Walid Jumblatt’s latest (but not last) 180 degree turn, Michel Suleiman call for all nations to extend the arm of friendship towards our sister in the north, and the latest army helicopter mishap; made my blood boil once again. That very same blood that I am more than willing to shed once again in order to ensure freedom and PRIDE for my son within the 10452 Km2 that was once this great nation of ours.
The events are too numerous to count (but if I find the time), I will remind you of them, even in small parts. Therefore I will start with the following LOCAL historical facts (with no analysis and opinions) in the hope that I will have the stamina, time and courage, to see it through the end.
Unfortunately there is no end, as we are still encountering the remaining of a war that did not end (la ghaleb wa la maghloub). So bare with me, my devoted (few readers) for this is nothing but the first part of many.
Here we go counting the dead:
1975.
13th April : Bus incident Ain Al Roummaneh, Kataeb V/S PLO (from Tal Al Zaatar) 31 dead.
20th May: Dekwaneh, Kataeb V/S PLO, 24 dead.
27th October: Morabitoun take over Murr tower, no official accounts of dead people.
1st December: Israel attacks south of Lebanon, 111 dead.
And this is only a few months within the start of the civil war.
The following posts will depict my own recollection of 15 years of USELESS MURDER, one year after the other. But be aware that the conclusion will not fall short of a call to arms and total refusal to bow down to the present power. The power of the Hizb and all that it entails. Today I am no longer a pacifist, nor am I a bystander who is willing to look upon veiled women with a smile upon his face.
Today (once again) I declare my own (Lebanese) “Jihad”.
11 comments:
the last sentence give me tummy cramps ...
Indeed a blast from the past.
As a Lebanese in Canada who is probably your age and grew up through the misery of the war...I wonder what will make us heal instead of dwell about past wrongs.
Am willing to start the discussion...
Welcome healing,
Healing is a long and tedious process in Lebanon, the wounds run too deep; and with all that is happening lately the shadow of yet another war is looming near. If there is going to be another war (and I hope not)I sure hope that this time one side will win, then we might have peace.
Peace ? Your more optimistic than me my friend.
Even if one part win one war in Lebanon, after that you will have a "resistance", and it will growup as the hezzb had. And It will start again :-(
from the moment that the Lebanon politic is based on religion, you guys are aaaaaaall screw :(
I am not sure that "winning" is possible in that part of the world.
The protagonists have been co-existing for thousands of years. Killing each other at times, tolerating each other the rest of the time.
Sometime I envy the "short memory" of the westerners. In the ME, parents tell their kids about wrongs that happened a 100 years ago or more e.g. the massacres in the Chouf, etc.
This perpetuates the hatred.
And no offense marillionlb, but your posts had a similar effect on me. The picture especially opened an old wound...dated 1975 specifically. And I will leave it at that.
To elaborate on the "Peace" that you and ekios mention, I do not agree that one side winning will lead to any change. La Ghalib Wa La Maghloub (No Winner/No Loser) is more like the recipe for success in that part of the world.
And as ekios hinted, until a broad-based secular movement takes over the political reigns in Lebanon, we will continue to move forward with our faces turned towards the past. Not a good recipe for advancement. Just like your "died in vain" posts unfortunately.
Healing,
I do agree with you when you say that if we always turn to our past we will never move forward. But I would also add that that if we do revert back to our past every so often we could never learn lessons from it and will repeat the same deadly mistakes (and this is Lebanon). As for a secular state I have been professing that for ages, and know damn well that neither Christian nor Muslim clerics will allow it. I wish they would teach my son (who is 12) at school in history class not only about Fakhreddine, but about the 15 years that has killed and devasteated more than any other war we ever had. I do agree with you though about la ghaleb wa la maghloub, I for once refuse to go through it again and would LOVE to see one victor; I will then be presented with a choice of going (for good this time)n or staying and living in dignity. Until our people learn how to vote, until our people stop following war criminals, until our people accept and learn from their past, and before Lebanon could embrace laicity; I see no other solution.
With regards to the picture I am sorry, but with all this happening today it is intentioned to have a chock effect, and show the bad side of what we going towards if we continue this way.
It is a pleasure discussing issues with you and I look forward to it.
The concept of a "Victor" is interesting. I am afraid though you are looking at it from a self-centered perspective.
If I understood you correctly: you are sick and tired of the "no winner and no loser" recipe. You want a clear cut winner.
My first question is then: why?
You allude to a reason: living in dignity
Dignity for whom, may I ask.
For the multitude of refugees who will have to pack their bags and board refugee boats?
For the multitude of poor and destitute who would not be able to afford to flee?
etc. etc.
Worse of all, this yearning for a "Victor" and "Dignity" for part of the population, always results in simmering hatred in the remaining population.
Sounds familiar? Welcome to the old Middle East.
My original post asked what can we do to heal. I have yet to hear a convincing response.
Hopefully we can hear from the readers of your blog too! cheers.
Healing,
What can we do in order to heal you ask.
Why not start by letting this emerging generation of us know what happened during 15 years of mayhem (change the school curriculum for example). Have our dear politician present a program before running for elections (on any and all levels), have an independent body (a watchdog) monitor our political class and hold them responsible and accountable when need be, Lebanese should cast their votes according to political programs and not religion and affiliation. All religious figures should be busy taking care of the needy within their flock and refrain from politics. Religious aspects should not be the sole criteria in any government appointment, ALL militias should be banned...etc.
As to "Why"? So that we know at least (and for once) 3ala ayya khazouk a3din (excuse the language). Granted this was never my alternative of choice, but neither is living in fear that the war will brake up again.
"Living in dignity". Fear does wonder to ones dignity and self esteem and the current situation is proof of that when not so far back people homes were invaded and their inhabitants humiliated.
"One victor" in the hope that ONE system and ONE rule of law will be applicable to all the land, then at least we would know what to expect, what rights do we have...etc.
I do admit than as days go by I find myself much less tolerant than I want to be.
As to "Why"? So that we know at least (and for once) 3ala ayya khazouk a3din
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Translation ?
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One on a other blog I read : supervision by a superpower like China or Russia would be interresting.
I agreed because of the choice of the nations. They both are animals when it comes the question of show who is the master into the lion's cage.
Lebanon, beside laicity, wich in my eyes is the only real true solution but totally un introducable now with all the fanatics. Taking out they power will never be allowed.
An interresting point had been show here anyway :
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Have our dear politician present a program before running for elections
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THIS is a starting evolution. Introduce a new political obligation without touching the religious part of every political parts in Lebanon. Forced every leader at an election to show his mind about a specific list of point, like every minister become every part of a list, plus some other parts.
It would force people to have an other look on the situation and an other opinion about the peoples than only the religious part.
(*SORRY* with my english, it's 3" in the morning and the only reason i'm up now is because of a storm flooded the house and I can't fall asleep again...sorry no clear mind to explain myself)
Salut Ekios,
This is a very vulgar and common way to say back home "so that we know HOW DEEPLY WE ARE GETTING FUCKED".
As for supervision by any single country, I would be against it, for I doubt that countries like Russia, China, Us, France...etc could be objective in Lebanon. This is partly why I am saying that unless one side wins over the other (which is not the perfect solution either, nor is it less disastrous in any way) then the hurricane that is about to hit my country might turn into a tornado. I see no solution for Lebanon, and any dumb ass can see that we are rapidly heading towards confrontation.
Good reading thhis post
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