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Letters from our readers

On “Imperialism and Egypt’s ‘democratic transition’

 

 

I am hoping that these articles are being translated into Arabic, as the language is ubiquitous across the whole region.

 

Therefore, unlike other uprisings elsewhere in the world, language is not a barrier between the working classes of these countries. Now that Egypt has had to open up its Internet once more, the opportunity is there to spread this information to a huge audience.

 

Ben H
United Kingdom
7 February 2011

On the revolution in Egypt

 

This is clearly the case: The US backs Mubarak while lending the appearance of supporting democracy. Words of condemnation from President Obama, PM David Cameron and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are not actions. The United States, being the experts at “regime change”, had ample resources to remove Mubarak but didn’t. Populist “revolutions” are repelled and repressed when they are not “color revolutions” engineered by Washington. Peter Symonds quoted Mr. Obama’s word “partnership”, when most other analysts missed it from the President’s Tuesday night’s “message” to the Egyptian President. “Partnership” means Washington’s desire to maintain the status quo, however differently dressed. Elections to Washington are uncomfortable but necessary procedures. The Egyptian protesters are expected to be appeased, to disband and wait for Mr. Mubarak’s successor to be elected.

 

 

And if they can’t or won’t wait, the police and citizen reactionaries will force them back to their thirty year nightmare, and they will even be blamed and stand accused, and the world with go back to “business as usual”. Such are the hopes of Washington.

 

Watching the live streams from Al Jazeera 10-12 hours per day now, and preparing myself this Thursday morning to view what might be a “bloodbath” at the hands of militant paid loyalists along with the police, these all-too familiar reactionary forces rise unimpeded on the streets of Cairo, are championed on state TV, and now fill Tweets and blogs, since internet service has been turned on again to assist the government supporters. The reader comments left at US news sites (e.g., CNN) suddenly reflected disproportionate anti-Zionist, anti-government (in the Tea Party sense) sentiment on Wednesday evening, with focuses on the Muslim Brotherhood and Iran.

 

Sadly, I view this deadly Egyptian struggle as another “wake-up” call to any American activist. What America did and does to other countries, it does and will do to its own. But you already know that.

 

 

Michael B
Maine, USA
3 February 2011

 

 

On “Cyclone Yasi causes extensive damage across north eastern Australia

 

With regard to your comments on the cyclone Yasi, whilst your article does examine the negligent nature of both the Gillard and Bligh governments, I feel that it’s important to mention that of the seven Cairns evacuation centres only one was rated to withstand the storm. The massively good fortune experienced by people sheltering in these centres was graphically demonstrated by the actions of Red Cross worker Noelene Byrne. Byrne decided the designated evacuation centre in Tully was grossly inadequate and courageously decided to move all the occupants to a more suitable shelter. In the words of her Red Cross coordinator the original evacuation centre was “Obliterated”.

 

With this knowledge at hand, Bligh and then Gillard both lied on camera boasting that all the evacuation centres had withstood the storm. Both leaders gave themselves a generous pat on the back, claiming that good preparation had resulted in no deaths being recorded.

 

Pure luck meant the cyclone did not hit Cairns directly and with it the very real possibility of collapsing inadequate designated refuges.

 

The vicious nature of capitalism was exquisitely demonstrated by a caller to ABC radio who stated that in the two hours it took her to secure a flight out of Cairns, the price tripled.

 

Nick S
4 February 2011

 

On “Fire: A film which bears witness to Deepa Mehta’s courage as an artist

 

I read this article today. Many of my old confusing views on family system were made clear through the review of this article. I have not watched the movie Fire before as it was a real taboo to discuss sexuality issues and me being just a school kid, all I have seen

said is this is a movie on forbidden issues. I have watched her movie Kaal Naag, an awesome movie about an NRI woman domestic oppression. But, still I feel her expression of art is more of reflecting human psychology, the feudal family system blended with the mythological characters rather than challenging the actual economic basis, clarifying the classes of the characters involved. I liked the review very much. Thanks.

 

Regards,

Sathish
India
6 February 2011

 

On “Letters from our readers

 

 

 

 

Regarding letter from Carolyn regarding nutrition:

 

 

The claim that raw milk (unpasteurized) is preferable and more nutritious is not supported by scientific research, but assertions. “Raw” milk can be lethal, especially for children, elderly, and those with lowered immune systems.

 

Kathryn
Minnesota, USA
6 February 2011

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