Revolution #9

The Lebanese have always taken pride in being the cream of the Arab world, namely because of the civil liberties, freedom of press, loose practice of religion and relaxed atmosphere. Lebanon has produced a number of high profile intellectuals recognized worldwide for their various endeavors such as Gibran Khalil Gebran, Charles Malik, Edouard Saouma, Rafik Hariri etc.. Most importantly, Lebanon has significantly contributed to the educated workforce of the Arab world as in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Qatar. So the Lebanese, from all religious sects are essentially smart people. 

The burning question is how can the people of Lebanon accept to live under such ruthless and powerful political manipulation of leaders who seek the destruction of Lebanon? Why don't the Lebanese revolt?

The situation is obviously becoming ridiculous and nowhere near of getting solved. The longer it drags, the more it gets manipulated by exterior forces to some other nation's benefit. 

It's about time that the Lebanese take up the streets and prosecute those who are pulling the strings. What will it take to bring the Lebanese up to political enlightenment? More misery? More war? More foolish leaders or Godot?

The Lebanese need to take control of their lives and destiny by marching as a million individuals to uproot those responsible for their misery, otherwise Lebanon, not Israel, will soon be wiped off the map.

A US Presidential Candidate for Lebanon?

I just can't help but comment on the dichotomy of the US presidential candidates with respect to Lebanon. It is widely believed and commented on in other blogs that McCain would serve better Lebanon's interests than either Hilary Clinton or Barrack Obama.  

McCain is regarded as a hawk who's been through the Vietnam war and understands the politics of the autocratic and despotic syrian regime. He is not likely to be intimated by neither the Syrian nor Iranian rulers. On the other hand, the Democrats, being more liberals and wanting always to give peace a chance, are likely to cut deals with Syria and Iran at the expense of Lebanon.
The bottom line question is: Who would be better for Lebanon? David Kenner addresses this question very eloquently in this article on the Now Lebanon web site. However, no compelling evidence or opinion is given to favor either candidate. The bottom line is that all 3 candidates will be bad for Lebanon in the sense that they will put Israel on a golden platter before caring an inch about Lebanon, essentially because the Jewish lobby is so powerful the US and to a large extent controls US politics.

An American friend of mine, very Republican and deeply knowledgeable about foreign policy, keeps telling me:"Why should we care about Lebanon? What is Lebanon to us ? You guys were better off under syrian rule. At least you could go and visit your family."

The painful truth is that he is absolutely right and unless we, Lebanese, find a Lebanese solution to our problems, we will be treading water and keep looking for the US candidate that is best for us. Unless we put put our fate in our own hands and force our leaders to take on painful and dangerous decisions, we would still be waiting for Godot.