2 things

I've been meaning to express my opinion concerning two issues.

1 - Virginia Tech Massacre
Again I offer my condolences to the families of the students who died, even the guy who shot them. However, all the time I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that we hear about tens of people die every day in Iraq... Have we really gotten used to killings in Iraq, that we really are not saying anything about it anymore?

2- The 2 youth who were kidnapped then murdered
I would like to also offer my condolences to both youth's families, hope their souls rest in peace. Moreover, most people labelled it as a step to create a turmoil in Lebanon among civilians, however the crime is a crime, and too soon to have been categorized as a vendetta act or personal crime. No drawing conclusions or actions must be taken but those of the army and the investigations. It is sad and upsetting to see everyone panic over this and hatred arise.

The 2 kidnapped youth found dead

Two youths abducted in Beirut four days ago were found dead in Jadra south of the capital Thursday.

Source: Naharnet.com

More on the story here.

Let`s try to help Iraq

Dear Reader,

Petition to US, Iraqi, Syrian, and Iranian leaders meeting on May 3rd and 4th

Avaaz is launching a major advertising and text-message campaign inside Iraq this week to bring Iraqi voices to this decisive meeting. As citizens around the world, let's join our voices with theirs to end this war -- sign the petition calling for negotiations and a withdrawal of US troops here:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/iraq_new_plan

Powers consider Iran nuclear proposal

By GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer

ANKARA, Turkey - The United States and other world powers are willing to consider an Iranian proposal that would allow the country to keep some of its uranium enrichment program intact instead of dismantling it completely, foreign government officials said Tuesday.

Click here to continue reading article.

Good news, but awaited one, as when the whole british sailors thing happened, it put Iran in a strong point, the fact that they weren't willing to release them but then suddenly they did, negotionations most probably happened.

Beirut still lives

While political clashes are flying backwards and forwards in the air and on TV between government members, political party leaders and opposition leaders, Beirut is living!

Lebanese people are devastatingly annoyed and bothered by those destructive discussions that never lead or improve the situation but rather ruin it. Therefore instead of waiting and hoping for life to get better in Lebanon, Lebanese people themselves have taken charge and are making Beirut life better.

There are several ways to start, spend and end your evening in Lebanon which depends on the group of people and their preferences. If you are into the traditional Lebanese dinner than you will need to go to a typical Lebanese restaurant or café, the dinner usually begins with a Mezza – a word that originates form a Lebanese slang verb which means enjoy – rich with its famous Tabbouli, Hommos, Baba Gannouj and many other appetizers, then followed by grilled chicken, meat and Shish-Kabab, certainly accompanied by a drink wash them all down, the traditional Lebanese Arak.

For others, having a drink with buddies and listening to fine music, is a thrill. As a matter of fact it is my kind of thing, going to a pub seems the logical thing to do after a hard working week, this way we get to talk and are capable of hear each other and catching up on what’s what.

However, there are some crazy dance lovers out there who prefer clubbing and dancing till dawn.

Not to forget Karaoke nights, the best nights ever, especially if you choose a song which you don’t know very well and forget its tune, happened to me last Thursday, but never to worry, no one judges you, after all it’s Karaoke and not American Idol with Simon Cowell sitting there!

You can do all that in only but definitely not limited to two locations that are only far of each other by a walking distance, the first is an old inhabited street known as Gemayze, and the second is a district called Monot full of a variety of night-clubs.

From Monday to Sunday, you can barely find a place to park, filled with fancy cars, well dressed women and man and a heart longing for a warm drink and a mood swing, or swinging a mood! This is Lebanon at night, much different than Lebanon in the news.

Note: click on images to view in larger size.

2 Lebanese in Virginia Tech Shootings

2 Lebanese were killed in the rampage in Viginia Tech last Monday, by a 23 year old guy called Cho Seung-Hui, who is being described as a youngster who was troubled and always alone, until now with 2 past stalking cases, and having violent writings. 32 dead, including himself after commiting suicide. Those victims have paid the price of having an individual who is deeply troubled and already thought of as suicidal, on the loose. Already taken to a mental facility twice, there was apparently no improvement, on the contrary, he did even worse than it was expected of him.

To read more on this story, please click here.

My condolences to the families of the two Lebanese victims (one of them is a 19 year old girl called Reema Samaha) in particular and of all the victims in general. May their souls rest in peace.

13 April 1975 Lebanon`s Civil War

As they say in arabic "Tenzakar w ma ten3ed", in english, not to forget but not to repeat.

Cartoon courtesy of Al Balad Newspaper, 13 April 2007

Bombing at Iraqi parliament kills 8

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD - A suicide bomber blew himself up in the Iraqi parliament cafeteria Thursday, killing at least eight people — including three lawmakers — and wounding dozens in a stunning assault in the heart of the heavily fortified, U.S.-protected Green Zone.

A news video camera captured the moment of the blast...

The explosion came hours after a suicide truck bomb exploded on a major bridge in Baghdad, collapsing the steel structure and sending cars tumbling into the Tigris River, police and witnesses said. At least 10 people were killed.

[...]

The parliament bombing was believed to be the deadliest attack in the Green Zone, the enclave that houses Iraq's leadership as well as the U.S. Embassy, and is secured by American and Iraqi checkpoints.

Click here to read full article. And here to read how "Bush condemned green zone attack".

Warm welcome greets freed British crew

By TARIQ PANJA, Associated Press Writer

ROYAL MARINE BASE CHIVENOR, England - Fifteen Royal Navy crew members freed from Iran enjoyed their first night on English soil Thursday. Amid the relief, champagne and tearful embraces, however, some Britons raised questions about the sailors' conduct and their apparent confessions in captivity.

While much of the country rallied behind the crew's return, others criticized them for offering apologies where none was required — namely for appearing in videos in which they admitted and offered regrets for entering Iranian waters.[1]

While the crew are being criticized for apologizing, Iran is considered to have won this round. Because when suddenly Iran demandes Britain to admit that their crew were in Iranian waters and not in Iraqi waters, even when the crew confessed according to local Iranian media, Blair kept the same attitude, thus Iran calling the british reaction wrong and this will lead for Iran not to free the sailors. A couple of days after, Iran releases the crew, while the crew thanks Iran and apologizes again for being in Iranian waters.

British newspapers' headlines yesterday were not only a rejoice for the crew's coming back home, but questioning whether a deal has been done between Britain and Iran.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted no deal was done to free 15 Royal Navy crew members, as they arrived in the UK after being held in Iran for 13 days.

[...]

British officials also denied that the UK had apologised over the incident.[2]

Finally, whatever said, the fact remains. We cannot rely on what we are being told, apparently we are living in a world of propaganda, and secrecy at the same time, and us the people, follow blindly and think we're smart.

Let's see what they're cooking for us this time. Rumors of US attacks on Iran which were mentioned in a previous post, are also mentioned here [3] (Link provided by a commentator), they also mentioned that at the end of April, US will attack Iran nuclear facilities.

The U.S. is planning to attack Iran’s nuclear reactors and facilities by the end of April.

The Times said that various White House departments have started preparing the speech.·The sources were quoted as saying that U.S. will not resort to a ground attack.

Justification will be presented of course, in case there are attacks, however the main question remainds, would U.S. do such a move, while they're still present in Iraq?

By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Several National Guard brigades are expected to be notified soon that they could be sent to Iraq around the first of next year, according to a senior Defense Department official. [4]

[1] AP
[2] BBC
[3] Contre Info
[4] AP

April 6? People going mad?

Well, a rule of thumb, if you want to think Lebanon is fine and things are great, just stop watching the news. Other than that, you will know they're as mad as always and even madder.

British sailors were caught last week in Iranian waters according to Iran, yet UK says it was in Iraq, accusing Iran in taking the sailors hostages, while Iran said that the two sailors confessed that they were in Iranian waters.

Word on the street is that April 6 is the starting date for a World War III, how exciting and ravishing, the analysis is exquisite and fascinating, even genious. USA to bomb all nuclear facilities in Iran, they said. Question: Could the whole british sailors be linked to this issue in any way?
Another question: Would USA go into a new war, while it is still haven't finished with Iraq? Or is it a one day thing, leave Iraq, go into Iran.
A third question: For the US to do the above, it will need Blair's support. Surprised? The hostages are british!

Recently a summit has been held, the Arab summit, of course the unity among the Lebanese got translated in two presidents, lucky us. And of course, when was an Arab summit ever useful, no offense, I wish it was, but it never is.

Israel suggested for a summit between the moderate Arab countries and Israel to occur in order to discuss a possible peace. Amro Moussa automatically dismissed it.

And of course, our Lebanon, the precious Lebanon and its precious leaders, we have this saying in lebanese that goes like "Kil wa7ad 3am bi ghanni 3ala mouwelo", by rough translation, it means that each is speaking a different language, singing a different song. News it we are no longer relying on Saudi's interference, nevertheless this time Berri and Hariri will talk and find a solution themselves... YEAH RIGHT!

The difference between the politics football and the real football, is that in politics, each has his own ball. There is the Iranian ball and the American ball, however the others don't really have ... ones.