Commentary on the FPM

 

The FPM (Free Patriotic Movement) is led by the former Army General Michelle Aoun. The leader fled for exile in the 1990’s, after confronting the Syrian military presence in Lebanon, which was dubbed the “War of Independence”. The former Generals exile coinciding with the end of the civil war.

After 15 years, the General returned to Lebanon in March 2005. His party, and the followers he had amassed, participated in the Anti-Syrian protests of March 15. Although, as things progressed, both the March 8 and March 14 forces ignored General Michelle Aoun to form an alliance ahead of the Lebanese General Elections.

Arguably, they both feared the stance the new-comer may adopt and had perceived him as weak and ineffective – especially due to his long absence. March 14 could not risk their alliance with the PSP, Phalanges and Lebanese Forces for an alliance with an unpredictable Aoun. Similarly, the Hezbollah and pro-Syrian camp could not risk an alliance with a Aoun who had periodically waged war with their ally and the friction in relations between them and Syria if Aoun would be allowed into the camp.

The Forgotten People of Cedar Land

Lebanon is a unique country in every aspect. It is amazing. Despite all the problems in my native country – I still love it. I’m not the only one. Despite the wars, corruption, scandalous politicians and awkward parties, many Lebanese – both at home and abroad – are still attached to this small piece of land like no other.

I want to focus on the aspect that fills me with pride. The diversity in Lebanon tops everything I love about this country. Yes, we are extremely liberal and open people. Yes, we are also extremely hospitable and educated. But to see a native Lebanese Jew talking of their concern and love for this country truly touches you.

Mess with the best, Die like the rest!

It’s the biggest online shooter game in the world. With tens of millions of users and hundreds of thousands of servers, it is not easy to avoid being drawn in. The spectacular game play, graphics and range of maps and game types included does not make it’s addiction easier to overcome.

Counter Strike and Counter Strike: Source (CS & CSS) are the best games I have ever played. Especially the Source version. The graphics are wow. The speed is incredible. The sound, communication – everything just puts you in the game.

Pity the Nation

Pity the nation that is full of beliefs and empty of religion.

Pity the nation that wears a cloth it does not weave, eats a bread it does not harvest, and drinks a wine that flows not from its own wine-press.

Pity the nation that acclaims the bully as hero, and that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful.

Pity a nation that despises a passion in its dream, yet submits in its awakening.

Pity the nation that raises not its voice save when it walks in a funeral, boasts not except among its ruins, and will rebel not save when its neck is laid between the sword and the block.

Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox, whose philosopher is a juggler, and whose art is the art of patching and mimicking.

Pity the nation that welcomes its new ruler with trumpeting, and farewells him with hooting, only to welcome another with trumpeting again.

Pity the nation whose sages are dumb with years and whose strong men are yet in the cradle.

Pity the nation divided into fragments, each fragment deeming itself a nation.

Banksy!

He is a legend. A true rebellion. An anarchistic graffiti artist on a loose around the world. From the streets of London, to the Middle East and into the houses Bradjelina (Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt). It is the renounced and mysterious Banksy.

I would like to dedicate this post to him. Featuring some of his work with a bit of commentating of my own.

The wall of separation or the wall of Paradise? Some Palestinians thought Banksy made the wall beautiful with the graffiti he made on it. But they did not want it to look beautiful because they were supposed to hate it!

   

       

     

Incompetency

A new image has hit the internet. It a moped with a number plate depicting an image of the Lebanese cedar with two Thulfiqar swords (the sword of Imam Ali, the Shi’ite’s most sacred person after the Prophet), with the words in Arabic reading, “Jumhuriyyat al-Dahyeh”. This translates into “The Republic of Dahyeh” The word Dahyeh literally means Suburbs. In Lebanon, it is a reference to the Beirut Southern Suburbs.

The picture speaks for itself. As they say, a picture contains a thousand words, and this one contains a thousand synonyms for forgery, deception, hate and provocation. A rusted, busted moped will unlikely have such a shiny and brand-new looking number-plate. It is called a number-plate to have a number on it not an insignia. The photo has been clearly PhotoShoped and toyed around with.

One question that pops up in my head as soon as I see stuff like this is: Why? What benefit do you get from it? A bit of a laugh? Why are you messing with the Shi’ites when they’re leaving you alone. Don’t forget they’re boiling in anger and armed to the teeth with some of the best trained, most organised, experienced and relentless fighters in the Middle East. Certainly the strongest Guerilla force in the world and undoubtedly stronger than some national armies (such as, um, the Lebanese Army?)

This is the photo:

The Effects of Globalisation on the Pharmaceutical Industry

Globalisation can be described as a process which the people of the world are into a single society. This process is a combination of economic, technological, socio-cultural and political forces. The Pharmaceutical factor comes as a hybrid of economic and technological forces. The trend of Globalisation was first recognized in the mid-1940s and the term was later used in 1981. The pharmaceutical industry is a commercial business whose focus is to research, develop and/or distribute drugs – conventionally under the context of healthcare.

                In March 2001, South Africa was sued by 41 Pharmaceutical companies for their Medicine Act, which allowed the import and generic production of cheap AIDS drugs. The case was later dropped after protest around the world. This incident clearly reflects the influence of pharmaceutical matters on the international scene. Although, it would be a mistake to consider that all effects of globalization on the pharmaceutical industry are negative – or for that matter, entirely positive.

                The pharmaceutical industry has taken advantage of the modern trend of globalisation to increase their assets and influence in medical healthcare across the globe. Companies spend large amounts of money on advertising, marketing and lobbying (government or parliament i.e. the decision-making body). The industry spends roughly US$19 billion a year for that sole cause.

On the Beirut US-Embassy Bombing

“US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday expressed “outrage” at what she called a terrorist attack against a US embassy vehicle in Beirut that left three people dead.

“I want to state the outrage of the United States against the terrorist attack that took place in Lebanon today,” Rice said at a joint press conference here with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal.”

“Saudi Arabia condemned the bombing attack on a US embassy car north of Beirut on Tuesday, calling it a ‘terrorist act’ meant to prevent stability in Lebanon.”

Please, don’t get me wrong. These attacks have killed 4 of my own people. I am outraged and feel disgusted by these attacks. But notice how the Americans and their Arab puppets jump up and rush to condemn anything that endangers the US interests in the Middle East.

I condemn all acts perpetrated wrongly, including the ones taking place on a daily basis in Palestine and periodically in Lebanon. Thank god no American citizens died in the attack, otherwise we might have those new Saudi Arabian Euro-fighters  circling the sky trying to find the perpetrators – something like Israel’s tactics.

When thousands die in Lebanon by Israeli jets, America is not outraged and Saudi Arabia -  supposedly the champion of the Arab world and the Islamic”ummah”, or what’s left of both – both find satisfaction in that. I really don’t get it. I’m lying, I do.