As we witness our country regress into previously unimaginable lows, I wonder, what does the future hold for us.
Specifically, what’s in store for the proverbial human sponges of this era, the little ones absorbing every single drop of edited history in the making.
I say edited to avoid saying words like engineered, falsified, fabricated, well you get the idea.
So what’s gonna happen with all those kids carefully listening & watching?
I’d bet the mortgage and a whole lot of possessions they’ll grow to become very much like us. And if you’re one to read into the recent scary spike of sectarian-based dislike, disdain, hatred, execration, loathing, abhorrence, abomination, contempt, odium -Google is my friend too-, if you’re one to read into those recent occurrences, you’d probably come to the conclusion that today’s castaway children will be worse off than we are today.
Growing up, I didn’t recall people around me ever caring about religions or sects. I’ve been around people who sang for Hakeem, honked for el General (and sexy babes in tiny bikinis offering cheap car washes for Charity), people who clapped for Berri, some that coined catchphrases for the eyes of Hariri, and others that baked killer brownies and invited Walid Jumblatt over.
But there were very little references of direct sectarian hate.
It’s different today.
I’ve seen people calling for boycotting certain businesses because they belong to someone from a certain sect/religion, and as an auto-assumption, belonging to a certain political current that represents that sect/religion.
Here’s a quick Lebanon 101 for those who need it. Our system of governance says we have to share power according to certain criteria.
I thought to myself, would an outsider know these criteria, I bet they won’t!
So I asked strangers about it and sure enough, they did not know. I got answers ranging from abilities to qualifications to experience to popular representation.
All worthy components of a selection process in a normal country.
Of course, and you saw that coming, we the Lebanese do not have a normal country. Not because it’s abnormal -and it is abnormal- but because it’s only vaguely a country.
We, the Lebanese, have COLLECTIVELY agreed that as a form of governance, there is a lot more weight to your sect than you abilities, qualifications, experience, or popular representation.
Let’s revisit what belonging to a certain sect means: Being accidentally born into that sect.
I stress born into because under the same system of governance, switching sects or religions means infiltration to some and treason to others, and either of those outcomes effectively makes the person upgrading his or her religion unelectable (in post-modern lingo: less like Hillary and more like Obama).
This also means, being stupid BUT Maronite Christian outweighs being smart BUT Shiaa when it comes to the presidency, being stupid BUT shiaa outweighs being smart BUT sunni for the speaker of the parliament position, and being stupid BUT sunni outweighs being smart BUT Maronite when talking about the prime minister slot.
Religions and sects in Lebanon can be advantageous privileges or good-for-nothing handicaps.
Today’s young ones were not only born into the same sectarian system we inherited.
They’re now living the sectarian-based hate.
They’re absorbing the accusations of treachery from all sides to all sides.
They are today’s sponges and the liquids they’re absorbing are tenfolds more venomous than the water we drank as kids.
Last era’s sponges are being squeezed today and we’re all witnessing the results.
I’m very reluctant to imagine what’s going to come out when this era’s little ones are squeezed 20 years from today.
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.
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.
في سابقة لم نرى لها مثيل، التقى النائب العماد ميشال عون برئيس تيار المستقبل النائب سعد الدين الحريري و قررا في ما كان مفاجأة لكل اللبنايين عامة و حلفائهم خاصة، قررا دمج تياراهما بواحد اتفقا على تسميته التيار الوطني الحريري
An activist from the “Watch Out and Wake Up” organisation makes a hand print to demand “civil peace” in Beirut March 3, 2007. The organisation aims to send a message to politicians and citizens to watch out and wake up amidst fears of a potential renewal of civil war in Lebanon.
Jad was at the gathering on Saturday March 3rd & collected some opinions from attendees.
Stay tuned for the interviews.
A very nice video showing how we’ve reached our situation in Lebanon, and how we can overcome that situation.
We recommend you check you this video, especially in the lights of the unfortunate events that have recently occured in Lebanon.
And who better to address the situation than a shepherd?
30LL.org brings to you the ability to leave a voicemail.
Get your microphone ready and follow this link or find the voicemail box on the right sidebar.
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Submitted messages will have to be approved before they are made public.
What are callouts?
The 30LL.org team members will call up people on their phones, wherever they may be, and ask quick, straightforward questions and get their 30LL on a number of things.
Here’s a sample of what the callouts will be like, feedback is welcome.
Questions?
Who’s got the best hairdo in the Lebanese Parliment? / Who’s the Jagaliest (is that even a word? Let’s just say ‘Ajgal’) member of Parliment?
Mr. Mohamad dishes the 30LL quite fast, unfortunately, the few Liras he gave us required some censorship.
Mr YOSS seems to be one heck of a fan of.. well, listen and find out for yourself.
Captain Guy throws exceptions all over the place, and has questions (AND answers) of his own..
Somewhat censored.
Give us a shout to info@30LL.org, we’d like to collect your 30LL callout donation.
A bunch of Lebanese guys get together for a weekly podcast.
The podcast will deal with local and international events affecting Lebanon, as well as provide an alternative source of information and analysis.
Stay tuned for more info on how to get the weekly podcast, in the meantime, please direct any questions you have to 30LL.org @ gmail.com.
You will be able to listen to the podcast using something that looks like this:
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