My god, look how much HAIR Colin had back then!
(come on, /somebody/ had to say it!)

Wow, a real-life bonsai kitten!.

I wish I saw as rosy a picture as mainstream media portrays, but I can't. The popular uprising may not have been in the plans of Mubarak's regime, but he and his cronies still managed to come out of it largely unscathed. Democracy? When Sulemain remains as sitting president? He shares all of Mubarak's undemocratic worldview and there is no evidence he will leave power in September.

The Egyptian army has been favorably portrayed in this revolution because it didn't fire on the protesters, but -despite a few words to the contrary- they didn't *really* side with them either. Oh sure, there may have been some solidarity between the average soldier and the common protester, but none of them broke ranks. Rather, the military elite stayed stolidly in Mubarak's camp and disciplined. The army played "good cop" while Mubarak's internal police forces - disguised as plainclothes Mubarak supporters- were the "bad cop" in the equation. To further heighten the tension, Mubarak then pulled back the legitimate cops so criminals could operate openly. Meanwhile, the army quietly captured the city (literally doing an encirclement maneuver around Tahir square) and providing "safety" and "stability" from Mubarak's own intentionally-fired anarchy. The protesters fled right into the arms of the very forces that are the basis of Mubarak's own sovereignty.

Yes, Mubarak might be "out" (although it is equally likely he will still remain a very real power operating from the background). But the regime that supported him, empowered by the military elite who -to a man- supported Mubarak through the crisis- remains in control. Promise of free elections in September are likely empty. A few of the chairs may gave been shuffled around, but is unlikely that the people have any greater say in their governance than they did a few weeks ago. It was a masterful management of the situation and one, I am sure, our own popularly-elected officials, are taking note of how it could be done should our own people one day rise up and say "enough is enough".

Mainstream media portrays this as a great victory for the common man, but look closely; nothing has really changed in Egypt. It's a snow job designed to make people feel good while the people with the power make sure they remain the *only* ones with real power; the "common man" (not just in Egypt, but across the world) -lulled by this easy "victory" - goes back to not questioning the power structure because he "knows" he has made a change for the better.

I know this is an anteater and all... but am I the only one who started singing "Badger badger badger badger" halfway through this video?