The Definition of politics: prudent or wise in practical matters; tactful; diplomatic... In Lebanon every citizens is a politician, however we are missing the prudent, tactful and diplomatic part of the definition? How does it work?
The blame game is all you witness and the application process is an Einstein riddle, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration if we assume that everybody in one of the smallest countries on earth believes that he or she is holding the answer to the riddle, lacking the arguemental skills that will lead to a conclusion. Each one of us is clutching whether intentionally or unintentionally to a blinded loyalty towards a party despite the consequences: in terms of division within our society.
We are agreeing on being treated as though we are items on dusty shelves; segregated into different categories under sub divisions, nevertheless that’s how far the division goes in Lebanon.
The only force keeping us under such a condition is that loyalty. If the Lebanese people can only understand the purpose of a flag; which is to mark a nation’s unity and salute it as one rather than one’s, in order to work towards the nations benefit disregarding all those so called whales we pay our loyalty too and marsh united, we can contribute tremendously to our motherland and the world as a whole.
For example between 1960 – 1966 pre to the civil war which have triggered today’s division, a group of young genius motivated Lebanese students started a project in Haigazian College today’s (Haigazian university) building and testing space rockets that was later funded by the government at the time and supervised by the Lebanese army for security reasons.
Furthermore such a project would be merely impossible to even see the light in today’s condition, almost 50 years later since the project was launched and reached a halt due to the civil war. Now a day’s a cold war initiate’s between opposing parties over constructing somewhat as fundamental as a bridge: Here are some of Lebanon’s contributions to the space field alone:
*Dr. Charles Elachi, Head of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
*Edgar Choueiri, noted researcher in the field of plasma propulsion.
*George Helou, Director of the NASA Herschel Science Center.
*American-Lebanese astronaut Christa McAuliffe, NASA astronaut and space shuttle Challenger victim, who was slated to become the first teacher in space.
Lebanon was walking on the right path to success and glory, before it slipped into the destruction and division of warfare. Hence we come to understand in order to facilitate success, unity is a vital element. Hopefully that day will come were it will reoccur to us and rise again as a united nation to re-fuel the world with our youth potential.
(The writer is an MBC staff member. He can be reached at Samer.Khalek@mbc.net)
Comments »