To Mustapha,
The surprise is now mutual. You are impressed by how peaceful the demonstration was and I am impressed by how positive you are.
My friend, let me first thank you for your generosity in giving us credit for acting civilized and being calm while practicing our democratic rights. Such honesty from your side is what I would love to see from all the March 14th supporters. In addition, I am really pleased to know that you can now be proud of us- Lebanese people. After all, “we” have showed the world that although we disagree on many issues, we actually love each other!
Then, I want to thank you for being able to see that I don’t take orders from Syria or Iran. I also want you to know that I see you as a true 100% Lebanese.
I am glad to know that you were there on March 14th because I was there too. Too bad we didn’t get to meet. It was too crowded anyway. It’s true that we just had to leave in the end. However, most of the people I know left for different reasons than yours. We didn’t get bored. We actually got sick…
However, I think you got it wrong when you tried to analyze the way I think about these issues. I couldn’t really care less for what CNN says or covers. In fact, I don’t watch CNN at all. Maybe that’s a minus from my side but I really don’t care if the Americans see me dancing and singing in streets of Beirut. I am just here to let those few in the Parliament listen to me and know that I am serious about what I am here for.
I also want to remind you of the infamous meeting of 14th of March people with Conzelessa Rice. If you could get your hand on a video for that meeting, you will see them smiling. Even more, some of them ( not ministers in the government but very close allies and members in the Parliament now and then) were playing cards on the beach and kicking back.
You know Mustapha, on the famous March 14th I felt that the government couldn’t protect me as a citizen. I felt I was a victim and I felt that the assassination of people such as Rafeeq Allhariri (May his soul rest in peace) should not be tolerated. Thus, I revoked against the government.
Ironically, many things have changed since then but not what I demonstrated for. I was pleased when the Syrians left peacefully and pleased that Hezbollah and others organized a Thank You- Demonstration of the Syrian Army. After all, we both agree that the Syrian policy in Lebanon had its mistakes but we both can’t deny that the Syrian soldiers did often fight with us against our enemy, Israel. I am sure you also appreciate all the support they offered Amal, Hezbollah, and other National Resistance Forces through out our ongoing war against Israel.
However, this current government did not make me feel any safer. I wasn’t sure where it was during this last war. You know Mustapha, when I was young, like any kid, I used to have many fights with little kids. Most times I used to beat them up, by sometimes I used to get my butt kicked. My father used to say: “It doesn’t matter if you get beaten as long as you don’t cry.” Later on, I learned that my father cried occasionally but he never showed us that he did. I learned and knew why men shouldn’t cry.
When I was watching Saniora on T.V and I saw him cry in front of our friends and our enemies, I was extremely disappointed and I lost all the sense of safety. I felt Saniora didn’t and couldn’t protect me or my family. Then, I started to analyze what his government have done during war and found that our government was far short from acting like any ordinary government whose country is in a state of war. Hence, I was starting to get frustrated again. Then came the numerous unbalanced and illogical decisions that really made frustrated. But then it reached a point where the government denied my right to have a decent and honourable life claiming that I and my fellow Lebanese do not represent the majority. So things had to be put in perspective.
Before that I decided to talk to you, Mustapha. I invited you to talk when I felt things went wrong, remember!? Then, I asked you that we all run this country together. You wanted us to do so, but you wanted to reserve the right to make the final decisions for yourself. I still don’t know why.
So, I am back in the streets today, demanding the same thing I did before. I am not surprised not to see you here, although I wish you were.
As for my momentum, I promise you it won’t die Mustapha. I wasn’t there to have fun anyway that day and believe me Mustapha many people lost bets on that one and I really wouldn’t like you to lose.
By the way, Charbel is here next to me. He says Hi. Remember he was there with us on March 14th. He was just wondering: is there a reason you ignored him and send this just to me! We both feel there is a reason. But anyway we will be busy the next few days trying to put our country on the right track.
Join us, I am sure you will have fun and don’t worry, you can’t spoil the “fun”.
Ali,
( Ali doesn’t represent a real character, but his views and actions represent those of the author).
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