Words of support!
I just saw this comment posted to me by Haal , a fellow Egyptian female blogger, regarding the little protest we made. I salute your effort and initiative, but just try to put things in perspective. Maybe you did a good job on a personal level, and this matters tremendously to boost your sense of achievement, but you also have to admit that it was not heroic as you described. Not to mention the Bust attitude of, whoever is not with us is against us! LOL Thank you Haal. My sense of achievement is definitely "boosted". Standing on the 6th of october bridge in this heat holding signs condemning terrorism while getting hackled by the police is one hell of a confidence booster: sure beats the hell out of going to the gym. And you are right, it is not heroic , even though I don't see where I made it seem this way. Dear readers, if you are reading this, If you thought or got the impression that we were heroes for doing this, please dispel that image from your brain immediately. This wasn't about heroism or appearing heroic, this was about doing what's right. This was about doing something, taking some sort of action, against the bastards who kill innocent people in the name of Islam and Arabs , instead of the usual silence and negativity that we are becoming so famous for. We were compelled, by what happened, to do something urgently, to have an immediate response, and I am proud of what we did, no matter how small it was. But you are right, it was a good job on the personal level, and it was a good effort to start with; which is why we are planning to do another one and planning to do it right this time : Bigger, more people, more organized, more media and with a police permit. I am sure when it's a success, we will be receiving more words of support, encouragement and salutation from you for our efforts. And if we don't, we will probably just blame it on our "Bush* attitude" in doing things. Got to keep everything "in perspective" as you so well put it! And again Haal, thank you for your kind words. *That's how that word is spelled!
posted by The Sandmonkey @ 7/26/2005 07:20:00 AM
39 Comments:
SM,
Toxic people Sandmonkey. Just ignore please. You know the personal issues behind Haal comments so please let us focus on more important stuff.
Little arrogant kid, since you're fond of doing this shit, I think you should've atleast replied to my email, but apparently you're just here for the show:
--
Hey Sam,
Just wanted to tell you that I am indeed glad that I didn't find you on that bridge, and that I didn't join that protest of yours.
Who the hell do you think you are to call everyone else weasels and wussies, and to throw the fuck word around.
For your info, I never said that I will be coming. By the end of the day when it was clear that not enough people will make it, I decided to pass by to check it out first. I passed by twice to find no one, and if I did find 7 people, I would not have joined actually.
No one out there who ever organizes protests or public activities throws blame on others who don't join them! This is a childish atittude, an atittude that I would not want to be associated with. Doesn't build to your initial email you sent, which was apparently a piece of crap that you didn't believe in.
Thinking of it now, I shouldn't have even thought twice about joining anything that is related to you. I would want to detach myself from anything that you organize, even if on the surface it seems for a noble cause. Your way of isolating everyone else, thinking that you hold the absolute truth, and if they don't follow you they are worthless, just makes me sick, and I'm certainly glad I don't even know how you look like.
Mohamed.
Your welcome. I think my little 'toxic' comment touched a nerver there. Any time little SandMonkey! Smell your farts! LOL LOL LOL LOL
Ah, yes please focus on more important things and dont forget to send me your email LOL LOL. I am isolated there in darb el kholal having a perfect life. LOL LOL!
Who are these two barking stray, dirty dogs Sandmonkey?! they are set loose from a kennel. Call animal control quick.
" barking stray, dirty dogs "
This language and atittude is what this blog is all about. I'm sure we'll hear more of that 'civilized' language here.
Man, that quick? do u live on that blog? u r sadder then i thought!
You are here to pick a fight kiddo with your bitch so get lost and don't come here if you don't like it.
Ok so old saying "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."
Haal go back to you're perfect life and leave those of us that crave progress alone. Sam should take pride in his actions! He did something, and what's more he got a positive response from member's of his community(minus the cops of course).
Simply put, Mohamed you are one lazy bitch. If you want change you do something, not see if it's the popular thing at the moment. Glad to see you just want to be up on the in things. And if you don't want to join up, then shut up. Oh and if sam's the one out doing something how is is he here just for show? I think that's you.
Sam and his crew are part of the solution. They may be 7 right now but the people walking or driving by heard them and read the signs. That's a step.
So how about you two shut the FUCK up, there's too much hot air in the world anyway.
PS - Mohamed FUCK is a word. It can't hurt you. A terrorist with a car bomb car. Don't worry bout the little shit, you stupid little fuck.
Wow! Attitude from folks that just don't get it, hey there, IT"S A START! AT LEAST THESE FOLKS ACTUALLY DID SOMETHNG!
And , WHAT IS IT WITH MO, HE HAS TO BE IN THE MAJORITY ALL THE TIME? HEY MO, CHANGE STARTS WITH ONE, THEN TWO, THEN THREE People, ETC... GROWING TILL THE MINORTY VIEW CHANGES TO THE MAJORITY VIEW, GET ON THE TRAIN!
Let's give Sandymonky and the rest credit for doing whats right, taking a stand! Hang in there!
Haal this is VERY shameful and sad to see someone who writes about Islam get down to this level.
3aib 3alikee eih el bahadalah dih. Howa a7na na2seenek.
As I said that's what this blog is all about, bloating the nothingness of SandMonkey.
Its not about me, it never was, but its about that ShowMonkey. There are people in this country who are doing real work and being called weasles, wussies and fuckin morons. Someone who does that is a fuckin idiot, who doesn't get it, and thinks the world revolves around him, his little supportive mommy, and his gang that he can't live without hearing their cheers.
Its easy to talk and stand on a bridge with a bunch of your buddies claiming that you've changed the world. If you really believe you've done something good why are you so insecure that you want the world to follow you, and if they don't, then they're all damned!
Oh, kids these days!
Look Mohamed, your insecurity and destructive jealousy is showing for everyone to see. A perfect example is what you posted on this website that mentioned the protest, which was basically that there was another , and bigger one that deserved more attention.
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/globalvoices/2005/07/24/egyptian-bloggers-against-terrorism/.
Man, face it up: you are just jealous. You are calling him little? he proved to be better and bigger then a 1000 one of your kind. The kind that sits on his ass and never does anything but bitch and complain and then attacks those who actually do something. And you know what?
he might be young, but he proved he can do much more then you can, and you are reportedly so much older than him. You feel he is isoalting people? Ok, let him do it. Why does it bother you?
Admit it. You are jealous. You just want the attention. This is why you posted your e-mail here. Cause he probably ignored you, just like he should.
Go away Mo. Have some dignity, and take your Haal with you. No one wants you here.
I noticed the oh-so-superior sniffings of our two critics here. I note neither did a thing to contribute. Yet, unsurprisingly, they devolve into personal attacks and mockery. Nice try, but, Haal and Mo, you're cowards, incapable off making any stand, preferring instead the negative comfort of your yellow blanket.
The Egyptian warriors I worked with some years back would hold you both with the disdain your craven critiques deserve. Haal,I have had the honor of knowing an Egyptian woman whose beauty was only outshone by her courage and honor. I assume you look pretty good, It appears that you may be missing the last two elements, essentially becoming Barbie with a blog. Mohamed, it causes me pain to think an educated Egyptian man, the hope of his nation and the world, would choose calumny before courage.
Sam,you know that everything starts from a simple atom, each great oak from a little acorn. Your seedlings will grow slowly, but grow they will. This too, Haal, is a "Bush" attitude. Stand up, grow with it, be the face of Greater Egypt. Better, become the heart of it.
No, I'm sticking around for a while to give you the pleasure. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm jealous of exactly. He's got nothing that I want. He has no respect for anyone, maybe that's what I'm jealous about.
I don't even know how old this kid is, but I know his brain works like a little child, and his supporters sound like they're his foster parents who thinks of their little monkey as a beauty queer!
Mohamed ya Muslim....What is the point of you and Haal being partners in fights on the blogs this way?. Do you think Egyptian and muslim bloggers are stupid eih el policy of "teezeen fee lebas" khara beta3akom dah?
If Haal is your sister would you like someone cursing at her this way? why would you subject her as a muslim man to this humilation to defend you? Leih enta mosh Ragel walla el mara dih ragel.
Muslims are facing attacks and both of you are here moaning and complaining about what Sandmonkey say or do. Who cares what anyone else say or do!
Lam nafsak we el mara dih, dah enta khara 2awy.
respect is earned not given
Ibrahim, cool down man and act like a man yourself.
And what did Kefaya people, Youth for Change, and Ayman Nour do not to earn respect?
Sandmonkey you got a stalker.
WOW. Sounds like you touched a nerve with these two, Sam. Sounds like their consciences are nagging them a bit!
Mohamed, who's the kid here? You're the one hijacking the comments all over the place to engage in silly comment battles! I guess I can see why you didn't have time for the protest (or anything else constructive?).
I will not expose you Mohamed for the time being, you should have known better than playing with womEn online, ain't fun buddy, it is a dangerous affair. American women ain't scared of nothing and will kick your ass in due time.
Leave it alone Mohamed and move on, show dignity once and for all.
This isn't about being "heroic" or "feeling good about yourself". This is about letting the world know whether or not there are people in the Middle East actively condemning fanatical islam and terrorism. If you can amass a great crowd of people within Egypt to protest against terrorism, then you send a message not only to the world, but even more strongly to the Egyptian government, because they are the ones who will have to deal with all these people.
Mohammed, you gloat from atop your "civilized" perch at the unwashed masses here at Sandmonkey, yet what exactly is your purpose here?
You put down people who criticize your attitude as being vulgar barbarians (or perhaps "uncivilized" is a word you prefer?) yet your actions here have been nothing but vulgar. If you wanted to "civilize" the discussion here, you would add something substantial to it--make a point or argue a case. Instead, you simply look down your nose at everyone else here.
What's more, you keep doing it! It would be one thing if you had shown up, seen the way people were acting, voiced disapproval, and then left, but instead, you have repeatedly respond to anyone who writes here. Talk about wanting to "feel good about yourself"! You accomplish nothing by coming here other than allowing yourself the small pleasure of acting better than someone else.
An activity that is anything but civilized.
You're the man Sandmonkey...if there only were more people like you in the Middle East the Arabs would be in a much better position and the world would be much more peaceful. Don't listen to the douche bags who disagree with you, you're right-try to convince them of that if you want to but if they don't get it then fuck them.
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/0,,SB112234212925895732-IFjfYNnlaV4o52uan6IaquJm4,00.html
If what that article says ever happens it will be all your fault :)
I never mentioned Kefaya people, Youth for Change, and Ayman Nour. Just you.
Mohamed and Haal,
Did you ever hear the phrase "United We Stand, Divided We Fall"?
Well, rather than getting all pissy and irritated over silly minor issues with a fellow Blogger, think of the benefits you can reap by uniting with Sam and the other Egyptian Bloggers Against Terrorism.
You know like Media Attention for your Blogs, fighting for a good cause, gaining notoreity, starting the Egyptians Bloggers Revolution, meeting Hot Chicks,
doing the College Lecture Circuit, writing Books, having debates with Robert Fisk, being invited to the Tom Cruise - Katie Holmes wedding, George Bush shakes your hand in the White House, Mubarak and you on the cover of Time Magazine, Marriage proposals galore, appearing in your favorite Egyptian Soap Opera. It's all within your grasp.
You two, don't throw away all these good possibilities. Fight against terrorism; not each other.
Am I confused or did Haal call you an American stooge because you denounce terrorism? Am I further confused or did she say that you protested against something you know nothing about, thus implying that the attack was justified?
I need clarification here because the original point seems to be lost in the name calling and I want to be sure to address the real problem such as Haal may be a terrorist sympathizer and Mohammed thinks that you can only make a differencer if you join MB or Kefiyah or some other large organization so he's just one of the crowd (less noticable?).
There are good reasons to join groups, but there are equally good reasons to eschew such groups and go your own way. Also, personal satisfaction is important to any movement. If you don't feel you're making a difference, why do it?
But, I'd say Mo's problem is that Sam called him out on the other post about not coming to join the group after so many email and IM exchanges and Mo recognizes that he missed out on getting interviewed by the police and the news organizations. Last but not least, the whole thing was covered by the news and now Mo is known for the no show who now will be known from his comments as the no show that won't participate unless there are thousands.
Too bad.
On a separate note, Sammy, when the next rally is planned, tell us dates and time because I plan to make my own sign and stand on the corner, alone if I have to and take pictures to link up with you all. I am hoping, with enough advance notice, that we will get some other bloggers across the US to do so too and form a world wide chain.
Just say when.
This is absolutely ridiculous. Bravo 3aliku intu el itneen. Walla disappointing. Assaru mat dahakoush el nas 3aleina.
We are all trying to do something good and decent so enough of this childish squabble and lets all get back to the drawing board. Mohamed your idea for Thursday is brilliant and very poetic. (http://fromcairo.blogspot.com) Sam the bulletin is up at www.ONEarabworld.blog.com, im me when you get up we got teeshirt problems.
A first Egyptian protest I'm hearing of against terrorism and the person organizing it is getting "attacked" verbally. What signs of weakness lay behind that? Incompetence? Inferior feelings? Sympathy for terrorism? Nothing was said about the protest and all about the organizer. How serious can one be considering this fact?
It's ridiculous to even argue about such dumb personal envy some people have, Sam - it's no use and a big waste of time - and I'm happy to see you didn't react in this comments section. Let it be and ignore them.
And yes, I think you all were heroic - you never knew how this was going to end - having no precedent for it. So... just feel good about it, you all deserve it. Just plain deserve it.
Tse.
Kat you hit the nail on the head. I would like to add that he is starting an event despite his opposition. Hypocrite loser.
This Karim guy needs to tone down the boss attitude.
It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt
We must admit one thing though: those people who took part in this 'little protest' have undeniably taken a big risk with regards to their personal security. Their photos are now plastered not only on this blog but all over the world , mirrored in other blogs, and in at least half a dozen online magazines . The faces/identities of these young people are now known in a society where it is safer to remain anonymous, but what is more scary they are now also known to potential terrorists. That kind of risk requires true heroism IMHO, don't know if it has actually occurred to anybody that they could be in danger?
I remmember when reading a while ago about the demonstrations regarding the elections in Egypt, those bloggers who conveyed photos and related their adventure to us ( thank you) took immense care also NEVER to show their own faces on these photos even though they showed everybody else. Do you know why ? because there is a little guy somewhere pouring over every detail ...
SM , BP and the others this week went ahead without a single concern that they could have actually ended up in PRISON, and now maybe on some terrorists hitlist, God forbid. Since they are the ones actually living in Cairo/Egypt therefore if the 'shit hits the fan' (to use one of SM's favourite expressions) they would be the ones logically in the line of danger and not anyone halfway accross the world no matter how good the intentions are.
SM , my advice: get on with the next event/protest/vigil or whatever then stop and go run for those NDP elections, now that the cards are on the table , your family will know that you want to do it because you want the post , not because they thought they could trick you into it.
With that enthusiasm and sincerity to a cause I am sure you will do just fine.
Wow, you guys have been busy all night.
Good morning all. No time to read, and no energy to waste here. This looks like fantasy land.
That's my good byes.
Thank God the virus is gone. Finally we got rid of his ugly face.
I thought the people who took part in the protest did a great job. Especially if they don't let it become a one-off & actually continue to better & bigger things.
However at the risk of getting myself into trouble here & against my better judgement, Sandmonkey you do need to work on your people's skills. You do much better at this kind of venture if you reach out to people, accept criticism & try to address people's concerns rather than dismiss them & turn differences of opinion into personal clashes. Catch more flies with honey etc...
Neither Haal nor Mohamed are terrorist sympathizers. They are people who essentially agree with your postion. If you managed to alienate people who are basically on your side but may have concerns about the TYPE of action to take how can you hope to reach those who disagree with your basic position?How can you influence the wider society if you insist on talking down to it?
This sort of action IS new to Middle Eastern culture. It IS a risk. We don't live in democracies.And like some of the people here already commented I do think that you guys would have been a lot safer in a bigger crowd.With better organization & if you had been less aggressive that might have been possible.
I live in a Middle Eastern country & if someone asks me to go out on a protest like yours I WOULD have serious concerns. Like Egypt street protests are banned here. And there are secret service people & extremists who don't play by the rules. I would be worried about my safety & my family's safety.Might still go ahead & do it but I would worry & these are valid concerns.
I appreciate the passion behind your position. We were all angry & I am one person who actually felt a lot better seeing you guys go ahead & do something.But the enemy is not your fellow bloggers as you call them & you shouldn't take it out on them.
Karim I think you were great from A-Z.
Sigh.Can't we all just get along?
Ok end of lecture. And end of my ill-considered venture into internal Egyptian politics.
Sand Monkey and Big Pharaoh, you guys did great with the demo, it was brave, you could have been arrested or targetted by the extremists.
I am looking for signs that Muslims can make a stand against the extremists before it turns nasty, you actions gives us some hope that the Islamic world is not a completely lost cause. 10% of the Muslim world is extreme, 89.99999999999% sit there and accept it and 0.000000001% try to change it. Good luck!!!
Nope, it's more likely for Egyptiansandmonkey . This blog is fun.
I made a mistake here. I thought Mohamed was the one from fromcairowithlove and was hence surprised by this debate and I am still a bit confused as it now seems that the support project at the culture center was done by Africano. I also seem to have stumbled in the middle of this as it seems to go back further. Anyway, I would like to reiterate my thanks to Sandmonkey and I believe I speak for all of Egypt in echoing gratitude as this project has no opponents as would a political one of any stance and hence benefits all of Egypt. Sandmonkey single-handedly sought and attained the permit without which we would have no vigil at a high personal expense as he now has a file with the secret service.
To Loulou; I would like to note that Haal and Mohamed also need to work very hard on their people skills. Mohamed's games are written all over him. Haal is a total turn off with her vulgar fart comments. It doesn't take a genuis to notice.
This is not the first fight between these two and egyptian bloggers. If they are to team up let it be for a good reason, following each other like a shadow and enforcing verbal abuse became their brand name,ganging up on Egyptian bloggers that they don't like will lead no where.
The protest is not the issue here......the Egyptian authorities will support anyone attacking terrorism, the protest disadvantage is that the country is on high alert, their real enemy is the extremists not the authorities. The move is right on! deserves respect and was spontaneous. Bigger doesn't mean better. On the contrary bigger can lead to more trouble in the streets of Cairo.
Hands down Sandmonkey and next time just hold your breath in reply to such childish attacks.
Jalal B.
Atlanta, GA
"Wow, you guys have been busy all night.
Good morning all. No time to read, and no energy to waste here. This looks like fantasy land.
That's my good byes. "
Obsessive compulsive reaction Mohamed. 99% of people who comment here are on the US time zone they were not staying up all night like you were. You have the energy Mohamed and you are fumming and Sandmokey can track your steps staying up all night Cairo time on his blog. He is decent enough not to reply and contain the situation.
YOUR VISITS HERE ARE TRACKED AND SAVED. Take it from me one computer geek that comes in handy to Sandmonkey.
You lie Mohamed, you read every comment and spoke to different people.
Most people who comment here care for Sandmonkey's efforts and this is not the first entery that got our attention the NDP topic got 89 replies from people who care.
That doesn't make you happy and I think you need serious help.
Your name should be from cairo with HATE.
A visitor from the Rocky Mountains.
Rick
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