Egyptian Army given police powers

Peanut Gallery: Does anyone doubt how this is going to end?

The same army that ran the show under Mubarak is now co-operating with Morsi. Since Nasser’s time, the military has been entwined in the economic/industrial complex of Egypt. There’s a lot of money, jobs and power at stake.

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Morsi has made an unholy alliance with the military that will carry through the referendum at least. Beyond that who knows? But keep in mind, the military has the guns.
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Mohamed Morsi gives Egypt’s army police powers ahead of referendum
Repost see – telegraph.co.uk

The decree, published in the government gazette, takes effect on the eve of mass rival protests on the referendum and follows street clashes that have left seven people dead and hundreds injured.

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It orders the military to fully co-operate with police “to preserve security and protect vital state institutions for a temporary period, up to the announcement of the results from the referendum,” according to a copy of the decree obtained by AFP.

The military, which ruled Egypt between the ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak in February 2011 and the election of Morsi in June this year, has sought to remain neutral in the political crisis.

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Army tanks and troops have since Thursday deployed around Morsi’s presidential palace but they have not confronted thousands of protesters who have gathered there every night.

The opposition, made up of secular, liberal, left wing and Christian groups, has said it will escalate its protests to scupper the referendum.

It views the draft constitution, largely drafted by Morsi’s Islamist allies, as undermining human rights, the rights of women, religious minorities, and curtailing the independence of the judiciary.

Continue reading “Egyptian Army given police powers”

Advent Spiritual Song: “We’re Marching to Zion” – Amy Grant

“We’re Marching to Zion” – Isaac Watts

KIng David & Mt Zion
KIng David & Mt Zion

Come, we that love the Lord,
and let your joys be known;
join in a song with sweet accord,
join in a song with sweet accord
and thus surround the throne,
and thus surround the throne.

Refrain:
We’re marching to Zion,
beautiful, beautiful Zion;
we’re marching upward to Zion,
the beautiful city of God.
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Please click on audio link – Amy Grant – “We’re Marching to Zion” (Legacy)

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lone piper at sunsetThen let your songs abound,
and every tear be dry;
we’re marching through Emmanuel’s ground,
we’re marching through Emmanuel’s ground,
to fairer worlds on high,
to fairer worlds on high.
(Refrain)

Morning Reading: Isaiah 35.1-10 MSG

Isaiah 35.1-10 MSG

israel_mountain_flowers-500x310Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower — Like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color.

Mountain glories of Lebanon — a gift. Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon — gifts. God’s resplendent glory, fully on display. God awesome, God majestic.

Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. Tell fearful souls, “Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right and redress all wrongs. He’s on his way! He’ll save you!”

Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song. Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert. Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain. Even lowly jackals will have water to drink, and barren grasslands flourish richly.

Israel_Golden GateThere will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road. It’s for God’s people exclusively — impossible to get lost on this road. Not even fools can get lost on it. No lions on this road, no dangerous wild animals — Nothing and no one dangerous or threatening.

Only the redeemed will walk on it. The people God has ransomed will come back on this road. They’ll sing as they make their way home to Zion, unfading halos of joy encircling their heads, Welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night.