All eyes on Lebanon now... but what about before?

[mjx30]

By Jospeh Farah Arab-American of Lebanese descent

You know, it's funny.

For years I've been trying to get people to pay attention to the deaths and destruction and injustices being perpetrated on my beloved Lebanon.

And nobody cared.

When Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Liberation Organization tried to take over the country and make it his terrorist playground, nobody cared.

When people were dying by the thousands in the civil war, nobody cared.

When Syria had its boot on the neck of its tiny neighbor for 25 years, nobody cared.

When Iran dispatched Hezbollah terrorists into the country to undermine home rule by Lebanese, nobody cared.

When Muslims chased millions of Christians from the country, tipping the balance of power, nobody cared.

But now, all eyes are on Lebanon.

Do you know why?

Because Israel has tried to clean up this hornet's nest. Yet, all we hear about is how many Lebanese are dying.

Can I let you in on a little secret?

Guess what the total death toll is among Lebanese during the extent of this war – including Hezbollah terrorists, many of whom are not really Lebanese?

You better sit down.

The total death toll is just over 500.

Now, far be it for me to minimize death tolls. One innocent death is a tragedy. But this is the total – all terrorists, civilians, Lebanese army, everything.

The whole world is going nuts over this "slaughter."

What is needed is some perspective here. May I offer it?

Last month alone, U.S. troops in Afghanistan announced killing 600 "suspected" Taliban. That's one month alone. We've been occupying this foreign country since 2002. It began in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. U.S. forces went halfway around the world to attack a sovereign nation, to overthrow the government and kill as many people as it deemed necessary over the last five years to prevent more terrorist attacks in the future. Few would suggest that Afghanistan represents any imminent threat to the U.S. today. By the way, according to U.S. military spokesmen, a total of 1,700 Afghanis have been killed since the start of the year. That includes some civilians, some aid workers and more than 70 foreign troops.

But, last time I checked, there weren't demonstrations in the streets of the U.S. or elsewhere around the world over this war.

Instead, everybody is going ape over Lebanon.

By the way, the government of Afghanistan, installed by the U.S., is happy about the war. President Hamid Karzai wants to see the terrorists rooted out of his country. He recognizes it represents the best chance for his nation to be free.

Meanwhile, back in Lebanon, a government that has tolerated terrorist bases on its soil for years and years is suddenly indignant about Israel's retaliation against incessant attacks from those strongholds.

Does any of this make sense?

Do you think those screaming about the bloodshed in Lebanon really give a hoot about Lebanon? If so, where have they been for the last 30 years?

Why is Lebanon the top story in every newscast? Why is Lebanon on the front page of every newspaper? Don't you get the impression that the violence there is probably worse than anywhere else on the planet from this focus?

Clearly it is not.

And the only difference is who's doing the butt kicking in Lebanon.

As for me, an American of Lebanese and Syrian heritage, I don't want to see a "cease-fire." I want to see Lebanon freed of the terrorist blight, once and for all. I want to see Lebanon freed from domination by Iran and Syria. I want to see Lebanon be Lebanon. I don't want to see Lebanon suffer for another 30 years. It's time to clean up the mess and allow this poor, little country to heal.

And that means getting rid of the disease of Hezbollah – now.

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/articl...TICLE_ID=51328

[sutter]

very good read.

[mjx30]

Most Muslims hate it when people who are from Lebonon support Israel... that because once there in America reporting they don;t have to worry about being beheaded by islamic shariah law standards.

[AnotherAlly]

By Jospeh Farah Arab-American of Lebanese descent

You know, it's funny.

For years I've been trying to get people to pay attention to the deaths and destruction and injustices being perpetrated on my beloved Lebanon.

And nobody cared.

When Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Liberation Organization tried to take over the country and make it his terrorist playground, nobody cared.

When people were dying by the thousands in the civil war, nobody cared.

When Syria had its boot on the neck of its tiny neighbor for 25 years, nobody cared.

When Iran dispatched Hezbollah terrorists into the country to undermine home rule by Lebanese, nobody cared.

When Muslims chased millions of Christians from the country, tipping the balance of power, nobody cared.

But now, all eyes are on Lebanon.

Do you know why?

Because Israel has tried to clean up this hornet's nest. Yet, all we hear about is how many Lebanese are dying.

Can I let you in on a little secret?

Guess what the total death toll is among Lebanese during the extent of this war – including Hezbollah terrorists, many of whom are not really Lebanese?

You better sit down.

The total death toll is just over 500.

Now, far be it for me to minimize death tolls. One innocent death is a tragedy. But this is the total – all terrorists, civilians, Lebanese army, everything.

The whole world is going nuts over this "slaughter."

What is needed is some perspective here. May I offer it?

Last month alone, U.S. troops in Afghanistan announced killing 600 "suspected" Taliban. That's one month alone. We've been occupying this foreign country since 2002. It began in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. U.S. forces went halfway around the world to attack a sovereign nation, to overthrow the government and kill as many people as it deemed necessary over the last five years to prevent more terrorist attacks in the future. Few would suggest that Afghanistan represents any imminent threat to the U.S. today. By the way, according to U.S. military spokesmen, a total of 1,700 Afghanis have been killed since the start of the year. That includes some civilians, some aid workers and more than 70 foreign troops.

But, last time I checked, there weren't demonstrations in the streets of the U.S. or elsewhere around the world over this war.

Instead, everybody is going ape over Lebanon.

By the way, the government of Afghanistan, installed by the U.S., is happy about the war. President Hamid Karzai wants to see the terrorists rooted out of his country. He recognizes it represents the best chance for his nation to be free.

Meanwhile, back in Lebanon, a government that has tolerated terrorist bases on its soil for years and years is suddenly indignant about Israel's retaliation against incessant attacks from those strongholds.

Does any of this make sense?

Do you think those screaming about the bloodshed in Lebanon really give a hoot about Lebanon? If so, where have they been for the last 30 years?

Why is Lebanon the top story in every newscast? Why is Lebanon on the front page of every newspaper? Don't you get the impression that the violence there is probably worse than anywhere else on the planet from this focus?

Clearly it is not.

And the only difference is who's doing the butt kicking in Lebanon.

As for me, an American of Lebanese and Syrian heritage, I don't want to see a "cease-fire." I want to see Lebanon freed of the terrorist blight, once and for all. I want to see Lebanon freed from domination by Iran and Syria. I want to see Lebanon be Lebanon. I don't want to see Lebanon suffer for another 30 years. It's time to clean up the mess and allow this poor, little country to heal.

And that means getting rid of the disease of Hezbollah – now.

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/articl...TICLE_ID=51328

Excellent post. A voice of pure reason.

[em88il]

That's the truth. Just freedom.

[Erez Levanon]

Shalom Alekhem (if you would have it);

I am from Lebanon. Let me tell you, that as a Lebanese Maronite, what that man tells you is far from the truth. He is blinded by his historic hatred of Muslims (sound familiar???). Please conside the following points:

HA exists because of Israel (your occupation of Lebanese land is the cause):

*You must understand that HA's raison-detre (reason of existence) is Israel's occupation of Lebanon and its constant oppressrion of my nation and land. Between 1978 and 1982 Israel was in Lebanon, but there was no HA. HA began to emerge in the mid-80's and it was not until the mid-90's that it a) began to have widespread support and b) began to hurt the Israel forces inside Lebanon. I must say that before July 12 of 2006, Israel was giving HA a huge list of very righteous reasons of why it should remain hostile to Israel. Those reasons are 1) Occupation of Shebaa Farms (you call it Har Dov)... I have friends who have land there and used to go there 2) the killings of shepherd boys and fishermen on the Lebanese side of Mt. Hermon and in the terrotorial waters of Lebanon, respectively 3) the refusal to give Lebanon maps of the land mines that Israel and its affiliates planted 4) the almost daily violations of Lebanese land, airspace and waters by Israel forces 5) the refusal to hand over Lebanese Prisoners of War (I consider Samir Qantar a criminal who is in jail for a committing murder, but the other prisoners I label POWs).

*Having said that I am not denying that HA is allied to Iran and Syria. Do not be naive and oversimplifiy their relationship as that of master-servant. It is far from that, but its is very strong.

*HA supports many many many families, even those of non-Shi'ite background. They are invovled in much charity. They have also taken advantage of the scandalous neglect of Lebanese governments over the Shi'ites... they help the Shi'ites, but at the same time continue this status quo of government neglect by blocking the full help of the Lebanese government so as to remain in that position.

**Overall, they do have the moral highground when it comes to their operations against Israel. I condemn any attack on unarmed civilians or soldiers period. But the numbers and history speak in their favor.

2) Understand that Bush and Ahmadinejad are partners:

Forget consciparcy theories. I'm not talking about that. All I'm saying is that "Israel destruction" is being pushed by those who are Israel's enemies and also by the support of Israel's friends. Understand that you can not suppress, surround, and destory entire people's without shaking the world in such great injustice. In the end such attitudes and evils will overtake you.

Remember, that to be a true son of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob means to 'defend the cause of the oppressed'... not be the oppressor (don't be blind: the responsbility/blame for wars rests always on the more powerful not the weaker; tell me, who is the more powerful in this conflict???). It means to defend the cause of the 'widows and orphans'... not multiply them. It means you love your neighbours as yourselves. It means you love the Lord with all your being. Read Jeremiah 31 in your book and you will know that the day will come when the Arabs will carry the true Jews to their land on their shoulders and with joy. The land must be GIVEN to you... do not think that the plans of the Lord are to be carried out in His name through the implentation of evil...

I am willing to discuss any of these issue and even more.

Erez Levanon

[Mediocrates]

Ok righteous murder (your words). Well that's what you get in kind. Not too complicated, is it? Stop complaining when you get what you give.

[Erez Levanon]

Ok righteous murder (your words). Well that's what you get in kind. Not too complicated, is it? Stop complaining when you get what you give.

Firstly, I am not complaining. Nor am I here to hurl accusations.

Secondly, I am saying that the causes that HA trump are righteous and they are the ones that I've outlined. If you cared to read my post correctly you woud have noticed that I condemn the murder of civlians be they done by Jews or Muslims or others. period.

[Fluids]

Most Muslims hate it when people who are from Lebanon support Israel... that because once there in America reporting they don;t have to worry about being beheaded by islamic shariah law standards.

There is no Islamic code or shariah in Lebanon.

Besides, the idea of Lebanese supporting Israel is theoretically not sustainable, because the two states are at war. Do\did any Israelis ever support Lebanon? The answer is no. Therefore the allegation of "Lebanese supporting Israel" is just a myth.

As for the article itself, it only reflect the opinions of Farah himself, therefore such an opinion can't be generalized on all Lebanese. Farah is known to be a Lebanese-American neo-conservative Christian. In Lebanon, most of the Christians are liberals, but neo-conservatives are very few. By the way, most of the lebanese want a cease fire, and a spoiled scoundrel living miles aways isn't the adequate person to speak for them.

Regards

[Mediocrates]

Secondly, I am saying that the causes that HA trump are righteous and they are the ones that I've outlined. If you cared to read my post correctly you woud have noticed that I condemn the murder of civlians be they done by Jews or Muslims or others. period.

I read your post. So? No one has any intention of stopping Hezbollah so all the pretend hand wringing in the world won't really signify anything. If push came to shove Israel would eventually bow to pressure and quit. Hezbollah never will quit.

[Mercury]

Shalom Alekhem (if you would have it);

So you are saying that we would have peace if only we comply with your demands (Shebaa farm, prisoner, maps...).

If that is the case, why Lebanon did not sign peace agreement with Israel before 1967, when all these issues were non-existant?

[em88il]

Yesterday I heard someone on the TV saying something like this:
"The reason that there are many people in the world that don't support Israel is that they don't understand what are we fighting for, and they can't imagine the people who have been living, sleeping and eating just hate since they were born, using a machine-gun since they were 6, and who's mothers explode themselves in restaurants and buses."
So enyone who tells us that we should just seat and believe in god and not to do anything is wrong.

By the way, did you see them celebrating the collapse of WTC? The crash of Columbia? Every disaster of others is a reason to dance on the streets.

And if you ask me, each time I selebrate my birthday (October 4) I remember that birthday when there was an explosion in restaurant "Maxim" 200 meters from my home.

[Erez Levanon]

Mercury and Mediocrates, Lebanon can not have peace ('normalized relations') with Israel so long as a just solution is not in place with respect to Palestinians in Lebanon and in their lands. I am no politician and I dont wish to even go there since it is all extremely far away to talk about that. What I am saying; is that there would be total ceasefire. Remember, it was a weird mix of internal and external pressures that Lebanon was forced to accept the operation of the PLO on its soil against Israel in the 70's etc. But the Lebanese have that episode so vividly in their memory that I doubt they would allow it again. Yes, give back Shebaa, respect our territory, and the POWs (Qantar is not one of them), and I tell you the truth HA will not have a single ounce of reason to continue to engage the IDF nor would the Lebanese accept it. What the Israeli forces are doing today in Lebanon, is unfortunately, pushing an entire people into fury and hate against Israel. We all know that we reap what we sow.

Em88il, do you know that HA condemned the 9/11 attacks? I dont agree with the attacks on civilians. But I believe that both HA and Israel are targetting to civilians on purpose. Thats what the things on the ground show. In fact, I see too much similarity between the editorials I read on the Haaretz and the reactions of HA unconditional supporters.

[Mediocrates]

Yes reaping and sowing - you should have thought of that before you started shooting rockets into densely populated civilian centers.

[Erez Levanon]

Mediocrates, check your understanding of the sequence of events.Who do you refer to as 'you'. Am I HA? Are you talking about Lebanon? HA fighters number anywhere between 2 to 6 thousand. Significant amount the of the Lebanese population, right?