As I am having dinner tonight, I hear loud music on the street. It is a car with loudspeakers passing by, emitting a political message. It is an ominous sound. The drums of war are all around now.
I think not many people missed last Sunday’s speech of druze leader Joumblatt. “Our existence, dignity and Lebanon are more important than anything else. You want disorder, so be it, (. . . ) you want war, so be it. We have no problem with weapons, no problem with missiles. We will take your ready-to-use missiles. We have no problem with martyrdom and suicide,” he said.
Hariri, another pro-government leaders mentioned last week the movement is ready for confrontation with Iran, Syria and their allies if dragged into one. One of his speeches this week resulted in gun fire all over my neighborhood. Due to the expertise of a military observer, I now know that my direct neighbors are the proud owners of some AK47’s, some M16’s and a Magnum. Well, at least I know now who not to mess with.
The other side is equally upbeat. Deputy head of Hizbullah's political bureau, Mahmoud Qomati, replied that "They say they are ready for a confrontation and ready for war … We are the strongest. We are the wisest, the most capable and the most patient.(…) But there is a limit for patience," Qomati warned. "You have to be aware from our moment of fury.(…)Snipers will not prevent us from going to the streets when we decide on that."
Well, all that is very reassuring for simple citizens like me. We’ve moved from “Will there be a civil war?” to ‘when will the civil war start?” Or rather; ‘when—in hindsight—historians will say this (second civil) war started?
I’ve got to write up a story for Thursday’s big demonstration, but wonder where I should take it. Shall I predict doom and say that there appears to be a growing belief that the crisis will not be resolved peacefully? Or shall I stay in the safe, and say that the parties currently are still trying to resolve their differences? We all know that’s a load of b#$*&^%@. Things aren’t looking good, but I’ve been saying that for months now, and still nothing has happened. These are strange times.
I think not many people missed last Sunday’s speech of druze leader Joumblatt. “Our existence, dignity and Lebanon are more important than anything else. You want disorder, so be it, (. . . ) you want war, so be it. We have no problem with weapons, no problem with missiles. We will take your ready-to-use missiles. We have no problem with martyrdom and suicide,” he said.
Hariri, another pro-government leaders mentioned last week the movement is ready for confrontation with Iran, Syria and their allies if dragged into one. One of his speeches this week resulted in gun fire all over my neighborhood. Due to the expertise of a military observer, I now know that my direct neighbors are the proud owners of some AK47’s, some M16’s and a Magnum. Well, at least I know now who not to mess with.
The other side is equally upbeat. Deputy head of Hizbullah's political bureau, Mahmoud Qomati, replied that "They say they are ready for a confrontation and ready for war … We are the strongest. We are the wisest, the most capable and the most patient.(…) But there is a limit for patience," Qomati warned. "You have to be aware from our moment of fury.(…)Snipers will not prevent us from going to the streets when we decide on that."
Well, all that is very reassuring for simple citizens like me. We’ve moved from “Will there be a civil war?” to ‘when will the civil war start?” Or rather; ‘when—in hindsight—historians will say this (second civil) war started?
I’ve got to write up a story for Thursday’s big demonstration, but wonder where I should take it. Shall I predict doom and say that there appears to be a growing belief that the crisis will not be resolved peacefully? Or shall I stay in the safe, and say that the parties currently are still trying to resolve their differences? We all know that’s a load of b#$*&^%@. Things aren’t looking good, but I’ve been saying that for months now, and still nothing has happened. These are strange times.
3 comments:
"Empty vessels make the loudest noises..." I personally dont think there's going to be a war... I just think that it's a showdown of who can garner more people on the streets... At least i hope so... If anyone was truly idiotic enough to engage the other side in war, they wouldn't announce it so loud.. Let's hope for a quiet next week!!
What's the conflict between emotions and ratio?
My the peace be upon you and your family. I pray for silence of the drums you mentioned!!!!
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