A neutral monitoring of political and parliamentary activities over the world proves that such activities would be bustling with life except for differences in outlook, opinions and analyses among the many trends that forms the nerve centre of the political scene in any nation.
Such differences must be created if they do not exist, so as to reform performance. Furthermore, governmental change is a very important matter in rectifying the efforts of the civic, political and economical lives of all countries.
All countries realise this fact, and submit to its natural rules that focus on political pluralism, contradicting ideological currents. Every civic, political or ideological community throughout history abounds with diversified currents that sometimes contradict.
However, differences in opinions in the civilised democratic world, have never before led to serious structural and economic cracks as is the case presently in #Lebanon.
Let’s take the UK for example - a country that is the mother of democracy, it experienced discord among its parties and political entities. But these differences were always solved via the institutions and the final judgment came from the parliament, which is binding. There is nothing in UK history that shows any reference of such discord which may be obvious to the man on the street, although the public, with their inflammatory nature, could be easily fooled.
Shouldn’t we learn a lesson from that?
Several years ago, Britain’s capital, London, suffered from the bombings and subversive acts of the IRA. Didn’t those terrorist operations affect life in general in the UK? The answer is a definite “yes”.
The British press took a united stand despite their differences, and – without coordinating amongst themselves – carried front page headlines, that continuously promoted security and stability, and stressed the importance of continued production and work. This helped the national economy to continue to grow despite those bad days. The media did not resort to scarring residents, whether British or expatriates, nor did they try to frighten the tourists and investors.
I have no intention of hinting, or making you guess what I’m talking about. I am talking directly about the Lebanese media that was for a long period the sight, the press and the TV of the Arabs.
I want to say to the Lebanese media, which I respect and have a good relationship with: “Stop the incitement, focus on the cultural face of #Lebanon far from the flames of politics”.
Months ago, out of fear for #Lebanon, I made an appeal stating that the continuation of this state of factionalism would lead to something that is similar to a revolution of the hungry, as a result of the increase in unemployment.
Wouldn’t such a state lead to an impasse? Now the gap between the leaders and the people is widening, and the wound is becoming deeper and could become even wider in the near future, or God forbid, incurable.
Many employees lost their jobs in the past six weeks, and more are expected to join them, which means that a lot of Lebanese families will join the world of poverty and instability.
Who is responsible for this?
Let any entity in #Lebanon take the trouble of investigating the losses inflicted on the Lebanese economy in the recent past.
Do they know that #Lebanon’s losses stand at billions, and that those losses are expected to increase even further due to the paralysis of the companies?
Do they know how many investors were planning to invest or expand their investments in #Lebanon, and cancelled their plans?
Who is the loser? Definitely there is a big loser, and there is no winner.
The loser is the Lebanese citizen, the Lebanese economy and treasury.
And who is responsible, isn’t it the Lebanese political class?
When I talk about this, I am not neutral but bias towards #Lebanon, in favour of its development, growth, security and economic stability.
Hunger makes a good background for terrorism, and it is the gate to chaos, it is the right environment for the absence of law… so please, have mercy on #Lebanon.
A big part of the Lebanese community is absent or forced to be absent. And I don’t know why it does not play a stronger role. They are responsible before history and before the people.
Responsibility is not limited to the officials, for it is a patriotic act that should be carried out spontaneously by:
• The intellectuals
• The businessmen
• The economists
They are the ones who should take the initiative to stand by their companies, so as to stop this continuous breakdown.
It is no secret that nobody will help #Lebanon, if it does not help itself.
Are the Lebanese aware that the world is split in the way they see the Lebanese events? Some gloat, some just watch and some rejoice; but few are sad or even frightened and want to help #Lebanon.
This is a painful situation, but it is true, and it can be changed only by the Lebanese. Nobody in the world would give a country what its own people refuse to give.
One final time I say: “#Have mercy on #Lebanon”.
I do not regret writing this message and I do not consider it an intervention in your affairs, because I am not neutral towards what happens in your country.
I am with you. When you bleed, I bleed too. The end of the tunnel is within reach and clear, but it needs a brave decision that’s unselfish.
I am sure that #Lebanon abounds with high quality leaders and people; but when will they rule?