"People power on the move," says FOXNews' David Asman, as freedom marches on before our eyes, this time live in Martyrs' Square, Beirut, where peaceful demonstrators -- awash in a sea of billowing red, white and green flags portraying the Cedar of Lebanon -- take in the intoxicating news that the Prime Minister, a puppet of occupying Syria, has just announced that the whole government will resign. "The opposition has raised its rhetoric in recent days," reports CNN, "taking its cue from international pressure -- led by the U.S. and France -- to force Syrian troops from Lebanon following [Prime Minister Rafik] Hariri's killing" two weeks ago.
Commenting on events unfolding on his monitor, FOXNews' David Asman mentions the "D" word -- the dreaded (by Bush bashers) domino effect. In a later segment on Hollywood's and the Democrats' refusal to acknowledge that GW is on the right side of history, actor Ron Silver says "it's time for them to detoxify themselves from the Michael Moores . . . Hillary could possibly do that." She's no dummy.
Asman notes we're not used to seeing peaceful demonstrations in the Arab world, adding that this "Cedar Revolution" is more reminiscent of the recent "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine. But of course. These are not the "Arab street" demonstrations of yore, with pumping fists and anti-American banners, staged by tyrants as photo ops to shore up their own corrupt regimes. These are the people themselves -- Muslims and Christians together, waving their national flags in unity -- finding their voice, emboldened by the momentum of events precipitated by GW's visionary foreign policy. As Osama famously put it, "when people see a strong horse and a weak horse, by nature, they will like the strong horse."
Update: InstaLanche in progress.
Update II: Our first VodkaLanche. We love Stephen Green's turn of phrase:
Adding to an Instalanche is more than a little like pissing into a rainstorm. But on the off chance you missed this link over at the big guy's blog, click and read it now.
This is the new "Arab street," the true Arab street. Hurray!
Posted by: PJ | February 28, 2005 at 01:54 PM
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/050228/ids_photos_wl/r4073408765.jpg One thing I noticed was in this crowd, celebrating in a Muslim country, there were women -- without hijabs!
Posted by: Auspex | February 28, 2005 at 02:06 PM
What an absolutely wonderful thing.
We are running out of colors. Who is next?
Ukraine - Rose
Iraq - Purple
Tajikstan - Burnt Umber
Kryghizstan - Burnt Sienna
Lebanon - Green maybe?
Syria -
Egypt -
Bahrain -
Saudi Arabia - Can we hope?
We live in interesting times?
Posted by: fellow asian | February 28, 2005 at 02:07 PM
you forgot the velvet revolution
Posted by: indian | February 28, 2005 at 02:24 PM
It's 1989 all over again.....
Posted by: Frank Martin | February 28, 2005 at 02:32 PM
If anyone tries to convince you that the current events in Lebanon have nothing to do with what has happened in Iraq, please refer to this:
Walid Jumblatt, the man at the center of this Lebanon's intifada has some ideas about Mideast change, too.
"[T]his process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq," Jumblatt tells the WaPo's David Ignatius. "I was cynical about Iraq. But when I saw the Iraqi people voting three weeks ago, 8 million of them, it was the start of a new Arab world." Writes Ignatius, "Jumblatt says this spark of democratic revolt is spreading. 'The Syrian people, the Egyptian people, all say that something is changing. The Berlin Wall has fallen. We can see it.'" [emps added]
Posted by: Buck | February 28, 2005 at 02:35 PM
I am so glad to know that the process of change in Lebanon has nothing to do with the assasination of Hariri! Bush should be praised for allowing the Lebanese people, who had been living under Syrian rule for only 29 years, to realize only now how brutal this occupation was.
Another positive effect: because of the the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the Iraqi are also realizing how important it is to struggle against foreign occupation.
"We are all happy when an American soldier is killed." Walid Jumblatt, Daily Star (Lebanon), November 10, 2003
http://www.memri.de/uebersetzungen_analysen/laender/syrien_libanon_jordanien/leb_jumblad_terror_29_04_04.pdf
Posted by: Sous-Commandant Marco | February 28, 2005 at 03:10 PM
I was hopeful before but Lebanon's seeming success is really going to put the screws to the other mid-east countries to get their acts together. It's been an amazing metamorphosis.
Oh and congrats on the new drink... Insta-Vodka *grin*
Posted by: Teresa | February 28, 2005 at 03:13 PM
Lebanon may be a majority muslim country (Christians constitute a little less than 30%), but in the greater Beirut area people are more open-minded and western oriented and the hijab is a personal decision.
Posted by: Gab | February 28, 2005 at 03:15 PM
I have to add that the area where the demonstrations are taking place is Martyr's Square, on one side is a huge mosque (where Hariri is now burried), next to it is the local Virgin Megastore, facing it is a large Armenian Catholic Church; a definite sign of multiple cultures living together.
Up the Avenue, a minute away from the mosque is Beirut's "Party Central" (Monot) filled with night clubs and sushi bars. Beirut is a relatively modern city with a flair of old Europe, please dont stereotype it as just another middle eastern city.
Posted by: Gab | February 28, 2005 at 03:21 PM
"please dont stereotype it as just another middle eastern city."
Don't worry Gab. Soon there won't be any more sterotypical middle eastern cities. Thanks of course to the tireless efforts to promote democracy and fight tryanny by our leftists in academia.
Posted by: digitalbrownshirt.com | February 28, 2005 at 03:37 PM
This might have a bit to do with it too
All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.
Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or exile can know: America sees you for who you are: the future leaders of your free country.
George W Bush - Inaugural Address January 20, 2005
Posted by: Ordi | February 28, 2005 at 03:47 PM
Good job!
Posted by: Jack | February 28, 2005 at 04:08 PM
This is amazing. This is EXACTLY why I've supported Bush in the war on terror. And the D effect will only continue...
Posted by: tomas ruiz | February 28, 2005 at 04:27 PM
I'd like to suggest a new word for this phenomenon: "Saddaminoes"
Posted by: Martin Archer | February 28, 2005 at 04:35 PM
Repeat after me:
Everything good on this planet happens thanks to George W. Bush.
Anything bad abroad happens because of terrorists.
Anything bad in the US happens because of liberals.
If it were not for George W. Bush, all Middle-East countries would be dictatorships and women would be forced to wear the hijab.
George W. Bush has ordered the Sun to rise in the east and to set in the West and, lo and behold, it did!
Posted by: Sous-Commandant Marco | February 28, 2005 at 05:07 PM
Y'know, Sous, dripping sarcasm is but one of a few ways to make oneself appear intellectually stunted. Care to show us the others?
Posted by: kelly | February 28, 2005 at 05:18 PM
Beirut is a relatively modern city with a flair of old Europe, please dont stereotype it as just another middle eastern city.
Gab -- just repeat the four words: Paris on the Med. It'll take a while to bring it back, but it's fate!
Posted by: kobekko | March 01, 2005 at 12:24 AM
Congratulations for the avalanches Sisu! You deserve that and more :) God bless you and all of your family, friends and readers. ;)....and the news from the ME are great! I'm glad to be living now-a-days. Bye! :)
Posted by: Miguel | March 02, 2005 at 12:53 AM