Egyptian vote could be bad news for U.S.

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-egypt28.html

CAIRO, Egypt -- For months, the Bush administration has said it is serious about pushing for democracy in the Middle East. It's about to get a serious test of that resolve.

Egypt, the world's most populous Arab country, is suddenly roiling with a wide-open, combative election that seems certain to end with the country's main Islamic group, the banned Muslim Brotherhood, as a big winner.

The country's rulers, longtime American allies, are starting to show signs of panic: Police have barred voters from polls and thugs have attacked Brotherhood supporters in recent days in an apparent effort to blunt the group's growing momentum.

Even before the final round of voting Thursday, Brotherhood loyalists have increased their seats in parliament fivefold. That's not enough to unseat the ruling party, but is still seen as a slap to President Hosni Mubarak.

[rpannier]

1. I live in east Asia

and I watch Asia Pacific news a lot. To give you an idea of how bad this was for that fascist mubarak...According to ABC (Asia Pacific Broadcasting Co) reporters, "The Egyptian police fired tear gas at polling stations where the Brotherhood is popular to disperse the crowd and keep people voting for the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood." Imaging what would have happened if it hade been a free and open election.
Unfortunately, this election became a choice between a repressive, totalitarian thug and a regressive, theocratic group. The real losers in all this could be the Coptic Christians and women in Egypt.

[Toots]

2. The real losers could be the women in Egypt

How is that, would they suddenly get some rights as a human. Women are not held in less esteem in any other country that I am aware of.