Assad regime targets March 14 deputy

At least five died, and many others were wounded in an explosion near a Beirut amusement park along the seaside corniche. The explosion reportedly targeted the convoy of March 14 and Future Movement deputy Walid Eido.

Walid Eido has reportedly died.

The explosion comes after Fatah al-Islam threatened to kill Lebanese politicians , and after the UNSC condemned arms smuggling from Syria.

Update. LBC is showing horrific images of burnt bodies and destroyed cars.

Update 2. Eido was accompanied by his eldest son and two bodyguards. They were all killed by the explosion.

Update 3. The death toll rose to ten, according to LBC.

Update 4. Is someone going to declare war on the Assad regime? Are the deputies of March 14 going to hold a session without Berri while they're still alive? What on earth are we waiting for.

This is a message not only to Saad Hariri, but also to the Saudis and French, who thought they could ignore the Syrian factor and focus on resurrecting "dialogue" between the Lebanese parties. How many times do we have to say "we told you so".

As I type these words, Walid Eido's body lies in an car on the Manara. The "future movement" deputy lost his life, and his slain son lost his future. Two Lebanese soldiers were killed earlier today by Syrian-sponsored terrorists.

Who is afraid of the terrorist Assad regime?

Update 5. Charles Malik from Lebanese Political Journal was there.

This is the closest I've been.

I was 50m from this attack.

We were in a cafe next to Luna Park enjoying the late afternoon next to the sea after an intense day.

Children were playing on the equipment under the setting sun. Mothers were holding their babies. Old men were smoking argile.

BOOM!!!

Everyone hit the floor, except the group of European tourists who just looked surprised. Waiters dived under the tables. Mother grabbed their crying babies.

Human flesh landed in the children's play area.

We didn't know what happened. All I knew was that a bomb went off in the passageway between the Nejmeh Football Club and the Luna Park, a children's amusement park on the Mediterranean coast.

We knew there had to be casualties.

The Army was IMMEDIATELY on the scene. At least two squads from the nearby Army base immediately secured the area. They came down, and started cordoning off the area. Everyone in the nearby beach areas and sporting clubs were asked to move their vehicles. There was great concern another bomb would go off.

Within minutes, the police were there.

I was on the scene for a number of the bombs in 2005, including Hariri's assassination. It took the Army, at least, half an hour to arrive. This time, the security forces were amazingly professional. I was astounded. They were outstanding.

We soon found out that 14 March Parliamentary Representative Walid Eido, his son, his two bodyguards, and at least two bystanders were killed.

I was horrified that they had planted a bomb next to a children's park. We knew there had to be bystanders killed, but we thought it was just another random bombing.

Adrenaline is still running. My friend's pictures will soon be on the website.

Update 6. March 14 leaders are meeting in Saad Hariri's residence in Qoraytem.

Update 7. Saad Hariri called for a mass protest tomorrow to bid farewell to Beirut MP Walid Eido and today's victims. He also called on the Arab League to boycott the "terrorist [Assad] regime" in view of its terrorist acts against a Lebanon, a founding member of the league.

Hariri vowed to continue the fight.

We will not vacate Beirut, we will not hand the decision[making] to anyone. Beirut will remain the capital of freedom...

Hariri didn't say it, but Lebanon should pull out of the league if they don't take measures against the Assad regime. But then, what can a useless groups of despots do to advance freedom in another country...

Comments

[fubar]

Lebanon must fight back with every option it has, including use of international support and, if necessary, military might. To this day, Lebanon has been the subject of a war conducted by Hezbollah/Syria/Iran but Lebanon has not been "at war".

Since the summer war, Siniora has been playing a dangerous, stealthy game very smartly. But the enemy does not always play by the rules. If you want to see where Lebanon is headed, look south to Gaza - in all likelihood, Hamas will have full control over Gaza within the next 24 hours.

Ghassan, you can keep you principles but Tommy is right, you will have your principles and you will have no country.

When civilized men can no longer stomach the horrors of war, they will be conquered by uncivilized men who can.

You either fight or you surrender. There is no middle ground.

[ibn kais]

I agree with fubar, there is nothing civil about fighting back for our country. Lebanon does not need Ghandi now.

[Bad Vilbel]

Again, I am in complete agreement with Fubar and Tommy.

Ghassan, you have said in the past (i believe) that the Lebanese need to FIGHT for their country, at some point.
"FIGHT" includes to use of violence. If you're not willing to stand up to the oppressor, you will have no country. Having principles is a great thing to keep in mind as an academic. But in the end, it is a purely academic exercise.
You can hold on to principles when you live in exile, in a cooshy suburban home in the US (like I do). But if you had to live under the boot of an oppressor, or defend your loved ones and family from abuse, I have a feeling your principles would quickly melt away.

Mind you, I am not advocating exporing terrorism and suicide bombers to Syria.
But I AM advocating fighting back, with every means necessary, including military action.

[fubar]

If you want to know how serious Hezbollah/Syria/Iran is about winning this war, all you need to know is that:

1) Whoever controls the government of Lebanon controls the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701, including continued authorization for UNIFIL in the south and any possible authorization of UNIFIL on the Syria/Lebanon border. How bad to you think Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran want to get rid of UNIFIL?

2) Whoever controls the government of Lebanon controls the progress of the Hariri tribunal under UNSC Resolution 1757. Justice for Rafic Hariri, justice for Gebran Tueni, justice for Pierre Gemayel, justice for Walid Eido, justice for all the others murdered and yet to be murdered. How bad to you think Syria and Hezbollah want to get rid of the tribunal and/or impede it to the point of worthlessness?

Hezbollah/Syria/Iran are playing for all the marbles and for keeps.

[Bad Vilbel]

And it's time M14 and the Lebanese people start playing for all the marbles too. You can't "negotiate" or "have coffee with" people who are playing for keeps. It's antithesis to their very game.

[ghassan karam]

There is no need to go over this again. Of course you fight. But what matters is how you fight. That is what differentiates the criminal from those who enforce the law. You take a stand for what is right and you fight back without having to resort to assassinations and murder. How can I possibly object to suicide bombers in Beirut if I sanction them in Tel Aviv or Damascus.
Tommy, I guess that we will just have to agree to disgree on this. In my book the end never justifies the means and actually your example is a good illustration of this. Many look at what happened at Dresden as a war crime and many historians argue that destroying it did not help determine the outcome of the war. The allies are up until know searching for a justification for Dresden.
Fubar, it is not about whether one has a backbone and will take a stand , that is expected, it is how you conduct yourself in a fight. Do you hit beneath the belt in order to score a victory? and if you do then you would have lost the right to object when you are hit beneath the belt.

[fubar]

Ghassan,

Well, Ghassan, pardon me for pointing it out, but you have never been there, have you - to war, I mean, where it was you and your men whose lives were on the line?

And excuse me for also pointing out that I have never whined or complained about any punch thrown by the enemy.

And FYI, when you lose your country to Iran, you will also lose the right to object. Shall we go into what happens to college professors who stray from the one and only true path in Iran?

Oh, but wait, my bad, no, Ghassan, you will not lose your right to object because you don't live in Lebanon, you live in the United States. Lucky you, you will have the right to voice your objections for, oh, let's see, at least 28 years, for all the damn good it will do you.

[Bad Vilbel]

What happens in 28 years?

And yeah, what Fubar said...
We're being hit below the belt, repeatedly. It's time to break a chair on the other guy's back.

[ghassan karam]

You still do not get it Fubar, do you? If the only way to get to the top is to walk over others then getting there is not worth it. You work hard to achieve your goal , you don't waiver and you stand for what is right. You fight the good fight so that when you get there you will be able to savour it.Lebanon must not be saved through explosions and assassinations inSyria perpetrated by the Lebanese who object to such actions. Btw, I bet that you are in favour of capital punishment, opposed to abortion, for the right to bear arms and for very loose standards if any on what constitutes torture:-) You probably have guessed my position on all of the above, but that is what makes a horse race.

[fubar]

Yes, Ghassan, you are right on the money (except for loose standards, if any, on torture) and it is because of people like me that people like you enjoy the freedom to spout off about things about which you know nothing.

GK says, "You fight the good fight so that when you get there you will be able to savour it."

Are you having some sort of acid flashback? = )

War is no child's game or gentlemanly sporting competition. In war, there is only one objective, to win.

And BTW, what consitutes torture is define by US law - statutes, rules, and regulations - which I am actually familiar with. I am fairly confident that your definition of torture is quite a bit broader than the actual legal definition of torture - heaven forbid the enemy should suffer a hang nail.

[Craig]

I'm with Ghassan (kind of) on this one. Not that it's any of my business one way or another but If Lebanese start perpetrating terrorist attacks in Syria in retaliation, all bets are off as far as I'm concerned. It already happened that way in the 1980s, and the US and everyone else washed their hands of Lebanon, and they will again.

But on the flip side, I agree with Fubar. The objective of war is not to win fairly... it's to win, period. There's no "fair fight" concept in war. If you can kill your enemy while he's on the toilet, you do it. If you can kill him while he's fucking his wife, you do it. If you can kill him while he's asleep, you do it.

But... it takes either a declaration of war, or a de-facto state of war, to make any of those things legal. And then there's the bit about differentiating between enemy hostiles and innocent non-combatants. War is a messy business, but it's especially messy in the middle east.

What are Lebanon's options, realistically? I agree with everyone who says dialog is a waste of time. You don't "discuss" with somebody who is in the process of gleefully screwing you over. But what next?

[Bad Vilbel]

Guys, before this turns into an exercise in futility, I don't think anyone was realistically expecting (or proposing) terrorism againt Syria. (I don't even think M14 has that ability anyway).

Most of us are clamoring for a FIGHT, on OUR SOIL, with the USE OF FORCE, against traitors and foreign interference.
That has nothing to do with terrorism in Syria.

Before anyone even discusses blowing up cars in Damascus, it would be nice if our military could clean up house in Lebanon. That's all. Arrest the traitors. Wipe out the nests of terrorism and all non-state-sanctioned militias and weapons.
In other words: I'm not asking for anything that's beyond UN resolutions and our constitution and laws. I think, on that, even Ghassan can agree with us.

[ghassan karam]

Are the following 4 quotes culled from one post yesterday enough to show that many were asking/demanding reciprocity of means. Force internally must be used but not in violation of statutes and declaring an outright war on Syria is a joke? The army does not have enough ammo to fight in Naher El Bared !!! But above all let us not forget that the Assad rewgime is emboldened in its behaviour in Lebanon by the fact that until this moment a very large portion of the Lebanese residents; maybe 35 % if not more; support the Syrian objectives with passion. Actually both Arslan and Frangieh are not satisfied with only Syrian support anylonger, both of them extol the virtues of Iranian democracy and openess. Yes others are attempting to destablize the country but many of us are putty in their hands. This problem is primarily ours.
Fubar,
I am so glad that you take yourself so seriously :-) What would I have done without you? I am so eternally grateful that I exist only because of the peole that share your values !! What would the world be like if it banned capital punishment, respected international treaties, abided by torture statutes, went to war on the basis of a "just War" ,worked for social justice and environmental sustainability? in short lived the good moral life. Why, in your view, that would be a mess:-) Let us again agree to disagree. We have different paradigms and I have learned that paradigms do not change through a rational discourse otherwise we will all share the same view about everything:-) As I said before that is what makes a horse race.

[Louis-Noel Harfouche]

Ghassan, I have great respect for you and your opinions, but I'm afraid you're trying to take a high road here, and there's no high road to take when faced with an existential do or die. Even Jesus, the par excellence sandal-wearing hippie surfer (he walked on water, didn't he?), even he got medieval down and dirty on those who desecratied his temple. I get your point Ghassan, but I'm afraid it's skirting sanctimony in this case.

[ghassan karam]

Louis,
export some of their imports. You know, reciprocate.

Posted by: another_someone | Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 01:17 PM

we as lebanese need to take back our country and work hard to send the bombs out of Beirut and into the house of every Syrian thug involved in these assasinations.
Posted by: ibn kais | Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 02:47 PM

The good guys may need to take this quiet war into Syria and ensure that some of Assad's own people wind up meeting Eido's fate. Assad and his family should not be immune from violence.
Posted by: tommy | Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 10:36 PM

The above are the quotes that were intended to be in my previous post but were left out inadvertantly. I have preached for over two years the need to take stands similar to the ones advocated by Shankleash/ BV/ Josey?Charlie and many others i.e strong domestic measures and an aggressive foreign policy that would even cut diplomatic relations with Tehran and close the Syrian border etc... My only problem is when you ask the police to act as the criminal. We can not, must not and should not resort to terror in Damascus. BTW, I do not think that Samir Qassir or even Gibran Tueinin would have condoned such a campaign that some want to wage in their name. I think that suicide bombers on the street of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa or any other city including Damascus is a cowardly odious act. How can one support assassinations in Damascus but yet object to them in Tel Aviv. I choose to object to both.

[tommy]

It already happened that way in the 1980s, and the US and everyone else washed their hands of Lebanon, and they will again.

Yeah, because the U.S. has been such an effective force in preventing Syria and Iran from meddling in Lebanon. The U.S. washed its hands of Lebanon when they were attacked by Iranian proxies in Hezbollah and chose to do nothing in retaliation. What can the U.S. do to improve the situation at this point?

[another_someone]

My comment was supposed to be sarcastic, with a TIC...

[Craig]

Tommy,

Yeah, because the U.S. has been such an effective force in preventing Syria and Iran from meddling in Lebanon. The U.S. washed its hands of Lebanon when they were attacked by Iranian proxies in Hezbollah and chose to do nothing in retaliation. What can the U.S. do to improve the situation at this point?

That was my point. The Lebanese Christians committed the Shabra and Shatila massacres a year before the barracks bombing. The Druze were shelling the MNF for 6 months before the barracks bombing. The Sunnis were using car bombs, including against US targets - including the US embassy. And we all know what Hezbollah did.

Who in the fuck do you think the US was supposed to support?

Do you really want Lebanon to become a country that nobody is comfortable supporting, again?

US didn't do anything to prevent Iran and Syria from "meddling" in Lebanon after 1983 because we didn't give a fuck, any more. We had NO ALLIES in Lebanon. Right now, that is different. But if Lebanese follow your advice, they will lose US support, again. And everyone else's support too, most likely. That is a recipe for a return of Syria.

[tommy]

Do you really want Lebanon to become a country that nobody is comfortable supporting, again?

Again, it doesn't matter who the U.S. or any outside nation is comfortable supporting if such support ultimately proves inconsequential in keeping Syria's paws off the nation. Why should the Lebanese, regardless of political persuasion, feel retaining U.S. support is important in these do-or-die times? Of what material consequence is it for them?

[Craig]

Why should the Lebanese, regardless of political persuasion, feel retaining U.S. support is important in these do-or-die times? Of what material consequence is it for them?

I don't know, Tommy. Yeah, what the fuck, why shouldn't Lebanese do exactly what they did last time? It worked so well, before, didn't it!?

Jesus.

Tommy, I've got a lot to say on this issue, but I'm not saying it - because I want to see if Lebanon can manage to pull itself out of the shit, against all odds. And what *I* want to see happen is for Hezbollah to be removed from the playing field, no matter what the cost to Lebanon. Since what I want is not the same as what most of these bloggers and commentators want, I'm trying to keep a lid on my opinions. I suggest you do the same. If you want to be helpful to them.

[fubar]

Craig,

Stand down, man. This is not your forum. You are a guest here.

Just saying...

[Craig]

fubar, it becomes my forum when I see Americans recommending that Lebanese start engaging in terrorism. Especially in Lebanon. I DO have a dog in that fight.

[fubar]

Which American was that?

[tommy]

Tommy, I've got a lot to say on this issue, but I'm not saying it - because I want to see if Lebanon can manage to pull itself out of the shit, against all odds.

Pull itself out how? Do you actually have any suggestions? By all means, let us all hear them.

And what *I* want to see happen is for Hezbollah to be removed from the playing field, no matter what the cost to Lebanon.

Well, I think most of these people do want that. They just don't know exactly how to go about it. Can you blame them? It is a difficult situation.

Since what I want is not the same as what most of these bloggers and commentators want, I'm trying to keep a lid on my opinions. I suggest you do the same. If you want to be helpful to them.

I'm sure you are loads of help.

[tommy]

Which American was that?

That would be me, fubar. I'm an American. I just don't think Craig has any better ideas except hoping that ethereal moral support from the United States can be translated into something more concrete at some point in the future. In spite of what Craig thinks, it wasn't a loss of American support that precipitated the Lebanese Civil War and American support or lack thereof was not critical in sustaining it.

At the end of the day, it is up to you Lebanese to decide a course of action. I don't think standing around, hoping the United Nations or the United States will do something remarkable or holding solidarity rallies after each one of your people is killed is going to convince Syria or its allies to stop. I don't see what Craig is hoping will occur. Perhaps he can explain it.

[fubar]

Tommy,

FYI, I'm not Lebanese. I am American.

I think you are letting Craig off the hook here because I think who he really meant was me but if he re-reads my comments, I never once recommended or even endorsed terrorism. Of course, I did say "Lebanon must fight back with every option it has, including use of international support and, if necessary, military might." However, all of my comments were directed at fighting a war and killing the enemy's leaders, assassination, is a perfectly legal aspect of war.

What say you, Craig? Did you know that Tommy was an American and not Lebanese? Who were you referring to? Word of honor, man.

[Craig]

Pull itself out how? Do you actually have any suggestions? By all means, let us all hear them.

No, Tommy, I don't have any suggestions other than the Lebanese Army and Security Forces coming down like the hammers of hell on any armed militia that is an enemy of the state. And I don't even have an idea about how practical that plan would be. Would the Army and Police actually do it? I don't know. Do you?

Is this when I'm supposed to suggest US troops be sent in to help? Because, the US tried that before. Didn't work too well.

Craig: "And what *I* want to see happen is for Hezbollah to be removed from the playing field, no matter what the cost to Lebanon."

Tommy: "Well, I think most of these people do want that. They just don't know exactly how to go about it. Can you blame them? It is a difficult situation."

You think Lebanese want the US to invade Lebanon and destroy Hezbollah for them? No matter the cost in Lebanese lives? No matter the destruction of Lebanese infrastructure? Because I kinda get the feeling that actually isn't what Lebanese want. It's what *I* want.

But I'm willing to forego what I want, as long as it looks like Lebanon has a chance of pulling through as a democracy.

But if we're going to tell even our allies in lebanon to start engaging in terrorism, then to hell with it. There isn't going to be anything like democracy that comes from that, so why the fuck shoudln't the US just go stomping in? Hell, Lebanon is a small country, Tommy. In a balls out assault we could wipe Hezbollah in two weeks. Where are they gonna run? Israel? Syria? They'll just die tired. Lebanon is too small for HA to try and evade the kind of full-on offensive I have in mind.

In spite of what Craig thinks, it wasn't a loss of American support that precipitated the Lebanese Civil War and American support or lack thereof was not critical in sustaining it.

Thanks for telling me what I think, Tommy. Where were you on October 23, 1983? How many of YOUR friends died, that day?

I sued to like you on Sandmonkey's blog, Tommy, but you're rapidly losing my respect. You talk out of your ass.

[Craig]

Fubar,

What say you, Craig? Did you know that Tommy was an American and not Lebanese? Who were you referring to? Word of honor, man.

Word of honor, fubar, I don't know who you are. I've never seen you anywhere but here. I've known Tommy was American for... what... 2 years?

[fubar]

Craig,

Okay, then, Craig, my bad. Have at it.

I have never seen Tommy before that I know of. I only used to read SM's comments occasionally and Tommy just showed up here recently. To be honest, I assumed he was Lebanese until he said otherwise and that is why I suggested you stand down.

You don't have to answer if you don't want to but what brings you guys here?

[Craig]

You don't have to answer if you don't want to but what brings you guys here?

I've been reading this blog and the "Lebanese Bloggers Forum" for a couple years. I just don't comment much. I got called names and asked to leave, for expressing my skepticism that there would ever be peace in Lebanon while Hezbollah was still around, Fubar. That was back when it was cool to pretend Lebanon was part of the Lebanese government, and I was saying very politically incorrect stuff.

So now I try to keep my opinions to myself. For the most part.

[Craig]

Sorry, obvious brainfart there - it should read:

That was back when it was cool to pretend Hezbollah was part of the Lebanese government

[tommy]

No, Craig. I'm not suggesting the U.S. get involved. Nowhere have I suggested that. That wouldn't work. I'm suggesting that the Lebanese defend their own country for a change using whatever tactics they have to.

[tommy]

There isn't going to be anything like democracy that comes from that, so why the fuck shoudln't the US just go stomping in?

Ummm...Craig. There is this country to the south of Lebanon you might have heard of....

I sued to like you on Sandmonkey's blog, Tommy, but you're rapidly losing my respect. You talk out of your ass.

Gee, thanks. Don't bother in the future.

[fubar]

Hmmm, you mean when it was cool to pretend that Hezbollah was part of the Lebanese government.

Well, times change. You can always talk to me here until AK kicks me off.

Were you at the Marine barracks or did you just have buddies there?

[fubar]

Shit, the above post at 10:04 PM is for Craig.

[tommy]

fubar,

You don't have to answer if you don't want to but what brings you guys here?

Curiosity about Mideastern affairs and hoping Lebanon will be the solitary exception to an otherwise abysmally tyrannical region called the "Arab world."

The way I see it, the Lebanese need to forge a unified identity at some point. That is why I don't like the idea of U.S. troops getting involved (as if that were even a possibility at this time). We all know how well that worked for Israel during the last round.

The Lebanese will have to solve things themselves.

[Charlie]

Tommy,

This a regional conflict not just bunch of Lebanese fighting over an identity. If Lebanon is to succeed, it is going to need all the help it can get from the US and others....

[tommy]

And no, I don't view top members of the Baathist regime in Syria as being out of bounds. It is quite clear who is behind the chaos in Lebanon.

I'm not suggesting Syrian civilians be targeted.

[fubar]

Charlie,

What's up with you, man, you seem unreasonably sober tonight. = )

[tommy]

This a regional conflict not just bunch of Lebanese fighting over an identity. If Lebanon is to succeed, it is going to need all the help it can get from the US and others....

Prior to the IDF invading south Lebanon during the 80s, the Shiites were quite sympathetic to the Israelis. After they invaded, we got Hezbollah. Don't think we can just trot in there and expect them all to greet us as liberators. Either we go in there to destroy Hezbollah regardless of the effect it would have on Lebanon or we stay out of it and allow Lebanon to fix its own problems. Don't think the two are necessarily one and the same. In any event, I think there is zero chance in the near future we are going to send forces into Lebanon. I wouldn't want even the most pro-American Lebanese to pin their hopes on U.S. involvement in their country.

[Charlie]

LOL Fubar..

I don't think there is enough booze out there that will help me look at NAS as just another hairy Lebanese dude...:-)

[fubar]

It is a very complicated situation going on in Lebanon. But the US will stand behind Siniora as long as he holds his government together. There is much the US and its allies can do, but the Lebanese must also do much for themselves. Unfortunately, Lebanon is running out of time.

[fubar]

Charlie,

Honest to God, I laughed out loud and almost choked on my coffee when Umm Kais said:

“I have to say--I am a hypocrite because if Nasrallah was assassinated, I wouldn't be able to supress my...lack of pity. But I would be a little discreet since I really don't condone any more Lebanese deaths and fully aware of the awful consequences should something like that happen.”

Yeah, lack of pity, as in put his head on a freakin' pike and plant it on the Syrian border.

[Charlie]

Tommy,

There are many ways the US can help in a regional conflict like this one beyond putting boots on the ground in Lebanon. We both know the source of the evil lies outside the Lebanese border. Incidentally the US is sitting right between both sources of evil; I don't think the US will impede the evolution of the Lebanese identity any if they drop a couple of gifts over Bashar and Midjetjad's head!!

By the way don’t get me wrong, I think the US has done a great job helping Lebanon so far and I do hope that the administration continues the military support that is so desperately needed by the LAF.

[Umm Kais]

:) I guess "lack of pity" was a very ladylike term. I'm trying to stay polite! But I'm sure everyone knows what I would say if someone got rid of that fat bastard...AK would have to help supress my glee.

[Charlie]

Fubar,

That was pretty funny..I was about to write something in but got pulled away at work..sometimes work really gets in the way..:-)

The thing is if NAS was taken out, you will see fireworks and celebrations all the way from the Gulf to the Mediterranean...:-)

[Charlie]

"if someone got rid of that fat bastard"

Now that is more like it Umm Kais. We were getting worried that you are getting soft on us here or something...:-)

[fubar]

Darling, what are you doing lurking back here in the tail end of the comments? You know this is where we get all foul mouthed and politically incorrect.

BTW, welcome to the club, nice way of you and your mouth to make the effort to fit in. = )

[Umm Kais]

I am always lurking...and always ready to say something mean when needed!!

[fubar]

Charlie, did you see over at Beirut Spring:

"A Lebanese Majority MP just suggested on a TV program an idea that deserves the attention of the opposition and some debate here:

If the opposition is serious about not wanting to benefit from the assassinations, if the opposition wants to prevent future assassinations from happening and if the opposition wants to start building confidence, the simple idea is the following:

For every majority MP that is killed, an opposition MP would offer his resignation. This way, the Lebanese people will believe, by action, not words, that the opposition is not secretly encouraging the assassinations."

*******

There is something to that. If Nas were really against these assassinations and Lahoud blocks new elections, then 2 of Nas' guys resigning or at least sitting out the Presidential voting would be a real test of good faith, wouldn't it? Too bad Nas doesn't have any good faith.