I haven't given much thought to Lebanon since the beginning of September. It seems the news plate has been overflowing, and keeping score on the domestic scandals and outright abolition of guaranteed rights under the Constitution has been sucking my time up like a raindrop in a thirsty desert. Lebanon comes and goes, sneaking in and out on occasion, but I do try and remain informed on what's going on over there.
Today the Washington Post had a story that I almost passed over: “U.S. Faults Syria, Iran, Hezbollah on Lebanon.” The article delved into to the political morass of what are the remains of the Lebanese political system. In short, Tony Snow whined in a press conference, “It's Syria, Iran, and Hezbollah's fault – they're causing trouble and trying to topple Prime Minister Siniora's democratically elected government!”
The details, as elaborated by the story are simple: through physical threats and mass demonstrations, the outside forces are trying to capitalize on the popularity of Hezbollah – they are demanding thirty percent of all the cabinet seats available in the new “Unity Government”. Turns out that number may seem small, but it has an impact: it will hold enough veto power to block any major decision made by the new government. This could cripple the government and possibly down the road, lead to a new civil war – but admittedly, that's speculation, and I don't wish that on a population who have suffered greatly.
The Bush Administration is now running scared, and who can blame them? By all accounts, they helped to create this mess they now find themselves in . Vice President Cheney was first approached by the Israelis as a test float for a planned invasion, and then met up with several high level Israelis in Colorado just a few days prior to the start of the war. The Bush Administration remained quiet after the attacks began, and then shoved Ambassador John Bolton front and center to shut down the United Nations Security Council, giving Israel time to bomb the democratically elected government they now seem to cherish like an old lost love. The Administration could've stopped the invasion in its tracks by shutting down the Israeli military leaders who were giving Power Point presentations to our military, House and Senate leaders in 2005.
I smell hypocrisy.
Bush is now in big trouble. For anyone paying attention, Lebanon is another massive failure on Bush's hands. By backing Israel, he was giving proxy to them to go after Hezbollah, but Bush and his cabinet once again, didn't think through the aftermath picture. They always seem to put on the rose-colored glasses and sing, “que sera, sera….whatever will be, will be….the future's not ours to see…que sera, sera…” I'm sure Doris Day will be happy to know she's got an musical accompaniment after all these years.
That's the price you pay when the emperor surrounds himself with sycophants, claiming his new clothes are stunning, while Joe Q. Public is wincing in between dry heaves and screaming, “Put that thing up! No one wants to see THAT!” You would think the cold breeze of a impending Democratic landslide would give him a hint as to his real condition!
The Administration, being fronted by Tony Snow, “warns” Hezbollah, Syria and Iran to stay out and not to collapse the “U.S. backed democratically elected government”. I am speechless. When Hezbollah's poised to take over and cause more trouble, all of a sudden the Lebanese government is “backed” by the United States? If I were Lebanese or P.M. Siniora, I would be outraged and screaming, “Where the hell were YOU when we were getting reduced to dust, Mr. President?! You were backing Israel!”
You can't have it both ways, Uncle Sammy. Congratulations (or as they in Arabic) and Mabrook! You bet on the wrong horse once again, and now you're playing the real life version of “Fear Factor” to pay the debt. Way to go!
I'm sure this won't create more deep-rooted animosity or terrorist treats to American sovereignty. It's not as if terrorists could outdo the destruction on this country the present House, Senate, and White House occupants have.
You have to choose sides and stay put, Uncle Sammy. You backed Israel during the campaign, and now the dust has settled, you have jumped sides to back what you allowed to be destroyed. No wonder US foreign policy is hated everywhere…except Washington.
Other quazen.com articles by this writer can be found here , relijournal.com articles here , and picable.com images here . If you enjoyed this article, consider digging it with others.
