30 LL: A Lebanese Podcast for Hommos-Sapiens

interesting dialog between fans of two polarized groups. the eclectic mix
of languages made it hard to follow but I guess that’s the local dialect. the
sound quality did not help though as many words were repeated throughout.

a question: the harry guy seemed well informed and rationale while the missus
was more passionate. is this representative of the two poles or just a quirk of
selection?

Both Hadi & Claire were random samples of opposing camps and engaged in a light and casual discussion.

I don’t think they indicate one way or another a definite representation of each side.

Interesting discussion. I think Hadi and Claire demonstrated how
much both sides are bankrupt, and that politics in Lebanon is more
about tit-for-tat bickering and scoring points rather than proposing
actual solutions. Jad does a good job of showing that, but in my
opinion wasn’t able to propose a clear alternative. He is right on
about the real problems having to be addressed (e.g. the structural
problem) vs just the symptoms, but I don’t agree on his proposal to get
there, i.e. "they should all sit around a table and discuss". We’ve
tried that already.

 
We will not get anywhere with the current leadership. I think the
solution has to start at the individual level, with the realization
that we are ruled by a bunch of egocentric amateurs, and need a whole
new set of politicians who are able to deliver on things that matter.

 
My 30LL,

Souss,

Interesting idea that of a " new set of politicians". How about we use 30LL to start shedding light on some of them. The Youth Shadow Cabinet is a good starting point. I can ask some of the Shadow Ministers to Join us for an interview.

Interested? 

An interesting read to see how the US operates sometimes. "Dahlan is our guy". It reminds of their guy now visiting DC. 

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The Gaza Bombshell
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/04/gaza200804?printable=true&currentPage=all

After failing to anticipate Hamas’s victory over Fatah in the 2006 Palestinian election, the White House cooked up yet another scandalously covert and self-defeating Middle East debacle: part Iran-contra, part Bay of Pigs. With confidential documents, corroborated by outraged former and current U.S. officials, David Rose reveals how President Bush, Condoleezza Rice, and Deputy National-Security Adviser Elliott Abrams backed an armed force under Fatah strongman Muhammad Dahlan, touching off a bloody civil war in Gaza and leaving Hamas stronger than ever.
by David Rose April 2008