Who will stand up for the anti-Hizbullah Mufti?

While March 14 and the Hizbullah-dominated "opposition" are engaging in "dialogue" in Doha, Hizbullah continues to muzzle its critics within the Shia community. The anti-Hizbullah Tyre Mufti Ali al-Amin, whose headquarters were vandalized and occupied by Amal gunmen, was removed from his post by the Amal- dominated Shia council, even though the council has no authority to do so. Muftis are appointed by the state following a recommendation from the council, which has been paralyzed since the death of Mohammad Mahdi Shamseddine many years ago.   

Al-Amin lashed out at the council, accusing it of having no authority to fire him, and pointing out that the council itself has lost legitimacy since Berri and Hizbullah refused to hold elections to choose new executive and legislative bodies.

The council had issued a statement supporting and legitimizing Hizbullah's May 7th attack on citizens and the state.   

The militia started a war after the government dismissed a Shia employee suspected of spying for Hizbullah. Will the government, which revoked its decision, stand up for the Mufti, who is, by his own definition, a Lebanese citizen first, and a Shia second?

Somehow, I doubt it. These are sad times for the Shia community in Lebanon.

Here is al-Amin's statement to An-Nahar in Arabic:

"الاخوة في جريدة "النهار"، قرأت في جريدتكم الغراء خبرا صادرا عن المجلس الشيعي يتعلق بادارة دار الافتاء الجعفري في صور والموجود فيها منزلي ومكاتبي والتي احتلها مسلحون من حركة "امل" الاسبوع الماضي واخرجوا اولادي والموظفين بقوة السلاح ولا يزالون فيها حتى كتابة هذا البيان.

يهمني القول ان المجلس الشيعي ليست له صلاحية قانونية وشرعية في هذه الامور لان التعيين في منصب الافتاء يكون من خلال الدولة اللبنانية بعد اقتراح الاسم من المؤسسة الدينية. وان مؤسسة المجلس الشيعي انتهت ولايتها القانونية بكل هيئاتها الشرعية والتنفيذية منذ وفاة الامام شمس الدين وقد امتنعت الجهات المهيمنة على المجلس الشيعي عن اجراء الانتخابات منذ ذلك الحين، ونحن نشهد لهم بقدرتهم على تعطيل الانتخابات في هذه المؤسسة الدينية المهمة، وان القادر على تعطيل انتخابات رئيس الجمهورية واغلاق مجلس النواب وفرض تراجع الحكومة عن قراراتها وقوانينها واجتياح بيروت بقوة السلاح هو قادر على تعطيل هذه المؤسسة التي تحولت مع الاسف الشديد اداة وغطاء لقوى الامر الواقع.

ونحن عندما اتخذنا مواقفنا الرافضة لسياسة هذه القوى التي اضرت بسمعة الطائفة الشيعية ومستقبلها ومكانتها في وطنها لبنان والعالم العربي لم نأخذ منصب الافتاء في الاعتبار والاهتمام لان المهم عندنا حريتنا واقتناعاتنا الدينية والوطنية بان مصلحة اهلنا في الجنوب والبقاع والضاحية هي في المحافظة على العيش المشترك مع كل الطوائف اللبنانية وفي انخراط كل الاحزاب في مشروع الدولة الواحدة التي تشكل وحدها الحماية والضمانة لكل اللبنانيين

Comments

[Jeha]

It is precisely for such reasons why 14 hmar are hopeless.

[JoseyWales]

14 Hmar cannot remove anyone (Shoukeir, Jezzini, Salloukh...)

Hezbo can remove whomever they want (Amine) or emasculate whomever they want (Saniora, Suleimane...)

In the meantime the French are optimistic because, get this, Iran does not think the time is right for a takeover of Lebanon. Thanks froggies, we're safe for another few weeks?

[Min Canada]

AK, I hope your family is OK and that they are back home. Can you please write to give us their news?

I thought everything was supposed to be restored to the way it was prior to the Gov. decision. Was Al-Amin not part of that???

[danny]

I'll not jump the gun and will await the government's "decision...As for Mufti Amin, he's considered one of the main components of March 14 movement. AK, you were upset when in a prior post when I equated HA with the Shia in Lebanon. Here's the proof that HA has taken total control of every Shia voice and are muzzling the few faint ones.

My amazement is that none of the intellectuals and “politicians” of the Shiite faith in Lebanon are raising their voices!! Here’s their chance: what better opportunity?

If the Shia silence continues; then you are right AK, these are sad times for the Shias of Lebanon!!

Breathlessly awaiting the announcement of the “Doha Principles”….

[bad vilbel]

Maybe we should take to the streets, block the airport road, invade the Shiite Council's offices, and burn them down?

That seemed to have worked to save Shukeir's job. Just sayin...

I am not holding my breath about Doha. When I read news like this, I tend to think M14 is fucked. Bunch of imbeciles. And please no one give me the speech about how M14 has won this round by bringing HA to talk about their weapons.

Q) Who will stand up for the anti-Hizbullah Mufti?

A) Nobody in Lebanon right now. Go to Israel, join the IDF - and when Hezbollah launch their next attack against Israel you can play a part in taking them down.

[maverick]

What a brave and courageous man The Mufti is.Its figures like these that need to be highlighted. But what can he do? Like As'aads persistent anti-hizbollah stance, their voice falls on deaf ears. M14 need to bolster the anti-Hizbollah Shiite figures, to give the community a feasable "way out" of their predicament. It is their marginalisation on the fringes of Lebanese socio-political life as much as the " Mooqawama" card that makes them hold onto the belief of Hizbollah as their saviour.

[Min Canada]

The problem with the Shia political leaders is that people like the al-As'ad Family has absolutely no credability. Remember this is the family who owned the speaker's position and used the Shia as surfs in the 60's and 70's. Who will follow them?

Meanwhile in Qatar... the M14 will get no where on the issue of the HA weapons. If you read the declaration correctly, the issue is not on the agenda and they will come back with nothing on this issue.

We will get a Gov. with 10/10/10 with a guarantee from Suleyman that 6 of his ten will be HA supporters. We are done guys. Let's face it Bush has been floating around trying to meet with someone and no one wants to see him. There is a reason. He betrayed the western forces in the Arab world and they are not happy with him.

[Jeha]

Lebanese and Arab nationalists will always find themselves between between a rock and a hard place. No wonder the Mufti gets no help. No sooner had one disagreed with Hezb than some schmagege comes along suggesting to "go to Israel, join the IDF".

Yes, Nasrallah's no saint, but that does not absolve Sharon of his crimes, or Olmert of his stupidity. Even those traitors stupid enough to heed that advice would recall how Israel sold out, in 24 hours, the dogs that served it for 24 years.

[Vodka]

WHO WILL STAND UP FOR THE BAHAI'S???
The US??The west??
Is that what HA has in store for the Lebanese people ??

http://news.bahai.org/story/632

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/05/16/iran.bahais/index.html

[naja]

AK, correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that there is a struggle for the "marja3iyya" (the religious reference, if you will) amongst Shia - a struggle between the Qom leadership and the Najaf leadership, Khamenei v/s Sistani in other words. From what I understand (and I am no authority on the matter) the Qom doctrine which is Khomeini's testament, calls for a Shia nation beyond political boundaries, whereas Najaf (for which the late Mufti Shamseddine was a key proponent) calls for Shias to progress and grow within the nations in which they live. Qom currently has the upper hand, but Najaf's strength is growing thanks to developments in Iraq. Here at home, the friction is dulled by the fact that HA, which is totally aligned with Qom, is in control. Al-Amin reports to Najaf, it appears, and this is the main reason why he has been so outspoken. His forceful removal - which has stirred unease in the Higher Shiite Council - was apparently made under threats. This may run and run.

Again, I invite anyone who knows more about this to correct me or add more info. Dismiss it if you will, but this Qom v/s Najaf tug-of-war may be far more influential on events than we think.

[Andre]

The shia community is going to have to endure this type of abuse at the hands of HA until it rises up and turns against those hooligans. They are trying to stifle any decent and honorable voice from within that does not subscribe to their ideas and concepts of hatred and aggression. The choice for these brave shia souls is to be the voice of reason that could one day challenge HA and reduce their influence among the shia's.

[Bad Vilbel]

I remember someone laughing at me last week, when i predicted what would happen next:
- Arab envoy will come and attempt to negotiate a settlement. (check!)
- HA will end up getting all the things they've been demanding (Suleiman as president, some sort of veto power in the cabinet, a new electoral law).
- The weapons of HA will NOT be part of any agreement, except for perhaps some sort of "promise" not to use them internally (which no one believes anymore).

As someone commented above, the weapons were NOT in the arab statement.

Andre,

You are correct. This is what I have been saying all along. The ONLY way Lebanon is going to get rid of HA is if the shia community itself turns against HA. It HAS to be an epiphany WITHIN the community itself. This cannot come from outside. And frankly, I don't see this epiphany coming anytime soon.

[Ron Larson]

Don't you find it rather ironic that Hezbollah "over-reacted" to the removal of their airport cameras and manager. Yet they and their supporters claimed in 2006 that Israel over-reacted to their friendly little kidnapping of 2 soldiers. Gotta love how they always want things both ways, in their favor.

[Max Power]

Min Canada,

What do you expect Bush to do? Do you want him to come in and level Beirut and or drop 40k troops and have guys like M14 "on the fence" about having him there, nudge nudge wink wink. We all know where HA stands, how about some of the Government come and make a CLEAR statement instead of trying to please everybody. You want the US to stand for you? Stand up and grow a pair and make it known. Sinoira seems like a nice man put in an awkward position. HA/Syria leaked his "Mossad" creds and he has to give speeches like he did the other condemning Bush for speaking in Israel on behalf of the Palestinians. Meanwhile, he has a problem in house.

Bush and the Administration have done everything possible short of sending in Chuck Norris and Delta Force.

M14 wants the duality of every issue. They are too wishy washy when it comes to a solution.

The only way HA is dealt is either by force or an open market of ideas within the community. That's it, let's not blame US policy for this current mess at this moment. Syria Accountability Act and the HA being designated a terrorist organization and Bush has given his word that Lebanon will not fall into Syria/Iran/HA hands. The Navy is off the coast with the USS Whitney on it's way there.

As for Bush not being able to get a meeting, get a clue. He went to Israel and SA and offered to meet Sinoira, who was stupid to reject the meeting. He rejected so that HA could say he was a Zionist poodle.

[Max Power]

BTW,

Bush and the US government isn't too thrilled that they will be training and supplying an army that acted as an extension of HA in the last row over a government trying to enforce a law. Maybe that's Bush's fault as well as the economic package presented to Lebanon a year ago in the aftermath of 06. Bush should do more, only to have the Lebanese street protest an attack on HA and the "resistance". When you welcome a snake into your home, it may eventually bite you. It will eat it enemies 1st. and have it's supporters for dessert.

[Andre]

BV,

As history has taught humanity, the road to freedom from oppression starts with sacrifice. It is going to take a lot of work and courage to rise up to HA's hegemony, but once soemone steps up, more will feel empowered and join the effort until it turns the tide. It will happen, give it time. Look at what happened with Al Qaeda in Iraq, their former hosts are now chasing them and handing them to legal authorities after having experienced the oppression and humiliation at their hands. It's a matter of time before these independent voices are empowered and the tide turns....history is on their side.

[Min Canada]

You can't have it both ways Max Power. Either the Whitney is coming to get busy, or just keep it where it is. We have plenty of US Ships in the area doing nothing. At the beginning of your post you say you want the M14 to grow balls before the Americans come in. Then you say that Bush has given his !!word!! that Lebanon will not fall in the hands of the Syrians/Iran/HA. So what did he do when the Gov. took a bold step to cut the communication system and kick an Iranian operative in the Airport? Did they back them? Or did they let HA kick their butt?

I have no faith in the US anymore. As to Bush's word HAHAHHHHAAAAAAAHHAAAAHAHHHAAAA. Ya right!

[fubar]

Max,

This blog has enough Lebanese who beat themselves and their compatriots up on a daily basis. Really, there is no need for you to kick guys who are already down.

[ghassan karam]

Naja,
I have often discussed the Njaf/Qom schism if you will with an Iranian colleague who is extremeley well versed in Iranian matters. Your understanding is accurate. I am told that the interpretration of giving the Faqih power to rule over the nation started with Khomeini in 1970. Prior to that Najaf was the center of power and Najaf does not believe in the Vilayet al Faqih.

[Bad Vilbel]

Actually, Fubar, Max Power is 100% correct. the US has done everything it can to help Lebanon. March 14 has never once stood up and said out loud that it wants US help (we all know why). Max Power is right when he says M14 is wishy washy, and can't have it both ways. We all know they're stuck between a rock and a hardplace, but come on! You can't expect the US to do all the work, when Saniora is still busy crying on TV, shielding the "Resistance" and repeating how he'll be the last to sign a treaty with Israel, and how he'll help defend Syria from Israeli attack.

March 14 needs to stand up and state exactly what it stands for and who's side it's on, once and for all, and stop pussyfooting about it for fear that the big bad HA bogeyman might eat them. It's going to eat them anyway!

[LebExile]

I think this is the responsibility of March 14 to stand up for Al Amin. Hizbo wins loyalty among the shia through patronage, and as long as individual shia feel like they owe their positions and jobs to hizbo - there is no way you will win their trust. On the other hand, if the March 14 do not stand up for Al Amin - and he is replaced, then, that will give the shia another reason to trust the shia less!!!

[ghassan karam]

The following are a few quotes from Ayatollah Khomeini:
"Moslems have no alternative....to an armed holy war".

"Holy war means the conquest of all non-Moslem territories...It is therefore necessary for the Islamic government first to be created under the authority of the Imam in order that he may undertake the conquest"

"Anynonreligious power... is necessarily an atheistuc power, the tool of Satan"

"In this democracy (Islamic Republic) the laws are not madeby the will of the people. but only by the Koran and the Sunna"

"It is forbidden for any Moslem state to have commercial and diplomatic relations with countries which play the role of puppets for the great powers - as is the case with Israel-and it is the duty of all Moslemsto oppose such relations by every means available."

I could go on and on but this should suffice to buttress your understanding Naja.

[JoseyWales]

Bush does not owe Lebanon anything, but if he (and the French and the EU) are going to talk tough, they should do something or STFU.

Bush or no Bush, Saniora is a FUCKING loser who does not know where he is going.

Saniora can't say "muqawama" and "good relations with Syria" and "last to peace with Israel" and "don't shoot the Palestinian shooting at the army" and claim to be DIFFERENT from Hezbollah. Being Hezbollah-lite is a LOSER.

On Qom-Najaf, M14 and the gvmt should have, a long time ago, shored up Mufti Amine and others (and protected his home).

As important, they should have built contacts with NAJAF and the pro American Iraqi Shias in Baghdad to split some Leb Shia from Hezbo. Playing the Arab vs. Persian card.

The morons, as we know , are brain dead. The M14 "strategists' are also brain fucking dead.

[Bad Vilbel]

Josey,

You've just packed more strategy in this one comment than M14 has managed to put together in 3 years. Congratulations.

[ghassan karam]

JW,
I have said this at three times already, HA could not have done better than what they have accomplished under Saniors even if the PM belonged to the party. The guy is so afraid to take a decision and his heart is very much with the restistance that he wound, inadvertantly doing their bidding. He is the perfect mole isn't he? especially if you are to judge by results. LOL.

[ghassan karam]

JW,
I have said this at three times already, HA could not have done better than what they have accomplished under Saniors even if the PM belonged to the party. The guy is so afraid to take a decision and his heart is very much with the restistance that he wound, inadvertantly doing their bidding. He is the perfect mole isn't he? especially if you are to judge by results. LOL.

[Max Power]

Josey,

You make alot of good points.

Bush has promised support of every type and if the shit really hits the fan, he will react accordingly. Bush has also said that they must also negiotate and resolve the problem internally. Bush knows that M14 is serving to serve all and will make nobody happy. They need to get off the fence as this problem is growing because they haven't shown a set since the whole Cedar Revolution started. T

M14 needs to drop the whole "only enemy is Israel" and other garbage I've heard since this lastest crisis.
If Bush and the US didn't believe in Lebanon, Lebanon would be completely destroyed after the 06 affair and M14 would of fell along time ago.

As for Min Canada, what do you want the US to do? Bomb Lebanon and have the Lebanese street cry about Zionist interest being served?

Lebanon has a choice, it can either join a semblance of a modern society or can mire until the Palestinian and Syrians settle their debt with the Western World and Lebanon can come eat Syrian Crumbs off the table.

It's time that a REAL leader step up, Sinoira and M14 have served their purpose and it's time for a new front man. Not someone who blows off the US President and condemns Israel and cries for Palestine every chance out. It's akin to complain about all of the Dog shit on your neighbors lawn to the police, while ignoring the Rape of your Wife and your house being looted because you don't want to cause waves with the perps.

What needs to drop immediately is the reference to HA as the "resistance". Are you kidding me? Resistance to what? Why aren't they proactive in expelling El Sham's goons.

As for me "kicking while they are down". Come on, we are all sharing ideas. I was in Lebanon a few weeks back and was incredulous to hear people in the street hoping for Israel and or America bail them out. Meanwhile, alot of those same people were upset at the 06 attempt and how the "resistance" were heroes.

[danny]

The problem with Seniora and Saad is that they are losers and puppets. I doubt it if they've ever had an original thought or idea...Whatever KSA whispers, they scream out!! Then they blame WJ and SG! At least these lords of civil war spoke their mind. Seniora does not posses one; neither does Saad hariri.
Kissing HA ass does not a politician make!! I hope someone would just blast them off when they "invoke" Israel hatred, "Sister Syria" or "resistance" one more time...

Here we have a great supporter of the Cedar revolution; Mufti Ali Amin; who is being blasted, evicted and tossed out...and what do the March 14 leaders do? Nada!! I wisheed they'd cry out loud on TV, newspapers or other media!! Instead we see silence and complicity in the "dismissal" of their friend; I might add one of the only respected Shia voices...

As for the Najaf/Qum argument...It was evident for the past few years in Iraq. Especially lately where under the cover provided by Sistani, Maliki's government troops attacked and are still attcking Moktada Sadr's followers...

This is again one of the reasons Iran ordered the takeoverattenpt of Lebanon as they'd been losing influence in Iraq and Afghanistan..

[fubar]

Yeah, you guys are right. I don't know what I what thinking there for a minute.

Siniora sucks.

Hariri sucks.

M14 sucks.

Lebanon sucks.

The US sucks.

France sucks.

The EU sucks.

The UN sucks.

Saudi Arabia sucks.

In fact, the entire Middle East pretty much sucks.

And let's not forget to specifically name Israel, Syria, and Iran - they all suck.

Hope I didn't leave anyone out.

As for Sistani's quietism, forget it. Hezbollah answers to Iran - no quietism there. As long as Hezbollah maintains its Iranian money and arms, you can hawk quietism all day long but you will not make any meaningful sales. Sistani is seen as a threat by Iran because of his philosophy. Maybe, a decade from now, if Iraq prospers, Iranians will see the benefits of Sistani's way (some already do) and change. Lebanon can then benefit from the trickle down effect.

And, Vodka, no one will stand up for the Bahai. No one ever has. Iran has mistreated the Bahai forever. It is much worse since the revolution but, let's face facts, the Bahai were never treated well even under the Shah.

But while your at it, who will stand up for...
the women
the gays
the adulterers (in the eyes of Islam)
the Kurds
the Baluchis
and on
and on
and on...

So to answer your question, yes, this is what Iran has in mind for Lebanon and every other country as well. Lebanon is just lucky enough to be one of the first.

Max,

"I was in Lebanon a few weeks back and was incredulous to hear people in the street hoping for Israel and or America bail them out. Meanwhile, alot of those same people were upset at the 06 attempt and how the "resistance" were heroes."

Well, I guess it depends on who you associate with. Obviously, not Hezbollah or Amal. Hope you enjoyed your time in Lebanon. But you sure didn't have to go there to know that little tidbit. You could have just read this blog and others during the Summer War and in the past two weeks and seen that. Or you could have just hung out in Dearborn during the same times. So much for "we are all Hezbollah now." Guess its a little harder to "be Hezbollah" when Hezbollah has a gun pointed at your head.

/End Rant. Can someone just ping me when this bitchfest is over?

[Charlie]

What a surprise, a citizen loses his property rights to the thugs in charge in a banana republic called Lebanon what a F’n surprise!! When the law lays in the hands of thugs this is exactly what you get. But, hey wait no need to fear for the the Army is till united…yippy!

When the Army is on vacation who is gonna protect the rights of the citizens and their properties but the citizens themselves; anyone watched the Shouf and North? M14, specifically Harriri gotta wake up and recognize that building fancy structures on a rotten foundation means shit; it is all gonna come crumbling down sooner or later.

Don’t expect M14 to do crap for Amin, he is on his own so are most of the citizens in Lebanon. If Amin and people like him in the Shia community can’t bring some of the shia masses into their side and even arm them, then it is best they lay low cause their community has no room for them and HA/Amal will eventually kill them.

[ghassan karam]

Fubar,
I am glad that by complaining about the BitchFest you have managed to expand it. Let us widen the net even further. Who will stand up for the poor, the down trodden and the disinherited? How about the rights of the abused animals ? :-)
So don't be a party pooper come right in and join the fun. After all there is so much to bitch about.
Did you know that BitchFest is trade marked?

[fubar]

Ghassan,

"Did you know that BitchFest is trade marked?"

Something tells me I don't even want to know by who...

"Who will stand up for the poor, the down trodden and the disinherited? How about the rights of the abused animals ? :-)"

I'm leaving the poor, the down trodden, and the abused animals up to you. I have my hands full with the disinherited.

But...Who will speak for the trees?

[bint ras-beyrouth]

AK
ok, time to get a new enlightened and enlightening round of comments going - yaani, time for a new post. I want to read what you have to say. The "usual suspects" aka your habitual commentators sound like a broken record - everyone else is an idiot, unless they agree to this: everyone else is an idiot... hmmm, how does that work again?
I do hope your family's ok - we're the sandwich generation for sure. Good luck.

[JoseyWales]

If AK allows me,

Bint Ras Beirut, you're the new gal on the block, so take it easy and stop pestering AK for a post a minute and dissing the "usual suspects".

I know we repeat ourselves, but it's not like the situation in Lebanon is changing nor that our sainted leaders have daily original thoughts.

Plus I'd like to believe that when we call people "idiots" we state reasons that you are free to refute.

[Min Canada]

Josey I think what Bint Ras-Beyrouth is saying is that we have "Fallayna el-Amli" with the line of thought we have been pursuing. We are all waiting to see what happens in Qatar (Not much in my opinion) before we can move forward. We are all at a hightened anxiety as well. Too many things are happening very fast and no one - least of all me - has any confidence in any of the players anymore.

It would seem that the array of US Ships off of the Lebanese coast is growing by the minute, and that Bush is starting to talk louder and a bit more with certainty, but to what end? Will any of these resources be used? How? I no longer believe the US has the will to act. I would love to be mistaken.

The M14 in Qatar are trying to do their best under the circumstances. The negotiations are on-going, but what HA is asking for is tentimount to surrender. They want to dictate that the elections in 2009 will be won by them. Sharing the Beirut districts, but protecting their districts in the Bequaa and Hermil areas. I didn't hear about the Matin and Kisrwan yet, but I am sure they want to re-draw the maps to win across the board.

This issue will be of dramatic consequences. We have to look long term and assure that we have an advantage and that we don't lose our electoral ability or dilute it.

Yalla we will see what happens. My take? Ma fi 7all.

[ghassan karam]

I wish that some would refrain from making rash personal judgments and accusations. In an open forum one is bound to run across ideas and thoughts that one disagrees with or even thinks that such statements are even silly. So what? Isn't this the purpose of free dialogue and exchange of ideas?

After I read some of these reservations and "jabs" directed at the "Shallowness" and "stupidity" of the "usual suspects" I decided to investigate for myself the posts on this thread. Lo and behold what do I find? You be the judge:

Min Canada wonders about the silence of the Shia intellectuals.
Maverick thginks that the Government should encourage the anti HA Shia voices.
Min Canada points out that the traditional Shia leadership like the Asa'ads has no credibility
Vodka takes the issue even a step further by asking whether HA will do in Lebanon what the Mullahs have done to the Bahais in Iran.
Naja then proposes that we ought to weigh the Qom/Najaf schism
Karam Agrees with Naja and reminds readers that concept of Villayat al Faqih is less than 40 years old and supplies Khomeini quotes to reveal its radicalism.
A wide ranging discussion by Min Canada, Max, JW, BV and others is taking place regarding what Bush should do/ Could do/will not do ...
and finally JW/BV?Danny and Karam point to the fact that one cannot and should not expect much from PM Saniora

All in all the above is not akin to reading the London Times Review of Books but it ain't chicken feed either. So stay cool, read what you like and skip over what you don't. Freedom is messy and things happen.

[ghassan karam]

I wish that some would refrain from making rash personal judgments and accusations. In an open forum one is bound to run across ideas and thoughts that one disagrees with or even thinks that such statements are even silly. So what? Isn't this the purpose of free dialogue and exchange of ideas?

After I read some of these reservations and "jabs" directed at the "Shallowness" and "stupidity" of the "usual suspects" I decided to investigate for myself the posts on this thread. Lo and behold what do I find? You be the judge:

Min Canada wonders about the silence of the Shia intellectuals.
Maverick thginks that the Government should encourage the anti HA Shia voices.
Min Canada points out that the traditional Shia leadership like the Asa'ads has no credibility
Vodka takes the issue even a step further by asking whether HA will do in Lebanon what the Mullahs have done to the Bahais in Iran.
Naja then proposes that we ought to weigh the Qom/Najaf schism
Karam Agrees with Naja and reminds readers that concept of Villayat al Faqih is less than 40 years old and supplies Khomeini quotes to reveal its radicalism.
A wide ranging discussion by Min Canada, Max, JW, BV and others is taking place regarding what Bush should do/ Could do/will not do ...
and finally JW/BV?Danny and Karam point to the fact that one cannot and should not expect much from PM Saniora

All in all the above is not akin to reading the London Times Review of Books but it ain't chicken feed either. So stay cool, read what you like and skip over what you don't. Freedom is messy and things happen.

[Min Canada]

Hi Everyone,

I just finished reading an EXCELLENT article that I would recommend for everyone. PLEASE read it here:
http://atlanticfreepress.com/content/view/3786/81/

[bint ras-beyrouth]

Ghassan, please point out where I made "rash personal judgements and accusations" in my comment to AK, and where I used the words "shallowness" and "stupidity". I wasn't aware I named names or that making a general comment was personal and accusatory, judgemental or even rash.
Let me rephrase what I wrote in different terms that may be easier to follow:
I really like reading AK's political commentary blog. He writes very well about what a lot of expats are feeling/thinking, and I am grateful for that.
I generally enjoy reading the comments.
I noticed that the same handles are recurring in the comments.
There is a definite leitmotiv about how very inept the current Lebanese leaders/opposition are.
I don't think this is shallow, I think it's repetitive - TO ME. ME.
I don't think it's silly, it's just not too informative - TO ME. ME.
But then again, being the "new gal on the blog", I really did think I was entitled to my own opinion.
Just waiting for more news like all the rest of you.

[bad vilbel]

If we repeat ourselves, it's for the very simple reason that the Lebanese issue has been THE SAME SHIT for the past 40 years and that the Lebanese people, and their leaders, don't seem to have learned a thing in those 40 years and continue to repeat the same mistakes day after day. We're here to talk about Lebanon, and we can't help it if Lebanon does not provide any "new" subject matter to discuss.

I wish there will be a day that new topics will be upon us, as a testament to Lebanon having matured a bit. I'd love to discuss the details of a true presidential campaign (say, like the one in the US) where citizens got to vote for the president.
I'd love to discuss the merits or demerits of this or that private property law being passed in Beirut, or attempts by this or that lawmaker to introduce recycling to Lebanon. You know, modern and enlightened stuff, like what they discuss in France or Canada.

Unfortunately, Lebanon doesn't give us much to work with, in terms of subject matter. They've been whining and complaining about Zionist plans and Syrian hegemony, and Palestinian causes and "maronite this or shia that" for 40 years and that's all we've got to comment on.

[Min Canada]

Here is another excellent article to read let's discuss:
http://english.alarabonline.org/display.asp?fname=2008%5C05%5C05-09%5Czopinionz%5C965.htm&dismode=x&ts=09/05/2008%2010:55:54%20%C3%95

[s]

kais, you've really outdone yourself on this one. you've shown your knowledgable readers once and for all just how out of touch you are w/ lebanon. in case you missed the memo, al-amin has about as much legitimacy and following among lebanese shia as sistani has among american jews. in other words, my neighborhood vagrant might do better than he would in securing supporters today. this guy is a joke and for you to pretend otherwise by is truly troubling. so what if some amal thugs vandalized his office. when are you going to eulogize those in halaba that were hacked to pieces by the unassuming hariri-ites? seems you've now placed greater weight on concrete than human life. a truly sad day for the shiite writer of this blog...

[Umm K.]

Hey S, before you give us your "great" input on this post, please get the name of the blogger right. His name is ABU Kais, in otherwords AK...you do speak Arabic, don't you? Please do not address him as Kais.

[Min Canada]

S,
Go away.

[pragmatism works]

Umm K,

i think you are a bit rude with Min canada...why do yu care how we spell someone's name...why do you act as a boring English or Arabic grammar teacher

[pragmatism works]

hey Umm K,
i apologize about my earlier comment...i misunderstood the message

[Fuziyad]

to max power, josey wales and others....

The US administration clearly DID not do enough to support m14 during the late events. The support was so weak that it even raises questions if no deal was cut with Iran to calm things down in Iraq against some more freedom in Lebanon.

I agree it sounds weird but on the ground there is something that makes us look for explanations. I didn't expect the marines to come and liberate beirut from the pasdarans still, some more support could have been expected. I didn't evena hear a speach from the US adminsitration while hizbos were buring beirut...where was David Welch?? Condi?? why didn't they call for an immediate meeting of the security council asking for a tough decision?? this is what was supposed to happen and this is what m14 was expecting but it didn't happen...

[pragmatism works]

Fuziyad,

Remember that our government tried to "bayed wijou" with Hizb when the latter unilaterally decided to play with Israel causing huge damage to the economy and so on. At that time the Siniora government did not play it smart and tried to convince all superpowers that Hizb arms are sacred and designed to protect us from Israel and that "shit hiwar" (dialogue) of theirs will be the solution...have you ever ever heard in the history of humankind if a power deliberately delivering its weapons without a military defeat...

well when Hizb attacked Beirut...Bush sarcastically asked about the change of Hizb startegy from defending Lebanese people to attack them...Bush is not going to send his boys to die in Lebanon...if we really care we have got to prove to the world that the army belongs to the 14th of March...and if the shiaa would like to split from it..that shows that they are traitors and not patriots...the solution is to bring the army under the 14th wing..if not than no need for that army... it ain't able to defend the borders, neither from israel nor Syria, it ain't able to stand up against Hizb...heck...just do sthg....strike a deal with the superpower...conspire aginst your enemies and fight Hizb with their own strategy...SO WHAT..IF ISRAEL'S THREAT JUSTIFIES THE SILAH SHIT MOUQAWAMA...14TH OF MARCH SHOULD ARM TO THE TEETH ON THE GROUND OF SYRIAN AND IRANIA' THREAT...LET ME TELL YOU CRYING ON TV AND PLAYING THE VICTIMS WHILE SYRIA-IRAN-HIZB KILLING OUR LEADERS AND JOURNALISTS IS UNWISE AND SO DANGEROUS AND WE WON'T WIN LIKE THAT....

[Umm K.]

Because Kais is our son's name and people have abused it before (with Arabic insults), so I don't appreciate the use of it on this blog. Hence the use of "AK". I am not acting as a boring "English teacher".