SpiralDragon's Blog

I woke up yesterday and read article about a Lebanese protest against sectarianism and my heart just jumped with excitement. I ended up writing this piece. I was born and raised in the middle of the Lebanese Civil war. A war that was started by the propagation of paranoia among the constituents of Lebanon’s various local lords pursuing the expansion of their sphere of influence, and of course, deepening their pockets along the way. It so happened that, just by the reality of Lebanon’s population distribution, these supposed lords used religious principles, ideologies, and events to convince their constituents of their elevated status and dominance over society. At first they where rivals against neighbouring communities, which more often than not used to be of the same sect but under a different local lords patronage. So Christians fought against Christians, Muslim against Muslim, Druze against Druze, in the old and tired and detested clock and dagger style, each vying for dominance...

We should thank Jumblat for his endorsement but he should be notified that when the change happens, he, and the rest of the old gang, including those who inherited their position from the old gang, will have no place in the new secular system. While I like Jumblat for some reasons, him being a hilarious figure and comic relief and a few other reasons, we cannot forget that he was one of the civil war’s war lords and thus is responsible, in part, to the current state of affairs. Nor do I trust him because of his constantly shifting allegiances. As for the resistance against foreign forces (be they Israeli or Syrian) we either stand together as one nation in the face of such aggression or we risk more strife. Lebanon has a right to resist foreign aggression. Such a resistance however should be conducted by the legitimate Lebanese armed forces that represent all of Lebanon and not by a militant faction that represents but one faction of the Lebanese population. The resistance should...

Are these so called leaders really that clueless? A part of me believes that they are boycotting the Mikati government to pave the way for a new confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah. or so the news remotely suggests as of late mind you, I don't support the Mikati government or any other government for that mater as long as the sectarian system is still in place but we have to argue some of the false logic and fear stemming form these issues. if march 14 really had any notion of creating a viable Lebanese state they should have proven it instead of proving that they care only for themselves. yes the STL is an important issue, but the Lebanese should be weary because the misgivings of the March 8 camp may be legitimate and should be investigated. however, March 8 should back down and if it is found, without doubt, that members their camp where indeed involved in the 2005 assassination then the people responsible should be made to pay for their crimes against humanity, rega...

Granted that Lebanon is probably the most liberal of Middle Eastern countries and that we are not ruled by a single dictator per say. Yet still, Lebanon has its share of problems when it comes to poverty levels, job availability, high costs of living, freedom of expression and civil liberties. Lebanon is a small country at the crux of the world’s crossroads. It is a meeting place of not just east and west but also north and south. A tiny overcrowded country with more corruption than can be imagined, and one will have to imagine because of the craftiness of the Lebanese political leaders in keeping such maters hidden from the public even when they conduct such business right before the people’s eyes. The Lebanese state is a system based on corruption it encourages corruption. It breeds corruption. It cements inherited power. No! Lebanon does not have a single dictator. It does not need to with the makeup of the country. Lebanon is a country with 18 different confessions. Each obstinat...