Today was a difficult day. On the metro heading to work this morning, I fought with myself: to read the Washington Post or not to read it. I did and I got even more depressed. There is nothing more disheartening than a picture of destruction or suffering frozen in history...more striking than on TV.
More disheartening was an 80-year old Beiruti saying to the Post that Lebanon is doomed never to be. If these are the words of wisdom, then what do I have left?
What do I have left? I was born during the civil war, never saw all of Lebanon until I was 13, and when I did, I fell in love with it. I understood why my father always brought us back despite the destruction. I fought my parents to do my undergraduate studies at the American University of Beirut when I was 18. I wanted to be there, to create roots, my own roots in that vibrant place. And I did.
As I watched today morning on TV Lebanese Red Cross medics putting injured civilians on stretchers after the Beirut Port was shelled, I thought to myself, "What are you doing here?" I should be there, where I used to serve as a Lebanese Red Cross first-aider. I knew that those medics at the Port were the ones who manned the Spears Headquarters...that's where I used to be a volunteer. And now I'm here, going to work like so many are, on the metro, then the escalators, then up the elevator, then the cubicle...
I'm here, facing a computer, trying to do what needs to be done, but never enough.
Our generation had so much hope for Lebanon. Last year there was so much hope for Lebanon, so much hope. Hope that we can BE. That Lebanon can BE, once and for all. But the prospects are bleak. What next? After the attacks are over, what's going to happen? The divisions are growing deeper and deeper.
Hizbullah's forces might be decimated, but never underestimate the effects of all the violence on the people. All those "mended" psyches from the civil war have been hurt once more and this time trust is gone and perhaps the damage will be difficult to undo.
I have nothing except words. Nothing but words...
Update: A Lebanese Army barracks in Jumhour was shelled. And today evening a whole family died under the rubble, 13, among them 9 children in Aitroun. What's the fault of these children? They were probably scared and hiding.
Addendum: Check out Lebanese fellow blogger's post on the 8-member Lebanese Canadian family killed yesterday by Israeli fire.
Update 2: Jbeil (Byblos) was targeted at dawn. Two trucks were destroyed. No information on number of casualties.
"Nobody knows how many rebellions, besides political rebellions, ferment in the masses of life which people earth."
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12 comments:
if returning two soldiers would end this, then it should be done as soon as possible.
we can not let our pride stand in the way of saving the country from this insanity unleashed by israel.
Maybe we should pettition hizb to realease them...
any ideas how this could be done?
I am a Greek student in Birmingham, UK, and i found accidentally your blog 3 days ago.
I feel disgusted for what is going on but i do not see how things may get better. The powerfull leaders of the world were discussing yesterday the situation in the G8 summit ignoring that the microphones were still open. Bush called "shit" the fact that children die... very sensible... and very eclectic too.
I wish to Lebanese people no matter of religious or other perspectives to become stronger in the end of this unbelievable situation...
And as always, the role of the United Nations is the biggest joke...
lycanthropy-- "...this insanity unleashed by israel."
Right. Like how they managed to sneak across the border and snatch a couple of soldiers and started this mess.
Oh wait! That would be Hezbollah.
Never mind.
What is happening to Lebanon is terribly painful to watch and there is no comparing this little pain with Lebanon's pain.
I'm an American and I'm grateful to know and to have known Lebanese from various communities within her. Unfortunately most Americans are oblivious to the deep kinship between Lebanon's typical entrepeurial vitality and her historical intercommunal tolerance on the one hand, and Americans' similar traits on the other.
Hizballah, a devious snake, has insinuated Iranian military adventurists over a popular political organization. Hizbollah doesn't manage to control itself; how dare it usurp control over Lebanon?
Comments by Lebanese bloggers regarding past American perfidy in signing away Lebanon to Syria (and thereby Iran) are too true. The arrogance of 'diplomacy realists' who deal away freedom loving people to appease fascists is appalling. It was evil. I pray it stops for all time.
It is appalling arrogance when certain Americans--who are otherwise close to my own opinions--think that Lebanon ought to come running gratefully after 'we' remove Hizballah 'for you'.
Arrogance, and ignorance.
Somehow, somehow, somehow it must be possible for:
a) Hizballah's military wing to be destroyed,
b) Syria's devious corruptions neutralized, and
c) the thugs of Qom replaced by wiser counsel from Najaf among the suffering Shiites.
I pray that Hizballah, Syria, and Iran will be removed from life in Lebanon. I pray you will revive, in your own right and by divine mercy, and then create the beautiful, democratic, free Lebanon that has so nearly already come into being.
You will teach us courage and wisdom. You will teach us what it means to love liberty.
So, that's it, my little commentary, for whatever it is worth. For slightly more practical support, now I will go find Lebanese dolmas [they are the best, you know] at a 'middle-eastern' grocery store. If I am very lucky I will find Lebanese labneh in olive oil... so good!
Long live Lebanon. Long live the Cedar Revolution. May God pour mercy and blessings upon you, and give you life with peace.
Peace and blessings to all, but esp. to the innocents and noncombatants. It sure does seem like Iran and Syria are using Lebanon like a pawn where the goal is Iranian influence over the entire region. Do they or Hizbolla really have the interests of Lebanon in mind?
Can't human being disagree and negotiate and even get p**sed without resorting to murdering one another? Isn't it possible to see things from the perspective of the enemy?
In general most of us in America have huge empathy for the underdog. The Palistinans have an argument that deserves to be heard but almost is never heard over the explosions in pizza restaurants and discotheques. If the Palistinians in fact have the better argument, might that not be heard better over time through nonviolent passive resistence? Or do they really believe that it's better that everyone die if they don't get justice right now on their exclusive terms?
From my point of view counterarguments are welcome. It's the only way forward and the only path fit for humans.
Hope it will be over soon. It makes me sick that due to madness of one (Nasrallah) two countries are suffering. Innocents are being killed...
Stay strong!
Sending salut from the Israeli side,
Ilan
emental76,
Americans DO understand, I'm an american I was born in america. The land I live on is mine I have never known any other land, And I do understand.
We do not try to run the world that is your misconception, we try to do what we can to help peoples from all over. Sometimes it works sometimes it does not. If we did nothing you would say we sit and watch while people die or whatever.
I have heard your argument before, it hold little or no water like a vase with a hole in it.
Israel needs to destroy the Hezbollah and Hamas. Only then can the free minded people of Lebanon and Palestine come forward to negotiate for a peaceful resolution to all of these issues, for now there will be war until these Terrorist groups have been vanquished.
Be safe if you are in the region, please and god watch over you.
Doha: Don't lose heart, this too shall pass. Damn. That sounded like a bad cliche, though from where I cannot recall. Even so, this will end and Lebanon will be rebuilt. I only pray that freedom and democracy flourishes there.
Doha, Jad, Omer, Subrosa, Suha, and the rest of you: take care of yourselves today. I can't access the board from work so I'll check it out when I get home. God bless.
I was mistaken when I thought you viewed the situation clearly. You have an obvious position which you wish to share?
In the bigger scheme Yes you are right its not guns and bombs its a mindset and way of thinking, However in the immediate situation there is NO other solution but to destroy thier means of waging war/terror and then fixing the problems that led to these twisted ideas that drove them to terrorize people.
IMO. Israel should march its troops across the border and occupy southern Lebanon and in doing so they should destroy all of Hezbollah and its supporters. They should then use thier abilities to assist the good people of Lebanon to rebuild thier country and thier society into the free and beautiful world that it can be.
As long as there is Hezbollah there will be no peace in Lebanon. [/MO
I wish for all of you in the region to be safe. V1
emental,
I would give you my "Solution" to the problem. However it would not be well accepted by you or the owner of this Blog, It is not a widely held POV in my country but does have a lot of support.
Lets suffice to say that RADICAL situations require RADICAL solutions. As unpalettable as they may be.
My views are my own, not my countries, they are mine and I stand by them. Im sorry if we disagree.
I look at this like this;
If Cuba were lobbing missiles into south florida, would America not destroy the entire Island of Cuba, yes we would, the people would settle for no less. If you were in the others shoes what would your view be? how would say to deal with the problem.
The are all greedy men who only wish for power, Hezbollah wants power, Hamas wants power Lebanese poeple wants power Israeli people wants powere US wants power.. where does it stop?? It is the cause of all of this..
Why was a family living in a Lebanese army barracks?
I hope that Israel destroys the leaders of these Islamist fascists at they hide in Hermel. Then maybe Lebanon can be at peace.
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