Global Voices Online

A wide variety of topics were highlighted in the Lebanese blogosphere this week. There are campaigns against sectarianism, child abuse and AIDS as well as minorities speaking out. There are attempts to define the shades of grey in internal Lebanese politics. We also have posts about the media, nice photos from Lebanon and some political cartoons. Countries around Lebanon also had their share of criticism. Anyway enough of that now and let’s check out a sample of these posts:

The Jews of Lebanon think it’s time to speak up:

Is it time to speak out? We have been seriously considering approaching the Lebanese government regarding our concerns and issues and getting an official response. Every indication suggests that the government regards the Jewish community as any other minority in Lebanon and as such, we expect a favorable response.

Lebanese Bloggers Forum has a post on the campaign against sectarianism in Lebanon:

I have recently received the images below by e-mail from a couple of friends under the heading of “Stop Sectarianism Before It Stops Us”….And given the recent rise in sectarian political tensions in Lebanon, I thought this would be as good a time as any, and this forum as good a place as any to air these fresh, smart, provocative and highly relevant images, and the ideas they raise.

Annie highlights the November 19th International Day Against Child Abuse, saying that abuse can manifest itself in different forms, from verbal abuse to GBV (Gender-based violence) and sexual abuse, school and domestic violence.

While Liliane tells us of 12 ways to join the fight against AIDS.

Moving away from campaigns to the media, Pierre Tristam has the following to say about Al Jazeera English channel not being allowed to broadcast in the US:

Al-Jazeera's English edition has been in the works for a couple of years. In the past year new cable channels for toddlers, for homosexuals (not that there's, etc…), for blacks, for shoppers and alleged Christians have been added. The spectrum widens perpetually. It's America's other obesity problem. And you want to tell me that there was no room for Al-Jazeera's channel? I'm not attacking al-Jazeera here, but pointing out the duplicity of America's cable barons.

Politically, Mustapha has a primer on the different shades of political groups making up the Lebanese opposition.

And Remarkz explains the shades of Lebanese politics in general:

Let me summarize the political reality: 1- Syria and Iran need Hizbullah 2- Washington and Israel need the 14th of March 3- Hizbullah has proven to be unbeatable, has a strong social base, is an example of strength for the world at large, has always shown to be very straight in their actions, etc. 4- The 14th of March is a collection of feudal/sectarian lords and their employers one hiding in the mountains, the other crying whenever things get out of hand or reality does not match what the chancellor has promised, another being happy to see that the country could be divided, etc. 5- I won't even go into who is corrupted and who isn't. With all this in mind do you still think Syria and Iran's influence on Hizbullah is more harmful then Washington's on 14th of March? Come on, it's basic political “mathematics”.

There is also this interesting thread of discussion/debate between Michael J. Totten and a member or supporter of Hezbollah who calls himself Al Ghaliboon.

Political cartoons are a way Marxist From Lebanon expresses his opinions on the events in the Middle East.

Sophia posts about Zionism and Islamic extremism:

Zionism is always arguing that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is to blame on Arabs and Palestinians. To that effect, Zionist narrative is always struggling with memory when it comes to pin the blame of the ongoing conflict in a precise fashion and not only on Arabs and Palestinians in general; in this case ‘Islamic' extremism as Foxman words it. This is ironic because memory, but only Holocaust memory, is the bread and butter of Zionism. It is also ironic that when Israel conquered land in Palestine, it was mainly thanks to Jewish extremism at a time ‘Islamic' extremism did not exist in Palestine and the Arab world! Of course, for history and news illiterates and media sheep, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict starts on September 11th! Zionism is then culpable of the most blatant revisionism of our modern history. Now, Mr. Foxman, when would you like me to start your Holocaust in order to shift the blame from Nazis to someone else, and why not Zionists? History has never been an exact science and the media have never been History luminaries. So why not take advantage?

Making amends and what Olmert should do after he apologized for the killing of civilians in Beit Hanoun is the topic of one of Leila Abu-Saba's posts.

On the lighter but interesting side Maya[at]NYC tells us about what she considers irritating traits that some people have:

The modern gent. Don’t rush (almost throwing me out of the way) to beat me to opening the door. I can do it easily on my own. Also, for your information, I can and like to pay for my food. Just don’t make me pay for yours!

The down-sizer. “My job is better that your job. My car is better than your dad’s car. My mom’s hair is better than your mom’s”…. go practice your inferiority complex somewhere else…

Any one related to Nayla Mouawad. Although that is punishment in itself, keep your miseries in your family. (cheap shot, I know: I can’t help it! Please understand.)

The liar, the ignorant, the racist, the stiff, the very religious (any religion), the stingy, the obsessive…

Sietske tells of how she got her wallet back after losing it at the “Victory Rally” of Hezbollah 60 days ago.

Finally here are some beautiful pictures from Lebanon by Blogging Beirut.