Baronjutter posted:

and it's not like it's true just because it's on TV

Frackmire posted:

It would only be racist if African mercenaries were known for their humanitarianism at some previous point of time. But they are not even soldiers anymore, they're criminals at best and animals at worst, created by deplorable living and political conditions in that part of the world.

Nenonen posted:

And make it look like USA organized the rebellions in the first place. That would only give the armed forces a legitimate reason to fire at protestors - they'd not be fighting against their people's will, they'd be defending their country against a foreign intervention. gently caress, even the protestors would take arms to fight against a US military expedition. It'd be just another quagmire of civil war like Iraq.

Besides, if Obama really wanted to support democracy, he'd already have had Karzai removed.

Frackmire posted:

It would only be racist if African mercenaries were known for their humanitarianism at some previous point of time. But they are not even soldiers anymore, they're criminals at best and animals at worst, created by deplorable living and political conditions in that part of the world.

Brown Moses posted:

Gaddafi is threatening to stop co-operating with the EU over illegal immigration if they don't stop encouraging the protesters, ie criticising Libya for murdering protesters.

ganglysumbia posted:

Aljazeera just reported protesters have captured tanks and are driving them through the city....

Samurai Sanders posted:

There's something about stealing an oppressor's tank and using it against them that makes me feel all awesome inside. Same as in Return of the Jedi when the ewoks stole the walker and started blowing poo poo up left and right.

edit: How easy is it to drive a tank without training anyway? I just realized I have no idea how they operate.

Samurai Sanders posted:

edit: How easy is it to drive a tank without training anyway? I just realized I have no idea how they operate.

quote:

The clashes escalated after the incident, centered around the military camp. Protesters packed at least one car with explosives Sunday and sent it crashing into a compound wall at the camp, eyewitnesses said. Security forces then fired on the protesters as they attempted to breach the camp.

On the camp's southern side, meanwhile, protesters drove a tank from a nearby army base in another attempt to break in, witnesses said. They have also obtained other weapons, the protester said.

Astrolite posted:

Driving them is pretty easy. Firing the main gun would be a bit more difficult, unless it's a very old model.

Samurai Sanders posted:

Eh, no need to bother with the gun, the tank itself can be plenty destructive.

Brown Moses posted:

Gaddafi is threatening to stop co-operating with the EU over illegal immigration if they don't stop encouraging the protesters, ie criticising Libya for murdering protesters.

THE HORSES rear end posted:

Gaddafi is like a villain from a Stephen King novel. He has a wicked sense of humor, isn't completely in touch with reality, and doesn't always take himself seriously, but when poo poo comes to shove he's downright loving evil.

BIG HORNY COW posted:

Should clarify - I think its past the point of no return in LIBYA.

quote:

Thai Red Shirts rally in Thailand’s capital
by Harry Oldfield
Thousands of Thai “Red Shirts” massed in Bangkok to mark the nine-month anniversary since a bloody crackdown took place on their anti-government protest and call for the government to release their detained leaders.
Approximately 25,000 protesters gathered in the capital and paraded from the core of Bangkok’s retail centre to the Democracy Monument. Both of these sites were the actual sites of bloodshed during last year’s demonstrations.
Decked out in their trademark colour, the protesters were seen waving flags, banners and plastic clappers as the movement’s key leaders addressed them. Thida Thavornseth, leader of the Red Shirt movement, said that the people came on this very day to ask for justice for those of their comrades who had died exactly nine months ago.
A group of 4,500 policemen were dispatched in the city to make sure law and order was maintained during the rally. Many of the Red Shirts protesters came into Bangkok from neighbouring provinces on pick-up trucks, motorcycles and cars formed a procession through the city centre to the Supreme Court. They then headed towards the Democracy Monument where they were due to remain there till midnight.
In 2010, the two-month rallies demanding for immediate elections saw the clash between the Red Shirts and the army, leaving more than 90 dead and nearly 1,900 injured.

quote:

Plainclothes police mingled among the demonstrators in Rabat, though police were generally discreet. Most marches took place peacefully, officials said.

However, in the city of Marrakech in central Morocco, vandals besieged a McDonald's restaurant and a clothing store in spillover unrest, said a security official on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

And in the northern city of Larache, roaming bands set upon the regional governor's house and set fire to a gasoline station, prompting firefighters to intervene to put out the blaze, the official said.

The self-styled "February 20 movement" — apparently not for any particular historic reason — was largely summoned through social media like Facebook.

Apology posted:

And in Morocco, the Hamburglar was shot and killed:

Xandu posted:

quote:

Gaddafi vows not to flee Libya- sources

20/02/2011
By Mohamed Abdul-Rauf

Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat- Libyan sources told Asharq al-Awsat that the Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, will not flee the country if the situation escalates, and that he intends to die on Libyan soil. Sources affiliated with the Gaddafi family spoke to Asharq al-Awsat via telephone, saying that the city of al-Bayda [east Libya] is witnessing riots and widespread violence, led by armed militias. [These groups] began their activities by storming a prison, releasing the inmates, and ended by surrounding an army battalion belonging to the younger son of the Libyan leader.

Apology posted:

Now why does this sound so familiar?

Xandu posted:

The difference is that he probably won't be able to flee. I'm having trouble thinking of who would accept him.

Xandu posted:

The difference is that he probably won't be able to flee. I'm having trouble thinking of who would accept him.

quote:

Some of African countries with very corrupt leaderships might take him. Mauritania, maybe? I don't really know.

Thundarr posted:

KJI might take Ghadaffi in, but only on the condition that he brings his Amazon brigade along with him.

More seriously though, Ghadaffi is pretty much hosed. Mubarak was rightfully denounced for how he handled the protests in Egypt, but it sounds like what is happening in Libya is a straight-up war declared on the general populace. Even Ghadaffi's most steadfast buddies outside of Libya will be hard-pressed to look past that assuming he does escape. If he doesn't, he's going to die in a very unpleasant fashion once the protesters get their hands on him if he doesn't kill himself first.

Democrazy posted:

Has the situation in Libya really gone past the tipping point? Gaddafi can still win this.

Astrolite posted:

Driving them is pretty easy. Firing the main gun would be a bit more difficult, unless it's a very old model.

Xandu posted:

I think it has. He can't win it without killing everybody. It's not confined to one city like it was in the beginning, he's starting to lose his base of tribal support, the fact that he's bringing in mercenaries means he can't rely on the army (some divisions are totally loyal to him, like the one commanded by his son, but not all). I can easily see him continuing to massacre people over the next week, but I don't see a way out of this for him.

Sivias posted:

So, there is a lot of focus on Lybia and Bahrain currently, but what are the details, if any, on Iran and China?

AJE mentioned something that protesters in Iran have been injured by the security forces via teargas, and they're camping in the streets overnight, but nothing concrete.

And in China, how easy is it for citizens to get outside information (I.E. Al Jazeera, etc.)?

Suntory BOSS posted:

...China-- ...Great Firewall...

Brown Moses posted:

It sounds lıke Libya is on the verge of civil war now it sounds like army units are joining the protesters and distributing weapons among them. With tribalism being so strong in Libya I can really see things getting very polarised and violent in Libya. I hope Galewolf is out of their.

Suntory BOSS posted:

I wouldn't hold your breath on China-- widespread civil unrest is virtually inevitable, but there's nothing to suggest it will start now. From what I understand, it's possible to find one's way around the Great Firewall if the user is determined enough, the government just has to make it enough of a hassle so that 99% of the population never bothers.

Xandu posted:

I think it has. He can't win it without killing everybody.

Gravel Gravy posted:

How long would a civil war last though? The majority of the populations supports the revolt, and a growing percentage of the army is in support of it. On the other side, the army regulars are dwindling, and so Qaddafi is having to rely on mercenaries, who will turn tail and stop flowing in once the situation gets too bad.

Nenonen posted:

And??? That's like saying "you can't get rid of this chocolate cake without eating it".