 (Translated freely: By Elias Bejjani) In the second half of the seventies the great politician Mr. Taki Eddine El-Solh was designated by President Elias Sarkies to form the government. Mr. El-Solh is a well known as a patriotic, honest, wise and shrewd politician. Upon his presidential designation a crowd of opportunists and appeasers gathered around his residence chanting, dancing, giving speeches and lighting fireworks in an apparent chameleon-like support. Mr. El-Solh apologized officially after few days and stepped down because he was not successful in forming the needed government. Dr. Salim Hoss was asked by president Sarkies to replace Mr. El- Soleh in forming the government. Immediately the same crowd of people who were chanting for Mr. El-Soleh moved to Hoss's place and started doing exactly what they were doing at El-Solh's residence. In the morning of the following day a group of genuine supporters and friends visited Mr. El-Soled at his humble residence to show their approval for his stance. They found him happy, relaxed, drinking his usual Turkish coffee and clacking his worry-beads. After sharing his coffee, one of them asked him, " Is it not astonishing how the people change their alliances, just yesterday they were all over your place singing and chanting for you, today they moved to Dr. Hoss's place to do the same?" Mr. Soleh did not respond, smiled and went on clacking his beads (mesbaha). The same person after few minutes repeated the same question adding "Mr. Soleh could you tell me why and how people change like this?." Mr. Soleh smiled, set properly on the chair and said: " My dear friend the people did not change, the Prime Minister did." Since then, Mr. Solh's answer became a popular proverb in Lebanon. People use it when describing the action of opportunists and appeasers who change their alliances over night with no remorse or conscience. A few days ago the opportunists and appeasers were supporting Mr. Hariri and suddenly with a press of a button they shifted to Dr. Hoss's side. For nine years the same kind of people were embracing Mr. Elias Hrawi day and night (the Ex-Syrian appointed President), then suddenly they started to insult him and praise his successor General Lahoud the newly Syrian appointed President. The truth is that these people have never respected, supported or liked Mr. Hariri or Mr. Hrawi, and did not turn to be with Dr. Hoss. Their actions are disguised in an ongoing theatrical play that has no end. Appeasing and cajoling is a profession that is practiced extensively by opportunists and parasites, they always welcome and praise the newcomer officials while insulting and criticizing the ones leaving. Their only motives for such shameful posing is the securing of personal interests. Real men, men with patriotic stance and faith devote themselves to the nation and its holy cause. They only support, in good as well as in bad times, leaders who defend the country and its people. They abide with a code of national ethics, and despise camouflaging and back stabbing…Thank God these men are not few in our country. Long Live Free Lebanon Australia. December 18, 1998 |