❊ Don’t Ban the Baath Party in Lebanon

March 14 MP Elie Mahfouz:

Given what is happening in the Arab region especially Syria and the fact that this party created [a branch] for itself in Lebanon with an approach that does not correspond at all with the civilized culture of Lebanon and its glorious history in respecting human rights, we see fit that [the government] takes the decision to withdraw permission for the Arab Baath Socialist party

Many people will respond with a round of applause to that statement. But as much as I abhor that party and everything it stands for, I will defend its right to exist for two reasons, a principled one and a Machiavellian one.

First, our beloved principles: Banning parties, no matter how despicable, shouldn’t be the proud act of people who believe in the freedom of speech. This, if anything will expose you to charges of hypocrisy by your dictatorship-loving opponents.

Second, why bother killing a sinking man? The Baath party is nothing without the Syrian regime, and eventually when the Assads lose power, Lebanon’s branch of the Baath will become a shadow of its former self. It will become a joke of a party whose only purpose is to remind us of the bad old days. Why then give it the gift of Martyrdom? Why give it the decency of retiring in its peak?

I say let the bastards hang around for a while. Their day is coming..