The Situation In Lebanon

[Sassun]

I mean the Armenian and Lebanese Christians get along

I am not so sure !

[Peter Oundjian]

I am not so sure !

 

Well to be more specific lets say Armenian Christians, since there Armenian. My parents were born in Syria, but there Armenian. I have family living in Aleppo, and I afraid that my parents might not let us go to Syria because of what happened. I am praying to God to let me go.

[Sassun]

Well to be more specific lets say Armenian Christians, since there Armenian. My parents were born in Syria, but there Armenian. I have family living in Aleppo, and I afraid that my parents might not let us go to Syria because of what happened. I am praying to God to let me go.

lol do you mean Armenians get along with each other ?

I am not sure at all about that. They say, 2 Jews, 3 opinions , I say, 2 Armenians, 3 opinions and a khmor panalik / baseball bat.

[Peter Oundjian]

ok..

 

Well anyways, I hope everything will calm before August because I want to speak my Arabic, because I haven't used it in a long time.

[annannimusss]

Those Mosques are not in Zahle Dajeeg. One is in Maalaka which is not Zahle, and the Karak Mosque is in Karak, and there is also one Hawsh al Umara but this is not Zahle, this is outside Zahle. If you want I will even tell you how to go to these Mosques.

 

The Malaka one is near the Hospital where my dad is born, Hawsh al Umara is one the way coming from Beirut, and the President Elias Hrawi is from there.

[Shahan Araradian]

I am really sad about this and dissapointed. I am supposed to go to Syria as a family vacation, and we might not be able to go since what happened in Lebanon. I still want to go to Syria, and were still deciding. I want to go so badly, and if only Syria and Lebanon could be in peace. I mean the Armenian and Lebanese Christians get along, why cant the rest do the same thing.

It's because the Zionists are planting bombs and want to start a civil war... It's certainly not the Lebanese...

 

If only we could install those video cameras at every corner of central beirut...

Edited June 15, 2007 by Shahan Araradian

[Shahan Araradian]

If he is here to enjoy the freedom of speech and to use it to insult me, at the very least he should be able to take insults back. That is the American way. Every chance he gets he insults people who don't think the same as he does. And we are supposed to "accept" this because it's the American way? Come on now. The ironey is, Shahan bashes America and Americans yet he wants his opinion respected under the freedoms this country provides.

 

I would love to see him go to Iran and say similar things about Iran. They would cut off his balls Yah the US is a horrible place to live ... just so so horrible.

For your info, the U.S. is not the only place in the world where one can speak freely (contrary to what your media might make you believe). Even Lebanon (a country you might dismiss as "Middle Eastern" or Arab) is known to have one of the highest standards of freedom of speech in the press.

 

The U.S.: the bastion of freedom, etc. Look at America's own population: I argue 95% live like slaves. Yes, 1% have made it BIG! Yes, 1% live like KINGS. And what about the rest of them???

 

Do you think the American media would ever portray reality as it is? There would be a revolution of a massive kind if the general population realized the lives the capitalists are living, and how they are debt slaves to them...

 

This isn't "America bashing." Let someone give an opinion, without attacking them or calling them names: I haven't said the U.S. is a horrible place to live. However, I argue that if one would like to live the "average life" the U.S. is NOT the best place to do that! The U.S. is the land of the capitalist, the business owner. If you're not planning on becoming one, you're best off living in Canada or Western Europe (excluding the U.K.). The "average life" is better spent in an environment that's more socialist-oriented, such as Quebec.

 

These are words of wisdom from my experience in living in a number of locales.

 

However, it's difficult for an American to understand what I'm saying without PERSONALLY traveling to other places and spending a few months there. Or at least talking to people who have lived in both places and can give a comparison.

 

(And believe me, it's not only "Armenians" who feel this way...)

Edited June 15, 2007 by Shahan Araradian

[Dave]

You really are fond of Quebec, aren't you.

[Sassun]

Those Mosques are not in Zahle Dajeeg. One is in Maalaka which is not Zahle, and the Karak Mosque is in Karak, and there is also one Hawsh al Umara but this is not Zahle, this is outside Zahle. If you want I will even tell you how to go to these Mosques.

 

The Malaka one is near the Hospital where my dad is born, Hawsh al Umara is one the way coming from Beirut, and the President Elias Hrawi is from there.

Both Mosques are in Zahle proper. The city of Zahle not the qada' of Zahle. Make sure next time you are not talking b.s. Mentioning some names does not give your claim any more credibility.

[Sassun]

ok..

 

Well anyways, I hope everything will calm before August because I want to speak my Arabic, because I haven't used it in a long time.

If you want you can practice with me, though that'd be only by writing and not pronounciation. Until August at least. Though I have to tell you, it won't get 'better' any time soon. In fact, there is no such thing as 'better' in Lebanon... things are so unpredictable around here that it's difficult to find the dividing line between "good", "worse", "better".

[Sassun]

Btw , I view the events in Gaza Strip with great interest, as that could potentially be the model for Lebanon. Who would have thought that Hamas would do such a thing? Hamas had been talking about unity government, about the necessity to unite against a common enemy, and the Fateh puppets continued terrorizing and killing, for Israel's interests. Now, I know this may sound far-fetched, and I am not saying this will happen, but Gaza Strip is only a mini-scale model for what HezbAllah can do in Lebanon. Fateh has been receiving billions of dollars of "aid" and tons of weaponry, and yet it only took Hamas 3-4 days to liquidate them in the densely populated Gaza Strip. I have to say, I must take back what I said about the consequences of a similar move by HezbAllah. It is increasingly looking as if such a move would not result in a civil war. First, Lebanon is not as densely populated, and therefore, it is easier for batches of fighters to take over small villages and towns. Second, in the aftermath, all the traitor elements will either be liquidated , imprisoned, or subjected to the law and order that would be re-established (now there is none, it's the law of jungle, or rather the law of Hariri and his slaves, the Ramgavars). Third, HezbAllah intelligence services are the best, and it would be highly unlikely that such explosions would take place if it has everything under its control (btw, the security services are in the hands of the government, so every time there is a bombing, the government should also be held responsible, alongside the actual perpetrators, but then in the Hariri and his slaves' the Ramgavars' government, there is no such thing as accountability). People are increasingly making the joke that the safest place to live in, at the moment, is Dahieh/ South Beirut.

 

Anyway, HezbAllah is patient, but definitely its patience is not unlimited. I look forward to that day when their patience will run out. Maybe they should take some lessons from the Hamas experience: that the more patient you are with puppets/traitors, the more they will work against you. HezbAllah is superb in fighting and reading of regional realities, but it is quite naive when it comes to domestic politics. I have been increasingly critical of HezbAllah's positions and lack of action in the past months. It seems they have become slaves of the Iraq syndrome, especially that the loyalists continue to threaten with civil war and have committed a number of crimes against opposition supporters (such as the shooting at Qasqas and the torture and killing of a young man of the Shamas clan, and the Beirut Arab University sniping events) , in addition to Walid Eido's famous statement that he will sell his blood to get weapons to fight HezbAllah. Though where that got him, is quite clear.

 

And for yet another episode in the neo-cons' and zionists' failed doctrine of the new Middle East, take note of the news that U.S will provide emergency aid to West Bank, to keep Fateh floating. Not only do they provide billions to Israel to bomb the Palestinians and murder in the name of their "chosenness" and their so-called "self-defense" (if an Israeli dog is killed, Israel can assassinate Palestinian leaders, along with the "collateral damage" of course, not to mention, "arrest" politicians -- not kidnap, because politicians are "arrested" while soldiers are "kidnapped"), now they also , as a result of Israel's policies (which is made possible by U.S's subservience to Israel, financially , militarily, and politically) , have to pay to keep pumping life into the puppets of Israel. Israel increasingly becomes more and more of a liability, and has been costing USA more and more and more, in terms of money, human life, and the future of Arab -American and Muslim-American relations.

 

That's aside from the failure of the doctrine in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Lebanon, Syria, and soon Iran.

Edited June 15, 2007 by Sassun

[Sassun]

In recent news

A Lebanese "internal security forces" jeep entered Murabba' Amni (Security Square) in Dahieh / South Beirut today, and was confronted with HezbAllah security services, who took the security officers for interrogation. The officers were then released.

The reason they were taken for interrogation is that there is prior coordination betw. HezbAllah & the Leb. Army and sec. forces, when the latter want to enter the area, and in this case there was none. Yup, Dahieh is the safest place in Lebanon.

Edited June 15, 2007 by Sassun

[Sassun]

At Walid Eido's funeral, the Sunnis were chanting the following:

(in Arabic they are rhyming but the translation doesn't rhyme)

 

"Omar, Othman, Ali! The blood of Sunnis is boiling!"

 

"We want revenge, we want revenge, from Lahoud and from Basshar ! We want revenge, we want revenge, from Nasrallah and Basshar"

 

"Ayri bi Nasrallah wl Dahieh kella" (I don't think it's proper to translate the first word, given that this might be a family forum ) "My **** in Nasrallah & all of Dahieh."

 

These are USA's civilized "cedar revolutionaries", and moreover, the allies of Ramgavar. :)

[Sassun]

So Khaled Mesha'al was live on TV from Damascus, and he clarified a lot of points. He said that the events in Gaza are not a revolt against the authority. He also clarified some stuff on BBC correspondent, which by now, most Palestinians are convinced, was kidnapped by the goons of Dahlan. Every bombing and every such stupid act that goes against the Palestinian interests, is to be attributed to the goons of Dahlan, who are on Israeli payroll. Surprise surprise, downfall of Fateh in Gaza has actually resulted in a "promise" by Johnston's captors to free him in the coming days...

 

Ahmed Abd el Rahman the spokesperson of Fateh and counselor of Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) was on Al Jazeera after the press conference. He was visibly shaken by the events in Gaza... sitting in the upper-class town of Ramallah, he started attacking Hamas, accusing them of using democracy to mount a revolt.......................... he missed, I guess, the fact that Hamas had won the majority democratically, and that it was Fateh that refused to accept the results and the wishes of the Palestinian people. It was ironic; for a moment, I thought I was listening to George W. Bush, when he (Abd el Rahman) said that every Islamist party that runs in elections will end up using democracy to overthrow the authorities (how can you overthrow yourself?). So anyway, he was visibly shaken by the fact that Palestinians in Gaza had stepped on pictures of "their" president, oh yes, the same one who starved 1.5 million people for their choice to elect Hamas (while keeping a very finely furnished office in Gaza, which has now been taken over by the people of Gaza)... How disrespectful of them. And then he went on an angry rant, accusing Hamas of being cowards, for wearing black masks. H e challenged them to remove the masks , what are they afraid of, he said ... He forgot that his very own goons, Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (click for another pic), the puppets of Fateh, which in turn is a puppet of Israel, also wear black masks. As do Fateh gunmen , for that matter. He said the figure of those killed by Hamas was 400, and 900 more injured. He conveniently forgot to mention that Fateh is rounding up and executing Hamas members (members, not even gunmen) in West Bank, and robbing their homes... And about Mesha'al's call for dialogue, he said, what dialogue? there can be no dialogue with rebels.

 

Different puppets (Fateh, Hariri, Lebanese Forces/Kata'eb, Ramgavars), different countries (Palestine, Lebanon), same discourse (subservience to Israeli interests -- I will not include "U.S interests" in this list, since the U.S interests do not lay in what has been going on, and the U.S has been hijacked by the zionazis).

 

I suppose Fateh's strategy now is to starve the Gazans, officially in collaboration with Israel (I mean a declared alliance, unlike the undeclared alliance-for-starving-Gazans-for-electing-Hamas over the course of the previous year), thinking that they will turn against Hamas. Are the Israelis stupid, or are they stupid? Need I mention Operation Accountability in 1993, Operation Grapes of Wrath in 1996, Operation Change of Direction in 2006, the stated purpose of which were to bomb the people in order to institute a change in their views towards HezbAllah? And in all those MASS-MURDERS (not even talking about forcing you to a slow and painful death) HezbAllah not only maintained its support base, but on the contrary, boosted it.

 

Azmi Bishara, the Arab intellectual and politician who used to be a member of the Israeli "knesset" until he was accused of treason and providing HezbAllah with "secret" information during the July war, noted that every Arab party that is opposing Israel is being faced with internal conflicts. Very good observation. The situation in Palestine and Lebanon are going in parallel. Perhaps in Lebanon's case the end result will be the realization of terrorist Armenian-hater Samir Geagea's dream of federalization/cantonization.

 

Welcome to the new Middle East.

 

Axis of evil 1 : 0 Axis of good (Bush & co/Israel/but I repeat myself)

Edited June 15, 2007 by Sassun

[Anoushik]

This isn't "America bashing." Let someone give an opinion, without attacking them or calling them names...

Why are you feeling attacked? I'm also expressing an opinion, more precisely a reply to your opinion. It's freedom of expression all the same.

However, it's difficult for an American to understand what I'm saying without PERSONALLY traveling to other places and spending a few months there. Or at least talking to people who have lived in both places and can give a comparison.

And don't assume that you're the only one here who's lived in other places and therefore can draw conclusions

[annannimusss]

Karak Mosque, is not in Zahle want proof.

 

One kilometer beyond Zahle is the 'tomb of Noah" found in the village mosque. Although Noah's tomb is 42 meters long and 2.5 meters wide, tradition says that he still had to be buried with his knees bent. There is an ancient Arabic inscriptions on the walls of the mosque, which was apparently constructed of reused Roman stones.

 

http://www.middleeast.com/zahle.htm

 

Want more proof.

 

http://www.grandhotelkadri.com/english/zahle5.html#j

 

 

Both sites say exactly the same thing.

 

I am sure I have now won and buried you in this arguement. I understand that it is hard for you to accept that ISlam is not everywhere, but it is not.

[Sassun]

Karak Mosque, is not in Zahle want proof.

 

One kilometer beyond Zahle is the 'tomb of Noah" found in the village mosque. Although Noah's tomb is 42 meters long and 2.5 meters wide, tradition says that he still had to be buried with his knees bent. There is an ancient Arabic inscriptions on the walls of the mosque, which was apparently constructed of reused Roman stones.

 

http://www.middleeast.com/zahle.htm

 

Want more proof.

 

http://www.grandhotelkadri.com/english/zahle5.html#j

Both sites say exactly the same thing.

 

I am sure I have now won and buried you in this arguement. I understand that it is hard for you to accept that ISlam is not everywhere, but it is not.

Ramgavar, that is no proof, as the Mosque in the village of Karak Nuh is not named Karak Mosque. The Karak Mosque is in Zahle-proper. As is Maalaqa Mosque. For further info on the latter, review the UN Drinking Water supply Mapping. For proof on the fact that both are in Zahle proper, review the Official Leb. Government Ministry of Tourism brochures. Thanks!

 

And one last thing on this issue, when it comes to Lebanon, Ramgavar, you are in no position to teach me.

Edited June 15, 2007 by Sassun

[Sassun]

Ramgavar,

 

This is from the Official Leb. Government source:

 

The name Zahle is Syriac and means “shifting or moving” in reference to the erodible quality of the soil in this part of the valley of Zahle. Zahle is notable for its traditional red-roofed houses, arcades and decorated facades typical of 19th century architecture. The town is also the home of 38 churches and 7 mosques. It is renowned as “the City of Wine and Poetry” and with good reason, for it is rich in both: vineyards that grow abundantly and feed the famed Zahle araq, wine industries, and poets who enjoy international repute. Zahle is also famous for serving a relishing array of mezze that have earned the appellation mezzeh Zahlawiye(Zahle mezze).

 

End of story!!!

 

Do not worry, you are still the one who "won" this debate. Lest your ego be hurt...

Edited June 15, 2007 by Sassun

[annannimusss]

We are on different sides of the spectrum, Sassun, see I didn't call you dajeeg for once, all we are doing is going in circles,we will never agree on this.

 

But I do need clarification on one thing. The Protestant seat in Lebanon did the Tashnags also run a candidate, who lost or what exactly happened there? And did the Hunchags join Hariri or what did they do?

[Sassun]

We are on different sides of the spectrum, Sassun, see I didn't call you dajeeg for once, all we are doing is going in circles,we will never agree on this.

Agree? What is there to agree on? There are facts, then there is utter b.s.

 

You can call me dajeeg if you want, I do not care. And I will keep on calling you a Ramgavar. I thought that was not supposed to be an insult but rather something you ought to be proud of ??

 

But I do need clarification on one thing. The Protestant seat in Lebanon did the Tashnags also run a candidate, who lost or what exactly happened there? And did the Hunchags join Hariri or what did they do?

Specify year.

 

[Sip]

However, it's difficult for an American to understand what I'm saying without PERSONALLY traveling to other places and spending a few months there. Or at least talking to people who have lived in both places and can give a comparison.

 

I have lived many years in Iran, western europe, and the US. I have many close friends and family from Lebanon as well as Armenia. I have no doubt in my mind that the United States is by far the best place to live, work, and propsper in the world. I will NEVER leave this place ... especially not for anywhere in the middle east.

 

Canada is a different story. I know I'll get my ass kicked for saying it ... but it's just like another state

 

Lebanon would have been a great place (it was for a long long time) but unfortunately, it has been torn apart for decades with religious fundamentalists and the never-ending Arab-jew battles that will just go on and on and on ... I do not think the situation in Lebanon will improve much in my life time. I just hope it doesn't get worse and I certainly hope they don't all blow each other to bits in the coming years.

 

I am also well aware of all those "Armenians" that bitch and moan about the US while they are cashing their welfare checks in Glendale and trying to find new ways to cheat Medical and other government systems.

 

So now do you want to again point out how I, as an "American" am brainwashed by the media and basically don't know any better? Go ahead. Say it again .. I'm sure you will. Then you will claim you didn't mean to insult anyone. And we will have the same discussion over.

 

[annannimusss]

Dajeeg ,I like being called Ramgavar,I never said for you not to call me it. Hell I should add it to my name.

 

yes you say bull and I don't.

 

I mean in the run up to the 2000 parlimentary elections.And I still say that you need to read that article by Groong.

Edited June 15, 2007 by SakoPasha

[AK-47]

It's because the Zionists are planting bombs and want to start a civil war... It's certainly not the Lebanese...

Yep, or it's Zionist proxies such as Lebanese/foreign sellouts. Zionists nonetheless.

[AK-47]

Sassun, I too am quite interested and following the current situation in Palestine. While I am happy the sellouts (Fatah) are being excluded from control in Gaza, it's kind of sad to see them killing each other in very gang-like ways (throwing off rooftops, firing squad style executions etc.) The problem with Arabs is that they are always divided and this division is caused by the Zionist controlled USA. And of course, once you decide to do one thing that opposes what the USA wants, you are deemed a "radical, axis of evil, extremist, terrorist sponsor states, etc etc etc". It's the "in-thing" to do, calling one another a terrorist. Hamas, a DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED (something the USA is built on and wants to supposedly share with the M.E.) political party is being isolated, persecuted, its people being starved (as a tactic to turn Palestinians against Hamas, of course) while next door neighbour Egypt is ANYTHING but democratic. That treacherous dog Hosni Mubarak is a dictator and a de facto president-for-life. And what about those Saudis? They are anything but democratic, they still have a powerful monarchy, the ruling family squeezes every inch of oil revenues and women can't even drive cars. Aren't these countries supposed to be priorities on the USA's list of countries to invade to "liberate the people" and "impose democracy"?

 

Anyway expect a full blockade and near starvation of Gaza by the Western countries so that the people revolt or move to an aid receiving West Bank where life will be better. Of course, the settlements in the West bank will increase while the powerless Mr. Abbas does nothing to stop it but whine a little for show.

[AK-47]

Canada is a different story. I know I'll get my ass kicked for saying it ... but it's just like another state

Michael Moore and I do not agree with this . Bowling for Columbine and his new documentary Sicko should tell you all about the wonders of the Canadian lifestyle. And I must say, it is much easier to keep culture here than in the States, from what i've heard of and seen.

 

Lebanon would have been a great place (it was for a long long time) but unfortunately, it has been torn apart for decades with religious fundamentalists and the never-ending Arab-jew battles that will just go on and on and on ... I do not think the situation in Lebanon will improve much in my life time. I just hope it doesn't get worse and I certainly hope they don't all blow each other to bits in the coming years.

Indeed, it was once a great place pre-civil war days. My uncle and dad discuss it all the time. They've seen Lebanon during its best days. Today's generations have not yet experienced the full capability of the Lebanese life. Things there are much different than the other ME countries. The Muslim Arabs are nothing like Saudi Arabs, there is (or was?) an amazing nightlife, great beaches, great restaurants, 30 mins to Lerna Lipanan where after 9 pm you feel like you are in the skies and that it's really peaceful etc. (this all comes from my uncle, i think he should've been in the tourist business lol ) But anyway, it says alot about how it used to be and how the Zionists and their paychecks have ruined the country.