For as long as it has existed, with very few exceptions, The Maronite Church has always stood for what is right and good for Lebanon and specifically its Christians. A Lebanon without its free christians will no longer be Lebanon but another arab country.

Yesterday’s statement by Patriarch Sfeir came as a warning to Christians first, and to all the Lebanese in general. We cannot have a “resistance army that would one day use its weapons against the enemy and another day domestically.”

Not surprisingly, this statement came after visiting President Michel Suleiman in Baabda.

Why from Baabda ? for four main reasons:
1- To remind Pr.Suleiman that he holds a responsibility towards Christians and all the Lebanese with regards to Hezbollah and its arms.
2- To emphasize that The presidential seat will remain for the Maronites (and bashing Jumblatt’s proposal of rotating the presidential seat among sects).
3- To clarify to Aoun and Hariri, and from the presidential palace, that his stances did not change and he will not bless the upcoming government.
4- To send a warning to all Christians and Muslims on the danger Hezbollah presents on their freedom and Lebanon’s freedom.

Bkerke always speaks what’s right and always warns ahead of time, yet only few listen.

Lebanon was invaded by Syria, Bkerke was the first to ask for their withdrawal.
Christian leaders were being persecuted, Bkerke was the first to ask for justice. (etc …)

After the ‘06 war and Beirut’s invasion, Bkerke is warning us all of what’s next to come if Hezbollah stays armed.

“Wa man ladayhi 2ouzounatayn, fal yasma3″

“Political sectarianism is blocking the development of the Lebanese political regime and standing as an obstacle in the face of a democracy where the majority rules and the minority opposes,” stressed Nasrallah and added that abolishing political sectarianism is a “basic condition” for the implementation of the majority-minority rule.

When reading this quote, Hezbollah is the last party that comes in mind, yet this quote is one of many in Hassan Nasrallah’s speech yesterday, where he announced the party’s new manifesto.

So what’s new about this manifesto ? Absolutely nothing, except more hypocrisy, lies and a failed attempt to tone down the Islamic Rethoric.

Only a fool, or someone following blindly Michel Aoun, would believe for a second that the party of GOD, the Islamic resistance (previously revolution) in Lebanon wants to abolish political sectarianism and work for a secular united Lebanon.

Nonetheless, this is not the first time we hear about abolishing political sectarianism and definitly not the last from the Shiite leaders. Nabih Berri never misses an opportunity without bringing it up, and Hezbollah has been hinting at it for a while now.

The reasons are plently behind those demands and can be resumed as follows:
- Shiite parties have always relied on demographics and the capacity to increase their influence by increasing their numbers.
- The divisions within the Christian community are ideal for such demands, as it will make HA’s mission to take over the country politically much easier.
- Hezbollah fears federalism and division as both scenarios will isolate further the Shiite community.

Christians must be very aware of the consequences of such demands and stand up to Hezbollah and point out his true intentions. The terrorist party is playing a very smart ideological game and knows time is on his side.

As for the rest of the points in the manifesto, it is the same old speech we hear at every occasion.

- Recognizing the role of the Lebanese army and praising Lebanon’s sovereignty, knowing that Hezbollah killed an army officer not long time ago and invaded Beirut and undermined the army’s presence not so long time ago as well.

- Demanding a consistent fight of corruption and more competence in the government organizations, while they have their own mini-republic and never bother paying taxes or bill.

- And of course the “Death to America, Death to Israel” slogans to fuel the large crowds.

In support of Lebanonjon’s post, i thought i clarify this fascim issue and those who falsly label the Lebanese Forces as a fascit party.

It is always known that winners write their own version of a country’s history, and the Lebanese Forces despite its heroic resistance and achievements, had its image tarnished by the political losses it endured, and was wrongly linked to several incidents & events in Lebanon’s history.

- How many times have you heard people accusing the LF of Black Saturday incidents ? or Tal el Zaatar events? or Ehden massacre? (LF didn’t even exist back then).

Fascim is a big word that so many Lebanese use without really knowing its meaning. Hitler was a fascit for calling his race a superior one and killing inferior races. When did the LF call for such a thing ? Did any of those who label the LF as fascit bother and read its manifesto ?

Did you know for a fact that the great Charles Malek, the #1 advocate for human rights and equality among people, along with many other intellectuals, were the inspiration behind that manifesto ?

One more thing, that famous LF cross that troubles so many people.
Did you know it was a Maronite monastery who launched it in 1984 ? and not the LF ?

Now one might tell me all this is a nice talk but look at the massacres the LF did.

First of all, a massacre is killing a large number of people indiscriminately, and does not describe the war crimes the LF & many other militias did during the war.

Nonetheless, i categorically refuse that the LF apologizes or explains itself on violent acts against Palestinians or Syrians or Somalians or any other invador who dared threaten our people and our land.
Those got what they deserved and more as every single one of them was a danger to us and supported directly or indirectly the slaughter of our people.
For those who have a selective memory, here is a list of the massacres perpetuated against Christians & Lebanese in general, a list that i myself compiled and retyped one village by one long time ago.

Last but not least, the Lebanese people have always been racist individuals, either christan, sunnite or shiite. Just look at the way they treat their maids, or asian or arab workers …

Our society lacks education in terms of human rights, social behavior, democracy etc etc … so don’t go blame a whole party for it.

And while you are at it, i challenge you to find me one single party that is as democratic, liberal, non-feudal & non racist as much as the LF, knowing that i do not approve of many many things in the LF and i think i’ve made that clear already in tons of posts.

How to deal with Jumblatt ? by simply ignoring him.

I keep asking myself and all readers and M14 supporters why are you guys so surprised or shocked or insulted by Jumblatt’s speeches or twists ? He hasn’t changed since the 1980s, this is the only constant in Jumblatt’s political career and this should be our only basis.

He misses Syria … so what ?
He is getting back on good terms with HA … so what ?
He wants to revive Quartet Alliance even though he denies it … so what ?

The man cares about two things, himself and the Druze community. Lebanon, South, Arab Cause, Palestinians are all big cliches he plays with from time to time.

Jumblatt is the biggest loser from those elections, whereas M14 Christians took some of his seats and his bloc was reduced, but then again Jumblatt needs the Christian votes in the Mountain and it won’t be Aoun giving it to him in the next elections …

Sami Gemayel & Samir Geagea hit back @ Jumblatt, and it didn’t take long for him to correct his stance on the “Quartet Alliance revival”. [...]

All i know is that this is a crucial moment for all Lebanese Christians (M14 & M8), a wake up call to meet, dialogue and settle the differences and come out with a solid gathering despite all the differences between them on all levels.

The Christians need to be playing the referee’s role, not follow one side against the other and only by retaining this role, they can dream of getting back their rights and privileges …

“I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” Winston Churchill

It is said that great countries are those that produce great people, and Lebanon had its share of great men & women, but what this quote doesn’t say is that in Lebanon’s case, those men clinched their greatness by isolating themselves from the Lebanese society or simply travelling.

I believe it is essential that we take a break from time to time from our endless political fights, to remember how “uncivilized” our country is and our people are. Yes uncivilized by all means and yet somehow Lebanese find ways to feel proud about themselves !!!!

As i enjoy reading about our history and history in general a lot, i tend to associate past events with current ones and see how we evolved through the centuries, and i can assure you that the past two months have been a clear proof that we haven’t evolved one single bit from 300 years till now.

I hear Jumblatt insulting the Maronites and i remember the 18th century and the endless fights over power in Mount Lebanon between the Druzes and Maronites.
I see feudal leaders still powerful and bribing and buying people off, and i remember the Ottoman rule and the “Za3emet”.
I see corruption, bribery, theft, distrust, and incompetence and i remember how Lebanon was created back in the 1920s.

To make things short, we are not yet a country, but groups of people joined together and being tested whether we can co-exist or not, but instead of learning how to do so, we managed to put ourselves in a vicious circle whereas two groups align together against the third one, before the third one gets help from outside, strengthens itself and brings back one of the groups with him against the first one and so on …

Some are suggesting Lebanon is turning into two major political blocs, well my sincere apologies, but you know nothing about the Lebanese, that’s for sure !

Berri & Hariri are in agreement in certain electoral regions.
Berri & Aoun are in disagreement all over the place.
Geagea & Jumblatt are half way back to their old rivalry.
Hariri & Hezbollah are breaking the ice.
Pro-Syrian & Feudal lord Michel Murr & M14 are surprisingly on the same list.
Pro-Syrian Miqati & Hariri are on the same list in Tripoli.
Jumblatt & Irslan are back in love.

and the list goes on …

Things being said, it is great citizens that can make a country great, and this is what we are lacking here. The Lebanese hide behind their leaders, and when they wanna protest against them, they boycott or leave or make themselves leaders.

Naming Beirut as 2009 World Book Capital is one of the biggest jokes i’ve heard, specially when explained as “in the light of its focus on cultural diversity, dialogue and tolerance”.

This kinda reminds me of the time Yasser Arafat was granted the Nobel Peace Prize, “for their efforts to create peace in the Middle East”

Finally, i stand at my introductionary quote

It looks like electoral campaigns have started early on the blog and the heated debates are all over the place.

I remember Gebran Tueni in one of his speeches after the Cedars Revolution, asking the Lebanese whether they realized what they had just achieved.

Apparently, and until now, very few realize what a majestic achievement that was to kick the Syrians out democratically, yes democratically !!

The upcoming elections are not decisive nor will change Lebanon’s face, simply because we lost the opportunity given to us in 2005.

Who should we vote for ?

The reasons for the heated debates i am reading on the blog are simple:

- M14 supporters believe voting for M8 will lead us to a disastrous situation, and dont care whether their leaders are competent or not simply because it is not the right time for accountability.
- M8 supporters are just bashing M14ers to try gain their Christian allies some votes, as their other non-Christian votes are guaranteed by Hezbollah (by force).

Of course we’ve reached a level among M8 supporters whereas they are convinced of the choice they are forced to make, therefore reaching the highest level of brainwashing.

All the lame arguments i’ve heard from M8 members here honestly make me wonder whether you guys are reading yourselves or not.

I wont bother list them all and answer you back. You sort of remind me of the Irakis who were demanding for their rights during the American presence while they wouldnt dare open their mouth during Saddam rule.

The Cedars Revolution might have freed us from the Syrians but also gave a large chunk of Lebanese people freedom of speech that they are using and abusing in compensation of the freedom of thought which they seldom use.

You ask me who will i vote for ?

- If i were tied to a chair and a gun pointed to my head, i’d rather die than vote for M8.

- As far as M14 is concerned, i’d put a blank vote or abstain from voting.

I do want M14 to win, and i will campaign for them, only for Lebanon’s sake as the other team is a direct threat to our existence and to our families and children. However i personally cannot force myself to vote against another team, and am very far from being convinced with M14 politicians, specially the Christian ones.

This unhealthy reasoning is keeping us in a viciours circle whereas we renew the contracts of those incompetent and corrupted politicians on every occasion.

I hope and pray that if M14 were to win those elections, 2013 would generate a new class of politicians, one capable of reviving the 2005 spirit and make Gebran & Pierre & all the martyrs’ sacrifices worthy.

واضعو الطائف انقلبوا عليه ورافضوه يطالبون بتعديله

حين يدعو الرئيس أمين الجميل إلى تصويبِ اتفاق الطائف وتطويرِه يعني أنه يعترف به، فليس مَن يُصوِّب ما لا يتمنى نجاحَه، وليس مَن يطوّر ما لا يريد استمراره. لكنَّ اتفاق الطائف، كسائر الاتفاقات الميثاقـيّـةِ والدستوريّـة اللبنانية، وُضع تحت ضغطِ وضعٍ عسكريٍّ متفجِّر، وتدخُّـلٍ خارجيٍّ مؤثِّر، فأتى اعتباطياً يعالج مأزقاً ظرفـيّـاً على حساب الجوهر والمصير. تَـعلّـق به السنّـةُ إذ ضاعف صلاحـيّـاتِهم. مشى به الشيعةُ قبلَ أن يَتجاوزَه حزبُ الله ويُنشِئُ دولته. لم يُـبالِ به الدروزُ لأن دائرةَ نفوذِهمِ قائمةٌ، ومجلسَ الشيوخ ظلّ وعداً. تَحفّـظ عنه المسيحـيّـون لأنه سَلب صلاحـيّـاتِ رئاسةِ الجمهورية، سَدّد طعنةً نجلاءَ إلى المارونـيّـةِ السياسيّـة واستباحَ، في ما بعد، مناطقَهم. أما الدولُ العربـيّـةُ والأجنبـيّـة، فأيّدت الاتفاقَ للتملُّصِ مرحلـيّـاً من “الهمِّ اللبناني” غيرَ عابئةٍ بمدى ملاءمتِه لبنان.

[Full Editorial]

The funny & sad part about hearing our dear politicians WARN Syria of coming back to Lebanon is that everyone knows its empty talk .. wou to say more its complete bull shit !

Who will stop the Syrians this time ??? Hariri’s militia ? Sabe3’s bodyguards ?? Fatfat’s men ?

Seriously, do you expect the LF to resist them ? the LF is not armed and has no militia whatsoever ..

Who will stop them ? The Lebanese army or the chicken-loving ISF ?? LOOOL ..
Maybe another demonstration will scare them away ma hek ??

US, France, Russia, All Arab countries can do nothing about it …

More than three years since the Cedars Revolution and we somehow managed to throw this chance down the drain and give reasons for the Syrians to get back ..

This country is a joke and its people are one big joke !

PS: For aounist who will start barking and blaming M14, Aoun may still stand a chance of becoming president if Syrians are back, you should start thanking M14 & complimenting them.

Last but not least, if the Syrians were to enter Lebanon again, i am off politics for good.

Since the early 70s, rival Christian parties clashed and left behind many kills & injured. Sheikh Bashir Gemayel wanted to put an end to this in the late 70s and he almost managed to do so by uniting the militias even if he had to lead some deadly battles to do so.

In 1982, had he took over the presidency, he would have put an end once and for all to all sorts of militias in the country, but he was taken away from us sadly.

Nonetheless, since then, Christian parties never understood that disagreeing on opinions does not mean shooting at each other and killing one another, and apparently many people here are not getting my point … If i call for justice for this young man who died today, i am not saying lets go kill Sleiman Frangieh or some Marada militants, i am calling for a political reaction and a juridical one !

What happened in Bsarma ?

LFers were sticking posters for the Martyrs mass on the 21st of September in Jounieh, and shot at by Marada thug Youssef Frangieh, someone fired back and killed Youssef Frangieh. Pierre Isaac (LFer) was killed and another LFer injured. It turned out an SSNP militant was involved as well in starting the fight.

Koura has a large percentage of LFers as per the last elections, and Marada as well as SSNP have a considerable presence there. Now the reactions were as follows :

Frangieh did not blame the LF surprisingly, but blamed Farid Habib’s bodyguard who was present with the two other LFers hanging the posters, and who was armed and shot Youssef Frangieh and killed him.

Dr.Geagea surprisingly as well said it is NOT a political incident, and asked for his supporters to calm down and hinted about reconciling with Frangieh etc etc ..

I still cannot figure out how that was not a political incident, and what were the motives behind Hakim’s calm speech, nor Frangieh’s moderate PR as well, since both basically were saying that some fight occured and there were two victims and its over and lets move on …

Frangieh might not give a damn about his people, but we do and we always did, and this is the 4th LFer in 3 years killed by Marada thugs, without anyone of them being caught.

I will not go into the details since we’ve discussed them in previous posts, but i would like to shed the light on some issues that are crucial to our existence and continuity as Christians in Lebanon.
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