Lebanese Syrian Relations 4

A recent incident occurring on the Lebanese-Syrian border has put the issue of border demarcation between Lebanon and Syria at the forefront again.

It took Syria about 60 some years to recognize Lebanon as an independent and sovereign nation by finally agreeing (albeit under pressure) to exchange diplomatic missions with Beirut. This however, has not stopped Syria from wanting and working towards the goal of meddling in Lebanese internal affairs to assure it's hegemony over anything Lebanese.

The mere presence of an ambassador in Beirut is not proof enough that Syria believes, wants, and works towards a free and independent Lebanon. After all, nobody hears anything from the guy, and he rarely appears in public. There is no shortage of issues that need to be dealt with when it comes to Lebanese-Syrian relations, and this blog has previously listed some of them.

One of the main issues, is the demarcation of the Lebanese-Syrian border. Syria has refused for years to demarcate the Lebanese border for various reasons that I will not get into in this post. However, one reason the border should be demarcated is the recent spat between the village of Arsal and the neighboring Syrian villages. Farmers and residents from both sides of the border have agricultural land that they tend to. The catch here is that since the border is not demarcated, and the propriety of the land is in question, and since apparently Wild West mentalities (video) are prevalent, every now and then, each time somebody goes out to tend to their land, they get killed. Usually, casualties are mostly on the Lebanese side of the border, however this time around, both a Syrian and a Lebanese were killed. The villagers are hoping that this will serve as a deterrent to what they see as a clear, concrete and constant violation of their rights by the Syrians.

Whatever the reasons are for Syria to not demarcate the border between the two countries, this however should not be used as an excuse or pretext by the Lebanese government to not protect its citizens and ensure their rights, no matter where they be found on Lebanese land.

It's time for the Lebanese government to take serious actions to pressure the international community and Syria to force a demarcation of the Lebanese-Syrian border. If this cannot be easily achieved, I believe that the Lebanese government should take unilateral actions to demarcate the border itself, at the very least to protect its citizens and territorial integrity.


BG

Having Sex in Lebanon

I have a story for you. It’s a sad story. My 22 year old best friend just started having sex, obviously pre-marriage. So we were talking, and I happened to ask her what kind of protection she’s using.
“He pulls out,” she says.
I’m, sorry, what?? Yes, yes, ‘he pulls out’ was her response. No condoms, she is not on the pill, no plan B, nothing.

Oh, sorry, let me note that this is all taking place in Lebanon.

So I begin to patiently lecture my friend about the fact that the pulling out method can still get you pregnant, that it does nothing to prevent STDs, and then I go to the computer, do some research on all these things, and send info to her in an email.

She then proceeds to have sex two more times using, again, only the pulling out method.

Ok, so part of this is, no offense, because my friend is being an idiot, and the bigger part of it is there being NO SEX EDUCATION IN LEBANESE SCHOOLS. Yes, I realize it is a conservative society in the sense that people, more specifically women, are expected to wait until marriage until having sex. Let’s not get into how ridiculous that is and that the same is not expected of men and that that is a double standard which makes no sense unless these men are fucking each other.

So again I look up more information and send it to my friend. I also tell her we are setting her an appointment this week with a doctor to get her a prescription for birth control.

This morning I stopped by a pharmacy to buy her condoms and the morning after pill. She asked me to do it for her because I guess she is too embarrassed to do so herself. Goes to show you how much sex is a taboo in Lebanese society. Even more taboo is that I walked into the pharmacy and as there were two other customers there, I walked out, not wanting to buy condoms and try to explain the morning after pill (il suba7 b3daan pill?) to the pharmacist. I felt like a coward, but I looked at my watch pretending to be late for something and got the hell out of there. I’m planning on going back on my way home tonight, fingers crossed that no one else will be there.

Anyway, I was really disappointed to see how little my very intelligent, well-educated friend knew about sex. It made me wonder how little other Lebanese people knew about this. Obviously they don’t talk about it with their parents. I mean fuck, I remember a couple of years ago my girlfriends here thought that virgins couldn’t use condoms because it would break their hymen. They were like 21 at the time.

So looking up information for my friend I found out about this sex hotline in Lebanon where you can call and get information on sex and ask any questions you want anonymously. It wasn’t even easy info to find. So the point of this post, I hope someone in need will come across this in their search on the internet, or will send it to a friend in need (as you can see by the many, many labels I have attached to this post). Let’s do our part to avoid unwanted pregnancies and the spreading of STDs until the government starts doing its part and requiring sex education.


So girls and guys, my advice to you? Stay safe and go to your pharmacy and buy condoms (keep a couple on you at all times) and the morning after pill, you never know when you or your partner will need it.
Girls, if you’re having sex regularly, go to the doctor and get a prescription for birth control. If you’re worried your doctor will tell your parents, they can’t if you’re an adult (over 18) as doctor-patient confidentiality exists. Also, you can tell you doctor you are having really bad periods that are painful and want to go on birth control, which is very common, so you can be on birth control with your parents knowing…(in case you need them to pay for it). And please, no sex without condoms. Are you interested in getting AIDS or gonorrhea?

Stay safe,

Love

LZ

PS: Many may be wondering why the guy himself didn’t use condoms. Apparently he is convinced that the pulling out method works, that all the times he has used condoms it breaks, that when ur in the heat of the moment you really don’t want to put a condom on, and probably also that its not quite as pleasurable for him. Well I’m sorry, but fuck him. Is he the one that is going to end up pregnant? Is he ready to be a father? Do you want the STDs that he is going to give you from having unprotected sex with other women? And if he doesn’t even care about you enough to put on a condom to protect the both of you, why the hell would you want to be having sex with him anyway?

PPS: Thanks to the anonymous post from before for directing me on how to get through the Arabic language obstacle on blogspot.com

_______________

If you're in Lebanon and have questions about sex, AIDS, STDs, etc., call the LFPA or SIDC anonymously.

The Lebanon Family Planning Association (LFPA)

Contact InformationTelephone: (961) 1/ 318575 or (961) 1/ 311978Fax: (961) 1/ 318575 or (961) 1/ 311978

E-mail: lfpa@arabnet.com.lb

P.O. Box: 118240 Corniche El Mazraa, Masken Bldg

SOURCE: http://www.infoyouth.org/cd_rmed/English/org_lb/lfpa.htm

and also

'Soins Infirmiére et Développement Communautaire' (SIDC),

Youssef Karam st, Daou bldg, 1st floor Sin El Fil El Metn Lebanon
01 480714, 01 482428 01 480714, 01 482428
P.O.Box: 55391 – Sin El Fil

SOURCE: http://www.sidc-lebanon.org/index.php

~LZ

Politics as a hobby?

Can somebody please explain to me how a Prime Minister-designate tasked with the almost impossible job of forming a Lebanese government decides to take a family vacation to France??

For crying out loud, should he not be trying to form a government as soon as possible that can tackle the multiple issues that are plaguing the Lebanese people, most importantly pressing economic needs and minimum bare standards of living, rather than vacationing with his family?

I don't know about the rest of the Lebanese people, but the official reason and statement issued by his parliamentary block was definitely not making sense to me:

"Hariri wanted to distance himself from the heated rhetoric regarding the cabinet’s formation and the political make-up of the March 14 coalition."

Well, taking a break every once in a while is fine, but the timing could not have been any worse. The need to form a government in Lebanon that will actually try to handle the multiple problems we have is and should be of paramount importance to all politicians, and especially so the politician tasked with putting that government together.

Oh, and if every politician in Lebanon were to take a break and leave to blow some steam every time Walid Jumblat maneuvers or takes a new position, then I think politicians will spend more time outside than inside Lebanon and we'd only be left with Jumblat as the sole politician in Lebanon.

Accountability people!

These guys need to be held accountable. If they were, I don't think Hariri would take the issue of premiership lightly and Jumblat would definitely stick to a position for longer than 24 hrs.

BG

Blatant Racism

Lebanon still has a lot to go when it comes to issues of race, class and religion.
Just check out this article and you'll know what I mean.

Now Lebanon link

This is racist and absolutely unacceptable.

BG

LZ in Cedarland

"Hey guys! I apologize for not posting. Initially it was because I was in my Northern Lebanese mountain village with no internet access. Now that I am working in Beirut during the week, my excuse is much more shameful. Blogspot.com is in Arabic and I cannot figure out how to log on and post. Sigh, sad I know. That would also explain why BG is posting this message for me instead of me posting it myself.

As a side note, I have only just discovered the amazingness that is Beirut Taxi Drivers and the service system. Someone needs to make a movie about it.

All my love,

LZ"

BG

Really?!

British National Party leader had this to say about immigrants and people of ethnic background in his country:

"Britain is full, overcrowded and clearly terribly terribly unstable as a result of this multicultural experiment."

And what about those immigrants that want to come to the UK?

"What needs to be done as an example is to sink a couple of boats near the shores of Libya - throw them lifebelts so they can paddle back, so they understand they will never get to Europe."

*****************
Elsewhere on the beloved European continent . . .

The Greek police has demolished a camp used by immigrants and according to the story, the camp had become some sort of an "eyesore".

"The camp had been a source of tension with many Greeks who regarded it as a major eyesore for themselves and for tourists arriving from Italy."

******************

All this sort of makes the treatments of Arabs and Muslims in America post 9-11 seem like a stroll in the park.

BG

Ahmadinejad got owned

This is exactly why Obama kicks ass!

BG

VOTE for Jeita Grotto

Watch the following video.

BG

I was only shooting at the enemy, I swear!

Lebanon's Central Security Council (CSC) fully banned gunfire during political, religious and social events.

Eh, should it not be banned in ALL events and at ALL times?!
One has to wonder in awe when trying to decipher how the minds of our beloved leaders function!

Useless person in power: Listen haboob, it's summer season and all and we are expecting a lot of tourists this year, could we possibly keep the gunfire to a minimum.
Useless person working for useless person in power: eh, you're right! I mean after all, we are invested in this s**t. That would not be such a bad idea after all. Let me call these guys over at CSC and I'll have them issue a statement or something. People usually buy that kinda crap. Tikram 3aynak, walaw?!

Ridiculous.
Shameless.
Scandalous.

BG

Note: BG et LZ are highly appreciative of the actions of our reformist interior minister Ziad Barood. This is by no means a scathing post on his job or performance in particular, but at the entire lifestyle of Lebanese government's "business as usual" attitude.

Sad 3

"We've heard stories of gay-specific torture where men have glue in their anuses and they force-feed them laxatives."

If that's not torture, then I don't know what is?!

BG

Beiteddine Festivals Update #2

A nice video with some history of Beiteddine Palace and an intro to the current lineup of the Beiteddine International Festival.

VIDEO

The video is from AnnaharTV, which you should know about by now. If you don't then please explore it. I love most of the subjects they try to tackle with these videos especially so that we tend to forget that Lebanon is not all politics. Most of the blogs/coverage that comes out of Lebanon is politics heavy and AnnaharTV is a nice change.

BG

Chatter box

Yet another classic from Joe Biden.

"That S.O.B is rolling over in his grave right now."

As to why he is allowed to drift off scripted speech is beyond me.

It remains to be seen how many insurgents or Saddam sympathizers will find this extremely offensive and will thus go off on a killing spree.

BG

Score one for the ladies! #2

It is indeed a good week for women in the Middle East!
Now, mind you lot's of work still needs to be done but there has been a few stories that are encouraging.

The first one comes out of Syria where Bashar Al Assad has decreed that men convicted of honor killings should get harsher sentences. Get this though, he increased their sentence from a 1 year to a whopping 2 year imprisonment! Still a ludicrous sentence for murder, but better than nothing I guess!
LINK

The second one comes out of Egypt where the government has finally done something about the rampant sexual harassment woman experience on a daily basis. This apparently had been a recurring problem in Egypt where woman just don't feel safe on the streets. A sexual perpetrator had been charged with 45 years in prison. A tough and very much needed sentence.
LINK

Both these stories are welcome developments coming out of the Middle East where women still lag considerably behind men when it comes to their rights and social equalities.

BG

Lost in Translation

I love it when I read articles on Lebanese non-Arabic sites. Some of them are just beyond entertaining!

Check out the following news article on Naharnet.

Cabinet on Low Fire as Preparations for Lebanon-Syria-Saudi Summit Underway

So, there is this saying in Arabic that goes "3ala nar khafifa", literally translating into something being cooked at low temperature or low heat. When used figuratively, one is indicating that someone/something is just going to take his/her/its' time to finish doing something.

Oh Ahmad, how is that deal going with Tony?
Ahmad: 3ala nar khafifa habibna, 3ala nar khafifa.

Now, let's just translate that into English shall we?

Oh Edd, how is that deal going with Anthony?
Edd: on low fire love, on low fire.

It just doesn't work.

You would think people over at Naharnet will either start learning proper English soon, or hire someone who knows proper English.

I just find it entertaining!

BG

Pocketless?!

I think every Lebanese politician/public worker should be issued one of these!

BG

Li2mi Zgheeri (A Little Taste...) n°9

Introducing Lebanese designer "Basil Soda" as someone to watch :

Paula Abdul #1

Paula Abdul #2

American Singer Katy Perry (This one was a big hit)

British Actress Emily Blunt

~LZ

Beiteddine Festivals Update

Gad El Maleh has unfortunately canceled his performances scheduled for July 13-15th as part of the Beiteddine Festivals.

He has recently been a target of Almanar news website (mouthpiece of Hezbollah). They had claimed on their website that he is a French-Israeli artist, or "so called humorist" who is a supporter of Israeli "interests". They also claimed that he served in the Israeli army for 4 years and that he supports the "zionist" state and its' army.

Needless to say, all these claims have been refuted by El Maleh's producer and agent as incorrect and malicious. Understandably, in the face of accusations like these coming from Hezbollah, the artist has cancelled his travels and scheduled appearances in Lebanon, fearing his safety and the safety of his entourage.

I tried to find more information on the artist, but was unsuccessful.
It appears to me that this entire Hezbollah fuss is about the guy being Jewish, which in and of itself, would be a very sad reason to ban or veto an artist from coming to perform in Lebanon. Judaism is supposed to be an officially recognized and respected sect in Lebanon, and Lebanon's message as a cultural and pluralistic society is being tarnished.

I sincerely hope that something like this does not happen again. I don't see the guy's religion as enough cause to derail his entire performance in Lebanon. This goes against everything Lebanon stands for.

Now, if the Almanar claims are true and it is proven that El Maleh served in the Israeli army and/or is an active supporter of Israeli causes, then this course of action would be appropriate and we should not host him as a nation. However, it appears that the whole affair was unfair and more of a referendum on his religion than his actions.

BG

Sad day for Lebanon

Berri is Speaker again!

90 yays, 28 blanks.

It is sad to see the most important facade of our democracy (yes, the whole thing is a charade) being so un-democratic.
This is the fifth term for Berri, and his 17th year as speaker. I think that there should be limits on the number of terms you are allowed to be Speaker of Parliament, the same way there are presidential term limits. Because frankly, this is bordering the ridiculous.

But, it seems that we are not going to see the end of this charade anytime soon. In his acceptance speech, Berri is quoted as saying the following: "I am sure that those who cast blank ballots today will re-elect me in four years."

I guess we might just have to wait for him to die to see a new face as Speaker.

BG

R.I.P. Neda

This makes me want to cry.

Be warned, it's not for the faint of heart.

~LZ

Programme pour 'Fête de la Musqiue' à Beyrouth!

C'est le jour de la Fête de La Musique ici à Paris! Donc, pour ceux entre vous qui sont au Liban, voici le programme pour la fête: (il y a quelques groupes dont on a déjà parlé sur le blog... :P )

--

L'Ambassade de France met en place six scènes à travers la ville, du rock au hip-hop oriental, en passant par la chanson française pure et des djs tech-house, la musique sous toutes ses formes est représentée dimanche 21 juin.

Bayat, Champlain, Elias Diez, Karimbo Mixity, Bernard Lavilliers, The New Governement, Mashrou'Leila et J-Electric jouent de 20h à 01h15 aus Thermes Romains.

Nahna El Nas, L’Fahrass, 7 Ta2at, Bicro-phone, Plugged, The crave, José González, Sphere et Vibrations sont a Hamra de 20h à minuit.

Trix, Charlie Shawlporn, Stephanie Merchak, Trash Inc, Aspro, Jade & Diamond setter, Alex Azzi, Jay K, Fady Assouad et Eli et Rabih se produisent au Dôme de 21h à 04h accompagnés des VJ KAma, La Mirza, Mosig, Labo et Strongsky.

Toni Bayeh, Cristobal, Youmna Saba, ShaBa wa l Kaylou tafaha, Omarz & Grandsunn, Meen, et Amab jouent à Gemmayze- Escalier Saint Nicolas de 20h à minuit.

Limelight, Khat Ahmar, Ashek’man, I-Voice, Malikah, Anne, Arcane, The Kordz et DJ Lethal Skillz sont Place des Martyrs de 20h à 02h du matin.

Enfin, The Narcycist, Sandmoon, Sylvain Nassar, The Incompetents et Katibe 5 se succèdent de 21h à 01h20 dans le jardin Samir Kassir.

***UPDATE***

Here is a more detailed programme that has the times each band is meant to go one and the genre of music the the band plays that I got from Lilliane!

PLACE DES MARTYRS:
20h00 Limelight (Rock)
20h40 Khat Ahmar (Arabic Hip Hop)
21h35 Katibe 5 (Arabic Hip Hop)
22h05 Malikah (Arabic Hip Hop)
22h45 Anne (Rock)
23h30 Arcane (Rock)
00h20 The Kordz (Rock)
01h10 DJ Lethal Skillz (Scratch / Hip hop)


JARDIN SAMIR KASSIR:
21h00 The Narcissist (Dubai / Hip hop)
10h45 Sandmoon (Folk)
23h20 Sylvain Nassar (Rock)
23h55 The Incompetents (Folk / Indie)
00h50 I-Voice (Arabic Hip Hop)


THERMES ROMAINS:
20h00 Bayat (Oriental)
20h40 Champlain (Chanson française)
21h15 Elias Diez (Rock français)
21h50 Karimbo Mixity (Rap)
22h25 The New Government (Rock)
23h15 Mashrou’Leila (Pop rock)
00h00 Fareeq el Utrush (Arabic hip hop)


GEMMAYZE (escalier St Nicolas):
20h00 Toni Bayeh (Oriental)
20h35 Cristobal (Indy-folk)
21h15 Youmna Saba (Lebanese Folk)
21h50 ShaBa wa l Kaylou tafaha (Comic critic)
22h05 Omarz & Grandsunn (Hip hop)
22h35 J-Electric (Funk / Jazz)
23h30 Meen (Lebanese rock)
00h20 Arnab (Live Drum n’bass)

DOME:
21h - TRIX - DJ SET - DEEP HOUSE
22h - CHARLY SHAWLLPORN - LIVE - MINIMAL
22h30 - STEPHANIE MERCHAK - LIVE - ELECTRO TECHNO
23h - TRASH INC. - LIVE - ELECTRO BREAKS
23h30 - ASPRO (FRANCE) - LIVE - DEEP HOUSE
00h - JADE & DIAMOND SETTER - DJ SET – MINIMAL / TECH-HOUSE
01h - AAA - DJ SET - TECH-HOUSE / DUBSTEP
02h - JAY K - DJ SET - TECHNO
03h - FADY ASWAD - DJ SET - TECHNO
04h – E.L.I & RABI-H - DJ SET - TECHNO

Visuals by KAMA (ITALY) – LA MIRZA – MOSIG – LABO & STRONGSKY

HAMRA (Next to Fransabank):
20h00 Nahna El Nas (oriental)
20h40 L’Fahrass (Arabic hip hop)
21h00 7 Ta2at (Arabic hip hop)
20h20 Bicro-phone (Arabic hip hop)
20h45 Plugged (Alternative rock)
21h25 The Crave (Alternative rock)
22h05 José González (Flamenco)
22h55 Sphere (Rock)
23h35 Vibrations (60’s rock)

--

Pour vous à Paris, peut-être je vous verrai dans les rues?? Bonne fête!

(Et, en fait, pour vous aux États Unis, Happy Fathers Day!)

~LZ