Ali, Dry Ice, Guy, Joe, & Souss get together for an hour long podcast.
The guys started by tackling the potential naturalization of Palestinians in Lebanon and the subsequent fear in Christian communities.
Second, the issue of Michel El Murr’s withdrawal of the Change & Reform block. Michel El Murr recently announced he’s become an independent voice.
Also of mention is Nabih Berri’s innovative approach of a solution: Dialog around a table!
And last but not least, inspired by the upcoming Beijing olympics, the guys try to put together a list of outstanding Lebanese politicians to compete in the Polimpiad. Who’s got the talent to bring home the gold!?
Lebanese-Americans scoff at explanation of behavior
By Yvonne Abraham for The Boston Globe | May 24, 2006
Sympathy for Dr. Robert M. Haddad was in short supply yesterday at Bay Sweets Market in West Roxbury , where Lebanese customers were stocking up on olives and spinach pies.
Disapproval, rolling eyes, and mirth, on the other hand, were plentiful.
Female employees at Caritas Christi Health Care System have said that Haddad, president of the system, hugged them, kissed them on the lips, rubbed their backs, and called them late at night. Haddad issued a statement Monday saying that his behavior was an extension of his Lebanese heritage, “where hugs and kisses are not only expected, but warmly given and received,” and that the behavior was misinterpreted by his accusers.
That explanation was met with skepticism and laughter among Lebanese-Americans at Bay Sweets and beyond.
“Shame on him,” said Fayze Ishac, spitting out the words in Arabic, when told of Haddad’s situation. “It’s not Lebanese. It’s not true.”
“This man is the exception,” she continued in English. “It’s not our culture.”
Sure, the Lebanese-Americans agreed, they are affectionate, free with friendly hugs and kisses — on the cheeks — for people they know and love.
But this? There is a name for the transgressions of which Haddad is accused, and it’s not “being Lebanese,” they said.
“This is harassment,” said Wally Zainoun, a Newton business owner gathering up oranges and olive oil. “I don’t like that, saying because he is Lebanese, he is kissing his employees [on the lips]. Why is it because he is Lebanese? It’s part of our culture to show our warmth with kisses. I don’t see a problem with that. But no. Not on the lips! That’s unacceptable, whether you’re Lebanese or Chinese or whatever.”
A customer who refused to give his name said he thought Haddad showing affection to employees was perfectly fine, and he blamed America’s litigious culture for Haddad’s predicament.
But Jay Zahr, who owns Bay Sweets, laughed when he heard that Haddad had explained the accusations using his heritage.
“He can kiss his own daughter, but not somebody else’s daughter,” Zahr said.
“On the mouth?” asked his wife, Aida, who was helping him behind the counter.
“I’m not against kissing, but I’m against harassment,” Zahr said. “It does reflect badly on us. He uses it as an alibi, and that’s no good.”
A specialist on Arabic culture, Leila Fawaz, professor of history at Tufts University’s Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean studies, was asked for a reaction to the statement released by Haddad.
She laughed for some time.
“Mediterranean people are more demonstrative in general, but he has been in this country how many years?” she finally asked.
“Oh, forget it,” she said, when told that Haddad, 52, was born and raised in Medford. “I never met someone from any Lebanese background, here or abroad, who would kiss a woman he doesn’t know on the lips, so this is very bizarre.”
Haddad has years of experience in the workplace, and he should know better, no matter his heritage, said Fawaz, who was born in Lebanon.
“This man is an American, working in a professional setting in America,” Fawaz said. “It makes no sense if he thinks he can even see a woman in his office without keeping his door open, let alone touch a finger on her. As far as Lebanese culture is concerned, this is far-fetched.”
The men interviewed yesterday said there are clear limits on how affectionate a Lebanese man can be.
“I always hug people,” said Nick Abraham, a Boston lawyer whose parents were Lebanese immigrants. “If there’s a lady involved I might kiss her on the cheek. But I would not kiss anyone on the lips, and no Lebanese man that I know who is a gentleman would do that. That doesn’t seem to be friendliness. That’s more intimate.”
Several Lebanese-Americans said Haddad’s statement had tainted their image.
“We are known to be very accurate, we are disciplined, we act with dignity and are very straight in all,” said Zainoun. “Lebanese are people who act wth dignity and honor, and there is no way they do such things. . . . This guy seems to be disrupting the reputation of Lebanese people. That’s not nice.”
Ali, Jad, & Meej get together for a casual political chit chat with our two guests: Claire & Hadi.
Claire & Hadi do not necessarily share the same outlook on things in Lebanon and that made for quite an interesting discussion about the upcoming Arab League summit, the presence of USS Cole near Lebanese waters, and a few other things.
What does the 30LL crew think about Imad Mughniyye’s assassination in Syria? Should expats be given the right to participate in the Lebanese parliamentary elections?
الجمعة الماضية، إجتمع ممثلون عن حركة أمل، تيار المستقبل، و حزب الله بمقر للجيش اللبناني. بخلاصة الاجتماع إتفقو الإخوان إنو يبقو على إتصال حتى ما تتجدد المناوشات بين مناصريهم
هيدا كلو تمام
المشكل معي إنو بعد المشاكل بمنطقة راس النبع حركة أمل اصدرت بيان إنو يابا نحنا ما خصنا ب يلي صار. نفس الشي مع تيار المستقبل، و نفس الشي لحزب الله
Lebanon: 30LL Political Correspondent Habib Gives his Insight
Souss: We’ve been without a President for 3 months now, and all efforts to resolve the deadlock have proven unsuccessful. Are we a nation incapable of governing itself?
Habib: If by incapable of governing itself you mean, at the forefront of political philosophy and application of ground-breaking concepts to the field of global decision-making, then yes.
(awkward silence)
Souss: I’m… I’m sorry? What?
Habib: Souss, Lebanon is taking multi-lateralism to the next level. The time of old-fashioned elections when only the “people” get to choose who heads the country is gone. The truth is, we live in the 21st century, and in what is termed the “Global Village”. And it’s time we started acting like one. I mean, what more of a demonstration of human brotherhood do you want, than having Bernard Kouchner and Amr Moussa participate in one same process of electing the Lebanese President?
And we need to bring even more people into the process until every single country is involved. Albania, Trinidad, Uzbekistan? Come on down! The Lebanese people are happy to share this decision with their human brethren and sister…ren. I’m not sure that’s a word… But you get my point: This my friend, is called progress. Are you an enemy of progress?
(awkward silence)
Souss: P… Progress? No I think I am for progress.
Habib: Good. ‘Cause you can’t stop progress.
Souss: But isn’t the whole point of having a country, isn’t the whole point that its people be able to decide how it functions?
Habib: (surprised) Country? Who said anything about a country?
Lebanon is not a country, Souss, it’s much more than that. It’s an experiment, a message, as the late Pope John Paul II described it. It’s time we went beyond the rigid concepts of the 20th century. We are in an era where flexibility is crucial, where adaptability is key, where versatility is a must. And our politicians are at the forefront. Look at [Druze leader MP Walid] Jumblat for example. He may be the most versatile human being on this planet.
And while regular folks and ignorant retards like you may not get it, the people in charge do, and thank God for that. New ideas, new concepts, new technology. And this, with the same leadership we’ve had for the past 20+ years. Isn’t that amazing? Imagine if we were to bring in some of that young talent we have. I don’t think the world could take it. I have goose bumps just thinking about it myself!
Souss: Some would argue that having the same politicians for such a long time is a sign of lack of political maturity…
Habib: We are showing to the world what political maturity is, Souss. Our politicians aren’t egocentric or power-hungry. They are already passing the torch to the next generation. I mean look at Samy Gemayel, or Michel Moawad, they are living examples of that new talent I was talking about. Just a couple names in the sea of young heroes who are sons or daughters of current politicians, ready to continue in the direction their parents are taking us now.
But like I said earlier, the world is not ready for that Tsunami of Talent that we have in bank. We don’t want to shock the planet with too many revolutionary ideas at once. Slow, well-planned, well-thought out progress. That’s what we’re all about, Souss.
When Mrs. Moawad decides to retire, Michel will be there, with his solid, clear-cut ideas and that cute way he pronounces Rs. A real man from the rugged mountains of the north, yet with a pure, soft and innocent way to communicate. (becoming slightly emotional) God bless you Nayla for bringing him into this world.
Did you know that it takes 4 hairdressers and on average 9 hours everyday to fix her hair? All this to make herself beautiful for Lebanon, Souss.
Souss: 9 hours? Wow.
Habib: Yes, the hairdo also holds a built-in snack compartment (courtesy of Ghandour), and a 5L container of unleaded fuel, you know, for emergencies. Quite amazing, actually.
(awkward silence)
Souss: Okay… That’s terrific. Thanks very much Habib.
Souss, Guy, Joe (aka Cupid), & WiseCookie get together for an impromptu podcast session.
The guys gathered to discuss February 14th, the anniversary of the late PM Rafic Hariri’s assassination.
A 32-minute long recording filled with a few laughs and some tense moments. Listen up and give us your feedback by posting a comment or recording a voicemail.
30LL correspondent Samir Na3na3 (SN) is on a tour to interview different political parties’ delegates (PDs).
This week, he conducted his first interview. SN was the host of the Progressive Socialist Party delegate, and here’s the text:
SN: Mr. PD, why did you change the party’s flag’s color?
PD: In the current situation we decided that it is in the best interest of our constituency to become the party that defends the Druze interests. Even though we are a secular party, with the current rift in the society, we are now the self-proclaimed defenders of the Druze community.
SN: But doesn’t that contradict what the party stands for?
PD: Well, our leadership knows better about what the party stands for, so please don’t try to act smart with me.
SN: Absolutely not Mr. PD, but I was just wondering because I thought you believed in accountability?
PD: I really feel you are antagonistic, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt. We do believe in accountability. As a matter of fact we hired a lot of Lebanese accountants to be able to arrange some of the irregularities that went on in the ministry of the displaced, but …
SN: Hold on, hold on. What? I was asking about accountability of the leadership, but what you said is very dangerous. How in good conscience could you say that?
PD: Oh. Well, the country was under occupation, you need to understand that. This is why we needed to do it, we needed to protect our citizens.
SN: I see. I never thought of it that way. Mr. PD, can you tell us what exactly is the agenda or the political program of your party?
PD: Of course. Here were our main priorities from a couple of years and until today.
1) Privatization of all governmental institutions. Not yet achieved, we’re working on it.
2) 12 TV interviews per year for the Bek. 8 of which need to set higher standards for fiery speeches. Excellent performance.
3) Insult Fairuz. Achieved.
4) Insult Majida el Roumi. Passed with flying colors.
SN: Why is insulting the artists part of your agenda?
PD: I don’t know. Can I call a friend?
SN: It’s OK, we’ll call you back later for further details. What about privatization? It’s not a particular characteristic of socialist parties to ask for privatization.
PD: I understand the people’s scepticism on this issue. But I would like to clarify that this measure is being taken for two reasons, one is administrative and the second is corruption. They are somehow interrelated.
SN: Wow, Mr. PD, I never thought I’d hear it from you. Please continue.
PD: What are you talking about? This issue is related to both the party and the coalition. Many of our cadres find it unfair that Marwan got a beneficial treatment with the Telecom sector. Our allies also think that tourism is not a good ministry, if you know what I mean. So we have to be fair to all, otherwise we will start having internal problems from which the enemies of Lebanon will take advantage.
SN: I see. I was completely off track on that one. The final question for you, how do you see the Bek in his last TV appearances, some of your allies are saying not to take his words literally?
PD: Yes, of course. I see that some people are trying to hold the Bek responsible for the exact words he said. This is a known strategy that our coalition has learned to endure from the Syrian tools. Anyway, the Bek is bigger than the criticism of these few possessed souls manipulated by the big devil in Syria.
SN: Ah OK. Thank you Mr. PD for your time and valuable insight.
PD: My pleasure.
Welcome to Podcast#21, the first podcast of 30LL’s second season.
In this comeback Podcast, we have Joe, Souss, Guy, Meej, and M3allem Nour.
Our first topic deals with last week’s confrontations between Shiah residents & army forces.
For the second topic we discuss the Akram Shouhayyeb letter to iconic Fairuz. Shouhayyeb turned entertainment into a political issue and sent an open letter to Fairuz urging her not to perform in Syria. Included is an inside scoop involving the famed lulliby: Yalla Tnam Yalla Tnam
Last but not least, we take on an all important question: Do we really need a president?
How did Lebanon end up with a nation-wide snow storm?
How about the timing of this supposedly innocent storm? Whose interests does this serve most?
Valid questions we attempt to answer in the first installment of our new feature: Conspiracy Uncovered.
So it begins. Days of increasing protests from the opposition’s camp, road blockades, burning tires, it all grew too bothersome but stopping it required more human resources than the government was willing (or able) to provide. The loyalists summoned the powers that be and called for help. Unusual circumstances they argued, required unusual measures. The powers obliged and hit Lebanon with one of the wackiest snow storms in recent memory.
Government 1 - 0 Opposition
The government had bigger problems previously, you say, how come they never resorted to such strategies? The reason being that the powers we talk of were not out there to help the Lebanese government. There was a bigger ally and a bigger cause to cater for.
You guessed it ladies and gentlemen. This marked the glorious return of the Zionist conspiracy.
With increased Hezbulla activity in the vicinity of the Israeli-Lebanese border, rumors of more soldiers being abducted were all over the place and the Zionists decided a military activity was not the method of choice. The snow halted all of Hezbulla’s activities in South Lebanon, a party with no expertise when it comes to dealing with snowy conditions. Hezbulla was scrambling for mittens and coats and really was in no position to react in a timely manner.
Moving up, it just so happens, was on Forbes.com’s list of the World’s Most Dangerous Destinations.
We’re now in the top 10 worldwide!
I couldn’t believe it, wasn’t the summer of 2007 one of the good tourism seasons in Lebanon? Despite the recent Israeli-Lebanese war that caused massive infrastructure destruction, despite a long confrontation between the Lebanese army and the terrorist Fatah al Islam in North Lebanon, and lest we forget, there’s this ongoing dispute between the government and its allies and the opposition, one that caused downtown Beirut, one of the most vibrant tourism venues, to be paralyzed.
I guess we made it all look better, what with all the funky plastic surgery loans offered to the Lebanese by “respected” banking institutions.
In recent years, Lebanon’s made headlines for all the wrong reasons -including the above photo- and you’d have to assume tourism took a hit.
Here’s Forbes.com’s profile on dangerous Lebanon: Control Risks: High security risk, and medium terrorism and travel risk.
With the country divided by pro- and anti-Syrian forces, Lebanon is struggling to manage political tensions. Assassinations of high-profile leaders and military battles with Israel in southern Lebanon have made this difficult. Unless stability is restored, Control Risks foresees more assassinations, civil unrest and armed conflict.
Again, “Unless stability is restored, Control Risks foresees more assassinations, civil unrest and armed conflict.”
Who knew Einstein & Sherlock worked for Forbes.com?
Here’s the strange part, sure tourism took a hit because of all the unrest, but I’d bet a whole lot that was strictly foreign tourism. ie.: Sven the Sweedish chef chose to go to the Maldives because Lebanon was just too risky, and asparagus was hard to come by in Lebanon at that time of the year.
But all the Lebanese immigrants across the world were unfazed and flocked to Lebanon’s summertime like they usually do.
Although 2007 was mostly a bad year in terms of tourism (and everything else really) in Lebanon, five star hotels had very high occupancy ratings.
The Daily Star reported back in December 29th, 2007: Tourism, one of the pillars of the economy, fell by more than 25 percent in the first 10 months, although it picked up quickly in the last two months of this year. Most five-star hotels in Beirut reported over 65 percent room occupancy on Christmas Eve.
Which tells us one thing, if we are going to die, we want to do it in a posh five star hotel, sipping Dom Perignon and chewing insanely expensive salted cashew nuts.
It makes things look better, just like a cosmetic surgery loan would.
After almost 6 months of inactivity, the 30LL Podcast is primed to be back in action very soon.
Apologies are due for the long sabbatical, we hope to be back with better Podcasts, Interviews, Callouts, Cartoons, and more of what kept you coming back.
30LL.org is undergoing some improvements and as a result new content will be somewhat limited for the time being. You can use that time to go over past entries on the blog. (Check out the Top Notch posts)
Click here to read a recent article by political analyst and columnist Roula Talj. The article appeared in the Lebanese political satire magazine Addabour.
(3 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)
Loading …
![Culture Shock [LBC Vs. Al Manar]](http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs7/f/2006/346/8/0/Culture_Shock_by_derksion.jpg)
