Escalating Voices of Dissent

In Upper Egypt, 2,000 students demonstrated at the University of Assuit. At the same time, about 1,000 people staged a quiet demonstration in a street, since gatherings of more than five people are not allowed. In Cairo, 1,200 students demonstrated at Ain-Shams University. At the same time, a similar protest was held at Cairo University with 1,500 participants. In the Delta area, students at Mansoura University chanted “Mr President, our country is a republic, not a monarchy.” All this in one day.

More is to come. On Friday, 1,000 judges are expected to meet in Alexandria; they are threatening to disrupt supervision of presidential and parliamental elections later this year if the president doesn’t approve of greater separation between the judicial and executive powers.

Yani… how good in theory that is; too bad that professions track record of corruption is making me question if we really want more power in their hands!

Meanwhile, our highly regarded and incredibly handsome prime minister, Dr. Ahmed Nazif (I Love You!) promises fair play in the presidential elections, including equal shares of air-time on state TV. “Peaceful dissent” will be allowed but preferably in allocated areas. International election observers are not welcome. The state of emergency will not be terminated, as it helps fighting terrorism and drugs.

Always managing to accommodate everyone while at the same time moving the agenda forward, if only so slowly, that remarkable man!