During much of 2010 and into 2011, the news media was a buzz with the Arab Spring. They reported how all the countries were finally revolting - against who - they never really said, but that was not important, what was important was that they were ushering in a new and better world for the Muslim people. For the most part American Media was a champion cheerleader of the wave of change that was sweeping the Middle East. However, a few people questioned what was happening, but for the most part those voices were silenced or the person demonized. As with most any type of change, particularly on this scale, conflict will erupt. The Arab Spring was no different. Protests turned violent, fighting erupted and people die.
Flash forward to present day Egypt and the current president Mohamed Morsi, announces that he is no longer subject to judicial review, and in addition he has granted himself near dictatorial powers. This man was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, and supports their views and policies. Cairo is in a crisis people have filled the streets protesting what they view as an unconstitutional grab for power. And for the most part the American Media has done little to report on the situation nor to call Morsi out his grab for power, he is still considered the darling of the Arab Spring. Instead the media applauds Egypt for its role in stopping the Israel/Syria conflict that was about to grow out of control, and says little about the crisis that is near to tear apart Egypt.
At the heart of this is conflict. Conflict between two differing points of view, two underlying philosophies, a point of argument that turns people away from rational thought and into screaming zealots. I’m not an expert on the conflict in the middle east, I suppose its based on those who want a strict interpretation of Muslim law and those who want to live a less strict life. The conflict I’m more familiar with are those in the Mixed Martial Arts Octagon, or the boxing ring. Two competitors fighting in a test of skill or strength. These are the characters in my stories that are generally fighting to prove who is the best, and even when an individual in one of my stories is fighting for something bigger than themselves and their skills and strengths. The contest still comes down to skills and strength, sometime luck can play into it but luck is a fickle thing.
So what does the skills and strength of two individuals fighting it out in a ring or octagon have to do with the Crisis in Cairo? Not a whole lot, it just easier to break things down to their base level and at the base is a conflict between two individuals. They can either talk it out and come to an agreement, each on pleading their case. Or, they can take a different rout and fight each other, where their physical strength and fighting skill would deliver the victor. When the difference in ideals or philosophy must be resolved with violence, the ideal is lost and all remains is who is the stronger and better skilled. Or in the case of a large group of people with a nation behind them - Nuclear Winter.
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