EGYPT. ( Egypt’s Blood, America’s Complicity)

1. EGYPT. (Egypt’s Blood, America’s Complicity)

2. Background of the event in Egypt and Amr Darrag In Egypt, June of 2013, mass protests broke out due calling for the resignation of the President (Mohamad Morsi) due to fuel shortages and power outages. The Army threatened to remove the President if the demands of the protesters were not met. On July 3rd, the military overthrew Morsi, dissolved the parliament, and is now, in their words, temporarily in charge of the government. Amr Darrag: Senior member of Muslim Brotherhood and Founder of the FJP. Chairman of party’s foreign relations and Minister of planning and international cooperation within Morsi’s administration. He had to resign due to the coup

3. MOST IMPORTANT VOCAB Mohamad Morsi- Former President of Egypt from June 2012- July 2013. He was a leading member of the Muslim Brotherhood and chairman of the Freedom Justice Party. He was overthrown in a military coup. Gen. Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi- Egyptian General now Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. he is also the Minister of Defense and played a lead role in the military coup. Muslim Brotherhood- A radical Islamic political party. junta- a small group leading a country temporarily. putsch- a plotted revolt or an attempt to overthrow the government. fait accompli- Latin for an accomplished fact extralegal detention- detaining someone beyond the authority of the law. Persian Gulf shiekdom- the ruling system in the Persian Gulf.

4. Other vocab military coup- overthrowing a government, done by the military State Department in Washington- in charge of diplomacy and foreign affairs disavowal- denial of any responsibility of support for something; repudiation pluralistic- a theory that there is more than one basic principle doublespeak- deliberately euphemistic, ambiguous, or obscene language grandstanding- seeking to attract applause or favorable attention from spectators or the media ideology- the body of doctrine, belief, that guides individuals or a group

5. Syntax, Diction, and Tone • Paragraphs 1-3 • Rhetoric Question • Informative tone • Background info, facts • Paragraphs 4-9 • Bitter, upset, a little sarcastic tone • “‘renounce or ‘avoid’” “we were the cause of the crisis” • Use of quotation marks • Paragraphs 10-12 • Informative, matter of fact, bitter tone • First, second, third

6. Syntax, Diction and Tone cont. • Paragraphs 13-18 • Critical and insistent tone • “This cop-out simply won’t due”,“pragmatic necessary” • Shorter sentences stand out • Overall diction: educated, precise • kill, violence, military * No specific thesis that covers all points of the argument

7. PERSONA • Educated • “I represent an alliance of Egyptians who oppose the military coup that overthrew President Mohamad Morsi in July.” • “...has given the junta cover to perpetrate heinous crimes in the name of ‘confronting’ violence.” • Persuasive • “How do you reconcile with people who are prepared to kill you, and how do you stop them from killing again?” • “The reinstatement...is a pragmatic necessity.” • Passionate (about topic) • “We have heard all those promises before.” • “The reinstatement of Mr. Morsi is not about ideology or ego. It is not political grandstanding. It is not a negotiating tactic. It is a pragmatic necessity.”

8. AUDIENCE • Americans and politicians, other westerners • “Diplomats and journalists continue to speak about negotiating only with the Muslim Brotherhood…” • “But Americans need to recognize that every passing day solidifies the perception among Egyptians that American rhetoric on democracy is empty.” • “We are not buying. And America shouldn’t either.” • Egyptians • “Over the last two weeks, we have met with foreign diplomats…” • People who thought the coup was restoring democracy • “Every passing day solidifies the perception… American rhetoric on democracy is empty.”

9. PURPOSE • Inform people of the events occurring in Egypt • “I represent an alliance of Egyptians who oppose the military coup that overthrew President Mohamad Morsi in July.” • Criticize America's’ stance on this issue • “Secretary of State John Kerry’s astonishing remark on Aug. 1 that the coup was “restoring democracy...” • “Through all this, the United States government has pleaded impotence.” • “But Americans need to recognize that every passing day solidifies the perception among Egyptians that American rhetoric on democracy is empty…”

10. ARGUMENT • Morsi is the practical choice for Egypt and if America is indeed believes in democracy, they should help to reinstate him. If America does not help to reinstate him (due to its own views on muslims), then America supports tyranny. • “There is only one way forward in Egypt today.” • “The reinstatement of Mr. Morsi is not about ideology or ego.” • “What the United States ultimately decides to do with its diplomatic relations or foreign aid is President Obama’s decision.” • “The regime we are facing in Egypt is not new.” • “Muslims need not apply”

11. QUESTIONS 1. If you did not know that Amr Darrag was a member of the Freedom and Justice Party, which is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, what would you assume his political affiliation to be? Support with evidence. 2. Referring to paragraph 7, do you agree with Secretary of State John Kerry’s statement about the military coup? 3. Do you believe America should be involved with the politics in places like Egypt? Why or why not?

12. Quote by President Obama during his speech yesterday "What kind of world will we live in if the United States of America sees a dictator brazenly violate international law with poison gas and we choose to look the other way?" Obama said in remarks delivered from the East Room. "Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security, are at stake in Syria, along with our leadership of a world where we seek to ensure that the worst weapons will never be used?” (LA Times)