# Will Tunisian revolution inspire actions in other nations? (Now following Egypt.) \[ed. title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 15, 2011, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703 "2011-01-15T09:24:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/41 "2011-01-27T15:03:13Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Meanwhile, in Yemen . . .](http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iLkDOBuxA_i1KBObWTz5KA2wEm4w?docId=5774896) No sentence beginning with those words ever ended well. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/42 "2011-01-27T16:19:37Z")
Yeah, revolution isn’t going to solve Yemen’s problems. It’s either going to be an impoverished dictatorship or an impoverished anarchy. Hard to imagine democracy taking hold in those economic conditions. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/43 "2011-01-27T18:43:15Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Yeah, revolution isn’t going to solve Yemen’s problems. It’s either going to be an impoverished dictatorship or an impoverished anarchy. Hard to imagine democracy taking hold in those economic conditions. On the other hand “impoverished and much-hated dictatorship” isn’t a bad description of the status quo, with bonus ineptitude adn weakness. Absent hard-liner Islamists seizing power, it would seem difficult for a new government to be anything other than an improvement. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/44 "2011-01-27T21:28:27Z")
I just saw on Tv that Mubarek’s family landed in England with 97 pieces of luggage. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/45 "2011-01-27T21:39:16Z")
Ah, so they’re travelling light. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/46 "2011-01-27T23:54:46Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I just saw on Tv that Mubarek’s family landed in England with 97 pieces of luggage. How many were gym bags stuffed with bullion? That’s traditional, in these circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/47 "2011-01-27T23:57:41Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > How many were gym bags stuffed with bullion? That’s traditional, in these circumstances. They ship that ahead . Swiss bank accounts and Cayman Island acct, . I wonder if we would just send the checks directly to the accounts? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/48 "2011-01-28T00:27:03Z")
Go Yemen! Shades of 1989! I’m starting to get excited! ---
**Author:** ![Dick\_Dastardly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@Dick\_Dastardly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dick_Dastardly)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/49 "2011-01-28T01:26:18Z")
It’s prayer day tomorrow, we’ll find out how hard the Brothers are going to go at this rebellion thing then. America are still backing the Egyptian government although the rhetoric has altered. Before Ben Ali fled we were officially “not taking sides” between the dictatorship and the unarmed demonstrators. Now we’re supporting the government on the understanding that we believe it’s going to come up with the kind of reforms that the Egyptian people want. And that’s fair enough, after all if the Mubarak regime symbolises anything it symbolises democratic reform. We didn’t come out for the Tunisian demonstrators until Ben Ali was on a plane to Saudi and it looks like we’re going to do the same thing here. The demonstrators are chanting “O Mubarak, Saudi Arabia is waiting for you.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/50 "2011-01-28T02:55:29Z")
Would the Saudis even offer Mubarak sanctuary? Egypt’s been seen, to the best of my knowledge, as Israel’s stooge since Camp David. It was a probable reason for Sadat’s assassination, and Mubarak has kept up that kind of neutrality toward Israel…they were cooperating on isolating Gaza, for instance. ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Beecher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hank_beecher/32/7275_2.png) [@Hank\_Beecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Beecher)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/51 "2011-01-28T05:00:33Z")
Apparently the internet and sms in Egypt has just been disrupted. > **[Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/)** > > News, analysis from the Middle East & worldwide, multimedia & interactives, opinions, documentaries, podcasts, long reads and broadcast schedule. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/52 "2011-01-28T13:12:43Z")
I know these guys can’t say what they really think, but it still disturbs me that Biden said, in response to whether or not Mubarak should go or not, that: He should begin to move towards making some of the reforms that some of the protesters are asking for. I paraphrased that, but I don’t think I distorted it at all. Jeez, that’s almost as bad as what Bush Sr told the Lithuanians when they were on the verge of breaking away from the USSR. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/53 "2011-01-28T14:32:58Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I know these guys can’t say what they really think, but it still disturbs me that Biden said, in response to whether or not Mubarak should go or not, that: He should begin to move towards making some of the reforms that some of the protesters are asking for. I paraphrased that, but I don’t think I distorted it at all. What should he have said? > [@John\_Mace](#): > > Jeez, that’s almost as bad as what Bush Sr told the Lithuanians when they were on the verge of breaking away from the USSR. What should he have said? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/54 "2011-01-28T15:14:59Z")
[And Jordan, too, still.](http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ihO4xaxRn_2SU-croIKW21y4pHIg?docId=d0586c45c1f14f4c9865fa2affc8b998) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/55 "2011-01-28T15:29:30Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > What should he have said? Mubarak should set a date for democratic elections. > [@](#): > > What should he have said? We support the right of Lithuanians to govern themselves free of domination from the Soviet Union. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/56 "2011-01-28T15:47:54Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Mubarak should set a date for democratic elections. Are we sure we even want that to happen, if Islamists might win them? > [@John\_Mace](#): > > We support the right of Lithuanians to govern themselves free of domination from the Soviet Union. What would have been the point of saying that at the time? ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/57 "2011-01-28T15:51:46Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Mubarak should set a date for democratic elections. > > We support the right of Lithuanians to govern themselves free of domination from the Soviet Union. Yeah he should of said that, however, in the Soviet times, it would of given the Soviet leadership the rationale to suppress it as it seemed the US was inciting minorities to uprise against the state. I doubt many people realise such a tightrope people in power have to walk in regards to situations like this. Mubarak setting a date for democratic elections is an Oxymoron. Mubarak is the obstacle to democratic elections. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/58 "2011-01-28T15:54:53Z")
> [@Ryan\_Liam](#): > > Yeah he should of said that, however, in the Soviet times, it would of given the Soviet leadership the rationale to suppress it as it seemed the US was inciting minorities to uprise against the state. > > I doubt many people realise such a tightrope people in power have to walk in regards to situations like this. Not at that time. The USSR was falling apart at the seams, and Bush was behind the curve. > [@](#): > > Mubarak setting a date for democratic elections is an Oxymoron. Mubarak is the obstacle to democratic elections. If wants to end up like Ceausescu, he can dig in deeper. ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/59 "2011-01-28T16:29:36Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Not at that time. The USSR was falling apart at the seams, and Bush was behind the curve. > > If wants to end up like Ceausescu, he can dig in deeper. I know he was behind it, what I’m implying is that although the USSR was on its last legs, he couldn’t put himself into a position where they could identify ethnic unrest and independence movements with the US president, as for Mubarak, I think he will survive, because his government is a patriarchy. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703/60 "2011-01-28T16:33:24Z")
> [@Ryan\_Liam](#): > > as for Mubarak, I think he will survive, because his government is a patriarchy. Uncertain. He apparently still has the support of the police. It remains to be seen if the army is on-side. (I hope he’s remembered to choose the “purchase an escape helicopter” option at least once.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-in-other-nations-now-following-egypt-ed-title/567703.md?page=4)