Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Writing Lebanon For Us: Reflecting A Missing Reality

And as if Lebanon is on hold, on hold until the outcome of Mehlis's investigation sees the light. But is that so? Has Lebanon been put on hold by policymakers?

I don't live in Lebanon; and I get my news from newspapers gleaned online and two satellite channels, LBC and Future. The news lately has been all about the investigation. I understand the excitement of detaining and then charging the four security "generals" last week, but until when the "pause" sign will still hold?

Where are the bloggers who live in Lebanon? Why don't they let us know about what is going on? Why can't they provide everyone an alternative source of news? Let us know, is Lebanon truely on hold?

I know it's not. I know that schools and universities will soon start. And we all know what sort of issues that brings with it: inability to pay tuition fees/buy books, increased pressure on a delapidated public school system and the Lebanese University, etc...

We all know that life goes on in our country. The media has been the driver of events this past year, but is it reflecting the reality at the moment? I was in Lebanon and I know that many people don't watch the news or read the newspaper (of course, unlike us...) They sense change and are faced with issues as they go about their life.

I wish I am able to see that and sense it, but alas, I'm far. In the hopes that some Lebanese in Lebanon will heed the call and write Lebanon for us.

"Nobody knows how many rebellions, besides political rebellions, ferment in the masses of life which people earth."

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I, also, do not live in Lebanon and I have noticed the same strange quiet from the Lebanese blogging community. I wondered if the bloggers were afraid, somehow, with four of the most powerful men under arrest anf facing trial. You may say in all honesty that they are not as 'bloggery' as they have been in past moments of this wonderful unfolding story!!

barney

Anonymous said...

Since you have a blog why don't you come up with a great news story...very condescending your post!

Anonymous said...

I agree with you, reem, I fail to see anywhere that 'condescention' appears in Doha's post. We both noticed the same thing-- the Lebanese bloggers seem to be holding back, almost as if with bated breath*. In fact, I do not remember any post by Doha in which she expressed any emotion such as condescention or unwarranted scarcasm. So cut her a little slack -- Washington is a very hot place this time of year and uncomfortable!!! (smile)

* Now for a little bit of pompous pedantry. (I just looked this up and learned it!!) One's breath is 'bated' or 'abated' or shortened by terror or fright or apprehention, first used by Wm. Shakespeare. Not spelled 'baited'! WOW Ain't that sumpin?? (smile)

barney

Anonymous said...

- Barney, you said:
"...Washington is a very hot place this time of year and uncomfortable!!! (smile)"

I always knew you were a DC-based Sahyûnist spy of sorts!

:)

Abu Kais said...

Why only blame Lebanon based bloggers for this. Look at the Lebanese media-- all they do is report on what the politicians said and who they met. And then the analysis is based on what they said and how that might relate to a sectarian preconception. We hate our politicians but we give too much importance to their speeches, and never bother to report on the issues outside the limits defined by them. Look at how many posts there are dissecting Jumblatt's speeches and their supposed anti-Christian slant. We never look outside the sectarian box. We never bother to INVESTIGATE with the interests of the country as a whole in mind.

One can talk of a general Lebanese failure to identify REAL issues as opposed to lazy feeding on self-centred political statements by incompetent and opportunist politicians.

The failure can be partly attributed to the absence of good research or an understanding of its meaning. I am going to get attacked for this, but Lebanese culture has been descending into a culture of plagiarism on all levels. It's a problem that starts with our educational system. We just don't know how to encourage creativity and originality.