If you don't have it on, turn on Rachel now

[Dennis Donovan]

All sorts of gunfire in Tahrir Sq - Richard Engel reporting live.

[northoftheborder]

1. Yes, this is live now, Engel and Rachael discussing exactly what is going on. Camera with clear view

[Dennis Donovan]

2. They're split-screening between Richard and what appears to be the AJE camera...

...getting more intense by the minute.

[Dennis Donovan]

3. Richard is reporting that gunfire sounds like it's coming from pro-Mubarak people

[grahamhgreen]

122. No doubt. Or the paid-by-Mubarak with our tax dollars people.

[Suich]

4. Frightening.

I'm shaking.

[Dennis Donovan]

6. Imagine being there...

Shit!

[Dennis Donovan]

5. AJE reporting that pro-Mubarak forces firing on protesters

[glinda]

7. Yup. They are armed.

[malaise]

25. But the pro-democracy folks are chasing them out

of the area. They are fearless.

[Dennis Donovan]

37. Power to the people - they are inspiring!

[northoftheborder]

8. One of the most intruiging aspects of this situation....

.... is the position the Egyptian army is taking. If they wanted to, they could turn against Mubarek, perhaps, and stop this whole thing. I would like to know the real story of what is going on behind the scenes. If Mubarek is in charge of the army, why hasn't he ordered them to roust the protestors, instead of the thugs? Who is in charge of the army? Engel saying he thinks things are going to really get bad, and the army will be forced to engage and stop everything. Who knows how this will end.

[Dennis Donovan]

12. It's a tough position for the Army - Mubarak is like their Eisenhower...

...except he went rogue.

[Motown_Johnny]

29. The military issued a statement days ago that they would not fire

at peaceful protesters but would try to contain looting and any lawlessness



poorly paraphrased, I hope I got the jist of it across.

[snappyturtle]

32. Yesterday in his speech, Mubarak said he wouldn't use the police or army

against the people. That's if, I understood correctly. He didn't promise not to use thugs. imho

[grahamhgreen]

123. He must have got the OK from his puppet masters.

[defendandprotect]

106. Interesting comments ....

I'm negative when Brian Williams and an NBC lawyer are covering this --

though, ED is there --

Think military went pretty far in declaring themselves when they wouldn't attack

protesters -- if they go any further, they can't go back. Obviously, they

managed to stonewall Mubarak. But walking a fine line.

We need another 1 or 2 million Egyptian protesters in Tahrir Square -- damn quick!

And it's only 5am --




State: US Government flights out of Egypt "unlikely" after Thursday?

So -- US government knows there's going to be a massacre?

[tabatha]

9. I am SO GLAD Rachel is on MSNBC.

She does this the best.

[Dennis Donovan]

15. Witnesses say women and children in Square amdist gunfire per AJE

[tabatha]

19. Not good.

[virgogal]

118. Only an idiot would bring a child to a demonstration like this. Poor kids.

[Dennis Donovan]

10. Broke for commercial - AJE still live...

[tabatha]

22. Are you watching 2 channels at the same time?

[Dennis Donovan]

33. Rachel on TV and AJE streaming

[AsahinaKimi]

11. Yikes, scarry..

Reporters being beaten, detained, stabbed...and gun fire in the streets. Tank rolling with a smoke screen.

[sufrommich]

13. Wow. That was compelling television. nt

[Dennis Donovan]

17. Worse - it might've been a massacre in front of our eyes...

...in front of the world.

[Dennis Donovan]

24. Engel reporting pro-Mubarak forces chased from the square - only stragglers remain

[annabanana]

14. My guess is that we may have a hand in the Army's reluctance

to weigh in yet. I am hoping that when push comes to shove that they will defend the protesters who have been peacefully out in the street for so long against the armed, coordinated, police-in-mufti pro-Mubarak attackers.

[Cleita]

16. Really great coverage and it's live. n/t

[inna]

18. anyone have any ideas what the tank with smokescreen was all about??

I didn't catch most of the show, but that footage was just striking.

[justiceischeap]

21. To provide cover. You can't shoot people you can't see. nt

[Dennis Donovan]

27. Yep - they did it to let pro-Mubarak forces get out

They're trying to save lives - I don't think it indicates allegiances

[Dennis Donovan]

30. Brian Williams now on camera - the quality of reporting has just dropped dramatically

[lonestarnot]

20. protester just hit by a moltov cocktail. They got him put out. Hope he will be ok.

[bluestateguy]

23. Sometimes I think the media wants another Tiannemen's Square massacre

They seem positively giddy about violence or the potential of violence.

[Dennis Donovan]

26. You're not watching what I'm watching

no giddiness - Engel has lived in Egypt. His shock is palpable as is Rachel's...

[bluestateguy]

28. Engel is a good guy. I'm not talking about him

I'm talking about the pissant anchors and the pretty boys and girls in their comfortable NYC-D.C.studios.

[Dennis Donovan]

31. Brian Williams is on now...

meh...

[Motown_Johnny]

34. Where are all the U.S. made tear gas canisters now that people are dying?

[Gregorian]

35. Breaking- Actual news on American TV.

Yes, it may be difficult to believe, but real news is being broadcast over their commercial air waves.

[justiceischeap]

39. Ha! +100000 nt

[jannyk]

36. Engel also reported that attacks on Journalists were co-ordinated

said the attacks all suddenly occurred around 2pm. Said journalists beaten (one stabbed), equipment smashed and confiscated with some journalists still missing.

[ananda]

38. Gunfire is from pro Mubarak thugs.

One person has been killed and six wounded... so far.

I'm amazed at the courage of the protesters sticking this out.

The tank is once again ejecting smoke, and that seems to be helping.

[Dennis Donovan]

41. AJE reporting this

[ananda]

42. You know what I would like to see.

Thousands of protesters coming in tomorrow and just standing firm.

[Dennis Donovan]

40. AJE reports at least one dead in Tahrir Sq

[Turborama]

43. With all due respect, even if I could get MSNBC I'd stick with AJE

They are doing an amazing job reporting what's going on with multiple sources (reporters and Egyptian protesters) live on the phone.

[Dennis Donovan]

46. Rachel & Richard are doing a bang-up job, so to speak

Brian Williams just said it reminded him of Mad Max. Oy vey...:eyes:

[Turborama]

59. Have they reported on this game changer yet?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=334809&mesg_id=335560

[Dennis Donovan]

62. not yet - i think they're overwhelmed by the micro-situation they're witnessing

[Dennis Donovan]

67. Ed Schultz takes over coverage but staying with the story

[Turborama]

72. That's understandable. They're not used to having to report fast moving international news like this

Due to not having any foreign bureaus.

[tishaLA]

66. they have. they said it a while ago

[inna]

105. it reminded him of Mad Max?? omg.

just heard him say (live?) on Ed's:

they are employing crowd suppression tactics, not aimed at anyone in particular


Oh, really??

[Dennis Donovan]

44. Gunfire seems to have waned

[myrna minx]

45. I can't believe we're seeing this is real time. Engel is an amazing reporter. n/t

[tishaLA]

47. indeed.

he's one of the best

[Dennis Donovan]

52. Engel reporting tear gas smell

[ananda]

53. Rachel is asking fantastic questions too.

They are a great tandem team.

[Dennis Donovan]

Crowd broken into mobs - looking for others of the opposition

all of this happening on a bridge of some sort

on edit - 10/6 bridge

[Dennis Donovan]

48. Someone was just pulled from a vehicle and is being beaten on camera

Jesus... like South Central LA in 1992...Fuck!!

[justiceischeap]

49. They put the driver back in the truck... I hate to see what happens to the truck next. nt

[tishaLA]

51. for once, i think the MSNBC feed is better than the AJE feed

[eleny]

54. Yes, it's extraordinary

[jannyk]

57. Noo hype. No speculation. Just damned good reporting! eom

[malaise]

55. That vehicle was speeding towards

anti-government protesters.

[Dennis Donovan]

60. now it's being pushed towards pro-democracy protesters

[Dappleganger]

50. Have been glued since about 10 minutes into the program.

All 6 of us are watching.

[Dennis Donovan]

56. man back in truck - truck being pushed by others

no idea which side is which

[Parker CA]

58. This does not look like it's going to end well for that person in the truck. Geezus. nt

[ananda]

63. People are getting tired and straggly...

... and the crowd organization and togetherness has been compromised.

Intervention really is needed.

[WolverineDG]

64. I think they set it on fire

:(

I hope not, but the camera just pulled way back & there's smoke around the truck :(

dg

[justiceischeap]

65. Nope, the truck isn't on fire... yet. I fear that's where it's going. nt

[WolverineDG]

74. what's that black stuff around the bottom of it?

I also saw flashes of light underneath a few minutes before I saw what might be smoke :(

I feared this thing would go south once Mubarak refused to step down. :(

dg

[Dennis Donovan]

79. hard to tell - still more gunfire

[Dennis Donovan]

61. more gunfire now - automatic weapons

[eleny]

68. Have they said what building Richard and Brian are reporting from tonight?

[Dennis Donovan]

73. No - probably for their safety

[eleny]

78. Looking at the map and what they're seeing down below it could be the Fairmont or Pharoah's

Do you know if the bridge is the October 6 bridge?

[eleny]

80. I think it's Pharoah's Palace Hotel since it's right across from the museum...

and right near the 6th October Bridge.

[Dennis Donovan]

83. Looks like...

The Hilton - I just confirmed on Google Earth - the view matches up

[eleny]

89. You're right! - The Pharoah is a hostel not a hotel...

So that leaves the Ramses Hilton with the museum right beyond the bridge below them.

Thanks a million, DD.

[Dennis Donovan]

92. It's weird to see the peaceful Cairo in Google Earth against what I'm seeing on TV

[eleny]

Yes, it is

This is also bringing the events of Tienanmen Square being reported by Bernard Shaw on CNN. He just happened to be there when everything unfolded in 1989. I was transfixed.

[Dennis Donovan]

104. Me too - a mix of Tiananmen and south central LA in '92

[Dennis Donovan]

93. State Dept ordering any Americans who want to get out to get to the airport ASAP

[demmiblue]

69. I wish she was doing another hour!

:(

[Dennis Donovan]

70. Me too - this isn't politics - this is news!

[justiceischeap]

71. Yeah, they def should have preempted Ed. Not a fan of his. nt

[jannyk]

81. He's doing ok - letting Engel/Williams do all the talking. eom

[Raine]

82. Why? He's following up where Rachel left off

:shrug:

[proud patriot]

113. perhaps she'll be back

MSNBC would be stupid to sptop the live coverage

[lonestarnot]

75. Engle said animals were rode in and beat down. Lots of innocents will die.

[Dennis Donovan]

76. More heavy gunfire

[texanwitch]

77. I have been watching Al Jazeera online since Friday.

I have so much respect for the brave people standing up to the thugs.

I have combat training and I have been at a protest where the police tried to break it up.

It is scary, I was almost killed by a police horse because I was taking videos.

I am near tears now, so many brave people.

[Dennis Donovan]

84. Schultz is prone to hyperbole - "full blown revolution"

...looks more like a skirmish - an intense one at that

[justiceischeap]

86. Is that sound I hear gunfire, rocks hitting metal or protestors beating metal? nt

[Dennis Donovan]

88. All of the above

[Dennis Donovan]

90. Appears that pro-Mubaraks coming back

[dixiegrrrrl]

111. It is a revolution

A woman in the square on the phone just said the protesters can't just leave and go home:
"If we go home they will hunt us down one by one and kill us"
Safety in numbers, can't go back now, have to continue, etc.

[Webster Green]

119. The skirmish is occurring in the midst of a full blown revolution.

No hyperbole there.

[sufrommich]

85. I wish they would have just left Rachel on. nt

[Dennis Donovan]

87. Americans who want to leave told report to airport immediately

per MSNBC

[Dennis Donovan]

91. AJE reporting 2 dead - my guess there's more given the violence

[Dennis Donovan]

94. Car ablaze on overpass - not the truck aforementioned

[Suich]

99. Read on Twitter that people were firing on the

crowd from rooftops...have you heard that? There seems to be a lot of ambulances coming and going in the square, per CNN.

Here: Witness in #Tahrir says pro-democracy people being shot at from rooftops, several dead. #Egypt #Jan25 6 minutes ago via web

[Dennis Donovan]

102. nothing from MSNBC reports, but they're not at an optimum vantage point...

they're up 10+ storeys

[Dennis Donovan]

95. Engel - latest gunfire seemingly not aimed at crowds

[cal04]

96. Rachel :We'll be live with continuing coverage of Egypt at 11PM Eastern

http://twitter.com/#!/maddow

[Dennis Donovan]

100. I've been all-but-ignoring Twitter for the last 90 mins - thanks for the heads-up!!

:thumbsup:

[cal04]

109. you're very welcome Dennis Donovan

I've been glued to Twitter to find out what's happening

:hi:

[Dennis Donovan]

97. Engel says it appears it's winding down

thank god!

[eleny]

98. Dawn should be breaking soon

[Dennis Donovan]

101. hoping everyone cools down... but I have my doubts

:(

[eleny]

103. Now we'll see if morning prayer prevails

[Dennis Donovan]

107. Sounds like the worst has passed... for tonight

...at least I hope so

[Dennis Donovan]

108. AJE now reporting 4 dead in Tahrir Sq

[Dennis Donovan]

110. Engel says protesters now cut off from reaccessing Tahrir Sq

Mubarak supporters retreated - looks like pro-Democracy wins this round!

[Dennis Donovan]

112. CNN Tweet: Americans should evacuate only after end of curfew this AM

https://twitter.com/#!/cnnbrk/status/33008164441948162

cnnbrk CNN Breaking News
State Dept. clarifies: Americans leaving #Egypt on evac flight should go to airport after end of curfew http://on.cnn.com/ftyMHf

[Dennis Donovan]

114. Rachel's back live

[Dennis Donovan]

115. live shot showing skirmish continues

[krispos42]

116. 11pm EST - Rachel is on live again

I bet it will be a long night for her and the rest of the people at MSNBC. Go Rachel!

[inna]

120. not live - rerun from 2 hours ago

afaik, anyway

[Rhiannon12866]

121. This has got to be live, since it's light out there now...

The previous live hour was shot at night.

[Dennis Donovan]

117. Looks like pro-Mubies throwing Molotovs from overpass onto protesters