Saddam Hussein capitally punished

December 30, 2006 is a milestone in history. A lot of things may change, and not to the better. Saddam Hussein after being sentenced to death on November 5th, 2006, has been executed dawn of today. Way of execution: Hanged. There has even been photos and videos of how it happened, although they only broadcasted part of it, and not the actual moment when the hole under Saddam has opened.

Nevertheless it is not clear how killing this man who happens to be a war criminal, will erase all his crimes and make Iraq in better shape. Even though the decision of Saddam's execution was taken 55 days ago, a date wasn't set, and out of the blue, on Friday 29 December 2006, a date (the next day) was set.

Saddam, is not an innocent man, however it appears that he has paid a bigger price while others are still out there.

Capital punishment is something I don't approve. And to happen on the first day of Adha Holiday, does send out a certain message. But what is it?

Iran, Israel, United Kingdom and of course the United States are all on the same side concerning this matter. Interesting group, isn't it? While Syria, Russia, Lybia and other countries disapprove this execution.

Iraqi people are divided, some celebrated today, and some demonstrated against it.

What will happen next in response to this legal murder?

Charbel Khalil is no longer credible

While listening to the radio yesterday, I heard Charbel Khalil criticizing some political stands. I don't remember the exact words he said but I definitely remember the context. Charbel Khalil was criticizing the people who are saying that the fact that the 2 parking lots (Riad el Solh and Martyrs square) are being camped by the protestors, is costing Lebanon around 35 millions US$ per day. Moreover he continued sarcastically that if this is the case, then they should destroy everything in Lebanon and build parking lots. In consequence this should fix the 40 billion US$ debt within a year.

He addressed the Lebanese people to no longer be naive and fall for such analysis and reasoning.

On that note, I agree that the Lebanese people should no longer fall for a naive and simplistic analysis such as Charbel Khalil's.

The real problem is not the parking lots, political tension in Lebanon is at its peak, traditional tourists who visit Lebanon in winter for skiing and dining have all cancelled. Known fact is that economy is directly related to political status. Moreover Downtown Beirut Cafés and shops that used to buzzed with life with no place to "put your foot", have become nowadays a ghost town.

Charbel Khalil is no longer objective (so to speak). If he doesn't want people to fall for naive analysis and excuses as he claims, then perhaps he should start applying this on himself and refrain himself from offering such simplistic and ridiculous analysis.

Furthermore the show "Bas Met Watan", is no longer objective itself, while before it used to attack and criticize everyone, it has become very biased.

Charbel Khalil has lost credibility and is in no place to address to people and tell them how to think.

Year 2006 in Video

6 Videos have been prepared by msnbc.com, each with a topic, that shows the most defining moments caught on tape of sports, celebrities, wars, world, etc...

For a full list, please click here.

Talents in Lebanon - Photographer: Karen K

This is the second entry of Talents in Lebanon. The first was about the composer and musician Jalal Haddad.

This entry comes in a bit late nevertheless it is only because I want to make sure that I only bring you the best.



I have been introduced to the work of the Lebanese photographer Karen K on Flickr.com consequently I have immediately been drawn to them. After browsing the work of so many photographers, I only experienced the feeling of closeness when I stumbled upon the photos Karen have taken. I couldn't take my eyes off her photostream, one after another. Each time I thought I had found the best one, I was wrong.

The interesting thing about Karen's work, is her work can feed different tastes. Everyone can find his own favorites while skimming through her library of photos.

To know more about Karen, where she lives, her interests, etc... You can view her profile here.



Furthermore, ladies and gentlement, Karen's photographs. Karen has many albums, if you are lost and don't know where to start, I recommend Karen's dearest photos.

Karen even had her share in reporting about the war in her own way.

Qamlo L 7arb by Meen (the band)

A friend of mine showed me this below video clip of the song "Qamlo L 7arb" by the Lebanese band Meen. This song is about the July 2006 war that happened in Lebanon. Click here to view the band's website and check more of their songs.

Rebirth Lebanon

Dazed & Confused Gallery
112-116 Old Street, EC1V 9BG, London



The exhibition runs from December 15th - January 10th 2007

Rebirth Lebanon is a platform where Lebanese artists react to the harsh realities of war & social complexities. In the midst of catastrophe, grief and fear have become a catalyst for hope and unity.

Featuring: Mazen Kerbaj, Laure Ghorayeb, Elyse Tabet, Karen Karam, Beirut DC, Zena El Khalil, Rachel Tabet, The Lebanon Chronicle.

To read more about this, click here.

Christmas celebrated with call for peace

By TARIQ PANJA, Associated Press Writer

LONDON - From soldiers who donned red Santa hats in Afghanistan to devoted worshippers visiting Bethlehem, Christians around the world celebrated Christmas Day with the sobering thoughts of peace and tolerance even as open war flared in Somalia.

In his Christmas Day address at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI called for an end to conflicts across the globe and greater concern for the poor, the exploited and all who suffer.

Speaking from a balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square, the pontiff called for peace in the Middle East, noting in particular the long war between Israel and the Palestinians.

Source: AP

I would like to join hands with the pope and wish everyone a Merry Christmas, may it be full of love, peace and hope.

U.S. deaths in Iraq exceed 9-11 count

By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA, Associated Press Writer

7 BAGHDAD, Iraq - Three more American soldiers were killed in Iraq, officials said Tuesday, pushing the U.S. military death toll to at least 2,975 — two more than the number killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

[...]

The deaths — announced Tuesday — raised the number of troops killed to 2,975 since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes at least seven military civilians.

The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks claimed 2,973 victims in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Opponents of President Bush have criticized him for raising the attacks as a justification for the protracted fight in Iraq.

Source: AP

Sadly enough, the claimed reason behind the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan was the war on terrorism which was the result of the 9/11 attacks on the world trade center. There are two ways at looking at the above numbers now.

In rescue, a team of 5 might be sent to rescue 2, which probably the whole team could die attempting to rescue the two. However a rescue is a rescue and the other 2 cannot be left out.

Possibly, Bush was doing a "rescue" in his own way, and perhaps, his war, especially the one on Iraq, was a wrong call. More men had died, and did the terrorism stop?

Lebanon Aggregator

A new aggregator in town. I was unoccupied at work and thought I would keep myself busy. This Aggregator is all about Lebanese blogs. I will be updating it with more sources & more options hopefully.

If you're Lebanese and not listed and would like to, please send an email to the contact mentioned in the blog.

http://lebanonaggregator.blogspot.com

Breaking News

26 years in Lebanon, what about the next 26?

As I woke up today, I had a couple too many thoughts in my head about becoming 26, and besides worrying about getting older, getting wrinkles, having accomplished stuff or not, etc... One of them was about being in Lebanon for so long (26 years to be precise), and if I am going to spend the next 26 in here. Is Lebanon the right place for us to build a career? have opportunities to make a better future? go up the stairs? have a family? be able to pay their tuition?

I have lived here for so long, and I am still puzzled. I know I am all talk, and I know I am staying here for the rest of my life. I just can't leave it. As the quote says "An english man's house is his castle".

How to get rich in Lebanon

The story goes that to get rich in your country you have to follow the trend, what's in, what's the thing that everybody digs. For example, in the US, real estate is pretty much in, buy a property in an area that is going to bloom in the near future, and when the time comes, just sell it, or lease it... Same goes pretty much to UK. I guess if we want to say Columbia, drug dealing is the trend. What about Italy? let's not go there.

So I recently discovered a way to get rich in Lebanon. It's not really a secret, clues and signs are all around us, on the media, on the internet, everywhere.

Okay okay, I can see you're getting impatient here. Have you seen billboards? For example selling tissues, with blood on them saying use X tissue to wipe the tragedies of war. Or the so many ads on TV, for example X bank's ad, trying to spread awareness. They really changed my mind, I am going to change my bank now, because this bank loves Lebanon? Loving Lebanon should have nothing to do with a product, you don't say! On that note, I only buy tissues that are smooth, and deal with banks that are secure, have higher interest and better services.

Anyway, what I am going to do to get rich is, take a picture all sad and agonized under Lebanese war ruins and destruction, and then you can please send me a dollar in order to get yourself a copy of that sensible and awareness picture.

Let us be a part of this propaganda, aren't we already?

A new Lebanese civil war ran by one side?

Let us suppose people's predictions, fears and analysis that Lebanon will have another civil war soon in case the situation in Lebanon gets even worse, is true.

What exactly do we mean by worse? Well I guess, if the opposition finally realizes that the sit-in protests in downtown Beirut have not led to any good, they will decide to escalade things, in so many ways.

And then what? if the government does not reach a solution to satisfy both them and the opposition, or only them or only the opposition. Will Hezbollah guerillas, for example, run on the street with guns in their hands shooting right and left?
And who will fight them back? Geagea's followers? I suppose they will dig up some old weapons in their attics and go down to the streets themselves?
Or will we suddenly see tanks and canons on some street corners bombing another town and on the other hand we will see rockets coming towards us and destroying our buildings?

Consequently we will not have to go to work or will we be able to when there is some kind of temporary truce? Will we still get our salaries? Will everything be expensive again? Fuel? Vegetables? Canned food? I mean seriously? Civil War? In Lebanon?
Is it going to be like the old days, when we're driving, any armed person can make us do whatever they want because they can shoot a bullet in our heads and our life is just so precious? Will we go back to killing depending on a person's sect?

I am waiting for the day, an agreement is reached between "Iran" and the US, so I can see a group hug between Nasrallah, Aoun, Jumblat, Geagea and Saad.

That is ladies and gentlemen, the definition of silliness.

Jokes about the current situation in Lebanon

Joke 1:
Q: Why is Michel Aoun compared to a prepaid cellphone?
A: Because everytime he speaks, he loses "unité".

Joke 2:
Michel Aoun and Samir Geagea enter an asylum. The psychiatrist in charge asks Geagea who he is.
Geagea replies: “Jesus of course”.
The puzzled director then asks Aoun the same question. Aoun says: “First let me start by saying that Geagea is a liar. I barely know him and he is definitely not my son.”

p.s. If you got some more jokes about anyone, please post in the comments section.

A letter written by a Junkie to Zaven

A LETTER WRITTEN BY A JUNKIE TO ZAVEN (OF THE FAMOUS TALK SHOW 'SIRI WINFATAHETT')

Dear Zaven,

I am a crack dealer in Basta who has recently been diagnosed as a carrier of the HIV virus. My parents live in the suburb of Beirut (al Dahiyeh) and one of my sisters, who lives in Jounich, is married to a transvestite. My father and mother have recently been arrested for growing and selling marijuana in their small garden and are currently dependent on my other two sisters who are prostitutes in Maameltein.

I have two brothers. One is currently serving a non-parole life sentence at Roumieh for murder of a teenage boy in 1994. The other brother is currently being held in the Trablos Jail on charges of neglecting his three children.

I have recently become engaged to marry a former Thai prostitute who lives in Jiyeh and, indeed, is still a part-time "working girl" in a brothel.

My problem is this: I love my fiancee and look forward to bringing her into the family and of course I want to be totally honest with her.

Should I tell her about my uncle who voted for Michel Aoun?

Signed,
Worried About My Reputation

P.S. I received the above by email.

More Lebanese Christmas creativity

Every year around Christmas time, so many municipalities decorate their towns, and for the past 5 years or so Jdeideh has been doing a great decoration, although I liked the old, they have been doing the below one for the past 3 years maybe. It's nice to see all this christmas spirit everywhere you go in Lebanon, although while you're driving you kinda lose this spirit, we're just crazy drivers!



There is also ABC Dbayeh, which has disguised as a gift this year, it is really creative and draws your attention a kilometer away.

Welcome To LEBANON - Gharib!!!

I received this by email, I don't know who wrote it, but the person requested that it would be forwarded to others. As I agree with most of what it says, so here you go. Also check the english translation below it.

GHARIB!!!!!!

.....inno no7dar akhbar l LBC bala ma ye7ko 3an l7akim
.....inno nchouf mouzi3 3al mousta2bal bala badge RAFIC l 7ARIRE
.....inno no7dar akhbar l NTV bala zagzaket w tatarouf
.....inno nchouf 3awne mich lebis ORONGE,chouyou3emich lebis a7mar, ouwatgeh ma 3am be2oul alla ouwet, marada ma 3am beseb lal ouwet ...
.....inno tle2e chi3a la ma3 amal wala ma3 7izeballa
.....inno nchouf rjel din jou3anin
.....inno nle2e 7ada meche 3al anoun
.....inno nkib zbele bil barmil
.....inno nle2e cheghel gher bil WASTA
.....ta7atta 7ada yettalla3 fina ma ykoun ma3na siyara w cell
.....inno netjawaz min gheyr din
.....inno ndall ne7ke ma3 ba3ed iza khtalafna bil siyesse
.....inno nle2e bi lebnen MOUWATININ, hammon baladon abel 7ezbon
.....inno l cha3eb y7aseb l mas2ouline w ma ye3teber mas2oul 7ezbou mitil 2alla ma3soum 3an l ghalat...
.....inno nchouf mouzahara lal tayyar aw l 2ouwet aw la hezballa fiya a3lem lebneniyyi...
wil aghrab min haida kello inno bi hal 10452km2 3inna min kill hal COLLECTION

Strange it is!!!

.... to watch the news on LBC without hearing them talk about Samir Geagea
.... to see a FUTURE TV anchor person without them hanging a Rafic Hariri badge on their clothes
.... to watch the news on NTV without hearing any teasing and extremism
.... to see an FPMist (aoun follower) not wearing orange, communist not wearing red, Lebanese forces follower (LFer) not saying God is an LFer, Marada not cursing to LF
.... to find a chiist who is neither with Hezbollah or Amal
.... to see regilious figures poor
.... to find someone following the law
.... to throw garbage in the garbage can
.... to find a job without connections
.... for someone to look at us if we don't have a car and a cellphone
.... to marry someone else from a different ethnicity
.... for us to keep being friends even though we disagree politically
.... to find in Lebanon CITIZENS, who care about their country and not their political party
.... for the people to blame the responsibles and not think of their leader as GOD infallable
.... to see a demonstration for any political party carrying only Lebanese flags
And the strangest of them all, is that in 10452 sqm, we have all the above

This is Lebanon!

The thing is, with all that has been happening in Lebanon lately, the demonstrations and campings in downtown Beirut, would make all the tourists think, Lebanon has been deprived of having a fun and nice holiday.

Well ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourself to be amazed and surprised once again by the Lebanese people's reaction. We have been going out every night for the past week, and you should see Saturday and sunday. I took me an hour to go and get back from a bank that is 2 KMs away. I went shopping 25 meters away and got back because I got tired just from checking one place, it had the least 20 people in a 16 sqm area.

Yesterday we decided to go for our Sunday afternoon's dinner then coffee, and it tooks us almost half an hour to drive a 3km highway. We were stuck in traffic the minute we got on this highway. Both ways, north and south were full.

If you think people are afraid or unfestive, think again. Lebanon is ROCKING! Seeing all this traffic for the first time didn't make me go crazy, it actually made me realise once again, despite Lebanese people's flaws and problems and craziness, we love life and we want to live it, everyday!

All about choices

Some people think, that it's too late. Too late to go to school, too late to buy the car of their dreams, too late to get married, too late to go out and have fun, too late to be happy.

Some days you wake up, thinking it's too late.
But other days, you wake up, knowing you have another chance.

How can someone have another chance? Simple, easy, piece of cake. Everyday you wake up with the ability to make a choice.

You can make a choice of going on this road or the other, everyday.
You can make a choice of eating meat or sticking to vegetables, everyday.
You can make a choice of loving or hating, everyday.
You can make a choice of being a good person or a bad person, everyday.

So today? What is your choice?

How can you deal with Lebanon on a daily basis

Some days you can decide to stand up for yourself, demand freedom and unity for Lebanon, you can go demonstrate, you can engage in political discussions, read a lot of news, participate in campaigns, and deal with it.

Other days, you just wake up careless and reckless.
- Knock knock!
- Who's there?
- Cleopatra!
- Cleopatra who?
- Cleopatra the queen of The Nile (Denial)

And there you go, just deny things, ignore them, and they will go away. Really they will. So do it, live your day like it was your last, eat good food, get in a good mood, and enjoy the ride today.

We are lucky to live in Lebanon, and unlucky that our politicians live with us.

Che Guevara led me to the 2$ bill

While I was watching an unbroadcasted episode until last Monday on LBC of Gebran Tueni. A special kind of interview, which Gebran Tueni had chosen 10 life-time favorite songs, and spoke and explained the reason behind choosing the song. One of those songs was "Asta Siempre, Commandate" which was written for and about Ernesto Guevara aka Che Guevara. A song I sang so well, even though I didn't know the language, I remember making my friend translate it for me. Having said that, Gebran had described El Che as a courageous man, a man of freedom and liberty. A hero that so many young people will grow to love during their rebel years. I know I have been deeply influenced by him.

Anyway, I went afterwards to my room all excited and opened a book I have about Che's journals which he wrote during the revolution and the wars he had participated in, and I found this 2 US$ bill. Surprised? well keep reading! This isn't mine, I think I got this from mom after I felt so guilty for spending mine and she felt so bad for me!

Lebanese Christmas creativity

Alright, we went for a ride today at work during the lunch break, and this is what I saw. It might not be clear, but if you focus, you will see on the 2nd floor, a Santa Claus (mannequin) sending a gift in rope to Mama Claus who is in the 1st floor!

Isn't this creative or what?

Martyrs didn't die, for us to quit and leave

I always go back to a sentence Samir Geagea said on his speech in Notre Dame of Harissa on Sunday, September 29, 2006. You can read about that day in this post.

The meaning of the sentence was that the Lebanese martyrs didn't die, for us to quit and leave.

I love this sentence, it always makes me retreat for a minute and think before I think if I want to leave Lebanon or not.

Of course, for everything in life, there are 2 sides and 2 meanings. But first, I want point out, that all martyr's, whatever their cause was in Lebanon, they had strong faith, and strong belief, that if they die, they are helping Lebanon. We might not totally agree with their political thinking, nonetheless, they really are to respect.

I salute those Lebanese martyrs, and that is the main reason for the red color in the Lebanese flag, we wouldn't trade it for the world.

Back to the 2 sides, should we leave or not? Although people died to save Lebanon. We can decide to stay, only in respect to those martyrs, and we can decide to leave and tell those martyrs, no we're not like you. I am not blaming or saying who's right or wrong, because I believe we are right when we think in both ways.

Another dilemma...

Law for Medias in Lebanon

Even though I haven't been watching the news lately. I have chose willingly to be oblivious and ignorant concerning the recent events in Lebanon that are of course related to politics. But of course you can't really shut yourself completely when you can see, hear and read. I hear echos, a lot of them.

The feeling or instinct that I had was definitely positive. I am really not worried. Maybe it is because I don't listen to the news and the intensity of how they bring it to you.

Anyway, I've been thinking for sometime and even bringing it up to some people, that there should be a law for the media in Lebanon. Honestly I haven't done any research concerning the subject to see how media and laws for media are delt with abroad and in more evolved countries, or even if there is already one in Lebanon that isn't being applied. In reply to this thought, someone told me, that there is actually talks about the medias and how they have been behaving lately and the suggestion of a law that will limit their subjectivity (not freedom) orelse I would be against.

Media is not a place to diss others and make oneself look good, media is supposed to bring the news and what is really going on to the public as is!

Nasrallah on Taef & Aoun in November 1989

I got this by email, it says that the source is the local Lebanese newspaper An-nahar, and the date when this was writeen was 6 November 1989.

Click on image to view in larger size.

Any Soujuk lovers out there?

For all Soujuk lovers, spicy hot soujuk! This was my dinner last night! And it was delicious, mixed of course with eggs and fried!

I don't know if I ever left Lebanon how I will survive without eating such delicious food outside!

Sa nabka mouwa77adin

We will become united and we will remain united for Lebanon. Don't sink in xenophobia. Resist the will to fight, the will to judge and the will to hate. Listen to the other side, you might really find out important facts, i.e. they're just like us (some of course).

A word from me to everyone

I ask everyone in Lebanon, please, have doubt, don't follow blindly. Most of us want a better Lebanon, we should unite, and not be afraid of each other. If you like another leader doesn't mean I should hate you or you should hate me!

What has happened to us. Politics is supposed to be a solution for something and not a reason to fight. Discussing, dialoguing, giving and taking, listening, argumenting. This is what we should do.

A friend told me yesterday that Nasrallah said on last Thursday's speech that one of March 14 had gone to the USA hoping that they request from Israel to make a war on Hezbollah because this is the only way Hezbollah will be gone, and you expect me to just believe it? Give me proof, I will believe it. But since when do you listen and believe Nasrallah? Just because your leader Aoun is now on Hezbollah's side, you side as well. I am not saying it is wrong, but there is something called, reason and logic. Where did it go, do you at least question? do you at least doubt? why do you get pissed if I told you: "You actually believe that one 14 March member has the influence to control the world?" You reply: "Liliane, let's not talk about it, we don't want to fight!"

I don't want to fight either, but at least, show me that you are trying to reach the truth and not just believe blindly.

I do not want a government ruled by one side, i.e. Saad Hariri, but I am not going to go the other way and want Nasrallah to rule it, or Aoun. I want a government where no one rules, and everyone rules.

We elected them, and we have to live with our choices! It is not possible that after elections, I demand a new government. How can this be? The Lebanese people elected them.

Both sides have been messing up, but the way I see it, the government are now in a better position than the opposition, and the opposition should answer the government's requests for a dialogue and not a street thing.

I am optimistic about things, I can see change in both sides, and I think the media should start being more objective. It is time for the propaganda to stop.

Tueni Arab Journalism Award

It is really great to hear about such an award for the Arab journalism, God knows how many arab and Lebanese journalist get threats every time they try to say the honest truth.

As much as Gebran Tueni was a patriot for Lebanon, as much as he had an objective mind. He was a true journalist, which made him less of a politician, and that is a compliment.

I wish politicians would become like Gebran. As Thomas Friedman (Newyork journalist) said, Gebran was not a man for sale. And he didn't want Lebanon for sale.

While I was watching today the homage that they were paying Gebran Tueni for his amazing journalism and life journey, and when they repeated so many of his words (not just the 14 March oath), I couldn't help myself, I cried.

Everytime I hear this man speak (he still does, a voice that dares death), I realise that when we lost him, we lost a lot. We lost someone who speaks the truth even if it is not on his side. And that is an act that everybody should do.

He wanted the Lebanese united, he believed in the power of words and not guns. He believed that the leaders should listen to the youth and not vice versa.

Gebran, I am sad to tell you, this is not the Lebanon you dreamed of. They don't want Lebanon to become the best Lebanon it can become. So many sides will be affected, negatively. So many reasons. So many enemies.

I was happy to see a "new" government, the government of shadow, made of young men and women who want the Lebanese Gebran and we dream of.

The old man said

While I was watching NBN a local TV station, and their reporter asking some Lebanese people asking them what they think about the current government, by coincidence they were all against it. But anyway, on old wise man said something that caught my attention and which I found very true and enlighting, he said: "The Lebanese people should love each other and then they can love Lebanon."

Wise ey?

Gebran Tueni: Martyr of the Lebanese Resistence

Annahar online (online version of the local newspaper known as An-Nahar = The day) has made this page about Gebran Tueni, you can click here to hear the oath that Gebran said on March 14, 2005. In the webpage you can read about his childhood, his life, his dreams, his assassination, his father Ghassan Tueni, pictures, basically everything you would want to know about him.

In this period especially, I have been really wondering what the great journalist and thinker would have said about the current situation in Lebanon. I understand why they assassinated him, rare people said wise words and he was one of them and now he is gone, and no wise words are being said. I wish the strength for his daughter Nayla, hope she continues his message.

I remember his articles in the newspaper, when no one dared to say the name "Syria", he would just lay it out on the table. When no one dared to defend Aoun, he was the first to back up all this youth who thought Aoun's exile is unjust... w mitloun mteyil

Hope he rests in peace, Gebran Tueni is the martyr of the LEBANESE RESISTENCE!

Di3anak ya Gebran bi hal balad, walla di3anak

Similarity between Hezbollah's logo & Pasdaran's

Well lately, this has been circulating e-mails. What is Pasdaran? It is the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. To read more please click here.

Click on images to view in larger size.

I also found the below stamp that is used in Islamic Republic of Iran.

بتتذكر - btetzakkar iyyem el 7arb?

بتتذكر ايام لي كنا نتخبّى بالملجأ أوّل ما الأصف يبلّش؟
بتتذكر ايام لي ما كنا نلحئ نروح على ملجأ البناية لي بوجنا لأنو باغتونا بوقت الأصف؟
بتتذكر لمّا نزلٍت الراجمة بالبناية وكنا كل الجيران بالطابق الأول؟ أول قذيفة والتانيي، شي تمانة. قول مين كان عم بعدّ؟ وترجّ هالبناية وحجار توقع وقزاز يتكسر و تاني يوم تنزل تلاقي السيارة مطحبشي؟
بتتذكر وقتا كان يبلش الأصف ونكون بعدنا بالمدرسة؟ ويبلّش الركض...
ايه وعا

Few questions to the opposition, can anyone answer?

I don't mean to provoke or fish for a fight, as a matter of fact I honestly don't understand certain things and I wish someone could explain them to me, because I am reading on tayyar.org and other places and I still am not finding answers.

1. If you do topple the Siniora Government, what will you do next? Is there a program?
2. Are things going to get better? How is that?
3. And this is especially to FPM, do you really understand all the step Aoun is doing?
4. Finally, when you become the government, are you going to listen to the rest?

The solution for Lebanon is

I know this carpenter, he's really good at his work, and he can make a replicat of any chair the politican desires, and he can put it in his house. He can ask for a replicat of the president's chair, even if he's not maronite. It's christmas people, let everybody get what they wish for on Santa's list.

دكتاتورية : Is this not a Dictatorship?

اذا الواحد ما اتّفأ معك، بتجبرو يتفئ معك؟ مش ملاحظ انّو هيدي دكتاتوريّة مش دمقراتيّة؟ على اساس انو لبنان مشهور بحضاراتو والأفكار المتعددة المختلفة؟ وين الثقافة والحكمة والوطنية؟ صار في بدلن انقلابات واختلافات و مزايدة بالوطنية. ما حدا خطر عا بالو انو هيدي انانيّة؟

A "Lebanese" Protestor dies

This is really sad. I really think the leaders of all sides should calm people down. It is not enough to say "calm down". Direct and guide those people, isn't it the leader's job and vocation?

Hitting each other and beating up each other is not the answer. Killing is not the answer out of anger and desperation. Count to 10 before you burst out against someone who only thinks differently from you in a political way, it is not worth it. Count to 10, pray to your God, and leave. Have patience.

One has already died. Let him be the last one.

Tonight we celebrate our version of Halloween

It is actually on December 4th where it's been said that Saint Barbara was killed by her father (decapitated). The reason behind this act is that her father (pagan) did not approve of her conversion to Christianity. After killing her by a while, he died by a sudden lightning.
I remember being told that Saint Barbara had disguised in order to escape her father and his desire of killing her. (I didn't research a lot, but there is mention of her escaping, but no mention of disguise. Nonetheless, in Lebanon, Saint Barbara is celebrated on the night of December 3 by kids actually disguising and going from door to door to get a treat.
Also, and this is dedicated to AM and COCO and to all Lebanese who are living abroad and used to celebrate this holiday, a lot of sweets are made and distributed for this occasion.
Like Atayef, either with Ashta or walnuts (which I prefer):



Of course, the best sweets (and they are VERY sweet) are the Ouwaymet (no clue what is their name in English)



And Wheat Grains, which are boiled and then mixed with sugar when presented. Very delicious.



Below you can see here, a Patisserie, making the Atayef, it has become a kind of tradition to this outdoors.





And finally, my disguise, socks with an evil witch on them!

I am on strike. No more politics for me

Politics is really bringing me down. So I will really stop myself from writing anything about it, I will be on strike (from political posts only), which I really don't know where it will lead except maybe prove a point to myself that whether I discuss politics or not, things will remain the same, so why bother myself and ruin my health.

I am pretty sure my loyal readers had their different reasons for checking my blog and keep being informed on our point of views concerning things (so thank you, but!). I always new the solution for a better Lebanon is neither politics, or parties, or wars or discussion... It's a much different thing and it cannot be accomplished at this point.

Anyway talking here has obviously done nothing for anyone, because to each his own opinion and apparently no one is willing to change their opinion. I have said what I think, and I don't think I have anything more to add. If you're interested in knowing my opinion just flip back through the archive.

However remember this, if you don't change, you're not evolving.
If you don't question, you'll never learn.
If you don't believe in yourself, you will always follow.
3... 2... 1...


Strike

Taking this opportunity to thank my readers

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Independence 05 readers since this blog has started in result of the July 2006 war and continues to be.

So Thank you all those who visited this blog over and over and over from around the world, those who were silent, those who agreed and especially those who did not, because I always loved to hear the other side. I learned a lot.

To make the long story short, thank you for reading this blog, keep coming and always enrich me with your point of views while I try to report mine from, about and in Lebanon.

(I posted this on 21 Nov, I took it off when I heard about the assassination of Pierre Gemayel, and now I am reposting it. Hopefully no one will be assassinated today or ever again)

Fresh Pictures from today's gathering

I received those pictures by email from a friend. His friend shot these pictures near his work today at noon. I enhanced the colors of some, they were a bit dark.

Nasrallah, I am on to your game

Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah I respected you, and I have supported you all the way through the war. And this blog is proof. Everyone can go back to the early dates and see how I defended this war and how I even thought that we won over the Israelis.

But you know what, I am big of a person to admit when I was wrong. And I was wrong. Because so many Lebanese united with you, and now you're against them. I stopped believing you when you said something in the sense of "If we knew this would be Israel's reaction, we wouldn't have captured the 2 soldiers". I mean come on, Israel? Big Reaction? Technology? Weapons? Have you even been living on earth?

You are ruining Lebanon. If you care about Lebanon you wouldn't be doing all this. If the government doesn't do your way, you accuse and threat? Where do you get your money from? Where do you get your weapons from? We all know you are the pawns in a chess game, played by big enemies.

For the record: You want participation in decision making? Did you let anyone participate in the decision of making a war that was totally unecessary?

Where are you taking us, you won't say will you? What do you want Lebanon to become?

But guess what, the otthomans have gone, the french are gone, the syrians are gone, and whoever comes next? will be gone! That is, if we let them.

The Siniora government might not be perfect, but it is enough that it stopped your war, and got help. I support it, the Lebanese Flag is hung on the balcony and we are no longer afraid of Hezbollah or saying anything against it.

Makharej al mouwaten - Citizen`s exits

Today's orange & yellow gathering

Well, I've been trying to think of something to write about today's gathering. A lot of people are worried and afraid of its outcome. I personally think any trouble will be controlled by our Lebanese Army. I also think, they will not reach any place. For once, Syria can't help, and for once, the international community will not be on their side. Now this may sound like this is unjust for them, and they have the right for more. Of course they do. It's their right to protest, as long as no problems occur.

But what puzzles me is, how can Aoun be so happy to ally with Hezbollah. There was a day when I thought Lebanese should all be united. But not anymore, because we're not all Lebanese. Hezbollah had dragged our country into war with probably one of the strongest and top of the line technology army in the world. Moreover this war had only resulted in death, destruction, very bad economy, no tourism (no money), stress and pressure... And then the government was able to end a war it did not start, provide protection sort of speak to Hezbollah (who by the way still have weapons), get international relief, and send Lebanese troops to the borders, while they haven't been able to do that for almost 40 years.

And Hezbollah have the nerve to drag Amal with them into resigning in order to call this government illegal. Aoun lovers, can't you see who Aoun has allied with? You tell me program. What program?!

You say you only wanted Syria out and it's out, so no reason to keep blaming them for things! How can you say it's out while we still have politicians getting assassinated!
You say Aoun wanted to open "files" and that's why March 14 decided not to put him as President anymore and then each went on his way? Was he going to open also Franjieh, Karameh, Wahab, etc... files? And tell me, isn't also Hezbollah considered to at least done a tiny miny small mistake called WAR?

I have come to a place where I am almost about to have arguments (and definitely they're picking on me), with friends I have known for more than a decade, luckily I keep turning it into a joke and not say anything, because friends are more important than politics... However all this is happening because of politics, precisely Aoun (because they're with Aoun)... What is going on to this country? (I am not saying I don't put provocative nicknames on msn! I do) but I believe we are in a democratic country and I should say my opinion. So here it is ladies & gentlemen.

I think if Aoun doesn't wake, and better yet, his followers, his lovers, his worshipers, don't wake up, then we are ruined! And YES WORSHIPERS , I say that because some say: "We don't understand his politics, but we will follow him till the end, and our blood is orange!" And this response reminds me only of how we were told to follow Jesus, you don't have to see it, just believe in it, that's what faith is about.

Anyway, I do not belong to any political party, and in my family alone we have 4 religions, so if i give any opinion, it is mine and not some so called leader's.

Finally, if anyone wants to catch up on today's news, I think Tayyar's website will be covering it minute by minute.