Today’s incident is very misleading in its timing and location.
I present my condoleances first of all to the parents of Samer Hanna for their tragic loss and to the Lebanese army in general.

What happened today ?

An LA helicopter was attaqued over South Lebanon by unknown gunmen, leading to the death of an army captain. The region where the incident happened is near Jezzine and is known to be a shiite region ( clashes btw Amal & Hezbollah used to occur there during the civil war), and there is no trace of Sunnite presence around it, which pretty much eliminates the possibility of a jihadist attack.

From the articles & analysis i read, i can only come up with two reasonable asumptions:

1- The army helicopter went into a restricted HA region and HA gunmen shot to warn them but hit the helicopter instead. There is no interest for HA to engage in a fight with the army or harass it, specially after The ex-head of army now president of the Republic Michel Suleiman assisted them in invading Beirut and is a very loyal ally and friend to the so-called ‘Resistance’

2- Palestinians or members of an extremist group were paid to shoot at the army in order to cause tension between them and Hezbollah. One should note that the army was denied access to the crime scene by Hezbollah militiamen, who are probably confused and surprised by this infiltration into their zones.

Will we hear again about this incident ?

Everyone will condemn it tomorrow, some politicians are already trying to gain some political points out of it by accusing HA, who definitly hold a certain responsability, but it will be forgotten and another innocent Lebanese will go in vain.

R.I.P Samer Hanna.

جوني عبدو : لبنان في خطر والسلطة حالياً هي بيد حزب الله

أبو الغيط: ندعم الدولة اللبنانية والوضع الأمني في لبنان مقلق 

AFP: Hezbollah chief threatens to destroy Israel 

Olmert: ”if Lebanon turns into a Hezbollah state. [Then] we shall have no restrictions in this context.”

HERE WE GO AGAIN !!

After countless Israeli wars with armed groups in Lebanon, it appears that a new conflict is imminent and is coming very soon.  Hezbollah is just waiting for that perfect timing that they always surprise us with, and Israel is already preparing and deploying troops and setting battle plans. 

Which leads me to a question that asks itself (sou2al byotra7 nafso ): Will we ever have peace with Israel?

All the other ‘Arab’ countries are starting economic partnerships with Israel, trading with the Hebrews, Opening embassies…Heck! even Syria is negotiating with them. 

But Lebanon is still “the first country to resist and the last to sign a peace treaty!”.  Well good for us!  We’re still attached to the ‘Arab Cause’ and we’re going to throw those evil Jews in the sea, and free Palestine, and return Jerusalem to the Arabs!

We went from being the pioneers of the Middle East in everything from economics to entertainment…to a backwards society living in a devastated war-zone that is proud to destroy itself and do things that are not in its interest just to help another people who was the main contributor in the destruction of Lebanon and just to stick to the issue of ‘Arabism’ that never existed in the first place and that even the actual Arabs have abandonned.

Our disputes with Israel can no longer be solved with ‘resistance’.  An agreement can be reached between the two parties without a single shot being fired.  And seeing that the Bush Administration is seeking to leave office on any good note, I think that they would be glad to help us reach a deal.

It will be something similar to Egypt’s agreement with Israel:

• They return the Sheb’a Farms directly to Lebanon.
• They turn over the maps of the mines that they planted in the South.
• The U.S. can send Significant military aid to the LAF, just like it sends $2 Billion in aid every year to Egypt. ( That way Hezbollah can no longer claim that the army isn’t capable of defending Lebanon)

And in return, Israel will of course get the disarmament of Hezbollah and the recognition by Lebanon of the State of Israel.

We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by signing a peace treaty.  It’s about time we make peace.  Mch daroure kll snten nekoul atle and have to start all over.

“Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?”
Abraham Lincoln

EVER WONDER WHAT THE MARCH 8 PLATFORM IS? CURIOUS ABOUT THEIR CAMPAIGN?

THINK NO MORE…….WE HAVE THE INSIDE SCOOP ON MARCH 8 SLOGANS FOR ‘09

VOTE FOR MARCH 8, WE’LL CUT THE THROAT AND BREAK THE HAND OF ANY ONE WHO DOESNT

A very strong message to all those so-called resistants who collaborate with enemies to fight others.
( Picture taken from Sassine three days ago).

PLEASE ENJOY MY VERSION OF “HEY THERE DELILAH” . I STAYED AS TRUE TO THE LYRICS AS POSSIBLE. TO SEE A SHORT VERSION ON YOU TUBE CLICK ON THE LYRICS BELOW

Oh it’s that rat-hole in da7iee
Oh its smelling like my pee
Oh it’s that rat-hole in da7iee
oh that rat-hole in da7iee

نقلت وكالة رويترز أمس الاثنين الخبر الآتي: “تجمع مئات اللبنانيين في ساحة ببلدة روم في جنوب البلاد يوم الاحد (24 اغسطس) للاستمتاع بمشاهدة تصفيات سباق سنوي للحمير يعقد كل صيف في البلدة.

ويقيم سكان البلدة الجنوبية هذا السباق منذ 45 عاما وهو يجتذب دوما جمهور كبيرا يصطف على جوانب الشوارع يهتف ويشجع الحمير التي يراهن على فوزها بالسباق.

وقال غسان حداد رئيس لجنة مهرجان روم السنوي التي تنظم سباق الحمير “هيدي (هذا) نحن معودين (معتادين) عليها من سنة 1963. اول ما بلشنا (بدأنا) بالمهرجان قلنا بدنا نعمل شيء جديد. عملنا سباق الحمير التقليدي وبعدنا ماشين عليه (ثم واصلناه) من 45 سنة لهلق (حتى الان) واكثر شيء بيجيب (يجتذب) جمهور بالمهرجان.”

ويشارك في السباق بعض الحمير من قرى مجاورة لبلدة روم. وكان الحمار الفائز هذا العام من قرية ريحان. وذكر مالكه الذي يدعى محمد أن حماره أحد أفضل الحمير في المنطقة حيث سبق له أن فاز بسباقات اخرى.

وقال محمد “والله الحقيقة النتيجة طبعا هيدا الاكمل هو عن الحمير الاوادم (الجيدة) ويللي بيفهموا. يعني امبارح (امس) عمل انتصار بالريحان (قرية الريحان) طلع الاول وهون اليوم بجزين (منطقة) بروم كمان ورغم انه مش على ارضه وربح.”

ويتضمن مهرجان روم السنوي ايضا معرضا لمحاصيل العنب والتين في القرية.

If you guys are intrested in the scores, Aoun came in second followed closely by wi2am wahab

Click here to check this article out.

Date: Sunday, September 14, 2008
Time: 12:00am - 8:00pm
Location: Azarieh Church
Street: Sessine Square
City/Town: Achrafieh, Lebanon

شهداء ١٤ أيلول ١٩٨٢

الرئيس بشير الجميل

جان ابي نادر
هيام شكري الحايك
فؤاد ابي نجم
فريال صلوكجي
ساسين كرم
منى اندراوس سالم
جان أسمر
رندى مشنتف
بيار فاضل
أنطوان يوسف أيوب
ملحم ابراهيم نمر
جانت نوار
أديب ريشا اندراوس
ماري لحود
مرسال اندراوس
روجر شمالي
هيام نجار
فوزة قدادو
جورج إلياس أبو خليل
جورج أسعد كرم
ميشال حداد
ميشال روبير شاهين
ميشال تلج
أدل شاهين

It took me a long time to figure out what the fundamental difference between the current followers of the Lebanese Forces and the partisans know as Aounies. Of course many will say that it is so obvious and “why did it take you so long?”. There are many theories and both can be played form either angle.

The LF can say they have always kept their principles. The Aounies say that the LF is ruled by a criminal.
The Aounies say that the MOU is great. The LF say that the Aounies are willing to be Dhimmis. LF is bought by Hariri. Aoun is collecting from Iran. You can easily read the post before this to see some of the major disagreements or read any of the comments to become aware fo the sharp division between us.

The list goes on and on. The reasons and differences are endless

Yet , these are not the difference that I am speaking about. What I am speaking about is a fundamental difference in logic.

Let me explain. If you have ever talked to a 9-11 conspiracy believer you will notice that no matter what arguments you give them that it was actually possibly done by terrorists , they will never accept it. I have often tried to say that I am not sure if 9-11 was an inside job but I can see both points of view. Unfortunately the conspiracy theorist will never accept the other side of the story, namely that 9-11 was potentially committed by El Qaeda.

If you talk to people like this further and about other topics of discussion like the environment, the government, global warming, the Bush family, Free Masons, etc. you will find that their opinions are just as immutable and unchanging as their belief that 9-11 was an inside job. In fact these conspiracy gurus know just how it happened just like Hariri and the canceled checks for Fath el Islam. They will give you every little detail about how the Bush-Cheney alliance with Saudi Arabia and how Bandar paid the islamists etc. etc .

To me and in Lebanon specifically it boils down to two types of people with their respective logic

1. The Aounies : Convinced in their conspiracies and can accept no other discussion or disagreement or questioning of their ideas. FOR EXAMPLE : They believe AOUN is amazing and will never admit that he makes mistakes. The MOU is the best thing that ever happened. Aoun must be president. The LF is a bunch of criminals. Hariri is trying to islamize the country. The shiites are better than the sunnis. The list goes on forever. You can never convince them that even one of the things mentioned above is even remotely untrue.

2. Lebanese Forces: Include many fanatics who are religiously unchangeable and Geagea worshipers but at the same time the LF has many partisans who criticize the leadership all the time. In fact the LF is full of people who are united by a cause but unsure of how to attain their goals because each has a different opinion. I often am amazed about how many LF members are willing to stick to the LF cause even though they completely disagree with the leadership as it stands.

This is the fundamental difference in my personal opinion. One side can accept criticism and the other cannot.

I challenge anyone to find a Aouny who will admit that any of Aouns stances are wrong. On the other hand you can find at least 100,000 LF supporters who can name 5 mistakes in the past year that the LF has made. To prove this point, I can lead you to 10 web sites that are pro LF in which you can find such analysis and criticism. I doubt you can find one AOUNY site that includes any type of real self-critique .

This is why Aounies and Hizballah and SSNP get along so well. They are all fanatically convinced about their opinions and leaders.

First off I would like to thank N for giving me this opportunity.  Hopefully I won’t dissapoint.

In my first post, I want to tackle the Bipolar disease that the Aounis are suffering from.  For those of you who don’t know, bipolar is a phsycological issue in which a person has two different personalities. And that’s exactly what the Aounis are suffering from.

Not more than three years ago, the Aounis and us had pretty much everything in common.  We used to spend all our time laughing at Syrians, Hezbollah, the SSNP, etc..  Aoun or Geagea rarely came to mind.  We were fighting together for the same cause.

Then, something went terribly wrong.  I don’t know what hit you across the head.  Everything you stood for was reversed.  All your beliefs simply flipped.

You ask for Lebanon not to be tied up with all the Mideast issues.  And then you say Hezbollah’s weapons should stay until the Palestinian issue is resolved!

You fought the LF under the title of fighting militias.  And now you support Hezbollah’s weapons.

You got beaten up and humiliated by the ‘Joint Security Forces’.  And now you ask for the release of the four generals who ordered that attack.

You fight for a free and independent Lebanon.  Yet you’re allied to the SSNP who believes that Lebanon should be part of Syria!

The list goes on and on and on.  So could someone tell me what happened?  Why are all the things that you stood against suddenly good now?  If you are with Aoun because you don’t like Hakim–and I know a lot of you who are like that– then just make your own political party.  You don’t have to be with Hakim, just don’t be with Aoun.  Follow your beliefs not a person. 

I was just posting how the cedars have decided to pack up & leave and not just the Lebanese, and here i find this on the BBC site.

The cedars of Lebanon could be under threat from climate change. The trees are part of Lebanon’s cultural heritage. Bethany Bell reports.

To watch the report follow this LINK.

I remember during the Syrian rule, many would leave Lebanon for a better future but then eventually to come back in few years time. Very few people would just leave for the sake of leaving.

After the July war, hundreds of thousands of young Lebanese left because they didnt want to stay here not one more second, regardless of whether they found a good job or not ..

This desperation to leave Lebanon is increasing by the day, and honestly i can no longer find any arguments to convince people from leaving this country since i myself am convinced i do not belong here anymore, not cause of any events, cause of facts that speak louder than words.

Eventually, even the cedars are packing and leaving

In 2006, we avoided a disaster by having the Americans & Europeans on our side. However 2 years later, we managed to put ourselves in the same shitty situation that was back at Hariri ( Rafic) times.

Whenever Israel struck us, the government would stand with Hezbollah and defend it since it had no other way and it legalized it. The new bayen wizare is practically the same as this one and expect Lebanon to be brought down on its knees the next time Hezbollah tries to act funny.

Israel Threatens to Hit All of Lebanon if Hizbullah Takes Over

Another point for Aoun .. Most of the South villages are with the LF or Kataeb .. Sami paid them a visit, Hakim not once, and Amine not once …

I am not sure if its for security reasons, but lets put this aside, no help was provided to those forgotten people out there, and no one is even listening to their demands ..

If their votes barely count, we forget them ?

الحدث سيكون في الجنوب يوم الأحد المقبل، حيث علمت «الأخبار» أن العماد ميشال عون سيقوم بجولة واسعة، يتفقد خلالها كل المناطق التي جرت فيها المواجهات بين قوات الاحتلال والمقاومين، وستقام له استقبالات شعبية في غالبية القرى الممتدة من الناقورة حتى مرجعيون وجزين، وسيكون أضخمها احتفال في مدينة بنت جبيل حيث سيكون له خطاب في المناسبة. ويرافقه في الجولة عدد من النواب والشخصيات الجنوبية، وستكون له محطات في معظم القرى المسيحية في الشريط الحدودي السابق.

I am guessing 2ata3o bil dodgers akalto chi sandwich chawarma djej 3and 2em Ali wou kammalo 3al matar kazdoura wou rej3o ..

علمت “الحياة” ان قوى الأمن الداخلي نفذت امس يوماً أمنياً طويلاً في ضاحية بيروت الجنوبية بحثاً عن مطلوبين للعدالة ومعالجة مخالفات جنائية، في خطوة هي الأولى من نوعها على طريق قيام المؤسسات الأمنية اللبنانية بدورها في مناطق وجود “حزب الله” وبالتعاون معه وهو ما نص عليه اتفاق الدوحة

PS: I will do my best to take pics of Police offices in Lebanon and show you the chicken places next to them ! its hilarious

As i promised, i will be tackling issues from a different perspective, a more constructive and less harsh one. The Lebanese prisoners in Syrian jails is a very sad story, and so far promises to end in a very dramatic and tragic way.

“It’s impossible to know how many people are there”

Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands .. God knows how many did the Syrians take during the past 30 years. We are talking about political prisoners or course, people who were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time, many are innocent and their only fault is to be related to a very influential militiaman or Anti-Syria politician back then.

From Militiamen, to soldiers, to relatives of soldiers, musicians ( in the army), even priests .. the list is long and the affected families never lost hope until today, thanks to great efforts by Ghazi Aad and other personalities. Listening to those families talk about their sons & brothers & husbands is so damn painful that i wouldnt envy anyone to be in their position, i have already posted a video which truly portrays their suffering.

After that small intro, let us tackle the main issue here, the Lebanese Forces and its responsability towards those prisoners and the current actions ( if any) being undertaken. Note that all Christian parties & more generally all Lebanese parties should be working on getting our prisoners back but i will talk about the LF since it is the only party i do care about know is (was??) capable of achieving any progress.

(more…)

First of all, I would like to thak N10452 for giving me and others the chance to post here, and I hope we will not disappoint him or any of the Guys and Ladies posting and commenting on this Blog.

I also thank you everyone for accepting me and trading the best ideas and comments, hoping you will like the issues I will talk about.

For my first post, I’ve chosen to write briefly about a topic that i’m sure many of you will agree with me.

It’s about “Agreement”, which is known in Lebanese terms as “La ghaleb wa la maghloub”, and in my opinion it’s more a compromise than an agreement.

Frankly I think the worst thing our politicians in Lebanon can do is to follow this concept or principle, because it will lead only to freezing everything in this country, from the timy detail to the most important isues, why? because everybody will still be waiting for an “agreement” based on that concept.

In our recent history, we saw that this concept has done nothing but problems and disasters for the future.

We waited 6 months to elect a President by “agreement”

we also waited about 2 months to form the Government, and one additional month to agree on its statement (bayen wizari)

and now, the appointments in some security posts are still waiting for an “agreement”, which could not come in the near future, while Lebanon needs security stability at the moment more than ever.

So in conclusion, I can say i’m totally against this concept, I rather support more firmness in the Government and Presidency decisions, and that’s why I prefer to have a Governement including one side only, a Government of majority, whatever this majority is, which will allow its members to take firm decisions without any delay.

Don’t tell me this is Lebanon, it wasn’t like that from 1990 till 2005, under the Syrian influence, where Governments used to take decisions without any “agreement”, and although I’m against most of those decisions, but i’m talking here about a process. Let the majority rule, while the minority should wait for their chance,

This is Democracy. I don’t want any more “la ghaleb wa la maghloub” thing, it only contibutes in deteriorating the situation and making Lebanon worse.

It looks like Salafists refused to fall for Hezbollah’s trap .. If only Aoun realized that before signing his shameful MOu ..

I am not sure what made them change their minds, i have a feeling they are gonna fall for that same trap again, but what the heck, for the time being na3eeman ya Abbas

حسن الشهال وداعي الإسلام الشهال يعلنان تجميد وثيقة التفاهم مؤقتاً بين حزب الله والتيار السلفي

Kezballah, Ahiram & Rodge are capable of posting on this blog now.

Looking forward for your inputs guys.

If anyone else wishes to post, please mail me to ouwet.com@gmail.com with a valid username and mail.

BEIRUT: Hizbullah’s signature of a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday with Salafist groups raised questions about the origin, the doctrine and the spread of the Sunni ideological movement, whose influence is more and more tangible on the Lebanese political scene.

Salafism, which follows a radical school of Sunni Islamic thought, was established in Lebanon in the 1960s by Sheikh Salem al-Shahhal. It came into being at Egypt’s prominent Islamic school Al-Azhar University in the 19th century, where it was initially propagated as an intellectual movement by Jamal al-Deen al-Afghani, Muhammad Abduh and Rashid Rida. Today, the Salafist movement in Lebanon enjoys strongest support in the North, particularly in Tripoli’s Abu Samra area.

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