Free Michel Kilo Now - Enough Already

Year 2006, I ventured online through my blog into politics and defense of human rights. I thought it would be very simple and very easy to let people know how wrong things are some times. I needed to explain How we need to stand together to help eliminate injustice and improve our societies. I got a lot of friendly warnings not to embark because of the risks, the headaches and that nothing will change anyway.

Not only it was hard to gain sympathizers, but I realized how the various dictators including our own Mr Bashar Al Assad control the societies with an iron fist and does not stop at anything that seems helpful to their control including killing, lying, torturing, murdering, terrorizing, brainwashing, playing sectarian games, using religion, you name it. It turned out you can control the ignorant Arab masses with words such as fake dignity and honor, divine victories, standing up to imperialism, I am the good guy but all others are traitors, stay with me because I offer security “But indeed I am the one who is the trouble maker and I offer nothing positive”. It is so easy to sell anything in the name of religion or we are under attack.

Syrian politics turned out to be a big headache since people have different opinions or mix up the issues and believe that for some unknown reason keeping Michel Kilo or others in prison is crucial to the National security of the country!!!! I was disgusted sometimes by the arguments of people and how the reasons for keeping people in prison kept changing and kept offering justifications! I was also not encouraged to see people not push for their release saying that the Syrian regime is under international pressure or under survival!!! war and once that is eased then everything will become perfect and all the wrongs would be corrected!

Not only Syrian politics and the way people thought was twisted and did not help the country, but Syria meddled big time in Lebanese, Palestinian and Iraqi politics and security. Iran and Syria versus Israel and the US are to blame for destroying Lebanon. The Lebanese along with the Arab liberal hopes and dreams in Peace, Freedom and Prosperity for Lebanon were dashed. Prosperity and freedom in Lebanon which would spread to Syria and the rest of the region is a big red line and a no-no for them. Iran is using Syria as a gate to dominate the region and that is not a good sign for anyone including the people that see Israel as the only evil in the region. Iran or Syria do not care about Israel,Israel is perfect for them to camouflage their negative ambitions and plans. The Iranian and Syrian regime are a big danger to the region.

Meanwhile I can’t stand any news coming from bloody Iraq anymore. The Palestinians are enjoying fighting among themselves forgetting that they are only losing more and more and by their actions they are liquidating the Palestinian cause. The Palestinian cause that Nasralla and his masters love to use to destroy the rest of Lebanon.

But the Lebanese, the Syrians, the Palestinians and the Iraqis and all the loving life people will stand together each in their own way to not let evil plans destroy us. The Syrian regime should know that people’s live, freedom and prosperity is not a commodity in their hand. They are humans like us and they will be judged now and in their after life. Oppression does not last.

Even though it was gloomy and sad for the prisoners in Syria and their families during this festive period of Christmas/Eid/New Year; We should not lose hope, we should not forget,we should keep pushing for their immediate release. I got the following message from Michel Kilo in Prison through some friends:
To all of you I hold your hands strongly and tell you all that I am okay. Be strong. Please do your best in not letting your friends forgetting those in Prison.

Happy New Year to all of you and May 2007 be more peaceful than the dark 2006. Freedom for Michel, Anwar, Aref, Kamal, Habib and everyone else who is suffering because of political oppression, may God keep them strong.

Mark says: “It is uncanny how similar you folks and the moonbats at Daily Kos or Firedoglake are in a preference for elaborate conspiracy theories to simpler explanations. Is there some kind of bias against Occam’s Razor?”

Sparkles replies: 

“Which elaborate conspiracy theories do you refer to? Do you mean that the west pitted Jews and Arabs against each other over Israel? That’s well-documented. Did they do it on purpose? Possibly the British did, as a crowd-control mechanism to turn hostility away from the British governors and make the proctetorates more manageable before 1948. That was a popular colonial tactic.By western actions I mean, pogroms, institutionalized antisemitism, the holocaust, the disrespecting of Arab rights in Palestine, forced emigration of Palestinians. These things helped bring about Israel in a way that created friction between Jews and Arabs there.

As I say, israelis and Palestinians are still paying for those western crimes, but every side has blood on its hands now.Regarding President Bush wanting to go into Iraq… his administration has changed that story. The last I heard,the Iraq invasion was a clever tactic in the war on terrorism to “fight the terrorists over there instead of over here [in the US].” Even if they did do it to bring democracy, they would have nothing to be proud of but good intentions. They have failed miserably. According to one former Bush administration official, Bush didn’t know there was a difference between sunni and shi’a muslims until after the war began. Those neocons have a lot of brazen confidence but not much knowledge or understanding of the world, it seems.

Bravo Sparkles, I was just having a discussion in the office during lunch about this hidden agendas. This agenda is not easy to understand by the general public who, because of lack of other options, blindly trust their officials and their statements. Bush and his administration has been a master in fooling the people and rallying the right wing who refuse to listen to anything but their hate talk. Unfortunately, I got so many of them visiting this blog lately and not distinguishing between moderates and extremists, or terrorists versus freedom fighters. One word for you, right wing, we are here on this planet whether you like it or not.

I have a lot of things I need to write about but I am very busy with my technical projects at work. I’ll try to devote sometime this week to write more stuff but please keep the comments civilized and constructive. Try to listen to each other instead of lumpinp 100 of millions of people in one basket. We are human beings and we are proud of our diversity.

*** Note: I know nothing about Occam’s Razor, but the paragraph seems to be very logical and obvious.  

Despite my recent hostility and rising anger toward Israeli actions. I and the other arab moderates believe in Peace with Israel as the only positive way forward. Even thoguh this peace seems to be more and more distant and sadly might take a generation or more to be really achieved. For that to happen, we need a real positive world policy and real will to end this conflict once and forever. Also people from both sides of the conflict need to push the extremists out of the picture and accept each other as cousins or brothers. Fortunately these people exist in Israel although becoming naturaly a dwindling minority(during brutal times) . They are very upset as well from the current events and are blaming their hardliners instead of the usual anti arab resistance excuses. Sparkle writes on Ammar’s post in response to Don Cox 

Don Cox writes “I don’t know about Bush, but I am certain that the Israelis want nothing more than to be left in peace inside their UN-recognised borders, without a constant stream of terror and rocket attacks. They would love to be at peace with everyone.”

Sparkles Answers:

Many Israelis do want peace, as do many Palestinians, Lebanese, Iranians, Syrians, etc. etc. But the hardliners enjoy a good outside threat to keep the focus on “the enemy” and the focus off what they are doing to their countries and people in order to maintain or increase their power [sounds like our hardliners]. Creating a long, seemingly endless cycle of tit-for-tat violence.And just as there are some Palestinian fascists, for example, who will not be happy until Israel is gone, and some Hizballa and Iranian jackwads who won’t be happy until they have achieved the “Shi’ite Crescent”; there are Israeli fascists who will not be happy until they’ve achieved the “Nile to Eurphrates” zionist dream and pushed the majority of Arabs out of those lands.Read some Sharon interviews where he talks about killing Arabs or blowing up synagogues to bring Jews into line. Read about Irgun and Haganah. There are jackwads on all sides, you’ll see. Look at the settlements in the occupied territories (held despite UN resolutions declaring them illegal).Have you ever seen how Palestinians in those territories are treated? They are not all terrorists. Most of them just want to live their lives, have jobs and families and a future.It wasn’t a Palestinian who killed Rabin, when there was hope for real peace, more or less, in the region, it was a Jewish settler. This sort of thing happens all the time in these conflicts, the moderates and peacemakers too often get killed by their own fascist countrypeople.

Let us be human not killing machines…

***************************** 

Rallies Update: Please check the lastest Peaceful Rallies to Protest against the ongoing attacks on Lebanon in your country or area 

1) Just as I was fuming today as the news of the alleged terror plots from London, and the fact that I can’t access yahoo mail at work any more (something is wrong), and the continuation of the mother of all frustration wars and aggressions, I read this comment on Power and Control of M.Simon by Carol Herman (anonymous comment #2) which really ticked me off

“Arabs, down to a man, are people who don’t take reality seriously. They accept a host of rumors, though. And, their souks, or bazaars, are always open. The thing to really learn, if you should go in to trade, is that they love to sucker Americans. They love to sucker people who don’t barter. So, if you really want something, the best advice is not to look interested. And, then, when you’re given the high price; counter offer with a penny.”

That is Israeli arrogance at its best and the disdain they (specially its right wing) hold for arabs. If that comment is not racist and very insulting to arabs then I don’t know what to say. Then they come and give us lectures about the threats we pose to them and how victimized they are…feeling sorry for our civilians that die by mistake or because they have no other choice. Try saying that about their victims…then God’s wrath descends on you. Beautiful Lebanon is gone and converted to ghost towns in a record time, people’s lives and dreams are shattered, entire families exterminated, coast polluted, bridges destroyed, complete blockade, Lebanon converted into Gaza, the shinning star of the Arab world lost its life…Levant DreamHouse Describe what is going on much more eloquenly.

Then we have to say sorry for people that we have no control over what so ever. They blame us for all the sins of the world Bin Laden, Saddam, Assad, Nasralla, Najjad, Arafat, Zarkawi…but God forbid if we open our mouth and say ease up a bit our pain and suffering. They blame us for 9/11, Madrid Bombings, England Bombings, Egypt Bombings, Mumbai Bombings, France Riots, Darfur, Danish Cartoons fiasco…we are terrorism personalized. Then they call us cruel for not caring about the iraqi victims and muslims killing fellow muslims and that we focus only on Israel killing Lebanese or Palestinian people. How can we not care, it is burning everywhere: Iraq, Occupied territory, Lebanon…intentions to burn up Syria and Iran…setting up Shia against Sunnis or the other way like it is a boxing match or a bull fight.

Then they escalate the conflict in the midst of negotiations, they have no intentions of cooling it down or give negotiations or peace a chance. They are dissapointed when we don’t offer them a helping hand to destroy our own countries…they expect us to be right with them to exterminate our people. Germany and Japan is their favorite example, never mind that those countries were completely ruined by the allies as a result of World War 2 and not to promote freedom and democracy, that happened afterward. It was a consequence of the war not a goal in itself like some right wing Peacocks would like to believe that the current wars are for. Neocons picked a brilliant idea of freedom and democracy, what a shiny and noble goal. 

Then analysts try to figure out what is going on between Israel and lebanon, one day they blame the israeli inexperienced political leadership, another day blaming goes to their military strategy, then they blame the poor lebanese for doing nothing not that they could have. Why are they hiding in their houses? those sneaky lebanese deserve to die for staying in their lands. It is not enough that we have palestinian and Iraqi refugees, Lebanese need to join the herds of displaced so the world can shut up about the palestinians. Some people link it to the negative role of the US, some people say it is Iran, other say it is Syria…some say it is a US war, other say it is a survival war, ojectives are very vague, statements are very confusing, Nasralla is enjoying his popularity and is getting better and better on TV. Meanwhile no one gives a shit about what is happening to Lebanon…the whole world is so powerless.

2) Right when the anti war groups in the US and the world start to organize themselves to help end this war, and my dude Lieberman loses for his hawkish war position (you can never tell why he is so happy to be losing, I guess as long as he is on TV it works)  and all the world attention is on the ugly face of Israeli brutality, poodle discovers the jackpot.

Jackpot of the mother of all terrorism is found, Hello Tony we owe you one, you can continue your vacation in Bahamas or is it Barbados, we’ll take care of you with some fat salary in some strategic firm…this time Bin Laden did not do anything, can’t blame him for a successful operation or a tape or a some statements to shore up Bush’s popularity. I guess Najad’s words were not that anti american (or people did not give them enough attention), Nasralla limited the war to the region.  

This time, it is a plot of something that might have happened, the timing could not be more convenient and perfect, 2 birds with one stone, helps Bush and his republican party (reminds me of summer 2004, rainbow of terrorism alert colors flashed every week, it was the main news of every Sunday, then when Bush won reelection, no more alerts, no need for them anymore, time to boost the economy). The second goal was to divert attention from the Israeli war that is creating a very world negative public opinion and raising questions in the US.

It was such a distraction to see how the smart terrorists can make liquid bombs out of shampoo or baby milk. All that fiasco is the air travel business, passengers stranded everywhere in the middle of peak season (my poor coworker is stuck in London with his family coming back from India). I feel sorry for the airports and duty free shops. Extra harrasments for passengers, 99% media coverage  (ignoring the war, this morning I forgot that it was still going on for a while listening to a CNN international news guy working as an announcer for canceled flights), making sure people blame it on the arabs and muslims. All the anti terrorism experts had to cut their vacation short. The news coverage reminded me of my depressing unemployed days after Sept 11.

No wonder the man made global tsunami of imaginery terrorism showed up today on Aug 10,2006 so close to the 5th anniversary of Sept 11, 2006. That tragic day that we, arabs in the west, and arabs in their homelands, paid too much for, not that we were aware or complicit in it. Grateful to you Bush and you too Bin Laden. But arabs will survive, Lebanon will survive, Iraq will survive, the Palestinian will survive, Syria will survive, Jordan will Survice, Egypt will survive, the rest of the arab world will survice…

We arabs and muslims love and enjoy life. We Stand up high and refuse to be the whipping boy of the West, we refuse to be the slaves of globalization and imperialism, we refuse to be the invisible imaginery enemy of the only big power. We refuse injustice, ignorance, intolerance, hidden racism. We refuse destruction, oppresion, despotic regimes. We want to be just normal human beings, that is all. Why is that too much to ask?

Fares is down but not out and he needs your support, positive comments are needed and not salt to the injury. Hourra to the Lebanese basketball team and Fadi Khatib for participating in the coming World Cup of Basketball held in Japan starting Aug 19. They are sending a message of war defiance to the world. My heart and soul is with you guys and the rest of Lebanon.

Update from A.N.S.W.E.R : On August 12, tens of thousands are marching
Stop the War on Lebanon and Palestine!

Even at this last moment, organizers around the country are scrambling to find more buses to bring the thousands of people who are coming to Washington on August 12. The people of Lebanon must see that the people of the United States are standing with them against the brutal and barbaric assault on their country and their families.

We know the drill. Red Alerts, Orange Alerts, dramatic “we are at war” press conferences, the invoking (again) of September 11, as an act of cynical political manipulation. We are experiencing again the only tactic that the Bush White House and their buddies in the so-called free press believe might, might work at momentarily distracting or paralyzing the people from mass action against their criminal acts. Mr. Bush is trying to change the subject but it won’t work!

I have been away from the blogs for the weekend, taking a sanity break, chilling under the sun and remembering how beautiful and relaxing life can be on the beach. Diving into the waves and forgetting all the problems. Nothing can be better than a sizzling seafood dinner after an exciting day enjoying what nature offers…Life is so generous and can be very pleasant but we humans decide to complicate it with unnecessary fights. I have so many things to write about but I still need to do some research first.

On a positive personal note, some short bloody conflict between some cousins have ended after few months of bitter dispute over silly matters. It was hell just a month ago, on a visit to NJ, I could not see them all at the same time, It was one family or the other and that complicated everything from logistic to planning, to everyone being frustrated and angry arguments were flying left and right. I just received some pictures of the 1st Birthday of their common nephew and everyone seemed so happy to be together, peace was finally made and all difference were set aside. I have to call them to figure out what happened but I am sure kiss and make up was much simpler than everyone thought. No dignity was crushed and no one was humilated.

Also I was deeply worried on Friday about my relatives in Northern Lebanon and I got emails over the weekend that everyone was safe. Thank God. Apparently my uncle and his kid were going to Beirut from Tripoli the day they bombed the road, and so another miracle happened when their timing was not so perfect in meeting the fate of another 45 victimes that were bombed to their death. They escaped that by an hour. Apparently Hizbolla hides smart missiles in ordinary cars, they could not bomb that bridge at night. So goes the theory of avoiding civilian causalties.

In case Israel opts for real peace, Syria (and Lebanon) has some beauty to offer, as expressed in some recent pictures posted by a fellow syrian blogger. It is of Kassab in the northen cost of Syria (they have gorgeous sunsets) where montains and nature meet the sea. They have also the best flavored apples you can imagine, my uncle used to bring up some apples from Kassab when we were kids. 

Hashem has been doing some excellent writing in the comments and I really appreciate his strong arguments and powerful logical style without offending anyone. Here is some exchange:

Tse Writes in comment 79

Hashem,[]That war doesn’t bring lasting peace is a fact. But still, Hashem, it takes two to tango. I declare peace in the middle-east, but you attack me, or the other way around (in a way of speaking) - does that mean “peace”? There is always one factor that inistgates it all, and as opposed to you, I’m of the opinion that this factor is the blunt opposition to an Israeli state…..[]

Hashem answers in comment 80 

Tse,

The argument you are taking is one sided. If I am taking this argument from just a narrow Israeli view point then maybe you are right Everyone has the right to exists and to defend themselves; some have more right than others as it appears in today’s world, this is certainly how Israel views it. Well it’s wrong.Viewing the conflict from the Palestinian and now Lebanese point of view things are not as clear cut as you put them. There are people who always believed and still do that Israel is out there to destroy them and take their land. They have done so before, and continue to occupy land illegally; therefore you can’t blame people for thinking that either. It is of course a misconception to view Israel as a Peace-Loving nation that only retaliates to aggression and never instigates it. That’s not what Israel has done in the past.

I have posted links on this blog by the UN about the situation in South Lebanon for example before this latest conflict started; and you will see from that it wasn’t that Israel was just sitting there being “peaceful” as you mentioned, quite the opposite.For example, the horrific wall that Israel built with widespread condemnation from the world was far from a peaceful message. The peace Israel is talking about is also one sided, one that doesn’t give equality and respect to the other parties.You mentioned that in 2005 Israel “gave a chance” to the Lebanese government, you can hardly call this “a chance” Lebanon needed support not destruction.

No one likes extremists, the majority doesn’t, but their voices is silenced when the Israelis commit massacres constantly. If Israel wanted peace, then in the name of peace it is destroying moderates. How is this peace going to happen if only who remains are extremists? If anyone has been fighting for their existence it has been the Palestinians, living under constant threat of killing, arrest and isolation to name just a few. They are the ones that have nothing, and hardly any support, unlike Israel. They are the ones who live (because of Israel) in the worst conditions in every respect.