Monday, July 30, 2012

Mitt Romney’s failed attempt at foreign diplomacy

Clearly Mitt Romney is trying to enhance his almost non-existing foreign affairs credentials through an orchestrated trip overseas. If his performance is any indication of what a “President Romney” has to offer, we have seen and heard plenty to know that he will fail miserably. That’s not to say he might not be elected president come November. Everything is possible and the U.S. has a history of being swayed, even overtaken, by the conservative propaganda machine. Just look at George W. Bush’s election in 2000 (even if the jury is still out as to whether it was a “stolen” election or not) and more shocking, his re-election in 2004.

The Syrian tank that kills indiscriminately

I write today as a person scarred forever by the relentless bombardments of a certain Syrian tank whose sole mission was to stay directed at our neighborhood and shoot one shell after another with the aim of destroying lives and properties, reaping traumas and terrorizing young hearts as well as old ones indiscriminately. The Syrian regime that ordered the consistent, deadly bombings on a daily basis on our neighborhoods in Lebanon in the 80’s and 90’s had clearly hoped no one remains alive to remember, let alone pass on our oral history to future generations.

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Monday, July 16, 2012

Syria and the fog of war

Forgive me for elevating the conflict in Syria to the alarming “war” status. War is something I don’t take lightly and advise everyone not to either.

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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Language of peace versus language of hate

At first I thought the peaceful feeling was a result of the altitude of 1000 meter. Then I considered it could be the general atmosphere, an old castle-hotel turned conference center in the mountain village of Caux, perched on top of the city of Montreux in Switzerland. This large mountain house feels like a metamorphosis of all its participants, diverse, proud and strong. Although it is abuzz with a series of conferences throughout the summer, it is the quiet reflection and the moments of silence that speak louder than words here.

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Monday, July 2, 2012

The real goddess of love must be crying blood

People invoke ancient gods names in vain as decorations to adorn buildings or to add a dramatic effect to a touristic site. Some use them to look cultured as if they know something about ancient Roman or Greek mythology or anything at all for that matter.

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