Are You Tuning Out The Crisis?

Plain Talking

I just read an article in the IHT that made me chuckle: “Lebanese frustrated with politicians increasingly try to tune out crisis“.

What political crisis? (source)

I was wondering if you guys are tuning out the crisis, and if so, how are you doing it?

Personally, I’m enjoying the weather and driving around Lebanon and checking out the Christmas decorations in the various malls. (If you’re wondering why the malls are full with people despite the economic malaise, read my old post in which I explained how our “Sugar Daddy Economy” works )

I’m also spending time with family and awesome people like Michael Young, David Kenner and Fearlie Wilson. In addition to socializing, I attended the second Arab Free Press forum and the distribution of the Gebran Tueni Award, where there was a panel on blogging in the Arab world in which I spoke of my experience of blogging during the July 2006 war.

I just wanted to let you know that this “tuned out” status is temporary, and will perhaps last for as long as I’m in Lebanon where I’m saturated by Lebanon-related news and noise.

But for now, if you have advice on how to tune out, please do share..

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Discussion

Comments are disallowed for this post.

What crisis? I think the conditions of not having a president is still better than having Lahoud as president.

We are without a constitutional council and that is not considered a crisis either.. last time I checked the judiciary is just an important a pillar of democracy as the executive and the legislative.

Posted by Ramzi | December 11, 2007, 9:56 pm
The slopesss!!

Posted by Afif | December 11, 2007, 10:13 pm
The slopesss!!

Posted by Afif | December 11, 2007, 10:13 pm
Awesome? What’s so awesome about them?

Posted by A. Nonyme | December 11, 2007, 10:15 pm
Well mustapha, it seems that the continuous endless crisis that Liban seems to be going through had led to a case of “Crisis-immunity”!! People were afraid when the Shites ministers quit, but nothing happened, and then when the parliament was closed for good, but nothing happened, and lately when the president wasn’t elected, and again nothing happened!!

Why the hell bother yourself with dead-end politics? Go enjoy your life while it lasts. That’s how people here are tunning out the crisis.

Glad you are having fun in Liban man, hope to see you soon, going to Tueni’s Funeral? Maybe we’ll meet there :)

Let me know

Posted by FaiLaSooF | December 12, 2007, 1:28 am
So true :)

I reached Beyrouth yesterday. I frankly don’t care about politics, even the harshest political followers don’t talk about politics. One of my freinds thought Sleiman was already appointed last week… hehehe.

As for me, like you, enjoying whats left of Lebanon. Cheers.

Posted by theCourtFool | December 12, 2007, 1:46 am
A late comment on your “Sugar Daddy Economy”.
Several people told me that there is a lot of money being pumped into Lebanon. You will not be surprised to find that a family member get a monthly allowance from the March 8th group and another member from the March 14! That how they drive a $40,000 car, the latest cellphones, latest fashion cloth and cosmetic surgery on an $800/month salary! Only in Lebanon

Posted by GK | December 12, 2007, 2:03 am
Ramzi,

good points. But really, if you only listen to local tv! you’d think Armageddon is right around the corner..

Afif,

The Last time I skied I broke a bone, so I guess I’ll pass, but the weather last weekend was really good, so I did Jbeil instead.

A. Nonyme,

Even if you don’t agree with what they write, these are really nice people that I’m sure you’d enjoy having dinner with

Failasoof,

Funeral? I’d rather have 7ummos and fool with you in Trablos, shu?

Court Fool,

Actually, I can’t say “what is left of lebanon”, I’ve seen a lot of new developments arounds.

GK,

While political subsidies are real, I would be careful not to over-estimate them. Political money is usually paid for poorer people who use it for subsistence. I would still focus on remittances and FDIs as the main money pumpers.

Posted by Mustapha | December 12, 2007, 4:51 am
If you like Michael Young, then you would love Marc J Sirois, the managing editor for the daily star. Ran into him at a pub in Gemmayze and he’s quite a character. If you get the chance I’d suggest getting in to contact with him and going out for a pint or two while your still on hiatus. You can also check out his lastest rant here: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=87397
Happy postings.

Posted by Karl S | December 12, 2007, 5:37 am
I try to study…

It was nice meeting the man himself the other day.
Where/when was the panel on blogging in the Arab world?
I must have missed it…

Nadim.

Posted by Nadim | December 12, 2007, 7:19 am
Off topic (as I do not read or listen to any political discussion for more than a year now), the picture is awesome … Pictures like this one make me so want to go home for the holidays … cannot wait :)

Posted by AM | December 12, 2007, 5:29 pm
Pathetic situation. Everybody is asking what this camp or politician wants or demands are.

Has anyone bothered asking what the Lebanese People want for a President?

Posted by Libanus | December 12, 2007, 9:02 pm

Hello, my name is Mustapha and I blog in The Beirut Spring about Lebanese society and politics. I started in February 2005 after the killing of P.M. Rafik Hariri.