Such a great thing we are seeing. People refusing to be abused and manipulated any more. And unlike 1979 in Iran, I am hoping the Egyptians and the Tunisians are all wised up to the fact that the Islamists are just another group of potential oppressors.

It is a sign of the contemptible megalomaniac mindsets of these strongmen that they appear to fail to understand that the longer they wait, the more chaos and destruction there will be. Maybe it's a good thing for the rest of the Arab world to watch a prolonged spectacle in which a people show they have had ENOUGH.

A few more days like today, and Mubarek will be taking his shriveled rear to the gender-segregated dystopia of Saudi Arabia, to live out his days, probably taking tea regularly with the Ben Alis, and comparing notes on best cash hideaways for fallen dictators...

I think I can relate to the frustration toward the government being displayed in Egypt. Is it time for another revolution here in the good 'ole USA? Getting pretty close.

We like to delude ourselves in thinking we're so much superior to those "other" countries...the reality is that we're not.

Jack thanks for the info on the Kill Switch Bill.
I'll spread the word. Hopefully we'll get some more people on it.

The government probably already took all the guns away as well.

Not entirely correct, there. The Egyptian government tried to kill internet access. And while they succeeded to a very limited extent, the fact of the matter is that they've been unable to kill it.

First, they started blocking domain name servers (DNS)—the phone book of the internet—but citizens circumvented this limitation by using proxy servers. In reaction, the government cut broadband connections to the web and forced mobile providers to do the same.

However, unless their government cuts all telephone services, Egyptians can still call long-distance to other countries by breaking out the trusty 56k modem (I have a couple still in storage downstairs).

Some ISPs in other countries are offering free access to Egyptians specifically in response to the Egyptian government’s actions, according to reports.

It's like Aliens: "They cut the power."

Max? They very effectively KILLED the internet. Just because a few people are able to get a very small small fraction of material out(56k are you kidding?)does not in any way mean its alive. Waving semaphore flags hardly meets the need for the volume that was being exchanged.

Some talking heads also poo pooed the idea that the same could be done in the US. A small look into the "Switch board" of the internet, the DNS providers, would show that just as the whole us aviation industry can be grounded in a few hours, so can the Internet, including Cell Phones. Look into what happened when somebody monkeyed with the sea cables.

Just because I can read a paragraph with my indigo watch, doesn't mean I have "lights"

John,

It's not that WE are better. Our form of government and social institutions are better. And we have a working safety net (except for the mentally ill).

I would suggest anyone who thinks we are in the same boat as Egyptians might consider the fact that the fundamental right to enjoy sex is stripped from Egyptian women, on advice from their prophet....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK2M91Fg-wA

dman? Sorry - I didn't realize that in addition to your expertise in matters regarding police training, you also hold the distinction of networking guru. Don't know about you, but I cut my coding teeth modifying ATT strings in an effort to reduce handshaking time and optimizing throughput.

Apparently, you're also a world-class speed keyboarder, as you can type so quickly that you can overpower the capability of a lowly 56k bps modem.

Believe it or not, Egypt did not "effectively KILLED the internet". They tried, to be sure. However, as I noted, Some ISPs in other countries are offering free access to Egyptians specifically in response to the Egyptian government’s actions, according to reports.

Moreover, as I also noted, the workaround by moving to a modem (56k, 128k, whatever) is essentially bulletproof unless the government terminates all telecommunications capability - which is unlikely.

Your disdain notwithstanding (56k are you kidding?), the fact of the matter is that most of the news and blog content you receive through the broadband connection (which you likely didn't have 15 years ago) can be easily transmitted via modem - it's mostly text.

Moreover, I didn't mention, in my comment, other available options; I chose to stick with the primitive, yet widely available countermeasures.

And this may come as a real shock: although I posted my comment yesterday, an alert reader has notified me that the folks over at PC World agree with my view on this issue:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/218155/get_internet_access_when_your_government_shuts_it_down.html

I appreciate the support, and the link.

I debated responding to your shots about my qualifications, but realized we are effective not communicating. Not that we can't use primitive methods or that because a few people can do a little bit (you missed that?)I never suggested that people can't take counter measures and today we learn that a lot of news organizations are using go arounds, something the people in china have used for years.
Oh as a matter of fact, I am an expert on a bunch more things. Google "high intelligence and poor social skills."