Back soon

I apologize for not posting anything lately. We are supposedly on vacation in the land of do as you please, but things have not been going as smoothly as we had hoped. All is better now, and I just got a dialup connection (akhhh). Lots is happening here, as you probably know. The word on everyone's lips is "partition", as in partitioning the country. Driving around today, I wondered how on earth could anyone think about partitioning this mess. It's just another bluff, a la "divine victory". Speaking of victory, the one poster that rules them all on the road from the airport this time around is the one with "the age of victory is upon us". It's almost funny, if you can stop yourself from vomiting in your mouth every time you see the bearded one saluting the "honorable" farmed masses. Nasrallah is over-enjoying his 5 minutes of historical relevance.

Needless to say, nobody outside the circle of hell and folly that Hizbullah is trying to expand cares about this alleged victory. It doesn't factor into the daily lives of the majority of "citizens" who prefer to focus on matters like, er,  putting food on the table. Food, last I checked, is not being dropped by flying Iranian engines or being smuggled on board of trucks through the Syrian border. No new government, no whole country, they threaten. Tell you what, I am not known to be an optimist, but Nasrallah can bark all he wants. This country and the people who keep it running despite the despicable occupation of downtown Beirut, are not going to let him write the program and direct it. His desperate attempt to come across as a living legend is comical, and not impressing those young men and women who make this country look like the jewel everyone likes. So partition yourself, Nasrallah, and throw the bits and pieces to the lions next door.

Anyway, I hope I am not proven wrong. I didn't say the mood wasn't gloomy. But something has to be said about the resilience that is in this city. Not everyone wants to die Hizbullah style. Not everyone is happy feasting on bland oranges. Life always beats death, and evolution favors those with the desire to live.

Thank you all for reading and keeping this 2-year old blog alive. I hope to write more soon.

Comments

[Jeha]

Have a nice stay.

And drop by Nahr El-Kalb as you're driving around, home to stone carvings boasting the greatness of all the armies who came into Lebanon, from Nabuchoznassar, to Ramses, to the French and the Australian Troops. But unlike other hapless invaders, the Syrians and the Israelis did not leave a sign there, and neither will the Mullahs.

BTW, there is a "popular" restaurant over there, where the "DJ" plays music medleys using speeches from Geagea, Nasrallah, Aoun... Kinda "zkerti", but it serves to remind us how all the "greats" of this generation have been reduced to "pop" icons.

[ghassan karam]

AK,
It is never pleasant to be a Giraffe (stick ones neck out) especially when there are so few of them. I happen to be in total agreement with the gist of your assessment. Neither the FPM nor HA will be allowed to win this fight. It will just be too great of a historical aberration if that is to happen.
BTW is broadband owned by the government or is private. I am surprised that the private sector has allowed so much pent up demand to be built. Enjoy your stay (AK, UK and K).

[fubar]

"His desperate attempt to come across as a living legend is comical, and not impressing those young men and women who make this country look like the jewel everyone likes."

Hmmmm...living legend... You don't fool me for a minute. Is it just a coincidence that you are on vacation in Hezbollahland just in time for Imam Mahdi's birthday on Wednesday? (j/k)

Hope you enjoy your visit.

[Beiruti]

AK,

Its people like you who give the Lebanese everywhere, that Lebanon is not so fragile as to break in the hand of Nasrallah or Aoun, or Berri or Assad. Lebanon was Lebanon before Assad and it will still be Lebanon after Assad (which will be very soon!) We are this way because of our people.

Our symbol, the Arzi, prominant on the flag is the symbol of eternity. The cedars are ageless as is the Lebanon that we all know. A place of tolerance for everyone, not just the few. You are right, Hezbollah is an abberation, as much so as the meglomania of Aoun. Neither are in the long proud tradition of tolerance that is Lebanon and that is the Lebanese people. These will pass and the Lebanon will remain.

There will be no partition because there is only one Lebanon. It cannot be made two or three. Lebanon depends on the people who came out on March 14, Christian Moslem and Druze who are each more Lebanese than they are Christian Moslem or Druze. They all know that for Christianity to be safe, for Islam to be free and for the Druze to be both safe and free, all need a free independent unified Lebanon.

And so it shall be. Enjoy your holiday AK, Lebanon will be waiting for you when you return.

[Solomon2]

nobody outside the circle of hell and folly that Hizbullah is trying to expand cares about this alleged victory.

Why do they need you to care? If Lebanese close their eyes to domestic and international laws and thus not even endorse the idea of trying to stop them, isn't that enough for Hizbullah's purposes?

The fact that that makes a non-Hizb Lebanese as much of a collaborator as the man who chooses not to call the police when half his house is occupied by criminals - that is the reality that Lebanese are trying to avoid, and if they put it off much longer may yet seal their doom, despite the goodwill of many outside the country.

[Bad Vilbel]

I think I'm starting to be of the opinion that what Lebanon needs is indeed a fling with "partition" and all the other hells they've been "threatening" us with for decades.

Let them have their way, so everyone can see that no one (and that includes the HA supporters) will benefit. Let them learn it the hard way.

[Michael J. Totten]

There's a chance this is the best "sorry for not posting anything" message to ever appear on a blog. It's certainly better than the ones I write when I'm busy.

Take your time and post when you can.

[ghassan karam]

IS HA moving towards completing its de facto partition while at the same time accusing others of contemplating such a move? Facts on the ground are difficult to argue with. The diabolical scheme of creating obstacles around every corner, in order to prevent the government from operating normally, the unilateral declaration of war last summer, the purchase of real estate, the ever more sophisticated weapons smuggled to its militia, the parallel telephone system in the Hezbollalland. its authoritarian rule over what media can be seen in HAland and then finally this item which I learned about through email but have not been able to verify yet: HA has declared all the Jezine area as "military" and thus out of bounds to non HA authorized personnel. If that proves to be true would this government finally say that enough is enough and that we are not going to take it anymore? A government that is reduced to being a spectator as an Iranian statelet by the Med is forcibly and unilaterally carved of its land is no government at all.

[Bad Vilbel]

Ghassan,

I'm not holding my breath about the government saying shit. Did you see this morning's news bit on Naharnet about the parallel phone system?

I commented on it on my blog. Take a look.
El Linko

[JoseyWales]

Gus and BV,

The enemies of the state have perfected the routine: do X and accuse the gvmnt of doing it.

-M14 are foreign agents cuz the US says follow your own laws and they agree.

-M14 want partition when Hezbo defines NO ENTRY areas and builds a new phone system and has its own army

-They break the law but M14 is diverting the constitution

And so on.

And who can blame them when each breach is met by the gvmnt with: we are meeting and considering blah blah blah but the resistance is sacred blah blah blah....

Stuff you and the resistance, Seniora.

[fubar]

Ghassan, BV, JW,

Not that I disagree with you in principle but does it ever occur to you guys that you are the ones out of step with the real Lebanon and not Siniora?

Aren't you guys deathly afraid of the hot civil war anymore? Or do you just think Nas is bluffing?

No offense intended, just wondering...

[ghassan karam]

Josey,
When government hesitates to enforce the law it sends the clear message that laws have no sanctity and it is OK to trash them. The same is true when they treat a group with kids glove. The unfortunate result is that they have through their actions played a major role in the establishment and even the nourishment of a state within a state. If an entity puts up a telecom system without obtaining the legal permission and paying the requisite fees then any government in the world, save the one in Lebanon, would issue an immediate order to dismantle such a network , levy huge fines on the individuals behind the illegal activity and bring all those responsible for the infraction before a court of law. Instead of the above what does the Lebanese government do, well they deliberate for weeks and then issue a statement that they will consider taking action against the offenders but the action will be structured so as to be acceptable to the entity that is to be punished.. Who is Saniora kidding, The inability to enforce the laws of the land is grounds for impeachment.

[Bad Vilbel]

Fubar,

I realize it's a bit hypocritical for me to say this, being as I live in the US (although my parents and family do still live in Lebanon), but I am not afraid of a civil war anymore.

I don't know if it's a bluff or not, and I don't frankly care, even if it's for real. When you're dealing with someone who's willing to compromise, or negotiate, then yes, I'd do everything to try to meet them halfway, stroke their ego, etc.
But is not the case here, nor has it ever been the case. Lebanon is dealing with thugs and blackmailers (to the true definition of the word).
Let's say you and your wife are accosted in a dark parking lot by a group of thugs with guns, who demand your wallet. Ok, fine, you want to "avoid violence", so you give in and hand over the wallet. You don't want your wife to get caught up or get hurt. Being conciliatory makes sense.
Now let's say the thugs are not satisfied, and inform you they plan to abduct your wife, do many nasty things to her, kill you right here, and then kill your wife when they're done with her.
You might try negotiating or pleading for a while. Again, I understand that.
Now let's say the thugs are not interested in negotiating, and start making their move towards the wife. At what point do you decide you have nothing left to lose, and if you're both gonna end up dead, you might as well put up a fight and stop sweeet talking the thugs?

That's how I see Lebanon and Hezbollah today. We are LONG past the point where coddling, negotiating, and sweettalking have proven ineffective. It is clear to all but the dimwitted that Hezbollah is moving in for the kill and the wife. Civil war or not, we need to put a fight.

[ghassan karam]

Fubar, I will feel out of place if I am with anything resembling a majority in any field whatsoever. :-)

[JoseyWales]

Dear Foob:

1) Seniora IS more in tune with people: the nation wants to stick its head in the sand, does not understand rule of law, and buys the "we are victims of the regional situation" blanket excuse.

2) I am not advocating civil war nor widespread state violence. I am saying the gvmnt has to pick its fights and start, SLOWLY BUT SURELY, to assert authority and project power. E.g. the gvmnt should have show willingness to use force against non-Lebanese thugs in 2005 and 2006.

3) In doing number 2) (like the too late Bared) Saniora ought to remind everyone of Nasrallah pledge : no arms vs. the Lebanese. [The downtown sit in should have been PREVENTED by the armed forces]

etc...

It's a bit like the BV story: you compromise if it saves the nation, you do it to save lives, you do it to save the economy etc...

Here caving in is a way of life, with ZERO results.

[fubar]

Given the current situation, mixing pre-Summer War with post-Summer War is mixing apples and oranges. Let's face it, pre-Summer War, JW is exactly right, stick your head in the sand and pretend Hezbollah does not have a state within a state, don't ruffle feathers, pander when necessary, cross your fingers and hope that Hezbollah will allow the rest of Lebanon to move on and progress. Not necessarily a solution, but it did work for a while, and who needs a solution to a problem they pretend not to see.

Post-Summer War, it really isn't possible to just pretend Hezbollah doesn't exist anymore. "It is clear to all but the dimwitted that Hezbollah is moving in for the kill and the wife." -- BV. Not to insult a large number of Lebanese but it has taken a good while for this to become crystal clear to a good number of Lebanese who are by no means the average Lebanese. So, dimwitted or not, it takes time for people to really see; and the more educated are the first to do so.

It seems to me, your biggest gripe is that Siniora does not do that you want him to do. But what about the fact that he has not caved. He has maintained his cabinet, legitimately, and without the AWOL M8 ministers. He has continued to work for Lebanon and to build foreign support and financing for Lebanon inspite of the M8 attempt to overthrow the government. He sent the LAF into Nahr El Bared inspite of Nas' red line. M14 is holding strong on the presidency.

I don't have to tell you guys, in fact, you could tell me the particulars, but Lebanese society is fractured and Lebanese institutions are equally fractured. M14 controls some things, M8 controls others, but essentially you have institutions which, regardless of which side you are on, have to be considered infiltrated and/or compromised. Under the circumstances, Siniora not only has to move slowly but carefully.

While you guys may no longer be willing to do anything to avoid a hot civil war because you see what is really happening, we have a long way to go yet before everyone gets it. I have been thinking for a couple months about the sectarian nature of Lebanon and how most everyone has some sort of leader they follow. If worst comes to worst, that may not be a bad thing because it is highly doubtful the Lebanese will fight under the banner of some unifying "idea" and much more likely that they will fight for their leader. So, yet another tightrope for Siniora and M14 to walk, attempting to maintain the unifying idea while at the same time maintaining the loyalty of their individual groups.

Because...bottom line...there is no "Lebanese solution" to Hezbollah's Iranian weapons. The situation has been fubar since the Summer War. Just saying...

[Shunkleash]

WOW! AK is away in the land of CHANKLEESH and his blog explodes! Speaks volumes to me! Anyway, its funny but ive read the comments above and I keep wondering why you guys waste so much good energy on analysing the "waste" we call a govt. 95% have been paid for and the other 5% are still negotiating.

I just checked a poll conducted by NOWLebanon on the issue of the "vote" for president and believe it or not some people (very few people actually) have been reading the toilet paper constitution we now joyously call our own and they are getting it RIGHT. It excites me when a new trend starts right before your eyes. Yet it befuddles me that there is still garbage going around the place masquerading as insightful educated opinion trying to tell us that "consensus gov't" is "inherent" to the constitution. OH REALLY? Well CONSENSUS THIS! Such nonsense makes me laugh, well almost as much as when I hear about the ever tightening noose over at Nahr al bared.

Honestly, I sincerely believe that the VAST majority of lebanese people have had enough of the politicians and their "brokeback" mountain posturing. Even though at times I am their harshest critic (and remain so by the way) I believe that if you give them a chance (without holding your breath as you might miss the show) they will do the right thing. Even though according to lebanese rules you must extricate two mollars and a wisdom tooth before you see action the mental vacancy light is being turned off folks!

Now if that aint a rant i dunno what is:-)

By the way AK if you get a chance look up to the mountains where the lebanese village that rhymes with Hirarri should be and give a good old shout out to mom and dad for me and tell them that bubba is a commin home SOON! Enjoy the break...ill be here when you get back:-)

Warmest regards

Ayesh Lubnan y'all

[ka]

Mr AK :)
I just got back from the land of mna2eesh and bonjus a week and a half ago. I can't agree with you more--people just want to live. For the 6 weeks that I was there, no one in my household watched the news. I'm not saying that people aren't worried and that any second the country could collapse. I'm saying that despite their situation, people are going to work, going out, going to school, shopping for groceries and living their lives to the fullest. Sure people complain here and there, and swear they are just waiting on their visas to get out. Still, I've traveled quite a bit in my short lifespan but never have I stepped into a country where people are so eager to keep their heads up in the rising tide...it's like a guy being drowned in a lake...someone keep pushing him down and yet no matter how exhausted he is, he rises again, only to repeat the cycle.
Sky Bar is booked for the next month, you can't find a parking lot in ABC Achrafieh (yes a bomb exploded there only a few months ago), and the beaches are filled with a crowd eager to catch the last few rays of summer. I'll leave you with an anecdote:
I attended a Lebanese-American festival a few days ago and when a patriotic Joseph Attieh (winner of Star Academy) yelled "Meen Raje3 3a Lebnan ?!" not a single soul remained silent. It was haunting and beautiful and I pray we never lose this urge to keep our country ours.

[Jeha]

Fubar,

I hate to agree with you on this. Each side is consolidating positions within state institutions in preparation for "bigger things" to come. Each side has patrons with a lot of cash.

At best, this will take a while before a war breaks out.

[JoseyWales]

Ok fubar it's a fine line but Saniora IMHO is way over there.

Aside: click on the "Lebanon slams HRW report on Hezbo..." in the right column above, under Leb news.

You'll find Hezbo predictably defending themselves, but also Saniora defending them ...Elsewhere the gvmnt spokesman Aridi was back calling them "resistance but..." you can't win arguments like that.

[ghassan karam]

KA,
All what you state is well and good but unfortunately it does not say anything about the solution to the Lebanese crisis, it is part of the problem. The lake that you refer to is a swamp that we built and the hand that is pushing you down is that of your next door neighbour. BTW, what is the proportion of the Lebanese that can afford to make an appearnce at the SKY BAR , is it 0.5%?
A modern democracy deserves a better metric than to have an exclusive bar sold out for a month or even an upper middle class shopping mall being packed.

[Bad Vilbel]

I'm with Ghassan. If these people really want to LIVE, they might wanna consider actually DOING SOMETHING about it, rather than letting these politicos run the show while they go about their business.

They might be "living" ok right now, while no bombs are falling, but these same people will be whining and complaining in 6 months, when the next Israel war comes.

[Solomon2]

If these people really want to LIVE, they might wanna consider actually DOING SOMETHING about it

Perhaps if someone from the expatriate community acts first, it will be easier for those still in Lebanon to do so?

[Bad Vilbel]

I disagree. As hypocritical as it may seem for me to be pontificating about this from my comfy seat in California, I don't think the expats are the people at stake here. The expats have, for the most part, made a life for themselves elsewhere. The people who still live in Lebanon are the ones who have to endure this stupidity. It is their house, and they are the ones that need to get in order.

If your house is messy, dirty, and needing of repair, it seems silly to say "Maybe my son who used to live here but has now grown up and moved out needs to come home and fix it."
It's YOUR house. YOU need to fix it. You might ask for your son to come help you on the weekends, but that's about it.

[fubar]

(Daily Star) The top commander of US forces in the Middle East met with Lebanese officials Wednesday as his government reassured Beirut of support for the Lebanese Army's fight against al-Qaeda-inspired militants in northern Lebanon. "I observed with admiration the courage, perseverance and commitment displayed by the Lebanese Army soldiers in its fight against terrorism," Head of the US Central Command, Admiral William Fallon said following a meeting with Defense Minister Elias Murr.

Murr said that providing the army with equipment and ammunition "is a necessary step towards preserving Lebanon's sovereignty, and protecting it against terrorist attacks."

"Terrorism is an international concern, which must be fought collectively, and the US-Lebanese association concerning that issue has proved to be a true model for success," he said.

Fallon also met with Premier Fouad Saniora during his visit to the country. The US official did not give any comments following the meeting.

******

130 more Humvees. You know the rules, none for Nas.

******

JW,

"Ok fubar it's a fine line but Saniora IMHO is way over there."

Well, sure he is, but that's the real Lebanon. Hezbollah = "resistance"; Palestinians = "our brothers"; and my all time favorite, really, you just cannot top this, Fatah al Islam = "the terrorist phenomenon that is alien to the values and nature of the Palestinian people." = )

[Bad Vilbel]

Fubar:

Hezbollah = "resistance"; Palestinians = "our brothers"; and my all time favorite, really, you just cannot top this, Fatah al Islam = "the terrorist phenomenon that is alien to the values and nature of the Palestinian people."

Exactly. And as long as the Lebanese people continue to fall for these old cliches that have zero basis in truth, and as long as the leadership continues to speak rhetoric and not tell it like it is, there is zero hope for progress. ZERO!

[Bad Vilbel]

Hey, Fubar, Josey, Ghassan,

Here's a new one for you: Siniora Critizes Human Rights Watch report on war"

Siniora, yet again, quick to come to the defense of his precious "Resistance" who has never hesitated to call him a Zionist agent, and accused him of colluding with Israel to start the war in question.
Facts don't lie, Fuad my friend, Hezbollah DID launch missiles onto civilian centers. That is what the report states. I don't know what there is to object to there. The truth?

[ghassan karam]

ThIt is simply incredible how PM Saniora will never get it. I am not bothered by the fact that I disagree with his stand on issues, it is the fact that his stand on all issues does not make sense, it just cannot be justifies no matter what is the ideology that he professes. HA has shown over and over again that they have no interest in a democratic, modern and sovereign Lebanon, how could they when they are guided by Iranian ayatollahs? Yet Mr. Saniora cannot get himself to admit that the Lebanese ideals that he was installed to protect are not compatible with the thoughts and beliefs of HA and as a result MR. Saniora has no choice , if he is to be true to his mandate, but to dissociate himself totally from HA. Had he had the courage to refuse the dictates and obstructionism of HA that are conceived and implemented with the aim of destablizing Lebanon then we would not be in this pickle. Mr. Saniora has the moral duty and the constitutional obligation to carry a policy that promotes individual freedoms and independent action for the state without any attempts at appeasments. There is no larger mistake than to appease those that are plotting your demise. It is very inconceivable to imagine a solution or even an improvement in the tensions in Lebanon under the hapless direction of Mr. Saniora. He might plead good intentions but he clearly cannot find his way out of a paper bag. The future of Lebanon and the prosperity of the young generation demands his resignation.It is time that he goes on a long trip.Mr. Saniora has drisen to the level of his total and utter incompetence. He has shown no leadership ability, he lacks courage, he is nneither creative nor imaginative and he has no clear vision of what are his priorities. He is at best a mid level bureaucrat whose incompetence is endangering the survival chances of this nation.

[fubar]

(Haaretz) Hezbollah is planning to file a host of lawsuits against Israel over the damages it caused during the Second Lebanon War. Lebanese individuals with dual citizenship will file the suits in the countries where they hold citizenship.

Attorney Ibrahim Awada, who heads Hezbollah's legal department, revealed the plan last week on a Syrian television program devoted to "Zionist crimes against Lebanon." He said that each plaintiff will hire a lawyer in the country where he files suit, and Hezbollah will pay the lawyers' fees.

The Lebanese government began mulling lawsuits against Israel immediately after the war ended last summer, but was stymied by the fact that United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the war, blamed Hezbollah, rather than Israel, for its outbreak. The government therefore set up a legal committee to explore more limited options, such as suits specifically over Israel's use of cluster bombs and destruction of infrastructure.

However, Hezbollah was furious that the government has so far done nothing, and therefore decided to launch its own lawsuit blitz, using private individuals.

********

What a great idea. Please, Nas, file some of these lawsuits in the US.

Obviously, Nas has never heard of a counter-claim or joint and several liability. What fun. I can barely wait for Nas' videotaped deposition from the bunker.

[fubar]

"The future of Lebanon and the prosperity of the young generation demands his [Siniora's] resignation."

No can do, Ghassan. If Siniora resigns, the Government, which is more than just Siniora, falls. Article 69. If this Government falls, it will not get back up again.

Nothing to do but suck it up.

[Bad Vilbel]

Haha! good one, Fubar!

Clearly, Nas has no understanding of *drumroll please* law and order (or how the legal system works). After all, why should he? He's never had to deal with the law, has he?

I'd really like to see what legal grounds such claims have, considering the report from HRW declaring clearly that Hezbollah's part in the war had no legal merit.
Not to mention the countless other legal issues that his lawsuits would encounter...

[Solomon2]

the Lebanese ideals that he was installed to protect are not compatible with the thoughts and beliefs of HA...Mr. Saniora has the moral duty and the constitutional obligation to carry a policy that promotes individual freedoms and independent action for the state without any attempts at appeasments.

Ghassan, I think those are your ideals, not Siniora's. If you care about them so much, why don't YOU campaign for the presidency?

[Bad Vilbel]

Solomon,

It doesn't matter who's ideals they are. The PM job (as well as that of president) is OBLIGATED to serve the state, the people and abide by the law and constitution and ideals the STATE was founded on.
These aren't Siniora's ideals or Ghassan's ideals. These are the ideals of the State of Lebanon.

[Solomon2]

Well then, BV, if Ghassan actually came out and said that, don't you think he'd be a widely-supported and popular candidate, one who, if elected, would have a mandate to sweep things clean?

[hiphip...hooray]

ya leil ya ein? arz? partition? Libnan!!!!!!

Partition is the solution, keep criticizing the southerner the louder the better.

You are all a bunch of confused unpatriotic, so called Lebanese. Pretending unconditional love for the country, namely, Lebanon, while hating one another to the point of breaking the beloved, into bits and pieces.

Repeat after me: Syria, Iran, Hizbullah Ghassan Karam is your maestro

[Doha]

Abu Kais,

Your post is moving. I hope everything is okay with everyone in the family. Sometimes it pays off to block all the chatter, drive up to some mountain and savor what the Lebanese cuisine can offer (oh, with Fairuz or Nancy Ajram in the background, your pick!) Sad, but true, most of the Lebanese block the political chatter and eat away...

[ghassan karam]

Fubar 10:59,
I am afraid that I have to reject categorically your conclusion that is based on what I consider to be a faulty premise. You see I will not accept for a second that it is either Mr. Saniora or the abyss. On the contrary , it is so clear that this captain will not be able to guide this ship into a safe harbour. Incompetence is grounds for dismissal, for change and must not be used as a justification for more aimless drfting. I do not believe even in the indispensability of great men of history and so I would obviously not subscribe to the idea that incompetence needs to be tolerated and protected on the grouds that the incompetent are indispensable. Actually it is just the reverse, "fools must never be tolerated gladly". Make no mistake about it, there is no greater fool than the one who does not recognize the limits of their capabilities.

[Rob]

Hey Abu Kais,
Why don't u tell us a bit about your trip to Israel the moment the war started last year? Did you enjoy the food? At least, it got you some work! "The Jerusalem Post." Wauw, not bad, for a rightwing zionist paper owned by Mr. R. Murdoch!

[Bad Vilbel]

You guys see this doozey?

Video game about liquidating Siniora

Apparently, some shmuck created a shoot-em-up video game where the player storms the government building, fights the "militias" that are guarding it (that would be the Lebanese Armed Forces), discovers a tunnel that connects the government Serail to the US embassy in Awkar (since the US keeps insisting on the presidential elections be held according to the constitution and free of foreign meddling. The outrage!) and finally storms the cabinet meeting room and murders the "traitors and thieves" (Those folks who happen to be the legitimate government of Lebanon, like them or not).

I have to wonder if the degree of outrage would be much higher had someone created a game where the player stormed Dahieh, fought the Hezbollah militias, found a tunnel to the Iranian embassy, and terminated Hassan Nassrallah.
Food for thought...

My comment will be purely technical. I read that you've got a dialup connection, that deserves an akhhhhh and more. Why don't you try a broadband connection, it is ten times faster and still far more reliable than the dsl that has just started - it costs a bit though but it is worth it (250 dollars for the "box" and 50 per month but no subscription). This is what I've been doing when in Lebanon.

[AK]

Good comments guys. Will post something soon. K has been sick, so we've been busy, to say the least.

Rob: Last summer I was blogging about the war from Washington, DC. Check the archive. I think you're confusing me with someone else.

Nameless: I am only here for a short period of time, so getting Lebanese "broadband" may not be worth it.

Thanks all!

[Bad Vilbel]

AK, hope all is well and wishing a speedy recovery to K.