Egypt - Call Me Cassandra

The Egyptian military has imposed a month long State of Emergency following yesterday's massacre of pro-Morsi demonstrators. (Photo/TheSaint41.com)

6 weeks after Egypt's coup, cops fired on the crowd

Saying Muslim Brotherhood protesters weren't allowed

To continue demonstrating out in Cairo's streets.

Now, instead, the city's filled with corpses under sheets.

Islamists felt victimized and took it to the square

(It's become the custom to hold demonstrations there)

Said it's illegitimate to overthrow a man

Just because you disagree... Only elections can.

Seems to me they had a point and, 'though I don't agree

With the Muslim Brotherhood, elections there were free.

Thousands wounded, hundreds dead, Vice President resigned

And the former President's still very hard to find.

There will be no compromises now - Not after this.

Population's fracturing.  The cracks are hard to miss.

Now, with mounting bloodshed, Egypt's in a downward spin.

It's a situation where America can't win.

Across the Pond - Pharaoh Morsi

Figured that Thanksgiving was ideal to take a break.

Thought it would be quiet; that was clearly a mistake.

Egypt has a Pharaoh now; the Muslim Brotherhood

Placed itself beyond the law and that, my friends, ain't good.

Morsi says his actions won't be subject to review...

Neither judges nor the law can tell him what to do.

Says it's only temporary; his intentions pure.

Demonstrators back in Tahrir Square don't seem as sure.

Morsi was elected as the President because

The reformers couldn't choose which candidate theirs was.

Liberal choices split the vote; Conservatives stepped in.

Feels as if the Arab Spring released an evil djinn.

Middle East is frightening with Syria, Iran,

(Not to mention our poor troops still in Afghanistan)

Israel and Palestine and Turkey's bomb request...

Almost every one of them wants something from the West.

Across the Pond - Egypt: Pay Attention!

Cartoon by Robert Ariail.com

 

Situation recently in Egypt isn't good.

If you haven't paid attention lately, then you should;

As go the Egyptians also goes the Arab Spring.

I'm afraid that you won't like the news this rhyme will bring.

Military has dissolved the Parliament and now

Won't announce the President...  They'd rather kiss a sow.

Probably because the Muslim Brotherhood has won;

Who, until a year ago, were not allowed to run.

Now, although there's uproar, it's more quiet than you'd think

Mostly because younger folks believe both options stink.

What was there to choose from? Either old way or far right?

Not the kind of candidates for whom they fought the fight.

We will have to wait and see by whom that country's led

(And how many more times that Mubarak will be dead.)

Don't know how much longer that the Generals can stall.

Hope the Arab season hasn't turned from Spring to Fall.

Dear Occupy Wall St.; WTF? (Want To Finance?)

(Photo credit: Sacha Lecca for RollingStone.com)

Heard about an old idea that's morphed to something new,

People helping other people - this is what they do;

Rather than a painful trip to beg some giant bank

For a loan, they're asking strangers.  Internet's to thank.

Someone with a good idea will post the thing on line

Looking for investors and - so far - it's going fine.

Catching on in Europe, where it's known as "Peer to Peer".

Wondering if Occupiers ought to try it here?

I believe the movement, if it wants to change a thing,

Has to now agree upon a single song to sing.

(Maybe it's not peer to peer but fixing our campaigns...

Super PACs are dangerous.) We have to use our brains.

I know smarter folks than I - more actively involved -

Must be trying very hard to get this problem solved.

Hope that they're more organized than first impressions seem;

That the Wall Street Occupiers don't run out of steam.

Pick a single issue.  Stay on message.  Talk it up.

Find a worthy Kool-Aid and then pour us all a cup.

...

(Want some proof we need to have a single message sent...?

Ask the poor Egyptians how their last election went.)