A macabre, deadly joke
The Daily Star/ July 04, 2015
Bickering, mudslinging and picking fights are certainly part of politics, but only under certain circumstances. When a political system is functioning and no major domestic or external crises threaten a country’s present and future, harsh words might serve a purpose – to express a strongly held point of view, or even provide a bit of comic relief. However, as Lebanon faces threats to its security, economy and very existence, the sight of a politician ranting and raving ceases to be a luxury. It becomes a macabre joke, one with possibly dangerous repercussions.
Thursday’s diatribe by Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun was such an exercise in empty, unhealthy rhetoric. Aoun’s anger boils down to a simple premise: He’s the only person eligible to be elected president, and members of his extended family are the only people who are eligible to hold certain other public posts. If these things don’t come to pass, the Christian community is being deprived of its rights and everything else official should come to a screeching halt.
That joke isn’t funny anymore.
After weeks of wrangling over how to convene the Cabinet in the first place, ordinary folks were waiting for Thursday’s Cabinet session to produce decisions that could help them deal with the difficult socio-economic situation and security conditions. Instead, they were treated to the same old spectacle of petty demands and conditions, selective interpretations of the law, and threats of “explosive” future action.
Aoun’s constituency, and perhaps his allies, should realize that the former general appears interested in only one thing: leading Lebanon into uncharted waters, a journey that is unlikely to achieve what he’s promising himself or his supporters.
FPM preparing for street protests: Aoun
The Daily Star/ July 04, 2015/BEIRUT: The Free Patriotic Movement has commenced preparations for protests in Mount Lebanon and north Lebanon, party chief Michel Aoun said Saturday. “The Christians in the Levant are being eliminated by the sword, and some want to eliminate us in politics, “he told a delegation of supporters from south Lebanon at his Rabieh residence. “This is why we started preparing for popular movements and demonstrations in the districts of Mount Lebanon, Baabda and Koura,” he added. Aoun’s comments come one day after he threatened to take escalatory measures to prevent the passing of any Cabinet decree before the issue of military and security appointments is addressed. Aoun called on his supporters to stage street demonstrations. “What happened during Thursday’s Cabinet session and what might happen during the next session requires from us a show of strength. Our dignity and presence are at stake,” Aoun told an FPM dinner Friday night. “All the Lebanese, particularly the Christians, are called upon to take to the street. Next week, you will know what our moves are,” he said. “Next week will be good and there will be a major turning point in Lebanese politics.” Aoun threatened to take action shortly after the Cabinet, in its first session Thursday in nearly a month, passed a proposal allotting $21 million to help export agricultural and industrial products by sea. Accusing the Cabinet of surpassing the president’s powers, Aoun warned that the country was heading for an “explosion.”
Corrupted Lebanese Politicians & Clergymen
Elias Bejjani/ June 03/15
There is no doubt that the critical and very dangerous evolving events that are hitting Lebanon and the Lebanese people are unveiling the rotten and venomous nature of the Lebanese politicians and the high ranking clergymen.
Sadly these civil, political and spiritual leaders are corrupted, evil and mere “temple merchants” without any trace of self respect, honesty, transparency or conscience.
Their fierce hunger for power and earthly riches made them like wild beasts that are mercilessly and instinctively devouring the country and its oppressed and impoverished people.
Their priorities have nothing to do with the welfare of the Lebanese people or with the sovereignty, independence and freedom of the country, but completely focusing and revolving on and around their personal agendas of wars, strives, thievery, bribery, money trafficking, vindictiveness, hatred and all kinds of comprises.
Accordingly Lebanon is not going to be a free, safe and prosperous country or be able to reclaim its confiscated independence before the Lebanese people revolt and change these evil leaders.
As the saying goes, “one can not give what he does not have or own”, and accordingly these inhuman and corrupted leaders can not solve our country’s crucial and devastating problems, and definitely they are unable and at the same time unwilling to be the savers, because they themselves are the problem and the enemy.
Unfortunately the worst and most destructive of all the Lebanese spiritual, political and civil leaders are the Maronite ones who do not fear Almighty God or His Last Day of Accountability and who because of lack of both faith and hope became fully blind, deaf, demagogue, selfish and conscienceless.
In conclusion, our Lebanese people are in a bad need for a new leadership.
May Almighty God protect and safeguard our beloved Lebanon.
