tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6700183921884368962.post4449016197920251102..comments2024-03-27T20:43:41.891+00:00Comments on Arabdemocracy: General Aoun and the Weight of HistoryArab Democracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484561039671942435noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6700183921884368962.post-56020604899582203522009-01-12T15:21:00.000+00:002009-01-12T15:21:00.000+00:00Dear Joseph,As long as they all (Parties and indiv...Dear Joseph,<BR/><BR/>As long as they all (Parties and individuals) work and push through systems and institutions, I think this change will become inevitable…<BR/>Unlike you, the reason I am optimistic is that I see that most political stakeholders are currently working and mobilizing through systems and institutions… at least this is becoming the modus operandi lately…or at least on the road to that. <BR/>The challenge now is improving the systems and creating ones where they do not exist…to attract all players to work within the system… I admit that it is mammoth task… But no one said that creating keeping and up keeping nations is a simple task, specially a nation such as ours.<BR/><BR/>Political parties and grass-root movements are an intrinsic element of any System and Institutionalized political and democratic system. I agree though that it is definitely NOT about individuals or Specific characters. <BR/><BR/>I agree with you that idolizing political figures is not the way to the above, but at the same time any change has to have a god father, a leader or at least a Catalyst, until a tipping point is reached… This is how change has happened throughout history because mind you and here I quote Niccolo Machiavelli: “There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things."<BR/><BR/>General Aoun has definitely affected change in the Lebanese psyche, what is left to be seen is if this change would be consistent and enough to achieve a tipping point for a long lasting and intrinsic change that we all crave and need.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand and particularly if we need to go beyond the tipping point, the major question remains, if he will succeed in creating a movement, a system, and an institution that transcends him as an idolized political character, so that this change would not be a one of spike in our recent future history preceding a chaotic aftermath as a result.<BR/><BR/>My current bet, for now, is the tipping point…Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6700183921884368962.post-7769244060014335882009-01-09T12:38:00.000+00:002009-01-09T12:38:00.000+00:00Dear NabihI think we both agree that change is nee...Dear Nabih<BR/><BR/>I think we both agree that change is needed and inevitable.<BR/><BR/>We disagree on the vehicle for it. Having flirted with political parties in my youth, i am convinced that only systems and institutions can bring about the change in mentality and attitudes that are required to safeguard this country.<BR/><BR/>I am less optimistic than on you on the ability of General Aoun or for that matter anyone else (parties or individuals)to create that change.<BR/><BR/>My hope for 2009 is that things dont get worse. And I am sure we wil follow up on that discussion during the year.<BR/><BR/>JosephArab Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17484561039671942435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6700183921884368962.post-28361101473914080272009-01-09T09:00:00.000+00:002009-01-09T09:00:00.000+00:00Thanks a lot for your well articulated account of ...Thanks a lot for your well articulated account of that period.<BR/>Although it is a very fair account of events, allow me to say, that your personal perspective and stance, as a result of the events, are quite dubious to me… You remind me of a Chinese proverb; “When rape is inevitable… Relax and enjoy it”<BR/>In my book, I believe “confrontation” and “troublemaking” is the best tools in the face of injustice and unfairness.<BR/>I personally believe that 2009 is going to be the year… where the record will be set straight again!<BR/><BR/>Resistance is not about toppling your opponent or enemy but rather outliving or sustaining until change takes place …Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6700183921884368962.post-90816931367430404472008-12-08T10:35:00.000+00:002008-12-08T10:35:00.000+00:00Thanks Joseph, appreciate your response. It seems ...Thanks Joseph, appreciate your response. It seems that even the most well-intentioned politicians are often too far removed from people's suffering.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14669907426663593737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6700183921884368962.post-5166424000041045052008-12-07T16:46:00.000+00:002008-12-07T16:46:00.000+00:00Thanks for your comment Ann. To answer your quetio...Thanks for your comment Ann. To answer your quetion, probably because I felt betrayed. We had suffered on a personal level during that war. When the Taef accord were signed I was eager for peace and normality. Aoun rejected it outright and that was unjustifiable for me. Since then in my mind he has been nothing more than a confrontational and troublemaking figure.<BR/><BR/>JosephArab Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17484561039671942435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6700183921884368962.post-10969043254350251002008-12-06T13:37:00.000+00:002008-12-06T13:37:00.000+00:00Interesting impressions. Just curious: why have yo...Interesting impressions. Just curious: why have you disliked Aoun?Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14669907426663593737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6700183921884368962.post-32946898780559628022008-12-06T13:36:00.000+00:002008-12-06T13:36:00.000+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14669907426663593737noreply@blogger.com