Passion runs wild

Breaking news from Egypt has been a growingly mundane affair since people took to the streets en-mass last year and ousted their long standing dictator from power. Almost in celebration of that decisive day they are back on the streets again on the eve of its anniversary to push the military stalwarts from hanging on as well.

To me it seems that sustained belligerency towards authority and/or institutions that are popularly deemed precursors to dominance has resulted in an environment on the edge.

It would appears that time is up any institution that has dominated the Egyptian psyche for a long time; even when that dominance has been merit based.

The latest shocking news from Egypt is that about 74 people were killed and about 1000 others injured at the Egyptian city of Port Said. In itself, this news is no different (nor provocative) from the escalating count in deaths and injuries being reported almost daily from the trouble middle east... except that these deaths and injuries were not reported from Tahir Square or as the aftermath of some street protest against the military; rather a soccer field.

The game was between Al Ahli, one of Egypt's most successful clubs, and Al-Masry, a team based in Port Said. The violence started as Masry fans invaded the soccer field after Al–Ahli won the tie 3-1.

Shameful.

Sustained belligerency towards authority and/or institutions that are popularly deemed precursors to dominance has resulted in an environment on the edge.

Violence becomes a way of life when allowed to go on. Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan and select other countries on the African continent are but just examples of this. Egypt, in my books, has the dubious distinction of making the list as well.