Are you one of those who are happy? or in grief and mourning

Let's not forget, that while Lebanon is celebrating (I personally smell something fishy about it, I can't help but be "pessirealistic" here), others are mourning their lost ones.

Some people died in the mini-war that happened in the second week of May, what happens to them? What happens to their folks? Why did they put themselves in such a situation you might wonder, they may be right, they may not be right, nevertheless their lives were lost.

Either ways, alla yer7amkoun w yer7amna.

Let us at least stay Friends

This is a group that has been created on Facebook. Its main purpose is to tell the Lebanese people to stay friends despite what's going on.

At first you might think this is a ridiculous group, but let me tell you it actually is a pretty out of the box idea. It is because it's true. Luckily my friends and I already can forsee the consequences of talking politics, and that's why we just don't. Some might disagree and recommend communication, however that is precisely the problem here. The thing is, politics in Lebanon has become so intertwined with personal issues that we will definitely end up arguing, yelling at each other and possibly stop talking to each other, and it happened with some folks.

That is why, refrain from talking politics because:
1- You won't change anything
2- You will end up losing good friends of yours

Of course, when you decide to talk about the well being of your country and people, instead of talking about Aoun, Geagea, Jomblat, Nasrallah, Berri, Hariri, etc... Ideas vs People.... Just remember!

It hurts more when it`s someone you know

To be honest, I have offered my condolences to all the army martyrs' families, but this time it's different.
I wanted to post something yesterday, August 1st, as it was the army's anniversary, however I really couldn't say anything, because even though this year, the army has outdone themselves, they are doing great, and we are really proud of them, still they have lost a lot of souls, and a lot of heroes out there are risking their lives to protect us.

Almost a week ago, a very good friend of mine asked me to pray for this young soldier who was injured in Naher Al Bared and has been in a coma, as his situation was very critical. He told me his name, but in Lebanon when you hear the name "Georges", it does not ring a bell, as there are a lot of this name.
Today, another friend, gave me this link and told me that Georges Fahed has died, again the name did not seem familiar.................. until I saw his picture.
Georges is an old friend of mine with whom I have lost touch the past few years, his lastname has escaped my mind. I really liked him, he was such a nice guy, and was not only an acquaintance but more. I cannot express how sad and angered I am. When I saw his picture, I couldn't believe my eyes, my heart is really broken....
I offer my condolences to his parents, I really wish that God will be them in this critical time.

Alla yer7amak ya Georges.

My Blog, one year!

One year since my first post on this blog. One year for this blog actually. It was on July 20th, 2006. I wanted a way to express my frustration and anger towards what was happening in Lebanon, and blogging was a great way. And to my surprise, I discovered many other bloggers, there was a Lebanese bloggers community, all together expressing and reaching out, and trying to show the world that there is another side of Lebanon besides the war.

The best thing that came out of blogging, was reading other blogs and reading visitors comments. Seeing another point of view or having someone agree with you, is just amazing. Having readers is also amazing. It's just an amazing feeling to know people read you daily!

So, I realised I should look up synonyms of the word amazing because I use it a lot, and second, is that I think I am going to try for another year of blogging.

Happy blogging,

Liliane

Happy Mother`s Day

To all blogging mothers out there in general and especially in Lebanon, to my mother friends and relatives: Happy Mother's day.

الى أمي، ينعاد عليك وعلينا

Who better describes our feelings than Marcel Khalife in his song "Oummi" (Mother).

http://arabworld.nitle.org/audiovisual.php?module_id=5&selected_feed=230

Ain Alak `martyrs`?!?!?

The persons who died last Tuesday were considered as martyrs. Now please do not misunderstand me, I think highly of every human being's soul, and I wish the souls of these innocent people to rest in peace. I offer my condolences to their parents and wish them strength and patience in these horrible times.

I just want to ask, martyrs? Martyrs of what? Is this what we do now? We call everyone who dies in an explosion, assassination, a fist fight and stone throwing a martyr?

For the sake of the argument, we'll call them martyr, nevertheless a martyr of what?

Is this what the politicians do these days? Call innocent VICTIMS martyrs?

"Inno 3am bi rab7ouwoun jmileh la 3iyaloun la ysaktouwoun?"

To the politicians: Cut your ..., cut your childish "He started it", and "You did it too", etc... Instead of calling people martyrs, people who died in consequence for your irresponsible actions, ridiculous speeches and talking backs, just be MEN for once and take responsibility for your actions, and stop whatever you're doing because we can see now that they're not working.

The people who died, the young mother and the student... These people had lives, had dreams, had families, had responsibilities, had A LIFE TO LIVE! And because of you they lost it!

Don't sit there and call them martyrs, do something about it!

Why speak while no one is listening

Why speak? Those who agree already know;
And those who don't know, they never listen.

Last day of 2006 and first day of 2007

Every year on 31st of December, what do we do? We either go see a musical concert, or go to a restaurant that has a "one-man show", or rent a chalet in the mountains surrounded by snow, play our own beat to dance on and eat, or just go to a friend's place and also eat, watch local TV programs, call but never get on line to actually win anything. As a matter of fact, I stayed up till 4 am on my own waiting for the draw, but, alas, did not win.

In Lebanon that same night starting at 11:55 pm for a whole 15 minutes, people start shooting guns, fireworks, red dots flying in the skies, even plates flying in the air and breaking up on the asphalt. I know I almost broke a car window!

Although Michel Hayek's predictions and Maguy Farah astrology's measures do not promise 2007 to be a good year, I believe it is up to us everyday to make a choice to make things better for us and those around us.

Wish you a good health, for you and those you love, success in your studies/career/business, and happiness!

May 2007 be the year Lebanon has a real peace, far more reasonable politicians, and faith instead of religion.

Cheers to you!

Liliane

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.

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.

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)