SHOEING OF BUSH WAS THE PEOPLE'S VERDICT OF IRAQ OCCUPATION

In this image from APTN video an Iraqi journalist throws his shoes at US President George W. Bush, while screaming “This is your farewell, you dog” during a news conference with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, in Baghdad, Iraq.

It was just three years ago that Iraq journalist Muntadhar Al-Zaidi rightfully threw his shoes at George W Bush as a gesture of utter contempt for trying to justify an illegal attack and occupation of his country at the expense of millions of lives ~ and electrified the world in the process. There are no heads held high, as Obama claims, pursuant to our misadventure in Iraq but instead constant denial of the deep guilt and shame regarding the unnecessary, cruel and murderous havoc we have wrought on this sovereign country: Allen L Roland

FALLUJAH, Iraq ~ Hundreds of Iraqis set alight U.S. and Israeli flags on Wednesday as they celebrated the impending pullout of American forces from the country in the former insurgent bastion of Fallujah. Shouting slogans in support of the “resistance,” the demonstrators held up banners and placards inscribed with phrases like, “Now we are free” and “Fallujah is the flame of the resistance.”

In Iraq, they are rightfully considered freedom fighters against the American occupying force of 9 years as the Obama administration attempts to spin an obvious defeat of historic proportions into peace with honor ~ think Vietnam.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/12/14/hundreds-in-fallujah-burn-u-s-flag-to-celebrate-troops-pulling-out-of-iraq/

As an online commentator and columnist and in the spirit of Iraqi shoe thrower Muntadhar Al-Zaidi, I am throwing both my shoes today at President Barack Obama for continuing to rationalize the Bush/Cheney lie regarding our illegal attack and occupation of Iraq ~ and attempting to airbrush an obvious defeat of our imperialistic Neocon agenda in Iraq with words like “honor “ and “Sacrifice “.

Last Thursday in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Mr. Obama said the US military was leaving Iraq with "heads held high", and thanked military families for sharing in the troops' sacrifice. In essence, President Barack Obama used his speech to US troops to embrace the nine-year occupation of Iraq, that he had originally opposed and declared dumb, and to declare the blatant destruction of the country a “success. Nearly 1.5 million Americans served in Iraq, with 30,000 wounded and nearly 4,500 dead, Mr. Obama said, but "those numbers don't tell the whole story of Iraq".

So here’s the whole story, along with both of my shoes, Mr. Obama ~

1. Number Of Iraqis Slaughtered In US War And Occupation Of Iraq 1,455,590

2. Number of U.S. Military Personnel Sacrificed (Officially acknowledged) In America's War On Iraq: 4,801 www.icasualties.org/oif/

3. Number of U.S. Military Personnel wounded in Iraq : 54,834

4. Number of Iraq war widows 750,000

5. Number of orphaned Iraqi children: One million

6. Number of Iraqis displaced from their country: 4.5 Million

7. Number of Iraqi prisoners in American jails in Iraq: 50,000

8. Number of war handicapped persons in Iraq : 60,000

9. Number of unemployed in Iraq : 30% +

10. Iraq is rated the fourth most-corrupt country in the world according to the watchdog group Transparency International.

See the Human Cost of Iraq : http://web.mit.edu/humancostiraq/

It is obvious that the illegal war and occupation of Iraq was intended to show the extent of America’s power (remember Shock and Awe) but instead it only succeeded in showing the limits of American Imperialism as well as its self defeating role as a hated global bully.

And now we have fresh evidence of U.S. Iraqi atrocities, revealed yesterday by the New York Times, in transcripts of military interviews from the investigation into the Haditha massacre of 2005 ~ which were found at a trailer in a junkyard in Baghdad, which specializes in selling trailers and office supplies left over from American military base closings. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/308-12/8918-documents-reveal-us-massacre-in-haditha-iraq

Excerpt: "The documents ~ many marked secret ~ form part of the military's internal investigation, and confirm much of what happened at Haditha, a Euphrates River town where Marines killed 24 Iraqis, including a 76-year-old man in a wheelchair, women and children, some just toddlers."

A Iraqi Girl Tells of U.S. Attack in Haditha

2 minute Video: Ten-year-old Iman Walid witnessed the killing of seven members of her family in an attack by American marine in Haditha and exclaims “ I hate Americans”
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article13452.htm

So who made money on the Iraq war and occupation?

A rhetorical question for which you already know the answer ~ the Military Industrial Complex and the military contractors (mercenaries) who made and are still making millions if not billions of dollars on this illegal war and occupation and they will most certainly remain in Iraq to protect their blood stained interests. They are the vultures who feed on the victims of our rapacious greed and imperialistic adventures ~ as well as financially line the pockets of our elected political leaders and President.

So, on the third anniversary of Muntadhar Al-Zaidi’s shoeing of George W Bush ~ which I consider the inspirational start of the worldwide Occupy Protest movement ~ let’s review with Paul Jay, senior editor of the Real News Network, the events of that day as experienced by Al-Zaidi himself in a 7 minute video interview from Beirut. Al-Zaidi fully explains why he did it and how “I expected to be killed the day I threw my shoes at Bush.”

TRNN Exclusive: The man that "shoed" Bush

http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=5131

“Nothing is more powerful than individuals acting out of their own conscience.” Vaclav Havel~ ( who died today at 75 tears old )

Allen L Roland

http://allenlrolandsweblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/shoeing-of-bush-was-peoples-verdict-of.html

Freelance Alternative Press Online columnist and psychotherapist Allen L Roland is available for comments, interviews, speaking engagements and private consultations ( allen@allenroland.com )

Allen L Roland is a practicing psychotherapist, author and lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his weblog and website allenroland.com He also guest hosts a monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK on www.conscioustalk.net

NAT DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT CONFIRMS BATTLEFIELD USA

Click on Photo to enlarge

With the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (NDAA), America takes another giant step toward tyranny. It was the White House that wanted this bill applied to U.S. Citizens with minor modifications as America slides towards fascism as well as the Israelification of a militarized Police force: Allen L Roland

The Defense Authorization Act was passed by both the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R.1540) and the U.S. Senate (S.1867), and now lacks only the signature of President Obama to become law. If he signs it, the corporate fascist takeover of America initially exposed and delayed by USMC General Smedley Butler in the 1930s will be complete. War is a racket ~ http://www.scuttlebuttsmallchow.com/racket.html

Larry Wilkerson, former Chief of Staff to Colin Powell, calls the National Defense Authorization Act a draconian violation of our civil rights. See seven minute video interview on Real News; http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=7688

Section 1031 of the NDAA as currently worded authorizes the President to use Military Force to detain indefinitely based on suspicion alone and without trial American citizens on American soil, effectively making the United States a Police State similar to Nazi Germany in the 1930’s and 40’s. You can read the wording here: http://tinyurl.com/c4w2wdh

This is in direct conflict with and an overt attempt to override the 4th, 5th and 6th Amendments to the Constitution:

Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified 12/15/1791.

“No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791.

“ In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence."

See ratified amendments: http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am4

While we continue our illegal wars, occupations and economic rape of Iraq and Afghanistan as well as justifing torture and curtailed freedoms as a means to this criminal end ~ I immediately think of Milton Mayer’s classic THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE FREE (The Germans 1933 – 1945) ~ for German exceptionalism in the 1930’s was really not too different, in many ways, than American exceptionalism now and we are very likely headed for the same disastrous fate.

Pg. 166 / 167 THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE FREE

But Then It Was Too Late ~ "What happened here was the gradual habituation of the people, little by little, to being governed by surprise; to receiving decisions deliberated in secret; to believing that the situation was so complicated that the government had to act on information which the people could not understand, or so dangerous that, even if the people could not understand it, it could not be released because of national security. And their sense of identification with Hitler, their trust in him, made it easier to widen this gap and reassured those who would otherwise have worried about it … this separation of government from people, this widening of the gap, took place so gradually and so insensibly, each step disguised (perhaps not even intentionally) as a temporary emergency measure or associated with true patriotic allegiance or with real social purposes. And all the crises and reforms (real reforms, too) so occupied the people that they did not see the slow motion underneath, of the whole process of government growing remoter and remoter.”

Apathy increases with each measured step, as it most certainly has in America, and Mayer knowingly describes the consequences for Germany in the early 1930’s ~ when the burden of self deception becomes so heavy, as it is now, that suddenly you realize that your whole world has changed and you have accepted things (out of fear) that you would never have accepted before the War on Terror.

Pg 171 THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE FREE

“In between come all the hundreds of little steps, some of them imperceptible, each of them preparing you not to be shocked by the next. Step C is not so much worse than Step B, and, if you did not make a stand at Step B, why should you at Step C? And so on to Step D ~ and one day, too late, your principles, if you were ever sensible of them, all rush in upon you. The burden of self-deception has grown too heavy, and some minor incident, in my case my little boy, hardly more than a baby, saying 'Jewish swine,' collapses it all at once, and you see that everything, everything, has changed and changed completely under your nose. The world you live in ~ your nation, your people ~ are not the world you were born in at all. Now you live in a system which rules without responsibility even to God. The system itself could not have intended this in the beginning, but in order to sustain itself it was compelled to go all the way… You have accepted things you would not have accepted five years ago, a year ago, things that your father, even in Germany, could not have imagined … Suddenly it all comes down, all at once. You see what you are, what you have done, or, more accurately, what you haven't done (for that was all that was required of most of us: that we do nothing).” Read article ~ http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/New_World_Order/TheyThoughtTheyWereFree.html

And that is Mayer’s main point ~ it is the spirit that dramatically changes when we accept if not condone the disintegration of our national moral values and civil liberties through illegal wars and occupations as well as our crimes against humanity such as torture, secret renditions as well as intrusive full body scans and pat downs, which will continue to be extended under the pretext of national security and the so called War on Terror.

So here we are in 2011 and the next ominous step ~ the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 1867) will officially confirm that America is a battlefield state ~ with the continued shredding of our constitution and Bill of Rights which started under the Cheney/Bush administration.

Make no mistake about it ~ NDAA confirms Battlefield USA as well as the Israelification of our militarized police force. Max Blumenthal, writing fellow of the Nation Institute, confirms this sad reality that American civilians will increasingly be treated as the terrorist enemy. The Posse Comitatus Act was meant to limit the powers of local governments and law enforcement agencies from using federal military personnel to enforce the laws of the land and poses this question;

How does our government get around that without an act of congress?

It's simple, turn the 'domestic' police force into an Israelified standing army ~

8 minute must see Video: http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/6080.html

Also note that this week, KBR (the security corporation which handles FEMA emergency camps) put out a call to staff their FEMA camps ~ and to be ready on a 72 hour notice. Here is the link to KBR security corporation needing to staff FEMA camps along with the 72 hour notice:
static.infowars.com/2011/12/i/general/kbr-doc.pdf

This web page identifies the 93 Senate Traitors who voted YEA for NDAA and the 7 Patriots who voted NEA against it, those being Senators Coburn (R-OK), Harkin (D-IA), Lee (R-UT), Merkley (D-OR), Paul (R-KY), Sanders (I-VT) and Wyden (D-OR) - 3 Democrats, 3 Republicans, 1 Independent: http://tinyurl.com/7v6zlq3

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) issued this warning regarding NDAA: "The bill is an historic threat to American citizens and others because it expands and makes permanent the authority of the president to order the military to imprison without charge or trial American citizens,' said Christopher Anders, ACLU senior legislative counsel. 'The final amendment to preserve current detention restrictions could turn out to be meaningless and Senators Levin and Graham made clear that they believe this power to use the military against American citizens will not be affected by the new language. This bill puts military detention authority on steroids and makes it permanent. If it becomes law, American citizens and others are at real risk of being locked away by the military without charge or trial."

http://tinyurl.com/d8vyg38

And Representative and Presidential candidate Ron Paul (who voted against the bill) correctly warns that its passage is the last nail in the coffin of an American Republic ~ that has mistakenly ruled that the sacrifice of civil liberty is essential for freedom. 5 minute must see Video ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG8rhNEuVJw

Once signed into law by President Barack Obama, this bill will officially make America a police state, wherein United States citizens can be arrested solely on suspicion of wrongdoing and held indefinitely without trial. Or as the Associated Press put it, the legislation would "deny suspected terrorists, even U.S. citizens seized within the nation's borders, the right to trial and subject them to indefinite detention."

“All tyrannies rule through fraud and force, but that once the fraud is exposed they must rely exclusively on force.” George Orwell

Allen L Roland

http://allenlrolandsweblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/nat-defense-authorization-act-confirms.html

Freelance Alternative Press Online columnist and psychotherapist Allen L Roland is available for comments, interviews, speaking engagements and private consultations ( allen@allenroland.com )

Allen L Roland is a practicing psychotherapist, author and lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his weblog and website allenroland.com He also guest hosts a monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK on www.conscioustalk.net

U.S. FALLOUT FROM UNJUST WARS / INCREASED VETS SUICIDE RATE

One U.S. veteran of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan attempts suicide every 80 minutes, according to new study and 1,868 veterans made suicide attempts in 2009 alone. Taught to kill in a morally unjust occupation and pacified by drugs, many returning veterans rapidly find themselves in a no-choice situation where life is no longer worth living. As such, PTSD is the silent scream that is never heard but acutely experienced: Allen L Roland

“I cry for no reason, my country shouts treason

All the pills and the booze,

make bad memories ooze

I was 19 in June,

under a bright crystal moon

I died that day,

but I’m still here to say

For the brave and the free,

my award PTSD.”

Excerpt from poem titled “PTSD” by Tony McNally

How fitting on Pearl Harbor day, December 7^th ~ to write about America’s greatest shame ~ the rapidly increasing veterans suicide rate whereas one U.S. veteran of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan attempts suicide every 80 minutes, according to a new study and where 1,868 veterans made suicide attempts in 2009 alone.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2057061/One-U-S-veteran-attempts-suicide-80-minutes-Hidden-tragedy-Afghanistan-Iraq-wars.html#ixzz1fXIw6yxG

Is it possible that sending our young people off to fight in morally unjust wars and occupations to supposedly ‘serve’ their country has not adequately prepared them for the harsh reality of witnessing and participating in both the unintentional and intentional killing of innocent civilians ~ as well as the unsettling awareness that their cause was not a morally just cause?

The answer is an unequivocal YES and this shame based guilt is a common symptom among the scores of combat veterans I have worked with in my heart centered Healing the Wounded Heart workshops ~ which includes Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans. Combat vets with PTSD truly know the price they pay for the false dreams of their political leaders. See article ~ http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/11/14/combat-ptsd-vets-know-price-they-paid-for-a-false-dream/

Greg Zoroya also writes in USA Today that Feelings of Guilt may be a top factor in PTSD. http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/story/2011-11-23/study-of-marines-ptsd/51386488/1

Excerpt: “A leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder is guilt that troops experience because of moral dilemmas faced in combat, according to preliminary findings of a study of active-duty Marines. The conflicts that service members feel may include "survivor's guilt," from living through an attack in which other service members died, and witnessing or participating in the unintentional killing of women or children, researchers involved in the study say… The idea of "moral injury" as a cause of PTSD is new to psychiatry. The American Psychiatric Association is only now considering new diagnostic criteria for the disorder that would include feelings of shame and guilt, says David Spiegel, a member of the working group rewriting the PTSD section.”

Zoroya confirms the depth of this ongoing moral injury ~ Half of all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs have been diagnosed with mental health issues and the most common is PTSD, which is experienced by nearly 200,000 of these veterans, according to the VA. PTSD caused by moral injury can lead to more severe reactions such as family violence or even suicide, says Jonathan Shay, a psychiatrist who has worked on military mental health policies… their condition was more closely linked to an inner conflict rather than threats to their lives, the sight of bodies or blood or family problems, the study said.”

The words of Winter Soldier and combat vet Mike Prysner speak for many veterans ~ who feel betrayed by their government and know that the real enemy is our own bought politicians and Military/Industrial complex ~ that still use and teach racism to justify our illegal and morally repugnant wars and occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan and eventually, if we don’t stop them, Iran.

Five minute Video ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow38iOYXx5Q&feature=related

So now let’s talk about the moral shame and guilt of our military when they realize they are often the foot soldiers and pawns on a global chessboard ~ where they are willingly sacrificed by the whims of the kings and queens of the global financial elite as well as the Knights of the Military Industrial Complex.

Let’s use Pearl Harbor ( December 7,1941) as an example ~ On March 11, 2002, Douglas Cirignano interviewed Robert B. Stinnett , author of Day Of Deceit , in an extensive interview which asked the question Do Freedom of Information Act Files Prove FDR Had Foreknowledge of Pearl Harbor?

Excerpt: “Stinnett’s book is dedicated to Congressman John Moss, the author of America’s Freedom of Information Act. According to Stinnett, the answers to the mysteries of Pearl Harbor can be found in the extraordinary number of documents he was able to attain through Freedom of Information Act requests. Cable after cable of decryptions, scores of military messages that America was intercepting, clearly showed that Japanese ships were preparing for war and heading straight for Hawaii. Stinnett, an author, journalist, and World War II veteran, spent sixteen years delving into the National Archives. He pored over more than 200,000 documents, and conducted dozens of interviews. This meticulous research led Stinnett to a firmly held conclusion: FDR knew.”

According to Day Of Deceit ~ “In October 1940 FDR adopted a specific strategy to incite Japan to commit an overt act of war. Part of the strategy was to move America’s Pacific fleet out of California and anchor it in Pearl Harbor. Admiral James Richardson, the commander of the Pacific fleet, strongly opposed keeping the ships in harm’s way in Hawaii. He expressed this to Roosevelt, and so the President relieved him of his command. Later Richardson quoted Roosevelt as saying: “Sooner or later the Japanese will commit an overt act against the United States and the nation will be willing to enter the war… To those who believe that government conspiracies can’t possibly happen, Day Of Deceit could prove to them otherwise. Stinnett’s well-documented book makes a convincing case that the highest officials of the government ~ including the highest official( the President) ~ fooled and deceived millions of Americans about one of the most important days in the history of the country.” Must See full interview ~ http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=408

To those who believe that government conspiracies can’t possibly happen, Day Of Deceit should prove to them otherwise ~ and remember, approximately 3000 Americans died at Pearl Harbor in what was essentially a bait and cover operation (we knew the attack was coming) which was set up and condoned by our highest officials (including the President) in order to justify a war with Japan and eventually our entry into World War 2.

Human Cost: 405,000 American deaths and well over a million civilian deaths ~ including Hiroshima and Nagasaki .

Now fast forward 20 years to December 11, 1961 and remember the approximately 500,000 Vietnamese civilian deaths who died in Vietnam ~ and what was essentially a false flag operation ( Bay of Tonkin) which was set up and condoned by our highest officials (including the president) in order to justify an illegal war and occupation.

Human Cost: 58,000 American deaths and 1.3 million civilian casualties.

Now fast forward another 40 years to September 11, 2001 and remember the approximately 3000 Americans who died in what was essentially a false flag operation which was set up and condoned by our highest officials (including the President and Vice President) in order to justify a war and occupation of both Afghanistan and Iraq as well as an economically debilitating War on Terror.

Human cost: 7000 American deaths and at least a million civilians slaughtered.

.

Now fast forward another 10 years to December 7, 2011 and hear the war drums beating again as we covertly adopt a specific strategy (in conjunction with Mossad) to incite Iran to commit an overt act of war ~ and thus justify a military attack and perhaps World War 3.

Human cost: Immeasurable

Now think of the Veterans of Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan who sacrificed their lives for these unjust wars and occupations and you begin to understand the moral dimensions of our combat veterans, both in the field and when they return home, and how the hardest person for them to forgive is quite often themselves ~ which accounts for their rising suicide rate as well as America’s greatest shame.

Our morally wounded veterans and rising suicide rate is the canary in the mineshaft warning America of the true human moral and economic cost for our continuing imperialistic agenda and unjust wars ~ and all for the benefit of an out of control military Industrial complex and the global financial elite.

“We are stumbling blindly through a spiritual darkness while toying with the precarious secrets of life and death.... The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than living." General Omar Bradley

Allen L Roland

http://allenlrolandsweblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/us-fallout-from-unjust-wars-increased.html

Freelance Alternative Press Online columnist and psychotherapist Allen L Roland is available for comments, interviews, speaking engagements and private consultations ( allen@allenroland.com )

Allen L Roland is a practicing psychotherapist, author and lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his weblog and website allenroland.com He also guest hosts a monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK on www.conscioustalk.net

ARAB SPRING MOVES FROM STREETS TO BALLOT BOX / OWS TAKE NOTE

The Arab spring has become a fall parliamentary election and yet another step toward a true Egyptian Democracy. There are still stumbling blocks ahead but they will most likely be turned into stepping stones by an empowered people who are more than willing to take to the streets in demanding true change ~ Occupy Wall Street take note: Allen L Roland

The Occupy Movement started in Egypt last spring but that wave of revolt has now become a tsunami of occupy movements throughout the world ~ for each success of the people asserting their power against the military or financial elite inspires countless others to flex their muscles and take action.

Nothing can stop this global revolution for it is already too big to fail and most certainly too strong to cave under the military repression of any country or state. The people have tasted the water of freedom but it has not quenched their thirst ~ they want to drink directly from that well. And their excitement is palpable as witnessed by the extraordinary high turnout ~ 2 minute Video http://www.aol.com/video/high-voter-turnout-for-egyptian-elections/517216628/

Egypt is, once again, showing the way with the commencement of their parliamentary election this week. Russia Today (RT) interviewed me yesterday on the significance of these elections. Here, in essence, are their questions and my answers;

(RT) Early results indicate that the Muslim Brotherhood and ultra-conservative Salafists are leading the polls. Are we seeing Egypt turning into an Islamic republic with Sharia law instead of a western-style democracy?

Answer: It’s much too early to tell. Only 9 of Egypt’s 27 provinces have voted and that total only represents 30% of the seats. It was expected that Egypt’s most powerful fundamentalist group, the Muslim Brotherhood, would make the strongest showing in what is the first parliament elections since the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

(RT) A record turnout in the elections... But how much power and influence will the Parliament actually have, or will the military still pull the strings, as some fear? After all Egypt’s ruling military have said the newly elected parliament would not have the authority to dismiss the Prime Minister who they appointed or his government ~ so who exactly is in power?

Answer: This is an important first step for millions of Egyptians to make a difference and change the system. There will be on turning back until they achieve their goals and this open and fair election is the second step. The first step was taking to the streets and demanding the removal of Mubarak and this election. The next step will be demanding real authority for the freely elected Parliament. With each step, they increase their power and numbers and the military will have to acquiesce or face an even greater people revolt in Tahrir square.

(RT) So if the muslim Brotherhood does secure power in Egypt~ how does this affect Cairo’s relations with its neighbors and Western countries?

Answer: The trends indicate that Egypt’s most powerful fundamentalist group, the Muslim Brotherhood, will make the strongest showing in the first parliament elections since the fall of Mubarak ~ perhaps 30 to 40% of the vote. Remember, that this initial vote, which takes place in three two day stages, only covers nine of Egypt’s 27 provinces ~ which in turn determines only 30% of the seats. The reality is that the Muslim Brotherhood will have a seat at the political table but will have to work with other factions within the Parliamentary system. The West is going to have to accept a dramatically changing political situation in Egypt for their leverage and control has weakened considerably ~ for on the streets, the West is still viewed with well deserved suspicion.

(RT) What does Egypt’s election mean for other countries caught up in the Arab Spring ?

Answer: Egypt is an inspiration for countries across the world to realize that change and democracy is possible ~ but only if you take to the streets and put your life on the line in order to claim it. Think American Revolution which went rapidly from an idea of freedom to open rebellion and finally to a war against oppression and eventually independence. It was a long and grueling process but it was worth it.

The Arab spring which started in Egypt has finally reached the Ballot Boxes and each stepping stone to freedom and independence should be celebrated but there are many steps left in this process ~ which includes the Military (and the West) willingly letting go of their influence and control.

Tony Karon, Time, says it best ~ “2011 will be remembered as the year the middle East, as a region, declared its independence from U.S. influence”

Egypt also remains an inspiration to the OWS movement who must soon take our rebellion against political deception and financial oppression to the ballot box in the form of constitutional amendments or independent candidates who are deeply committed to our constitution and change WE, the people, can all finally believe in.

What if it is better to perish fighting for freedom than to live as a slave? What if freedom’s greatest hour of danger is right now?

5 minute must see Video: http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/5863.html

It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds: Samuel Adams

Allen L Roland

http://allenlrolandsweblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/arab-spring-moves-from-streets-to.html

Freelance Alternative Press Online columnist and psychotherapist Allen L Roland is available for comments, interviews, speaking engagements and private consultations ( allen@allenroland.com )

Allen L Roland is a practicing psychotherapist, author and lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his weblog and website allenroland.com He also guest hosts a monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK on www.conscioustalk.net