tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31339036.post116485615305754589..comments2023-11-03T08:37:31.685-07:00Comments on Voices on the Wind (from Lebanon and Beyond): The cards have been dealt... Time for the showdownRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01594337050083581727noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31339036.post-1165060731499993202006-12-02T03:58:00.000-08:002006-12-02T03:58:00.000-08:00Great piece.I had posted on YaLibnan that I could ...Great piece.<BR/><BR/>I had posted on YaLibnan that I could not trust DerGeneral that the one to shoot first will loose. And yes, we both used Herr General; somewhat subliminally, we may all be seeing what a Great Dictator HassAoun can be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31339036.post-1164982747193809902006-12-01T06:19:00.000-08:002006-12-01T06:19:00.000-08:00Well said, R. Both in post and comment.Well said, R. Both in post and comment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31339036.post-1164950763014132532006-11-30T21:26:00.000-08:002006-11-30T21:26:00.000-08:00We are on the same page Ghassan... I have no illus...We are on the same page Ghassan... I have no illusions regarding march 14's capabilities and limitations with regards to state building. The only reason I am invested in them winning is because by them winning, on the long run and with a lot of hard work a positive transformation in Lebanon might be possible. From the bottom up. On the other hand, if they lose, a different kind of transformation will be inevitable, and not of the kind that can be kicked out after 30 years of military presence. Rather it will be a transformation of the kind that crappy inborn dictatorships force, from the top all the way down.Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01594337050083581727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31339036.post-1164950260888020222006-11-30T21:17:00.000-08:002006-11-30T21:17:00.000-08:00R, we have over the months dealt with this issue o...R, we have over the months dealt with this issue of leadership, reponsibilty,independence, modernity etc.. many times. Many of us are on the same side and I do hope that the Lebanese, at least a major part of the Lebanese, will finally scream that enough is enough and that they will take back the country.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately I don't think that it is going to work that way. March 14 might be a well meaning bunch but they sure lack the ability to lead and to be decisive. As for the masses, let us be realistic, they are still predominantly that. They cannot be expected to grow up and mature politically overnight. <BR/><BR/>I am still of the opinion that the forces of authoritarianism will not win in the final analysis. But Lebanon, and I hate to admit it, will dissapoint the forces of modernity one more time. The grouping of March 14 has history on its side. History unfolds itself forward with a few setbacks but forward it will move. If March 14 is going to win the struggle then why am I not rejoicing? Because even when they win they will not create the modern , non-sectarian liberal state that many of us want. They cannot do that because lasting revolutions must not come from the top and i have not seen any signs that the Lebanese are ready to adopt a society based on institutions, meritand law and order.<BR/><BR/>Yes let us by all means frustrate the goals of HA/Amal?aoun?Lahoud and their masters but let us notbelieve for a moment the chimera that March 14 is capable to leading the way to the promised land.Even if they prove to be able to march to the promised land, I am afraid that not many will follow. I do not think that we are at the stage where we are ready to let go of Bkirki, Muftis, Imams and the traditional tribal leaders, be they Arslans , Jumblats , Karamis or Franjiehs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31339036.post-1164938755483586722006-11-30T18:05:00.000-08:002006-11-30T18:05:00.000-08:00agreed.agreed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31339036.post-1164930902690629342006-11-30T15:55:00.000-08:002006-11-30T15:55:00.000-08:00My thoughts exactly (except for March 14 counter-d...My thoughts exactly (except for March 14 counter-demo).JoseyWaleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04107151613511099711noreply@blogger.com