Bahrain Protests
Discussion
allnighter said:
Jimbeaux said:
I saw NPR interviewing protestors who are stating that many in the crowd were hiding weapons and doing things that are not in the spirit of protest. I have the feeling that this will fizzle out in favor of the government.
Libya, on the other hand, is looking as if it may be in trouble (the government that is). While media access is far less prevelant, tweets, etc. are saying that the government forces have withdrawn from certain cities. That is usually an indication that they cannot hold them.
Here are some peaceful protesters deliberately targetted with live bullets.Libya, on the other hand, is looking as if it may be in trouble (the government that is). While media access is far less prevelant, tweets, etc. are saying that the government forces have withdrawn from certain cities. That is usually an indication that they cannot hold them.
Warning: Not for the faint hearted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OH4ZIaGB0g&NR=...
Jimbeaux said:
No doubt bad happens there as well; however, I stick with my prediction that many are either satisfied or not dissatisfied enough to pull this off. I think the government will hold. I am looking to Libya to be next.
It seems more like you want it to happen in Libya and you don't want it to happen in Bahrain, purely out of self interest, or the U.S national interest, and without a care for the people on the ground there. It's about time the U.S realised that as long as it minces it's words and sides with oppressors because of it's own interests it will be seen as one in the eyes of the world. There is a marked difference between the rhetoric used by Obama's administration against the Egyptian and Bahraini leaderships even though we know fine well which has demonstrated the most extreme violence towards it's people. Willy Hague has got bigger balls than his American counterpart, metaphorically speaking. Victor McDade said:
'Faction'?
The Shias make up 70% of the total population, it's hardly a faction.
Rodimus's post was interesting but as he's a member of the ruling Royal family (as he's said on here before) he's going to be slightly biased. Then again the accounts I've read in newspapers here will be equally as biased with the truth somewhere in between.
So whilst the treatment of Shias there might be improving, it's certainly not improving as quick as it should and these protests are the result.
If you have the time:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2a4a99be-ccbd-11de-8e30-...
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-eas...
I myself can say that i have more shiite friends than i have sunni, american, british, canadian put together. I have nothing against the shiites but i do have something against those who try to ruin our economy, lifestyle, and be as violent as possible, whether they are sunni or shiite. The recent demonstrations have escalated only because the world is watching. The protests now are nothing compared to the early '90s demonstrations where their target again was for the prime minister to step down and they have failed at it numerous times. These types of protests have been done before and we are so used to seeing it before. The Shias make up 70% of the total population, it's hardly a faction.
Rodimus's post was interesting but as he's a member of the ruling Royal family (as he's said on here before) he's going to be slightly biased. Then again the accounts I've read in newspapers here will be equally as biased with the truth somewhere in between.
So whilst the treatment of Shias there might be improving, it's certainly not improving as quick as it should and these protests are the result.
If you have the time:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2a4a99be-ccbd-11de-8e30-...
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-eas...
BBC, sky news, fox news, they wont show you in detail what is happening. They wouldnt want you knowing that everything is fine and the situation is going to be resolved soon. No, that wont be what you want to hear. What the majority want is to know that this domino effect is continuing and the arab market is falling apart. I am currently living in london and if it wasnt for my own satellite that allows me to get the arab channels, i wouldnt know what exactly is happening in bahrain. I would be rellying on emails and blackberry broadcasts during my stay here but things are clearer to me even when i am far away from it all.
What sky and BBC show are protesters being fired at by what they believe to be live ammunition and people dead on the streets. They dont show you the 150,000 people shiite, sunni, christians, jews marching the capital, pro government with the flag and the king, crown prince, and prime ministers picture. No one wants a happy ending. Yes bahrain has 66% shiites but do you honestly believe that all 66% have gone anti government? if that were the case, i assure you i would be in exile and would permanently be living in london.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io9PdI_NOv8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktKQT4HZ3yM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCy43m6u8QU
We have seen worse in the past. Everytime an opposition leader causes a major problem in the country, next thing you know it, these guys get high government positions and their comrades get jobs too. And whenever they are settled, they take advantage of their positions and end up causing more s
t in the country.Hassan Mushaima - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasan_Mushaima
he is currently being treated in the UK for lung cancer and the same government he opposes is paying for his treatment. Remember the first to get killed during these protests is Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima...... he died by a rubber bullet to the head and to the stomach. He charged at police who were patrolling the area. The angry shiite group advertised feb 14 as 'Day of Rage' on twitter and facebook. The police were watching out for any violence and it started with this guy. Common sense, if someone comes charging at a police officer, you are obviously a threat and you will be taken down.
Ebrahim Sharif -
He trashes the ruling family all the time. He has, in the past, tried to make himself noticeable to his own people but failed at it.
http://www.habibtoumi.com/2010/03/06/bahrains-lead...
summary of that: he tries to involve himself with the main opposition group but they dont want him in. He wanted to involve his group (Waad) into parliament where the other opposition group Al Wefaq owns 17 out of 40 seats. Currently he has one seat in parliament and shows up in a lot of interviews and youtube clips but he is a nobody. paragraph from that article
“An alliance with Al Wefaq is very difficult, so we will be just coordinating with them. AL Wefaq wants to keep the 17 seats it won in 2006 and compete in 18 constituencies, and this makes an alliance highly difficult,” Ibrahim said.
Aziz Abdul - He is one of the opposition leaders and a member of the upper house of parliament appointed by the king. He had this position for a while, he still has it.
Ali Salman - he leads the most powerful opposition society and pays his respect to the prime minister in every occasion where it was televised on national TV. he is always seen sitting by either the king or prime minister. He currently withdrew his group from parliament.
The crown prince of bahrain, and yes a true pistonhead, appeared on TV and asked for both pro govt and anti govt to be calm. He basically said he didnt want any sunnis/shiiites opposing this group and he doesnt want there to be any sunnis and shiite differences in the country. The deaths of those bahraini protestors will be looked into and dealt fairly. He then withdrew all forces from the pearl roundabout area. he also mentioned that stability is important and he wont allow anyone to be violent. He then asks for opposition leaders to meet with him and together they can work on a better future and meet with the people's demands in a civilised manner.
I am having trouble looking for a translated version of the speech he gave but sky news edited it completely and failed to mention that he asked the military to back off and ask for opposition leaders to step forward and work with their people and the government to fullfil the needs of all citizens. Once i find a good tranlation source of the vid, i will link it here.
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?st...
"Some people go out believing they have no future in the country and others go out driven by cordiality and keenness on preserving the nation's achievements. However, this nation is not for only one section - it is not for Sunnis or Shias. It is for Bahrain and for Bahrainis."
Today, Al Wefaq opposition group withdrew their seats from parliament because of the deaths of 6 people in total. They also refuse to meet with the crown prince to resolve the situation. They wont allow this situation to be resolved. They want more than anything, for it to continue until they get recognised by hezbollah or Iran or whichever group it is. Jobs in military and security forces??? i think not.
watch this vid. This is a vid by the BBC. part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55hf3gRbzBk
6:43 - a kuwaiti man's view of what Iran is and how they are a threat to the arab world.
8:42 - interesting take on how these people are brainwashed
11:43 - 11:54 look at how the BBC starts editing what this minister says. You can tell when the screen blacks out and his words to fit in with what he is saying if you relisten to it.
part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_d71ARKkQQ&fea...
1:26 - this guy says his brother took a trip to iran and went to bahrain and then was detained. okay keep watching and pause at 2:04. the BBC reporter points at a picture of a man and asks the guy if that is nasrallah...the man says it is. Who is nasrallah? 2:14 pause right there too....ayotallah khomeini ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruhollah_Khomeini )
7:28 - 8:06 here you will understand how some shiites are controled. He mentions that they obey what their mullas say and they do as their told. In bahrain, the opposition leaders are this group of people's mullas. Now back to nasrallah, we went on tv a few days ago and told the shiites of lebanon to prepare for war against Israel. He is the leader of hezbollah, the leader of palestinian hezbollah and is a servant to Iran and their leaders. Still think we mishandle things?
The gulf countries have fought terrorism and still do. People who support terror groups in Pakistan and afghanistan get jailed and killed for being a major threat. Saudi Arabia have cracked down on many terror groups. Remember this summer when Dubai made the US alert of a package containing a bomb that was headed their way? We all have to play a part in this all. Saudi Arabia had enough of it and strictly asked this oppoition group to stop what they are doing. Qatar joined in on it, the UAE is ready to back bahrain up from international attack, oman and kuwait are with bahrain too. This in other words a warning to Iran to stop their influence in the gulf which is a threat to every ruler there. Most of you havent been in a situation of war. I clearly remember the Gulf War. I wish that part of my memory fades away but it just doesnt. I still remember the days where i was put into a bunker room that recycles the air from posion gases. We woke up in the middle of the night to noises of sirens warning us of iraqi missiles. We could hear them loud and clear and we had to live in fear until it was all over. I dont want the same for my family, but Iran is a threat to everyone and they wont hesitate to use their nuclear power and destroy anyone in their way. They are what germany was back in the days of hitler. And excuse me if i am a bit biased but i know this group in bahrain....they wont stop until Iran takes control. That will never happen and this will probably quiet down but deep down inside them they know they will do the same s
t again and it is a never ending story.
tvrjules said:
hey Prince Rodimus, have you got your plane ready at the airport?
you should read people's profiles before you comment on them. Notes: I am from Bahrain, but currently live in London. So much better staying away from the sun
See i read yours before i comment, Julie B. I dont need to know what the B stands for, i can take a wild guess
KANEIT said:
Jimbeaux said:
No doubt bad happens there as well; however, I stick with my prediction that many are either satisfied or not dissatisfied enough to pull this off. I think the government will hold. I am looking to Libya to be next.
It seems more like you want it to happen in Libya and you don't want it to happen in Bahrain, purely out of self interest, or the U.S national interest, and without a care for the people on the ground there. It's about time the U.S realised that as long as it minces it's words and sides with oppressors because of it's own interests it will be seen as one in the eyes of the world. There is a marked difference between the rhetoric used by Obama's administration against the Egyptian and Bahraini leaderships even though we know fine well which has demonstrated the most extreme violence towards it's people. Willy Hague has got bigger balls than his American counterpart, metaphorically speaking. Rodimus said:
I myself can say that i have more shiite friends than i have sunni, american, british, canadian put together. I have nothing against the shiites but i do have something against those who try to ruin our economy, lifestyle, and be as violent as possible, whether they are sunni or shiite. The recent demonstrations have escalated only because the world is watching. The protests now are nothing compared to the early '90s demonstrations where their target again was for the prime minister to step down and they have failed at it numerous times. These types of protests have been done before and we are so used to seeing it before.
If this group are a tiny vocal minority and don't reflect the rest of the Shiite majorities wishes why not hold a fair and open election and let all Bahrainis decide who runs their country? That would be fair wouldn't it?
Rodimus said:
Put a different point of view from that expressed by the media.
Can I just say that I feel for you with what is happening to your country.We don't know the rights and wrongs of the situation but I am fairly confident that if it continues there will be tragedy and little good will arise out of it and certainly not enough to counter the costs.
One can hope that the talks will take place and a compromise arrived at that will be acceptable to both or all sides.
All the best.
el stovey said:
No wonder they're complaining about the I imagine if I had all the money and Ferraris, I wouldn't want any democracy ruining things either.
Even better, go look at what's happening in Benghazi right now and post on that.
el stovey said:
jmorgan said:
The rulers not elected in Bahrain? Well I never.
No wonder they're complaining about the I imagine if I had all the money and Ferraris, I wouldn't want any democracy ruining things either.
Edited by allnighter on Sunday 20th February 14:24
Mojocvh said:
el stovey said:
No wonder they're complaining about the I imagine if I had all the money and Ferraris, I wouldn't want any democracy ruining things either.
Even better, go look at what's happening in Benghazi right now and post on that.
My understanding was that the King is head of state. The king appoints a prime minister and a cabinet. They did have an elected National Assembly which was a legislative body but that was dissolved in 1974. Political parties aren't allowed but you can form an association if you like.
The people kicking off are Shi'a Muslims who obviously don't think the "social infrastructure" is working out for everyone. If it's only a tiny minority who are unhappy then it will fizzle out, If it's a majority who want demographic reform, then it will gather momentum.
As many undemocratic leaders in the region are finding out. Just because a country has been run in a certain way for decades, doesn't mean it automatically will continue like that.
Bahrain might be a fantastic place to live, the people might be very well looked after by their monarch. Some people for whatever reason still want democratic reform and those in charge are again opposing it. Obviously those in the ruling family are doing very well indeed out of the present arrangement. I'm not surprised they want to keep things exactly as they are.
Edited by el stovey on Sunday 20th February 18:31
Jimbeaux said:
No doubt bad happens there as well; however, I stick with my prediction that many are either satisfied or not dissatisfied enough to pull this off. I think the government will hold. I am looking to Libya to be next.
www.peacebahrain.comThey explain in detail how the protestors have lied to the BBC, Sky news, CNN, etc, about how the government reacted to the protest.
The protestors told the media that they were asleep and with no warning, the government shot at them. The vids on that site show exactly what went on and in detail too. They were clearly awake and their leaders were telling them to stand up and fight against the police. Its because of the stampede that resulted in the death of a 52 year old whose pic you have seen with his skull cracked open. Tanks were not deployed until the roundabout was completely cleared out.
You will have to confirm this info from someone who works in the military, but from what i understood from this, is the millitar drew a line. They have reminded protestors not to cross that line otherwise they see it as a threat. The protestors crossed that line and riot police opened fire at them with rubber bullets to keep them away. They could be armed, they could have explosives, thats why the line is there to warn people to back off.
In this link below is an example of what this opposition group does. In summary, seven were sentanced to life in prison when they threw molotov bombs at a patrol car killing a policeman. These are the people they call 'political prisoners'
http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/3147
before that
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/bahrain/bahraini-pol...
Again a police man killed in the same village where he was patroling the area in a cop car.
another incident
http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/2053
Yet another policeman killed on april 2010 by people in the same village as above, karzakan in Bahrain.
For the police to react the way they did, I dont blame them one bit. These are their fellow officers, they need to take every step of precaution to insure public safety. I dont believe one bit that their intentions were to kill them except for the first one who went charging at them. Suicide bombers reffer themselves as jihad or mojahedeen, meaning they will sacrifice themselves for their country/leaders. People charging against police in bahrain, think exactly the same.
Another link, this time they were trying to blow stuff up. The government let them free only if they go on national television and say why they decided to do what they did. They embaressed them but because al wefaq were involved, talks here and there and these b
ds were set free.http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/bahrain/two-held-for...
there is a vid on peacebahrain.com that shows you the policemen stabbed and many in critical conditions which the media here in britain and in the US havent mentioned. The protesters had weapons. The protestors also said they didnt get ambulances to help them.....there are 6 in the background in one of the vids. And finally, one vid shows a guy carrying what looks like a bag of red liquid which they will put to good use to make good acting moments for the press.
Derek Smith said:
Can I just say that I feel for you with what is happening to your country.
We don't know the rights and wrongs of the situation but I am fairly confident that if it continues there will be tragedy and little good will arise out of it and certainly not enough to counter the costs.
One can hope that the talks will take place and a compromise arrived at that will be acceptable to both or all sides.
All the best.
Thank you We don't know the rights and wrongs of the situation but I am fairly confident that if it continues there will be tragedy and little good will arise out of it and certainly not enough to counter the costs.
One can hope that the talks will take place and a compromise arrived at that will be acceptable to both or all sides.
All the best.
Right now the opposition leaders werent ready to talk at first. Then one group stepped in and ditched the other three so they get their chance to show the crown prince they are willing to work together for change. This angered the other Three and they had issues between them. I feel sorry for the younger generation who follow them. Hopefully, grown men will start acting their age and work together. At first they had two demands. A withdrawl of the army and for the prime minister to step out of office. The second one is a tricky one so hopefully by today they will resolve it with the opposition groups.
update on the situation there- rumours has it that the PM might be forced out of office in the next couple of days. Most likely tomorrow. Ecclestone gave them a deadline until wednesday to make a decision whether or not F1 takes place in Bahrain. A lot of the teams dont want to risk going there and McLaren wont comment on it, i think for obvious reasons, because bahrain holds 50% of Mclaren automotive and 45% of mclaren racing. The situation in bahrain looks like it may be resolved this week but what the opposition groups want more right now is to see F1 cancelled and when it does get cancelled, they will create new enemies within the community who relly on tourism and relly mainly on F1.
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