Daily Archives: September 28, 2010

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A "Global Movement Of Moderates"

Malasian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak:

It is time for moderates of all countries, of all religions to take back the centre, to reclaim the agenda for peace and pragmatism, and to marginalise the extremists [...] This Global Movement of the Moderates will save us from sinking into the abyss of despair and deprivation, The real issue is not between Muslims and non-Muslims but between the moderates and extremists of all religions, be it Islam, Christianity or Judaism.

Mr. Razak’s heart is in the right place, and many Muslims including myself share his goals. The problem is that moderate Islam has historically failed to be a compelling intellectual and political force.

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"supreme national interests"

President Michel Suleiman:

“Lebanon will not accept any solution to this Palestinian-Israeli conflict if it were in isolation of the supreme national interests, particularly its right to reject Palestinian naturalization on its territory,”

While I accept this as the common Lebanese position that everyone here agrees on, I can’t help but wonder: What influence do he have on the course of the peace negotiations?

The Americans invited us and we refused to attend. so who’s representing us on the negotiating table? What if, hypothetically, the Palestinians and the Israelis reached a settlement that “sells out” the Palestinians in Lebanon. What can we do about it? Are we really in a position to make demands?

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Those STL Spokespeople Keep On Resigning

When the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) hired Henrietta Aswad back in early September, I celebrated this appointment as a sign that the STL upping its P.R. game and getting serious about fighting for the Lebanese hearts and minds.

And yet now, before even starting her job, she resigns. She says it’s due to “unforeseen personal reasons”, but she’s not fooling anyone. I would replace that with “unforeseen professional reasons”.

As much as it pains me to say this, something fishy is going on in the backrooms of that tribunal.

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Worldwide Drive For Lebanese Christians To Register Their Children As Lebanese

It’s great that we want our diaspora to stay attached to their roots. What’s not so great is the explicitly sectarian nature of this campaign:

Here’s the not-so-vague mission statement of the Maronite Foundation, the body behind those ads:

“The Foundation mission is to reestablish sectarian balance by urging Maronites and other Christians around the world to preserve their Lebanese patrimony by officially reclaiming their Lebanese identity and citizenship reuniting them to their roots and benefiting from the legal rights and privileges that Lebanese nationality confers on them.”

And here’s how the overzealous supporters interpret it:

Register your child as Lebanese! Don’t let the demographics do what the Jihadists, PLO scum and its pan-Arab friends could not do! Register Lebnani is an initiative to assist Lebanese expatriates and descendents in (re)claiming Lebanese citizenship for themselves and/or their family members.

At least they’re being honest about their motivations..

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Taking Advertising Too Seriously

See this Exotica ad ?
tree hugging exotica add

One blogger was inspired to write 450 words about the possible hidden meanings behind it (global warming and the like).

As someone who once worked in an advertising agency, here’s how this probably went:

1- Designer finds cool photo in a stock photo website (example)
2- Designer and copywriter discuss how they can use this photo for campaign
3- Client is pleased by the “controversial” message on the beautiful photo
4- Bloggers like Tarek and I take the bait and unwittingly promote the brand.

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Netanyahu Is Obama's Boss

Even the smart ones are saying this:

President Barack Obama has just gotten the Netanyahu treatment. Obama came into office saying that a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside the Israeli one is key to American security [...] Now Netanyahu has reneged on his pledge to negotiate in good faith, and has let the settlement freeze expire while making no effort to extend it. In other words, he humiliated the United States and let them know who is boss

But we all know the real reason for the absence of American leverage is local politics, don’t we?