Lebanese Renaissance

Return?

2009-11-01T12:50:00.000-05:00

This is a test.

Not sure if to delete blog or create a new one with different subject. We'll see.

Lebanon Today

2008-01-08T08:11:00.000-05:00

Situation seems tough, we're being screwed from all side and now the much unneeded zealot Absi threatened the Lebanese Army. I'm just wondering how he got out of the camps when the Army had them surrounded...

Consensual PM?

2007-12-07T18:00:00.001-05:00

So the opposition as part of the "package deal" want a consensual PM. Aoun stated today that everyone should be treated equally so if the Christians have to agree on a consensual candidate (in this Lebanese sham of a democracy) then Muslims have to also agree on a consensual candidate.

Now what strikes me over here is the amount of rhetoric spewing from the opposition's mouth.

1st, Aoun forgot that the Muslims have two positions. Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament. He's insisting that the PM should be consensual, but Mr. Aoun what about the Speaker of Parliament? Shouldn't you tell him to step down so we agree on a consensual candidate as well? Or this the kind of hypocrisy and double standards that you want to bring to Lebanon?

2nd, I dare anybody to tell HA that they want a consensual candidate when it comes to electing the new speaker of parliament. Odds are that they will literally tell them to fuck off.

3rd, who gave the Lebanese "leaders" this form of oligarchic rule over Lebanon? How made them princes and kings?

It pisses me off, and it pisses me off even more that the Lebanese people follow them blindly, and what pisses me off even more than that, is the people who are actually convinced with the path that Aoun has been taking. I personally don't mind differing opinions, but looking at his actions politically and in front of a camera, in a country where the people do not form tribal loyalties or "Za'amet" he would be last person on TV.

Defeat...

2007-12-03T00:59:00.000-05:00

The so-called 14th of March has agreed that GMS should be elected as president. Not only does this show how weak they are in the face of threat, but also how they are willing to compromise in order to save their own interests.

They fail to realize that it is a time for confrontation in Lebanon and not a time of conciliation. This is a time where start purifying the Lebanese institutions from foreign interference, but why should when our own narrow personal interests are at stake. As long as Lebanon has these kinds of politicians that lack the balls to take any controversial measures, then we will never build a state, because free and sovereign nations do not rise to power through conciliation with their own country's enemies.

Lebanon is quite unique with the passivity of its people that wait for a knight in shining armor and their acceptance to whatever their leaders tell them to. It is where the constitution is amended for one person, and it is where the first signs of authoritarianism are starting to show. Where a candidate asks people why are they afraid of his candidature since they want peace and stability. But what about persona freedom Sleiman? WHAT ABOUT IT ?!

Let's Clap For Slieman! yeeeey!

2007-11-30T00:45:00.000-05:00

I wrote this small piece on one of the Lebanese political forums. I am completely opposed to the idea of the election of Sleiman, and was disgusted when I saw the jeering.

Reading through the some of the Lebanees political forums, I am nothing but appalled from reading the "acceptance" and "cheering" for GMS as the "perfect" candidate, or the savior from vacuum.

I would just like to say that I am completely opposed to the mere mentioning of his name as a possible candidate for following reasons.

First, no one knows where his loyalties lie. He was appointed by the Syrians, and we do know if he kept in contact with the Syrians. His response in Naher El-Bared is not enough to ensure that he is a man that will put Lebanon's interests above all, especially after he acted as a representative of the state and contacted a foreign country on his own accord.

Second, his qualifications as a politician have been untested. He is a military man. However, while I am not opposed to an ex-military man running for president, I am extremely opposed to some one making the immediate transition from a soldier to a politician. How does he value differing opinions ? Will he be like Aoun and refuse a differing opinion? So many questions run through my head about this man. Why ? Because all I know is that he is a General and possibly a good soldier but all else ends there. Politics are left for politicians and military operations are left for military men, that's why we have a system in Lebanon that separates the two.

Third, you talk about the 14th of March wanted to respect the Patriarch's wished. How do you respect his wishes by amending the constitution, when he opposed it? And if he does not oppose it, how would you even accept a constitutional amendment solely for his highness ?

There is a concept that is very alien to the Lebanese mind. It's called the rule of law. Perhaps it has not taken shape because of the war, and before the war there was the politics of patrimony or "ma7soubiyet". The constitution is not a rag for the politicians to wipe their feet with. It is not something that you amend continuously for one person, who is the president.

In the past 18 years it has been amended 3 times perhaps even more, and maybe this time the 4th, for what ? No it wasn't amended to give people free health care, no it wasn't amended to give people the unabridged freedom of speech, and not it wasn't amended to give the Lebanese courts more power. It was amended for the the sole graces of the president, and the prolonging of his term, even though each one did a job worse than the other.

Some people argue that they prefer Sleiman over vacuum. This is probably a good justification, but it is not good enough. People have to start understanding that they cannot overstep the constitution whenever they feel like it. This has to stop somewhere. It was meant as a ceiling and not as a floor. If politicians can't understand that then the people never will.

I am not advocating a 50+1 president, although I would not mind it. But a president that has been elected *cough* appointed *cough* through a constitutional amendment, and accepts such a constitutional amendment is no different than Lahoud, and is no different than all the over glorified, over celebrated, over welcomed, and ego inflated failure of politicians that came before him.'

You want to build a country, start by respecting its constitution.

Everyone needs a good laugh

2007-11-24T22:30:00.001-05:00

I think we all need a good laugh today after everything that's being said and been said. Let's take a chill pill and have a good time.

Nice video from Abu Taysir :)

Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish

2007-11-23T19:06:00.000-05:00

Our ex-president, who picture is not even worth posting on this blog has finally stepped down. We have finally rid ourself one of history's worse presidents. No one was committed to the undermining of the independence of this nation more than Emile Lahoud was.

As Johnny Abdo once said, " During his nine years as general he made Hizballah stronger than the army, during his nine years as president, he made the Hizballah stronger than the entire Lebanese nation.

Again, to quote my 5th grade English teacher, "Good riddance to bad rubbish".

As of now however, much more important questions pose themselves on us. What is the 14th of March going to do ? The LF block have said that as of midnight today, any call by Berri doesn't matter since the constitution states that the parliament is now in session indefinitely. The constitution is again a source of conflict, especially when one of the FPM leaders, Mr. Kenaan, starts arguing and shouting (for the lack of a more proper word) about how Aoun's proposition was rejected. Regardless of the fact that the proposition appoints Aoun as the selector of the President and Saad Hariri as the appointer of the PM. But who needs democracy anyway.

The way I see it at the moment. The 14th of March have two options. They can either convene tomorrow and elect a president with a 50%+1 , or they can take the more diplomatic road and try to get to an agreement with the opposition. I am personally against such prolongations of conflict. They will be doing nothing but moving the argument another 6 years. But what surprises me the most is that there will be no need for agreement over the PM or the Speaker of Parliament. It's just amazing how low the Christians have sunk, turning the presidency into an external issue with the president of Zimbabwe looking for a way to stick his nose in.

On the other hand, some trust sources have stated that Jumblat and the PSP have changed their minds about the 50%+1 , and wants to reach a settlement because he is afraid of a clash with Hizballah. Again you have the militant Hizballah, hindering the way for progression. But that's not the core of the problem actually. The core of the problem is that Jumblat is screwing the Christians again by changing his mind last minute for his self-preservation like he did before the 2005 elections.

One is left to wonder what's going to happen. Arguing about political maneuvering is useless at the moment. There's no telling what the self-serving Lebanese politicians will do this time around, but let's just hope it's for the good, and they don't screw Lebanon over and over again.

What's Going On?

2007-11-23T00:59:00.000-05:00

Emotions are flying ridiculously high, and the country has been polarized for the last 24 hours. We are waiting to see what is going to happen in the next few hours in Lebanon. Makes me wonder if I should actually go to sleep, or wait for the clock to strike 12.

Berri did not postpone the session, which is arguably unconstitutional to begin with. There is a suspicion that the FPM might boycott the election, but independent members of the R&C block are saying that they are going to show up. Honestly, I do not want to speculate, because there's nothing more I hate than theorizing, but we'll see who shows up and who doesn't.

All Hizballah cares about is a president that'll maintain their weapons. Earlier they decided to tempt the 14th of March, by saying that if Aoun is elected they'll be willing to "discuss" their disarmament. This declaration is very interesting, since they left room for a possibility of them not disarming at all.

Anyway we are left to be witnesses. Us the people, whose hands are tied.

I simply don't get it

2007-11-18T22:32:00.000-05:00

I've been quiet for the last week, because there wasn't anything of much importance to say. You had the usual attacks from left and right in the usual Lebanese "classy" manner but nothing of importance. At least nothing worth mentioning.

Aoun still thinks he's the only candidate, and people continue to follow him for some seriously irrational reasons which I have yet to understand. He has given oxygen to the syrian "opposition". He has given Christian legitimacy to the Hizballah. And what's the excuse? They're Lebanese like everybody else. Here I have something to say.

No mon generale. They are not Lebanese. The Shiites are Lebanese, but the Hizballah is an Iranian funded and founded party that exploits the Shiites to its own advantage. When you are able to prove to me that 90% (hopefully less) of the Shiite population are with a Khomeinist Islamic Republic then I'll agree with you. But until then I'll consider the Marada to be more Lebanese than Hizballah.

The Presidency

2007-11-11T00:10:00.000-05:00

I have managed to refrain from talking about the presidency for a while. Honestly, it's not really a subject that I want to get into. It's not really something that I look forward to either. There hasn't been a country that hasn't stuck its nose in Lebanon's business, and it won't be surprising if we find out that Burma is starting to tell Lebanon what it should do regarding its presidency.

I really have not seen a broader candidacy list. It seems like every Maronite wants to become president. I never really took that saying literally, but apparently it is meant to be literal. Everyone wants to reach the top, and well... they have the right to. But again... at what expense? At what expense are they doing all this ?

Most of them have agendas that transcend Lebanese borders, and those who are truly competent, and who truly should be president will not even get close to it. No I am not talking about Aoun. I'm talking about a group of unknowns. It could be anybody, but it's certainly nobody on the candidacy list right now.

There'll be more to come on Lebanese Renaissance on this issue, but right now, I don't want to be repeating what others say, because Lebanese politics is really a canned genre.

Update: Apparently the speaker of parliament has a knack for violating the constitution, not only does he lock up the legislature as if he owns it, but he has postponed the presidential elections until the 21st of November. Let's see how this pans out.

Who Would Dare Say This?

2007-11-10T01:49:00.001-05:00

What modern day politician would dare give this solution today?

Knowing that it is the only logical solution to the problem in regards if we are to keep Lebanese interest first.

A mere few MEN are left in Lebanon.

Enough Government Intervention

2007-11-09T00:29:00.000-05:00

I'm going to make this brief. ENOUGH!

No not like ENOUGH a.k.a Khalas, the movement that can be added to the bunch of politically correct and useless organizations in Lebanon.

Simply... Enough government intervention in the economy.

I was watching the new today, and they were talking about fuel prices. Just to show how much the Lebanese people have no idea how to run the economy ( being obvious by the lack there-of) , the reporter asked if the government was going to subsidize the rise in fuel prices.

My first reaction was NO! and luckily it was a no, but the government in Lebanon subsidizes a lot of things, and it practically owns the power, water, and communication sectors. Enough intervention. The Indians , who the Lebanese regard as an "inferior race" figured that out, and they still can't.

You can't really blame the people though. Those who are not poor most probably have a degree as either an engineer, lawyer or doctor, so they don't know how the hell an economy works. Then again ,neither do our politicians.

That's a nice degree in Economics you got from Karkov Mr. MP :)

Nassib Lahoud - Saeika Baathist Member - What's next? Geagea an ex-Taliban member?

2007-11-07T08:47:00.000-05:00

So that's where Geagea was for the last 11 years... I knew there was something fishy.

You can find the original link that caused all this stir here.

But honestly, what kind of an idiot would you be to believe this. Now I'm not the kind of person that just believes anything that he reads. Even if it's something that would suit me very much if he believed it. The problem is that the Lebanese press, and the entire Middle-Eastern press, has lost so much credibility in this on-going feud between the 8th and 14th of March that all you can do is try to nit-pick everything for some piece of credible news.

Anyway that's not the point. The point is, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I saw this piece of news. On one hand, it's funny because of the ridiculous accusation, but on the other hand, it's sad because of the speed that the 8th of March and the FPMers latched on to it with their teeth and starting sucking it (not milking it ... poor cows) dry like there was no tomorrow.

Never mind that this "truth" came from an extremely biased syrian "truth media outlet" ( a brief to their main page will show you what kind of politics they follow). Never mind that Nassib Lahoud's family was Chamounist, by Lebanese standards meaning that he would be a Chamounist by default. Never mind using logic that these photos can be EASILY manipulated and photo-shopped. I'm really surprised by their crispness as they should have shown some wear and tear marks, but apparently they don't since they're "real".

But AH! Here's another problem... the news comes from "Syrian Truth", but it's been used by Al-Akhbar. Al-Akhbar being the amature newspaper that it is, because of its complete lack of journalistic integrity published these pictures with no hesitation. Then who came along to seize the moment? No one other than tayyar.org / FPM. On a side note, I would also like to point out that the news is not on the top of their page anymore unlike some other pieces of news they latched onto in the past.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am ashamed of being Lebanese at this moment. I'm also ashamed of being part of the new generation of brainwashed imbeciles that believe whatever they hear because their leader has told them so... not that I was proud of being part of them to begin with.

Palistinian Propaganda Against Lebanese Army

2007-11-05T08:58:00.000-05:00

I was bored, just looking around youtube for some videos to watch, and I stumbled upon a video accusing the Lebanese Army of looting. The proof you ask? Nothing really, just some writing on the walls. As I really have a problem with controlling my temper in real life, I posted a comment on there.

I woke up today with a message to my youtube account with a link to another video saying that this was proof. Again, there was nothing to prove that this was the Lebanese Army. Not even writing this time.

Here's the video:

Now I'm no logistical expert here, but don't you think that people would have noticed the Lebanese Army carrying out sinks and closets ? And wasn't there a bunch of refugees leaving the camps with stuff on their cars and buses? And more importantly, wasn't there a bunch of terrorist thugs in there with no electricity needing a source of heat for cooking or whatever they were doing? Just another reason why they shouldn't be in Lebanon.

I'd Like a Lebanese Minister Please... ketchup on the side

2007-11-04T17:42:00.000-05:00

I'd like to refer everybody to an interview on Naharnet with the Youth and Sports Minister Ahmed Fatfat. I'm not going to post the entire article, although it can be found here. Now I'd love to see a minister that actually knows what he's talking about for once, and I'd also love to see one that's actually Lebanese. Apparently in Lebanon it's too much to ask for a patriotic minister. Instead you get a minister that has learned nothing from the past, and apparently won't learn anything in the future. Here are a few excerpts:

Fatfat, in an interview with Naharnet, said Iran supports consensus on a Presidential candidate to avoid a sunni-Shiite confrontation, contrary to Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime that believes Chaos in Lebanon is the way to re-gain control of the Beirut decision-making.

Well THANK GOD! I'm glad Iran doesn't want to destroy Lebanon, but would still like to interfere in Lebanon. Really I'm just glad that we know that now. Let's all take a breather. phew!

Fatfat also called for pulling "Syria's weapons" out of Lebanon, stressing that bases manned by Fatah Intifada and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command are "Syrian and not Palestinian" structures because their decisions are issued by the Assad regime and not by the Palestine Liberation Organization of President Mahmoud Abbas.

What about Palestinian weapons Mr.Fatfat? Aren't they also a source of instability, or did you forget what happened last summer, or do you just want to turn a blind eye to everything that has happened in history because of the Palestinians and their "legal" arms? Oh well, as long as the right asses are kissed...

"We are for an armed resistance and against an Armed Hizbullah," Fatfat declared.

"Resistance is not restricted to a single party, all the Lebanese factions have resistance heritage and have a duty to resist if the resistance is targeted against Israel to reclaim the land and regain prisoners," he explained

Are you for a real nation Mr.Fatfat? Do you know what your acceptance of ANY resistance does to Lebanon's economics growth? Not only does it breed more radicals Mr. Fatfat, but it destroys all progress before that... July war *hint hint nudge nudge*

Then again we do not have prisoners in Syria, and neither is Syria still in Lebanese territory claiming it's Syrian territory. Are you for an armed resistance against Syria Mr. Fatfat?

Iran, Fatfat noted, tends to facilitate "consensus" on a presidential candidate "and has no interest in (presidential) vacuum because it realizes that vacuum leads to Sunni-Shiite feud and this is not in Iran's interest."

Really?!? I thought the presidency was a Christian position, my bad. Iran's doing a good thing, let's give it a seat in parliament as well. It'll pave a road from Lebanon to Iran that way.

Nevertheless, he stressed that the March 14 alliance has taken a "decisive decision. We'll not permit vacuum. Vacuum bears serious repercussions … that is why it is our duty to elect a president by simple majority if a head of state was not elected by Nov. 24.

I agree. As long as Iran is happy, and Khamaini is healthy. Everything should be fine, since you know... a sunni-shiite feud would be averted.

Choosing a presidential candidate, Fatfat noted, is "the Christians' responsibility in the first place, but it should be backed up by national participation."

Wise words Mr. Fatfat. Now let's apply this to every high government position.

But wait...

We've hit a snag. Iran wouldn't like other Lebanese deciding who the Speaker of Parliament should be. We should make it happy. Let Amal and Hizballah decide alone.

But wait again...

That's what happened in 2005... DOH!

The Disgusting Vanity

2007-06-01T10:17:00.000-04:00

I'm not going to comment much about what's going on in the Palestinian camps because there's little to comment about. The Lebanese Army is doing a terrific job, with 6 lightly wounded soldiers up till now, so for now I'm going to focus on something that happened to me last night.

No it did not happen at an Army checkpoint who surprisingly let 4 guys in a car pass by without checking it and saying the famous "3al yamin" phrase, but it happened at the Sanyour restaurant in Kaslik. It was a one time thing after what happened last night, because I honestly can't handle such snobbishness and flaring of money.

So a few friends and I decided to go to Sanyour to enjoy a meza. After spending 10 straight months in the US I have come enjoy just sitting around, eating and doing nothing. I agreed to go to Sanyour because i still had the image of the old Sanyour in my head, one that's cheap and had good food. We got neither, but that's not the point either.

I gave me 1999 Nissan pathfinder to the valet there, and they drove it off. Although there was a lot of room in front of Sanyour. But apparently those places are reserved for the people with nice cars... cars that cost more than 70,000 dollars. Now I'm not angry because they drove my car off. Frankly it wasn't really presentable since I attempted to wash it when there was wind, and let's just say I failed miserably.

I took look at the people around me and the cars, and I just got angry. Here we have people starving in Lebanon, and people not able to pay their bills or even afford electricity, and then you have THOSE people. This just goes to show you the level of social inequality going on in the country. The widening gap between the rich and the poor of Lebanon, which is of course totally unacceptable, by my standards or any person with a conscience.

I don't understand how some one can buy an Infinity SUV while some other Lebanese probably less than a few kilometers away from is trying to find a way to make ends meet. This is certainly not the Lebanon that I want, but it is the Lebanon that I know, and it is the little part of it that I hate, the show-off mentality and the vanity.

It is something that we have to work on changing.

Ridiculous Positions

2007-05-24T09:09:00.000-04:00

So it seems they're targeting areas according to their sectarian orientation.

Achrafieh being the Christians, Verdun being the Sunnis, and Aley being the Druzes. But all these explosions have one thing common and that is the targeting of commercial areas.

I don't like pointing fingers without proof, because I really do not want to sound like the next Lebanese. Then again, I don't like sounding politically correct like some Free Patriotic Movement members out of spite but in this case I cannot help but point my finger at Syria.

These bombings are similar to hitting two birds with one stone. Syria does not want the tribunal to take place, because it is more than obvious that they were either directly or indirectly responsible for it. To take things further, a good touristic season in Lebanon comes completely against Syria and not Israel like some try to portray. Israel is not visited by hundreds of thousands of Arabs during the Summer, but Syria is visited by the Arabs during the summer as well. And if the Arab tourists don't go to Lebanon, what's the next best thing? I'll make it simple. It's Syria.

Now of the politically correct members of the opposition develop a sense of nationalism, and stop criticizing the government until this crisis blows over. They'll be doing the Lebanese and Lebanon a favor.

It would be ridiculous to assume that all of them take orders from Syria, but it would also be ridiculous to assume that most if not all of them are following self-interests and nothing more. Actually the entire Lebanese political class is self-interested, but the Lebanese Army currently needs all our support.

Frustrated

2007-05-22T14:22:00.000-04:00

Just watched the news. I was really amazed by the level of arrogance coming from the Palestinians in their camps. Before I watched the news I heard of their opposition and now I heard it. Again... they seem to think they're back in 1973 and they can say and do whatever they want.

Simply put, I disagree (obviously), and I believe they should shut their mouths.

I can't express how frustrated I currently am. The last thing I expect to happen is to be threatened by foreigners in my own country and find them get away with it.

Lovely Welcoming

2007-05-22T09:11:00.000-04:00

Two civilian targeted bombings, an Islamist group attacking the Lebanese Army and murdering its soldiers in their sleep Iraqi style, and Palestinians thinking it's 1973.

I'm finally back in Lebanon and what so many of my friends actually joked about has come true. Before I got here, they would say that I shouldn't come back because they actually want to enjoy their summer, since the time I came back last summer was the day before Hizballah wittingly decided to kidnap and kill Israeli soldiers.

I've been watching the news all day today since I'm not allowed to leave the house. Yes... that's what happens when you go back to living with your parents and you have an overprotective mother, but nevertheless I saw a few interesting things.

Now I will not comment on what the Lebanese sides have said, because they both love to score political points against one another in every situation possible and in this situation the opposition has shown too much leniency towards the Palestinians and the "fateh el-islam".

"Fateh el-islam" is a group that should be literally crushed by the Lebanese Army, and be made an example of. Those pompous Palestinian leaders like Sultan Abou-El Aynan and Anwar Raja should be warned and taught to keep their mouths shut. They cannot expect to talk like that against the Lebanese Army and the Lebanese themselves. The Lebanese Army does not need their permission to enter the camps and it certainly does not need their permission to defend itself from the groups that they have willingly hosted.

Civilian casualties should be kept at a minimum, however, are we really willing to risk more Lebanese casualties for the sake of those terrorists and their Palestinian counter-parts. Now "Fateh El-Islam" arrogantly called for a cease-fire, and I believe the Lebanese Army has accepted. This however should also not be accepted, because such groups are a threat to Lebanon, the Lebanese, and their security, and this war should not be dictated according to their terms.

I am specifically reminded of a sentence that Bachir Gemayel once said. Whether you agree with him or not, or you consider him a hero or not, one cannot deny that when he said (loose translation from Lebanese):

The worst thing ever is for a foreigner to humiliate you in your own country

That's what the Palestinians are doing now by so arrogantly threatening the Lebanese and their army. They have to be taught a lesson through "Fateh El-Islam" that they will never forget.

Long live our brave army and God bless their martyrs. They're doing a great job out there and could be doing a better one if we had brave enough politicians.

Traveling Back To Lebanon

2007-05-16T23:20:00.000-04:00

We made an anouncment a few weeks ago concerning the return of the blog, and I am here to announce the official launch of the blog again, but with a very big difference in the content.

We're not going to only talk about politics, but we're going to deal with the social and economic issues in Lebanon. Talk about the simple stuff and the complexities of international politics that people would usually yawn about.

I'm personally heading back to Lebanon soon, and I will be blogging from there. Documenting my days in Lebanon. This blog is going to be about the Lebanese Renaissance, but it's not going to be about Lebanon solely. It's going to be about the future of Lebanon. Those who are going to be responsible for it's renaissance.

Lebanese Renaissance Restarting

2007-04-08T23:37:00.000-04:00

We currently doubt that anyone is still reading this blog regularly. We have not updated this blog for almost a year , but we do intend on restarting what we have begun and hopefully continuously updating the blog, with new and rich topics.

Mazen has a great deal in store for us, so stay tune for the next couple of weeks. There's a lot coming to this blog.

Jordanian For Lebanon

2006-07-18T18:12:00.000-04:00

I don't know if it was out of pity or out of believing in Lebanon, but this Jordanian impressed me with his drawing.

A great salute to all of Lebanon supporters outside our borders.

2006-07-15T13:48:00.000-04:00

Lebanon. You don't really know where to start and where to begin. You look at the latest speech by the prime-minister where he shed a tear at the end. The pathetic state of the Lebanese government is seen through his eyes. They are unable to do anything to stop what's going on. The international community has abandoned Lebanon again... again since the Lebanese war we stand alone against the world. The arabs are no where to be seen. The syrian's foriegn minister ( not sure if that's what he is ) Farouk El-Shareaa goes on TV says that he supports the resistance in Lebanon and Palestine. Sure, he supports them because it's not his country that's being destroyed, politically, economically and socailly. Syria is not being complety destroyed by their neighbour to the south. History repeats itself with those that don't learn from it. Lebanon has still not learnt from it's mistakes. We are begging the international community to help us when they are turning their blind eye to what's goin on in Lebanon. In the words of the Prime Minister.

Sa Yabka Lubnan
Sa Yabka Lubnan
Sa Yabka Lubnan

Are You Serious?

2006-07-07T13:53:00.000-04:00

I was reading through the internet forum and realized how OK people are with the agreement around the discussion table on the disarming of the Palestinians outside but not insde the camps. When people first start talking about the need to disarm the Palestinians inside Lebanon, naturally, you would think that it means disarming them inside and outside the camps. But somehow we got this new equation of the need to keep the Palestinian arms inside the camps but not outside it. Who , and I'm talking about all politicians , are they trying to fool with this smooth act?

I am not accusing the politicians of having ulterior motives through this move, but what is this type of neo-comprimisation infront of Lebanese interests. Do they really think that people are gullible enough to actually think that those weapons that the Palestinians have inside thier camps are going to repel a full fledged Israeli attack that HA and the army was not able to repel.

The Cairo agreement was signed on the basis of supporting the arab/palestinian cause. The main purpose was to arm the Palestinians and have them launch attacks at Israeli, which Lebanon was in an official state of war with since 1948. That agreement was one of the main causes that lead to the war errupting in 1975. The Palestinians used those weapons against the Lebanese, and they also gave Israel another exuse to enter Lebanon, Twice.

The purpose of this post is not to point fingers, but its main purpose is to point out this specific agreement that has been agreed upon on the discussion table, but is closer to a ridiculous comprimise over Lebanese interests, much like what happened before. I'm a staunch opposer of HA's weapons, but I do not believe that this concentration on disarming HA is going to lead anywhere when they refuse to disarm the foriegners IN and OUT of the camps.

Video Of The Week - Kasam Jibran

2006-06-27T09:32:00.000-04:00

Excuse me if this video is from propoganda central a.k.a Future media, but nevertheless the person who this video is being attributed to is not to be taken lightly, and it's more important to focus on the content. Martyr Jibran Tueni, a true revolutionary figure in Lebanese politics. He wanted to bring change to our political system starting from decreasing the salaries of the MPs, and the ridiculous life long salaries that ex-MPs get. He also wanted to decrease the parliment's span from 4 to 2 years. Yet, as all revolutionaries in Lebanon he was assasinated. A fierce political opponent of Syria, and fierce opponent of injustice was lost. In Lebanon only the good men and women are lost. Those that bring the risk of unity between the Lebanese people, and a sense of democracy into their lives. Democracy and unity, two ingredients of terror in most political figures.

Glorification After Death

2006-06-23T21:03:00.000-04:00

If you take a look at the Lebanese and their history, you'll actually find something amazing, and even shocking. Every political person who dies suddenly becomes one of the most virtuous persons that has ever lived. All what was said about him before he did were lies, and all that shall be said about him after he dies should be absolutely a step closer to his sanctification.

Now I am certainly not denying that Lebanon has never had its fair share of people who fallen for this country because of the positive things they had planned for this country, but I certainly do acknowledge that they were not all saints, and I look for the truth and not the "He-said,she-said" through other means to see if I can accept the reason of why that mistake or step was done.

But that certainly is not what most of the Lebanese like to do. Most of the Lebanese suddenly have lots of positive things to say about a person who just died, and most of them forget what a person actually did before he did. This does not mean that we should disrespect the dead, but there is no need to glorify every single person that is killed in this country. I will not give examples, because we've had a lot of examples in the past year. It's always when we forget the past, and somehow, create a great future for those same people, forgetting those who truly died on the frontlines for Lebanon. Why not name a street for every martyr the fell during the Lebanese war?

The Lebanese & The Arab-Palestinian Cause

2006-06-15T23:36:00.000-04:00

The Cost

Something that has constantly amazed me in some of the Lebanese citizens and their political figures is their continuous attachment to the Arab and Palestinian cause. Their constant repetitiveness of the need to defend our Palestinian brothers and their right to a Palestinian nation, whether Israel is to exist or not.

A question I have to ask these people is what is this Arab/Palestinian cause? What is this pseudo-political ideological foundation that has put Lebanon in the pits of despair over and over again? A classical answer to this question would be that the great Zionist Jews came in Palestine and conquered their land. They are Arabs and we are Arabs, so we have to support their cause and refute the presence of this Zionist state. Now my answer to this classical hypocrisy would be, what is left of the Arab and Palestinian cause?

There are 300 million Arabs in this world if not more. Somehow it is up to the 4 million Lebanese to fight for those 300 millions rights. Somehow it is up to us Lebanese to carry the whole existence of the Arab cause and fight for their dying non-existent expired rotting cause, while they build their internet cities and make their economies prosper, while we Lebanese are on the front lines of defending their Arab cause.

It's time to stop these ridiculous out-dated ambitions. To each his own. We Lebanese have to concentrate on the Lebanese cause. The cause that never existed, and the cause that was always overshadowed by the Arab cause and Palestinian conflicts that we have grown saturated with. They accuse people who solely want the interest of Lebanon to come first and have priority of being insensitive and inhumane, and I am personally one of the people being accused. So I would be liked to excused if I refused to have Lebanon become the brother of the middle-east, the whore house of the Arabs, and their crash test dummy. We have concentrated on a useless cause long enough, we have sacrificed enough blood on Lebanese soil for a cause that was not our own.

Lebanon comes first and last in my book. It is time to pave the way for Lebanese who want Lebanon for every single Lebanese citizen. A Lebanon that considers all its citizens equal, and a Lebanon that does not separate its citizens between sects, but between capability and competence of how they can serve their nation, as a Lebanese nation only.

The Consequence

Higher Than Criticsm

2006-06-08T22:31:00.000-04:00

Today marks the one week anniversary of the flaming anti-freedom riots that exploded through Beirut's suburbs. Freedom of speech was targeted in these riots. It was targeted by two kinds of people. The first kind is the one that is blindly loyal to the party that he supports or is a member of. He does not question the motives behind any political move, and considers the leader or leaders of that party somewhat like family. Although he's never known them or met them in his life. He is prepared to punch,hit,stab and wreck havoc throughout an entire city when the "integrity" of that leader comes into play.

Then you have the other kind of person. That person does not believe in freedom of speech. The former is a victim of his own ignorance, or more accurately, he's a victim of those that want to keep him ignorant. After all, the least educated are the most easily manipulated. But this kind of person, know what he sees, he laughs at other people's leaders when he sees them on TV. He accepts all political shows to make fun of other leaders. The leaders that other people look up to and mostly follow blindly like him. The sole difference however is that they do not wreck havoc when their leader is made fun of. This is the first time that Lebanon has witnessed such an incident like the one of last Thursday. I believe that most of you know what I am talking about.

I am referring to the Basmet Watan episode where they imitated but did not mock the leader of Hizbullah, which is Hassan Nasrallah. These hooligans on the street were calmed down by Hizbullah, but don't you think that by this small detail in the evening news which did not receive much importance, that the government has shown how weak it was. How it was not able to intimidate the people, and stop them from wrecking havoc without having to use deadly force? Isn't it ironic that a government cannot calm down the citizens of its own nation. What we are witnessing over here my friends, is a small alternative replay of the 1860,1958, and 1975 events. All which lead to a destructive civil war. The Lebanese have yet to learn their lesson, but this has to be expected since most of them have allegiances to countries outside of Lebanon. There are few political parties, the FPM and GOC being one of the few if not the only, that have yet to be influenced by the continuing pressures of foreign powers. What the Lebanese have not learnt is that not one single country in the world wants what's best for Lebanon. Lebanon has always been the thorn in the Arab's side. It was the only democracy in a sea of dictatorships. It could have been the road to the liberation of Palestine by creating an alternative state in Lebanon. The Lebanese however did not allow such a thing to happen. But it does not only stop there, it is in everyone's interest to keep an ongoing fight in Lebanon. The Americans to justify their presence in the turbulent middle-east. The Syrians to justify themselves for occupying Lebanon since we Lebanese cannot seem live with each other. The Israelis will have an excuse to target the Palestinian camps as ruthlessly as they did during the Lebanese war. The list goes on...

The Lebanese people have to understand that by occupying themselves with such pathetic topics, such as rioting because of a comedy show, which I have seen by the way, and which will be posted at the end of the article. Instead of rioting for such a comedy show, why don't the same people, including other Lebanese stand up for their rights in front of the government. Why don't they riot (not that I advocate rioting) because taxes are too high? Why don't they riot because the government is not giving them what they need? What I'm saying over here is why don't the people revolt. Enough waiting for your useless political leaders. They are only doing what they see is fit. They are not living between the people and gained a first hand experience of their suffering. They do not have water shortages. They do not suffer from electrical shortages. They have everything they need. The people are the ones who are suffering, yet they lay on their backs being passive like they always have. Merrily like sheep waiting for their Shepard to send them to graze.

It's amazing how the sheep terminology can fit the Lebanese. They will not react if their leaders do not tell them to react. They will not move an inch if their leaders don't tell them to move an inch. It's the culture of the zoama (zo3ama) that still exists in Lebanon today. It's still being inherited from father to son, and so little of the Lebanese tend to realize that. There's no reason to question a zaeem, he knows what's best for us (usually referring to their sect).

Below here is the video of the controversial episode of Basmet Watan. If anyone can please point out to me where this video is offensive I will be glad to withdraw the following statement.

The hooligans that started the riots because their "spiritual leader" was made fun of on that episode of Basmet Watan have no sense of freedom of thought, and neither do they know the meaning of freedom of speech. They do not realize that Hassan Nasrallah is involved in politics, and him like so many other political leaders will be subject to critism. He is not higher than critism. No one is higher than critism, but it would be difficult to understand that if you are constantly victimizing yourself, and hearing the on sided truth. The people are not to be blamed completely. The government is lacking, severely lacking, which has allowed religious extremism to flow throughout the deprived societies.

Basmet Watan - Hassan Nasrallah

Basmet Watan - Bachir Gemayel

I do know that the immitation of Hassan Nassrallah is not projected in the same way of Bachir Gemayel's immitation, but nevertheless, niether of them are provoking. If some one can please show me where and at what point Hassan Nasrallah was provoked as a religious figure I'd be grateful.

Ya Beirut - Weekly Video

2006-06-04T18:19:00.000-04:00

This is truly a magical song by Majida El-Roumi. I find it one of the most moving patriotic songs out there right now, and this video clip is an even better representation of the song, although it's in low quality the beauty and destruction can be clearly made out. This video cannot but also anger me when I see it, since it only shows where Lebanon was and where it has become. The destruction see came all in the name of arabism, the Palestinian cause, the Arab-Israeli war, and the Syrian annexation plans.

All of these plans are like raindrops during a storm. They all seem to be little problems, and then they enter into the cracks of concrete. The temperature drops even lower and they expand causing bigger cracks in the concrete making the wall fall apart. That's what all these plans were for. None of these plans were for Lebanon, they were all against Lebanon, and against its sole existence, but as many have tried during the past to remove Lebanon of the map, these people have failed and they will never succeed. All these plans involved in breaking the Lebanese apart from their cohesivness, so they would not form a unified front, and it saddens me to say that they have succeeded to a certain extent. Our fight for a truly free and independent Lebanon has not ended. Those who think it has ended are only victims of thier own ignorance. The path to freedom is still far away and we have barely left our front door.

But anyway here's the video. Witness the destruction.

Water Is Universal

2006-05-29T23:25:00.000-04:00

For the sake of securing a future to the state and the society, one must look at technological innovation as a key role in Lebanon's economics.

As the world is approaching the "virtual revolution" with excitement, the industrial phenomenon is still active and will remain intact just like all other technological practices of the past.

I see no reason why our nation should not invest in this field.

After all, we know that a major transformation throughout the 10452Km2 can open the door for more job possibilities, which in turn, will provide a better future to our fellow countrymen and countrywomen.

According to my analysis, I believe that the most important section of Lebanon's upcoming industry should be none other then...the water market.

Just like the Arabs from the Khaleej (Gulf States) have an economy that is booming thank to the oil industry, Lebanon shall prosper through the water revolution.

This idea, "The Water Project", came into conception in the '60's by Maurice Gemayel.

Coined as “Lebanon’s Leonardo Da Vinci”, he equally was a brilliant politician in his time.

I find it sad that there isn't a lot of information about him and his work (on the Internet or in the Public Libraries).

However, I did find some things on the man, and I would like to share them with you all!

Here's one link about him...

The following is another peace of information that is found about him, thanks to a fellow compatriot from the Lebanese political forums...

La planification intégrale des eaux libanaises[/B] / Maurice Gemayel. - Beyrouth : [s.n.], 1951. - XI-262 p. : ill., cartes, plans ; 25 cm. - (La valorisation du Liban, Plans et programmes ; 1)

I beleive it is a study he worked on, and this document is available to the public in Lebanon.

Below, is a brainstorm paper I am working on, and everyone is free to comment on the idea!

An Excellent Water Market, Should Start With a Good Environmental Quality

Just how decent is the environment of our beloved Lebanon?

Attached with this article, is a fact box displaying the result of the 2002 environmental report for the City of Beirut.

As it is shown, the city's environment is rated 90/100---this mean that the country have some of the best environmental quality in the world...our neighbors do not even level us on this matter.

In the mountains, some got rated 100 out of 100...

This is a good indication that a strong water market should start with a solid basic: the health factor.

Lebanon has more reason then any others to invest in there and sell the best of it.

Even in the West and elsewhere, such a quality is far from found.

I think that many Lebanese from within and abroad, are dedicated engineers, from geo-technical to water and environmental studies, so I think we should pave the way and make these jobs available for them in Lebanon.

In order to do this, we have to start with the market, and the market is only possible through the government.

Therefore, politicians and businessmen should meet in order to formulate a way for this market to be open and firmly established.

We can have them meet, only if we have strong student associations and social clubs who are good in activism and who have a decent starting plan with them, in order to present it to the media, government, companies, etc...

What can make Lebanon unique, is the idea that our water, which will come from our beloved mountains, should be 100% natural and pure.

None of the chemical stuff in it.

Everything, from pipelines to the manufactory, must be made of healthy material and designed in a way where only natural and clean water can be collected, produced (ie: vaporisation) and packaged.

Also, I beleive that the package in which it shall be filled in, must be of a healthy material and not cheap ones such as plastic bottles (where studies have shown that some disease come out of this material).

Why not take advantage of this resource of our's and sell them per gallons, bottles or through pipelines...just like the Gulf did with their oil industry?...

I thank you once again for this great idea.

So in other words, I truly beleive that this project should be promoted throughout the Lebanese universities as well as any form of Internet or newsletter type of medias which we will address all Lebanese from within and abroad.

University students and Lebanese in general, can brainstorm the ideas together, prepare the final conception of it, and make extensive research by contacting people in the many fields which will make this project possible (ie: engineers, business people, etc).

A final "draft" can be prepared, and voted on by many Lebanese people through polls and statistics...

Presenting these polls and the finalised draft to the media, companies and government, will help us move a step forward....

Wether it will be possible or not, is another story.

But for a starter, I think that this is the most realistic method we can apply.

The following is out of subject, but somewhat related...

What can make Lebanon even more better, due to the environmental quality found in the land (which is not the case in many other areas), is the thought that we can upgrade our agricultural market.

Also, on the Mediteranean sea level, there is the seafood market of our's, which is said that our fishes in there, are far better then the one we buy from the big companies of the West...

We don't have a lot of seafood and this market cannot be big compared to others, but I know for a fact that the fish over there is one of the best in the world---so it makes a difference...

Not only that, but we can find ways, through ecologist, scientists and others, on how to create a nice ground under the Mediterranian sea, so that it can attract as many sea creatures are possible.

Our fruits and vegetables, have different taste then those found elsewhere, something can be done there too...

To top it off, it is said that in the sea level, a few kilometres away from Saidon and Batroun, respectively, beneath the earth of the sea, there are oils in there...

Lebanon and the oil industry?...

The country will end up richer then the Gulf or elsewhere...

But maybe this part was a farce, since both cities did not succeed at attracting job seekers, so they had to "invent" a story and see if they can get more people there.

Nonetheless, with oil or without oil, thanks to the Lebanese mountains, the water market could make our country one of the most productive in the world!

Question is: what will we support, Lebanon, or the militias which will destroy our dreams and future?...

Take good care,

Mazen

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Will It Ever Change?...

2006-05-23T02:34:00.000-04:00

One of the remaining problem we have in Lebanon today, is the never-ending mockery that is thrown at us from this feudal-based political system and it's parties that are still eating off the citizens' bread and milk.

As long as this type of regulation exist, then our country is bound for corruption in every sense.

Back in the days, before the Lebanese Independance, our country had figures like Pierre Gemayel who was working on the ground in order to form one of the best socio-political party the nation ever got to know: the Kataeb.

It was later registered through the government by the name of the "Social Democratic Party".

Now, I am not capable of reading the Founder's mind, but I often ask myself wether "Sheikh Pierre" did this for a feudal interest or if he really was working on making a democratic party for all the Lebanese.

With the 1958 pact from the government, an American plot which used Arab pressures over Lebanon, the contract was made in a way where true democracy would be delayed in the country, for a feudal-based structure was established instead.

Since then, "clientelism" became the name of their game.

From religious exploitation which feeds nothing but spiritual contamination and sectarian extremism, to the bourgeouasie/nanti lifestyle of the so-called "elites", Lebanon is still possessing a political class that reminds people of the medeaval times when nations like France and it's neighbors used to be ruled by the monarchy.

Did we ever get to learn a thing or two from them?...

As long as we have this kind of corruption, then this is what will happen next: the exact same thing as the French Revolution...

Does Lebanon still have the time left for such an event to occur?...

Why do the Lebanese people need to go backward, when they have everything it takes in order to move on forward?...

Attached, is a picture of a typical feudal leader, circa 2006.

I got it off a "Social Democratic Party" web site.

It explains just how funny the Lebanese society can be sometimes...

Regards,

Mazen

Ma Tghayir Balad

2006-05-21T02:24:00.000-04:00

This is a small video clip that I found while browsing youtube.com . It is going to be the first video of many more to come in a weekly video feature that will be started on the blog.

I find this video to be greatly inspiring, although I find it ironic because I am actually studying outside of Lebanon. Missing Lebanon is one of the greatest challenges that my Lebanese students studying abroad have to endure. One other small comment I'd like to make is although this clip is titled "Ma Tghayir Balad" ( don't change country ) I personally think that the title should be "Ma Tghayar El Balad" Look at it. Nothing has changed. The abuse is still there, people are still starving, and our country is slowly being sold to foriegners in pieces in the name of the economy. I hope the government does realize that it can salvage the economy in different ways that don't have to include selling Lebanon piece by piece. Mainly, but not being feudalist bloodsucking liers amatuer carless irresponsible politicians.

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Bad Lebanese Habits

2006-05-20T15:49:00.000-04:00

According to my friend Lira = 1500. These are the few things that the Lebanese society is infected with, and yes, it is a disease. You can read more of his blogs on http://lira1500.blogspot.com/ . Feel free to add more in the comments section and I'll add them to the main post.

1. Racism

2. Sectarianism

3. Arrogance

4. Indiscipline

5. Laziness

6. Ignorance

7. Shallowness

8. Corruption

Fixed But With Changes

2006-05-19T19:05:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone,

The comment script on the previous template was not working, and since scripting has never been one of my strong points I had to completely change the template. Uptill now everything seems to be working. We would appreciate your feedback on everytihng we write.

Enjoy.

Technical Difficulties

2006-05-16T02:54:00.000-04:00

We're experiencing some technical difficulties with the comments section. It will be fixed as soon as possible, but if you would like to comment on something in particular don't hesistate to email us at our adress.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

The Lebanese Youth; Fake Replicas ?

2006-05-13T23:38:00.000-04:00

Before I begin with the topic that I want to discuss concerning the Lebanese youth, I would first like to thank Mazen for his wonderful opening thread, and I'm sure we'll see many more of the same caliber as things get going. And now to the topic at hand.

I'm sure that a large number of the people who are going to be reading this blog will be people under the age of 30. They will be people of principle, and people of thought. But I have always wondered, are they people of free thought ?

If you take a look at Lebanese newspapers these days you will see that the frontpage is full of news concerning local and regional politics, and you might also see the student representative of a certain political party at the bottom of that frontpage. But you will never see a real student movement taking up a space on the frontpage, and if you ask me why, that's because there are no free thinking student movements. Most if not all of the political parties in Lebanon have a student committee, the Free Patriotic Movement, the Future Movement, the Communist Party, Hezbollah, etc... And I believe that all these committees restrict the development of the student body as a whole on all campuses. Instead of seeing students becoming the bringers of change, they have now become a tool of exchange. Do not get me wrong here, I am for the freedom of thought and I believe that you have the right to enter any sort of organization that you want, however, take a minute and look at the Lebanese political scene.

Where do the students come in when it comes to decisions made in politics? You would think that they would have a say since they are told to attend demonstrations and support whatever decision the party they support or sympathize with has took, but sadly that's about it. If the party does not tell them to participate in a demonstration they believe in or think is right. They will not move an inch. Students have become nothing but mere followers and sheep in a stock guided by a shepard. However, the shepherd's decisions do not have to be negative, and could be positive, but just the fact that they will not take part in a certain act without being told by that shepard means that they are truly sheep, which are occasionally sent out to graze.

Since when have students been taught not to think. We could partially blame it on the educational system which teaches a child to accept instead of criticize. We could also blame it on our middle-eastern community which is also based on a feudalistic ideology, or we could blame it on the lack of vision that has hit our youth and has become a virus smeared amongst them. They have become an extension of previous followers. When the government issues a law that restricts a certain freedom or is unjust and unfair no word is uttered by those students if the leader does not say a word.

When you look at any country outside of Lebanon, you will see that the students are the ones who have led the change in society. They have rebelled against whole governments and regimes. They have pressured leaders into giving into their demands, and not the opposite. Lebanon has been stuck in a gigantic loophole for the last 50 years because of the lack of vision that inhabits its youth. Instead of being the condemners of violence they are the messengers of violence. Instead of learning from their elders' huge amount of mistakes, who have done nothing but shed blood on Lebanese territory, they carry on with their legacy threatening to kill and destroy. We do not see the the development of our society through our youth. We are only witnessing the propagation of the old sectarian, feudalistic, and rotting values in them. A small example of this continued rotting mentality is the titles given to the Lebanese leaders, which are a remnant of the Ottomans' regressive era. The shiekhs, the bieks, and the affendis, although removed as official titles by law, are still spread throughout the Lebanese community, the educated and the non-educated. Instead of having a student think about why he is giving that person such a title he goes ahead and says it without giving it a single thought. He does not think that he is giving a person that does not surpass him in anyway as a human-being, physically or mentally, the idea that he is better than him. The Lebanese youth are simply the continuation of mistakes of the past, only reincarnated into new bodies.

Why aren't the students revolting against the government ridiculous economical policies on their own. Why aren't they aware that their country is collapsing in front of their own eyes, and are not starting an initiative on their own for their country, rather than for their parties and leaders? Why aren't they on the streets at this moment protesting against the governments continuous failure? The government's economical policies do not only concern the FPM and HA. They also concern the FM, the PSP and the LF. Where were they? Aren't they aware that their fellow Lebanese are suffering. Are they just blinded by the few cans of oil and donations that they receive from the Hariri foundation? If that's the case, then the thought of not biting the hand that feeds you certainly comes into the affect.

Living on past victories has truly blinded most of the Lebanese youth. Looking at the short-run without taking a step forward and looking at the long-run, and where are the youth? The revolutionary youth that have started riots against their leaders because they did not like their policies. To me, it seems that they are hanging around in a deep slumber. More occupied with winning the university elections for their party, than actually campainging for a better university and a better Lebanon. Orange, blue, red, white, green, fushia, turquoise shirts do not create a new country founded upon patriotic principles, but it seems that this has become their center of attention. Yet, the way I see it, it only creates a rainbow of ignorance that follows to the pot of gold.

The Lebanese youth are asleep, dreaming not acting.

Dove from the Mountaintop

2006-05-11T21:43:00.000-04:00

I would like to start my first post, here at Lebanese Renaissance, by thanking Fadi for establishing this foundation.

A great idea, I am sure!

After getting to know him for a few months online, I feel honored to participate with him in this brand of Lebanese Cause.

Fadi is a humble man with principles. He is a person who has strong love for his country and it’s people, and he is ready to contribute to this nation by any means necessary. In other words, we can say that he is a man of peace---a man for Lebanon.

A fast learner by choice, Fadi is an independent person with clear goals and a decent cause in mind.

He is creative, dynamic and tolerant, among the many other qualities we will see in him as time goes by.

God Willing, we will learn a great deal from what he has to say.

In addition, I would like to give a big welcome to Ali, another great individual who would do much for his country and his people.

As it will be shown by his personality, Ali is one of those guys who can help you by giving his 100% while he does not expect anything in return. Learning from what he knows is a blessing for all of us. Like Fadi, he certainly is a man of service, which is what we, the Lebanese, are known for best: hospitality!

With the arrival of others on board, I am sure this site will give you all a facet of Lebanon which will not be seen elsewhere. That is due to the leadership’s meticulous aim at promoting the country’s diversity by selecting members who may be different from one another but have one common ground: Lebanon.

Nowadays, many Lebanese from within and abroad are lobbying for Lebanon in their own way. I like and respect them all no matter how much I may disagree with their approach.

However, being with this circle right here is unique because I know we have a particular way of getting our message across.

In the Middle East, war and peace is the official constitution of our daily life.

Human beings are prone to error, and in a region where the “powers that be” of every generation had ambitions for conquering this part of the world, division amongst the native people are bound to happen.

This is where war kicks in and the hellfire is burning, fire upon fire.

But then, once a generation learned from it’s past, they resort into the ultimate Paradise: Peace.

Light upon light, the region and it’s people became one of pure illumination---a Phoenix on it’s own and a beacon of civilization.

Alas, the fire is no longer used as burden to the people---on the contrary, it became a lamp for our heart.

That’s when the Dove became significant to all of us.

This type of bird has been used throughout history as a “messenger of peace”, because the leaders who called for it used to write to each other through the Dove, who would then transmit their message.

The Dove is a sign of light, whitening and cleanliness. It is often used to represent anything that is in the process of purification, and there is nothing more pure in this world then peace.

In Arabic, the name: “Lubnan” is very similar to the meaning of Dove.

However, it is not a type of bird.

“Lubnan” is in fact the snow that is covering the peak of a mountaintop. It is illuminative, whitening, clean, pure…peaceful.

Lebanon in English, Liban in French, no matter by how many languages it is said, the meaning remain the same.

There is a proverb that I say about my compatriots all the time, and it’s the following…

"The Lebanese People are as mysterious as the snow flakes on top of a mountain’s peak! When obscurity occurs, they shine in the dark, but when comes the break of dawn---they are mistaken for the rays of the sun"

Indeed, no matter how many times we will go through difficulties, we will remain as we where, if not better.

Today, I wish that our dear readers will understand why every post we will write, can be seen like a Dove who is about to transmit a message to you---straight from the Lebanese mountaintop!

With the current events in our country, we wish to report to you how we see them as they unfold for the moment.

All the best in your readings!

Sincerely,

Mazen :)

Introduction

2006-05-09T23:51:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone,

I decided to start this blog due to the fact that most of the politics that are being discussed on the Lebanese forums seem to restrict my true freedom of expression. However, this project will not be maintained by me only, but by a few friends as well, who may and may not share the same political view on certain issues and topics. We are all patriotic, some even nationalistic, some pro-arab, some anti-arab. We all have our different views, but we all want a free and independent Lebanon. The other bloggers will introduce themselves shortly.

Hope you enjoy your stay and visit us again.