Category Archives: Politics

Samir Geagea’s Assassination Attempt

Head of the Lebanese Forces narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in his house in Meaarab, Keserwein, earlier today.

While taking a stroll outside, Geagea heard gunshots. So he ran for a safe place only to find the spot he was standing at had two bullet holes.

The security of his house was not breached. But the attempt is believed to have been taken out using high-tech equipment that can establish a perimeter of up to 4 kilometers. The Lebanese army is currently sending its helicopters to search the woods surrounding the area for possible suspects but the dense forests make the task extremely difficult.

The team that tried to assassinate Geagea obviously knows what it’s doing and has possibly done it before.

Now I ask – are we back to the assassination period in Lebanon where every single politician that has the guts to speak out against certain factions and regimes gets shot down? Are we back to a time where some people think gunning down Lebanese top politicians will get the people to cower away and not fight for their rights anymore?

Samir Geagea is the only Lebanese politician whose opinions, since he got out of his forced imprisonment in 2005, haven’t spun like a weather vane. He’s the only Lebanese politician who has asked the people for forgiveness for anything his party might have committed during the civil war. He’s the only Lebanese politician who served jail time. He’s the only Lebanese politician nowadays whose rhetoric doesn’t cower away from telling things like they are. He’s the only Lebanese politician who doesn’t equivocate over his beliefs.

I never thought I’d be this upset with such news. Why? Because I never thought it would actually happen. But now that Geagea has been targeted for assassination, years after the latest figure in Lebanese politics was killed, I cannot but be disgusted by the cowards and the filth of society that have tried to kill such a man.

I address them directly because I know they’re reading this: you disgust me. If anyone needs to die, it’s you – your guns, your backward mentality and your fear of those who can speak out against you.

They know who they are.

Samir Geagea lives. And his resolve will only grow stronger. His supporters will only grow more determined.

The Different Classes of Lebanese – Israel “Traitors”: The Fayez Karams VS Everyone Else

When it comes to Lebanon, our 99% and 1% extend to more than just the economic situation. The division also applies to our dealings with Israel.

If I, a Lebanese with no political backing, was found guilty of leaking information to Israel and whatnot, I’d be thrown in jail for life.

When influential people, like Fayez Karam, are found equally guilty of the same crime, they serve a meaningless prison sentence of two years – just as a formality – because such connections with Israel cannot go unpunished.

Conspiracy theorists most of whom happen to be pro-Fayez Karam will shout lies and fabrications at his trial. Those who are more reasonable will ask: why would Fayez Karam be framed to begin with? How could his arrest be political if those who are in charge are basically his own team?

The fact of the matter remains that if you weren’t belonging to certain political parties with Hezbollah blessing, then your treason is to a higher degree of severity. So yes my fellow Lebanese, even when it comes to those that we consider have betrayed our country, we have classes.

There are the Fayez Karams who can get away with it relatively unscathed.

And there are those like you and me who, if God forbid had dealings with Israel, will have their whole lives ripped away from them.

We shouldn’t be upset really. In a country where double standards has become the norm, why should treason be any different?

On a related note, you might want to check the Israeli Saar Szekely’s debate on Israeli national TV. I find the points I raised there very poignant to the discussion at hand.

Lebanon Preparing For A Nuclear Plant

Lebanon is on track for nuclear energy! Who knew it was even in the works?

According to Al-Nahar, prime minister Najib Mikati met with people from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and some Lebanese scientists to discuss the possibility of building a nuclear plant in Lebanon. The prime minister was welcoming to the idea and asked for the study regarding the project to be done in six months.

While we won’t be the first country in the region to have such a plant, I see this as a very advanced step that might be premature with the current state of our infrastructure: ranging from our internet to our roads. When the government is fighting over electricity boats & new power plants, and when there are talks about cost-cutting with regards to rebuilding certain bridges (Jal El Dib to be exact), somehow a nuclear plant is way over the top, no?

This doesn’t mean a plant will surely be built. God knows such “studies” tend to be dragged on and on until the whole affair becomes history and the people get over their enthusiasm. And to be honest, is Lebanon ready – politically – for all the repercussions that having nuclear energy entails?

We are too worried to take a clear stance regarding Syria – how about when the whole world looks upon this little country – with the  “terrorist” group Hezbollah – procuring nuclear energy?

AUB Students Flashmob for Syria

Leave it to AUB students to support something creatively.

A group of students calling themselves Students for a Free Syria (SFS) gathered in front of West Hall and held slogans while they enacted some of the atrocities the Syrian regime is committing.

The most poignant slogan, in my opinion, is a quote by Elias Khoury.

“Beirut knows that being silent to a crime is being partner to that crime. And in spite of that, it is silent. People are getting killed by bullets and faces are getting stomped by shoes in the Sham where an entire people is standing up for its pride, freedom and right for life. Sham isn’t far from Beirut. But Beirut is getting farther from itself.”

On a relevant note, you might want to check out this post that a Syrian friend of mine anonymously sent me on the anniversary of the uprising, two weeks ago. “Syria – that painting that had dust settle on its stones, so meticulously built one top of the other, for years is now dusting it off… finally.”

Barack Obama: “Sexy and I Know It”

Someone has way too much free time on their hands. But this is still hilarious. Hate the song, by the way.