Lebanese blogs: August 8

Ramzi's Blah Blah
http://ramziblahblah.blogspot.com/
My second cousin is in the army. Or was.

He was stationed in Tyre, to man a prehistoric anti-aircraft gun that could only intimidate migrating birds.

He heard Israeli choppers flying in to drop commandos in a civilian area.

We don't know if he actually managed to get a round fired off or not.

Moments later he became a charred body in a destroyed vehicle.

In my heart, I know his death served no purpose.

He is fodder to the raging inferno of death and hate sweeping Lebanon, leaving ash and dust in its wake.

But when his toddler kids grow up, and ask me what happened in 2006, I will say he died a hero.

Would they understand the truth? Would they forgive us if they did?

Beirut Live
http://beirutlive.blogspot.com/
It is said that great leaders emerge during the darkest of hours. They will stand up for the rest of us and show their true love of the nation. And during Lebanon's darkest hours, Fouad Siniora has not only shown his great love of Lebanon through extremely emotional speeches, but has also shown how he can lead by bringing the various sects together and by standing fast against the countless nations of the world, including the USA. He continously refuses to bend down to any form of pressure that would send Lebanon to its deathbed. He immediatly refuses UN resolutions that dont guarantee Lebanon's interests. He openly blames Israel of war crimes. He persistently works to find solutions that would in one hand disarm Hizbullah and the other return the Shebaa Farms and the remaining Lebanese prisoners in Israel. He has guaranteed a rapid deployment of the Lebanese army in the South. He has transformed himself from a PM that was placed because of his close ties to the Hariri family into a unique leader of Lebanon that will be remembered for his true nationalism and his ability to lead.

And for this, we thank you deeply Mr. Siniora. We thank you for keeping Lebanon's honor and people together during these dark moments. We shall always be here for our Lebanon.

Lebanon shall stay, Lebanon shall stay, Lebanon shall stay (sa yabka Lubnan!).

The shame of trying to warp miracles into scandals
http://chercheusedor.blogspot.com/
No news, just a rant.

I'm sick of cynics mouthing off about the revision of the number of deaths in Houla from 40 to 1 earlier today.

No one could've anticipated that 65 people would be pulled out alive from that kind of destruction. I wish the spirit of our common humanity were strong enough to let us all celebrate their miraculous survival, rather than deride the Lebanese government for giving a more severe estimate for a couple of hours. Seniora publicly corrected the figure as soon as better info came in, and before anyone argues that they ought to have waited for confirmed numbers before saying anything, I'd like to remind you guys how hampered recovery efforts are right now, especially in the South.

There's a propaganda war under way, but there's also a real war, with real lives in the balance. When we get good news like this - 39 people (parents, friends, children...) who we feared were dead are alive! - why can't we just be grateful?

Can't Think of a Title
http://urshalim.blogspot.com/
Yesterday: 60 dead.

200 injured (injured meaning really cut, real loss of body parts)

The number of the dead in the Chiah massacre is 15 so far. The search for survivors continues.

Yesterday:

PM Sanyoura wept while Arab foreign ministers watched. Foreign ministers were sent to Beirut immediately after the Arab leaders, who are furious because the bridge of Casino du Liban was brought down, thought it was time to take action. 26 days into the war. Better late than never?

This morning:

Olmert is on TV almost sobbing (someone please hand him a tissue) as he describes the agony that the settlers are enduring while spending their days and nights in their shelters. They are only getting a few hours of sun and fresh air daily.