"Egypt's Bumbling Brotherhood" : New York Times Op-Ed

          In today's New York Times Op-Ed section, there is an article titled "Egypt's Bumbling Brotherhood", written by Scott Atran. This article's rhetoric effectively erases any misunderstandings about the Muslim Brotherhood's role in Egypt's turmoil. First and foremost, this is the appropriate time and setting--kairos-- to explain this, with all that is happening in Egypt at this time. But the bulk of the article clears up misconceptions about the Muslim Brotherhood, as opposed to talking just about the Egypt situation. Almost everyone in the media is talking about this extremist, terrorist Muslim Brotherhood, who is going to take over Egypt. Even as I write this article and CNN is on my TV in the background, a news analyst just mentioned the feared Muslim Brotherhood. I turn to Fox News, and who else but Glenn Beck is rambling about the "evil" Muslim Brotherhood. The article makes that point that in reality, they are not violent. In reality, they are enemies of al-Qaeda, and are also very ineffective. Yes, they seek to bring back Islamic rule, but the article shows that they are unable to make any moves, and have the support of as little as 10% of the entire population. Throughout the article, Atran makes good use of facts and verbatim to make it clear that the Muslim Brotherhood is really not the threat that the media is making it out to be. It is sad that our news stations are so close-minded to make anything with the words "Muslim", "Islam", or "Koran" evil. And I believe that this article's rhetoric effectively criticizes this, particularly in the current Egypt situation.