Circus of Irrelevance

The number of Lebanese blogs has exploded after July 12, as have the number of comments on said blogs. The quality, on the other hand, went straight down as the degree of irrelevance went straight up.

What do Israel/Bush/Hezbollah want? What were their intentions before all of this started? What are their intentions now? Who are the bad guys? Who are the good guys? Did the Qana building collapse in 5 minutes or 8 hours? How many warnings were given to the hapless UN guys before bombing? Was it a Katyusha or a Fajr or a Shahine rocket?

Who cares? So what? Those questions do not change a thing.

Rally here and rally there. Make sure you rally against war, because you know the other side desires war, and delights in killing innocent children for no reason.

Poets, songwriters and official Arab spokes-idiots are working overtime, bringing to mind the fable of the Arab Prince:

My Lord, my lord, the enemy is at the gates of our city, what shall we do? Tell the people not to worry, I have written a poem against it.

Petition this and petition that. Make sure you are on record somewhere that you are against war, and for peace. Get a clear conscience on the cheap. Lest people think you are a warmonger.

"Cease-fire Now" say the knee-jerk peaceniks who don't understand there is a connection between battlefield developments and the negotiating table. "Cease-fire Now" DEMAND Siniora and his ministers when they could not even demand a falafel sandwich from their own orderlies.

While in Beirut, with minor exceptions, I found the discourse by politicians and by TV commentators to be appalling.

One journalist-bimbo with tattooed-and-botoxed lips (like the war wasn't scary enough) suggested it was OK for Hezbo to take us to war because they are, after all, a Lebanese party with supporters and representation in parliament. It took me 5 minutes to recover my breath.

A moron on LBC (Nharkom Sa3id, not sure of his name maybe Walid Abboud)) spent an hour discussing with his guest whether Hezbo had anticipated the Israeli response or not. Yeah, the guy under the rubble really cares about that.

The same LBC guy then uttered something to the effect that "yeah there was devastation in the country but what about the honor of the Lebanese and the Arabs." I don't know if he was merely playing devil's advocate but he sounded like a fucking idiot. Again, the guy who lost his family really cares about that.

Finally that same idiot and others (and poll questions) went on to ponder: what of the timing of the operation? Do you approve or disapprove of the timing?

LOADED question if I ever saw one. See, let's talk about the timing and the screwing up of the summer season, not that this action by Hezbo was an irresponsible criminal and catastrophic decision.

Of course, other things equal, it would have been better to let the poor Lebanese make a few bucks this summer. However what kind of demented people discuss sovereignty, national security, and the long-term 30-year future of the nation in terms of a 2-month summer outlook??? Next time Israel and Hezbo, it's OK to have your war and destroy the Lebanese infrastructure, as long as it is in February not July!!!!

That's in part how we got here. Ssshhhh, let Hezbo do whatever, the tourists are coming. Ssshhhh, let Hezbo do whatever because things are quiet this week, let's kick the can up the road. Not only that, let's make sure we compliment Nasrallah and his party of crazies at every turn cuz, wink-wink, there may be a few votes for me next election.

Silly intellectuals will bore you with dates and citations and irrelevant rhetoric. Crazy ideologues want to drown the debate and hide the issue with irrelevant notions: 1948, Palestinian plight, Bush, the umma, Kuntar, Shebaa, whatever. It was hell trying to get informed in Beirut surfing the channels.

I know this: Israel had been threatening all of Lebanon with pain and destruction. It finally decided to act after Hezbo committed an act of war (killing 8 soldiers and kidnapping 2 in Israeli territory).

My own ass could have, and did, predict this catastrophe. Why couldn't Nasrallah, Lahoud, Siniora etc? And if they did see it coming they look even worse.

The main fact to focus on: Had Hezbo not crossed the Blue Line in contravention with the 1949 armistice and other resolutions, the catastrophe would have been avoided. Israel was waiting for an excuse? Don't give them the fucking excuse.

Now Hezbollah screwed up big time and it is back to: "Sssshhh" let "them" do whatever because we are under attack. NO. We tried that. It does not work.

How about this, the government denounces Israel and Nasrallah and pledges all sorts of support for the South and its population now and in the future. Also, the army moves into non-Hezbo areas and vacated Hezbo areas gradually but starting with a couple of areas NOW (not Bint Jbeil obviously). The army also announces it will do that for every vacated area and fire on anyone trespassing, including Israel (has to be done very skillfully).

No international force, no waiting for Condi, no talks with anyone and certainly not Nasrallah. Anyone against that (Lahoud etc)? Speak up and go down as a traitor (again).



PS I recognize the last part is not very well thought-out but I think something along those lines is workable. I wanted to include a potential solution to counter those who always make excuses that "nothing" can be done.