How about the fear and terror factor? Hellooooo..... I had a lot of probs with this debate forum but I just fixed it. And you thought I was out of your hair. HA.

I have friends in Egypt, young working professionals, who barely scrape by. Most are motivated to work and earn a life so that they are in a position to support a wife. And they are afraid despite their defiance of Mubarak. They never even heard of the Viva Palestina. What Mubarak did the first time was plaster soldiers all along the route side by side... their job was to make sure the natives stayed indoors and kept their curtains shut. They were not to know anything of this group.

I have older friends in Cairo, a professor and his wife, both doctors, and they just try to keep their noses clean. They are aware of what goes on but do not even wish to discuss it or the Palestinians. That has made me angry enough to exit the home once or twice in the past. They just do what so many do, wear blinders. I have pretty well cut ties with them because such apathy bothers me greatly.

I would imagine what happened to these people on your list is ... some disappeared, some were tortured. Perhaps wives parents or children were threatened. After all, Egypt is one of America's torture centres. This would serve as warning to the rest. I do not think the people themselves have turned on their friends and family, but they also are afraid. Or plain ignorant. Or, in many cases, resigned as I see with some Muslims, "It is the will of Allah".

Come and please tell me if I must take it down. I would like to post this piece with all credits due. There is some good information there that I would like to pass on to my readers et al. If you wish, I will pull it. And
keep up the good work.... I still visit lots to hear your words.