Hi Raja, I'm glad you have developed this blog. I read it often and I have come to learn that you've built a suitable ground for healthy debates even if some are from programmer Craig.Hizballah does need to behave more responsibly for it is alienating the Lebanese public especially when battles are flared on a time like Lebanon's independence day. However, you can't compare the actions of the US to that of Hizballah. While one waves a police mans stick in the direction of any country or person seen defying Israel, another is just flexing its muscles for some attention. I was actually very sad that 4 Lebanese young men gave their lives for a political stunt. Lets not forget that Hizballah are Lebanese.
Forgive me programmer Craig, but although I also want the dissarmament of Hizballah, I certainly won't support that taking place under pressure from the likes of you and those wishing peace for Israel at the expense of security of the Lebanese in the South. I am in full support of the Lebanese Army and I believe it was the wrong decision not to replace the IDF with the Lebanese Army in 2002, however I don't believe the time is ripe to disarm Hizballah. Certainly not when there are insecurities among their supporters. Western pressure on Hizballah is only creating the opposite effect, just as Israeli bombing of Beirut did in many of their failed operations of the 90's.
If the Middle East is mind boggling to you then I urge you not to voice your opinion as you may only be causing more boggling to a feeble mind. If your interpretation of the bright side is the dropping of papers from f-16's which 'do much' to calm the noise polution in our tiny country instead of bombs, then it a bright side I don't want to see. You are misinformed and I suggest you stick to programming. Don't patronise a people as a whole by stating that Israel has a right to defend itself. We all have a right to defend ourselves! We know these are testing times for us and I believe we are stepping in the right direction. Right now what is more important to us is national reconciliation, a healthy economy and peace for all the people of Lebanon. Frankly the solving of Hizballah's weapons so northern Israel can feel more secure is very much secondary.
Forgive me programmer Craig, but although I also want the dissarmament of Hizballah, I certainly won't support that taking place under pressure from the likes of you and those wishing peace for Israel at the expense of security of the Lebanese in the South. I am in full support of the Lebanese Army and I believe it was the wrong decision not to replace the IDF with the Lebanese Army in 2002, however I don't believe the time is ripe to disarm Hizballah. Certainly not when there are insecurities among their supporters. Western pressure on Hizballah is only creating the opposite effect, just as Israeli bombing of Beirut did in many of their failed operations of the 90's.
If the Middle East is mind boggling to you then I urge you not to voice your opinion as you may only be causing more boggling to a feeble mind. If your interpretation of the bright side is the dropping of papers from f-16's which 'do much' to calm the noise polution in our tiny country instead of bombs, then it a bright side I don't want to see. You are misinformed and I suggest you stick to programming. Don't patronise a people as a whole by stating that Israel has a right to defend itself. We all have a right to defend ourselves! We know these are testing times for us and I believe we are stepping in the right direction. Right now what is more important to us is national reconciliation, a healthy economy and peace for all the people of Lebanon. Frankly the solving of Hizballah's weapons so northern Israel can feel more secure is very much secondary.
9 comments:
Hani,
There's nothing secondary about illegal weapons and a "state-within-the-state", especially after the PLO, and then LF experiences.
Of course Israel's action in Lebanon is illegal. Any Israeli action is illegal, we're legally at war with Israel and should fight their actions as deemed appropriate (by our elected officials).
The Hezb is doing irresponsible and illegal stuff but they are IN the Lebanese government. Israel's job may be to screw us, but what is the Lebanese government's job???To fire up Shebaa on Nov 22??? And kiss ass to Hezbo afterwards?
When are we going to stop the madness that we are different when it comes to basics? Where on earth is there "resistance' movements under a sovereign gvmnt. when the enemy is not deep inside your territory?
Israel is out and are is not coming back except if Hezbollah continues to send Katiouchas over the border. I won't allow a bunch of fantics to destabilize my country under fallacious pretext of liberating two goats and one cow in Shebaa.
By attacking Israel they are engaging ALL of Lebanon and not only their stupid voters. They are in no position of deciding for the others. There's a parliament responsible for declaring war or not. Even if Hezbollah only recognizes God's (so-called) law, the law of the parliaments are the only applicable law in Lebanon, wether they like it or not.
vox, if I were shi'a and I had a choice between Hizballah and Berri, I'd vote for Hizballah - no questions asked. Do not go around labeling people as "stupid!" All of us know that the reasons Hizballah has gained so much support from the Shi'a community transcend its religious and military characters. In fact, if Hizballah were to change nothing tomorrow except shed those characteristics, I doubt it would lose one Shi'a voter. Rather, it would most likely gain new voters! Will those guys also be "stupid?"
They are stupid when they vote for an anti-democratic party. I don't accept moral relativism - my values are absolute. Those who vote for the Hezbollah are no better then the Talibans and I do not have to be affected the consequences of their stupidity. They are no better than
Hani & Raja,
Glad to see some moderate voices on the Lebanese blogosphere. You seem to be sincerely concerned with understanding the Hizballah situation and with the search for an equitable solution for all rather than basing your analysis based on personal preferences or ideologies.
I agree that Hizballah should disarm but doing it under outside pressure will only create more problems in the long run for all of us. Hizballah represent a big chunk of the Shiite community. Alienating them when there is no viable political alternative is potentially explosive. It would do well to remember that this all started with al-Sadr drawing support from the economically and socially alienated in the Shiite community, including Nasrallah himself.
Vox,
All what you've said doesn't worth a penny. these are just accusations that even Israel is not sure of its correctness!
I don't like to respond to you, knowing the kind of hatemonger you are, but let me tell you that I am sure those "stupid" voters will put you in the same basket, and are proud of their "stupidity".
BTW, your simili between hizbollah and taliban is a kind of stupidity also.
Democracy in hizbollah is highly evident in its structural organizations. I would call someone who describes hizbullah as "non-democratic", an ignorant or .... "stupid".
Can you u please tell us whom do u vote for Mr. Brainy?
Well, how did I get to be the subject of a post about Lebanon? Please don't accuse me of trying to pressure anybody. Lebanon is the least of my concerns right now, and while I am happy that you (Lebanon) seem to be moving in a good direction, I have already stated that I (personally) would never consider Lebanon a a friend as long as Hezbollah is there - armed or disarmed, it doesn't matter. In my opinion, those guys belong in prison. Or in a graveyard.
I'm not Lebanese.
I'm not Isreali (nor am I jewish)
I am an American.
I am a Programmer.
I was an infantryman in the US Marines.
Hezbollah did murder friends of mine.
Now, I think I've stated who I am and what I care about. Lebanon is not really high on my list. Hezbollah IS high on my list.
Having said all that, I seriously doubt I'm either helping or hurting your cause with what I say. You aren't going to have good relations with the US as long as Hezbollah is there, no matter what I say or do. And no matter what *you* say or do, either. But I get the impression that isn't high on YOUR priority list, so - no problem :)
You know, I have to add one thing... I post on a lot of middle eastern blogs and I've never been insulted so much by so many people, so fast, the whole time I've been reading blogs. Keep up the good work, this truly is the path to democracy :D
Vox populi you have a lot of interesting posts and ideas on your blog BUT ..where do you live ? I believe that is the most important question ...answering it would be enough .
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