Popularism - An Account of Individual Reactions

It's evening now in Lebanon ... reactions - both political and personal - are abound. Different political reactions can be seen in the links I provide below. The personal reactions, especially those of people currently in Lebanon, can only really be obtained if you are on the ground. At this moment, I wish I was there.

Regardless, it's still interesting to see what some of the Lebanese here with me, and some of my friends back in Lebanon, think about the situation. Like the politicians, they have analyzed the situation only in terms of political gains/losses/desires/hatred. The consequences they forsee are those aimed at political heads. Some feel vindicated. Others feel worried. But none have mentioned the effect that this report, or its aftershocks, will have on the normal civilians - both Lebanese and Syrian. That should be the most important aspect of this all.

Once again, I'm going to quote my mother, who will not accept that Man has the potential to be his worst in the chase for power, in a conversation that just ended a while ago. It shows how the approach of the media, the gloating of different politicians (whether the gloating is justified or not ... is another issue), and the conversations in work, have already begun to slightly distort some of the facts. I do not list the exact example she provides, because there were quite a few. But distortions have always created a sense of danger - and we have to tread our way carefully.

Mother: We were talking today about how (and she cites an example)
Lazarus: Where did you hear that?
M: They were saying that at work.
L: The report didn't say that. That happened several months before February. So it's already being changed?
M: I don't know. Your brother is bringing the report home today.
L: You should read it. Some of the things are unbelievable.
M: I just don't get how they can do such things. And they think that they can get away with it?
L: You forget - they are all zo3ran (I don't really know how to translate that). They played with the country like dough.
M: Yalla, at least all this is being documented.

This might not seem like much. And it isn't.

Not now.

But in a few days, legends will be born, and myths will be taken as truths. Then, when that happens, try reconciliating any differences the different people have. When history, and in this case "truth", are adjusted according to personal convictions - even when the example is as simple as an adjusted fact - danger will ferment, and as usual, it will be the people who suffer.

posted by Lazarus, 11:32 AM