[whataretheysaying] Mary Madigan: Riots in Lebanon

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Posted by Mary Madigan:
Riots in Lebanon
http://whataretheysaying.powerblogs.com/posts/1169562744.shtml


   [1]riots lebanon 
   Black smoke covers Beirut

   The whole time I was in Beirut, Hezbollah was threatening to do
   something like this. Now, they've done it, they've abandoned the
   illusion that they have patience and a respect for democracy. It's now
   full-fledged extortion. Nice country you've got here...

   [2]lebanon airport 
   Walking to the airport

   Charles Malik of the [3]Lebanese Political Journal says:

     Now, the opposition is proving its authoritarian agenda. Like they
     did when they began a war this summer without consulting the rest
     of the country, the opposition is once again forcing Lebanese into
     a situation they don't want to be in. However, this time it's
     Lebanese against Lebanese.

     Blocking off an area for a demonstration is one thing. Blocking
     movement in an entire country is quite another. Forbidding citizens
     from doing what they choose, particularly when that thing is their
     livelihood, is unbearable and cannot be tolerated.

     Should a militia have the right to stop Lebanese from going down
     the streets they choose?

     The opposition is tearing apart families, neighborhoods, and the
     country. They are further cantonizing an already divided country.
     What's to keep employers from firing staff members who don't show
     up for work? Will this lead to a Lebanon where everyone is hired
     based on political affiliation? Isn't this what we're trying to
     work against?

     The opposition has gone too far. They are leading the country down
     a path to violence.

   Mark from the [4]Ouwet Front has reports and [5]photographs.

   Abu Kais [6]From Beirut to the Beltway says:

     Hizbullah is calling this an "intifada". And indeed, their
     supporters are now stoning anti-Hizbullah residents of Beirut.
     March 14 MP Walid Eido says that Beirut is "being occupied by the
     Hizbullah militia...".

   Jeha of [7]Jeha's Nail says:

     ... And so, It begins....

     ...While I am still convinced that this government will not fall, I
     am increasingly convinced of the futility of this âoppositionâ, and
     that nothing will ultimately remain of our country's true soul, at
     the very least.

     As I had posted before, I still see a silver lining in this cloud;
     Hezb's intransigence reveals an underlying weakness, and their
     escalation shows how little endurance they really have.

   [8]Michael Totten says:

     Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Seniora accuses Hezbollah of
     intimidation and terrorism. He may be over-reacting a bit with the
     t-word in this context, but it's telling because he used to call
     them a "resistance" movement instead of terrorists. Those days are
     gone.

   More at [9]Naharnet

References

   1. http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&DB9E0DE82C91AA3CC225726C0022B3F2
   2. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070123/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_protests
   3. http://lebop.blogspot.com/2007/01/opposition-is-taking-arms-against.html
   4. http://www.ouwet.com/
   5. http://www.ouwet.com/admin/news/pictures-from-todays-events/#more-706
   6. http://www.beirutbeltway.com/beirutbeltway/2007/01/black_vs_white_.html
   7. http://jehasnail.blogspot.com/
   8. http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/001369.html
   9. http://web.naharnet.com/default.asp