Hell Has Opened Its' Gates in Lebanon

As I wrote three weeks ago, Hell is close to open its gates, tonight Hell has opened its gates in Lebanon (Post is being updated as more updates are taking place)

Who Was Pierre Gemayel

Two days from today, the showdown between 14th of March and 8th of March was supposed to take place. Today, a whole day of exchange of words between 14th of March and 8th of March(Aoun's block included) each being more "patriotic" and "lovable" to their country.

The late 34 year old Pierre Gemayel, Minister of Industry, was assassinated and hell has opened its gates in this political chaos of bi-polar camps. This has impacted Lebanon to kingdom come.

Pierre Gemayel is a "Christian" Maronite Leader, who was a third generation of controversial family. Pierre Gemayel is the grandson of the founder of the Phalange Party, whose name is Pierre Gemayel. Pierre's uncle and father were Presidents of Lebanon. Bashir Gemayel was assassinated in the middle of the Israeli Invasion once made it to President, while his father became President after the assassination of his brother. Both were labeled as Pro-US allies. To say the truth, even though I never liked the Phalange, but I am over shocked about the name of the assassinated, and moreover that pushes me to worry about the future of the nation.

Pierre Gemayel was last of the line to be assassinated among the Gemayels. He is the 6th of the Gemayel Family to be assassinated, not to forget that his grandfather was almost assassinated.

Pierre Gemayel also represented the tradition of the Maronite leaders, and he is represented the Phalange Party while mass support was directly from the Lebanese Forces. Already on Lebanese TVs reflected in the hospital how his supporters were accusing Syria and the 14th of March's arch-enemy: Aoun. Pierre Gemayel comes from a powerful ex-military organization. If the supporters tonight decide to retaliate, then tomorrow we shall witness the return of the Civil war.

The Timing of the Assassination

The late Pierre Gemayel also was assassinated in the middle of his "supporters'" area. This is also a clear message to the 14th of March that whoever is behind these assassinations, they can reach them in their Strongholds. The timing was even more dramatic. Pierre Gemayel was murdered in the middle of Press Conference by his close ally Sa'ad el Harriri (Son of Rafiq el Harriri). The timing couldn't have been better for whoever did this assassination: Harriri was accusing Syria of his father, and now he re-inforced the accusations public to aggravate worse.

Meanwhile, the assassinations have restored the grassroot support for 14th of March. Hence, now Lebanon has two over-charged camps lining up against each other, just as Hezbollah's schedule to hit demonstrations were two days from now. Everytime a 14th of March figure was assassinated, their grassroots were lined-up and charged with anger (Personally I can't blame them) and Sectarianistic line-ups would become worse. From the other side, the 8th of March (Free Patriotic Movement included) were already ready to hit the streets, so technically both camps are charged and let us hope no confrontation would take place.

To send the country in a chaotic hell, now one minister is less in the Government and this threatens the Seniora government. Clearly attempts to send this nation to turmoil has worked by assassinating the young Pierre Gemayel. Sadly people do not notice where we are heading to. In Lebanon, just as his uncle was assassinated, there were two camps: one celebrating and one crying. The nation is charged, and the masses now are more charged than ever. This assassination attempts to hinder the International Court which was a major controversial topic that increased the split.

Worse, Pierre Gemayel is another name, except for Rafiq el Harriri and attempt on Marwan Hmaidi, that were a symbolic Christian Figure. The rest were all Christians: Samir Qassir, George Hawwi, May Chidiac, Jubran Tuieni, Elias el-Murr, Bassil Fliehan... even though by-standers were standing and got killed (today reportedly by LBC two were killed). This has over-charged the Christian Street more than ever, specially with the assassination of a third generation of the Gemayels, whose histories reflect massive support by the Christian side, we will be standing at a dawn of a civil war (second threat) if 8th of March proceeds with this demonstration.

Now, the question is who stands behind those assassinations?

I am sure I will reject the stupid allegations that Sulieman Frangieh did: "14th of March were behind this assassination".

Whoever did this assassination gambled on sending nation to another turmoil Already these two days represent the mourning of the late Rene Mou'awad who paid with his life in opposing all foreign intervention inside Lebanon.

When CNN correspondent Brat Saddler was asked who was behind this assassination? He answered it can be blamed on anyone... Syrian, and Israel.

Syria would be avoiding the International Court from forming inside Lebanon with UN intervention. Israel would succeed in sending the country into a civil war in order to wound Hezbollah. The altenatives are not ending. For example, if Syria is blamed while Israel committed this assassination, then Israel played a game of the life-time. Vice-Versa, if Syria did this murder, then it would have secured its interests in keeping Lebanon in a weakened position for future interests.

As we move on:

All 14th of March pointed fingers to Syria. Different blocks agreed on accusing Syria. PSP figure Bou Fa'our, along with Neyla Mou'awad have accused Syria. Only difference he asked for all the Lebanese to be patient and calm rather draw Lebanon to a civil war.

The first to denounce this assassination were the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (Syrian not for current Syria even though Loyalty to them, but Syrian for Greater Syria). The Syrian Social Nationalist Party were the first to denounce the Crime and called it an attoricity. They were involved in Assassination of Bashir Gemayel in beating the Lebanese Communist Party during the Civil War to assasinate them. At least they demanded both sides to remain calm and warned that this assassination is attempted to split the nation to a civil war.

Now on TV Bou Fa'our and a minor 14th of March figure were interrupted as people were screaming "14th of March! Hit the Street! Walid Beik join us to the street). This is exactly the fear where tonight's escalations might trigger a civil war.

Amin Gemayel entered the hospital, father of Pierre Gemayel, the supporters yelled Pierre Gemayel is Alive within us. Amin Gemayel asked that this night is a night of prayer and people should not behave out of instinct. This saying used to be said in reference to Bashir Gemayel by the Lebanese Forces and Phalange party. Ex-President Amin Gemayel is asking everyone not to seek revenge and everyone to remain calm. Walid Junblatt is hugging Amin Gemayel. Junblatt demanded all Lebanese to be calm, but insisted that the International Court is coming to Lebanon to get all the assassins to Justice.

News Update

Walid Junblatt and AMAL movement asked all Lebanese to mourn. Now at least all factions are calming things down... Aoun is probably terrified because this would cost him his "masses". His group did not say anything yet. We heard he is doing a meeting at his "People's" house in Rabbieh.

Jaajaa demanded that President Lahoud should resign and asked the Shiite ministers to return to the Cabinet (Hezbollah and AMAL), Lahoud said that he understands how he feels with Amin Gemayel because "Pierre Gemayel is like his son" (Go figure that out since it was Pierre Gemayel asking him to resign. President Lahoud canceled his "Independence" welcoming festival of Independence.

6:43, Bolton denounces the assassination on Pierre Gemayel, he argues that democratic forces need to be protected. He considers the International Tribune is the solution. Burns labels the assassination as a terrorist act and says that the US administration would give unlimited support to the Seniora Government

6:45, ex-President Amin Gemayel is accepting condolences in St. Joseph's Hospital

7:05, Gemayel's escort, Samir Shartouni, died from wounds.

7:10 The Phalangists burnt tires and closed a bridge on Byblos protesting on the assassination, security officials scattered the demonstrators and put the fire out as well as re-opening the route to Tripoli.

7:15, Moscow Denounces Political Assasinations (which is ironic since they already got a case on it).

7:25, Seniora Government declares that there will be three days mourning (friday included).

7:25, Minister Phar'oun's Media Office in Ashrafieh declares that the ones who shot on their office ran in a white Suzuki Car.

7:25, General Aoun finally speaks: denounces the assassination on Pierre Gemayel and asks that internal conflict takes place and considers this an attempt to divide the Christians(less than 5 minutes speech)

7:32, European union, France, and Egypt denounce the assassination (most probably half of them are safe-guarding interests).

7:32, Moubarak streses that all Lebanese should go to Dialogue (which is ironic since he is an oppressor of his own people and refuted to kick out the Israeli Ambassador during the July War).

7:38, LBC reporter says that there was a car standing next to Pierre Gemayel's car, and shot at a point blank distance on Pierre while the driver of Pierre went directly to the hospital.

7:40, Seems Burial Ceremony will take place in St. George in Down Town one O'Clock

7:45, clashes between Syrian Social Nationalist Party and the Phalange in Bikfaya (historic Phalanges Stronghold). In Bikfaya, the branch of the SSNP is on Bikfaya Square (Matn). Rumours say that the SSNP and Phalange exhanged words and an SSNP shot a bullet, while the Phalange started breaking cars. The Army interverned and formulated a siege. In all cases, it is fortunate that the Lebanese Army controlled the situation because there are neighboring villages up there that are either Lebanese Forces or SSNP.

8:03, European Union, Egypt, and France denounce the assassination.

8:03, France is sending its Foreign Minister to participate in the funeral tomorrow

8:03, Moubarak advices the Lebanese to resort to dialogue rather enter an internal conflict (no need to remind Moubarak about his totalitarian regime!)

8:04, LBC reporter, Bush Administration denounces the assassination of Pierre Gemayel and considers it a terrorist act (my personal opinion that Bush is the last to speak since his record of terrorism is dozens of pages long).

8:04, European Union expresses unlimited support to Seniora as they denounce the assassination.

8:04, LBC reports Hezbollah's block send condolences to Amin Gemayel and considered that this is an attempt to trigger a civil war.

8:15, Tony Blair denounced this assassination and argues that Democracy should be protected (I think he is still celebrating "democracy" in Iraq). He also considered there was no reason for it (you don't say Mr. Blair? how about a Civil War or total Chaos?)

8:30, UN representative in Lebanon was shocked from this terrorist act and will make sure that this case is part of the International Tribunal.

8:40, LBC gives full report about all parties and ex-MPs denouncing the crime and agreed at least it was aiming to trigger a civil war

Between 9:30 - 12:00 updates

Bush has showed special interest in it as he has hopes it is Hezbollah to pitch in marginalizing them.

Kofi Annan denounced the assassination and confirmed the importance of the International Tribunal.

Syria: Considered that Lebanon's weakness is a weakness to Syria. (We can thank them for that part at least).

UN Security Council: Stressed on the importance of the International Tribunal, and confirmed that the International Tribunal has been voted on to investigate the assassination of Harriri, Pierre Gemayel is to be included within the line-up. They denounced the assassination on Pierre Gemayel and considered it that the assassination on the minister was due to the fact he was a symbolic figure in the "Cedar Revolution" (well I still call it 14th of March demonstration). Actually this was an offensive on what "Pierre Gemayel signified as political freedom".

Jordan: National Unity should be a priority

Arab League: denounced the Assassination of Pierre Gemayel

14th of March: Meantime, a whole set of meetings took place in the Phalange Branch in in Beirut, where all figures appeared. They decided to make the funeral on Thursday on 1:00.

Merkel: Expressed worries on this assassination because it is a threat to block the Lebanese to reach national unity

Personal Analysis: The Assassination of Pierre Gemayel has restored the Gemayels in the power play competition on the Christian Street between Aoun and 14th of March.

8th of March common points: The Government and officials should work as soon as possible on the investigation of Pierre Gemayel. It is important to report that the supporters of 14th of March accuse on diversified manner: Syria, Lahoud, and a small minority Aoun.

Marwan Hmaidi (first in line of these series of assassinations, but survived it): Accuses Syria directly to kill Lebanon.

AFP: Lebanon salute the confirmation of the International Tribunal

Rice: Calls PM Seniora to confirm unlimited support to 14th of March (someone tells that imperialist it is none of her business and it is her intervention causing all that chain reaction).

Amin Gemayel: Urges his supporters to remain calm again...

Let us hope Lebanon won't enter to civil war...

Israeli Defense Forces Made of Terrorist Elements: Irgun and Stern

MFL notes: I will quote Dr. Fayez Sayegh as follows on the Irgun and the Stern Group, from his pamphlet The Arab-Israeli Conflict. The reference links I used to introduce those who are interested in such a topic to learn the truth... the truth of Israel. This section is important because it is a response on Ben-Gurion's response were not planned by the Jewish Agency:

Dr. Sayegh's Writings:

These attacks on Arab Cities and the occupation of large numbers of Arab localities were not the work of irresponsible "terrorists" or uncontrollable "extremists". On the contrary, they were perpetual upon the instructions, and in accordance with the plans, of the official leadership of the would-be State of Israel.

a) Most of these attacks were launched by the Haganah, which was the official military arm of the Jewish Agency and the precursor of the Israeli Army.

b) Throughout the history of the Palestine Problem, there was collaboration between the terrorist organizations, such as the Irgun Zvai Leumi and the Stern Group, and the official armed forces of the Jewish Agency, the Haganah and the Palmach, whenever the Zionist community faced a crisis or a grave challenge. The best illustration of this pattern may be found in the Zionist revolt of 1945 – 1946, waged by the "Jewish Resistance Group", which compromised the four aforementioned groups and was inspired and directed by the Jewish Agency. In an authorative document published by the British Government on the subject, its findings were summarized in the following words:

" The information which was in possession of His Majesty's Government when they undertook their recent action in Palestine led them to draw the following conclusions:

1) That the Haganah and its associated force the Palmach (working under the political control of prominent members of the Jewish Agency) have been engaging in carefully planned
movements of saborage and violence under the guise of 'the Jewish resistance Movement';

2) That the Irgun Zvai Leumi and the Stern Group have worked since last Autumn in cooperation with the Haganah High Command on certain of these operations; and

3) That the broadcasting station 'Kol Israel', which was working under the general direction of the Jewish Agency has been supporting these organizations.

"The evidence on which these conclusions are based is derived in the main from three sources –

i) Information which has been obtained showing that between 23rd September 1945, and the 3rd November 1945, seven telegrams passed between London and Jerusalem, and a further telegram on 12th May 1946. Copies of these have been intercepted and are here set out;

ii) Various broadcast by 'Kol Israel' between 31st October, 1945, and the 23rd June, 1946, referring to specific acts of violence and sabortage; and

iii) Information on various dates derived from the pamphlet Hamaas (the publication of the Irgun Zvai Leumi) and from Eshnav (the publication of the 'Jewish Resistance Movement'). Examples from these pamphlets are set out in this Paper.

"This evidence related to the three widespread sabotage operations of the 31st October / 1st November, 1945; 20th – 25th February, 1946, and 16th – 18th June 1946. All three para-military organizations participated in these actions which not only caused very serious destruction but also loss of life."

"Of this White Paper, Menachem Begin – who, on this subject can speak with authority – says: "I must record that this particular White Paper on 'Violence in Palestine' was one of the few British documents on Palestine that I have read in which there were scarcely any distortions."

This pattern of behind-the scenes collaboration was followed again in 1948. Thus, as early as 3 February 1948, there was talk of coordination of operations betweenthe Haganah and the Irgun." By 7 May 1948 the agreement seems to have been concluded between the Haganah and the Irgun.

There are categorical assertions by the leader of the Irgun to the effect that the raid on Deir Yassin was made by the Irgun and the Stern Group "with the knowledge of the Haganah and the approval of its Commander." In a letter from the Haganah Regional Commander to the Irgun Commander in Jerusalem prior to the raid, the Haganah leader asserted that, "The capture of Deir Yasin and its holding… is one stage in our general plan. I have no objection to your carrying out the operation providing you are able to hold th village." In fact, Deir Yasin was handed over to the Haganah forces three days after its capture by the Irgun."

c) Israeli legislation, promulgated after the establishment of the State, proclaims that the military and para-military forces operations between 29 November 1947 and 15 May 1948 were acting on behalf of the then non-existing Sate, and affirms that their actions were retroactively "adopted" by the State authorities. Section I, Paragraph B, of Law No. 49 – "Fallen Soldiers' Family (Pension and Rehabilitation) Law of 1950" – states:

"In this law – 'military service' and 'service mean –

"(a) services in the Defence Army of Israel;
"(b) in respect of the period between 17th Kislev, 5708 (30th November, 1947) and 29th Kislev, 5709 (31st December 1948) – any other service declared by the Minister of Defence, by proclamation published in State Records, to be military service for the purposes of this Law,"

In fact, four Irgunists who had been wounded in the attack on Deir Yasin and had subsequently demanded "war veterans' pensions" for their "service" were granted heir demand by an Israeli court, in June 1953, on the basis of this law, according to a report which appeared in TIME Magazine of 15 June 1953.

(MFL notes more scandals exist in this pamphlet with full references whenever the author used such heavy information.)

Relationship Between Dan Halutz (2006) and the Irgun Group (1948)

Now Isreal's Commander in Chief Dan Halutz is arguing that they did not authorize the use of this massive cluster bombs on Lebanon, specially in the last three days of the war. Now, an Israeli Defense Forces general would be used as a scapegoat.

This is not a new phenomenon. Just prior to Israel was founded in 1948, Ben-Gurion followed a similar system. Prior to the IDF, the Haganah existed. The Yishuv has authorized the exodus of all the Palestinians, as Benny Morris displayed in "Birth of the Palestinian Refugee Problem." In order to kick out the Palestinians who refuted to leave their houses, the Haganah/IDF never participated in slaughters (but did play the bulk in driving people out of the houses). The Haganah / IDF sent the terrorist group the Irgun to do the dirty work of mass killings while Ben-Gurion was quoted to say that the Haganah would never do slaughters. Ben-Gurion used to denounce the "terrorist activities" of the Irgun, while ironically when the armored IDF trucks entered Palestinian villages, used to threaten the inhabitants with results of villages that the Irgun did in order to scare villagers away.

It is illogical to speculate that the Irgun never played a role in coordination with the Haganah/IDF command. According to Benny Morris, the Irgun participated 13% in the Israeli military operations in 1948.

This brings us to the present. Again, it is illogical to launch such a massive number of Cluster Bombs without IDF command aware of it, specially the IDF remained for three days pounding South of Lebanon. If it is true that Dan Halutz was unaware of the situation, he had three days to cancel the order.

The case of Dan Halutz and using an IDF general as a scapegoat in order to justify why Israel was defending itself, the same was applied between the Israeli Defense Forces and the Irgun back in 1948.

Next Post to this one I will shed light on the Irgun and Stern groups in relations to Haganah terrorism.

First Cluster and Phosphoric Bombs, Now Nano!

Article From Nahar Net
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has given the green light for the Jewish State to set up a special office to develop a nanotechnology arsenal, the leading Hebrew daily reported on Friday.Yediot Aharonot said that Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres had been told to choose 15 top thinkers to focus on developing futuristic weaponry. The 15 would be selected from within the security establishment, the world of hi-tech and academia.

If their projects succeed, they will provide Israel with a response to the various threats from Palestinian rockets, suicide bombers, to long-range missiles and non-conventional weapons, the daily said. Peres has recently hinted in public lectures at a small number of secret developments, Yediot added, such as "pearls of wisdom" -- tiny sensors that can be scattered on enemy territory.A so-called "intelligence wasp" or mini drone that can squeeze into narrow alleys, jam communications, photograph intelligence targets and even kill militants, was another, the daily reported.A third project would be anti-suicide bomber sensors that can be installed in public places and apparently able to spot a bomber, based on scent, heat and weight.

Israel, along with Britain and the United States, are considered leading countries in the field of nanotechnology research.Following Israel's war in Lebanon this summer, Peres, in Britain's The Guardian newspaper, advocated a new focus on technologies, including "miniaturized arms or ... remote-control robots operating on the battlefield."Israel lost around 120 soldiers in its offensive on Lebanon and war with Hizbullah, drawing heavy domestic criticism against both its military and political leaders.At least 1,140 Lebanese civilians -- 30 percent of them children under 12 -- were killed along with 43 army and police troops in the month-long offensive that ended on August 14, Lebanon's High Relief Committee said.(AFP)

Beirut, 17 Nov 06, 16:05

Israeli Protestors Throw Stones at U.N. Commissioner's Convoy

(taken from naharnet)


Israeli protestors threw stones at the convoy of the U.N. high commissioner for human rights Tuesday as she visited the town of Sderot, which has borne the brunt of Palestinian rocket attacks.As commissioner Louise Arbour arrived in the town, a rocket fired from Gaza exploded in an adjacent industrial zone, seriously wounding a man and causing a fire that sent plumes of black smoke into the sky, a police source said.Protestors later stoned Arbour's convoy as it made its way through the depressed town, although no one was hurt, said an AFP correspondent.

Arbour, who on Monday visited the site of a deadly botched Israeli shelling in the Gaza town of Beit Hanun, heavily damaged by an incursion this month, said protecting civilians the entire region was "an absolutely critical issue.""I saw people in Beit Hanun, civilians, mothers who lost their children, who feel... terribly exposed, terribly vulnerable, extremely afraid, very abandoned and I have a sense there is the same thing here," she said in Sderot.

She called on Israel to look for "partnership" to build a sustainable atmosphere for peace, even as troops staged an incursion into a neighborhood of Gaza City, leaving two Palestinians dead -- a militant and an elderly woman."Israel has responsibility for its citizens by legal means, in respect of international law, including international humanitarian law,"

Arbour told reporters after visiting the site of the latest rocket attack in Sderot."It has to look for support and partnership to build an atmosphere where peace would be sustainable. I think other measures are very short term."Sderot has borne the brunt of Palestinian rocket attacks, particularly since Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005 following a 38-year occupation.A total of six people have been killed from rocket attacks on Sderot since the second Palestinian uprising broke out in September 2000.Arbour's visit to the region comes after the U.N. Human Rights Council voted last Wednesday to send an urgent fact-finding mission to Beit Hanun to examine the impact of Israel's attack on Palestinian homes.

Thirty-two countries, mainly from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, voted for the resolution introduced by Arab and Islamic nations, which was subsequently denounced by Washington as "imbalanced."Israel also criticized the vote and has since lashed out at a U.N. General Assembly resolution calling for a probe into the botched shelling.More than 300 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched operations in the territory in late June in a bid to recover a soldier seized by militants and to halt persistent rocket attacks.(AFP)

Beirut, 21 Nov 06, 11:04

1300 Iraqis die last month

While watching CBS news, they mentioned that 1300 Iraqis died this month. In February, a similar 1300 was estimated . Again, I stress on my arguement that US imperialism's greed for oil and benefit its' supporting corporations motivated them not only to destroy Saddam's regime, but the whole Iraq. Neo-Cons still insist that they are bringing democracy.

MFL

Zionists and Nazis struck deals during WWII

This is one of the classic writings of a comrade in Israel... I love his book (even though I have minor disagreements with the contents) but in this chapter he unveils how the Nazis and Zionists struck deals with each other... link

MFL

US's new definition of democratic liberation...

...kicking the by-standers out of their homes and sniping them if they return to their houses... well done Bush

Another "Brilliant" Two Neo-Cons

Well I guess this is the first time I might attack another blogger, but the combination of these two make a perfect couple, wouldn't you agree? (Expressed in a democratic manner)

"In fact, the main reason why Communism continues to be a mortal danger is because most people are unable to fight it, unable to kill it."

And the poor "Einstein" thought couple of monthes ago that the Palestinians were lucky not to live in N. Korea even though their houses were being demolished. Enjoy Neo-Cons who fall for CNNish crap... those who are below 18 don't enter this room. To me, these are the exact people who bring misery to 3rd World Countries (oh yeah they think Iraq is under liberation as well).

Now there are worse Neo-Cons, even though the prior author expressed that the Israelis kicked out the Palestinians with legitimate right because the Palestinians were "not democratic" (forgetting about the British Mandate).

This cartoon character for example is what Bush would want to marry even though the whole Fiasco does not reflect at all the Lebanese society, and funnier out of over 1 million Lebanese (the ones in specific left Lebanon due to the civil war) and current 4 million Lebanese do not share her opinion. Check this cartoon character, I am sure these two would make a nice couple since the former would only sleep with girls. You think Brigitte would beat Elie Hobieka's score sheet? (if given an army?)

MFL

An article on Racist Ideology called Zionism

This is an interesting article on Zionism as a racist ideology. Personally, I have extensively more to add, but would be interesting to ponder upon it. The Article is called Zionism = Racism.

Enjoy it. Link over here

Descartes and Nietzsche

Descartes: I think therefore I am
Nietzsche: I am therefore I think

Which One you agree with?

Pics regarding the latest events in the Middle East

Written in Arabic: UN Decision. The picture is interesting because they bombed Lebanon more extensively than their entire history when the decision was taken (including the launching of 2.4 cluster bombs in S. Lebanon with 1.2 million remaining unexploded + air strikes + naval artillary.


I chose this picture because Israel claimed they wanted to bomb Hezbollah, but ended up bombing Lebanon with tiny "scratches" on Hezbollah





This picture I chose because it reflects how Israel shoved its hand into bombing Lebanon without considering diplomacy to negotiate with Hezbollah (as they have been doing it since 1996).



'Translation: Top Right: Israel is searching for its prisoner. Written on the bomb shell: "Shalit, can you hear us clearly? Answer us!"






Self-Explanatory - what to add?









This is what Israel created during the July War even though they were bargaining on the US tactic of "hand us Bin Laden or we will bomb you" in Afghanistan, they applied it in Lebanon... take a look at the resuls




This a reply which was confirmed later by Armitage, Levni, and Peretz: which meant that no army can disarm Hezbollah except peacefully...





Ehud Olmert: Did you find Gilad Shalit (the kidnapped Israeli soldier)?Amir Peretz: No, they kidnapped two more.”
References:
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Link 4
Link 5

USA: Military Recruiters and the Iraq War by Mark Vorphal

(MFL notes: I chose this article because I would like the readers to ponder on this hidden dimension of marketing and consumerism. Capitalism and it's dog-eat-dog world makes the proletariat vulnerable to such ads. This also supports my arguement regarding Trotsky's view of the Army, as soldiers rebeling against their commanding officers within his revolutionary perspective)

With the occupation of Iraq spiraling out of control and growing increasingly unpopular among the majority of Americans, military recruiting would seem to be as winning an endeavor as selling tickets to get on board a sinking ship. It therefore comes as no surprise that military recruiters have been falling well short of fulfilling their quotas. For instance, the Army, which had met its recruitment goal every year since 1990, fell behind in 2005.

This shortfall, combined with increasing military demands in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention the possibility of other military adventures in the future, has resulted in an impossible predicament for the architects of U.S. foreign policy. According to their outlook, a much larger military will ultimately be needed to secure imperialism’s goals. Yet the most obvious way of overcoming this problem, by re-introducing the draft, would be political suicide.

The elimination of the draft was the result of a mass movement against the Vietnam War which eventually contributed to a political crisis that brought down the Nixon presidency. Watergate would have likely been yet another passing scandal if it wasn’t for the crisis of confidence that already existed as a result of the war. The anti-Vietnam War movement also shook the confidence of the capitalist politicians in their ability to maintain stability as long as Nixon remained in power.

To reintroduce the draft today, when the level of opposition to the Iraq occupation is nearly as great as it was when the U.S. was forced to leave Vietnam would be like playing with matches in a shed of dynamite. It could spark an explosion among the ruled that the rulers could not contain.

With the reintroduction of the draft off the agenda – at least for the moment – policy makers have been trying to strengthen the ability of military recruiters to go after youth. In 1998 the military recruiting budget was $300 million. Last year that budget approached an astonishing $4 billion, providing an enormous pool of resources for recruiters to prey on the poor and impressionable.

Additionally, new federal laws have greatly increased military recruiters’ access to youth. Part of “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) mandates that if schools wish to receive federal funding, they must allow recruiters into the high schools, although some school districts, such as Portland Oregon, had previously barred them entrance. Furthermore, under NCLB, these schools must turn over students’ home addresses, phone numbers, and other private information to military recruiters, unless students or parents fill out an “Opt-Out” form. The threat of withholding federal funds when so many school districts are strapped for cash amounts to a form of blackmail on the part of the federal government in favor of the military.

Military recruiters are not satisfied with these advantages, however. In their efforts to meet their quotas, recruiters have been resorting to tactics that would make a seedy used car salesman blush. For instance, military recruiters have been telling potential recruits that they don’t have to see combat and can leave the military at any time. Yet buried in the contract recruits sign are clauses that negate all such promises in the event of war, such as the indefinite “war on terror”. Untold numbers of youth have found out about this the hard way.

Recruiters have also been telling potential recruits that the military will give them up to $68,000 to pay for college. What they don’t say is that two-thirds of recruits never receive any college funding and that only 15 per cent graduate with a four year degree. As of late, military recruiters have been making a special pitch to non-citizens, saying that they can apply for citizenship the day they join rather then wait five years after getting a green card. What recruiters don’t tell immigrants is that in proportion to their actual numbers, they will be given the most dangerous jobs. For instance, while Latinos represented 9.4 per cent of enlistees in 2001, they make up 17.7 per cent of the jobs that involve handling weapons

Young people get sucked into these lies because the reality of America’s volunteer military is that it largely recruits from youth whose families can’t afford college and who do not see career prospects for themselves other then an endless series of low-wage, no-future jobs. To grow the volunteer military depends on the bleak future many working class youth face, especially people of color. That is why the volunteer military is really a poverty draft. A good education and good job rarely comes knocking on the doors of the poor, but military recruiters do.

In response to the poverty draft and Iraq occupation, numerous counter recruitment groups have formed across the U.S. “Opt-Out” forums have been passed out, protests held at recruiter stations, school community forums organized, counter recruiter networks set up in the high schools, and school board resolutions have been passed that challenge the NCLB provisions regarding the military’s access to high school students.

Many counter-recruitment organizations have taken on career and college counseling while trying to get out their anti-war message. While no amount of college and career counseling will solve inequality, the predatory relationship of the military to working class youth and the conditions these youth face becomes an immediate issue in the course of these discussions. This work can serve as a stepping stone not only to build a mass movement to “bring the troops home now”, but also to build a mass working class-led movement that sees good union jobs and quality education as fundamental rights for all. It took a mass movement that contributed to bringing down a president to end the war in Vietnam and stop the draft. It will take a mass working class-led movement that takes on the foundations of capitalism to overcome the inequality that the volunteer military feeds off of. By working from this perspective we will also be better prepared to resist any attempts to re-instate the draft.

Non-Democratic United States encourages more terrorism

As you all know about the massacre of Beit Hannon (not to forget the daily massacres taking place on the Palestininians), the United States vetoed the decision to hold Israel accountable. Now all wanted Israel held accountable but the United States has to disagree with the rest of the world and use its right to veto such a decision because again "Israel" is defending itself and hence Israel gets away with another terrorist act.

How can someone who slaughters children and civilians on daily basis not held accountable? The IDF tanks simply bombarded those houses without a reason, and now the USA encourages Israel to be more terrorist and gives the Zionists to continue with their mass genocide.

Oh yeah, stupid 14th of March are still relying on the US administration for the international court... have they no shame visiting the US administration and licking their hands while they veto such a decision (as well as held accountable for the July war to last one month).

Some new Middle East... it should be US satellite just as Eastern Europe was USSR satellite.

MFL

The Ministers of Hezbollah and AMAL Resign

Well, now Lebanon is heading towards a new level of bi-polarity. Today the Shiite Ministers distributed as follows:

Hezbollah Ministers: Two
AMAL Ministers: Two
In Between the two parties: One

Now the government barely represents 50% of the Lebanese as the largest Sect have resigned from the government as threatened in case their demand for a united national government. 14th of March block refuted to submit to any demands of the 8th of March.

We all know the demands are groundless from 8th of March as they are aware that Seniora's block will not step down. 14th of March in return have been phoney dialogue meetings while refuting to listen to the other. This takes things to the next level: Demonstrations in case real negotiations between both camps fail. Yet, neither camp is willing to the other.

Hezbollah, for the first time participated in the government ever since the Syrians withdrew. They were part of 14th of March alliance during elections (ie seeing the Lebanese Forces and Hezbollah shaking hands, and even Nasrallah did a semi-fatwa to vote for el-Harriri in the face of Aoun's block). Hezbollah started as a 100% Islamic party and ended up as a grassroot political party with an armed wing.

14th of March elected Hezbollah and AMAL to government as they gladly accepted. The government during the July war became a legitimate target but due to US pressure Israel stepped down to bombard the houses of the ministers and most of Beirut since the government was Anti-Syrian. 14th of March refutes peace with Israel due to the racist government of ZIONIST Israel + the ongoing massacres for the Palestinians. Another reason for refuting peace is also the trigger of another Lebanese Civil War in Lebanon. Olmert is aware of that fact and that is why he tries to appear the peacemaker who is always wronged by those "vicious peace hating" arabs.

Nevertheless what is happening now? Hezbollah with their alliance with the Christian dominant force Free Patriotic Movement are gambling to either kick away Seniora or gain a larger share of the government.

Nasrallah's political alliance is also with Syria and Iran. When it comes to Lebanese politics, it is Syria who is involved more than Iran. So if the anti-government is blown away, Syria can achieve another political victory over the US-UK-Israel block (since Syria claimed Lebanon's truimph over the Israelis as its own while watching the Lebanese being displaced or massacred instead opening the Golan Heights).

YET!! 14th of March are not idiots, and the issue is not only related to the international court (to be established due to the assassination of ex-PM Rafiq el Harriri), on the contrary, they are sure that it is Syria behind the assassination and their arch-enemies' names involved in the murder would pop up one after the other (this is first scenario)

Second, to push Hezbollah out of the government while recieving weaponry from the United States (even though Iran proposed to give the Lebanese Army anti-air missiles against Israel's greatest military advantage: Airplanes). This would leave the government out of the targeted area as Hezbollah threatened today that any aggression against Lebanon (which includes the on-going Israeli breaches to UN 1701) allows the resistance to retaliate.

Third, the 14th of March are openly challenging 8th of March which means that they are gambling that street riots would kill the image of Hezbollah. This is not the case as simple as that, Hezbollah have the most disciplined organizations, but the worry to open such ways is from the supporters of AMAL since they got the trouble-makers (on street level); but again Hezbollah managed to force on all its Muslim or Christian allies to behave while demonstrating.

The problem is Trad Hmaidi took a decision that only a Hezbollah member can take such a decision, which is regarded with the universities (check 2 posts down) since 14th of March would be denounced as Zionist agents. With Hezbollah stepping down, a 14th of March would make sure that such a decision regarding foreign students and Financial aids is shut down (a slap to the Palestinian).

It is important to note that 14th of March are seriously aggrevating the situation by encouraging their foes to hit the street while 8th of March are well-prepared for demonstrations (as seen with Nasrallah's last public speech).

It is important to note that Hezbollah have been the first time participating on the inner details of Lebanese politics since their goal is to fight Israel. Problem is if they disarm, they will end up as a regular party, and Syria would be disappointed since they are their allies (unlike what is said as zombies) and balancers of power against 14th of March.

Tomorrow more details would rise... to see what is going on, this surely needs a round 2 post.

MFL

PS: The Proletariat are more divided than ever over here

Everyone's a Traitor these days

Well, doesn't it bother you that while talking with your friends, then someone jumps in the room and yells: "Are you the good guys or bad guys?" You turn around and ask the person and say: "Define Good" and that person would reply 14th or 8th of March are good guys (depending on what affiliations he/she belongs to).

You take a look and get disgusted with the re-writement of history. For example, Annahar depicts that Kamal Junblatt and Bashir Gemayel fought to establish a 14th of March (which is not true because they slaughtered each other). 14th of March wants to bury Lebanon in the laps of the United States (with Walid Junblatt flying like a pendalum from Beirut to Washington) and Seniora got the WTO agenda as a reform policy for Lebanon's public sector.

Moreover, you have the Democratic Leftist knuckleheads defending the Lebanese Forces as secular and progressive while pitching in the re-writement of history of the war that the LF were freedom seekers. They seem to forget that Elias Attallah's boss, Walid Junblatt, was a Syrian puppy that day and now he is a US puppy. Actually, the DLMers do not believe in class struggle, they justify their leftism as Secular & Nationalistic (still wondering where the left is in this matter).

If you are a leftist and not affiliated with 14th of March, who are made of thieves compiled togather as anti-Syrian, then you are not a leftist but a Syrian agent. They do not accept the fact that both factions of Lebanon are reactionary and elitest because they are aware that their puny movement would drop dead the moment 14th of March crumbles. Hence, they would call you a traitor to Lebanon.

Meanwhile 8th of March is not better. Like 14th of March, they got the reputation of being thieves as well, and like 14th of March, they were Syrian loyalists at a one point of time, only difference they remained loyalists with the logic to oppose Israel. They also were corrupt and like 14th of March, they follow favoritism when it comes to the private/public sector. Different parties still argue they are Syrian loyalists, while the 14th of March argue they are independent but continue to travel to DC for instructions and confirmations.

This is your nation! Two blocks: One that wants to bury Lebanon inside the laps of the United States through the WTO (if not directly) while the other wants to be bury Lebanon into the arms of Damascus. Personally, they are both reactionary and elitest (well the leadership that is), and both should be denounced by the leftists. Most of those "traditional" leaders who act they are against both end up adopting Syrian slogans, like Khaled Hdaidi sitting front raw at Aoun's conference.

So, I guess now I am labeled as a traitor for demanding the rights of the workers but that is ok. No reactionary movement lives for ever, the only way is emancipation from below (no matter how much time it takes) to achieve the goals. Elites are elites whatever their nationalities are.

Marxism knows no borders of nationalism. It is beyond 14th and 8th of March movements that want to lie to the people in order to attain power and maximize their profits.

MFL

What the Heck Hezbollah's Hmaidi Thinking?

Well, not Marwan Hmaidi, rather Trad Hmaidi (Minister of Labor). Just when you think you figured out everything, Ka-Boom!

A new law was issued by the Ministry of Labor that forbids private universities to give Financial Aid / (potentially Graduate Assistentships) to foreign students. This covers up the Palestinians.

I know from Jordan there are the rich Palestinian Jordanians (or Gulf) that come to the top Universities in Lebanon such as American University of Beirut or Lebanese American University but plenty of Palestinians need the Financial aid to continue with their studies. Now I said private universities because public universities (actually the Lebanese University) do not have any financial aids of that sort.

The Palestinians were not allowed (well the blue collar ones) were not allowed to work at all, till a law opened way to lower jobs. Actually that has been going on, so technically the minister's decision on that matter didn't change anything. This discouraged the Palestinians from focusing on higher education in Lebanon (specially the ones living in camps since 1948). Now that decision made things much harder since it is the Private Universities that pave way for a Masters/PHD certificate outside Lebanon.

The Palestinians were not given the chance like in Jordan for nationalistic issues of course. For starters, Lebanon got over 500,000 Palestinian inside the refugee camps (since 1948) excluding the (mainly) Christian Palestinians and Upper Class Muslim Palestinians to integrate them into Lebanese community (and form a new Sect. Balance of Power). Second, Lebanon is a small nation (specially economical) to withold all the Labor of both Lebanese and Palestinian (which is ironic because Michel el Murr when he was Minister he gave nationalities everywhere in Matn-Mt. Lebanon to preserve his MP location except the Palestinians). Third, the fear was that the Palestinians would be integrated inside Lebanon to the extent they would forget about their right of return to their homeland Palestine and hence the Zionists would have won (which is crap under this circumstances of Politics--- No Palestinian in Lebanon has ever given the right of return but that does not mean the majority of the Palestinians should live in a terrible situation). Fourth, Lebanese Law forbids women to give their husbands and children the Lebanese citizenship which even makes it for the Lebanese women to marry Palestinians much harder.

Now, the few Palestinians living in Camps and seeking higher education (or poor Palestinians outside the camps) would find it much more discouraging as it is to continue their education.

The problem is the person who took the decision = A member of Hezbollah. This can reflect three situations:

1) Hezbollah was being pressured by 14th of March and did that decision in order to please them in return for other issues.

2) Hezbollah's Trad Hmaidi was not aware of the gravity of the situation

3) Hezbollah were using the logo resistance for political reasons towards the cause of Palestine (which I doubt)...

By process of Elmination I think I will vote to the first option, in any case direct action should take place because higher education is one of the several way of Palestinians' methods of civilian resistence and attain syndicate advanced organization (and I do not mean like the ones we have in Lebanon from the Lebanese side).

Time will tell what the heck is going on...

MFL

Ghazi Kena'an's Brother commits suicide

Nobody is sure if it is suicide or not. Ghazi was to the Lebanese what the High Commissioner was during the French Mandate. link. The body of Ali Kena'an was found crushed by a train, so this one is more easier to judge as murder rather suicide, but it is never 100% known.

In Lebanon last year, when we heard Ghazi Kena'an committed suicide, a joke spread that "General Ghazi committed suicide by shooting himself three bullets in the back."

Lebanon, Israel, and Class Struggle (Chapter 5: The Bi-Polar Lebanon Under the Shadow of Terrorism)

Previous Chapters:

(Chapter 1: Background of the Bourgoisie) link
(Chapter 2: Dwelling on the evolution of Societies) link
(Chapter 3, Post Lebanese War Class Struggle and Pre- 9/11) link
(Chapter 4, Class Struggle in Lebanon post 9/11) link

A small Side Note

I decided to write the details about the July War that happened most recently, but decided to start to give a minor introduction on both societies then proceed with the war. The problem is the immense information I attempted to summarize, and didn't anticipate to expect such a huge load to write as well as the time required to do so. This is the final chapter in the Lebanon, Israel, and Class Struggle series before proceeding with the Israeli side. In this chapter, I will tackle the bi-polarity that rose in Lebanon and divided the nation into two camps, as well as reflect the facts and factors which played a major role during the July war. It is highly recommendable to read the previous chapters before proceeding with this one. Again, I repeat, these series are not information by itself on the history, rather a summary of a summary to give a small idea about the background of both nations: Lebanon & Israel.

The Reign of Terror Within Bi-Polar Lebanon

Impacts of 14th of March

The day 14th of March was a huge success. Number of participants fluctuated between 2 million and 2.5 million (there is no agreed number of demonstrators). The Pro-Syrians wanted to show the world that the Majority of the Lebanese are with the Syrian Regime, only to be countered by the Anti-Syrian demonstration. Actually, that day in specific witnessed the emergence of ordinary civilians who had been quiet for a long while due to Syrian presence.

The people weren’t Pro-USA as well. Both camps blame USA for supporting Israel against the Lebanese and Palestinians (yet intensity varies between one camp and another). The world was surprised on all scales. The lovely lady demonstrators appeared on fashion magazines (which sort of broke the image of Lebanon being ‘Camel Jockeys’) and the world was surprised to see two demonstrations in less than a week each containing above one million demonstrators. Lebanon as a whole proved itself to be a democratic nation again with the decline of Syrian influence. Both camps expressed themselves peacefully, and from these two days two movements would emerge.

The Bristol Coalition would become known as the 14th of March, which will include the basic parties: The Future Movement, The Lebanese Forces, Free Patriotic Movement and the Progressive Socialist Party, as well as tiny parties such as the Phalanges, Democratic Leftist Movement, and Tajadod Democrati, Ahhrar, and solo figures. The name of the movement aims to capitalize on that historic day where half the demonstrators didn’t really care about the parties but hit the streets to tell the Syrians: Leave us alone. The Parties, to be exact, relied on the International Community to push for the withdrawal of Syria out of Lebanon. The United States and France were the first two to happily answer this invitation.

The Ain el Teeni Coalition (named after Nabih Berri’s meeting locations) would become the 8th of March. They are Pro- Syria. Their logo is any type of alliance to face a Zionist aggressor. The Coalition included the balancer of power: Hezbollah, and afterwards AMAL, Syrian Social Nationalist Party, Marada, Lebanese Communist Party (only when it came to the topic of resistance), and major powerful figures such as Michel el Murr, indirectly the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud, and others.

France has more knowledge on Lebanon than other external countries since Lebanon is part of the Franco-phonic zone. France always maintained relations with Lebanon and Chirac was great friends with the late Rafiq el-Harriri. They knew which figure was with whom and understood the details of Lebanese politics.

On the other hand, the Bush administration proved how stupid they are whenever it came to Foreign Policy. The United States tried to capitalize on 14th of March as a response to Bush’s campaign for ‘Democracy’. They named it as the Cedar Revolution, while it was simply a demonstration to express “No To Syrian Presence!” Actually one US journalists mocks the US media on how they attempted to link the “Cedar Revolution” to the elections of Iraq in a relation that the Lebanese got inspired to hit the streets when they saw the Iraqis risking their necks to go and vote for their rulers. Afterwards it was dismissed, but Bush remained to capitalize on 14th of March demonstration as his achievement.

Israel were celebrating that this day took place. For starters, they knew that if the Syrians withdrew, Hezbollah would be crippled against their brutality. Moreover, Hezbollah would become a normal political party with no military power as UN resolution 1559 specified that no arms in Lebanon except the weakened crippled Lebanese army (even though all major political parties that remained after the war still maintain up to certain level weaponry). Sharon was happy till he heard both camps agreeing that Israel is still the enemy.

President Emil Lahoud asked Omar Karami to do another government which will be transitory in nature but nobody replied back just as Lebanon was becoming more than ever divided into two camps. Eventually a moderate politician and business man Najib Miqati formulated a transition government till the elections decide what the next government is. Meanwhile, 14th of March supporters aimed their campaigns at the suspected Pro-Syrian army and intelligence officials, and the logo: “Kicking illegal President Emil Lahoud outside Lebanon is our next step.” It is ironic that the man who spent most of his mandate under Syrian mandate has triggered the Anti-Syrian unification front; Rafiq el Harriri probably never expected that. Eventually, the return of General Aoun and the release of Jaajaa also were seen coming soon.

Reign of Terror Begins in Parallel to Elections


When I say terror, I surely do not mean US style of defining terrorism as I already agree with Chomsky's statement that the United States administration is the number 1 terrorist nation in the world.

While the 14th of March kept focusing on Syrian withdrawal and blaming Syria for the assassination of Harriri, along who the Economist MP Bassil Fleihan was severely wounded, 8th of March kept replying that it was Israel who killed ex-PM and is aiming towards a weaker Lebanon.

This bi-Polarity led to a massive sectarian line-up. The major Sunni leader Harriri Jr Sa’ad, Walid Junblatt leader of the Druze, and Maronites embodied by the leaders George Adwan and Strida Jaajaa. On the other hand, the Shiites were the core of the other. The Durzi feudal lord, Prince Talal Irslan, was still too weak to face Junblatt, while Omar Karami’s popularism was limited in Tripoli.

Series of accusations occurred. The 14th of March mainly demonstrated either in front the Harriri Mansion in Qraytem – Beirut, or Martyr’s Square (which known also Independence Square) while Nasrallah made major appearances to push the 8th of March where they took place mainly in Southern Lebanon or Hezbollah based/Christian Marada based locations. A cartoonish figure called, We’am Wahhab, became a national hero in Syria while he didn’t have much followers over here in Lebanon. Wahhab was actually a minister for the short-lived government of Omar Karami. According to a member in the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, Wahhab was speaking such a vulgar way because being party based, none of the leaders can behave that manner.

With the Syrians withdrawing from different sections from Lebanon, the color Orange (reflecting the Free Patriotic Movement) appeared in Christian Areas. Actually, several neutrals had huge expectations from Aoun as the factor that would do change in Lebanon.

During the Evenings, serious of terrorist explosions that targeted Christian concentrated areas in an attempt to stir Sectarian strife between the Christians and the Muslims. The first to appear were the 14th of March with their anti-Syrian accusations, followed by the 8th of March representatives denouncing Israel. These operations (burning factories or explosive cars) kept going for a while which indicated that a central unified government is out of limits to control the securities. The 14th of March speculated it was the same people who were behind the murder of al-Harriri = the Syrians.

By end of April, Bashar al-Assad declares that the Syrians have fully withdrawn. In the Christian areas, they celebrated while the head of the Syrian Baath Party in Lebanon and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (Jubran A’orayji) bid the Syrian officials farewell. The withdrawing Syrians coordinated extensively with the Lebanese army, whereby they withdrew the Beka’a Valley first, then to back to Syria. 14th of March supporters became rather racists in their talks against the Syrians, and tensions between the two people increased. Four military officials were arrested in relation to Harriri’s assassination, while nightfall became reign of terror in the Christian areas in terms where the next bomb would explode.

14th of March supporters travel afterwards to Aoun’s 5 stars palace to give him the opposition scarf (which was white and red) and awaited his return. The 14th of March refuted to delay elections to benefit from the Euphoria generated by the day 14th of March. Aoun returns to Lebanon in maximum security and was welcomed by the 14th of March.

The elections of approach and serious calculations are needed. For starters, the reactionary Elias Attallah (Democratic Leftist Movement) was expecting a place in the Durzi concentrated area, and to attain it was through the shoulders of Walid Junblatt who never lost a chair in elections. Actually escalations rose till in the end they decided to put him in the Tripoli elections on the shoulders of al-Harriri, Neyla Mo’awad, and others.

Aoun entered a major clash with the 14th of March which surprised everyone. For starters, he wanted to be the heir to Emil Lahoud. The 14th of March refuted but Aoun insisted that his size allowed him to have more places than the ration of dividing power was agreed on. Hence, in Matn, he allied with his Pro-Syrian nemesis Michel el Murr and the Armenian fanatic nationalist party, the Tashnaks. Indirectly, the Syrian Social Nationalist Party started supporting Aoun after the supporters demanded Aoun’s executions for calling Hezbollah terrorists and traveling to the US Congress to get the Syrian Accountability Act cooked.

Actually this era would be known, enemies of the past best friends in the present. Arch-Enemies during the war ended up in alliance. The most illogical was having Aoun announcing his alliance to Pro-Syria Talal Irslan in Walid Junblatt’s areas.

Meanwhile Junblatt has been attending Hezbollah and AMAL’s festivals in ‘support’ of resistance. This also was a major blow to the 14th of March line-up. Junblatt preferred alliance to those two parties rather the others if he had to have the choice. Actually, the unholy alliance is wonderful for both factions as Junblatt had extensive Durzi votes in the South while Hezbollah and AMAL had Shiite votes in Ba’abda Alley area. The major benefit would go of course to Junblatt as he needs the Shiite votes more than Hezbollah needed him. Hezbollah tend to sweep easily the South, while their only opponents (who can provide severe competition) were AMAL, and they were in the same political line).
As the first elections occurred, Hezbollah sweeped through the South easily in June while the biggest surprise in the new patterns were Strida Jaajaa and George Adwan hailing the resistance of Hezbollah and recognizing it as a Lebanese Resistance, while Aoun elsewhere was allying himself with the rest of Hezbollah’s allies (pro-Syrian) whether in Mt. Lebanon, Baabda-Alley, the North, or Beqaa area. The 14th of March opened a way to Hezbollah through the Lebanese Forces recognition, while in the meantime General Aoun was attacking the whole set of 14th of March. The 14th of March block promised Hezbollah to review their considerations regarding the arms within Hezbollah, and the shock of Lebanese politics was to see the line-up: Lebanese Forces – Progressive Socialist Party – Future Movement – AMAL movement – Hezbollah. The specific shock was to see Shiite voters going to vote for George Adwan of the Lebanese Forces while seeing Syrian Social Nationalist Party members going to vote for Aoun’s list was a shock on its own as well. To say the truth, at this moment, there were no longer any known patterns as all political border lines collapsed to seek maximum number of chairs.

After the elections of the South and Beirut, the Democratic Left Movement was in clash with the Progressive Socialist Party because they chose Hezbollah rather to go against their hegemony of the South. The only person who went against Hezbollah was the Lebanese Communist Party, ex-prisoner in Israeli camps, Annwar Yassin under the logo of not manipulating Resistance to a single group since the LCP had a hand in the resistance.

Eventually, new wave of terrorism rises. The assassination of 14th of March cadres and the shock was the assassination of the Anti-Syrian journalist and member of the Democratic Leftist Movement: Samir Qassir. I remembered it clearly because it was Aoun about to give his electoral speech when the news entered his conference, while simply said to stand one minute silence to honor him and simply continued with Business. Samir Qassir had close relations with certain factions with Syrian opposition and his assassination in specific pointed fingers on Syria. No one knew that this was the beginning of a new wave of terror in Lebanon. His death triggered mass denouncements of the assassination, while his energetic youth image broke-hearted the youth (specifically in 14th of March). This opened way for Elias Attallah to be fully integrated in the election list of Tripoly of 14th of March just as Harriri wanted to ensure that his block had all the parties who had martyrs.

As results appeared, Hezbollah and AMAL dominated the areas they were concentrated in. Saad el Harriri sweeped through Beirut while Aoun announced his alliance with another Pro-Syrian who was Slumeiman Frangieh. Aoun’s block afterwards retaliated, Aoun sweeped through the whole areas of Zahli, Jounieh and Keserwan, al-Matn, except for Baabda-Alley where Junblatt’s List won. Actually Nassib Lahoud in Matn was crushed to pieces in elections while Junblatt had the Shiite votes in order to win elections. Aoun sweeped unanimously in all the rest of the areas except in Matn where the son of Amin Gemayel won elections with a hard struggle with a feudal rich figure called Sarkis Sarkis. I remember one of the SSNP saying during elections when he saw a car had the OMEGA sign (which represented FPM), next to it the Zawba’a (SSNP sign), and Michel el Murr’s picture combined , and he turns around asking his wife: “Is it really all those symbols combined on a car or this is the whiskey that hit me?”

Hence, the two regions of Tripoli seemed to be the decisive factor on who will dominate the Parliament was it Aoun or the 14th of March + Hezbollah and AMAL. Harriri Jr. and his Aunt paid extensive visits to Tripoli which bothered Omar Karami to see his Sunni region being switching to al-Harriri. Nasrallah declared that all Shiites should vote for el-Harriri, and the Lebanese Forces were scared because Aoun already dominated the Christian concentrated areas. Aoun has called his campaign as “Tsunami over Lebanon” and announced that he is fighting “Petro-Dollars”. It was unclear where his voters stood as he also justified the SSNP to support him, and the FPM members hated them since it was his boys who were bashed by Syrian supporters. Nevertheless, it was a fierce battle and in the end, the 14th of March won the whole seats. The surprise was the strength of Neyla Mo’awad on the Christian street (as well as Boutros Harb) while Harriri did secure enough Sunni votes for the list. The laughter was on Elias Attallah, who labeled himself as the first leftist MP to secure a chair in the parliament (and elsewhere from his region). I remember people putting on their MSN: “Bye Bye Tsunami!”

As this round was over, a new terrorist attack occurred which (for the first time) stunned both 14th and 8th of March together. The assassination this time targeted the co-founder of the Resistance Front and Member of the Lebanese Communist Party (although relations were dry since he supported 14th of March) and this left all people from all camps shocked. George Hawwi, unlike the others, fought the Israelis when he was General Secretary of the Lebanese Communist Party. Palestinians adored him due to his war records against the Israelis. The story goes that George Hawwi was going to congratulate his friend Elias Attallah when he was assassinated. The battle emerged on who to claim martyrdom over George Hawwi. The Lebanese Communist Party insisted that he was the Party’s martyr while the DLM argued that he was leaving the Party. Nevertheless, fear sprung among the leftist figures because George Hawwi was the 2nd leftist figure to be assassinated after Qassir in less than three weeks. During his funeral, the Down Town Square became a Red Square while over 50,000 communists (mostly Stalinists) rose the Red Flag as his coffin entered the Church (while another 50,000 awaited the arrival of the coffin in his home village Tighreen). The Democratic Leftists were relatively few, but had minor support in terms of presence from the PSP since George Hawwi had strong relationships with Kamal and Walid Junblatt. When Walid Junblatt was entering the Church, the Communists yelled: “George Hawwi is a Communist!” while the DLMers sat and felt inferior in face of this angry wave. What really made the 14th of March hated by all factions of the Lebanese Communist Party was the fact Strida Jaajaa and the Gemayils were present in his funeral (two belonging to the Phalange Party and Lebanese Forces who were his arch-enemy). This indicates the left is split beyond reconciliation to three factions: Those pro 14th of March (DLM with their Neo-Con ideology), 8th of March (LCP with its Arab Nationalist ideology), and the free lancers who are against both.

The elections were illogical and I remember a Comrade abroad asking me: "What the hell is going on?", I replied: "It is a long long story with no logical patterns whatsoever."

Elections Aftermath and Terror Continues

As Elections were over, a new dilemma is to take place. What ought to be done with the Arms of Hezbollah. Legally, they have the right to resist since Sheba’a farms are still occupied. Actually, Sheba’a Farms became an excuse by Hezbollah and their pro-Syrian allies to preserve the weaponry.

Ex-MP Emil Lahoud argued that Hezbollah would be a Special Forces unit within the army, while other proposals suggested that they would become an urgent Army Unit only when Israel attacks Lebanon. In neither case, there was no agreement. Finally Seniora got elected as a Prime Minister and representatives of 14th of March. The Government included 2 Hezbollah ministers, 2 AMAL ministers, and One in between AMAL and Hezbollah. The Gemayils returned to power through Pierre Gemayel, and the release of Jaajaa was focused on by all groups. There was an attempt to assassinate Michel el Murr’s son Elias Murr (the ex-Minister of Interior) who supported 14th of March. He got away with it with severe browses. Bassil Fliehan (who got wounds from the Harriri explosion) dies and the wave of terror continued.

Jaajaa gets out of prison and will disappear for a whole month from the scene, while LBC covers in details every move he did in order to recover from prison.

What what would complicate things for 8th of March and their arguements about Israeli activity is the suicide of Ghazi Kena'an during the Mehlis investigative committee. This encouraged 14th of March to direct further fingers towards Syria as the murderer behind all the assassinations of political figures in Lebanon, for his suicide (murder?) means that there was information that was needed to be hidden by all costs.

Hezbollah withdraws from the block as the 14th of March didn’t offer a solution to the weapons of Hezbollah. Actually, Seniora was started tackling the Palestinian weaponry on Lebanese soil since he did not want to confront Hezbollah. What helped Seniora were the encounters of shootings from Palestinian militants on few civilian cars. This triggered loud noises that Seniora was a Syrian Agent. Aoun demanded that Seniora resigns and he announced himself as the only real candidate for presidency. Actually, the current President Lahoud voted for Aoun, during elections, which is also ironic since Aoun in exile attacked him as a Syrian Dummy. An assassination attempt takes place on the Journalist and LBC (Pro – Lebanese Forces) May Chidiaq, who survives but lost her arm and leg. This was a direct message towards the Lebanese Forces.

Later, MP Jubran Tweini gets assassinated in December as the country reached a stale mate between 8th of March (rejoined by the balancer of power Hezbollah and AMAL) and 14th of March. This time, unlike the George Hawwi assassination, some pro-8th of March supporters danced on the street since Jubran Tweini called the Shiites masses as sheep. This was a blow to Annahar since they lost Samir Qassir and now lost its editor in chief and co-owner Jubran. Jubran Tweini is known to be Pro-Lebanese Forces. Tension rose between 8th and 14th of March again. Actually in an indirect manner, the assassinations restored the popularity of March 14th and gave them an excuse to hit “Independence 05” Square (Martyr’s Square). I remember that I went to demonstrate for the sake of freedom of expression, the whole PSP – LF – Future were down there. The FPMers were sitting on a separate side. The FPM officials were booed everytime they went outside the Annahar building and were accused of “Syrian Agents selling Lebanon to Syria and Iran.” In the evening, when I went town with few comrades, the Annahar building was different with all the light systems, and sound systems (while recordings from Jubran’s famous Oath were repeated, the oath stressed that Christians and Muslims should defend forever the eternal Lebanon).

Later, Aoun becomes the official candidate of 8th of March for Presidency. In a bombshell meeting, Aoun and Nasrallah announce their unholy alliance on minimum agreement points and this puts the 14th of March in critical situation. Already the 8th of March was a strong block, but to be in alliance with Aoun’s block, that made them stronger. Aoun, unlike when in exile, defended Hezbollah as he said that till a valid alternative is proposed, Hezbollah has the right to keep their weaponry. Both factions attacked Seniora and 14th of March.

The retaliation was on February 14th, 2006, when that day marked the one year anniversary for Harriri’s assassination. It is expected around one million demonstrators went down, while Junblatt raised the ceiling on the Syrians and their Lebanese supporters. A famous picture was taken where Jaajaa – Junblatt (those two generated civilian martyrs during the battle for Mt. Lebanon between Lebanese Forces and PSP) with Ghassan Tweini (father of Jubran and a current MP after his son was assassinated) and Saad el Harriri. That day I told my aunt: “I saw it all”. It was funny how though Elias Attallah tried to squeeze himself in the historic picture but failed to do so. The Speech that Junblatt gave reflected the extremities that 8th and 14th of March have located themselves. No one is willing to reconcile. All forms of National Dialogues and mediations are a waste of time as no one is willing to decline on their goals.

I would like to focus a bit on Ghassan Tweini. Ghassan is not an anybody MP. The person is known to have had Pro-SSNP affiliations, while his academic skills almost toppled anyone. During the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, he was Lebanon’s Ambassador to the UN who performed magnificently. Some people argue that Ghassan should have been Lebanon’s president, but sadly being a Greek Orthodox (in this sectarian electoral system) he can’t be a President. Currently, he is with the 14th of March block and returned as Annahar’s Editor in Chief while preparing his granddaughter to inherit the Annahar Empire.

I will do more analysis on the 14th and 8th of March demands and activism as it will shed light on Lebanese politics during the July War.

Karl Radek's testimony of Trotsky

In your faces Stalinists: www.marxists.org/archive/radek/1923/xx/trotsky.htm

MFL

Naji Al Ali's masterpeace

I won't add anything to pic as at this very dark day reflects the spirit of the Proletariat in Palestine (not leadership). Down with Zionism. My greatest respect to the martyrs in this hell.

News Update: The number of the wounded is now 55 (Death and Wounded toll is expected to increase).

These are your Israeli Democratic Peace Offerings

Today, 18 Palestinians martyred in Beit Hannon (Ghaza) while 5 were killed in Jenin. The tank blasts in Beit Hannon left 40 wounded, hence Israel as always offers a peace treaty then proceeds to shoot it down with massacres. Doctors over there said that they were picking pieces of corpses rather a whole body. The wounded were taken to THREE hospitals.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs in Israel Levni said that she was sorry that innocents were being killed, that is a lie. Such massacres have been on-going since the day Israel was established (even prior to the establishment of this terrorist nation). The only time Levni apologizes is when the pictures of the victims are directly broadcasted. Now, why the world is surprised that Hammas sweeped through elections again? Oh yeah, due to Israeli brutality....

This is what the headline says: "Israeli tanks have killed at least 18 Palestinians, including sleeping women and children, in an attack in Gaza." link & link . Can one of the Neo-Cons explain to the mother carrying her child that this is about "democracy" and they are not democracy and spread of human rights (well for Zionists that is). Seems to me that the Palestinians have no choice but to be unified in the face of this Nazi-like enemy called Zionists. The Jews should realize one day that Zionism is taking them to a dead end and start emancipating themselves from this nationalistic thought towards equality with the Non-Jews (ie. the Palestinian Muslims and Christians).

I will not apologize for being aggressive on this post as I am so tired from seeing Neo-Con media victims falling for their "Democracy" Media which creates public opinion rather report it. So wake up, stupid citizens of the world and ask where your tax moneys are going...

MFL

No War but class war

Cartoons on Iraq & the US Foreign Policy

References:

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Can Anyone explain to me...

(Pic: Written in Arabic: Saddam's Trial: Verdict is Execution. Theme one US tank is pulling Saddam's statue and another is hanging the rope to execute him at the same time (link)



How the heck you sentence someone before the whole Trial is over? I never liked Saddam and definitely hated him for slaughtering all the Proletariat and Marxists over there, but isn't it a coincedence that Saddam's sentence is out just right before the elections in the US states, and specially the Republicans' weakness is how they managed Iraq?

(Not to forget that the death toll for the past three years exceeded the entire reign of Saddam Hussein? Who will hold the US and its allies accountable for that? I never liked Saddam but I also hate the US administration's hegemony to annhilate the lives of the people... btw yesterday I heard Bush on CNN saying that they invaded Iraq to protect Israel? WTF? Is this the latest excuses for their blunders of not finding Weaponry of Mass Destruction there while the only country that uses banned weaponry and openly has Nukes is Israel.... taking about real democracy...) Only solution is the people deciding their fate without foreign intervention, it was the United States that made Saddam undefeatable by the Iraqi opposition in order to face Iran (ironically also sent to the court by the US for his atrocities against the Iranians). You can't impose the people through force what to do.

MFL

Another Idiot with no logic but to mess up Lebanese Internal Affairs

Q Tony, thanks. You haven't said much about Israel and the Palestinians lately. Have you given up on any Palestinian state in the foreseeable future? And is the U.S. still giving humanitarian aid to the Palestinians?

MR. SNOW: I'll double-check. I think we still are. But, no, we're committed to a Palestinian state. We think that it's absolutely essential that you have democratic states -- Palestinian and Israel -- standing side by side.

But on the other hand, you still have the fundamental preconditions for that Palestinian state, which is that you have to acknowledge Israel's right to exist, you have to renounce terror, and you have to abide by prior treaty obligations. We continue hoping that Prime Minister Abbas -- or President Abbas is going to be able to have a government organized that will be able to pursue those goals. And we've also noted, the President has noted that at a time -- it was kind of curious where they seemed to be getting closer to working out something with the Olmert government, you had the kidnapping of two different Israel soldiers, one in Gaza and one in Lebanon. So those are sources of concern, but we remain committed to those goals.

Q And on Lebanon, the Hezbollah leader said that there are some U.N.-mediated talks underway possibly to free the two Israeli soldiers. Is the U.S. involved in this at all?

MR. SNOW: Not that I'm aware of, but I don't know.

Q I want to take you back to your Lebanon statement here. You said that there was mounting evidence that the Syrian and Iranian governments and Hezbollah and their allies are trying to topple the government. But the rest of the statement doesn't describe what that evidence is. The only thing it goes on to describe is an effort to stop formal approval of the statute on the international tribunal, which is quite different than toppling a government.

MR. SNOW: That is correct. And, David, as somebody who at least I think spends a fair amount of time talking to people who handle classified information, you will understand why we do not necessarily go into greater detail about those. It serves a diplomatic purpose, and an important one.

Q I can understand that, but at the same time, you're making a fairly serious charge that two governments are seeking to overturn the government of a neighbor. And it would seem to me that that would require at least some characterization of the evidence in declassified form. Could you tell us any more about it?

MR. SNOW: No, but thanks for the advice. We'll pass it on.

link

(MFL: what about all those Breaches from Israel's side on behalf of Lebanon and how would the United States react if someone bombed Israel the way Israel bombed Lebanon and continues to kill Palestinians on daily basis?)