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Arab-American celebrities — including Tony Shalhoub, Jamie Farr, Paul Anka and Casey Kasem — are calling for a ceasefire between Hizb Allah millitants and Israel in a half page ad that is running today in the Washington Post and other publications. This is so uplifting. I’m extremely glad that these prominent Arab-Americans are asking for an end to the bloodshed, which is claiming lives from both sides with the Lebanese paying the highest toll (some 600 as of today) in terms of both lives and infrastructure. Maybe such high profile names will wake some people up and put pressure on those supporting the current ongoing military action so they will come to their senses and intervene. The image enlarges on click. Source: [Arab American Institute] |
How pathetic. I’ve always scorned so-called celebrities who think they know best. And in this case, they don’t know anything. A cease-fire right now would be the worst thing. It would only give Hezbullah time to regroup and rearm before it starts its next round of attacks on Israel.
A cease-fire would only be proper if it included plans for a multi-national force to patrol southern Lebanon, ready to fight if Hizbullah started up again. A cease-fire just for the sake of a cease-fire would be a catastrophe.
tommy;
This reminds me of the saying ” when the sh** hits the fan.” The fan here is IDF.
There are many “plain vanilla” Americans who wish for a cease fire and deep UNDERSTANDING between all the parties in the region. I, for one, am appalled that our so-called leaders and diplomatic corps thinks “waiting” and prevaricating are goot tactics. I, for one, don’t believe they HAVE a viable strategy.
I wish you safety… and I wish ALL of us increased compassion for and patience with those who seem threatening. (If all sides could do that……)
Someone has been fouling batir’s blog today with coarse language. Batir, as you know, is a center figure in the political discussions, and his blog attracts comments that are pro and against the government equally likely.
The past week, because of the events in Lebanon, the atmosphere of political discussion has heated up in the Jordanian blogsphere. Some people voiced very hard criticisms of the government and its stance.
Considering the behaviour of the foul-mouthed individual calling himself Ahmad Tarawneh, I do not see anything in Batir’s behavior to merit Ahmad’s reponses. I expect that Ahmad has been sent by someone to foul Batir’s blog on purpose and he was armed with private information about Batir’s family.
Batir’s knee-jerk reaction was to call the blog to be closed (Ahmad repeatedly challenged him to close the blog, and in a way he was encouraging him to do it).
My personal explanation is that this Ahmad is a member of the intelligence services who intends to poison the blogging atmosphere in Jordan by ruinging the emerging community. They want to break is because it is showing signs of free political discussions and is proving to be a place where people breathe amongst the atmosphere of fear in Jordan.
I am not sure what should be done about this. I urge Batir not to stop blogging. Is there a better way to do this? Write a letter to someone who is concerned about encouring free speech in Jordan? Any help is appreciated.
Too bad other Muslim Americans are throwing themselves into the conflict:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060729/ts_nm/crime_shooting_dc;_ylt=AgyxOC8ctl_v_PBAeYx3rays0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3OTB1amhuBHNlYwNtdHM-
You know Jamie Farr (Farouk) had to be against war with all that time he spent battling wounds during the Korean War.
Also good to see Paul Anka and Casey Kasem on there, too, but too bad Salma Hayek didn’t make it. She’s half Lebanese and all so good at getting attention.
Good to see!
How come my name is not listed !