Guess Who's Back, Back Again

I apologize for my absence the past few days; I know it's been hard for you. Hopefully, the witty Slim Shady reference in the subject has done something to assuage your anger, fear, and depression. It's just been a busy few days, and I haven't had a great deal to see about the four month-long April Fool's joke that is Lebanon's political deadlock.

As the situation seems to have reached a stalemate, we have a good example of both factions using the remaining sticks in their possession to put pressure on their enemies. To wit: Aoun predicts that the Presidential elections won't occur on time. That must have been a tough announcement for someone who is yearning for the Presidency. And of course, the opposition always can hint at unleashing the mobs to spread chaos across Beirut.

On the other side of the divide, March 14 is threatening to convene Parliament without the Speaker, Nabih Berri. That would let them pass the international tribunal to investigate Hariri's assassination in whatever form they pleased, free from political compromises.

Are we any closer to a solution than we were four months ago? I'm not sure. Faster, please.