Arab Spring

Arab Spring?

So It is all change again in Egypt. A problem vexing the news media is when is a coup not a coup. I reckon that when a democratically elected leader is removed from office by that countries armed forces it IS a coup. Any way you care to dice it.

I followed the events of 2011 from my bed.  The events in Tarhir square made compelling viewing. Oddly it was reminiscent of the ending of a film called V for Vendetta

This was originally a graphic novel about the fight between a fascist government and anarchists. It was eventually turned into a film of the same name. The point is that at the end of the film a huge group of people march on Parliament wearing the, now famous "V" masks (see left) They approach an armed road block who eventually lay down their arms. 

Egypt in 2011 looked almost like this. 

So it was with hope that I followed the elections that eventually followed. We all hoped that this was a new beginning for Egypt.

To my regret I have not really followed what led up to this latest twist in Cairo.

It does not bode well, however for a new democracy that, at the first sign of trouble the army moves in. The way to remove a despised government is through the ballot box. 

For democracy to truly take hold it must be shown, and seen to happen that a poor government is removed from power by a democratic election. Democracy can never grow as a concept in a country that allows it's military to topple a  government as soon as the going gets tough. A failing government should be put to the vote.