Egypt's Internet Shutdown

[sodascouts]

Many of us have probably been following the story of the Egyptian government's shutdown of the internet starting January 25. Apparently, the government intends to keep it off until the mass protests have ended (see the most current update here. (http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/01/egypt.protests/))

This is really stunning, especially the scale. Countries such as China and Saudi Arabia often monitor and censor the internet - here's a message I once got while using my parent's computer in Dubai:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/sodascouts/Dubai2005/DubaiBlocked.jpg

But to shut it ALL down? Including cell phone service? It's unprecedented! I've been to Egypt and the sweep of its historical grandeur is magnificent (that's me in the corner (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/sodascouts/egypt2005/sakkara/StepMe.jpg)), but this kind of thing will certainly deter many people from wanting to visit, and probably will turn off a lot of companies from doing business with Egypt as well. What an insane move!

[TimothyBFan]

My BIL just returned from working for 4 years in Egypt last summer. I'm anxious to get his take on everything that is going on right now, this weekend when he comes into town. My daughter has spoken to him briefly after texting him telling him how glad she was he wasn't there any longer.

This is all very sad and seems to get worse and worse as time goes on. Big talk here in the local news is that there are 12 Notre Dame students over there studying abroad and they are trying to get them home.

[Freypower]

It's surely only until what appears to be a revolution comes to fruition. Egypt's stake as one of America's closest allies in the region is too important for this to be a permanent move. I'm actually optimistic that this will work.

[Prettymaid]

I've been to Egypt and the sweep of its historical grandeur is magnificent (that's me in the corner (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/sodascouts/egypt2005/sakkara/StepMe.jpg)), but this kind of thing will certainly deter many people from wanting to visit, and probably will turn off a lot of companies from doing business with Egypt as well. What an insane move!

That's me in the spotlight...

We're all alike, yet something like this really shows our government's differences!

[sodascouts]

Here's a great deal more information:

What's Happening in Egypt Explained (http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/01/whats-happening-egypt-explained)

[Freypower]

YES!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/12/3137024.htm