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WHAT IS LEFT OF IT?  (Translated freely: By Elias Bejjani) Lebanon celebrated on November 22/1999, its 57 "Independence Day" anniversary. On such a day the Lebanese have been accustomed to sing freedom and sovereignty anthems, reminisce about heroic and glorious stances, and recall accounts of sacrifices and martyrdom. Lebanon is the only country in its Middle East that has enjoyed a democratic system for several years. The Lebanese struggled bravely all through their 6000 years of deeply rooted history against invaders, occupiers and conquerors. Thousands sacrificed themselves on Lebanon's altar happily to defend freedoms, democracy and independence. The Lebanese regime officials celebrated the "Independence Day" after they made it void of all its substance. Their celebrations were theatrical and deceptive because they do not represent the people and the country is entirely occupied. The biggest absentee from the celebration was the "Independence" itself. participants were corrupters, collaborators, agents and Mafiosi officials. They all got together under the fake Syrian-Lebanese brotherhood slogan of coordination and cooperation.. Is this the Independence that we earned and lost? Is this the Independence that thousands of patriots sacrificed themselves to make it a reality, and then we lost it? To celebrate the "Independence Day" one must first know its meaning? Accordingly we can't pursue Independence if we do not know what it actually means, and what are its components. We can't sing, dance or organize parades on the "Independence Day" if we do not comprehend its entire horizons, committ to its obligations and sense its gifts. In our quest for Independence we pursue justice, security, decent live, general freedoms; and especially freedom of choice, responsibility, law, equality, human rights, dignity, integrity and stability. Through Independence we work hard to run our own affairs freely, as well as our own country with no custodians, hegemony or influence or foreign powers. In fact Independence is synonymous to freedom, and both are one in essence and substance. They are inseparable, and independence loses its core once it is void from freedom. In the same context freedom can't be separated from responsibility and freedom loses its values if not organized and recognized within a clear framework. Also we can't separate responsibility from law, and responsibility loses its spirit if made void of its restrictions. By the same token we can not separate law and justice, knowing that Law loses its credibility when double standards, favoratism and proportionalism are applied in the course of its implementation. These are the meanings of "Independence" that we honor, cherish, fight, struggle and advocate for with sacrifices. Independence provides us with security, justice and respect.. The Lebanese citizen, in occupied Lebanon, does not live currently a decent life or enjoy any of the Independence components. He lives his life day by day with fear and uncertainty about the future. All his efforts focus on securing basic minimum life need especially food and shelter. He avoids thinking about tomorrow because the puppet regime is: Exposing him to brutal injustice, Treating him as an immature citizen, Oppressing his freedoms, Confiscating his free decision making process, Neglecting his personal and national interests, Infringing on all his human rights, Depriving him of democracy, Dragging him into stone ages, Forcing him to abandon his land and emigrate. Meanwhile the Lebanese-Syrian installed officials practice their responsibilities with: No understanding or respect to the Independence components, Complete and blind subservience to the Syrian occupier, No conscience, benevolence, honesty or integrity, No respect to human rights, laws or constitution, Deceiving, camouflaging, thievery and Mafiosi-like attitudes, Robots', opportunistic, psychopathic, treason and tyranny mentality, No self respect, no dignity, no ethics and no fear from God. Lebanese-Syrian appointed officials. "Made in Syria" politicians, dignitaries and clergymen celebrated the 57 "Independence Day" anniversary while the Independence has been void because of their treason from all its substance. Independence in the eyes of these mercenary officials, is a drum, a trumpet, an anthem, an imported devastating ideology, poverty, starvation, injustice, arbitrary detensions, corruption, embezzlement, forged and submissive national decision making process and slavery. This is not what inpdendence means to the Lebanese patriotic people. My dear fellow Lebanese: It is our duty as patriots to struggle and resist till our true independence is reclaimed again. Long Live Free Lebanon |