Comments on: Following the Libyan uprising http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:52:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: carborundum http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032453 carborundum Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032453 Nice article on BBC about Gene Sharp, who seems to have literally wrote the book on nonviolent revolution! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12522848 Nice article on BBC about Gene Sharp, who seems to have literally wrote the book on nonviolent revolution!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12522848

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032456 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032456 You can't hide anymore, motherfuckers. Decent people are coming to find you. You can’t hide anymore, motherfuckers. Decent people are coming to find you.

]]> By: Rayonic http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032471 Rayonic Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032471 What I want to know is: what's up with <a href="http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20110217/i/ra853877554.jpg?x=400&y=265&q=85&sig=gbvYQzBmKlwW0QsmTIfyjA--">Gadaffi's face.</a> Did some plastic surgery go wrong or something? He always looked kinda weird, but wow. Looks like he's been seeing a taxidermist. What I want to know is: what’s up with Gadaffi’s face. Did some plastic surgery go wrong or something? He always looked kinda weird, but wow.

Looks like he’s been seeing a taxidermist.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032732 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032732 What happened to his face? Botox. Thank you, Wikileaks! http://www.boingboing.net/2010/11/28/colonel-gadaffi-uses.html What happened to his face? Botox. Thank you, Wikileaks!

http://www.boingboing.net/2010/11/28/colonel-gadaffi-uses.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032478 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032478 enough is enough african rulers your no longer leadrs enough is enough african rulers your no longer leadrs

]]> By: JonStewartMill http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032481 JonStewartMill Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032481 An old insult from middle school comes to mind: "He looks like his face caught fire and someone put out the fire with a fork." An old insult from middle school comes to mind: “He looks like his face caught fire and someone put out the fire with a fork.”

]]> By: alllie http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032482 alllie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032482 I'm ambivalent about all this because I know the US has always hated Gadaffi, not because he was a dictator, they are fine with dictators like Mubarak that bleed their countries dry, torture and murder their people, but because Gadaffi was largely socialist and, until the last decade, kept most western corporations out of Libya. Libya even nationalized 70% of their oil, only leaving foreign oil companies with some interest because Libya needed their expertise. Their inability to exploit Libya is why the global capitalists hated Gadaffi. So what the truth is, I don't know. But the US wasn't sending people to Libya to be tortured, but they were sending them to Egypt and Syria. <blockquote>This...oil revenue, however, made possible a substantial improvement in the lives of virtually all Libyans. During the 1970s, the government succeeded in making major improvements in the general welfare of its citizens. By the 1980s Libyans enjoyed much improved housing and education, comprehensive social welfare services, and general standards of health that were among the highest in Africa. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Libya_under_Gaddafi#The_Socialist_People.27s_Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya">The Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya</a></blockquote> So what's true? I don't kown. But it may be that the violence in Libya has western intelligence agencies behind it. Or it may be it's people driven, but in this case I don't necessarily believe western media. I’m ambivalent about all this because I know the US has always hated Gadaffi, not because he was a dictator, they are fine with dictators like Mubarak that bleed their countries dry, torture and murder their people, but because Gadaffi was largely socialist and, until the last decade, kept most western corporations out of Libya. Libya even nationalized 70% of their oil, only leaving foreign oil companies with some interest because Libya needed their expertise. Their inability to exploit Libya is why the global capitalists hated Gadaffi.

So what the truth is, I don’t know. But the US wasn’t sending people to Libya to be tortured, but they were sending them to Egypt and Syria.

This…oil revenue, however, made possible a substantial improvement in the lives of virtually all Libyans. During the 1970s, the government succeeded in making major improvements in the general welfare of its citizens. By the 1980s Libyans enjoyed much improved housing and education, comprehensive social welfare services, and general standards of health that were among the highest in Africa.
The Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

So what’s true? I don’t kown. But it may be that the violence in Libya has western intelligence agencies behind it. Or it may be it’s people driven, but in this case I don’t necessarily believe western media.

]]> By: PaulR http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032499 PaulR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032499 As per Al-Jazeera, it looks like the tide is turning: "Anti-government protesters rallied in Tripoli's streets, tribal leaders spoke out against Gaddafi, and army units defected to the opposition as oil exporter Libya endured one of the bloodiest revolts to convulse the Arab world." http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201122131439291589.html As per Al-Jazeera, it looks like the tide is turning:
“Anti-government protesters rallied in Tripoli’s streets, tribal leaders spoke out against Gaddafi, and army units defected to the opposition as oil exporter Libya endured one of the bloodiest revolts to convulse the Arab world.”
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201122131439291589.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1033011 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1033011 It appears the United States of Africa (from Star Trek) is a few steps closer to coming into being... It appears the United States of Africa (from Star Trek) is a few steps closer to coming into being…

]]> By: alllie http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032502 alllie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032502 He looks ill and old to me. And poisoned. He looks ill and old to me. And poisoned.

]]> By: arborman http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032512 arborman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032512 Though I cannot know the nuances of the revolts happening in each of the Arab states, I can't help but instinctively side with the (more or less) unarmed people against the heavily armed military and dictators. I hope that if history takes a turn and Canada ever finds itself in a situation like that (hopefully unlikely), I would have the guts to be in the streets facing down the bullies of autocratic power. And I have enormous respect for those who do. I don't know what will come of all the revolutions. Some of them might end in democracy, some will probably end in a new dictatorship. Some may even be hostile to the US (given the history). Who cares? Surely the US is strong enough to survive the antipathy of the mighty emirate of Bahrain, or Libya? Course, the price of gas might go up, but it was going up anyway and this will provide the oil companies with a convenient excuse to point at while they bathe in solid gold tubs and fly gold plated lear jets. Though I cannot know the nuances of the revolts happening in each of the Arab states, I can’t help but instinctively side with the (more or less) unarmed people against the heavily armed military and dictators.

I hope that if history takes a turn and Canada ever finds itself in a situation like that (hopefully unlikely), I would have the guts to be in the streets facing down the bullies of autocratic power. And I have enormous respect for those who do.

I don’t know what will come of all the revolutions. Some of them might end in democracy, some will probably end in a new dictatorship. Some may even be hostile to the US (given the history). Who cares? Surely the US is strong enough to survive the antipathy of the mighty emirate of Bahrain, or Libya?

Course, the price of gas might go up, but it was going up anyway and this will provide the oil companies with a convenient excuse to point at while they bathe in solid gold tubs and fly gold plated lear jets.

]]> By: davidasposted http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032525 davidasposted Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032525 What is the relevance of the U.S. and its position on Libya? Many (though not all) Libyans enjoy the material benefits of an oil-rich state that has chosen to invest some of the profits into public infrastructure. As a consequence of this investment, many Libyans are highly educated. At the same time, press freedom and unfettered political participation do not exist in the country. The revolution in Tunisia was about economics, but the emerging struggle in Libya is about something else, and not the least the desire to meaningfully participate in the direction of the state. What is the relevance of the U.S. and its position on Libya?

Many (though not all) Libyans enjoy the material benefits of an oil-rich state that has chosen to invest some of the profits into public infrastructure. As a consequence of this investment, many Libyans are highly educated. At the same time, press freedom and unfettered political participation do not exist in the country.

The revolution in Tunisia was about economics, but the emerging struggle in Libya is about something else, and not the least the desire to meaningfully participate in the direction of the state.

]]> By: davidasposted http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032526 davidasposted Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032526 Gaddafi has had cosmetic surgery. He is widely regarded in diplomatic circles as exceedingly vain. Check out the wikileaks cables related to him for details. Gaddafi has had cosmetic surgery. He is widely regarded in diplomatic circles as exceedingly vain. Check out the wikileaks cables related to him for details.

]]> By: museincognito http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032830 museincognito Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032830 That and his toop is jacked.... Bald is beautiful, Gadaffi! I think you were quite handsome in your youth, g. Wherever you and arrogant seed flee to, lay off the fillers. The Great Age of Revolution. The US's starting in Madison? That and his toop is jacked…. Bald is beautiful, Gadaffi! I think you were quite handsome in your youth, g. Wherever you and arrogant seed flee to, lay off the fillers.

The Great Age of Revolution. The US’s starting in Madison?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032591 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032591 I love that his Twitter feed follows Mariah Carey *and* Tony Robbins. I love that his Twitter feed follows Mariah Carey *and* Tony Robbins.

]]> By: Mister44 http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032599 Mister44 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032599 "You're so vain. You probably think this revolt is about you." “You’re so vain. You probably think this revolt is about you.”

]]> By: Mister44 http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032896 Mister44 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032896 "I had a dream their were crowds for Gadaffi, crowds for Gadaffi." “I had a dream their were crowds for Gadaffi, crowds for Gadaffi.”

]]> By: Padraig http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032914 Padraig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032914 I agree, David. A guilded cage is a cage nonetheless. All reports indicate that political freedom did not exist and that political opposition and difference was brutally repressed. You either took what was offered or suffered the consequences. Furthermore, those who were not in the 'in' crowd were always at risk of violence from the corrupt - thus there was no freedom, liberty, peace or equality before the law. I agree, David.

A guilded cage is a cage nonetheless.

All reports indicate that political freedom did not exist and that political opposition and difference was brutally repressed.

You either took what was offered or suffered the consequences.

Furthermore, those who were not in the ‘in’ crowd were always at risk of violence from the corrupt – thus there was no freedom, liberty, peace or equality before the law.

]]> By: Moody75 http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032423 Moody75 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032423 As a Libyan I say THANK YOU Cory and BoingBoing for the continued coverage. As a Libyan I say THANK YOU Cory and BoingBoing for the continued coverage.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032937 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032937 I recommend following @acarvin for an amazing (and somewhat overwhelming) tweet stream of Libya and other revolutions. Public media FTW. I recommend following @acarvin for an amazing (and somewhat overwhelming) tweet stream of Libya and other revolutions. Public media FTW.

]]> By: osmo http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032431 osmo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032431 Moody we're all watching and personally I'm hoping that the courage of the people of the North African countries populations spreads north, south, east and west. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu7eQyasgw0&feature=player_embedded#at=54 Moody we’re all watching and personally I’m hoping that the courage of the people of the North African countries populations spreads north, south, east and west.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu7eQyasgw0&feature=player_embedded#at=54

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/21/following-the-libyan.html#comment-1032436 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1032436 Al Jazeera also offers excellent coverage. http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/ Al Jazeera also offers excellent coverage.

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

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