Most people nowadays are more or less convinced that Syria was behind the killing of Hariri and all the other Lebanese figures in the last two years. The theory behind this is that Syria is simply liquidating all those people who have been opposed to its presence in Lebanon or at least those who have [...]
Archive for August, 2007
Is someone blocking compromise?
Posted in Politics, tagged Hariri Case, Israel, United States on August 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Lebanon’s addiction to foreign "maids"
Posted in Society on August 25, 2007 | 3 Comments »
Wherever you go these days in Lebanon you cannot but notice the large number of foreign workers who accompany every family and serve their every need. In every home at least one person, usually from a poor Asian country, is busy serving his/her employer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While for most [...]
When should parties be banned?
Posted in Politics on August 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
I do not agree with the program of Hizbul Tahrir. However, I do not agree that HT should be banned until they can be shown to have violated the laws of the land. If they are actively promoting violence, or are preparing for violence, that should be grounds for banning the group for undertaking illegal [...]
Trendy Fateh militant
Posted in Culture, tagged Terrorism on August 22, 2007 | 3 Comments »
What strikes me in this picture of the Fateh Al-Islam leader is that he is wearing nifty glasses. What happened to all that piety he claims for himself? I mean, a nice pair of glasses can be quite pricey these days.
Mufti of ML wrong
Posted in Politics, tagged Clerics, Lebanon, Middle East on August 20, 2007 | 1 Comment »
According to a Daily Star article, the Mufti of Mount Lebanon, Sheikh Mohammad Ali Juzu, has “called on Riyadh to halt aid to South and Dahiyeh” as a result of the recent war of words between Syria and Saudi Arabia. The Mufti’s words are irresponsible and stupid. He has fallen into the usual sectarian trap. [...]
Rizk on "Lebanese companies abroad"
Posted in Society on August 19, 2007 | 1 Comment »
In an article today, Minister of Justice Charles Rizk talked about the top 20 “Lebanese companies abroad” (الشركات اللبنانية الاغترابية) claiming that their combined revenues are higher than the entire GDP of Lebanon. I have no idea where he got this number. Whatever the source, what was the definition used? What qualifies as a “Lebanese [...]
Racism and electoral abuse
Posted in Politics on August 14, 2007 | 3 Comments »
The racist statements we heard on election day last week were a shame. It is despicable that any Lebanese group should be singled out as less Lebanese simply because they do not fit some fascistic conception of who is a Lebanese. Either we accept our people’s diversity or we accept that Lebanon will not last [...]
No part of American adventure
Posted in Politics on August 13, 2007 | 1 Comment »
In a recent speech, Jumblatt stated that he would be willing to sit with Hezbollah only after they agree to “fight” Syria and Iran. So this is now a precondition for the Lebanese parties to find common ground? Sorry, Walid Beik, I for one am not interested. I want Lebanon to be freed from outside [...]
Aoun’s historic about-turn
Posted in Politics on August 13, 2007 | 1 Comment »
In 2005 Aoun surprised many when he switched his political alliances on the eve of the elections that year. In early 2006, Aoun again surprised observers when he crowned his about-turn with an “agreement” with his former arch nemesis, Hezbollah. NOW Lebanon has a great report (in Arabic) revealing the change in Aoun’s rhetoric regarding [...]
Interpreting the constitution
Posted in Politics on August 13, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Most of us agree that the constitution should be respected as it is the foundation of our country. While, in my view, the constitution’s text supports the majority’s position on electing a new president, I do not think that March 14 should push the issue to its textual limits. Instead, they should seek a compromise [...]
