Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
SultanAlQassemi @monaeltahawy tweet from @RamyYaacoub that @Sandmonkey arrested, his dad called his phone & state security answered.
His website is now down. I happened to have saved this post, which he put on his site this morning. I didn't save other posts from his site, unfortunately, but you can learn more about him here. If the Egyptian government thinks they can make what he wrote this morning disappear, they are wrong.
I don't know how to start writing this. I have been battling fatigue for not sleeping properly for the past 10 days, moving from one's friend house to another friend's house, almost never spending a night in my home, facing a very well funded and well organized ruthless regime that views me as nothing but an annoying bug that its time to squash will come. The situation here is bleak to say the least.
It didn't start out that way. On Tuesday Jan 25 it all started peacefully, and against all odds, we succeeded to gather hundreds of thousands and get them into Tahrir Square, despite being attacked by Anti-Riot Police who are using sticks, tear gas and rubber bullets against us. We managed to break all of their barricades and situated ourselves in Tahrir. The government responded by shutting down all cell communication in Tahrir square, a move which purpose was understood later when after midnight they went in with all of their might and attacked the protesters and evacuated the Square. The next day we were back at it again, and the day after. Then came Friday and we braved their communication blackout, their thugs, their tear gas and their bullets and we retook the square. We have been fighting to keep it ever since.
That night the government announced a military curfew, which kept getting shorter by the day, until it became from 8 am to 3 pm. People couldn't go to work, gas was running out quickly and so were essential goods and money, since the banks were not allowed to operate and people were not able to collect their salary. The internet continued to be blocked, which affected all businesses in Egypt and will cause an economic meltdown the moment they allow the banks to operate again. We were being collectively punished for daring to say that we deserve democracy and rights, and to keep it up, they withdrew the police, and then sent them out dressed as civilians to terrorize our neighborhoods. I was shot at twice that day, one of which with a semi-automatic by a dude in a car that we the people took joy in pummeling. The government announced that all prisons were breached, and that the prisoners somehow managed to get weapons and do nothing but randomly attack people. One day we had organized thugs in uniforms firing at us and the next day they disappeared and were replaced by organized thugs without uniforms firing at us. Somehow the people never made the connection.
Despite it all, we braved it. We believed we are doing what's right and were encouraged by all those around us who couldn't believe what was happening to their country. What he did galvanized the people, and on Tuesday, despite shutting down all major roads leading into Cairo, we managed to get over 2 million protesters in Cairo alone and 3 million all over Egypt to come out and demand Mubarak's departure. Those are people who stood up to the regime's ruthlessness and anger and declared that they were free, and were refusing to live in the Mubarak dictatorship for one more day. That night, he showed up on TV, and gave a very emotional speech about how he intends to step down at the end of his term and how he wants to die in Egypt, the country he loved and served. To me, and to everyone else at the protests this wasn't nearly enough, for we wanted him gone now. Others started asking that we give him a chance, and that change takes time and other such poppycock. Hell, some people and family members cried when they saw his speech. People felt sorry for him for failing to be our dictator for the rest of his life and inheriting us to his Son. It was an amalgam of Stockholm syndrome coupled with slave mentality in a malevolent combination that we never saw before. And the Regime capitalized on it today.
Today, they brought back the internet, and started having people calling on TV and writing on facebook on how they support Mubarak and his call for stability and peacefull change in 8 months. They hung on to the words of the newly appointed government would never harm the protesters, whom they believe to be good patriotic youth who have a few bad apples amongst them. We started getting calls asking people to stop protesting because "we got what we wanted" and "we need the country to start working again". People were complaining that they miss their lives. That they miss going out at night, and ordering Home Delivery. That they need us to stop so they can resume whatever existence they had before all of this. All was forgiven, the past week never happened and it's time for Unity under Mubarak's rule right now.
To all of those people I say: NEVER! I am sorry that your lives and businesses are disrupted, but this wasn't caused by the Protesters. The Protesters aren't the ones who shut down the internet that has paralyzed your businesses and banks: The government did. The Protesters weren't the ones who initiated the military curfew that limited your movement and allowed goods to disappear off market shelves and gas to disappear: The government did. The Protesters weren't the ones who ordered the police to withdraw and claimed the prisons were breached and unleashed thugs that terrorized your neighborhoods: The government did. The same government that you wish to give a second chance to, as if 30 years of dictatorship and utter failure in every sector of government wasn't enough for you. The Slaves were ready to forgive their master, and blame his cruelty on those who dared to defy him in order to ensure a better Egypt for all of its citizens and their children. After all, he gave us his word, and it's not like he ever broke his promises for reform before or anything.
Then Mubarak made his move and showed them what useful idiots they all were.
You watched on TV as "Pro-Mubarak Protesters" – thugs who were paid money by NDP members by admission of High NDP officials- started attacking the peaceful unarmed protesters in Tahrir square. They attacked them with sticks, threw stones at them, brought in men riding horses and camels- in what must be the most surreal scene ever shown on TV- and carrying whips to beat up the protesters. And then the Bullets started getting fired and Molotov cocktails started getting thrown at the Anti-Mubarak Protesters as the Army standing idly by, allowing it all to happen and not doing anything about it. Dozens were killed, hundreds injured, and there was no help sent by ambulances. The Police never showed up to stop those attacking because the ones who were captured by the Anti-mubarak people had police ID's on them. They were the police and they were there to shoot and kill people and even tried to set the Egyptian Museum on Fire. The Aim was clear: Use the clashes as pretext to ban such demonstrations under pretexts of concern for public safety and order, and to prevent disunity amongst the people of Egypt. But their plans ultimately failed, by those resilient brave souls who wouldn't give up the ground they freed of Egypt, no matter how many live bullets or firebombs were hurled at them. They know, like we all do, that this regime no longer cares to put on a moderate mask. That they have shown their true nature. That Mubarak will never step down, and that he would rather burn Egypt to the ground than even contemplate that possibility.
In the meantime, State-owned and affiliated TV channels were showing coverage of Peaceful Mubarak Protests all over Egypt and showing recorded footage of Tahrir Square protest from the night before and claiming it's the situation there at the moment. Hundreds of calls by public figures and actors started calling the channels saying that they are with Mubarak, and that he is our Father and we should support him on the road to democracy. A veiled girl with a blurred face went on Mehwer TV claiming to have received funding by Americans to go to the US and took courses on how to bring down the Egyptian government through protests which were taught by Jews. She claimed that AlJazeera is lying, and that the only people in Tahrir square now were Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. State TV started issuing statements on how the people arrested Israelis all over Cairo engaged in creating mayhem and causing chaos. For those of you who are counting this is an American-Israeli-Qatari-Muslim Brotherhood-Iranian-Hamas conspiracy. Imagine that. And MANY PEOPLE BOUGHT IT. I recall telling a friend of mine that the only good thing about what happened today was that it made clear to us who were the idiots amongst our friends. Now we know.
Now, just in case this isn't clear: This protest is not one made or sustained by the Muslim Brotherhood, it's one that had people from all social classes and religious background in Egypt. The Muslim Brotherhood only showed up on Tuesday, and even then they were not the majority of people there by a long shot. We tolerated them there since we won't say no to fellow Egyptians who wanted to stand with us, but neither the Muslims Brotherhood not any of the Opposition leaders have the ability to turn out one tenth of the numbers of Protesters that were in Tahrir on Tuesday. This is a revolution without leaders. Three Million individuals choosing hope instead of fear and braving death on hourly basis to keep their dream of freedom alive. Imagine that.
The End is near. I have no illusions about this regime or its leader, and how he will pluck us and hunt us down one by one till we are over and done with and 8 months from now will pay people to stage fake protests urging him not to leave power, and he will stay "because he has to acquiesce to the voice of the people". This is a losing battle and they have all the weapons, but we will continue fighting until we can't. I am heading to Tahrir right now with supplies for the hundreds injured, knowing that today the attacks will intensify, because they can't allow us to stay there come Friday, which is supposed to be the game changer. We are bringing everybody out, and we will refuse to be anything else than peaceful. If you are in Egypt, I am calling on all of you to head down to Tahrir today and Friday. It is imperative to show them that the battle for the soul of Egypt isn't over and done with. I am calling you to bring your friends, to bring medical supplies, to go and see what Mubarak's gurantees look like in real life. Egypt needs you. Be Heroes.
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Sep '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
The End is near. I have no illusions about this regime or its leader, and how he will pluck us and hunt us down one by one till we are over and done with and 8 months from now will pay people to stage fake protests urging him not to leave power, and he will stay "because he has to acquiesce to the voice of the people". This is a losing battle and they have all the weapons, but we will continue fighting until we can't.
If there was ever a rallying cry for conservatives to remind themselves of when things look dark, this is it. Deeply, deeply moving. Thank you Claire for keeping the flame alive for all of liberty's sons and daughters, regardless of where they live.
Sep '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
His side wears the white hats, the other side the black hats; except for the camels it reminds me of an old western. I think there just may be more going on here than a bunch of prodemocracy martyrs yearning to be free.
Jun '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
Well, liberal jim, I'm with Pseudodionysius on this one. I found the report, from someone whose been evading the secret police and dodging bullets from Mubarak's goon squads and who may now be arrested and never see the light of day, extremely moving. My sense is that his take on the events sounded pretty accurate especially when I compare it to other eye witness testimony I heard from other protesters in Tahrir Square who were reporting live on the ground to Al Jazeera when automatic gunfire could be heard in the background. I think the report was far more insightful than you're giving him credit for.
Sep '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
All we know for certain about this individual is that he wrote a post telling the world how heroic he is. Considering he does not seem adverse to using exaggeration and of using numbers that no one could possibly know are accurate; I think a bit of skepticism is warranted. Hope I didn’t step on your feel good moment. They’re few and far between these days.
May '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
Great line.
Thanks for saving this, Claire. It's a compelling post.
Jun '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
liberal jim
All we know for certain about this individual is that he wrote a post telling the world how heroic he is. Considering he does not seem adverse to using exaggeration and of using numbers that no one could possibly know are accurate; I think a bit of skepticism is warranted. Hope I didn’t step on your feel good moment. They’re few and far between these days. · Feb 3 at 6:34am
Nothing wrong with being skeptical. But I don't think his posting was self-serving in the least. And about my "feel good moment" - no, it's intact thanks, I suppose it's probably as hearty as some people's cynicism.
Nov '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
Claire Berlinski, Ed.
Claire, what's your take on his Muslim Brotherhood comments? I listened to the podcast and have been reading your posts, but now that we have Sandmonkey to relate to, and pray for, can you elaborate on his assertions?
Relative to the post, its obviously full of drama and hyperbole, which I imagine is synonymous with revolutionary zeal. So I will take this for what it is, a very clear sample of how one side is perceiving the events unfolding around them, and be thankful for the perspective.
Thank you both, by the way. Your, and Judy's, writing and commentary make Ricochet more than compelling. You make it essential.
May '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
Brian Watt
Nothing wrong with being skeptical. But I don't think his posting was self-serving in the least. And about my "feel good moment" - no, it's intact thanks, I suppose it's probably as hearty as some people's cynicism. · Feb 3 at 6:52am
I think I'm aligned with your sentiments, Brian, although I'd have to describe my residual emotion as closer to concern for SandMonkey.
Jun '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
Ottoman Umpire
Brian Watt
Nothing wrong with being skeptical. But I don't think his posting was self-serving in the least. And about my "feel good moment" - no, it's intact thanks, I suppose it's probably as hearty as some people's cynicism. · Feb 3 at 6:52am
I think I'm aligned with your sentiments, Brian, although I'd have to describe my residual emotion as closer to concern for SandMonkey. · Feb 3 at 7:18am
The term "feel good moment" was ascribed to me. It did not originate from me. I too hope that SandMonkey if arrested will be set free unharmed. If that happens I will indeed have a feel good moment.
Nov '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
Gatewaypundit says Sandmonkey has been released.
Jun '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
Feelin' good.
Jul '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
TeeJaw : Gatewaypundit says Sandmonkey has been released. · Feb 3 at 7:56am
Fingers and toes crossed.
Dec '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
liberal jim, Sandmonkey has been blogging about Egyptian politics for a number of years. He's more credible than Western journalists engaging in "revolution tourism."
May '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
I'm also skeptical because of the simplicity of the portrayal and for other reasons. But thanks for sharing, Claire.
To clarify, I'd take any account of a revolution like this with a grain of salt. There are many organizations and individuals trying to achieve a wide variety of goals through a wide variety of means. Everyone has multiple loyalties, and it is far from simple prioritizing them and putting them into action. What's happening in Egypt is a mess which I doubt any one person understands clearly.
Edited on February 3, 2011 at 6:47pmSep '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
I stand by my original comment without reservation.
Dec '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
Roger L. Simon also is noting that Sandmonkey was detained, then released; plus he interviewed him late last night.
May '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
Thanks for posting this. I also just saw it mentioned on the Israel Matzav blog, which is one of my top sources for Israel-related news.
See also the post I'm about to put up on the Member Feed related to this.
Jul '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
How, other than by his own account, do we know the guy was actually detained?
If Mubarak's regime was as monstrous as Sandmonkey portrays it, he would have been detained and killed.
Frankly, the guy sounds to me like a self-glorifying useful idiot.
Edited on February 3, 2011 at 10:06pmJun '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
Many of us are watching and listening to events unfold from the comfort of our home offices or cozy dens. It's very easy to pronounce wisdom from these lofty perches about what is happening on the ground in Egypt. What seems to be emerging is that the protests began as a desperate cry from many educated young people for jobs. At present there is no evidence that the protests have been co-opted by the Muslim Brotherhood. Reports in the last couple of hours indicate that many of the protestors trapped in Tahrir Square are pharmacists, university professors and other men and women from the more professional ranks of Egyptian society who are now terrified and fighting for their own lives. It's been widely reported for years that the Egyptian police force is corrupt. Given the mayhem, chaos and conflicting information, I would think that it would be more prudent not to hurl epithets at those in the midst of all that mayhem and chaos and rather give them the benefit of the doubt and see if what they've said is still left standing after all the dust and tear gas settles even if they're not.
Jul '10
Re: Sandmonkey Has Apparently Been Arrested and His Website is Down
Brian, Mubarak could not have remained in power for so long if he didn't have a substantial mass of support among the populace.
What we're hearing from the media and from Egyptian Tweeters is all on one side - the anti-Mubarak side.
I just think it's naive to garner all of our opinions based upon some anonymous anti-Mubarak blogger. That's like basing our opinions on nothing but what we hear from DailyKos.