tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75282223637017388712024-02-22T09:35:12.222+01:00BalasticmanBalasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-79526195813282659382019-02-15T09:11:00.000+01:002019-02-15T14:49:43.722+01:00Religious Bigot or Nationalist Fascist - Which to Favor?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is not a question that has any semblance of justification in the modern world, and yet <a href="https://madamasr.com/en/2019/02/13/feature/politics/judicial-candidates-forced-to-undergo-unprecedented-evaluations-as-presidency-exerts-further-control/">this is the all-too-familiar</a>, contrived dichotomy distinguishing good from bad in Egypt today:<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ecedee; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "pt_serifregular"; font-size: 19px;">‘If you are traveling abroad and you could either reside with a Muslim regardless of his nationality, or an Arab regardless of his religion, which would you prefer?’ ‘If given the choice, would you kill 100 Egyptians or 100 foreigners?’</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9usa3Cop_hDu7t-aV0RT2vzcKzgbmRXQhqOep0W4WHjSNY2sUbRbawzJ-7PgY2LUt4Y4yRJvK8iRziAXC2rYVUsycDJgP_Jb18vYBgxXa0-iietTBzjY0bJDuEmgkbdUVRTP0Fcp3R3E/s1600/Fascism2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="525" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9usa3Cop_hDu7t-aV0RT2vzcKzgbmRXQhqOep0W4WHjSNY2sUbRbawzJ-7PgY2LUt4Y4yRJvK8iRziAXC2rYVUsycDJgP_Jb18vYBgxXa0-iietTBzjY0bJDuEmgkbdUVRTP0Fcp3R3E/s320/Fascism2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-66829470555006596152016-08-26T15:24:00.001+02:002016-08-26T16:51:55.120+02:00Church Building Boom in Egypt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlqEOn8IrDbcy1VbJJZaf2dLmNb36DWW5ngyBjjmdw4TCL8eC5dqte_c3kPHJI66_QGxt0KyH6TdsWq6_E9BGlM8zw2DFYSKvvKPpTLMLNfxKjrO57ChAlbdxNHC34XLRpQK8rvzE0pE/s1600/Church+Building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlqEOn8IrDbcy1VbJJZaf2dLmNb36DWW5ngyBjjmdw4TCL8eC5dqte_c3kPHJI66_QGxt0KyH6TdsWq6_E9BGlM8zw2DFYSKvvKPpTLMLNfxKjrO57ChAlbdxNHC34XLRpQK8rvzE0pE/s200/Church+Building.jpg" width="200" /></a>On occasion of reaching "<a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/241689/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptian-cabinet-approves-church-building-bill-fol.aspx">full consensus</a>" on the draft law regulating the construction and repair of churches in Egypt, the Government has released a picture of the prototype of the places of worship that may be soon built across the country. It is anticipated that up to three of the ten square-metered churches will be fast-tracked for construction within the next twenty-five years, subject to obtaining the requisite permits from the seventeen involved ministries. The issuance of the draft law follows months of transparent engagement with the public. Though no one has yet seen the actual text, the law is said to be based on internationally-recognized standards for the building of nuclear facilities for housing leper colonies in earthquake prone city centers. It is expected to receive unanimous approval of the Parliament.</div>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-80374198638987816672016-08-16T14:49:00.002+02:002016-08-16T15:01:21.949+02:00Phelps and the Global Conspiracy against Egypt and Ahly <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Citing widely-circulated photographs of U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps flashing a four fingered salute after completing the 200 meter individual medley in the Olympic Games being held in Rio de Janeiro, Medhat El-Ghaby, spokesman for Egypt's Ministry of Truth, who doubles as goalkeeping coach for Ahly, decried the systemic conspiracy against the Egyptian state and Ahly. Speaking to a group of three Brazilian pensioners who congregated at the Egyptian consulate in Rio on occasion of "<i>Free Kofta Day</i>", El-Ghaby issued a somewhat disjointed statement, declaring that "[a]s everyone knows, holding up four fingers in this manner is a symbol of the mass suicide committed by the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood organization that has cunning agents masquerading as Olympians. This has caused Egypt not to win any gold medals and made Ahly -- which is Egypt -- lose both the Egyptian Cup final and drop out of the Champions League. Egypt and Ahly -- which is <i>batal el qarn</i> -- will not stand for this, end of statement." </div>
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<a name='more'></a>When asked to comment why Phelps also held up five fingers upon winning his fifth gold medal of the Games, El-Ghaby responded "Oh" and then departed.</div>
Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-19436933445500568722016-04-11T11:04:00.002+02:002016-04-11T15:13:16.484+02:00Fantasy Island<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Following <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36010965">the uproar</a> surrounding a deal struck by Egypt to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/11/world/middleeast/egypt-gives-saudi-arabia-2-islands-in-a-show-of-gratitude.html?_r=0">transfer sovereignty</a> to Saudi Arabia of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiran_Island">Tiran and Sanafir islands</a> located at the adjusted maritime border between the countries, Egyptian authorities have announced the acquisition of Fantasy Island. Fantasy Island -- referred locally as Fandazee -- will allow Egyptians to live out their dreams, with a minimal entrance fee. The undisclosed fee is payable only in US Dollars, with proceeds set aside for a state-controlled fund with undisclosed objectives.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />Za blane is coming, za blane is coming!</i></td></tr>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-60639865838803481382016-03-15T10:20:00.001+01:002016-03-15T13:06:01.601+01:00Being Egyptian<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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What does it mean to be an Egyptian?</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PvrLn7HZEng/VufTMxfP74I/AAAAAAAAD04/WcB7jaRvlqYfQjsW9dAl9Zr3I1Zdzuy4w/s1600/Antwan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PvrLn7HZEng/VufTMxfP74I/AAAAAAAAD04/WcB7jaRvlqYfQjsW9dAl9Zr3I1Zdzuy4w/s320/Antwan2.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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It means knowing that Cameroon and Mowkawleen goalkeeping great, Joseph-Antoine Bell, will forever be Bill Atwan.</div>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-42055779436391427892016-02-23T18:31:00.001+01:002016-02-23T18:31:44.670+01:00Brave Heart Comes to Cairo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-69383171018594636122015-11-09T14:44:00.000+01:002015-11-09T18:16:17.787+01:00Everything is Perfect in Egypt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In an effort to bolster its damaged image, Egypt's Ministry of Truth announced it has retained the Sopranos family to enforce the new "Everything is Perfect in Egypt" campaign. To encourage participation, Paulie will partner with local hit-man Mustafa Ziftaway to whack whining journalists who fail to report on the country's unrivaled excellence. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Egypt not perfect enough for you? </i></td></tr>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-22326831603153576432015-10-19T15:44:00.002+02:002015-10-20T08:43:53.329+02:00Massive Voter Turnout<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Refuting reports of <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/10/19/uk-egypt-election-idUKKCN0SC07720151019">low voter turnout</a> in Egypt's <a href="http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/low-voter-turnout-draws-mixed-reactions-among-celebs">parliamentary elections</a>, state media pointed to lines with wait times stretching over three hours to enter voting booths in the southern district of Sohag.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Qesm El Awal, Sohag</i><br />
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When challenged to explain exactly where in Sohag the circulated photo allegedly was taken, spokesman Abdullah El-Ziftway admitted that the picture was of a line at the World Expo in Milan, Italy. El-Ziftawy noted that the picture was nonetheless appropriate, given the persons were queuing to enter the popular<i> Feeding the Planet</i>-themed exhibition, in which an official Egypt pavilion celebrating the 4,000 year old achievements of ancient Egyptian civilization is included among dozens of others. "The excitement generated by Expo 2015" -- which is expected to attract over 20 million visitors before it closes on October 31 -- "underlines global support for our government", El -Ziftaway added. </div>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-88419932977105599762015-10-12T12:36:00.002+02:002015-10-12T20:13:11.078+02:00EXCLUSIVE: Pac-Man in Homs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Acknowledging his mistake in confusing a grainy upload from the video game <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSCKP8luiFw">Apache: Air Assault</a> </i>with real life footage of Russian airstrikes in Syria, leading Egyptian strategist Ahmed Moussa led off his his daily talk show with exclusive video showing Russian ground troops entering the contested city of Homs. In the video still, Russian commandos disguised as Pac-Man can be seen literally eating up enemy troops. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The ability to swallow up U.S.-Saudi-Qatari-Turkish conspirators <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 17.92px;">Blinky, Inky, Pinky and Clyde with a single power pellet, and also devour the enemy-planted cherry, reveals the powers of Russian troops" declared Moussa. Moussa predicted the ground operations would be over after Level 9.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Battlefield action - all rights reserved</i></td></tr>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-24998429906219120142015-10-06T12:50:00.000+02:002015-10-07T08:57:24.937+02:00Klopp to Ahly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">EXCLUSIVE </span></b><br />
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<b><i>Mokhtar El-Tetsh, Cairo, </i><i>Associated Bress</i></b><br />
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Egyptian football club Ahly, the self-proclaimed <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.it/2014/10/balal-el-qarn.html">Club of the Century</a>, today announced the appointment of Jurgen Klopp as its next manager. The hotly sought-after Klopp succeeds Fathi Mabrouk, following a disappointing season in which Ahly failed to win at either the domestic or international level.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquDkYAQF4WH07PiypEBjqLdpYpmaeUGkjNY_be7wuQmrfOfzh7CnGU2hTbmXuk7y64TND1YQL7Y9K8P1c2UhTcn1ROT8oqyCLL0aQ97BA7yfQTGUfvZcYyU3s2_VjcGQpktHVw6gfrRM/s1600/Kilot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquDkYAQF4WH07PiypEBjqLdpYpmaeUGkjNY_be7wuQmrfOfzh7CnGU2hTbmXuk7y64TND1YQL7Y9K8P1c2UhTcn1ROT8oqyCLL0aQ97BA7yfQTGUfvZcYyU3s2_VjcGQpktHVw6gfrRM/s200/Kilot.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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Earlier reports of of the appointment of Jurgen Klopp have proven incorrect. The error appears attributed to a club insider who was overheard stating the need to change his <i>kulot</i><i>, </i>after watching South African Orlando Pirates score a fourth goal in the Ahly net during a recent match in Suez<i>. </i>Ahly will instead be led by Abdel Aziz Abdel-Shafy, popularly known as Zizo. </div>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-43218995835735016202015-09-22T18:01:00.002+02:002015-09-22T18:16:52.297+02:00The Day Egypt Changed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Coming on the heals of a <a href="http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33728033">dominating league campaign</a>, the final whistle that formalized <a href="http://ar.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/268/623/3/index.html">Zamalek's mauling of Ahly</a> in the <a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ke/news/4509/egypt/2015/09/22/15619602/zamalek-complete-double-with-ahly-defeat-in-egyptian-cup">Cup final</a>, marked the point hope for real change might finally start to come to Egypt. </div>
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<div>
Ahly is the core symbol of Egypt's <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.it/2011/10/ahly-corruption-in-egypt.html">corrupt soul</a>, unshakable through all of the tumult of the country's modern history by <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.it/2014/10/balal-el-qarn.html">surviving, co-opting</a> and <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.it/2013/03/ahlys-robbery.html">bribing</a> its way to one title after the other. That pompous, deceitful and negative "<a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.it/2015/01/ahly-zamalek-and-everything-that-is.html">Ahly is Egypt</a>" has been crushed. </div>
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<div>
In its place is an electric, creative and exciting Zamalek, full of all the hope and promise that has been so long repressed by Ahly and its official cohorts, just as such positive energy has been ever-tyrannized in Egyptian society at large. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Zamalek's victory is a victory for a new, better and brighter Egypt.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtq_7A8Hd8-a0ddw1dGAbb0lnCTLsBJ-J6fwlXhmsBXhoeaoKawg9kRSuXLeVhaR36PmAIjejLQPDB5fj_1P3pwQgypQCjy1lBx4mCebiaz8-0N2mZUC1mFifwfehVnPNTC0Injtasp0/s1600/Zamalek2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtq_7A8Hd8-a0ddw1dGAbb0lnCTLsBJ-J6fwlXhmsBXhoeaoKawg9kRSuXLeVhaR36PmAIjejLQPDB5fj_1P3pwQgypQCjy1lBx4mCebiaz8-0N2mZUC1mFifwfehVnPNTC0Injtasp0/s320/Zamalek2.png" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A victory for Egypt</i></td></tr>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-42003196822969685852015-09-09T11:27:00.006+02:002015-09-22T18:06:46.559+02:00Egypt Cup Stadium Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>BREAKING NEWS</b><br />
<b><i><br />Road 82, Maadi</i></b>, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Associated Bress</i></div>
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Ending <a href="http://www.kingfut.com/2015/09/08/efa-borg-al-arab-refused-to-host-egypt-cup-final/" style="color: #0b5394; text-decoration: none;">weeks of searching for a suitable site to host the 2015 Egyptian Cup semi-final and final matches</a>, the Egyptian Football Federation (<i>Itihad El Zift</i>) today announced that the Maadi Canal School has been selected for the concluding stages of Egypt's oldest football tournament. Maadi Canal School -- which promotes itself as "<a href="http://canalschools.com/" style="color: #0b5394; text-decoration: none;">Canal Scools - Canal Schools best language schools in Egypt</a>" -- boasts a newly laid dirt field off Road 82 in the Cairo suburb of Maadi.</div>
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The semi-finals pit Ahly against Petrojet on September 16 and Zamalek versus Smouha on September 17. The Cup final will be played on September 21. All match dates are subject to coordination with the pending Parliamentary election cycle, and Ahly receiving satisfactory assurances that they will not be further humiliated following their atrocious League campaign. </div>
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<a name='more'></a>Up to seven spectators from each side will be permitted to attend the matches, and will be provided with gift backpacks from local sponsor Adam Bookshop. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7rlD6dad3I/VfAHOhAQ3NI/AAAAAAAADx0/aQXkdphN4x0/s1600/Collages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7rlD6dad3I/VfAHOhAQ3NI/AAAAAAAADx0/aQXkdphN4x0/s400/Collages.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cup ready</i></td></tr>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-41944939584658972032015-07-13T20:55:00.000+02:002015-07-15T09:09:03.142+02:00July 13 Revolution<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><b>East Benha - Associated Bress</b></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oe1DOmQwd3Q/VaQGbGvbd2I/AAAAAAAADw0/AbZAvmH8YiI/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oe1DOmQwd3Q/VaQGbGvbd2I/AAAAAAAADw0/AbZAvmH8YiI/s200/download.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Organized celebrations</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Authorities today decreed July 13 "Half-way Revolution Day". When asked to explain the reason for the new holiday, General Afifi explained that given the downtime between the July 3 and July 23 celebrations, it made sense to bridge the gap with another mid-way commemoration of the country's "Arab Summer" democratic-military takeovers. Moreover, he noted the leadership views the citizenry as so lazy and useless, that giving them another day off would avoid the need to turn on air conditioning in ministry buildings on a hot day.<br />
<br />
Officials have warned that they will aggressively enforce the anti-terrorism decree banning any "excessive behavior" on Half-way Revolution Day, including, without limitation, walking too quickly.</div>
</div>
Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-23085359030808044412015-07-07T16:53:00.002+02:002015-07-07T16:53:22.119+02:00Ahly vs. Zamalek<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaA-OCPAxSWG3P36_KO4dDnOeKB4oIwGxVmcS975gYlM_0Jh3W5B3H7JBW1eljhaE8kQMeuqpfNL-PH-1CQp-FprRLKQR8crS58KOge-IdokKgxakdbh3LsCvhXrhjWkaSORdBtYj33g/s1600/Fingers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaA-OCPAxSWG3P36_KO4dDnOeKB4oIwGxVmcS975gYlM_0Jh3W5B3H7JBW1eljhaE8kQMeuqpfNL-PH-1CQp-FprRLKQR8crS58KOge-IdokKgxakdbh3LsCvhXrhjWkaSORdBtYj33g/s640/Fingers.jpg" width="451" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oh what a difference a finger makes</i></td></tr>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-32526946351891592612015-06-05T10:48:00.003+02:002015-06-05T10:55:03.659+02:00Zero Vote Revisionism <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1BiABu0rFzXFh5Go0eQAuzfr0j6-MMQ2NYU7Abqcc761rfB1Ligo8WgH1wqr-LY9pQMSzAt8rZR7ZWMaYiqt_ZxENbyjgZguqaqm2sNWvccm-gDRj2MjRZ7Wz9_gLMf134zSmnBvZgU/s1600/Hurghada+Stadium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1BiABu0rFzXFh5Go0eQAuzfr0j6-MMQ2NYU7Abqcc761rfB1Ligo8WgH1wqr-LY9pQMSzAt8rZR7ZWMaYiqt_ZxENbyjgZguqaqm2sNWvccm-gDRj2MjRZ7Wz9_gLMf134zSmnBvZgU/s640/Hurghada+Stadium2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Stadio Zero El Dawly</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">So <b><i>now</i></b> we know why </span><a href="http://www.ahram.org.eg/Archive/2004/5/18/SPOR4.HTM" style="text-align: justify;">Egypt's 2010 World Cup bid failed</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> so spectacularly. </span><a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/6/51/131976/Sports/Egyptian-Football/Egypt-refused-to-bribe-FIFA-official-to-secure-Wor.aspx" style="text-align: justify;">It was all due to FIFA corruption</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> that slighted the stellar stadium and organizational skills that Egypt possesses...</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a>When the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-dorsey/egyptian-soccer_b_1953173.html?">Egyptian Football Association</a> calls out others for <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.it/2011/10/ahly-corruption-in-egypt.html">corrupt activities</a>, you really know that world football has been corrupted.</div>
Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-3069023506790305862015-05-25T22:38:00.001+02:002015-05-26T16:35:45.782+02:00Party Likes It's 1962<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The clock on economic policy in Egypt (and for what counts these days as governance more generally) is not being turned back to 2010, 1990 nor even the 1970s - <a href="http://www.madamasr.com/news/new-military-company-established-wide-mandate">it's going all the way back to the command and control hey-days of the early 1960s</a>.<br />
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It was a failure then. It is a failure now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ubofq14YiJebAqQXeJiVWq8WBbZ90O9tKGHMuqoYmDKGBCbR08yzp1DEB_N49UCFlI1HFMYZpyM8WHhTMMxM_vIAOUsdoeYlKT8GeOwfT6Y6CLsNbDWwFfbwiGbgXo21yyFa8QBeIJo/s1600/Military+Economy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ubofq14YiJebAqQXeJiVWq8WBbZ90O9tKGHMuqoYmDKGBCbR08yzp1DEB_N49UCFlI1HFMYZpyM8WHhTMMxM_vIAOUsdoeYlKT8GeOwfT6Y6CLsNbDWwFfbwiGbgXo21yyFa8QBeIJo/s400/Military+Economy+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Neatly stored cans</i></td></tr>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-38489682230323411912015-05-17T09:30:00.000+02:002015-05-17T09:33:44.570+02:00Criminal Justice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6fmaYx1D8Q/VVhCgbZGU9I/AAAAAAAADvE/7Y6-dmNJPkE/s1600/Ultras_18_281896065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6fmaYx1D8Q/VVhCgbZGU9I/AAAAAAAADvE/7Y6-dmNJPkE/s640/Ultras_18_281896065.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-3798563587366852892015-05-10T14:54:00.000+02:002015-05-10T14:55:20.213+02:00What is going right in Egypt?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-26029255857467257912015-05-04T14:22:00.000+02:002015-05-04T17:26:38.890+02:00Sir Alex Ferguson in Ahly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N_pA9eELjYc/VUdj0b1ZBFI/AAAAAAAADug/D6Mt5LfLFd0/s1600/Badry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N_pA9eELjYc/VUdj0b1ZBFI/AAAAAAAADug/D6Mt5LfLFd0/s400/Badry.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>BREAKING NEWS</b> - Alex Ferguson confirmed as new coach of Ahly. Citing club insiders, Sir Alex was quoted as being excited of the opportunity to coach "batal el qarn" in its ambition to win the league title.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<i>UPDATED</i> - Ahly officials have corrected a story released twelve seconds ago. "Sir Alex" should read "El Badry Basha" and the "ambition to win the league title" should read "hope to finish ahead of Wadi Degla". <br />
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<i>UPDATE 2 - </i>Following news of <a href="http://www.filgoal.com/Arabic/News.aspx?NewsID=161230">El Badry Basha turning down the offer</a>, Homer Simpson has emerged as a front runner to coach "batal el qarn." Asked to comment on the news report, Homer -- whose name sounded out in Arabic is suitably close to the pejorative "donkey" -- stated if he takes over, Hossam Ghaly will be moved into a more attacking midfield role and Sherif Ekramy will be replaced by Barney.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9VZHTYJKxq1gkbIRZEmkoqaU_BHtEEvjnb-3qt-_zBw5yH3hkeIetA5MBze5UbMYSyoRfKLGU9XcPHHDL3LuN5Mep_qiGtsqaL3UNGgspisn3WkeLCqpN64Irb_KAAAcfiDrGxwSWcY/s1600/homer-the-referee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9VZHTYJKxq1gkbIRZEmkoqaU_BHtEEvjnb-3qt-_zBw5yH3hkeIetA5MBze5UbMYSyoRfKLGU9XcPHHDL3LuN5Mep_qiGtsqaL3UNGgspisn3WkeLCqpN64Irb_KAAAcfiDrGxwSWcY/s320/homer-the-referee.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cotch Donkey?</i></td></tr>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-38305254587757453052015-04-14T10:36:00.001+02:002015-04-14T16:09:42.155+02:00Before there was Nasser<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XLrftkNnPIU" width="560"></iframe></div>
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A recent and glorious history so far removed from the destruction of the past sixty years that it seems it never existed. And yet, it did.</div>
Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-86997552791948963992015-03-29T19:40:00.000+02:002015-03-29T19:40:11.869+02:00The Joint Arab Farce<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Fiction<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsxBqqUzcNdPdBQD29Pk4QcsOhiO3GR_sLUDapyiCTifD_96hx57c4FWXNqM3r8PLCy5DoeXGNULY7HvWJ6o9ZE2dn8PNGD2Ox4uDDwm1Q_q6fJcEihis4NBmLn416AcKYqgcplkgjQw/s1600/Justiceleague_v2_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsxBqqUzcNdPdBQD29Pk4QcsOhiO3GR_sLUDapyiCTifD_96hx57c4FWXNqM3r8PLCy5DoeXGNULY7HvWJ6o9ZE2dn8PNGD2Ox4uDDwm1Q_q6fJcEihis4NBmLn416AcKYqgcplkgjQw/s1600/Justiceleague_v2_01.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>...and fact</div>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-54335242531466217812015-01-12T19:48:00.003+01:002015-03-03T11:50:28.601+01:00The mentality of إشمعنى أنا<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: left;">The mentality of modern Egyptian society can be summed up in one conveniently escapist and all-encompassing word: <span style="color: red;">إشمعنى.</span></span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">إشمعنى</span> I have to stand in line, if no one else does? </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">إشمعنى</span> I should pay taxes, if no one else does? </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">إشمعنى </span>I should allow the ambulance to pass me, if no one else does? </li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="color: red;">إشمعنى </span>I should work my way up the ladder instead of using a <i>wasta</i>, if no one else does? </li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="color: red;">إشمعنى</span> I should hold on to my used tissue and dispose of it in a garbage bin five meters away instead of just tossing it out the window, if no one else does?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">إشمعنى</span> I should be told not to blow my cigarette smoke straight into your face, if everyone else does?</li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="color: red;">إشمعنى</span> I should accept criticism of our pristine courts, if O.J. Simpson was found not guilty?</li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="color: red;">إشمعنى</span> I should listen to lectures on democracy, if President Bush was elected by hanging chads?</li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="color: red;">إشمعنى</span> I should care if our police officers kill one or two or a thousand protesters, if it happens in Ferguson and New York City?</li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="color: red;">إشمعنى </span>I should sympathize with the death of a few Europeans at the hands of terrorists, if Europeans (and we, but let's not digress) don't sympathize with the thousands killed by terrorists here?</li>
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<li><span style="color: red;">إشمعنى</span> I should tolerate any criticism of my religious tenants, if the Crusaders also abused Christian teachings in the Middle Ages? </li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="color: red;">إشمعنى</span> I should bear any personal or societal responsibility for anything at all? </li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>إشمعنى أنا يعني؟</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr8XSNbCrROamhTZX18KpB16o8vdoWwWBQzJmpKOJw05ITOuYAdDI0xuZw_6KONOeXhQkb329tv0zLFeFz7cXQS2Sqkx09Wm9Qmfq3Wa16SYasbMvr4EcrEoQGz94zJUUJdSssmZI9zQ/s1600/Wasta2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr8XSNbCrROamhTZX18KpB16o8vdoWwWBQzJmpKOJw05ITOuYAdDI0xuZw_6KONOeXhQkb329tv0zLFeFz7cXQS2Sqkx09Wm9Qmfq3Wa16SYasbMvr4EcrEoQGz94zJUUJdSssmZI9zQ/s1600/Wasta2.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></div>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-57915445596895538892015-01-01T16:36:00.000+01:002015-01-01T18:07:55.713+01:00Ahly, Zamalek and Everything That is Wrong with Egypt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A few years ago, Ahly fans starting taking signs to the stadium -- back when spectators were actually allowed to attend matches -- professing that "Ahly is Egypt". This slogan was added to the even more ambitious declaration of Ahly as the global "Club of the Century". But if <i><a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.com/2014/10/balal-el-qarn.html">batal el qarn</a> </i>is a laughable proclamation, in many ways Ahly indeed is Egypt. </div>
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Ahly is an Egypt that is <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.com/2011/10/ahly-corruption-in-egypt.html">corrupt</a>, arrogant and <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.com/2011/09/classless-mob.html">classless</a>. It is an Egypt that thrives on <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.com/2013/03/ahlys-robbery.html">domestic trickery</a>, and that is an <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.com/2013/02/dear-bob-egypt-is-not-ahly.html">utter failure when tested outside its controlled local and regional environment</a>. It is an Egypt that churns out tacky and shallow illusions of grandeur. It is an Egypt that is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_572372490"></span>not just<span id="goog_572372491"></span></a>. Ahly is <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.com/2013/05/wheat-dreams.html">an Egypt of quantity and no quality</a>.</div>
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Zamalek is Ahly's and Egypt's flip-side. Zamalek is an Egypt of endless potential that is stunted by chaotic leadership. Zamalek is an Egypt of fine art and style, dusted over by brutish and tainted authorities. Zamalek is an Egypt that produces <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.com/2012/06/shika-to-napoli.html">world class stars</a> when liberated from the suffocation of Egypt. Zamalek is an Egypt that <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.com/2011/07/best-fans-in-world.html">refuses to conform</a> to the dictates of the powers-that-be. Zamalek is an Egypt of hope eternal.</div>
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If Egypt is to ever be more than the failure that it is, Ahly must fail and Zamalek must rise.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4RMvzytyzfPrObN4caoqFrFl1rPagKpcbcO1HqM7g-x8CfB1jPqRjAWxm4bgo6fCdAvlOBSKlzvNiUeJmA6iErKtEK4m2jM8kc3YVpHlqPmdcc1IHu7882nxuycZySd_C93xq6FSyJ0/s1600/Zamalek+Flag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4RMvzytyzfPrObN4caoqFrFl1rPagKpcbcO1HqM7g-x8CfB1jPqRjAWxm4bgo6fCdAvlOBSKlzvNiUeJmA6iErKtEK4m2jM8kc3YVpHlqPmdcc1IHu7882nxuycZySd_C93xq6FSyJ0/s1600/Zamalek+Flag2.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Egypt's Hope</i></td></tr>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-29709304627457047702014-11-30T10:01:00.001+01:002014-12-01T10:22:10.790+01:00Injustice is Justice - Justice is Injustice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This was never about the trial of one man. Sentenced or not, Egypt was, is and -- unless and until its people are willing to reflect on themselves and accept the need to systematically overhaul their pathetic reality -- will always be condemned to backwardness, by its incompetent form of governance, superficial and conformist culture, corrupt and manipulative religious institutions, defunct educational system and rotten economic model. <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.it/2012/05/revolution-is-deadlong-live-revolution.html">The revolution that never was, is still waiting to ever be</a>. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A frozen society </i></td></tr>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-58860155944795890792014-10-31T15:40:00.000+01:002014-11-01T08:17:44.005+01:00batal el qarn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Achievements of Ahly (aka <i>batal el qarn</i>, team of morals, etc) in just one week:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<li>player suspended for <a href="http://youtu.be/DYYh0aIlMlU">physical assault on a referee</a>;</li>
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<li>player<a href="http://www.kingfut.com/2014/10/30/ghaly-fined-refusal-of-substitution/"> fined 150K</a> for refusing to be substituted;</li>
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<li>player found <a href="http://eg.eurosport.com/football/egyptian-league/2014-2015/%D8%AD%D8%A8%D8%B3-%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A8-3-%D8%A3%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A5%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B0_sto4458455/ar-story.shtml">criminally guilty for assaulting a police officer</a>;</li>
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<li><a href="http://www.almasryalyoum.com/news/details/558144">scoreless tie</a> against a team from Assiut that was in the third division two years ago (even after Ahly <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sr=1&sa=t&ct2=us%2F0_0_s_1_0_t&usg=AFQjCNEX_wra9T7IS3vyaEU9RRF9l01Mtg&did=68f4c816330def4&cid=52778640349303&ei=4JNTVNLiDsWQ1QbltIDACQ&rt=STORY&vm=STANDARD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fenglish.ahram.org.eg%2FNewsContent%2F6%2F51%2F113890%2FSports%2FEgyptian-Football%2FAssiouti-SportAhly-clash-put-back--hours-.aspx">complained its way into having the match delayed</a>);</li>
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<li>board of directors embarrassing themselves by threatening to withdraw from league due to a <a href="http://www.goal.com/ar-eg/news/3067/%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA/2014/10/28/5562761/%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A9-%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%87%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%8A-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%A3%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%87-%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A4%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A9">grand conspiracy</a> against the club.</li>
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All this continues the <a href="http://balasticman.blogspot.it/2014/01/this-is-ahly.html">illustrious history of greed, corruption and scandal</a> upon which Ahly has been built.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFdMG07pu2rBjBmCNEn0rYPJxNjdpcs2bELQm8ZY8tfPJ-fm1nGKiZVqJK5062y3vB8Q7txk6Sy63vb7Y3JcjxHhvCuBOYLsL8b_HOCyzuE-UuGt49AoC_5jf1pqpq0-fevclPqbQ1LM/s1600/download+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFdMG07pu2rBjBmCNEn0rYPJxNjdpcs2bELQm8ZY8tfPJ-fm1nGKiZVqJK5062y3vB8Q7txk6Sy63vb7Y3JcjxHhvCuBOYLsL8b_HOCyzuE-UuGt49AoC_5jf1pqpq0-fevclPqbQ1LM/s1600/download+(1).jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/30/al-ahly-walid-soliman-banned-referees-shirt">Beeb beeb</a></i></td></tr>
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Balasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.com0