LEBANON, the most visibly unstable Arab country, is today the most stable amongst the club of nations that sport that nefarious name. Lebanon is heaving with civil unrest that has been the hallmark of civilized behavior. Governments fall and others are formed. Elections will be held to the highest standards possible. Constitutional crises are lived through and discussed openly.
Most importantly, everyone is talking and writing and singing and no one is in prison yet. They shout at each other, they debate in a civilized way, they exchange insults in a very uncivilized manner, they say what they want, and believe that they will get it. It is all in the open and there are neither secret societies nor any secret services that call people in for questioning.
How in the world are we to believe that Lebanon is an Arab country? Not a single Arab country has seen anything like this before and will probably be a long time in waiting. There are ex-Lebanese presidents still alive and happy with their families and who appear every once in a while to talk to the populace on television. That alone, is something to write home about.
Much of the same is happening in other Arab countries. Nothing is open about it though. Whoever is not “liked” is thrown away in the time honored fashion while declaring adherence to reform when Condi visits.
And yet, every other Arab country is telling the Lebanese that they “should hold elections.” Strange! What about you? They also say that they do not want anyone to interfere in Lebanese politics. Fine, begin with yourselves. Every time the Arabs interfere, Lebanon loses more of its identity.
The Lebanese will not carry arms nor will they slaughter each other if left to their own devices. That is a myth the Arabs fanned and supported in order to make it easier to control Lebanon and play with its destiny while using its land and resources to create personal fiefdoms. Back in the 1970s it was an Arab decision that brought Syria into Lebanon. Thirty years later, it took an American decision to send them home.
These are non-negotiable historical facts that are sending messages to the Arab citizen regardless of his geographical location: America can do things if it wants to, and if the result of America’s action is my personal and national freedom, then so be it — Al-Jazeerah and its banter not withstanding.
So as you watch the Lebanese settle their political problems in public, do not be fooled by those other states that do not make the news. Lebanon is stable and healthy even though some old guard would plant bombs in hope of reversing history.
If you have some concern to dish out, think of the silent and unbearably quiet ones who, to borrow Milan Kundera’s term, are suffering the unbearable weightiness of being.
