egypt is just going to hell

Police Beat Crowds Backing Egypt's Judges

President Hosni Mubarak's government dispatched thousands of riot police officers into the center of the city on Thursday to silence demonstrators intent on showing support for judges demanding independence from the president. The police clubbed men and women trying to demonstrate as well as half a dozen journalists.

[some pictures here]

After small steps last year toward greater political freedom, Mr. Mubarak's government stopped when it came to Egypt's nearly 7,000 judges, who have called not only for independence, but also for the right to be the sole monitor of elections. The judges say the system is corrupt at least in part because the justice minister, appointed by the president, oversees the judiciary. Government officials have said the judges have adequate independence and security decisions are made to protect people and property.

Last December, for the first time, the government tolerated protesters chanting anti-Mubarak slogans. But it has shown no tolerance for protesters backing the judges. That has put the United States, which considers Egypt one of its closest allies in the region and gives it nearly $2 billion annually in aid, in an awkward position. But, faced with huge challenges in the region — from Iran to Sudan — the United States has appeared to back off on putting pressure on Egypt over its domestic policies.

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It's of note that, for better or worse, the most organized opposition group in the oppressive political environment is the Muslim Brotherhood, which supports creation of a conservative Islamic government.