Cyber Dissidents

As a testimony to the growing popularity and clout of Bloggers (with all humility), Reporters Without Borders have published this Handbook:

The purpose of the book is to teach bloggers and blogger-wannabes to go around sensorship, remain anonymous and be heard. I’m not very sure if we need it as strongly in relatively free Lebanon. But [...]

No More Mr. Nice Guy

The Future Movement is beginning to expose its assertive face.

So much symbolism in today’s Morning news. It seems the Hariri camp is no longer in an accommodating mood and they are starting to show their “ugly” face.
They’re losing patience, and now they’re in their famous counter-attack mode.
Hezbollah is bothering them? Put a big picture of [...]

Berri Goes French

Speaker Nabih Berri would say anything to maintain his interests and cronies in their positions.

After our minister of Economy announces on American T.V. that the Lebanese government is proceeding towards privatization (A measure required for reforming the public sector), Nabih Berri goes into attack mode: “Lebanon is not for sale!”.
How thoughtful, really. Thanks Abu-Mustapha; because [...]

Saad’s UN Meetings

Saad Hariri’s meetings with international heavyweights has produced a big relief to a lot of Lebanese. What’s the significance of these meetings?

When Hariri the father was killed back in that black day in February, one of the immediate responses from a lot of Lebanese was a selfish one: With the death of Rafik Hariri, a [...]

Iraqi Shiaas and Lebanese Christians

The scenes from Ashrafieh are reminiscent of those from Baghdad. That’s because like-minded people are behind the attacks.

You have been forced out of power, but you know the country you ruled very well. There is an important community that was badly represented in your governments, and there’s another one that was sharing the wealth and [...]

The Verdict

So, What about those pins?

Guys, thank you all for your precious input. The debate was a real education for all of us.
When I decided to hang the pin of Bashir Jmayyel. It was because he and Hariri represent two symbols of two extremes that got killed because they decided to transform their allegiance into that [...]

Bashir Jmayyel

In an attempt to convey the spirit of March 14, I hung up a pin of Bashir el Jmeyyel Next to that of Rafic Hariri (see above, next to beirutspring.com).
Many readers were offended and offered some good reasons.
To make myself clear, whether or not we “forgive” bashir Jmayyel is not the point here. The point [...]

The Shrinking President

Bored? Need to pass some time? Here’s something everyone is doing: Ridicule the Lebanese President.

A few months ago, Mr. Walid Jumblat had decided to stop calling our President “His Excellency the President (fakhamatou’l ra’ys)” , except when he’s being ironic.
He had resolved to call him by his bare name: Emile Lahhoud.
At the time, I was [...]