Lebanese Blogger Forum

Letters to Beirut from Friends Worldwide

2010-03-19T21:07:00.006+02:00

To Beirut with Love, is a worldwide cultural project in a format of a huge artistic book or installation made out of your letters and envelops sent to Beirut, World Capital of the Book.
Write or draw something about what you feel, think or imagine about Beirut.

Send it to:
To Beirut with Love
c/o Ginane Bacho
P.O.Box:14-6086
Beirut, Lebanon.

For more information, visit the Facebook Event for the project at:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/ical/event.php?eid=265613452499

إلى بيروت مع الحب ، مشروع ثقافي في جميع أنحاء العالم في شكل كتاب أو تركيب فني ضخم مصنوع من مغلفات رسائل الخاصة بكم و التي ترسلوها إلى بيروت ، عاصمة للكتاب.
للإشتراك الرجاء كتابة أو رسم شيء حول ما تشعر به أو ما تتخيله عندما نفكر في بيروت ، و أرسل إلى:

إلى بيروت مع الحب
# جنان باشو
صندوق. بريد 14-6086 ،
بيروت ، لبنان.

للمزيد من المعلومات، الرجاء زيارة صفحة الحدث للمشروع على فيسبوك عند
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/ical/event.php?eid=265613452499

Beirut is No.1!

2009-02-10T17:35:00.004+02:00

The New York Times has voted Beirut the No.1 place to go in 2009!

In a feature called "The 44 Places to Go in 2009", Beirut was first according to both the NY Times recommendations as well as reader recommendations. "From the Aegean Sea to Zambia, this year’s most compelling destinations are awash in sublime landscapes, cutting-edge art, gala music festivals, and stylish new resorts. To vote for your favorites, click 'recommend'." So make sure you keep Beirut No. 1 by casting your vote!

And make sure to check out the NY Times' Lebanon Travel Guide!

Gaza & the Holocaust: A Comparison

2009-01-17T17:19:00.014+02:00

The Israeli Government has not allowed international journalists into Gaza, despite the Israeli Supreme Court's ruling that they are to be allowed in. Therefore, it is our responsibility to ensure that you see the few images that have made it out of Gaza. The world must see the true face of Israel.

Compare the photos on the left from the Nazi regime to the photos on the right from the Israeli regime in Palestine. You’ll find the pictures in black & white in most American and other western countries history books, encyclopedias, libraries, museums. One, for instance, depicts a young Jewish boy with his hands up while Nazi troops point their guns at him and his family in order to expel them from their homes. They make you sympathize with the victims and support their cause for justice and a homeland. What you won’t find are the pictures in color; the Israelis practice the same tactics…

Despair, Inc.

2008-10-30T17:10:00.001+02:00

(No comment)

Assassinations

2008-09-11T11:24:00.000+03:00

Feb 2005: Ex-PM Rafik Hariri

April 2005: MP Bassel Fleihan

June 2005: Anti-Syria journalist Samir Kassir

June 2005: Ex-Communist leader George Hawi

Dec 2005: Anti-Syria MP Gebran Tueni

Nov 2006: Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel

June 2007: Anti-Syria MP Walid Eido

Sep 2007: Anti-Syria MP Antoine Ghanim

Dec 2007: Army Gen Francois al-Hajj

Jan 2008: Police investigator Wissam Eid

Sep 2008: Pro-Syria MP Saleh Aridi

Provided by BBC

Ahlan wa sahlan

2008-09-11T09:36:00.000+03:00

Hi again, looks like it is back to a pretty solitary experience here at LBF. That's cool in a way. We can revamp a bit and think about ways to improve the site. I had to get some kind of header.jpg up here because it was just too much to see things in such disrepair. So, a minor temporary fix until we can figure out what's next. Hope it's ok.

I initially made LBF to make a platform whereby a community of people could be made where one wasn't. And I have a feeling that good things have come of it even in the short-term. Even if this place just becomes a list of links, a portal to Lebanon, it's also ok. We could also be more ambitious and think of more creative things to accomplish. But inshallah, ....yimkin bookrah ..ha ha :)

I'm on meditteranean time no matter where I am. While I love to accomplish things, sometimes things need to develop organically. And that's what I hope we have here. Real relationships hoisting up digital connections instead of the converse.

Let's have a discussion. Tell me how you want this site to improve and if it's doing exactly what you think it should be doing, then great!

Let's just see :)

Best,
Lim

Chiming in...

2008-06-12T07:20:00.000+03:00

Been a long time. Missed you all.
Tell me about our beloved Leb'naaaaaaan.
I'm horribly out of the loop.

Anyhow, I've been around all my old CDs lately, therefore I've been listening to a lot of Led Zeppelin.

First track on Led Zeppelin III is The Immigrant Song. So, will we continue to migrate or will we finally fix our own house and live in it and prosper?

Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods
Will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying:
Valhalla, I am coming!
On we sweep with threshing oar,
Our only goal will be the western shore.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
How soft your fields so green,
Can whisper tales of gore,
Of how we calmed the tides of war.
We are your overlords.
On we sweep with threshing oar,
Our only goal will be the western shore.
So now youd better stop and rebuild all your ruins,
For peace and trust can win the day
Despite of all your losing.

This Says It All...

2008-05-15T23:10:00.000+03:00

Freedom & Peace To Lebanon

2008-05-11T00:38:00.000+03:00

Absolution

2008-05-10T22:03:00.002+03:00

To every Lebanese fighting another

I absolve myself of you.
I absolve me of the anger
dripping morbidly from turbid eyes;
of the hatred, loud and raucous,
and stupid;
of the ignorance engulfing you
like summer haze:
humid, and sticky, and slowly reeking.
I absolve me of your sins.

I absolve me of your children,
dull and arrogant,
and devoid of hope.
I absolve me of your tongue,
its beautiful words
gone blind.

I absolve me even of myself,
this guilt of being,
this exhaust of writing,
this ball of fury in your throats.
I absolve me even of this,
the need for absolution.

صباح الخير يا بيروت

2008-05-09T12:37:00.000+03:00

قوم فوت نام ..

2008-05-09T04:55:00.001+03:00

قوم فوت نام .. وصير احلم
أنو بلدنا صارت بلد

قوم فوت نام .. هالأيام
حارة بيسكرها ولد

هاي بلد ؟؟ لأ .. مش بلد
هاي قرطة عالم مجموعين
مجموعين ؟؟ .. لأ
مطروحين ؟؟ .. لأ
مضروبين ؟؟ .. لأ
مقسومين
قوم فوت نام .. وصير احلم

قوم فوت نام
كدوش الفرشة يلا قوام
وتغطى وسمك الحرام
وتمسى بنفس الكلام
تابع برامج بالسكام

كلها أغاني عن الوحدة الوطنية
كلها أماني في المسيرات الأمنية
كلها تهاني في صيغتنا اللبنانية

وقوم فوت نام

ماهو تلات ملايين
عالتخمين
هودي اللي جوة البلد
والباقيين مفروطين
كل شوية في بلد

هاي بلد ؟؟ لأ مش بلد
هاي قرطة عالم مجموعين
مجموعين ؟؟.. لأ
مطروحين ؟؟.. لأ
مضروبين ؟؟.. لأ
مقسومين ؟؟.. لأ
قوم فوت نام .. وصير احلم

كلمات و الحان : زياد الرحباني

The Hakawati

2008-05-06T07:14:00.000+03:00

I am very proud and happy to present to you the latest masterpiece by my great friend, the sinfully underrated Rabih Alameddine: The Hakawati.

But don't take my word for it, check out the amazing blurbs it got from the likes of:

Andrew Sean Greer
Amy Tan
Junot Díaz
Jonathan Safran Foer
Aleksandar Hemon

The book also received starred reviews from:

Library Journal
Booklist
Publishers Weekly
Kirkus Reviews

Jailed Saudi blogger in Solitary Confinement

2008-02-25T11:27:00.000+02:00

Seems the Saudi virtue police are done with their female hair chase fixation, now they are on the loose in cyberspace.

What would any country that suppresses the slightest form of freedom of expression and of positive criticism expect?There goes the answer: Suppress civil expression of the educated class, and you get droves of bearded illiterate hair-chasers and uncivil terrorists..

Ah Yes! they already have plenty of those, I wonder why?

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Arabian Business.com by Amy Glass on Sunday, 24 February 2008

Jailed Saudi blogger Fouad Al Farhan is being kept in solitary confinement and subjected to daily questioning, members of his family said on Saturday.

Al Farhan's mother said Saudi authorities allowed her son to briefly telephone his family from Jeddah's Dahban Prison on February 12, his first contact since his father-in-law was allowed a short visit on January 5, reported Saudi daily Arab News.

Despite his on-going imprisonment, Al Farhan told his mother he was "all right, and that he was not being harassed", quoted the newspaper.

His family's requests for further visits have been denied, and it is unclear whether he has received access to legal assistance, Arab News said.

Al Farhan, a popular Saudi blogger, was arrested in Jeddah on December 10, but has not been informed of the charges against him. His detention is believed to be the first arrest of an online critic in the kingdom.

The authorities are believed to be holding Al Farhan for his online criticism of government policies, including detentions without charge and trial of prisoners of conscience.

These criticisms include the government's ongoing detention of nine men arrested in February last year after calling for government reform.

Mansour Al Turki, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said earlier this month that there was no update on the Al-Farhan case other than his previous statement that he was being held for interrogation for violating non-security regulations.

Al-Farhan's blog - Searching for freedom, dignity, justice, equality, shoura and all the rest of lost Islamic values - has posted a letter, allegedly from Al-Farhan, which states he believes he was arrested because he "wrote about political prisoners in Saudi Arabia".

His arrest and imprisonment has sparked the launch of several campaigns and appeals for his release by international and Saudi NGOs, including the Arabic Network for Human Rights, Reporters without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists.

I am Beirut

2008-02-05T23:57:00.000+02:00

This is a slightly sappy, but touching and heartfelt, chain email that came across my way (I took the liberty to edit it a bit before posting it). You might have already seen it. I have no idea who wrote it; but if you do, please share the knowledge.

I used to be a beautiful city… Some people say I'm still as beautiful as I was before... I don't like me anymore… I scare my kids away… I kill my people unintentionally… I starve them to death… I even turn some of their brightest days to a funeral in a split of a second…

Every day I stand there, waving to all these people, mostly young, leaving on these big airplanes… Jealousy kills me, knowing that they will go and enjoy grocery shopping in a street I've never heard of, smiling to a stranger who doesn't even know where their country is… Working hard and becoming successful… I wish they could be here with me, becoming successful with me… I feel helpless without them, thousands and thousands leave, few come back while I sit waiting and waiting and waiting…

A girl came to me the other day, young and beautiful… Wearing that white dress made her look like an angel. Stood at the "Corniche" with a coffee in her hand… She was staring at the sea with words coming out of her eyes

"I miss you Beirut.
I miss your weather, miss your sea breeze.
I miss staring at you at night from my bedroom balcony… when the world is sleeping and there is only you and I miss feeling loved.
I miss belonging to you, miss feeling the security… You don't know how hard it is to wake up every morning wondering if your parents or friends are ok, until you read the news and make few phone calls in case there was an explosion… Try harder Beirut…"

Tears filled my eyes and anger filled my heart… Didn't know what to say to comfort her! My body is heavy and scattered, my land enjoys blood and every now and then one of my veins explodes and many of my innocent kids die… I can't help it... I try...

"I want to come back and live here Beirut, next to my family, next to my dad and brother… I want to raise my kids in Beirut, just the way I was raised… Never knew the difference between a Muslim, a Christian, or a Jew… never heard about terrorism… Want my kids to grow up on discipline, respect, beliefs, freedom… and mostly integrity. What happened to you Beirut? You're no longer the same…

I turned and left, didn't want to hear her anymore… She kept calling me but I never answered... She broke my heart, only because she was telling me the truth! I'm no longer Beirut she once enjoyed when she was 4… They took my magic away…

Ashamed I am… I starve my people to death; I have no shelter for them anymore, no security, no love among each other… I'm in pain, I want to endure more, maybe, maybe someday my people will understand the pain I'm going thru and help me stand instead of walking all over me… I don't blame them; they are hungry and poor…

She left on one of those big airplanes few days later, sad she looked back at me hoping to come back and see me at least in the same condition, but we both knew it was not the case; I screamed and screamed hoping for her to hear me…

I order you to come back… Yes I can't promise you security but I promise you that you and me can make it together, come back and bring all those people who once left… because I miss them, miss their faces and their laughs… Come back and fight for me, clean my body from rotten creatures, change the world for me, help me stand… I can't do it alone.

I'm your city,
I'm your mother,
I'm your child,
I am Beirut.

BREAK THE SILENCE ON GAZA!

2008-01-24T17:45:00.000+02:00

DON'T DELAY! TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!

The years-old blockade of Gaza is at crisis point: with the humanitarian crisis growing, the southern border has been breached and 350,000 Palestinians are pouring across. The situation is out of control--the world must step in. To prevent catastrophe and protect civilians on all sides, your voice is needed urgently: Avaaz is running an emergency global campaign to international, European and Arab leaders, calling on them to stop the siege, oversee open borders and help broker a ceasefire. They’ll deliver the petition when we reach 150,000 signatures - please sign the petition, then spread the word:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_end_the_siege/8.php?cl=50706608

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, the National Council of Arab Americans, Free Palestine Alliance, Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, Palestinian American Women's Association together with Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition, and several other organizations are calling for emergency protests demanding an immediate end to the Israeli blockade and siege of Gaza. Protests will take place on January 25-26 at Israeli embassies, consulates, U.S. federal buildings and other locations. Here is a listing of emergency protests taking place over the world the next few days:

http://al-awda.org/alert-gaza3.html

If you are planning your own protest for Gaza, please write to info@al-awda.org so they can post information about your action on their website:
http://al-awda.org/

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

People of the world watch in horror as the racist state of 'Israel', with the support and encouragement of the US government, engages in a genocidal project to eliminate the indigenous Arab people of Palestine.

The world community has denounced the government of 'Israel' for using its military for the purpose of collectively punishing the civilian population of the Gaza Strip, a clear war crime and violation of the 4th Geneva Conventions. The only power plant in Gaza was shut down today leaving the 1.5 million inhabitants without electricity, water, or any functional medical facilities.

Palestinians continue to endure starvation, aerial bombings, US CIA interventions, and Israeli army brutality. This murderous endeavor has caused the deaths of hundreds of Palestinian civilians and the already fragile economy of Gaza has been decimated.

NO FOOD, NO WATER, NO BREAD!

SPEAK OUT TO DEMAND ONCE AND FOR ALL AN END TO THE SIEGE OF GAZA AND THE OCCUPATION OF ALL OF PALESTINE!

ORGANIZE STREET ACTIONS AND PROTESTS, CALL AND WRITE THE MEDIA AND YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES.

ORGANIZE COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND DELEGATIONS TO RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND EDUCATORS.

DONATE TO HELP THE PEOPLE IN GAZA!

For writing to the media, go to http://newslink.org/ for contact information.

We appeal to all people living in the US: contact your congressional representatives! http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home

If you are on Facebook, we invite you to join the event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=8359587035&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10039277812

For more information, visit:
http://toibillboard.info/gaza_eng.htm

BREAK THE SILENCE ON GAZA! DON'T DELAY! TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!

Yo What up?

2007-12-30T00:00:00.000+02:00

First, my apologies to my brethren inside and outside of Lebanon. I haven't been able to really do any blogging in the past year or so. What is going on? Seems like things have slowed down quite a bit. Any hope of reinvigoration? I would like to hear peoples thoughts on this matter.

Please give some thought to commenting on this post.

Lebanon has always been misunderstood. We are a very diverse bunch with many competing opinions. But there should be an arena online where we may all gather and express those opinions together. Violence or those advocating violence should not be a part of this arena.

Haven't we had enough?

The situation is on a knife's edge in several ways. Although I'm not blogging on it, I'm keeping close attention to what's happening from a distance. I know people are tired. And tired of the status quo. We simply need change and along with change comes fresh faces. I said that from the beginning and I'll say it again now. How can we achieve change that is fair for all parties involved? That, of course, is the question.

But the old status quo is hard to break from, similar to bad habits.
And Lebanon has a bad habit of regression. Not even regression, perhaps it's just stagnancy. As if we're stuck in a feed-back loop of insanity.

I'm not by any means saying Lebanon isn't thriving now. Because there are some bright spots. But we should be doing a lot better than we are now.

We need more cynical optimism.

I always have more to say. I just wish I had more time to say it.
That'll be all for now.

I hope everybody is doing well. I've missed ya.

Who needs a President?

2007-11-27T11:40:00.000+02:00

Call me a fool (not to my face), but I have this strange "free" feeling ever since the Presidential Post moved under the "Help Wanted" section. When Emile Lahoud left the Presidential Palace last Friday, I felt relieved that I lived to see him depart, and proud that regardless of all the traumas and scandals we Lebanese manage to bring on ourselves, and all the dependency and immaturity our political class never fails to display, that while we cannot as a people run our own affairs without hailing the whole world paratroopers and maniacs in, I was proud that we manage to get rid of those in authority eventually, peacefully, but not quietly. What is a 9-year term when it comes to a lifetime president, or to hereditary rule? I even felt a tiny shred of respect for the ex-President. He overstayed his welcome, but at least he walked out, and unlike other Arab rulers, was not hoarded out by an ambulance, a mob, or a funeral procession.

I do not want to act as a judge, so I will not comment if Lahoud has blood on his hands, in his veins, or elsewhere. Eventually, long as it may be, Justice shall prevail to either indict the criminals or to acquit the innocent.

Maybe it is that I am the only person in the country thinking -- drum roll -- do we really need a president? It's time to spurt out the suppressed feelings on authority, and a religiously branded officials in specific. Let me go through some arguments on the media on why we need a Maronite President - hopefully I'll run the same comparison one day when the House Speaker retires and no replacement is found:

1- Symbol of the country: Yeah sure, we have been the butt of half the world political jokes lately, and this is only the beginning. Sudan (home of Darfur, Halayeb, and Southern Sudan crisis) sent a peace envoy. Get it?

2- Preserving the Post for Christians: Huh? Demographically speaking, the Christians should press on a secular state – the sooner the better, and drop the religious confessional thing forever, and that goes to the rest of the Lebanese if they knew what's good for htem. The Christians do not need a post to keep them or to preserve them, and if they JUST cannot live wihtout that representation, they should realistically seek the Prime Minister's Post or the Parliament Speaker post. In reverse, the Druze go unrepresented in the top three posts, but Weam Wahab is the shining star and spokesperson of the opposition, comprising Maronites, Shiias, and Druze. MP Jumblat is one of the most influential figures in the Majority Party.

3- Protect the Christians: Let's quickly run through who invited the Syrians to protect the "Christians?" – Answer: a president. Who appealed for them to stay – Answer: another "two presidents" – Who ran civil conflict in the so called "East Beirut" – Answer: A presidential candidate assigned by another President at the end of his term. The result: half the Christians immigrated. So much for protection, representation, and preserving the symbol of the Republic. The so called "Christian politics" have done more harm to the christian presence in the last 50 years than 2000 years of Christian presence in this land.

Again and again we fall for the political lies, for the sectarian "bo3bo3" (monster), again and again we stand for our Feudal Masters in power - they manipulate us.

Having said that, enough with the religious labeling rubbish, it's time we think of ourselves as citizens, not tribesmen, or else – there won't be anyone of us left to tell where we went wrong – Christian, Muslim, or Monkey worshippers for all I care.

Mapping Fallacies

2007-11-01T19:31:00.000+02:00

This is a letter I wrote to the editors of Now Lebanon in response to their feature titled "Mapping alliances: Where the Arab states stand on Lebanon and Syria":
http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=14910
However, much to my disappointment, it seems that they do not welcome criticism. So I though I'd share my thoughts here:

In discussing Syria, you mention that 'Since the so-called Cedar Revolution of Spring 2005,... Syrian intelligence operatives are believed to have been responsible for the assassination of as many as eight leading anti-Syrian Lebanese figures.' Your use of the passive voice can be quite misleading to the audience, in a sense that it utters what strikes the uninformed reader as the only theory there is, and as objective, in a sense that it is not contaminated by physicality ('this person' or, better, 'I' think this). I think that a minimum of objectivity needs to be payed ode to by stating that there is another theory stating that these assassinations have been conducted by the Israeli intelligence upon American request.

Mind you, I seriously doubt - then again - that you are the least bit concerned with objectivity if you say '[g]eographically, it [as in Saudi Arabia] might also be considered the father of the moderate Arab axis, extending through the Gulf and across most of North Arica - in contrast to the more confrontational Syrian and Iranian axis.' I do not understand by what virtue it is that you deem Saudi Arabia a moderate country; if by lifestyle and internal policy, it is oppressive, unsecular (to say the least), and undemocratic (again, to say the least). If by foreign policy, it is clearly biased to the American axis, and its system is sustained by the US government. It is terribly dangerous to try to equate the 'American' with the 'moderate' and, worse still, I fear that this is exactly what you know you are doing. This applies to the ease with which you described Egypt and Jordan as 'moderate' as well.

What I am most concerned about, though, is your legend and the way you labelled its two extremities as 'Pro-Syria' and 'Pro-Lebanon'. Again, you are making use of a seemingly objective medium as the map in a propaganda all too obviously biased to what is 14th March and not, mind you, to what you called 'Pro-Lebanon'. The current conflict is one between two parties inside Lebanon (March 8th and March 14th), those in turn representing forces outside of Lebanon (the American axis, imperialist and capitalist, and the Iranian axis, anti-imperialist and unsecular), and is by no virtue a conflict between a single unified entity called 'Lebanon' and another called 'Syria'. Again, it is at best simplistic and at worse hypocritical (as in biased but pretending to be objective) to try to equate the 8th March party (yes, a full-fledged Lebanese party, at least as full-fledged Lebanese as the 14th March party) with any country outside of Lebanon (Syria). Likewise, claiming that the 14th March party represents 'Lebanon' denies the latter from almost half of its population (I do not wish to get into the number game now, that is not the least bit my point) or, put worse, disregards the voice of almost half the Lebanese in what pretends to be a democratic system.

Does this remind you of anything?

2007-10-23T02:30:00.000+03:00

A cross-border raid, soldiers killed and captured: Hezbollah-Israel 2006, or PKK-Turkey 2007? And yet, out of great similarities are born great ironies: while the US is now crying out for “restraint”, restraint was the farthest thing on its mind last year. It doesn’t take a great stretch of the imagination to envision what the US reaction would be if Turkey started shelling the Green Zone in Baghdad, and bombarding its bridges. Suffice it to say, I don't think Condi will coolly accept it as “the birth pangs of the Middle East”… As our good old saying goes, “If you have no shame, do as you wish!”

At least that didn't go unnoticed, even in the US:

Another brave man falls...

2007-09-19T18:12:00.000+03:00

MP Antoine Ghanem was just killed.

Of course he is one of 14 March, part of Amine Gemayel’s bloc, who are at the opposit side of Aoun.

Antoine Ghanem was recently called a “kitty” by the glorious General Aoun. I wonder now who is the “kitty”? The brave men and women of the independence movement, threatened by death and assassination on every corner or those who are in league with the assassins, peacefully hiding...

Beirut named “World Book Capital 2009”

2007-09-16T21:40:00.000+03:00

The Director-General of UNESCO announced the nomination of Beirut as the “World Book Capital 2009” at the conclusion of the selection committee meeting which began on 3 July. Held at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters, the meeting brought together representatives of the three main professional associations in the book industry and UNESCO.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/
story.asp?NewsID=23154&Cr=unesco&Cr1=book

Boycott “1000 Places To See Before You Die”!

2007-09-16T19:38:00.000+03:00

It has come to my attention recently that the bestselling book “1000 Places To See Before You Die” (which now has a Travel Channel show based on it) has a gaping omission that is simply shameful and unacceptable. It lists no sites worth seeing in Lebanon, a country that contains 6 of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites; by comparison, for instance, the list includes 10 sites in Israel, a country that contains 6 World Heritage Sites as well (counting the one in Jerusalem as being in Israel, which is disputed still). (You can find the list here, so you don't have to buy the book.) I frankly can’t think of a reason for the glaring discrepancy other than political bias. You’d think a fair and balanced list (not ala Fox News) of 1000 must-see sites would at least include the World Heritage Sites (the total of which is 851 properties “forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value”).

I invite you to write to the editors of both the book and the TV program, post on your blogs, and spread the word that this disgraceful bias is simply unacceptable. We cannot let this shameless slant of American media (which in turn is piped to the rest of the world) to simply continue; it ends up becoming a self-propagating myth and an self-fulfilling prophecy. We may not be able to turn the tide, but we can certainly try to stop it. And there is some momentum gathering in self-respecting institutions to counter this tide (see for example the recent publication by Harvard and University of Chicago professors, Walt and Mearsheimer, of ground-shaking book, The Israel Lobby). So, let's do something about it!

Here is a link to a posting about the same subject matter on the Daily Star forum.

2007-09-14T01:19:00.000+03:00

Missing My Lovely Beirut...

(Manara, Beirut, 2007)

Twenty-five years ago...

2007-08-20T22:00:00.000+03:00

...During the summer of 1982, NPR sent a crew of three to Lebanon to report on the Siege of Beirut. In this reminiscence, the audio engineer for the team reflects on his first foray into covering the news:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12531265

(with audio clips and a slide-show)

Above all else let the election be peaceful!

2007-08-05T00:24:00.001+03:00

In less than eight hours the voting will start. In Beirut, it is only a matter of participation; the higher it is the better it will be for Future Movement and its level of support, their candidate victory is almost certain. The battle lies to the east of Beirut, in Mount Lebanon, In Metn.

In the Metn Amine Gemayel, representing March 14 is fighting a titanic battle against Aoun, who is currently supported and aided by Syria’s allies in Lebanon, like Hezbollah, SSNP and the Baath Party…

In 2005 Aoun won with more than 20000 voice s of difference. This time the battle is much, much closer. Who will win? Is a question that can only be answered tomorrow by this time. Nevertheless, there are two certainties that can be reached tonight.

The first is that the difference between the two candidates will be less than 5% of the votes. The second is the level of tension, polarization and HATE have reached such a level that clashes are a most probable. And if events get out of control, with the army spread thin all over Lebanon, and blood drench the streets the repercussions will be catastrophic…

So in the end, good luck to all candidates, may the best man win and above all else let the election be peaceful…

One Year Later

2007-08-02T17:19:00.000+03:00

Mercy Corps in Lebanon
A Letter From the Field

"Mercy Corps was working to strengthen Lebanese society long before last summer's 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah. But today, during this critical stage in the country's history, our efforts have a new sense of urgency.

On a recent trip to Lebanon, I saw firsthand how Mercy Corps understands that a peaceful Lebanon will be built on the foundation of young, motivated leaders. We've focused much of our work on empowering young people: offering leadership training in Beirut neighborhoods, hosting youth retreats and
sponsoring activities from community cleanups to basketball tournaments.

As we approach the one-year mark of the beginning of Lebanon's recovery, I invite you to read about how Mercy Corps is helping Lebanese youth build a positive future:"
http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/lebanon?source=E136

Joy Portella, Mercy Corps Communications Director

UNICEF also has a photo essay titled "Lebanon, one year later":
http://www.unicef.org/photoessays/40328.html

Electoral Analysis Part II

2007-07-31T15:56:00.000+03:00

Now to the numbers, but before that a brief sum up of the situation: Tensions are sky high in the Metn area. I fear that the elections will be wrought with violence and increased divisions between the two main factions (especially on the Christian side)

Meanwhile the army had to reinforce its deployment in the Metn and Beirut to enforce order, so between the North and South deployment and the border patrols with Syria the army is spread very, very thin.

The numbers: I collected these numbers from several sources, and are mostly based on the 2005 election and my own analysis. One of my main sources is Abdo Saad, a political analyst specialized in electoral statistics, but who heavily leans toward Aoun and his allies, and writes in the Al-Akhbar newspaper, which is backed by Hezblollah,. (Check out his articles on the elections here and here).

The main forces:

Kateb (the Phanlages) and their allies (14 March, LF…); Aoun and his supporters ( Baath party and SSNP both syria’s allies. I never thought I would ever say that Aoun is the ally of these two parties that have specialized in following Syria’s orders and killing Lebanese …); The Tachnak ( an Armenian party); and Michel Murr

The numbers:

31000 for the Kateb and their allies

30000 for Aoun and his allies

7000 Tachnak

13000 for Murr

Most analysts agree that Aoun lost some of his support among Christians, putting a number to that loss is pretty difficult. But I feel that one can project a loss of 10% to 20%, and that is for his whole bloc, which includes his core base of support plus many independent and 14 March leaner who choose Aoun, in the last election, as a response for Joumblatt’s alliance with Hezbollah in 2005.Therefore, I will go for a 15% drop in Aoun’s support. And I will add 15% to the 14 March coalitions, especially that the former President Amine Gemayel has more notoriety and support, compared to his son in 2005.

The Armenians are calling to support Aoun, and their mobilization is traditionally high. Even though there are no Armenian candidates running for the seat, and there are many talks of internal disagreement in the Tachnak party, I will consider their support undiminished.

Finally, the Murr bloc. Michel Murr has reluctantly supported Aoun for the upcoming election, and an estimated one fifth (some claim is goes as high as 1/3) of his bloc leans for the Kateb or are indeed ex-Kateb or ex-LF (Geagea supporters) so I will go for a 20% (1/5) drop in his popularity.

Here I must take in account the long alliance shared between Murr and the Kateab that goes back to the 70’s and Murr reluctance in supporting Aoun, especially that he was the one who convinced General Aoun to leave a seat for the son of Amine Gemayel, who assassination a few months ago resulted in this partial election. Therefore, I reckon that he will not fully mobilize his voters and may, and I stress MAY, indirectly support Amine Gemayel. But I will leave these speculations out of my number crunching.

So the final numbers become like this:

35650 +2800(from Murr) for the Kateb and their allies

25500 for Aoun and his allies

7000 Tachnak

11200 for Murr

Total for Amin Gemayel: 38400

Total for Aoun: 43500

The difference is 4900, out of 83500 voters, which translate into a mere 5% difference. In comparison, in 2005 the difference was 28000 or 34%.

So in conclusion, the election will be very, very close. And any further drop of Aoun support or lack of mobilization in Aoun Armenian support, or if (and this is the most probable outcome) Murr chooses to stand by the sideline or refuse to muster all his support, will result in a victory for Amine Gemayel.

Electoral analysis, Part I

2007-07-26T17:38:00.000+03:00

Sunday the 5^th of august a partial parliamentary election will be held in Beirut and in the Metn district of Mount Lebanon. In a series of upcoming article I will try to offer an in depth analysis of these election and my preliminary predictions.

In the first article I will offer a brief overview of the situation and possible consequence of the electoral battle of the Metn. In the second part I will draw out an in-depth analysis of electoral forces and their orientations in the same district, and then moving on to a similar exercise of the election in Beirut’s second district in the third article.

The electoral race in the Metn will be a titanic struggle between former President Amin Gemayel, the father of the assassinated MP pierre Gemayel, who previously held the seat, and General Aoun, represented by Dr. Kamil Khoury.

This partial election will be an important milestone in the current political crisis in Lebanon. In short, if Aoun’s candidate wins, the General will cement his position as the sole Christian leader in Lebanon and will favorably affect his chance to become the next President, totally annihilating Amin Gemyal and his party’s –the Phalanges-political base and weight.

Meanwhile, if Amin Gemayel wins, this will signal the start of the disintegration of Aoun’s political influence and clout, and the emergence of an alternative Christian leadership, formed by a coalition of the Lebanese Forces (headed by Samir Geagea) the Phalanges (headed by Amin Gemayel and several other Chritian leaderships).

Therefore, the stakes are high, very high. And the battle has an ominous feel about it, that is why several analysts point out that a compromise may be reached and Aoun will withdraw his candidate, leaving the seat for Amin Gemayel.

If this happens, it will be considered a victory for the former President or at least a setback for Aoun. Additionally, the FPM (Free Patriotic Movement- Aoun’s party) base will be severely disenchanted (check out the current mood and expectation of the FPM base on their forums)

Continued in Part II

The Morning Of Lebanon

2007-07-15T15:00:00.000+03:00

تـنذكر ما تنعاد

2007-07-12T23:25:00.000+03:00

Interesting National Public Radio segments about the one-year anniversary of the start of last summer's war...

Fresh Air:
"Timor Goksel on Lebanon After Last Summer's War"
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11909702

Talk of the Nation:
"The Israeli-Hezbollah Conflict, One Year Later"
featuring Rami Khouri & Hirsh Goodman
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11921065

Day to Day:
"Expert Looks at Aftermath of War in Lebanon"
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11949694

جزيرة الحلوم

2007-07-04T10:11:00.000+03:00

هي المرة الرابعة التي أملئ فيها طلب الهجرة، وأحزم أمري، ثم أرمي بالأوراق في سلة المهملات. هي المرة الرابعة بعد المئة التي أسأل فيها نفسي إن كان البقاء خيار أم فرض، وإن كان في البقاء صموداً أم أن في الهروب صمود، والسؤال يبقى، إلى أين؟ لقد زرت البلاد كلها، ولم أجد منزلاً غير منزلي، فما الحل؟ كندا، جميلة وهادئة، باردة، خضراء ومثلجة، ولكنها بعيدة عن لبنان. أميركا، صاخبة وغنية، وفيها كل أصدقائي، ولكنها.. بعيدة عن لبنان.. أوستراليا.. جنة الشمس والمحيط والطبيعة العذراء المترامية.. ولكنها بعيدة عن لبنان.. البرازيل.. بعيدة بعيدة بعيدة.. ولكن.. أليس لبنان بعيد عن لبنان؟ أما من حجة إلا البعد؟

الرومانسية داء لا دواء له.. الرومانسية كجرح الحديد الصدئ لا تزول.. أما الغد فضباب.. أخاف الأمل خشية أن أصاب بخيبة الأمل! ما أصعب الإنتظار.. ما أصعب القرار، والأصعب منه، اللا قرار. وما الأصعب، الألم أم الندم؟ والجواب؟ قبرص.. نعم قبرص.. جزيرة الحلوم والشطآن والحمير البيضاء.. لأن قمرها قمرنا، ولأن بحرها بحرنا، ولأن شتاءها مطرنا! إن تضيعوني تجدوني على الشاطئ في لارنكا أرنو نحو الشرق..

أن تغادر الوطن لا يعني أنه سيغادرك..فربما أصنع من طلبات الهجرة مركباً من ورق ومن نسغ أحلام ذائبة، وأخاف من الغد لأنه قد يكون اليوم الآخير

NBN: They managed to get some audience, finally!

2007-06-15T10:16:00.000+03:00

I think you all knew about what happened on the National Broadcasting Network (NBN) or even Nabih Berry Network. Follow the link for more information. I think the decision of the channel was to fire the Reporter. Personnally, I'm going to lobby against this decision, because if I were the manager of this channel, I would keep her and even promote her since she has managed, for the first time since this channel started to broadcast its nonsense, to attract some audience. So please, Mr. Berry, for the sake of your channel, keep her, because she made your channel transparent and showed what you really are, for the first time in the history of your channel.

In Living Memory of Samir Kassir &Others: Justice

2007-06-01T12:30:00.000+03:00

Maybe it's fate, or perhaps it's pure coincidence. A UN International Tribunal for the crimes committed in Lebanon, and the assasination, or attempted assasination of Lebanon's great Men and Women - two years after the assasination of Kassir.

The criminals did not suffice with Politicians, they went out of their way to kill journalists. They did not suffice with killing hope with President Hariri, they wanted to kill conscience, moderation, and free speech with Kassir, Fleihan, Hawi, Hmadhen, Chediack, Murr, Tueni, Jmayel, and perhaps more to come on their bloody list.... A long list of martyrs, and a longer way to go. Still, the day of Justice shall arrive, and Justice shall prevail. If in doubt, where is Saddam Hussein, Milosovitch, and Moboto Sisiko? The Rulers who killed thousands ended up in a cell like common criminals.

Two years on the assasination of Samir Kassir, in his memory, and on the eve of the International Tribunal, we bow in respect, and in pray for power to keep our minds free, and our priorities straight.

Courtesy of Wikipedia:Samir Kassir (سمير قصير in Arabic) (May 5, 1960 – June 2, 2005) was a university professor, journalist and historian born to a Lebanese Palestinian father and a Syrian mother. He held both Lebanese and French nationality. A prominent left-wing activist, he was a strong advocate of freedom for the Palestinians, democracy in Lebanon and Syria and a vocal critic of the Syrian presence in Lebanon. He was assassinated on 2 June 2005 and his assailants remain unknown.

Spanish project about the situation in Lebanon

2007-05-21T15:34:00.000+03:00

I know this post may come as obtuse given the current situation, but is perhaps ever more urgent because of it; so please bear with me.

Márgenes Editorial is a group of young people working on a project for a Masters in Book Publishing in Spain, and they have selected as their main title a book about the situation in Lebanon. They are looking for poems and other short written expressions that reflect feelings, situations, whatever you witnessed or felt during the conflict. The texts will accompany drawings by Mazen Kerbaj.

For more details, please check out their website: http://margenes.wordpress.com/

Explosion in Achrafieh

2007-05-21T03:59:00.000+03:00

I was sitting on the couch watching TV when an unmistakable, all-too-familiar earsplitting crack shook through the apartment. I ran out to the balcony, where I saw black smoke and spits of flame coming up from around Mar Mitr. Too impatient to wait for the news, I grabbed a sweater and ran down with some friends to see what was going on -- and most importantly, where the bombing had struck.

A brief recap for anyone who somehow doesn't know yet: the bomb, estimated at around 15 kg, was placed under a car in a residential parking lot next to the ABC mall garage and the Zahrat al Ehsan school. The car seems to have been parked directly next to ABC.

So far, one woman is confirmed dead in an apartment building next to the lot. There's a lot of damage, but none seems too major, thankfully. Glass everywhere, doors, windows and shutters blown off nearby buildings, etc. Part of one of our doors was blasted off, but otherwise no damage here.

I'm really too tired to have much to say right now, but I did take some pictures down at the scene, which I posted on my blog:

http://chercheusedor.blogspot.com/2007/05/photos-from-todays-explosion-in.html

Such a long day. I just hope things are going to quiet down, not heat up even more.

A Northern Tail

2007-05-20T13:04:00.000+03:00

I am fed up! Surrounded by an enemy for a southern neighbor, and a pest of brotherhood on our northern and eastern border, we just needed creepy guests in the Palestinian Camps to make our life perfect! Fat7 El-Islam my foot. A collection of moron sociopaths - nothing less; a collection bank looters and highway robbers, Thelma and Louise were better gangsters!!

Have they run out of enemies in the IDF so that they start killing the Lebanese Army personnel? I heard on Jazeera there spokesman (sic) claiming he wants to defend the “Ahl el Sunna” in Lebanon. More self-appointed saviors for those who do not need saving. Who’s next? The Simpsons?

Bearded Ma Bakers! Islam does not need you. Sunnis do not need you, and God knows, God does not need you. Palestine is Southwards, Nahr El Barid is 150KM far off your destination. March away, and watch that you do not trip with your tails.

TL handles unrest very well

2007-05-20T10:51:00.000+03:00

So the Lebanese Army is battling with some fundamental Islamic faction in the North, after ISF forces, with the support of the Army, tried to arrest the suspects in an Amyoun bank robbery.

Meanwhile, Tele Liban is re-airing (in Black & White, needless to say) a Fariuz concert in Beit El Dein!

"W ya jabal el sheikh..." never heard that song before.

UPDATE: just in... "شلح زنبق أنا، اكسرني على ثرى بلادي"

Are we Arabs?

2007-05-18T13:05:00.000+03:00

Last day i was asked to join a facebook group called "We Are Not Arabs" I did not know whether to join it or not!
So the natural question would be: Are Lebanese Arabs or Not?

Your opinion is of high importance!

Thank you

The Facebook Revolution

2007-04-29T04:46:00.000+03:00

Roses Mania

2007-04-23T11:58:00.001+03:00

Roses Mania

( وين الامان؟ ( إلى ريما

2007-04-22T19:19:00.000+03:00

... الى روح ريما سماحة

يا ريما الحب
يا بسمة الزمان
يا طفل غفيان
...يا حلم نعسان
وين الامان؟
وين الامان؟

الفرح زعلان
و الوطن تعبان
...والغربة ما بتعرف حنان
وين الامان؟
وين الامان؟

الصيف بردان
و العمر هربان
... و الموت جبان
وين الامان؟
وين الامان؟

يا ريما الحب
يا ملاك الحنان
رح يشتقلك نيسان
... رح يشتقلك لبنان
وين الامان؟
وين الامان؟

(http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=616&articleId=1678&ChannelId=13411)

Join Us, Support DownTown, Support "The White Day"

2007-04-15T23:11:00.000+03:00

The WHITE DAY is a gathering for all the owners, staff and customers of the places in Down Town !

This EVENT is open to all of you out there who missed working, drinking, eating, enjoying music, dancing, have fun & scream WHO REALLY MISSED DOWN TOWN and want want it BACK!

So what are you waiting for? Wear somehing white and join us!

For More info, please check out the link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=2355826177

Different

2007-04-14T18:37:00.000+03:00

Different thinkings...
Different sizes…
Different colors…
Different personalities…
Different origins…
Yet we are all the same… just stones…
Yes! We are just small stones expulsed by the sea on life's shore…
All our actions and future is just dependant on the sea movements…
What we are thinking as success, is up to how much we hide or destroy smaller ones…
Yet, no one chooses his color or size… no one chooses to be on the right or on the left…
While we don’t stop judging others with our small stony heads…

Do you think you are a big one?!
Don’t forget that a small wave can transform you into sand…

Just Imagine...

2007-04-10T19:16:00.000+03:00

Close your eyes...
Imagine yourself walking down a road....
A dark empty road...
You have no idea where you are, your cell phone battery died out, and nothing seems familiar...

Your heart beats are getting faster and stronger, as you are walking in the middle of no where...
You have no idea what to do, and you're trying your best to stay calm...

You have this weird feeling that someone is following you....
You keep turning around every now and then, and you can't help but to feel worried...
You try to walk faster, hoping your fear would fade away...
But you're still hearing the steps behind you...

Now you are really afraid, and you feel you're totally helpless...
At the corner, you see people standing...
You finally feel a little bit relieved...
You run towards them and ask them for help...

As you approach them, they start beating you up!
You keep screaming and asking for help...but your helpless shouts are fading in the nights...
And all you can hear is their laughter getting louder and louder...

They are raping you, one at a time, with no mercy...
You are being called with the worst names you can ever imagine...
You're still fighting back...but you're loosing hope...
And before you know it, you pass out

One hour later...You woke up...half naked...full of bruises... full of fear...
You stand up, and try to run away... you run as much as you can...
Finally, you manage to get out of there...

You think the nightmare is over, but you are wrong, it has just begun...
People are blaming you now!
"What were you doing there?" "Why where you there alone?"
"It's your fault!" "What have you done to them to do this to you?"

And no matter what you say, it has become your fault! And you are to blame...
It's just the beginning, to a very long endless nightmare...

Now open your eyes, How do you feel....? What are you thinking....?

This story was inspired by a friend of mine, who suffered from sexual harassment. This is only the tip of the ice berg!

To all you reading this, if you ever suffered, or you know some one who had suffered from sexual harassment, please don't hesitate to e-mail me your experience, How did you feel then, what did you do about, and how is it affecting you now...

Let's make the whole world listen! The worst thing to do is NOT to talk about it. We should talk, and we should point out, so that others won't have to suffer like lots of us had suffered before.

This is an open invitation, and I hope to see your stories in the near future, and I'll make sure to post them on my blog (failasoof.blogspot.com). The idea is to bring awareness to this horrible behavior, that has been rising dramatically in the Arab World, and all what we are doing to just shut up and hide in shame......

My E-mail: fmailto:failasoof_basha@hotmail.com

Knut

2007-04-08T15:14:00.000+03:00

He's just incredible!

Knut

Wages in Lebanon

2007-03-28T14:52:00.001+03:00

Fellow bloggers,

Recently i have been giving the salary issue a lot of thoughts, and i couldn't really determine what is the optimal salary for someone living in Lebanon and working on full time basis (someone with proper educational level ofcourse)! I would really appreciate it if you could provide me with numbers and opinions.

And in order to compare with other countries, i would like to know from bloggers living outside Lebanon, what would be the optimal salary which convince them to get back here (assuming it's only a matter of salary, and holding everything else constant)!

They Need your Support

2007-03-23T12:32:00.000+02:00

Mad TV (IRack)

2007-03-18T23:50:00.000+02:00

Funny one...

Another setback for the spin masters!

2007-03-16T23:16:00.000+02:00

After the previous International Investigation Committee in the assassination of PM Rafik Hariri was published, Hezbollah's media team picked up a small point and spin it out of proportion to a point that it became a ready and easy answer used by any 8^th march politicians when asked about the tribunal and the investigation.

The Judge responsible of the investigation, Bramertz, stated in his previous report that ten countries were not helping the investigation. Hezbollah and its allies started fabricating stories claiming that the countries were France, the US and Saudi Arabia and absolved Syria of any blame , based on the fact that Bramertz said that the Syrian Republic was cooperating, accusing instead the ten unnamed countries (which the spin masters named nevertheless) and of course their perpetual culprit: Israel.

The issue grew so much out of proportion that any discussion of the tribunal usually brought it up, accusing the 14 March of being biased against Syria, and wonders of all wonders, accusing them of being AGAINST finding those behind the assassination.

Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately for the 8^th of March forces, Bramertz explained, yesterday in in section 102 of his latest report, that:

"in its last report the commission noted that responses to requests from 10 member states were overdue. in view of the importance of the assistance requested and the time frame in which it aims to complete its investigation activities, the commission concentrated on following up all outstanding RFAs [request for assistance]. The commission held a series of meetings with relevant Ambassadors to discuss past requests . As a result of these meetings, almost all outstanding matters were resovled to the commission's satisfaction, with responses received and where appropriate, mechanisms introduced to facilitate the resolution of pending issues."

It seems that the web of lies that the spin masters of March 8 have been carefully building, for the last months is starting to crumble. first with apprehending the Syrians perpetrators of the Ain Alq terrorists attacks, which reinforce the blame against Syria in all the other crimes, and now with the debunking of their favorite response to the international tribunal.

I wonder what they will come out with next!!

Samir Kassir Memory...A Celebration of Life

2007-03-15T22:38:00.000+02:00

It was the spirit of Samir all over the place. The organizers made sure to celebrate "life" and NOT mourn. No political speeches, and no accusation here and there, just a simple celebration to what Samir Kassir loved until his very last breath.... life and youth.

New youth bands played their music, and sent a message to the soul of Kassir, and his wife Mrs. J. Khory was smiling with everyone, only to prove that March 14th is a celebration of the spirit of Liban, the spirit of Samir Kassir, in its best forms.

I was lucky to meet Kassir when he came to UOB two years ago. In that famous seminar, the smile never left his face, even when some students were attacking his political views, and even tried to nail from his integrity. But in his unique style, he was able to capture the hearts of everyone who attended back then, and was able to prove that our rich is in our diversity.

Taken at UOB April 19th,2005

May your soul rest in peace, we miss all the time, and specially when we start hesitating, and wondering if we should stop and give up. That's when we realize that we can't stop, and we can't give up.....

Pictures taken from: www.albaladonline.com

Barouk National Reserve

2007-03-09T21:28:00.000+02:00

ملاعب لبنان

2007-03-06T12:10:00.000+02:00

قصّتنا مع الساحات والمراجل قديمةٌ جدّاً… وساحة ميس الرّيم في هذا المقطع أكبر شاهدٍ على طريقة تفكيرنا الساذجة، وتصرّفاتنا الإنفعاية، وحبّنا للردّ على الردّ… ودوماً الحقّ على طرفٍ ثالث…
زيّون في هذه السرحية هي بنت البلد… وأمّا زيّون أيّامنا ترى ولا تُرى… قد تكون بنت البلد، وقد تكون بنت بلدٍ آخر… لكنّ المشكلة الحقيقية تكمن فينا، فإن ابتعد عنّا اللاعبون نركض وراءهم، وإن غبنا عن بالهم نرسل لهم المراسيل قائلين:” الظروف السابقة لم تكن جيّدة، لكنّنا حسّناها كي تحسّوا بالأمان والراحة عندما تلعبوا بنا… نحن بلدٌ مضياف، فأهلاً وسهلاً بالجميع”… مع تنبيه: “الرجاء الحجز في بيوت السياسيين، لأنّ الفنادق متوقّفة عن العمل نظراً للظروف الأمنيّة”…

To see the video click on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98bk0ErTC74

أحبّك يا أرضي

2007-02-28T11:44:00.000+02:00

في الصباح أقوم فأذري حفنةً من ترابك في الهواء… وأتنشّق عبيرك…
في الظهيرة أتفيّأ في ظلال أشجارك… وأتغذى هواءك…
عند الغروب أسدل رجليّ على تلالك… وأقبّل شمسك…
وعند المساء أمدّد جسدي على جسدك… فأتّحد بكيانك…
نعم! هكذا في كلّ يومٍ أجبلك بعرق جبيني، فتكبري وتزهري وتثمري…

With hindsight

2007-02-27T18:08:00.000+02:00

On the 23rd of January 2007 and then two days after that Lebanon almost slid into civil war. What initiated these dangerous events was the opposition’s general strike. Many voiced their bafflement on why a “simple protest and road closure” that got a bit out of hand had such disastrous consequences.

The answer is very simple if one looks at those events with hindsight, taking in the whole picture. On that fateful day the opposition tried to rob the Lebanese of their most sacred right: their free will in expressing and acting upon their political views and believes!

Let me elaborate, a couple of days before Tuesday 23 of January the general strike was announced and –this is crucial in understanding those events- it was portrayed as a measure of the popular support that the opposition can muster.

The 14 March coalition responded by a general call to consider Tuesday a normal working day and encouraged all its supporters to make an extra effort to show that Lebanon was a country for life, work and prosperity not for strikes, paralysis and death!

In short it was a political vote of confidence; if you went to work you were siding with 14 March while staying home was a declaration of your support of Hezbollah and its allies.

Personally I promised myself to go to work, as a political statement to express my support for 14 March.

The next day the opposition closed most businesses and most importantly most roads by force, by intimidation, by burning tires and by mounting barricades of dirt and rubble –ironically brought form the building destroyed by the Israeli in the last war- on most main roads, effectively paralyzing Beirut.

Hezbollah robbed the Lebanese, those supporting it and those against it, of their ability to freely express their political choice, their freedom of expression. On that day the Lebanese people could not CHOOSE whether to go to work and support 14 March or stay home and support the opposition, they were FORCED to stay home!!

Hezbollah’s actions were similar to stopping citizens from going to voting booth on Election Day, these actions were not only anti-democratic and terrible dangerous, these actions verged on tyranny, robbing people of their free will in expressing and acting upon their political views and believes! And for me no crime is greater than that!

The road took me three hours instead of 40 minutes, but at the end I arrived to my office, proving first to myself and to all those who tried to force a choice upon me, that my free political will is and shall always remain FREE!

A Lost Summer: Postcards from Lebanon

2007-02-23T20:45:00.000+02:00

During this summer war, many people wrote their thoughts and feelings and sent them to friends and family via emails, blogs, and text messages. After several months of work, a group of individuals (mainly members of a London-based organization named Lebanon United) have been able to compile a collection of quotations from these writings with the aim of capturing the essence of that time. The writings come from Lebanese and non-Lebanese, and were paired (in the form of postcards) with personal photographs that individuals had taken, making this book one for the people by the people.

A sample of this book, which has been called "A Lost Summer: Postcards from Lebanon", can be viewed with this link. For those interested in buying a copy, or if you would like more information, please contact me at lettersapart@gmail.com, and your message will be forwarded to the proper contacts.

Because of a wonderful sponsor that covered the printing costs, every dollar (or pound or lira) you spend on this will be donated in support of Lebanon.

- L.

Cold Civil War

2007-02-22T13:48:00.000+02:00

Every once in a while someone comes along and coins a memorable term that captures the essence of a crisis. Yesterday, Amin Gemayel gave us "Cold Civil War".

A cold civil war is exactly what is happening in Lebanon today. It is mostly felt in "mixed" environments.

In offices, for example, you can't avoid the sense of "otherness" emanating from the person sitting in the next cubicle. In gatherings, family or otherwise, entire conversations change if someone in the crowd is from the other camp. A rich lexicon of euphemisms has flourished, where you say "Southerner" when what you really mean to say is "Shiaa" and by extension "Northerner" replaces "Sunni".

"Those Syrian Iranian Scumbags" change into "The Opposition" and "Those Zionist American Traitors" become "The Pro-Government loyalists". Among Christians, "Those Aounist Traitors" and "Those War mongering LF Militias" both magically transform into "Our brothers in the other camp".

The fact is: We can't stand each other. We try to hide it but we secretly wish the other never existed.We can't have a real civil war because memories of the previous one are still too vivid. But at the same time, our aspirations, goals and objectives are just too conflicting.

We won't fight each other. We won't make nice. We're stuck at the brink of "mutually assured destruction". It is indeed a cold war. A Cold Civil war.

(This article originally appeared in The Beirut Spring)

Advertisement by Ziad

2007-02-22T11:18:00.000+02:00

A friend of mine created a website, 2emmak (Your Mother), to host the latest (is this the first?) ad starred by Ziad Rahbani. The advertisement is for Optimum, Health Insurance Plan. I tried to "borrow" the video and embed it in a blog post, but the task was too time consuming. Hence, I will just provide you the link.

Since the advertisement is in Arabic, I did a quick English translation for the non-Arabic speakers.

Man: [But] this is a humanitarian job.

Ziad: No brother, it is true.

Take for example the medical doctor, with all my respect to him, but what does he wish you? To stay like a tiger? No, he wants to work as well.

And the hospital... Does the hospital wish to stay open day and night and people are running around it like horses?

You see? So, if you put your mother aside, at the end of the day, it is only the insurance people who wish you every good and that no harm, whatsoever, touch you.

What can I do!? But this is the truth.

The Shift

2007-02-20T11:57:00.000+02:00

A good friend of mine sent me this article and asked me if i can share it with you. Here it is:

Let me introduce myself: A former Aounist. Between brackets, the commonest joke around the street these days is "Q: what do you call a neutral Lebanese? A: a former Aounist"!! What makes this joke eerily black is the fact that it is sadly true. For the tenacious-dare I say- few who remain devoted Aounists and who look at us, their former brothers of the cause, in disdain I write this piece. May it help you in understanding the shift in "our" thinking.

I am not, nor will I ever be a political analysist. Whoever might critique my piece by pointing out to this fact, I tell you from the start: You are right, I am not a political prodigy. But do I have to be? I am a citizen of this country who once believed that the Syrian "presence" is wrong and found in the figure of Michel Aoun the embodiment of this idea. The Syrians left, Aoun came back. Although on the surface, he seemed to have become more than a sympathizer of the Syrian regime, I and many Aounists refused and still do refuse to believe that someone who spent 15 years of exile would suddenly become a staunch supporter of those who exiled him. No, this is not why I am no more a Aounist; nor are the general's alliances the cause for that shift. What makes me question my former stand is the general's amazing ability to focus on one goal and march to accomplish it without blinking, without caring for the disastrous consequences. Yes, the current government may have made many mistakes; yes the current government may not be representative of all the Lebanese, and yes the current government might have all the flaws that one can think of. But does this justify camping in the capital's heart for long days and nights thus putting numerous businesses and hundreds of employees out of work? Does this justify blocking roads, burning tires, and preventing people from moving freely? Does this justify the arrogant, hatred-fueling television talks? And most importantly, does this justify playing a role in bringing the country to the verge on an explosive civil war? Aren't there any other civilized ways to ask for changes?

The above questions are, I believe, legitimate. As a Lebanese citizen, I have the right to hear answers. As a Lebanese citizen who witnessed an atrocious and completely meaningless civil war, I have the right to ask that it never gets repeated. No matter what the reasons are, no matter how right the demands are, Aoun and others do not have the right to jeopardize the country's already shaken status quo. As a Lebanese citizen, I have the right to ask for no more hatred, no more years wasted in futile wars.

The Lost Valentine

2007-02-19T09:46:00.000+02:00

I would spread the cloths under your feet;

But I, being poor, have only my dreams;

I have spread my dreams under your feet;

Tread softly, because you tread on my dreams.

I simply love this verse...I cannot think of any other lines that better express my deepest thoughts about the question one so often searches for the answers to: 'what is love?'I first came across these lines in a book called "The Charmed Circle", whenI was all of 14 years old... To my young and (as yet) unimpressioned mind, it spoke of a love so deep, so earnest and so 'giving' that it stayed with me through the years in the quiet recesses of my mind, echoing gentle reminders in soft undertones... "Tread softly because you tread on mydreams"...The years may have flown by since then and my impressions of love washed in the many colours of experience... but the spirit of this verse remains.

حرب السارقين

2007-02-17T20:26:00.000+02:00

اجتمعوا في الخفاء، رسموا الخطة والطريق… تواعدوا على الكتمان، فلم يعرف إنسانٌ واحدٌ بما هم مزمعون على فعله… لم يكن ليتصوّر مخلوقٌ بشري مدى خبثهم… ففي حين كان البشر يحتضرون، آخر ما كان ينقصهم أن يسرق أحدهم ما تبقى لهم للحياة بعزّة…
وكالعادة المريرة، نجى كلّ منهم بفعلته، لأنّ الشعب البسيط لم يعتقد يوماً أنّ الخيانة قد تكون من أهل البيت… ولأن القوانين في الغاب مفقودة، لم يسلك الأبطال زواريباً لنقل كنوزنا، بل جالوا علناً…
مصيبة الإنسان، أنّه لا يعرف قيمة الشيء إلا عندما يفقده… وما سرقه هؤلاء، كان أمام ناظرنا في كلّ يوم ولم نعرف به…
سرقوا جنى أجدادنا، وباعوه ما وراء الحدود بأبخس الأثمان… لمن؟! نعم، ويا للأسف لسارقين آخرين، باعوه بدورهم لمن علّمهم ذلك…
عاد السارقون حاملون غلاتنا في جيوبهم، وراحوا يطعموننا بما فاض منها، فتبعناهم ووثقنا بهم كالكلاب الوفيّة… حتى من علم منّا بما فعلوه، غضّ النظر فداءً للمصلحة الشخصية، أو خوفاً من موتٍ…
ولا عيب في أن يحكم من له المال… فكما قال أحد حكماء قريتي (القابع اليوم في السجن بتهمة اختلاس المخابرات!هل يصدّق أحدكم كيف أنّ رجلاً سرق المخابرات في عزّ جبروتها؟): في البداية الشهرة، ثم المال… وعندما يكون لك الإثنان، لا يبقى أمامك إلا السلطة.. وهكذا فعل أبطالنا…
لكن ما إن تمركزوا في مواقعهم، عرفوا أنّهم نسوا بعض الأشياء في الغارة الماضية… طبعاً، فقد بقي لنا سمك البحر، وحجارة الجبال، والهواء… يا للهول! لقد سقط سهواً من أمام أيديهم الكثير…

وكالعادة، الشعب المتعلّق بالقشور، الذي يتباهى بالتمدّن لم يخرج من العشائرية والتبعيّة…
التفاهة هي بسببنا، فلا أحد يجبر أيّاً كان أن يكون بلا معنى أو حتى بلا عزّة نفس، إن لم نقل بلا تفكير… هناك الكثير من غير المتعلّمين في العالم، لكنّهم ليسوا بالضرورة بلا كرامة، يتذلّلون أمام سارق ويعظّمونه في وجهه، بينما يطلقون السباب عليه في غرف نومهم… وما إن تأتي ما يسمّونها إنتخابات، يسكبون بصوتهم الحنون في الصناديق، فيغنّي كلّ الناجحين أغاني العفّة والطهارة، ويطبعون على جبينهم عدد الأغبياء الذين انتخبوهم…
ويا سعدُه الذي يجد اسمه على رأس سيّده القديم المتجدّد… طبعاً يا سعدُه، فانتفاخه الفارغ لن يسمح له برؤية كلمة غبي بقرب اسمه…

مثال الديمقراطية! أكيد! فنحن أحرار في أن ننتخب الذي نريد من بين الأربعين حرامي!
المهم أن تبقى المغارة… وللعلم والخبر “افتح يا سمسم” ليس مفتاحها…

لبنان مثال الحياة الحلوة… الأمن، السلام!
انخدع أبو الكذّابين لوهلةٍ، واعتقد أنّ أبناءه بدأوا يحيدون عن الدرب “القويم”، إذ وصلت إلى مسامعه أنّهم يدفعون لبناء الكنائس والمساجد… بينما هم فعلوا ذلك فقط أملاً بكسب رضىً كاذب للقيّمين الموتى عليها… لعب الوسواس برأسه… طبعاً فقيام مؤمنٍ حقيقي واحد في أحدها يزعجه… وهو يفضّل أن يحرق بلداً باكمله وقائياً، من أن يرى بذرة ممكن أن تزهر في يومٍ من الأيّام… وأيضاً لماذا لا يتلّذذ يوماً بكلّ المال الذي لطالما نصح أولاده بنهبه…
كيف يدخل إلى المغارة؟ سهلٌ جدّاً… قتل واحداً من السارقين، سرق المفتاح… ودخل… بكلّ بساطة…
هنا تساءل السارقون ماذا يفعل الوالد عندهم، وكيف دخل… فقال وهو ينظر إلى قسمٍ منهم: لماذا قتلتم أخاكم؟! فانقضّ الإخوة الأفاضل على بعضهم، نهشاً وتجريحاً وسباباًً… طبعاً، الأجواء بينهم مشحونة على الدوام… من سرق أكثر؟ من تعب أكثر وهو يسرق؟ من ذاق الأمرّين وهو يسرق؟ من حصّته أكبر؟ من يستحقّ حصّته ومن لا يستحقها؟…
أمّا هو فكان جالساً بفرح على الصناديق… وما كان منه إلا أن قام وفتحها على غفلةٍ منهم، فوجدها كلّها فارغة!
جنّ جنونه، فأمسك بعنق أحد أبنائه قائلاً: أين المال! الآن قل لي! أين المال؟
فردّ ابنه قائلاً: قدّمناه هدايا للجار!
قال الأب بغضب: لماذا؟!
ردّ الأبن بحرقة: كي نكون بالسرقة أحرار…
فقال الأب: وكيف تعيشون هنا؟! بأيّ مال؟
قال: إستدنّا أربعون مليار!
فقال أبو الكذابين بغضبٍ وشرّ: أفنوا بعضكم… لا أريد أن أسمع بسلامٍ في هذا البلد بعد الآن… أنا ذاهبٌ لأتبنّى بشّار…

هل تعتقدون أنّ السارقين هم الذين ماتوا؟!
أخطأتم كالعادة!
الذي مات ويموت هو شعبي، لأنّه يرزح تحت حملٍ ثقيل… نعم، على ظهره يركب أربعون حمار…

The Road Always Taken

2007-02-16T20:17:00.000+02:00

Yesterday, I had the chance to watch Sam Rugege (Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Rwanda) give a lecture on Rwanda's pursuit of justice and reconciliation after it's 1994 genocide. He started off with the phrase "A million people killed in a hundred days" as he told the tale of the violence (and history of the violence) that Rwanda suffered. For the next hour or so, he discussed the systems Rwanda put in place to deal with the memory and injustice of its genocide. He discussed how schools teach the new generation about the genocide; not by blaming and demonizing one side, but by dealing with it as a human tragedy.

When the lecture ended, I had the opportunity to ask "How does Rwanda ensure that it doesn't fall back 12 years in time?"

His reply was "Nothing is certain, but we have tried what we think is the best way to break from the past. We have tried to instill a sense of justice into our people. We have tried to break the barrier between the two communities, between perpetrator and victim, and to educate our people on our inherent independence. We have tried to create a path of justice and to attempt reconciliation; both are important, but none of which will survive on its own. And if we fail, at least we can say that we tried. At least we can tell our grandchildren that we tried to make a better place for them."

The question is: Has Lebanon tried? Has it tried anything else besides repeating the (faulty) actions of past generations?

The answer to those questions is much shorter than the answer he gave.

The answer is "No."

Standing Alone

2007-02-14T16:25:00.000+02:00

Maher, a Lebanese in Sydney, from M Possible's blog, would like to share with you this post he wrote not so long ago. So, without any further delay, I'll leave you to reading it.

"Stand up for what you believe in... even if it means standing alone!"

I am standing alone...

I believe in striving to create a better world and a brighter one for the generations to come and NOT planting hatred and aggression.

I believe in engaging our youth in their talents and creativity and building upon it and NOT engaging them in political cheer-leading.

I believe in an eternal spark deep down everyone for the love of living, playing and interacting positively and NOT in labeling individuals and misleading them.

I believe in the wonderful times and genuine love, bond and interaction I have with my friends and my brothers and sisters and NOT in the shaky sudden friendships only because of that ID label.

I believe in learning from the mistakes of the past, the tragedies, the dreadful crescendo and the memories of all the affected lives and futures and NOT in being guided into the same trap, by the same people, the same influences, the same media, the same invisible destructive hands and the same mongrels under unfaithful claims and concealed business deals and heritage/patriotic crimes.

I believe in the genuine souls who will stand up against all this chaos and NOT the souls who will be led into blinded hatred and irrational causes.

I believe in Lebanon, my Lebanon, your Lebanon, OUR Lebanon and NOT anybody else.

Tears shedding in my heart...
Agony boiling in my blood...
Glaze sparking in my eyes...
YET... an eternal spirit ever strong in my existence...
to strive in reaching a message, a message of love, serenity, trust, understanding and awakening!

...maher

Wall of Beirut

2007-02-13T21:59:00.000+02:00

I decided to go to Beirut Down Town and see what have happened to our nation's beating heart. This is what I saw.....

The heart of Beirut was converted into the "Wall of Beirut" similar to the famous "Wall of Berlin"; separating supporters of the nation two political sides. Sadness overwhelmed me as I was taking pictures and videos to the sad reality we are living nowadays....

Shame on Us

2007-02-13T17:15:00.000+02:00

We were in class, having a lecture about "Brain strokes", when we got the news about the two bus explosions. We hurried to a TV trying to figure out what the hell has just happened.

"As usual, March 14th decided to fake another explosion so that they can have huge numbers in their protest tomorrow!!!????"

"Surely it is an SSNP act, they are known for such things, they want to stop people from going down to martyrs square tomorrow??!!!"

Shame on us! This all what I can say. How can we simply jump to conclusions and "accuse" each other soo damn easily? Instead of at least have some respect for those innocent poor people who got killed, all what we do is start accusing each other, and go back to our bloody history to support our shameless accusations.

You can talk all you want that what we have come to is the political leaders fault, and that because of them and their awful strategies, people in the streets are at each others throats, but each and every one of us is to blame for this as well! Why do we insist on NOT using our brains, and agree to follow what ever leader says without even thinking about it? Can't we think? Can't we analyse? Can't we see that there's a huge tension in the streets already, and that the only right thing to do is NOT to pour more oil on the fire?

Throwing accusation so easily left and right is an example of how stupid we are! Maybe the leaders are to blame, but we are to blame too....

Shame on us!

شو إلو معنى بعد العيد؟

2007-02-13T01:24:00.000+02:00

كيف قصتنا هيك بتخلص؟
كيف بوساتنا هيك بتموت؟
و حبنا إللي ما كان ينقص
و الذكريات بساحات بيروت

بعدا البوسات و الضمّات
بتعطّر هونيك البيوت
و صدا الضحكات و البسمات
بِتلوِّن نغمات السكوت

عيد الحب بكرا جايي
و انا عنك و عن بيروت بعيد
كيف بتنتهي هيك الحكايي
و شو إلو معنى بعد العيد؟

When The Roses Say I Love You

2007-02-12T16:46:00.000+02:00

It just got personal!

2007-02-11T16:52:00.000+02:00

Saturday February 10, 2007 in the lobby of Faray Mazar Intercontinental Hotel, a group of eight couples are sitting around a table chatting about everything and nothing, and of course about the political situation.

Meanwhile, MP Ibrahim Kanan, a follower of General Aoun, the ally of Hezbollah, with three of his bodyguards, passes by. Unfortunately, one of the men sitting in the table utters the three deadly words “We want to live!” made famous by the “I love Life” campaign of March 14.

MP Kanan stops and glares at that unfortunate person and then moves on…Ten minutes later the MP comes back and stand in front of the table, shouting “what do you mean by you want to live.” The unfortunate man stands up and politely introduces himself saying, “I want live, means I want to come to Faray and have fun, means that I want to send my children to school!”

-“The people you have been following for the past year and a half will lead you to your own destruction” vehemently answers the Aounist MP.”

“I am not here to get into a political discussion, I just want to go out and have some fun with my friends. Thank it was nice meeting you!”, answered back the unfortunate person.

-“I am the MP of this Qadaa, and this is my region, you will hear what I have to say!!!”

“No thank you, I told you I am not here to discuss politics!”

The unfortunate man turns and start heading back towards his table to sit down. One of the bodyguards unholsters his weapon, smacks him on the head with its butt from the back and fires two shots in the air!

The unfortunate man is my brother in law, and this happened yesterday in front of my sister and their friends.

Thank you Aoun for your democracy, peacefulness and empty promises, now I can better understand what happened last Tuesday and Thursday. Now I can understand who fired the first shots in those days!

Thank you Ibrahim Knaan and thank you Aoun, we will not fire or even hit you or any of your supporters back, we will just see you in court!

Finally, let me reiterate my brother in law, his wife and my own insistence that “WE WANT TO LIVE!”

The Solution

2007-02-07T18:19:00.000+02:00

Yesterday, Mr. Jeajea was on LBC, and today's morning, a HA official was on LBC too. Watching the two men talking, I've come to be more and more convinced that the conflict is not coming to an end. Each side seems to be -more than ever- clinching to its point of view, and refusing even simple adjustment to how things should go.

It has been clear by now that the country has been polarized so much that reason and logic have no place anymore, and it would be a total waste of time trying to convince the other side about your point of view. It's no longer about right or wrong, it has turned into a "Bone-breaking-contest" that none seems to be interested in ending it.

Looking at the situation, one can easily see that the future is bleak, and that hope for a resolution is far far away. So, what should we do? How can this conflict come to an end?

Well, objectively speaking, we can say that both sides are wrong at the same time, and being stubborn doesn't lead to anything but more and more tension in the streets. It seems that what we need is to simply -eliminate- the worries of each side and establish a new beginning to solve all the current issues.

March 14th says that its main worry is that giving March 8th the "blocking third" gives the opposition the upper hand in the "Council of Ministers", since they can topple the government at any moment. March 8th, on the other hand, says that allowing March 14th to have the "Controlling two thirds" of the government allows them to do whatever they want without even considering March 8th opinions.

Obviously, March 14th is not willing to give the "blocking third" to the opposition, and March 8th is not wiling to give the majority the "controlling two thirds".Then the solution would simply be "disarming" both sides of the "powers" that worries the other side. A 19-10-1 confirmation would disarm March 14th from the "controlling two thirds", so they won't be able to take any decision unless March 8th accepts it, and at the same time, such confirmation would disarm the opposition from the "blocking third", so they won't be able to topple the government.

Such government, would be responsible for:

Reaching an agreement regarding the presidential elections
Reavhing an agreement regarding the Tribunal
Reaching an agreement regarding a new fair electoral law
Reaching an agreement regarding the "Constitutional Council"
And most importantly, solving Liban daily issues and put an end to the paralysis that has infected Liban.

All problems can be addressed in the government or the parliament, while the Lebanese daily life and issues are being run appropriately.

It seems like this is the only "middle" solution available nowadays, especially when knowing that the presidential elections are so near, and if the conflict is not resolved, we will end up arguing about the government, the presidency and the parliament. Paralysing the three institutions is NOT the way; it will lead to a farther ciaos and the chance of running into a new civil war will be higher higher, if it won't be the only last solution then......

Khalsouna Ba2a!

2007-02-06T13:12:00.000+02:00

"Resolve it. Solve it." is a grassroots initiative that developed out of the recent turmoil in Lebanon. On Saturday Feb.10th, this group is organizing a human chain in Beirut, to publicly demand an immediate and peaceful resolution to the political deadlock. To register & be part of the human chain, and for more information, visit here.

Nature & Energy

2007-02-06T12:09:00.000+02:00

Will we lose all this for the sake of energy?
A hard question and an impossible response!
Time is running quickly, and the evolution needs more and more… pollution is now just a human habitude, and there is no way to live without it…
Energy! It is not a small word! Almost the majority of last and actual wars are around it…
It is divided in many sources, and used mainly under the electricity and mechanical forms… it uses mainly the petroleum products, nuclear reactors and the other nature resources including waterfalls, wind, and solar electricity producing systems… Regarding the high consumption and needs, the former two sources remain the main way of production.
Do we feel responsible for our consumption?
What if one million people, in a ten millions habitant’s city, just forget to turn off their room light?
What about keeping our car engine’s on for nothing while waiting for someone next door?
What about using our car for a simple short move, while we can do it on our feet?
How much CO2 is pushed in the atmosphere just from one street of our cities, while the cars are waiting the green light to move on?
These questions have no end!
It is already too late… it is not enough to say, we have to act…
There is no one country that is spared… the earth atmosphere is one…
The debates we are making are just a waste of time…
Waiting for our governments to act is not enough, if not worthless…
Governments are full of corruption… full of persons who want to collect millions of dollars, for their and treasury sake… asking them to change now is something we have to work on many years… the petroleum and energy companies are more powerful than governments… not forgetting how they conduct election’s campaigns to pass after their own policy…
A small example about the difference between the laws that are applicable on the people and those who direct companies; everyone of us know that driving faster than 120-140km/h is not accepted by policemen, but policemen accept that a cars producing company makes cars that can run up to 240km/h…
When someone is gaining millions of dollars, he will think that his castle garden is the earth… but what about the real earth?

Don’t be non reactive to what is going on around you… what is going on is so dangerous, and if we don’t want to change our behavior, nature will be forced to change it by herself…

صباح الغربي

2007-02-04T08:28:00.000+02:00

صباحك يا وطني
يللي صباحك خير
بس الدنيي بالغربي
كل شي فيها غير
غير لون الخبز
غير صوت الطير

بتذكرك يا وطني
بعجقات السير
بزمامير السيارات
بجامع حدّو دير
بتذكرك بدمّع و بقول
انت صباحك خير

Bein el-ard wil sama

2007-02-04T07:32:00.000+02:00

I was browsing the archives of Public Radio International's The World for music (their Global Hit segment is one of the best sources of world music on radio) when I came across 2 segments about music from Lebanon that I must have missed. One was from the days of this summer's war, about Fayrouz; the other, earlier, about Haifa's efforts to raise awareness about AIDS. As commendable as Haifa's efforts are, the juxtaposition couldn't have been any more loaded!

PS: For fans of Aznavour, he was featured with a great English-language interview more recently.

Blogger Meeting #17: Field Trip

2007-02-03T16:34:00.000+02:00

Date: Sunday, Feb. 11th
Departure: Beirut
Destination: South and then East
Duration: All Day
Dress: Comfortable
Dues: Transportation cost over Final Number of people
Duties: Show up, Sing, Eat, Smile, Pretend to have a good time
Dance: Optional
Deal?:RSVP please.

A Cloud Eating The Sun, Akkar

2007-02-03T11:14:00.000+02:00

A Cloud Eating The Sun, Aadbel

صندوق التبرع بالدين

2007-02-02T14:33:00.000+02:00

التدوينة أرسلت بها SH. وما على الرّسول إلا البلاغ.

كنت استمع أمس بالصدفة إلى إذاعة "صوت الشعب" حين اتصلت إحدى المواطنات واسمها مريم. أعجبتني جداً أفكار مريم التي كانت تتكلم عن الطائفية والمذهبية المستشرية في نفوس اللبنانيين، وكيف أن الناس باتوا يتصارعون طائفياً وينسون وضعهم المعيشي والسياسي المتجه إلى المجهول. لكن أكثر ما أعجبني هو فكرة طرحتها مريم تدعو إلى إقامة صندوق وطني للتبرع بالدين. نعم أعلم أن الفكرة غريبة. إنشاء صندوق وطني اسمه صندوق التبرع بالدين وبالمذهب بما أن النزاع في لبنان ليس، حتى الآن، طائفياً بقدر ما هو مذهبي. يتم التبرع للصندوق بالدين والمذهب وذلك بهدف استبدال الانتماء الديني والمذهبي بالانتماء الوطني. أي أتبرع بديني لوطني وأصبح أنتمي فقط للبنان وليس لأي طائفة أو مذهب.

والمقصود ليس أن يصبح المتبرع بدينه ملحداً فالفكرة لا علاقة لها بالإيمان. الإيمان مختلف عن الدين أو الانتماء إلى الدين. أنا أقصد أن يتخلى الإنسان عن الكلمة المذكورة في إخراج القيد وعن الفئة التي ينتمي إليها عند الولادة والتي ليس له علاقة بها. ففي لبنان نحن منذ الولادة ننتمي لفئة معينة دون أي رأي أو اختيار. الإيمان هو قرار أما الهوية الدينية فهي ميراث. لذا أعتقد أن التبرع بها من أجل الوطن ليس بأمر صعب.

ومن يتبرع بدينه ومذهبه يتخلى عن انتمائه الطائفي الذي يحدد عن الولادة. أي بعد التبرع يصبح الشخص ينتمي إلى فئة أخرى هي فئة الوطنيين نقطة على السطر وليس الوطنيين المسلمين أو الوطنيين المسيحيين أوالسنة أو الشيعة أو الدروز. يصبح المتبرع: لبناني نقطة. لبناني لا يخاف على حقوق طائفته ولا يشارك في أي مواجهة بين أبناء طائفة وطائفة أخرى. المتبرع يحارب لأجل الوطن ويُعنى بمشاكل الوطن ويقلق على مستقبل الوطن فقط. وباستطاعة المتبرع أن ينتمي إلى أي تيار سياسي يريد طالما أن هذا الانتماء نابع من قرار شخصي لا علاقة له بالانتماء الطائفي وطالما أنه لا يتبع زعيم معين كونه زعيم لطائفته.

فلنفتح الصندوق عبر هذا المقال. من مستعد للتبرع بدينه أو مذهبه؟

17th, 18th, and 19th Bloggers meeting!

2007-01-31T12:09:00.000+02:00

What happens when 2 bloggers meet? The answer is a ''Bloggers' meeting"! Ok Guys now don't get mad (cause we brought you some ''Souvenirs'')! The thing is that I (MMMMMMMMM) and Nobilis Tobilis met 3 nights in a row in Gemayzeh, once in Tapas (as you can see it was on fire) once at Dice (not so very much on fire) and once at La Casa (As3aro kteer ma2bouleh)! Some other non bloggers joined as well! I really wished you were there so you guys could help me drag NT (who was totally wasted) back home! During one of his drunkin trips he (NT) kept on murmuring the names Lili, and KrYs! And then something about Bob don't kill Jamal!! or was it Hisham?? Can't remember clearly! and how Eve is a dictator who never accepts to resign from her ''administrator'' post and never calls for an election ;)

Anyway, if things continue to excalade in Lebanon we will definitely celebrate (Insha2alah) the 20th bloggers meeting in Dubai, Paris or Rome! (we will take some pics so don't you worry guys) Kil meeting w into bkheir :D

Children See, Children Do

2007-01-31T02:19:00.000+02:00

Valentine’s Day: Not like it used to be

2007-01-29T17:32:00.000+02:00

Does Valentine’s Day still exist? Is it possible that it has become just a marketing trick?
It seems to me that at the dawn of the 21st century, people have lost the ability to love. L.O.V.E has become a synonym for another four letter word: L.I.K.E.
Just like “L.I.K.E” has replaced “L.O.V.E”, and “Making Sex” has substituted “Making Love”, Valentine’s Day went from a five stars ritual to a cheap habit overnight.
In this broken economy V-Day has turned into the biggest marketing and promotion gimmick; a cash grab for every greeting card company, florist, candy maker, restaurant, hotel, and the list goes on behind this plot to rob us all of our hard earned dollars. It has become such a day of expectation for so many of what one's lover might or might not do on this single day of the year. I have to laugh to myself at guys who send large bouquets of flowers, or a box of chocolates, and then the rest of the year don't give their significant other the time of day. Those who have high expectations for rewards on this day, probably have these thoughts because of the neglect they receive the rest of the year. Then we have the singles reaction to it all. In my conversations with so many, they just detest Valentine's Day with a passion, because it magnifies on the fact they are alone without a lover. I feel in my humble opinion that Valentine's Day has been blown out of proportion, and I am sure St. Valentine is watching from above right now in disgust of what was once such a simple celebration of love and romance.

What the hell is going on?

2007-01-28T07:15:00.000+02:00

Somebody please explain to me. I'm at a loss recently. I don't understand what's happening to Lebanon these days. First off, why are people who were supporting Michel Aoun and against Syria for so many years, now with Hizbullah and by extension Syria? Opportunistic? One can say that about almost all political dinosaurs still screwing with Lebanon today. Right?

And what does Angry Arab think about this now? He was so critical of Aoun before, but now it seems as though he has an ambivalent and amost positive opinion of him. Why? I'm confused. Just because he criticizes Rafic al Hariri?

BOTTOM LINE:

It seems to me all parties involved do not have Lebanon's best intentions in mind. I don't like any of them. But I do believe that the current government is the least worse option at the moment. It seems to me that Aoun is getting paid by Syria so he can become president eventually. Aounites are cursing America just as much as the Hizbullians are. Doesn't mean the other options are great either. But must we go back to the stone age to settle these petty little schizophrenic scores?

What did everybody expect when the Iraq war was instigated? For the conflict to just stay within its borders? While the Lebanese situation is a long-time in the making, nobody can tell me that the sectarian strife in Iraq has not spread to Lebanon. Iraq became the new Lebanon of the 70s on the grandest scale, while the new Lebanon is preparing to become the old Lebanon again. It's so sad. So terrible. Just when it was getting back on its feet again. Where is this all going? Where are you taking us?

I bet you don't even know.

What I don't understand is why Christians that support Aoun think that Hizbullah will stick with him and not sell him out eventually? Isn't Aoun just putting a wedge between Christians?

Or is it just me?

Someboday explain please.

Remember, I don't like any current/dead political figures in Lebanon. None of them have done completely right by Lebanon. So, don't think I'm on your side if you support any of them one iota. I am completely and utterly indifferent and wishing for some new untainted faces.

And finally...

Is a wider regional war coming between the Saudi axis and the Iran axis?

Will We Ever Learn?

2007-01-26T23:25:00.000+02:00

*Written and directed by Pierre Dawalibi

"picturesque"

2007-01-26T21:41:00.000+02:00

many pictures have been making the rounds, of people brandishing guns and knives, of injuries. there is one that i did not see until today ...

... just let this picture be a reminder to those who insist they are on the right side, and who use this belief to justify violence done by their side. those pre-1975 were indirectly to blame for what happened, and we today will also be indirectly to blame if anything happens, since our political heads do not act in a void.

الوهمي والحقيقي

2007-01-26T11:13:00.000+02:00

يا للعجب! الناس تتراكض في الشوارع خلف مجهول، كان من المفترض أنّ عناصر الأمن هي التي تلاحقه كي يصبح معلوماً… لقد ذهب إلى اليمين، إلى الشمال… إنّه العدو الذي جاء ليغتصب أراضينا… لا تنفكّ الرسائل القصيرة ترنّ في الهواتف النقّالة… كأن من يدير الحملة جالسٌ في قمرٍ صناعي، ويزوّد الكلّ بالمعلومات… لا شكّ في أنّه يحبّنا كثيراً، لدرجة أن يرمي بنا في أتون النار…
طبعاً، لا يمكن أن تمرّ الأمور دون زرع أراضينا بالزجاج المكسور، وريّها بالدماء… كما لا يمكن بأن نترك الهواء بحاله، بل نملأه بذبذبات سبابنا علّه يزداد حلاوة…
المشهد لا يختلف كثيراً عن حلبات القتال، حيث يتصارع المساجين حتى آخر رمق… الشوارع صارت ساحة، وعلى الموجودين إرضاء الأمبراطور… إنّ معركتهم والمعركة التي نقوم بها اليوم، هي صراعٌ للبقاء… لكن أين؟! السجين يبقى سجيناً حتى ولو كلّلوا رأسه بأكاليل الغار… والسجين لا يسلم كما لن نسلم نحن، لأنّ من ينجو أمامه معركةٌ قادمة وقد تكون الأخيرة إن لم يحالفه الحظ…
هذا ليس بجديد على الإنسانية، فمنذ آلاف السنين حُرِّم القتل، ومُجِّدَ القتلة باعتبارهم أبطالاً… والجمهور يعشق رؤية الدماء، تماماً كالثيران التي تهتاج لرؤية اللون الأحمر… فتتراكض لاهثةً لقتل من بقي حيّاً…
اقتله… اقتله… اقتله… هذا كلّ ما نسمع… فينسى واحدنا أنّه من الممكن أن يكون مكان الذي يتعرّض للقتل، وأن سكّين جلادٍ ما ستطال رقبته يوماً…

لو عرف واحدنا أنّ انفعاله سيوصله إلى الموت لما انفعل… ولو عرف واحدنا أنّ لسانه قد يقتله لقطع لسانه… لكن هذه هي حالنا… لساننا أسرع من تفكيرنا، وهنا المعادلة مقلوبة إذ أنّ الصوت أسرع من وميض الأفكار في عقولنا (إن بقي في رؤوسنا عقول)…
من يرانا نتقاتل، قال ويقول: هل يعقل؟! لا، لا يمكن! لم تكن الحرب الأهلية منذ زمنٍ بعيد، هل نسوا سريعاً أنّها دمّرت كلّ شيء، ولم يستفد منها أحدٌ بشيء… آه لو يصحّ المثل: الحمار يصدم الحائط مرّة واحدة… وللتوضيح، هذا مثلٌ لبنانيّ مئة في المئة، وقد أوجده أجدادنا فقط كي يفهم حميرهم أنهم كباراً كانوا أم صغار، يحقّ لهم الإرتطام بالحائط لمرّة واحدة…

عبثاً الركض خلف هذا العدو الوهمي، فلن ينتهي التقاتل إلا عندما نقاتل لأجل لبنان… ماذا سمعتم؟ نعم، لبنان… وعدوّنا الحقيقي هو كلّ أناني… هو كلّ من يريد إحراق وطن ليولّع لفافة تبغه… هو كلّ من يريد الفساد والإفساد…
ألا يكفينا كم “يحبّنا” جيراننا؟!
ألا تكفينا ديون دولتنا حتى نكّسر وندمّر؟! هل تعتقدون أنّ هذه الديون ستدفعها طائفة أم كلّ واحدٍ منّا، بمن فيهم من كسّر؟
ليس لنا بعد الله من يحمينا إلا العدل! ولا أحد سيفنينا بعد الشيطان إلا الكراسي!
فاتّقوا الله واعدلوا… ولوأد الفتنة صوموا وصلّوا و… حطّموا شاشات تلفازكم…

Lebanese Rap

2007-01-25T21:16:00.000+02:00

وماضون في حبّ الوطن على طريقة "ومن الحبّ ما قتل".

كلّ حظر تجوّل وإنتو بخير.

Peace Please

2007-01-24T18:35:00.000+02:00

Calm Down Lebanese...

2007-01-23T21:13:00.000+02:00

Winter Scenes , Lebanon

I don’t know, you should ask the Hajj!!

2007-01-23T20:38:00.000+02:00

After a hard day of work (actual work), I went back to my friend’s place. It turned out that, in the morning, she drove all the way fom Hamra to Grand Lycée Achrafieh to drop her son there. The effective of students was less than required, therefore classes were cancelled. On their way back home, she got stuck with her car in Gemmayzeh because all roads back to Hamra were closed. She had no other to choice other than parking her car and walking back to Hamra. So I volunteered to accompany her to Gemmayzeh by foot of course since all the roads were closed and no cab driver would accept to take us. So we walk all the way. First, we found the first barricade next to Murr Tower where, not only tires were burnt, but also garbage and even the big Sukleen garbage disposals. I don’t know why exactly, maybe they wanted to do something useful and contribute to the recycling process. Anyhow, after we crossed this first barrier, we crossed tent city where we ask the Indibat guys for directions for our target destination. After a walk of 30 minutes, we reached Gemmayzeh and found the car intact. We were very pleased that we found the car, thinking that all our problems are solved. We went from Gemmayzeh to Sayfi in order to take the sea road back to Hamra. We found another barricade, backed with concretes and many soldiers. We ask the soldiers whether we can pass or not. We were more than surprised to hear their answer, which was: “We don’t know, you should ask the Hajj.” Astonished, we cruised towards the Hajj to ask for a pass. As expected, he didn’t allow us a pass. The road is closed. Then my friend said: You can open the road just like you closed it”. Then start our long struggle to cross the demarcation line that all Lebanese thought that this was an image from the past that won’t reemerge. We were moving from one barricade to another, asking the Hajj in charge of the barricade for permission to pass but fruitlessly. Then an idea came across my mind. Since the country has been transformed to a jungle, where no rules apply other than the rules of the jungle. So, we decided to follow our instinct. We crossed from Achrafiyeh, Sodeco, Ras el Nabeh, Barbir, Corniche el Mazraa, Verdun and Hamra. And here comes the end of a long journey where I discovered that I’m ashamed of living in a country where the legal authorities have no more authority, where I have to ask the Hajj for a pass in MY own country, to go back to MY home. I’m ashamed of living in a country where blocking the roads, closing the airport, destroying the economy is considered as peaceful and democratic. I’m ashamed of living in a country where a divine opposition deal with the country more than the declared enemy would do.

back in the headlines.

2007-01-23T10:31:00.000+02:00

via cnn.

----------

Beirut's Little Guardians... &Desert Ships

2007-01-22T14:49:00.000+02:00

Last Saturday, it was dreadfully stormy in Beirut. I got out of the Gym, and felt like eating a Corn Arnous (roasted Corn Kernel) & perhaps Nescafe on Ein Mreiseh.

Those who know the Corniche Ein Mreiseh facing AUB would know how the waves crash on the railings and over the pavement. I thought perhaps I'd test the madness of whoever would push a cart to sell Corn and Coffee in such weather.

Well, there you go – on the way – following observations:
1- Pouring Rain, guys having their cars washed at Car-Wash Station. Makes sense! Rain on a clean car is cleaner, and, the inside has to be Vacuum cleaned &polished.
2- From afar, I saw a line of cars near the pavement of the seaside awaiting their turn to be window served under the pouring rain.
3- Not only did I get my roast corn reward, I had Foul with extra-salt and lemon and cumin, at regular prices, followed by another stop at the Coffee Cart for 500 LL.

My Conclusion:
1- Lebanese are mad people, myself-included; there's no reason to stop such lively madness though.
2- Whatever drives the Cart-Owners to leave home in such a storm and stay in the rain is a combination of service excellence and inability to survive without one day's pay. Strikes do not serve either purpose.
3- Whatever drives people to leave home, get their cars washed, and wander around the Corniche in such a storm is love of life, perhaps terrible frustration of what one hears on TV, and determination to move on. Strikes and Politicians are counter productive in that sense: Burnt tires get cars dirty, there's no where to get the car washed, or even to go out with the car. Politicians on the other hand are filth-engendered.
4- I haven't heard of an MP or a Speaker, a PM (elected, removed twice by popular revolt "Omar Karami" or militarily assigned), a minister (incumbent, resigned, or Mr. Weam Wahab), or anyone else with a Divine or Earthly conquest or vocation whatsoever, who has to work under the rain, or who has an installment to pay, or a child to put in school. I'm eager to know if the resigned ministers have returned their "pay-Cheques" since November?

Politicians are our "public servants," not our masters. I for one have no master whether hereditary, political, self-proclaimed, or divinely assigned. While I encourage and welcome the disabled brothers and sisters to run for office, Mental Disability does not qualify for a Handicap Parking – especially where politicians are concerned.

For some of us, leaving this country is easy – worse, living in a bubble in this country is even easier. It is those people who make the bread and coffee of this country that guard it. They are the people, they ARE the country – they are the Guardians.

Our tragedy is that politics is the game of the big guys, and the telltale of the middle class. It is something to practice when other basic needs are fulfilled. Them politicians and self-assigned saviors have pushed political thought and "causes" down to the lowest stratum of the society – Paris III is what a taxi driver would be defending, Divine Victory is what the Falafel-Shop owner is arguing for,… Colonialism, or the right of Iran to build nuclear arsenal, or the Hegemony of the US is what the lowest most deprived, most ill-treated, most-ignorant, most-tired stratum of society is discussing instead of their livelihood, or their future. The oppressor is always "the other side". Those people fail to see that their biggest oppressors are their own. Their Fuedal Rulers, their Beiks, their Political Party Leaders, and their clerics.:

They have busied the people with filth. They have fooled the people. In the name of God, in the name of Bread, in the name of Right, in the name of revolution, in the name of salvation, they have lied.

For the sake of clarity. I am biased! I do take sides! I am pro-government because I dislike the figures of the opposition. That's not a smart or intelligent choice, some of you would say - But then again, neither one of us on this blog have to walk or work in the rain or starve – so we can afford to argue this over coffee, someone else has to Prepare the Coffee.. and he has barely any energy left to go on.

So… I have what it seems as a fair proposition. Let us all go down to the streets, let us carry the opposition politicians and the government politicians, and hurl them all in a sinking ship. Wait!!! Add the religious clerics from the 18 recognized confessions. Except for Haifa Wehbi, you are welcome to add a selection from the entertainment industry – Mr. Wahab is my choice to go into the engine room.

I would have said the one who survives let us make him president, and then I remembered that we have at least one very good swimmer.

Make it the middle of the Desert then; perhaps the winged horses could fly some of them back. Better go without 10 innocent politicians (yeah right…) than keep the whole herd alive.

The wonderful Eve was encouraging us to write something for the blog. Now you have my answer to abstention, I was keeping quiet because what I have to say cannot be said in public.

Well, there you go: They should all go.

أن تكون تلميذ طب

2007-01-20T22:32:00.000+02:00

أن تكون تلميذ طب ليس شيئا اعتياديا. لست أقول هذا متفاخرا، بل على العكس تماما! انها لعنة تلاحقق طوال فترة دراستك.
على أن الرحلة، بمشاكلها و عذابها (آهههههههههههه من عذابها)، تبقى تجربة فريدة قل نظيرها.
من أجمل ما يمر به تلميذ الطب، الكم الهائل من المواقف المضحكة و المحرجة في آن.
مذ دخلت كلية الطب، و بما أنني "بكر" العائلة، و أمي لا تنفك عن الافتخار بابنها البار. "يقبرني ابني حكيم" "الله يخليلي ياه، و يرضى عنه دني و آخرة". و طبعا لا يحلى هذا "الافتخار" الا أمام الجارات و الأصحاب و القريبات، حيث تتبارى "النسوان" في مدح أبنائها، و ذكر مآثرهم.
في أحد الأيام كنت عائدا الى منزلي من بيروت، و فوجئت بجارتنا "أم الياس" عندنا. طبعا الماما ما ان رأت ابنها حتى بدأت في مديحها"حبيبي الحكيم رجع" "تقبرني ما تبلى هالطلة". أم الياس لم توفر جهدا، و ابتسمت ابتسامة عريضة قائلة "أهلا بحكيم الحارة". طبعا لا حاجة لذكر الاحراج الذي كنت فيه أمام سيل المجاملات، و أصبح لزام علي الجلوس مع الجارة لتواصل أمي افتخارها الدائم.
و طبعا، بدأت أم الياس في القاء سيل الأسئلة الطبية علي، باعتباري الطبيب، و محاولة منها للنيل مني أما والدتي. أثناء الحديث، سألتني أم الياس: "تقبرني، بتعرف تضرب ابرة؟"ٍ سألتها: "ليه خير انشالله؟" فعالجتني أم الياس: "أكيد بتعرف، ما صرلك 5 سنين عم تدرس طب" ابتسمت ابتسامة خفيفة، اذ من الصعب الشرح لأم الياس أنني درست 3 سنوات علوم حياة، و ما زلت في السنة الثانية من الطب، و لم نبدأ التدريب العملي بعد.
استأذنت بأدب، و ذهبت الى غرفتي. بعد حوالي 5 دقائق، أفاجأ بأم الياس تطلبني على عجل، ذهبت الى الصالون، لأجد أم الياس، و في يدها حقنة تقول: "حكيم، لازم آخد ابرة السكري، فيك تضربني هيي؟؟!!!!" . لا داعي للقول، انني وجدت نفسي في موقف محرج، خصوصا أن أمي أحست أنني محرج، و ارتسمت ابتسامة ساخرة على وجه أم الياس.
كان لزاما علي التصرف بسرعة، و الا جعلتنا أم الياس "علكة" في فمها. فسألتها :"يا طنت، مش المفروض انه انتي بعرفي تضربي حالك ابرة السكري؟ لانه هيدي عطول معكي" "ايه مظبوط تقبرني، بس قلت انت حكيم، و أكيد بتعرف أكتر مني!".
جاءني الفرج، و ابتسمت ابتسامة عريضة و أنا أقول "اذا هيك يا طنت، أرجيني كيف بتضربي الابرة، تشوف ازا بتعرفي أو لأ!" ارتبكت أم الياس و قالت :"يييه! نسيت الطبخة عل النار! بببقى برجع مرة تانية!".
القصص الطريفة لا تنتهي أبدا. في أحد الأيام، كنت و صديقي ذاهبين الى المستشفى، لكن حارس المبنى الذي نسكن فيه سأل صديقي: "حكيم بتعرف تقرا تخطيط راس؟" أجاب صديقا بفخر "أكيد، و لو!" " ازا هيك، بليز تقرالي هل التخطيط تبع ابني، شفلي شو معو!". ارتبك صديقي، فهو لا يقدر على تشخيص المرض من مجرد قراءة التخطيط، هذا اذا استطاع قراءته أساسا! لكن صديقي وجد الحل، "أنا مستعجل كتير، اعطيني التخطيط، و بس ارجع بشفلك ييه"، و ذهب مع التخطيط الى دكتور الأعصاب ليسأله!
كما ترون، ليس سهلا أن تكون تلميذ طب، ففي الوقن الذي تعامل فيه كطبيب متمرس من قبل المجتمع، الا أنك لا زلت تلميذا، و ليس من السهل شرح ذلك للناس، و الا عاجلوك بنظرة شماتة، و لسان حالهم يقول "أما شو حكيم! حكمة آخر زمن!"......

بعض النوادر

2007-01-19T19:29:00.000+02:00

يخال المرء في كثيرٍ من الأحيان أنّ حياة الأطباء مملّة، مليئة بالرتابة والرسميّات… أو أنّ علاقتنا مع المرضى أو مع المجتمع هي كعلاقة الظابط مع الجنود في ثكنته (التي ليست سيئة بالضرورة)… إذ أنّ الجميع ينسى أنّ الطبيب كائنٌ بشري، له هفواته وأخطاؤه كما نوادره المضحكة…
سأروي البعض منها الآن، لكنّي سأحتفظ بالمزيد لحلقاتٍ قادمة…
في يومٍ طلب أحد الزملاء إلى آخر كان يعمل يوم الأحد، في المستشفى الواقعة ليس بعيداً عن البحر، ألا يصف الكثير من الدواء المسهّل لمرضاه، لأنّه ذاهبٌ ليسبح ولا يريد أن يبرد كلّما ألقي الماء في المراحيض…
في مرّةٍ أخرى، صعد أحد الزملاء منهكاً جائعاً في منتصف ليلة عمله، فوصل إلى غرفة الطبيب المقيم ليجد بعض الجبنة واللحوم المجففة في البراد، فأكلهم بلا وعي… بعد ساعة نُقل على عجل إلى غرفة الطوارئ بسبب وجعٍ في بطنه إضافةً إلى إسهالٍ حاد… لما تحسّنت حالته اتصل برفيقه في الغرفة قائلاً: هل اللحمة والجبنة في البراد لك؟ فقال له الأخير: لا، إنّهم لقطّتي سوسي… فقال الأوّل: ومن أين أحضرتهم لها؟ فقال: جمّعتهم من عند المرضى إذ أنّهم لم يأكلوهم، لكن لماذا تتصل بي في نصف الليل لتسألني؟ فقال: فقط لأعتذر من قطّتك لأنّي أكلتهم…
في إحدى المرّات سألت المرأة أحد الزملاء عن سبب مرضها، فقال: لنقل أنّك سيارة يا “مدام”… إن محرّكك بحاجة إلى بعض الصيانة، وهذا كلّ شيء… فانزعجت المريضة من هذا التشبيه… بعد ساعة، زارها رئيس القسم، فسألته مستفسرةً عن حالتها إذ أنّها لم تقتنع من الجواب الأوّل، فأجابها: “ما في شي… بدّك شويّة حدادة وبويا”… فهربت المريضة لأنّها اعتقدت نفسها في الكاراج…

Impossible

2007-01-19T17:59:00.000+02:00

In Merriam-Webster online dictionary, the word "impossible" means:

a : incapable of being or of occurring b : felt to be incapable of being done,
attained, or fulfilled : insuperably difficult

Here is a new definition for the word "impossible" made out of our daily Lebanese life:

"A Lebanese person stating his/her opinion without being criticized by other fellow Lebanese"

In the words of Mazen Kerbaj...

2007-01-19T13:53:00.000+02:00

...FHEMTO AWW MA FHEMTO?

I Heart Capitalism

2007-01-18T15:16:00.000+02:00

Yet another play on the "I Love Life" Campaign is the "I Heart Capitalism" Campaign.

Not very funny for those who did not think that one aspect of the Cedar Revolution was a "Gucci Revolution", or maybe just not very funny. Worth a look anyway.

Update: Make sure you see the other stickers. Some are rather bland, but they do tell you something about the feelings of some people towards the Life Lovers.

Me No Terrorist Part 2

2007-01-17T18:03:00.000+02:00

Understanding Men

2007-01-16T18:42:00.000+02:00

So I realized that the lovely ladies, eve and rat, are trying to understand men, and so they came up with research questions in order to have an idea about how we "men" think and behave.

Nevertheless, I found (not "founded" the past tense of "found", but found the past tense of "find", I didn't came up with them) set of rules to make it easier for in understanding the "difference" between us and them, maybe this will help them in their task :)

These are our rules! Please note, these are all numbered "1".

ON PURPOSE!

1. Men ARE not mind readers.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it! (honesty is better)

1. Yes and No are perfectly Acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only If you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for (or tell us -in advance- that you want sympathy, not solutions)

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem . See a doctor.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us; if we said "yes", then we don't find you attractive anymore, and if we said "no", we are mean jerk liars!!!!

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one (We really do mean the other one).

1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done, Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials ( No need to open "serious" talks during the final game!)

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong.We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle (because some how we end up being mistaken!!!)

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear Is fine...Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as football, the problems with the corrupted boss ... etc

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. Thank you for reading this.

Hope this was useful :)

To Mars From Venus

2007-01-16T11:30:00.000+02:00

لما خبّرتني رات عن الفكرة، حبّيت اللعبة. وقرّرنا مع فريق من "العقول المدبّرة" وضع مجموعة من الأسئلة للإجابة عن السّؤال العظيم: "من هو الرّجل؟" أو "ماذا يريد الرّجل؟". هلّق صحيح كلنا منعرف شو بدو الرّجال بآخر النهار (يلا بلا ما نضحك على بعض)، بس إذا شلنا هالكليشيه عجنب، يا ترى كيف بيشتغل راسه لهل الإنسان؟ معقول ما في مطرح غير للريموت كونترول، وماتش الفوتبول، وجِمل متل "وين الأكل يا مرا"؟ و"أنا بكدح كل النهار" و"دخيلك ما تبلشي تْنِقّي". كل المطلوب منكم، أعزائي الرجال، شوية جرأة للإجابة عن الأسئلة التّالية بمنتهى الصّراحة. الرجاء عدم التّحجج بضيق الوقت، أو الاستخفاف باللّعبة: الأسئلة علميّة بحت، والنّتائج ستستخدم كإحصائيّات بتفيدنا إلنا، لنجرّب نفهم كيف بس منتعامل معكم. يلا قولوا الله: حوالي العشرين سؤال، والإجابة مطلوبة على أكبر قدر ممكن باللغة اللي بتفضلوها (بشرط ما تكون الصّينية وأخواتها). شو قولكم يا بنات؟ هنّ، عن جد، قدها وقدود؟؟؟

1- نكهة العطر التي تفضلها على جسد المرأة: سكر، بهار، أزهار؟

2- الجزء الذي تفضّله في جسم المرأة؟

3- في حال جاء يوم مُنع فيه استعمال كلمة "أحبك"، ما هو التعبير الذي تستخدمه لتعبّر لها عن مشاعرك وتقول إنك تحبها؟

4- ما يكون شعورك إذا أخذت هي زمام المبادرة؟

5- لا تستطيع الاستمرار في علاقتك معها، بأي وسيلة تخلّص عليها؟ (العلاقة طبعا).

6- سمِّ عنوان فيلم يصف علاقتك بالمرأة.

7- سمِّ عنوان فيلم تصف به نفسك.

8- إنّه أول لقاء وجها لوجه معها، في أي مكان يكون؟

9- إلى أي مدى تذهب للحصول على المرأة التي تتمناها؟ (نحن نعتقد أن الرجل بطبيعته لا يملك الجرأة الكافية)..

10- ما الذي تخافه في ومن المرأة؟

11- إذا خذلك "..." (اللي هو.. المحروس يعني) مرة أو أكثر، وأكدت لك أنّ الحب يغني عن كل شيء هل تحقد عليها أم تقبل بحبها الجارف؟

12- ما الوجه الذي تحرص على عدم إظهاره أمامها؟

13- هل تخاطر بحياتك وتخبرها إذا لاحظت زيادة في وزنها؟

14- هل تحبّها لدرجة أن تتذوق طبخها لأول مرة؟

15- لقد نسيَت عيد ميلادك، ما تكون ردة فعلك؟؟

16- تكذب عليها عندما: ؟؟

17- هل تصرّ على تسمية أولادك على اسم أهلك، خصوصاً إذا اسمهم "برعي، حنفي، زليخة، درويشة، خزاعي..."؟

18- هل الرجال أيضاً يغرّهم الثناء؟

19- إنها بداية العلاقة، كم سيستغرقك الأمر لجرّها الى منطقة المحظور؟؟

20- هل هشاشة الرجل أشد من هشاشة المرأة؟

21- متى آخر مرة بكيت و لماذا؟

Evidence-based facts

2007-01-16T10:35:00.000+02:00

Just for the records and to counter the saying that LBF has never reached this low.
Here are some facts backed with some data.
Since the war, LBF has never been so active, lively and diverse. Statistics speak for themselves, with on average, 3 posts a day and an increased number of visitors compared to previous months and even compared to the beginning of the month, before the Newcomers entered LBF.

* Please note that this is not to attack anyone; I’m just giving credits to the newcomers and supporting LBF.

Figure : Number of visits and page views during the period 16/12/06 to 15/01/07

Me No Terrorist

2007-01-16T01:17:00.000+02:00

أثناء محاضرة النسج

2007-01-15T21:08:00.000+02:00

الكل مشغول بشيء ما....

أحدهم ينصت باهتمام، مدونا كل شاردة و واردة. أهو الهوس بتحقيق أعلى علامة؟

أم أنها الحياة الخاوية هي التي تجعل الامتحان المكان الوحيد لتحقيق تفوق زائف؟

فيما يفكر كل هؤلاء؟ لما كل هذا الاهتمام بعلم النسج؟

أأنا الوحيد الذي يشعر بالملل؟كيف يستطيع شخص ما الاستماع لمحاضرة نسج طوال ساعتين من الزمن؟

لما لا أشعر برغبة عارمة بالمنافسة؟ أأنا بهذا النضج؟ أم أنني ما زلت أعيش المراهق اللا مبالي؟

أهناك شيء آخر يشغل تفكيري؟

فتاتان تتحدثان عن كل شيء الا النسج!! انها "صبحية" لبنانية اعتيادية

لا بد منهايوميا

أحدهم نائم..... آه كم أحسدك يا هذا!! يا ريت كان بامكاني ألا أهتم مثلك

مجموعة صامتة، لا كلام ، لا حديث.

تكاد لا تشعر حتى بوجودهم في الفصل

فيما يفكرون؟ ماذا يدور في عقولهم؟

"الأغشية المخاطية تشكل حاجز الدفاع الأول ضد الجراثيم...."

تكمل الدكتورة المحاضرة، ألا ترى أن أغلب التلاميذ ليسوا معها؟ لربما هي نفسها ليست معها!؟

و تمضي الدقائق، و يمضي الزمن، و أنا ما زلت أنا، أتساءل ماذا أفعل......