tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10968421.post112551991872043154..comments2024-03-23T02:40:59.858-05:00Comments on The Lebanese Bloggers: Lebanese Blogs & ParadigmsRajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625042447499335907noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10968421.post-1125575682835637342005-09-01T06:54:00.000-05:002005-09-01T06:54:00.000-05:00Maybe if people (and stupid intellectuals) would f...Maybe if people (and stupid intellectuals) would focus on what they want in the next 2-3 years, as opposed to past "grandeur(?)" and future unrealistic idiocy ("arab unity" and "palestine liberation"), we could find some measure of domestic peace, sanity, unity and, God forbid, better education/economy/daily life etc....JoseyWaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04107151613511099711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10968421.post-1125566220106672442005-09-01T04:17:00.000-05:002005-09-01T04:17:00.000-05:00Raja,Regarding the history book. The crap is mean ...Raja,<BR/><BR/>Regarding the history book. The crap is mean is the inaccuracy. (Faking an independence battle, faking some heroic deeds for, and exaggerating accomplishments by, former rulers of “Lebanon”, especially the Ma’nis and Shehabis). <BR/>Salibi’s opening of “A House of Many Mansions” is “To create a country is one thing; to create a nationality is another.” Along those lines, I think this argument will take us to the whole idea of creating a Lebanese identity. <BR/>Back to your point, I’d rather discuss current, more practical, affairs. <BR/>So we won’t agree on less recent history. Taking Lazarus’ argument, I don’t think we need to, but, again, I do think the minimum we need is a real closure of our war(s). This is more relevant now that Samir Geagea has been released. <BR/><BR/>I’ll do the Saad Hariri piece later.<BR/><BR/>You say “our focus must shift from the glamour and grandeur of such issues as "identity," "religious beliefs," "the Arab-Israeli conflict," etc... to such pedestrian issues as administration, economics, garbage collection, traffic alleviation, public transportation, etc”<BR/><BR/>I agree with you. We need more of these on blogs. We also need to be less inhibited when tackling these issues incriminates some "leaders", and it will.Hassanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322593499990136809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10968421.post-1125565802129887902005-09-01T04:10:00.000-05:002005-09-01T04:10:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Hassanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04322593499990136809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10968421.post-1125547477449664112005-08-31T23:04:00.000-05:002005-08-31T23:04:00.000-05:00Yes, it does seem that the failure lies with us. ...Yes, it does seem that the failure lies with us. We (and i'm generalizing here) need this concept of a protector, and since our government doesn't (and i don't think really ever has) provide us with a semblance of it. If the government can actually focus on the menial tasks of electricity, social security, road maintenance, economy+jobs, etc., then people will feel less and less inclined to look up to someone for help and down at someone for blame.<BR/><BR/>Concerning history: there is no real truth. It isn't a problem if one area teaches a slightly modified version (where they stress on some things slightly more than other things). But this isn't even the case. "History" is (and has been) a product of the area (and of the community). This is the "bullshit" that has to be ammended. I think it was actually Walid Jumblatt who said that Lebanon cannot really advance before it agrees on its history. And therein lies the problem. To agree on something common (even if there are slight variations) means that some communities would give up their power, and others would give up their oppression.Lazarushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05388532206190051913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10968421.post-1125540845668746992005-08-31T21:14:00.000-05:002005-08-31T21:14:00.000-05:00Hassan, With regards to the people, let me just sa...Hassan, <BR/><BR/>With regards to the people, let me just say that I feel with you brother. I've already mentioned that there's too little interaction between individuals from different sects in Lebanon. That needs to change. That said, I think Vox has a point. In other words, your statement is a generalization that collapses especially in the face of the all-powerfull dollar.<BR/><BR/>As for the general impression of "unity" exhibited by the political leaders, I must admit that I partially fell for it, along with a lot of the other Lebanese bloggers. In fact, I attribute the relative atrophy in the Lebanese Blogosphere to partially be the result of that particular miscalculation on behalf of most of us bloggers. In one instance, we were supporting "Lebanese" politicians working for Lebanon, and in the other, we found ourselves supporting Sectarian Zu3ama. It almost felt like being naked in a crowded street! But what can I say Hassan? We want "unity" and non-sectarian Lebanon... so when powerful leaders adopted our line, we fell for it. My motivation was not to conform, but rather to accept powerful Lebanese political leaders who claimed to aspire for an end to sectarianism. They had (and continue to have) the power to bring about change, but I don't. So when they claim to seek change for what I percieve to be a better Lebanon, I cheer!<BR/><BR/>With regards to Saad's failure, please post an entry that explains your position. I am hungry for such an analysis.<BR/><BR/>As for the concept of "National Unity," thanks for accepting how I feel about it. I will elaborate my position in an upcoming post. But, understand that in my own opinion, such a concept shifts the blame for the general malaise in Lebanon from the elite to the average Joe/Mo on the street. The search for "national unity" as a solution for Lebanon's malaise is similar to the Alchemist's search for the Philosopher Stone as a means of converting metal to Gold. I always advocate the position that to solve the problems we complain about every day, our focus must shift from the glamour and grandeur of such issues as "identity," "religious beliefs," "the Arab-Israeli conflict," etc... to such pedestrian issues as administration, economics, garbage collection, traffic alleviation, public transportation, etc.... There is no other solution. Every one agrees that they want safer roads. Hardly any one can agree on personal religious convictions. Period!<BR/><BR/>Finally, on the issue of history books. Hassan, I have a question: who is to decide what is bullshit and what is not? That is a question that confounds anyone thinking about history! Especially history concerning events that supposedly took place hudrends or thousands of years ago. Anyways, one of the ways Lebanon is progressing rather than moving in cycles is, ironically, with regards to history. Lebanon, as an independent country, was born in 1943. In exactly 83 days, Lebanon will be 62 years old. The country is getting older and its own history is growing with it. Therefore, issues of Phoenicia or Arabia ought to grow less and less important as the history of the country of Lebanon itself grows. It ought to be easier to come to an agreement on more recent history than ancient history which is shrouded in myth and lore. Therefore, I am a little more optimistic on this front.Rajahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02625042447499335907noreply@blogger.com