 (Translated freely: By Elias Bejjani) Opposition advocates for the other opinion that is different from that adopted by a regime, state, party, person or group in respect to conduct and practice. It endeavors to exercise what it preaches and correct peacefully wrongdoings in both concept and performance domains. Resistance on the other side portrays a resisting stance and approach. It is a courageous stand exhibiting strong rejection for a certain conduct or a pattern of behavior. Resistance endeavors continuously to be a role model in its presentation, struggle and advocacy. Resistance is not necessarily a mere military action, but also a set of peaceful acts. It identifies wrongdoings and proposes appropriate solutions for their amendments. Military action is a last resort for resistance and applied only when all other venues fail. In general both opposition and resistance are authentic benevolent pursuits for the best through hard work and stipulation of free choices. In reality implementing either one comprises confusion, derailment of facts, enforcement of opinion, camouflage in interpretation and contradiction in conduct. Both opposition and resistance comprise different kinds of people among which those opportunists, scared, dreamers, rhetoric, ignorant, hardheaded and losers. It also comprises the honest and the patriots as well as the collaborators and those who can't forgive. Both camps comprise all the odd conducts we are hearing and witnessing these days with frustration and disgust. On October 13 commemoration, we can not hide any more behind our martyrs and pretend we are honoring their sacrifices by just remembering them in our prayers. We have to stop abusing them in their graves and stop serving our individual urges, dreams and ambitions at their expense. It is not acceptable any more for Lebanese to abuse their memory in bragging, posing, hiding truth, lying, cheating and camouflaging collaborating stances. We can't, but admire those citizens who willingly and courageously respond to Lebanon's national duty obligation. We bow for their daring decision to be involved actively in resisting occupation fearing no consequences. Meanwhile we shall never forget those who already sacrificed themselves on Lebanon's alter to safeguard its sovereignty, dignity, identity, independence and history. At the same time we can't but condemn betrayal stances adopted by mercenary politicians, leaders, clergymen and opportunist citizens. Also we can't but condemn strongly and loudly the puppet official's collaboration and submissiveness to the occupier who installed them and dictates on them all their acts. During the two-year Aoun reign (1988-1990), the Lebanese people were united under the umbrella of the official legitimate leadership. They supported the leader, trusted his national stances and practiced for the first time full partnership with the state. They were the state and the state was them, because it represented their wishes, ambitions, pains, joy and concerns for the future. The Aoun reign unfortunately was ousted by foreign invaders and local collaborators, but the hope, the faith, the endurance, the belief in Lebanon's rights are not defeated and shall never be. On this day, October the 13, we bow for our martyrs and say to them: You gave your lives to keep Lebanon's cause alive, Your martyrdom, honesty and sacrifices are our role model, No matter what we do, we can't show you our gratitude, Today we loudly renew our convenient, to carry the torch and continue the struggle, We promise never to let you down, or forget your sacrifices You shall always be present in our minds, souls, conscience and acts. We promise you to fight favoritism, nepotism and opportunism, We promise you to forgive, but not to forget betrayal and collaboration, We promise you to abide by our patriotic stances and always honor them, We promise you to fight for our convictions and never compromise on your sacrifices, We promise you to be open on others and on their stances and beliefs, We promise you to witness for the truth no matter what the consequences are, We promise you to advocate for human rights, tolerance, multi-culturalism, common living and equality, We promise you to fight for law and principles, We promise you to keep on the struggle till our country is liberated, free and independent. Long Live Free Lebanon |