I think we actually agree

Submitted by John in Michigan, USA (United States), Jan 30, 2011 at 07:58

@Ian Knowlton: I think we actually agree. The intent of my comment was not to oversimplify or ignore the long-term causes. Rather, I mean to point out the consensus that the fruit-vendor incident was the precipitant, and not some other incident such as a sermon from an Imam, or a incident staged by Muslim Brotherhood or whatever other Islamist movements are active in the country.

Another thought: Self-immolation must be horrible for the person doing it, and emotionally painful for those who knew him. Still, it sure beats deciding to sacrifice someone else's life for your cause. That's progress, even if we have to measure it in baby steps.

Meanwhile, Egypt has stolen all the headlines. And both insurrections could yet be hijacked by Islamists or other reactionary elements.

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