Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa...

Speaking truth to the masses:

"And please don't give me any of the 'it's the fault of the political leadership' verbiage. Do not try to peddle any of the cheesy ethnic cliches along the lines of 'When the elephants fight it is the grass that suffers'. Those who have driven us to this war are not the few war criminals or corrupt political dealers who rejoice at our stupidity. It is the millions of Lebanese who have flocked spontaneously on February 14, March 8, March 14, December 1, then 8 then February 14 again and continue to do so whenever they have a chance. With great flag waving and slogan shouting these millions of patriots have empowered the rotten leadership towards our destruction."[emphasis mine]

I like this. Well, no I don't, let me rephrase: I agree with this. When I was writing my article on "Beirut Diaries," I asked the director, Mai Masri, what had kept Lebanon's confessional system of government in place. She answered as if it was obvious: it was the politicians, who maintained the system in order to stay in power. They subverted the will of the people for their own nefarious desires.

It sure is tempting. It sets the manipulative, evil politicians against the true and good Lebanese people. But I don't think it is true. The fact of the matter is that many Lebanese want confessionalism, in the same way that they want to maintain the old client-patron relationships with the old, feudal leaders. Confessionalism guarantees representation of their religious sect in the political process, and it keeps them from trying to tear down the other religious sects, if they should become too powerful. The feudal leaders provide them with security, a flag to rally around.

No, sorry, I can't walk down that particular road. If civil war breaks out, the reality will be that we will have nobody to blame but ourselves. No excuses. Lebanon will get the type of government it deserves.