and dignity. Says Alexandria voter Mustafa Rizk, “We all hate the government. They treat us like animals. It’s not Islamic the way they treat people. This is why we all want an Islamic government.”

I've been asking since 9/11 - what the hell are we getting for our aid money? We send Egypt billions every year, basically to "keep the peace." And yet the Islamists are the ones building hospitals and schools. The streets are unpaved and flooded. Infra-structure is overwhelmed and creaking, corruption runs rife, people don't get basic services. Our allies in the Egyptian government are fascist goons who can't even make the trains run on time. And their "elections" have been a bitter joke for generations.

What about this situation is in US interests? What part of this governing style is working? And how can we say our government is promoting democracy in the Middle East? What's going on in Egypt is a travesty.

The sign of hope is Baheyya's blog, and her reports of the courage and persistence of Egyptian voters.

Comments

[tribalecho]

Hello Dove. I was trying to weed out some of the vast array of icons I keep on my desktop so that I won't forget about the sites, and I came back to you. I had just met your site when you spoke of another project I think, didn't post much for awhile. Thank goodness I checked before I deleted. Your Egyptian voter post alone is worth my little desktop real estate. So much to understand, and now, thanks to these internets, maybe a bit more possible. Thanks and, happy cold months. (that's a joke)