After my trip to Lebanon about a year ago I came home and signed up on Twitter. I found that Twitter served as a great tool to follow events over seas since a lot of things are not mentioned here. One of the people I followed was BloggerSeif. He is a student at Lebanese American University in Beirut studying political science and journalism. He went to Cairo to support the Egyptian people in their protests against a brutal dictator. This is a fascinating time line:
This list compiled by NOW Lebanon :
BloggerSeif
Tahrir is packed!! Literally packed. All ages, all faiths.
BloggerSeif
My pendants are for everyone to see, so Lebanese can learn from Egypt! Cross and crescent side by side
BloggerSeif
Definition of love? The people here and how they are treating each other
BloggerSeif
Men staying back in neighbourhoods to protect from looting while ppl go to protest is STILL IN EFFECT. Working in shifts #Jan25
BloggerSeif
We are now 13 Lebanese people together here. Staying in tight group for now. Tahrir is still very scary. #Jan25
BloggerSeif
Still in Tahrir square, protesters still here angry over Mubarak speech #jan25
BloggerSeif
Can't sleep well, I just have a weird feeling. Keep waking up. Most of us are like that. #Jan25
BloggerSeif
Morning everyone, currently not in Tahrir. Our camp hasn't eaten in 16 hours. Rushdi and I are joining lines to buy food #Jan25
10 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
BloggerSeif
undercover cop demanded my phone, when I said no he swung at me, and I pushed back.
BloggerSeif
Army wanting us in homes!! All over! This will be a violent day. Feel it. #Jan25
BloggerSeif
@SarahKaram1 MEET ME NOW! Say ur my fiance and we got separated if anyone asks! NOW! #Jan25
BloggerSeif
Feeling defeated. I want to leave #Egypt now. Really, things have flipped. #jan25
BloggerSeif
Pro mubarak man asking me for my phone, threatening me and Lebanese here. Telling us he will attack me #Jan25
BloggerSeif
Stop saying there are no clashes media, ppl are attacking us! North side of Tahrir!! #Jan25
BloggerSeif
Stones falling our way, we will throw back. #Jan25 @SarahKaram1 and pro mubarak girl on floor. Women are in serious clashes #Jan25
BloggerSeif
THERE ARE CHILDREN HERE, STOP TEAR GAS #Jan25
BloggerSeif
CHILD TRAMPLED #Jan25
BloggerSeif
Army you will cause a massacre here tonight! We’re peaceful protesters, u let them in here!! #Jan25
BloggerSeif
Horses are here, horses trampling. Man off horse being beat by anti mubarak men, horse running wild #Jan25
BloggerSeif
These are thugs, not protesters!! We were peaceful ppl!! We were peaceful! #Jan25
BloggerSeif
Keep in mind most anti mubarak ppl are low on food, our energy isn't well... The army, this is your fault #Jan25
BloggerSeif
MOLOTOV COCKTAILS? Can someone verify? #Jan25
BloggerSeif
I can't tell if they are aiming for us or pro mubarak ppl?! :S #Jan25
BloggerSeif
BOILING WATER BEING THROWN FROM BALCONIES AROUND TAHRIR, BRICKS DROPPED DOWN #Jan25
BloggerSeif
HOW DO WE GET OUT, SOMEONE TELL US!
BloggerSeif
We are trying to find way out, we are blocked from all sides. Please, mubarak stop, mubarak stop them!
BloggerSeif
Screaming, crying, injured, burned, they will kill us, I swear we will die. Omfg! #Jan25
BloggerSeif
Pro mubarak protesters broke into square!!! Entrance broken! OMFG there's blood, omfg OmFGf
BloggerSeif
:'( omg I have someones child, I have a child. 2 yrs max, green eyes, says his name mahmoud. Tweet it for me
BloggerSeif
PEOPLE LEAVE TAHRIR VIA OMAR MAKRAM, SEMIRAMIS THEN VIA NILE! #jan25
BloggerSeif
Another entrance down... Omg there's dead people. There's dead people...
BloggerSeif
Lebanese united with us, all 14 of us. All staying at Rushdi's place tonight. Dunno what tommorow holds. Will be back at it tom (1/2)
BloggerSeif
Other than bruises, unable to stand, starved, and panic, were all fine. Feeling betrayed, all of us are. Massacre in square, please watch em
You can read his blog here. We all hope for his safe return to Lebanon.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Cairo Egypt #25Jan
Having only heard grumblings of unrest in relation to Egypt before the events of January 25th I was a little shocked to start seeing the reports start rolling in on my Twitter feed about what was happening on the ground in Cairo. As an avid follower of Middle East politics it was clear pretty quick this was not just a run of the mill protest.
My two best friends through out the last six or seven days have been Twitter and Reddit. It has been quite stunning getting to read first hand accounts of fellow Redditors and Tweeters form Tahrir Square and other locations around Cairo. To help in getting information out when the Egyptian government shut down almost all forms of communication. To get to listen to exactly what the people marching were calling for. It has been an incredibly inspiring experience. Then......
I caught what was being reported and said on the US news. On CNN, FOX and MSNBC. As well as what was coming from the White House. It was almost like two completely different events. I was appalled. So I have spent a lot of time trying to come to terms and come to an explanation for this.
First, here is what I am getting from the actual people in Cairo taking part in the revolution. They are marching because Mubarak has increasingly become a ruthless dictator with a strong police presence in the country. 40 percent of the country lives below the poverty line. 45 percent live on little more than 2 dollars a day. The government had made it clear that dissent and protest will not be tolerated. It was seriously wrong.
Here in the US a completely different take on things. The protests were being reported as a violent uprising and that the government was working to get things under control. I do not think that was ever an option. I think it scared governments around the world, including here in the US. It needed to at least pretend that the, established and US backed government for 30 years, would soon regain control. Now, there are several reasons for this. Egypt has been a key ally in the Middle East for the US concerning affairs related to Israel. Cairo has been very friendly to Israeli causes. We need that in place. We now fear losing it. So the media starts inserting questions about organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood in the revolution. Worries about the pretests being anti American. I do not think they are anti American, but more like, thanks but no thanks America. The sentiment is we can keep our aid money if that means we will butt out and let the Egyptian people settle this. What has out money done for those 40 percent in poverty? They have watched a US government choose support for Mubarak ant the cost of wide spread suffering of the people.
I could continue to try and characterize this unfolding event in my own words but two pieces of media, one a picture taken by a fellow redditor. The other is a video by Tamer Shaaban. First the photo from Tahrir Square.
One of the most powerful videos I have ever seen. Especially the guy at :45. You can hear the heartbreaking passion and resolve in his voice. It sent chills up and down my spine. Still does.
"we will not be silenced, whether you are a christian, whether you are a Muslim, whether you are an atheist, you will demand your goddamn rights and we will have our rights, one way or the other! We will never be silenced" ----such powerful words. our prayers are with you Egypt.
My two best friends through out the last six or seven days have been Twitter and Reddit. It has been quite stunning getting to read first hand accounts of fellow Redditors and Tweeters form Tahrir Square and other locations around Cairo. To help in getting information out when the Egyptian government shut down almost all forms of communication. To get to listen to exactly what the people marching were calling for. It has been an incredibly inspiring experience. Then......
I caught what was being reported and said on the US news. On CNN, FOX and MSNBC. As well as what was coming from the White House. It was almost like two completely different events. I was appalled. So I have spent a lot of time trying to come to terms and come to an explanation for this.
First, here is what I am getting from the actual people in Cairo taking part in the revolution. They are marching because Mubarak has increasingly become a ruthless dictator with a strong police presence in the country. 40 percent of the country lives below the poverty line. 45 percent live on little more than 2 dollars a day. The government had made it clear that dissent and protest will not be tolerated. It was seriously wrong.
Here in the US a completely different take on things. The protests were being reported as a violent uprising and that the government was working to get things under control. I do not think that was ever an option. I think it scared governments around the world, including here in the US. It needed to at least pretend that the, established and US backed government for 30 years, would soon regain control. Now, there are several reasons for this. Egypt has been a key ally in the Middle East for the US concerning affairs related to Israel. Cairo has been very friendly to Israeli causes. We need that in place. We now fear losing it. So the media starts inserting questions about organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood in the revolution. Worries about the pretests being anti American. I do not think they are anti American, but more like, thanks but no thanks America. The sentiment is we can keep our aid money if that means we will butt out and let the Egyptian people settle this. What has out money done for those 40 percent in poverty? They have watched a US government choose support for Mubarak ant the cost of wide spread suffering of the people.
I could continue to try and characterize this unfolding event in my own words but two pieces of media, one a picture taken by a fellow redditor. The other is a video by Tamer Shaaban. First the photo from Tahrir Square.
One of the most powerful videos I have ever seen. Especially the guy at :45. You can hear the heartbreaking passion and resolve in his voice. It sent chills up and down my spine. Still does.
"we will not be silenced, whether you are a christian, whether you are a Muslim, whether you are an atheist, you will demand your goddamn rights and we will have our rights, one way or the other! We will never be silenced" ----such powerful words. our prayers are with you Egypt.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
My troubling America
My view as a socially liberal 34 year old American is troubling at best. In recent years I have listened and watched debate after debate, conversation after conversation to people and organizations make a case for not helping people. Statements like 'why should I give my hard earned money to lazy people who don't want to work' and 'welfare only motivates people not to work'. But even more troublesome to me is the growing anger over religious freedom. In an ironic way I think the two are related. Let me recap a recent conversation I had with a conservative, I think it will illustrate my point very well.
I receive an email claiming Obama refused any religious decorations on the White House Christmas tree. In the email it goes from the ornament thing (the entire thing is proved incorrect at snopes.com) and makes the huge leap that Obama is destroying Christianity in America and want to make it godless.
I tell the person who sent it to me that the email is false and the guidelines have not changed as to Christmas ornaments on the Christmas tree in the White House.
The conversation then shifted to the idea that the larger point that over the last decade there is has been a war on religion that has resulted in the rise in teen suicide.
Offered as proof wikipedia does state that the teen suicide rate has risen in the last decade. It however does
not state the reason is erosion of religion in the US.
Ok, so let's recap what just happened there. A concocted email is sent out and circulated making false claims about Obama and Christmas. Conservatives are OUTRAGED. The email is proven to be false. Here is where the truth rears it's ugly head. They really do not care about Obama per say. There point is a larger one and part of an agenda. They want Christianity shoved down our throats. So they attribute every social ill to things like prayer being taken out of schools and people suing to have government funded nativity scenes taken off the public square.
What they really want is America to be declared a Christian nation and for Christians to be elevated above everyone else and dictate laws and social policy. I think this flies directly in the face of what out founding fathers wanted. Conservatives are all about majority rule, mostly because they are the majority. I think it would be a different story if they were not. This troubles me greatly, especially for the future that my children would have to live in, if in fact I have children someday.
I receive an email claiming Obama refused any religious decorations on the White House Christmas tree. In the email it goes from the ornament thing (the entire thing is proved incorrect at snopes.com) and makes the huge leap that Obama is destroying Christianity in America and want to make it godless.
I tell the person who sent it to me that the email is false and the guidelines have not changed as to Christmas ornaments on the Christmas tree in the White House.
The conversation then shifted to the idea that the larger point that over the last decade there is has been a war on religion that has resulted in the rise in teen suicide.
Offered as proof wikipedia does state that the teen suicide rate has risen in the last decade. It however does
not state the reason is erosion of religion in the US.
Ok, so let's recap what just happened there. A concocted email is sent out and circulated making false claims about Obama and Christmas. Conservatives are OUTRAGED. The email is proven to be false. Here is where the truth rears it's ugly head. They really do not care about Obama per say. There point is a larger one and part of an agenda. They want Christianity shoved down our throats. So they attribute every social ill to things like prayer being taken out of schools and people suing to have government funded nativity scenes taken off the public square.
What they really want is America to be declared a Christian nation and for Christians to be elevated above everyone else and dictate laws and social policy. I think this flies directly in the face of what out founding fathers wanted. Conservatives are all about majority rule, mostly because they are the majority. I think it would be a different story if they were not. This troubles me greatly, especially for the future that my children would have to live in, if in fact I have children someday.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The teacher and the Hadj
I'm sure most people have read or at least heard of the teacher in the Berkley school district by now that was denied 3 weeks unpaid leave to participate in the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.
Because this is America I try to look at issues such as these and make sure things are equal. It is silly and naive to think this woman is being discriminated against. She is asking for 3 weeks leave! All be it she wants it to be unpaid. The schools would not have to pay her but would have to pay and arrange for someone to fill her position. I see a few things unreasonable with this. She is a full time teacher. Having grown up in a family of educators I have a little insight into the educational system. My first thought is about her students and her responsibility to them. I know what it is like when a teacher is out a few days. There is a relationship between teacher and student. Sure she could leave for 3 weeks and they could find someone to fill in for her. But the class would suffer. No matter how good a substitute is it is not the same as the regular teacher. If this was some something she knew she wanted to do then she should have saved her vacation and used it to take the trip. Even if she did not have a full three weeks maybe she could have only had to ask for 1 week unpaid. In every job I have ever had I could not have even thought about asking for 3 weeks off that I did not have! Paid or not! It is just the way it is. To cry discrimination is just plain silly. Understanding that this is a religious request does make it a bit more touchy. But that does not take away from the fact. If this was so important to her then I would suggest she quit her job and go do what she needs to do. If she is a qualified teacher then she stands a good chance at securing another job. She needs to address this need for 3 weeks off every year for her trip. It is one thing to have an understanding with a potential employer about such things and springing it on them with no prior discussion. It is just common sense. I just don't see it as anything more than an unreasonable request. Certainly not some huge example of Muslims being treated unfairly.
Thoughts?
Because this is America I try to look at issues such as these and make sure things are equal. It is silly and naive to think this woman is being discriminated against. She is asking for 3 weeks leave! All be it she wants it to be unpaid. The schools would not have to pay her but would have to pay and arrange for someone to fill her position. I see a few things unreasonable with this. She is a full time teacher. Having grown up in a family of educators I have a little insight into the educational system. My first thought is about her students and her responsibility to them. I know what it is like when a teacher is out a few days. There is a relationship between teacher and student. Sure she could leave for 3 weeks and they could find someone to fill in for her. But the class would suffer. No matter how good a substitute is it is not the same as the regular teacher. If this was some something she knew she wanted to do then she should have saved her vacation and used it to take the trip. Even if she did not have a full three weeks maybe she could have only had to ask for 1 week unpaid. In every job I have ever had I could not have even thought about asking for 3 weeks off that I did not have! Paid or not! It is just the way it is. To cry discrimination is just plain silly. Understanding that this is a religious request does make it a bit more touchy. But that does not take away from the fact. If this was so important to her then I would suggest she quit her job and go do what she needs to do. If she is a qualified teacher then she stands a good chance at securing another job. She needs to address this need for 3 weeks off every year for her trip. It is one thing to have an understanding with a potential employer about such things and springing it on them with no prior discussion. It is just common sense. I just don't see it as anything more than an unreasonable request. Certainly not some huge example of Muslims being treated unfairly.
Thoughts?
Thursday, December 9, 2010
A Swift justice
"I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child, well nursed, is at a year old, a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragout."
~Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal~
On a daily basis I am subjected to opinions from almost every angle. From local issues concerning things in the small town I grew up in (I am currently re-acquainting myself) to Wikileaks to news from Europe to the Middle East.
I find it both sad and laughably true that it would not surprise me a bit to wake up one morning and see the first paragraph blazoned across the front of FOX News. You know, the fair and balanced people. Of course all this can be avoided. Just ask them. If all the lazy people in the country would just get off their butts and get their college degrees, so they can make loads of money, we would not have to squabble about welfare or tax hikes. The problem is, these lazy people just want to FEED off the government because they enjoy living in poverty and don't want to work, produce what? Yep.........kids that want to FEED off the government because they enjoy living in poverty and don't want to work.
In summary.......wake up America! Before the haves start eating the have nots babies.
:-)
~Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal~
On a daily basis I am subjected to opinions from almost every angle. From local issues concerning things in the small town I grew up in (I am currently re-acquainting myself) to Wikileaks to news from Europe to the Middle East.
I find it both sad and laughably true that it would not surprise me a bit to wake up one morning and see the first paragraph blazoned across the front of FOX News. You know, the fair and balanced people. Of course all this can be avoided. Just ask them. If all the lazy people in the country would just get off their butts and get their college degrees, so they can make loads of money, we would not have to squabble about welfare or tax hikes. The problem is, these lazy people just want to FEED off the government because they enjoy living in poverty and don't want to work, produce what? Yep.........kids that want to FEED off the government because they enjoy living in poverty and don't want to work.
In summary.......wake up America! Before the haves start eating the have nots babies.
:-)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Beirut Lebanon
I get it all the time. You went where on vacation?! I reply, Lebanon, you know Beirut. Most of the time I then would get a lot of questions. They would start with, what was it like? How was the food? Then I would have to explain that even though Lebanon is a middle eastern country it is not a barren wasteland full of sand as far as the eye can see. Quite the contrary, it is a beautiful country, complete with beautiful beaches and incredible mountains. I would then offer a few selected pictures I have on my Blackberry as proof. At this point there would be silence and puzzled look of consternation on the face of the questioner. And then.........as sure as the sun will rise and set. Was it safe? Did you see any guns or bombs go off? Were you looked at funny? My reply: Yes, I was very safe. Yes, I saw some guns....on the police, army guys, and municipal police. You know, the guys that should have guns. No, I was not looked at funny, whatever that is supposed to mean. I mean as far as walking around Bourj Hammoud or Baalbek, I did not get any "funny" looks. I know that was not what they meant. What they really wanted to know, was I treated bad by any...........you know.....Muslims. Again, the answer a resounding NO! I was even traveling with people who are Armenian Orthodox Christians. As I mentioned before we spent the day in Baalbek, a Hezbollah controlled town. Not so much as a glance in my direction.
The ignorance in this country is astounding. I have heard all the clever comments: Be sure to take your flak jacket. See you on CNN. Cover your head when the rockets start falling. All made as if they were joking, but I know there was more than just a little seriousness in there. The truth is, Lebanon is full of beautiful people just trying to live their lives and raise their families. It is a beautiful country full of potential but caught in the crossfire of middle eastern politics and the fight against Israel. Ruled by politicians that are ruled by outside influences. It is sad in many ways. The ones paying the price have the least to say in the matter. With all this being said, I will go back. Sooner than later. Because there is just something about the place and the people that make whatever risk present, worth every second.
The ignorance in this country is astounding. I have heard all the clever comments: Be sure to take your flak jacket. See you on CNN. Cover your head when the rockets start falling. All made as if they were joking, but I know there was more than just a little seriousness in there. The truth is, Lebanon is full of beautiful people just trying to live their lives and raise their families. It is a beautiful country full of potential but caught in the crossfire of middle eastern politics and the fight against Israel. Ruled by politicians that are ruled by outside influences. It is sad in many ways. The ones paying the price have the least to say in the matter. With all this being said, I will go back. Sooner than later. Because there is just something about the place and the people that make whatever risk present, worth every second.
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