The mentality described above is the very meaning of sectarian idiocy.

Who in his right mind (even Aoun and or Sfeir) would not prefer an empty seat or even Saniora to that miserable POS of a sub-man Lahoud?

I would be a prouder Lebanese with a chamber-pot instead of Lahoud in the seat.

So Aoun, fuck off you and your useless meeting of the community’s “minds” and “elites”. If we had minds and elites we would not be here.

Let us enjoy the moment when the prez seat has looked the best in years.

I agree.

I would rather not have a Prime Minister or a decent non-Sunni Prime Minister then Omar Karami, for example.

I think the Christians are particularly upset today. I’m also sure that everyone who supports the ideals of the Cedar Revolution is disappointed too, regardless of what sect their from.

I also believe Geagea made a very good case today. He explained everything logically and rationally. He made me feel a little less hopeless about March 14’s tactics.

Mustapha…

I must admit, your post is comforting. So was, PM Seniora’s visit to the Patrirach, and S. Hariri’s public statement concerning the vacant seat in Lebanon.

JoseyWales, while I was one of those who was willing to go up to Baabda with my fellow Lebanese compatriotes to remove Lahoud from power. You have no idea what you are saying today.

Wait for us to have a new person replacing that seat before you chastise it.

CourtFool,

I am not chastising anything. All I am saying is that after 20 years of Hrawi/Lahoud I am not unhappy the seat is empty for a while.

I, for one, am in no hurry to see someone in it especially if it’s going to be a Ghanem/Edde type buffoon (no offense to your profession).

Christians should stop playing victims and seize the opportunities to reclaim their place without having to rely on hizz or hariri otherwise they will never achieve anything. And aoun should just put a sock in it coz nobody marginalized the christians more than him!

Geagea has no credibility to me. He’s foolin’ no one but himself with his lame remarks. I believe he’s the one who should put a sock in his mouth, him and Saad Hariri, the Americans and Zionists puppet.

Geagea always accuses HEZBOLLAH, the National Lebanese Resistance that defended and protected Lebanon and its people when Israel invaded our country and during its illegal occupation (from 1982 to 2000). BUT WHAT HE DOESN’T SAY is that Hezbollah, unlike him, never used its weapons inside Lebanon and never committed war crimes against its own people. GEAGEA COMMITTED MANY WAR CRIMES IN LEB AND KILLED MANY LEBANESE (CHRISTIANS) AND THIS WE WILL NEVER FORGET. So I suggest him to stop accusing the sublime resistance and to use his brains before makin’ a statement.

S wrote…
‘the National Lebanese Resistance that defended and protected Lebanon and its people when Israel invaded our country and during its illegal occupation (from 1982 to 2000).”

are you that naive man or plain ignorant. do you actually believe this ‘resistance’ bullshit. Syria in agreement with Israel started this HA fallacy to clean the south from any leftists and PLO presence… stop drinking the coolaid man…

S, Listen to what Jay just said and think about it. Syria and Israel work together. The Syrian leadership needs “the Israeli threat” to stay in power. Please try to think for yourself and never listen to anything our leaders say.

For those familiar with Foxnews here in the US, a network closely aligned with the neocons and the Israeli lobby, reported that Israeli officals have been recommending the Bush administration to remove Syria from the ‘Axis of evil’ as a way to intice Syria to distance itself from the Iranian orbit…

HA supporters have their had in the sand thinking that Syria wouldn’t sell them out in a heartbeat to safe their tyrant regime…

Stay tuned for the Annapolis meeting.. a deal between Syria and Israel already in the making..

I agree about what you’re saying about Israel and Syria.

Though, I don’t believe any deals, agreements etc. will be made official or public. It will remove the only reason and excuse that the Baath regime has to stay in power. Especially since they are a minority sect ruling (dictating) a majority sunni nation….think about it.

S.:
“…Geagea always accuses HEZBOLLAH, the National Lebanese Resistance that defended and protected Lebanon and its people when Israel invaded our country and during its illegal occupation (from 1982 to 2000).

Was the “National Lebanese Resistance” nominated by the nation?
.
.

MK, you have a point. Though the middle east is a different place than it was 3 or 4 years ago. All Arab governments are gesturing to make peace with Israel with the exception of Syria. I think this regime over-played the ‘arab resistance’ card for more than 40 years now.

The region is changing and they’re aware of these changes, so I wouldn’t discount such a shrewd and cunning regime to make up some other ‘threat’ in order to stay in power and keep the Syrian herds in check.

michel aoun tried to destroy lebanon 18 years ago, now he is doing it again . let us stop and think . how old is he? how long is he going to live before alzheimers takes charge. how can we leave the fate of an entire country in the hands of a man who is likely to not live for more than a few years. this is a call to the christians of lebanon, wake up and stop supporting an aging old man who is likely already demented. a megalomaniac who thinks he is the savior. he is simply a military general who still believes that his word is the final word. the maronites of lebanon need to wake up before it is too late. the other megalomaniac who is waiting in the shadows is hassan nasrallah. two so called leaders who want to impose their will on an entire population, on the entire history of the region. on a culture of enlightenment that has survived many more challenges over the centuries than these two mere mortals who do not have a clue. lebanon would be better off with both of them gone. neither one believes in democracy and both are serving their personal power hungry interests. this is a message to the young lebanese, if you love your country and want to have a country to call home, you need to rise up and fight these idiots who are frozen in their arcane, self-motivated beliefs. the young lebanese generation has a duty to preserve an ancient civilization embodied in what is lebanon today. be brave, be fearless and fight for the country that is rightfully yours. fight for the ideals that lebanon embodies and not the random rambling of of demented old men or so-called leaders. if you get your pay check from iran, that is where your loyalty is. hassan’s and michel’s paychecks are signed by ahmadinjad. when the latter is out of power, probably next year, so will the saeid. the intelligence of the lebanese will eventually conquer the the despotism of a couple of idiots.

Right now it doesn’t really matter. I mean its been 2 days, and it could be a week until someone replaces the seat.

But if the Christians do not get someone in that seat by November 30th, then the sectarian break up begins. That is because people will start fearing that ‘Aoun and March 8th will wait until 2009 until they allow quorum and so the Christians will have no representation for 2 years.

Also, March 8th will start acting if the Saniora government starts doing anything, as they have said they would. And March 14th might go ahead with a majority vote and that will start everything.

People say don’t worry about a civil war, but all the seeds are there. If they don’t solve this in the next 2 weeks, and people start making moves - like Sanoira tries to do something, March 14th tries to do a majority vote, or March 8th doesn’t give quorum then these are all causes of the beginning of a civil war.

And, in the case that because of the fear that nobody does anything, we just have more and more stalemates and no elections, then there will be a political vacuum with nobody being able to do anything, and this will also put in the seeds of war.

But, you also have to factor in what kinds of deals are made in Annapolis.

Everything will be much more clear on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Geagea is a criminal, only people who want to send the country back 100 years would ally themselves with him. Stop thinking with your ass and use that tiny brain of yours..

Hicham, S..

You could be right in everything you mumble. The grass you guys are smoking must be from HA best stuff!!
It all centers on what kind of Lebanon do we want? A Hizbistan? It seems to me that people like you are quick with accusations and BS. So HA is holy…they have done nothing criminal eh??? How about celebrating their “sublime victory”. Herein lies the problem. You guys think that Lebanon should always be bombed so that you do not lose your Raison D’aitre…Do you care at all about life and the living? I guess you Mehdi will bring you a few virgins if you martyr a whole nation. Maybe you should follow on Jim Jones recepie and stock up on Cool Aid and leave us the fcuk alone to leave in peace…

Geagea did many evil things, however he keeps in perspectives a Greater Good which is the vision of Sovereign and independent Lebanon. He’s willing to sacrify for Lebanon, like other March 14th leaders did. He will never give up his ideals! That is enough for me to forgive him. I forgive him and look forward for an independent and sovereign Lebanon. Away from the dark-age nihilistic, and destructive Persian ideologies and ambitions (Junior Jackass Nassrallah and oxymoron Aoun).

Jay,

I agree that things are changing. But what other threat could the Baathist possibly use to keep the herds in check? The Arab resistance card has been played for years now. The only change that has occurred now that its been changed to ‘Islamic Resistance’. While we used to have leftists etc. and Secular Arab Nationalists leading the resistance movement. Now we have extremist Islamic organizations both Sunni and Shia in competition. You have Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezballah etc. the three largest and most organized ideologically, and militarily. And then all the smaller Syrian ‘thugs’. The Syrians support Hamas and Hezb publicly in line with Iran’s policy. And it supports the others discreetly.

The main point is that they are advocating the Islamic line because its popular given most people in the arab world are displeased with their governments.

I think the Americans are trying to push Syria away from the Irani line. At least thats what the Israelis are asking of the Americans. In the end the Israelis prefer a deal making, controlling syria than anytihng else.

Lets hope its not at Lebanon’s expense.

“beiruti ussly” Bravo, habibi! I am Lebanese too, and completely agree with you. Aoun is a man of war, he simply changed his clothes and wants to look civilian to become dictator. His followers almost worship him as a prophet, they have been so blinded by this psycho that it’s almost become a cult. As for Lahoud, thank God that we no longer have a “well-dressed” piece of shit making a toilet out of Lebanon’s highest seat. Meanwhile, Aoun backed him all the way - never complaining about Lahoud, only about the elected govt… If it was illegitimate, then so is Aoun! Aoun should be flushed down the same drain as Lahoud and out of politics where he doesn’t belong. Aoun still thinks Syria and Iran are better than France or the West!! This man already has Alzheimer’s. We Lebanese deserve to show the world that we are free-thinkers and pro-democracy - not pro-Syrian Mafia and Iranian Fanatics - by installing a decent and respectable president. Who would you rather represent you in the world? Siniora with his diplomacy or Aoun with his “taht zinari” and “hayawen”? I’m a Maronite Christian and I’m proud of Siniora and ashamed of Aoun. We need a good Christian president now who knows how to interact with the world, not lose his temper every other day.

MK..

“But what other threat could the Baathist possibly use to keep the herds in check?”

They can always start their own ‘war on terror’ or ‘war on drugs’… that might work you know ;)

MK..

“But what other threat could the Baathist possibly use to keep the herds in check?”

They can always start their own ‘war on terror’ or ‘war on drugs’… that might work you know ;)

OK!!

I’ve been trying to figure out March 14’s strategy for more than a week now. Their actions seemed very random, pointless and without objective. However, after listening to Geagea the other day and reading Michael Young’s latest piece I have to say…the March 14 leaders are tactical geniuses!!!

I hope Jumblatt confirms my latest revelation that he actually has a plan and it doesn’t include surrendering or conceding anything to March 8.

I don’t think surrender was ever an option. Though given Lebanon’s intrinsic socio/political makeup the country can’t be governed effectively without consensus from all major sects. And here lies the delimma of M14 trying to reach some workable formula with an irrational, uncompromising, wants-it-all opponent.

I think the strategy is to try and weaken HA from the outside rather than from within. If the Annapolis conference succeeds in brokering some kinda of deal with Syria and Iran, then HA is going to be dealt a major blow and hopefully become a more reasonable (less divine) partner!

“..kinda of deal with Syria and Iran”

sorry that should read: kinda of deal with Syrian and Israel…

(Humm, Freudian slip?!)

Get something’s straight.

1. Israel already had plans to attack Lebanon with Geagea, Siniora, Hariri and Jumblat’s knowledge. How can people who say they care about there country even be allowed to live.

2. You have an army that can’t even handle a handful of militants in Nahr el Bared, how can you they even defend a country.

3. A puppet for Israel and the current American administration is a stooge. That’s what you have there in Lebanon, stooge’s solidifying there pockets.

4. And you must come to the realization that after all these years of oppressing the less fortunate in the country, that they would rise, which they have done, and will take over.

5. They should take another census in the country, why are YOUR people so against it…but we all know why.

Hicham…

>1. Israel already had plans to attack…

You can’t just blabber such accusations and expect to make a reasonable argument. We’ve been hearing the same mantra from your leaders though no evidence presented. That is we have to believe Nasralah’s words as the divine truth. Well maybe you do and that’s your choice. However there are more than Shiites in Lebanon and frankly they don’t buy into anything this guy says. If I was you I’ll demand an evidence from HA and stop blindly repeating their mantra.

>2. You have an army that can’t even…

So you’re implying that since the army is ill-equipped it justifies HA maintain their weapons. That’s not how you build a strong and cohesive country. Let the military wing of HA be a division of the army. Wasn’t that the defensive strategy that they’re debating before HA decided to distract everybody and start their misadventure!

>3. A puppet for Israel and the current..

No rational thinking Lebanese want to be a stooge for anyone, though you seem to have no problem REMAINING a stooge for Syria and Iran.

>4. And you must come to the realization

Yeah this one always gives me a kick. Maybe you should do some reading and research to determine who really oppressed the Shiite. Tell me in your infinite wisdom which Lebanese Christian president or Sunni Prime Minister or others specifically oppressed the Shiites. And while you’re at it you might want to look up the names of your former Shiite political leaders, people like Kamel el-Asad and others who did more harm to their own Shiite sect than anyone else…

A few thoughts about Geagea and Jumblatt:

In his speeches, SG wants to destroy HA. Way to go, this will solve all Lebanon’s problems… destroying the party that represents the biggest sect in Lebanon will go a long way towards building trust and solving the country’s problems. Now convince me that SG wants to help the country.

WJ wants the Sunnis and the Shias to remain in conflict because as soon as they agree with each other, the druze are out (i.e. druze interests may or may not become a #1 priority). This guy can’t possibly help Lebanon because he is in conflict of interest!! Now can someone convince me otherwize?

Sami… you’re a lost hope man and way beyond convincing. Just keep drinking the coolaid.

And yeah whatever you blabbered about Geagea and Jumblatt is not worth responding to. It’s obvious you have a vendetta for these guys, particularly the Druze sect (from most of your posts on nowlebanon.com)… One word for you: get over your racism, it’s becoming!

Man this Aoun is good, he is learning fast from Hizbullah propaganda. He is talking all the time, and saying all the time that he is the most popular Christian leader. Calling shuts and behaving as the christian leader. In the latest news he was saying he even has 65%. Well ofcourse there is no proof for any of this talk and alot of people think he is stupid, but by using this propaganda people will start getting used to the idea and believe that he is the most popular leader. Its the same thing with hizbullah when they declared victory, even before the war was over. This behavior is very dangerous, having no one to counter him and falsify him more aggressively the road is kept wide open for Aoun. Christian opposition should be more active, and try to stop Aoun’s propaganda.

Jay, you’re confusing me with another Sami… I don’t know NowLebanon.com

In any case, it’s funny that you say: “And here lies the delimma of M14 trying to reach some workable formula with an irrational, uncompromising, wants-it-all opponent.”

Look at how quick M14 rejected Aoun’s initiative. Now tell me who is an uncompromising, wants-it-all opponent!

All I ask is Give me 1 example where M14 were lenient on 1 of their demands.

sami:

How about their lives ? lenient enough ?

And, while on topic, tell me: how often does your divine cool-aid supplier takes a walk out of his cozy fox hole and actually tries to solve this gordian knot ? Ok, he’s too busy doing speeches to actually care about anything else….

When Lebanon sinks in the med, aoun will try to convince sponge bob that he’s the super cristian.

MK: I really hope you’re correct and M14 does indeed have some aces in their sleeves…

Sami…

“the druze are out (i.e. druze interests may or may not become a #1 priority).”

No Sami, you are the same sami as on nowlebanon.com . As a matter of fact the above comment is a verbatim of your writings on that site… It’s obvious you’re intellectually inept and now we can add weakling to your attributes.

Druze sacred alliance is build with true arab sunni voice. The voice of Hariri, Saudi Arabia, UAE etc. Enlightened sunni arabs prevailing brings gain to druze and vice versa. This alliance is very natural, most of the Tanoukhi, tribe from which druze originates were sunni before converting to become monotheist druze. Druze are returning back to their natural roots.

As for Shia, we would love to see them nationalist Lebanese arabs and forgiving Muslims in the first place. Not persian safavid proxy-terror self-killing mobs, like Nassrallah and his mafia-gang-bang.

Mustafa ,

what is happening right now just makes me miss the “good old days” when Rafic Hariri was alive. I understand now why he was so non confrontational and accepted all those insults , attacks , lies etc… ( not that he is politician with no mistakes).
The difference between him and all those “childlike” politicians is that he was willing to drink from the bitter glass ( Al Ka2s al Morra ) for the

Mustafa ,

what is happening right now just makes me miss the “good old days” when Rafic Hariri was alive. I understand now why he was so non confrontational and accepted all those insults , attacks , lies etc… ( not that he is politician with no mistakes).
The difference between him and all those “childlike” politicians is that he was willing to drink from the bitter glass ( Al Ka2s al Morra ) for the better good of his nation.
All Lebanese politicians including Aoun and Saad ( who both i was previously tremendously sympathetic to )are acting like little chilidren who refuse to eat a side of bitter broccoli with their supper. Broccoli that is really nutritious and healthy for the mind and spirit of a growing child. Lebanon needs a strict mother some would say ;

Events unfolding are starting to make many people forecast that to be true ( so deeply and hirtfully).

Sincerely

A Lebanese from the fortunate Diaspora and a demonstrator on March 14 2005