Throughout the last couple of months, we witnessed what some may mistake for an independence movement.
Our so-called leaders now sound as if they are starting to actually care about the freedom of their people, encouraging men, women and children to take onto the streets and express their frustration and anger towards a regime that has left their country on its knees after thirty years of occupation.
The latest trend for politicians had been to appear in the Media and to tell all about the low acts of manipulation, control and threats that they have been subjected to for the past fifteen years, which, of course, they now all blame their mistakes on. A lot have publicly admitted having made enormous concessions under Syrian pressure and they want us to believe that today they are leading a liberation movement out of courage.
I find it very clear that during these fifteen years and until today, their actions have been led only by fear.
They felt that selling their country and their integrity was a good enough act of allegiance that would permanently guarantee their safety and wellbeing. The occasional leniency towards their even more occasional disobediences on the national scene only made that feeling stronger.
Hariri's assassination came as a reminder that no one is safe and that during a regional crisis no stepping out of line will be tolerated. So in an infinite act of cowardliness they sought a new protector, one that would guarantee their legitimacy in front of the world who was now turning its attention on them. Where else could they find it but among their own people? The ones they were protecting themselves from have now become their only refuge. So they used the momentum created by decades of oppression and triggered by an explosion in the heart of their country to rally the crowds behind them. A final jump for safety that has so far been successful.
Just like a blind man who can see for the first time, the Lebanese people have been blinded by the rays of hope.
As pessimistic and negative as this may sound, we have not yet learned from the past, and we think we can correct a mistake by another, more esthetic one. To ensure long-term freedom and stability we have to question the motives behind people's acts, we are yet to learn that more often than not, those who are eager for elections are those smart enough to see an opportunity and want to grab it.
Only in Lebanon does the blame get put on those who bought the country instead of those who sold it.
Only in Lebanon does History always forget.
Edgard Saliba
eddysaliba@gmail.com
