Evolution in progress

Egypt’s defense chief warned that political unrest could bring about the “collapse” of the state, increasing pressure on President Mohamed Mursi after almost a week of street battles in which dozens of Egyptians have died. Protesters in the Suez Canal province of Port Said -- one of three areas the president has placed under emergency rule -- vowed a second night of defiance of the overnight curfew. The unrest built on a refusal by Mursi’s secular opponents to join in talks to ease the situation. The conflict between the political forces “and their disagreement on running the country may lead to the collapse of the state,” Defense Minister Abdelfatah Al-Seesi was quoted as saying in a statement posted on the armed forces’ official Facebook page. The political instability and economic challenges “represent a real threat to Egypt’s security.”

Egyptians are like citizens of Fresno, devoid of any useful skills.