AFTER a long sleep, the Egyptians, on January 25, 2011, woke up to demand their legitimate rights, being enjoyed by those who are still alive. These rights, among other things, included freedom, dignity and social justice. But today there are some Egyptians, who are in a race against time to mass as many protesters as possible for today's rally, that is believed to be a new bid to put their compatriots to sleep again. The organisers and the participants believe that today's mass protest has one goal: removing the consequences of a 'jinxed' revolution that has effected fair parliamentary and presidential elections, giving Egypt its first democratically elected civilian President in the country's modern history. Moreover, the leaders of the protest claim that their rally aims to unseat President Mohammed Morsi on the pretext that he is affiliated to the once-banned Muslim Brotherhood group, which they dismiss as a shark that will devour Egypt and the Egyptians, imposing Islamic Law on them, compelling all women to wear the veil. Unfortunately, today's protesters, who claim to be the instigators of what might be called the ‘Heavenly Blessed August 24 Revolution', boast that they are opposed to the Islamisation of Egypt, describing themselves as the true defenders of the civilian state, despite the fact that they are sons of the old, oligarchic regime. These self-claimed heroes are actually demanding the restoration of their previous interests and privileges that included the oppression of the people, the systematic looting of the nation's wealth and subduing their fellow citizens. They are initiating today's rally to save what they can save of these interests, which they are starting to lose or have already lost. Have the Egyptians seen an irony like this before? It only happens in Egypt and in Egypt only. ***** Combating violent crime a must IT is high time for President Mohammed Morsi to use his ex-cathedra rights to enforce special laws to uproot thuggery of every shape and kind, ranging from blocking that nation's highways to attacking hospitals and obstructing work in governmental departments. In addition to these regrettable, unjustified deeds, the rate of violent crimes such as abduction, extortion and armed robbery has soared dramatically in recent months. President Morsi must personally intervene to enforce tougher laws to combat these crimes and to establish special courts to swiftly try and jail the culprits, whoever they might be.
