Of Sensationalism and Tragedy

A few words on Ella Tannous. A tragedy for sure. Kids die, kids develop complications and kids suffer amputations. Many of us have followed Ella's case and those involved know that adverse events happen. Septicemia can lead to shock, necrosis can lead to amputation. More so, serious invasive streptococcus infection is extremely rare as opposed to strep pharyngitis and one out of four patients will die as a result.

It is an unfortunate tragic story, however Ella is alive because of the great medical care she received. And where hindsight is 20-20, physicians know you don't always treat fever with antibiotics and you don't always get septic shock from a bacterial infection. This is a worst case scenario but a plausible one. 

More importantly, in a country where there is lack of trust in the judicial system and where chaos prevails, the media suddenly takes on the important and dangerous role of referee and imparts on us a romanticized sensationalized image to attract more viewers. 

Appealing to the media to settle legal matters is a slippery slope. Let justice take its course, improve the judicial system instead of creating new unqualified referees. Everyone is entitled to due process including Dr. Issam Maalouf, and yes this is truly a tragedy for everyone involved. 

Of inspiration and writing things down

Whether you are driven by certainty or uncertainty, life pulls you in different directions. Mostly unexpected... But remember, your core being is still the same and if you have succeeded before, you will succeed again.

--Where do we come from and where do we go?

Nous sommes de l'étoffe dont sont faits les rêves et nos vies sont entourées de sommeil...

Don't Let Morality Die

When you look back at Auschwitz 70 years later and still feel the guilt of a collective moral catastrophe... 
Don't let history repeat itself...

Voila ce que j'ai compris

Eh oui, it takes 21 days to form a habit.
Donc ça se lance. Je lis! et ç'est pas dire que je comprends tout ce que je lis mais bon c'est parti.

-Ce livre devrait me permettre de résoudre le conflit au Proche-Orient, d'avoir mon diplôme et de trouver une femme. 
Sylvain Mazas

Of Malcolm Kerr or the Symbol of Resilience

Malcolm Kerr, a highly respected American Arabist, stayed on as president, keeping alive a small flame of optimism for the future of AUB and his beloved Lebanon.
On January 18, Kerr left the president's house and walked across the quiet, tree-shaded campus, passing under the old stone archway bearing the inscription "That They May Have Life and Have It More Abundantly". He entered College Hall and went to his office on the second floor. Outside the door, two young men stepped out of an adjacent hall, raised their pistols, and fired. Kerr died instantly.

-Lebanon, Susan Mackey

Of living by proxy or the state of the Lebanese woman

The Global Gender Gap Report 2014 has been published, ranking Lebanon at 135 out of 142 countries. The study shows that women's educational attainment is high, however women have yet to enter the political world and obtain the right to speak and make a difference.
How can a paternalistic society move forward when highly educated women cannot participate in drafting and implementing legislation?
Should we wait for our country men to protect us and give us our rights?
Who decides if I can give the citizenship to my unborn children?
Who decides if I am protected against abuse?
Who decides what the definition of abuse is?
To live by proxy. Or the state of the Lebanese woman.

Of change

The one constant you can always rely on.
Everybody leaves one day...

Of Art and 7ake

In love with the Art 7ake shop!

Of Beirut or Fate

Somewhere it's been written.
Somewhere it's been decided.
I was born in war.
War is my fate.
I have never known Beirut without war.
I have never known Beirut without injustice.
I have never known Beirut without fear.
I have never known...
Will I die in my country?
Will I die in war?
Will I ever know?

I look at Beirut. She looks back. Envious.
Envious of freedom. Of opportunities. Of what if.
Envious of unspeakable possibilities.
And all I want is to go back.
To her chaos and ugliness.
To her carelessness.
To realize an unrealistic dream.
To give back the love she deserves.

Is love most romantic when it's unfulfilled?
Do I love you because you don't truly exist?
Will you fade away when I come closer?
Are you truly Beirut?
Or the concealed unattainable in my psyche?
Are you a dream? An illusion?
Hope? Is that you?

Ello or work in progress

got my Ello invite a couple of days ago.
Still not sure what to do with it.
Somewhat excited to work it out as it goes.