Comments on: Sectarianism, Municipal Elections And The Voting Age http://www.yalibnan.com/2010/01/24/sectarianism-municipal-elections-and-the-voting-ade/ World News Live from Lebanon Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:43:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Fadi Abboud http://www.yalibnan.com/2010/01/24/sectarianism-municipal-elections-and-the-voting-ade/#comment-1671 Fadi Abboud Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:36:55 +0000 http://www.yalibnan.com/?p=3460#comment-1671 sounds like a dream for state and religion to be separated from Government , especially in the middle east... sounds like a dream for state and religion to be separated from Government , especially in the middle east…

]]> By: Ghassan Karam http://www.yalibnan.com/2010/01/24/sectarianism-municipal-elections-and-the-voting-ade/#comment-1667 Ghassan Karam Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:01:46 +0000 http://www.yalibnan.com/?p=3460#comment-1667 John, Federalism will not work under the current Lebanese structure. The major differences between the parties are the differeing views over what kind of a defence policy and what kind of a foreign policy to follow. A federal state will still have to agree to one defence policy and one foreign policy. John,
Federalism will not work under the current Lebanese structure. The major differences between the parties are the differeing views over what kind of a defence policy and what kind of a foreign policy to follow. A federal state will still have to agree to one defence policy and one foreign policy.

]]> By: Sebouh Akharjalian http://www.yalibnan.com/2010/01/24/sectarianism-municipal-elections-and-the-voting-ade/#comment-1655 Sebouh Akharjalian Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:27:45 +0000 http://www.yalibnan.com/?p=3460#comment-1655 Response to John, John, with respect to your opinion I think Federalism cannot succeed in a country like Lebanon. Why? In my opinion, Federalism is another way of reinstating Sectarianism in a different way more like sectarian cantons, and besides the geographical size of Lebanon cannot permit federalism. We need secularism nothing else works Response to John,

John, with respect to your opinion I think Federalism cannot succeed in a country like Lebanon. Why?

In my opinion, Federalism is another way of reinstating Sectarianism in a different way more like sectarian cantons, and besides the geographical size of Lebanon cannot permit federalism.

We need secularism nothing else works

]]> By: Marillionlb http://www.yalibnan.com/2010/01/24/sectarianism-municipal-elections-and-the-voting-ade/#comment-1652 Marillionlb Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:17:33 +0000 http://www.yalibnan.com/?p=3460#comment-1652 Like Dalal I will not vote for any of the same rotten political class. I think on the next elections and if we are to choose once again from withi the same pool of incompetent thieves, we should all go and vote NONE OF THE ABOVE ! Having said if we ever manage to actually have a secular state, who would be qualified to lead it? Not Berri for sure ! Like Dalal I will not vote for any of the same rotten political class. I think on the next elections and if we are to choose once again from withi the same pool of incompetent thieves, we should all go and vote NONE OF THE ABOVE !
Having said if we ever manage to actually have a secular state, who would be qualified to lead it? Not Berri for sure !

]]> By: john http://www.yalibnan.com/2010/01/24/sectarianism-municipal-elections-and-the-voting-ade/#comment-1641 john Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:06:21 +0000 http://www.yalibnan.com/?p=3460#comment-1641 federalism to protect the minorities. It has always been quality, not quantity. federalism to protect the minorities. It has always been quality, not quantity.

]]> By: Ghassan Karam http://www.yalibnan.com/2010/01/24/sectarianism-municipal-elections-and-the-voting-ade/#comment-1633 Ghassan Karam Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:22:57 +0000 http://www.yalibnan.com/?p=3460#comment-1633 Sebouh, I am a strong believer that any real change must have wide grass root support. and so it is impossible to disagree with what you are saying. The only point that I would like to add is my equally strong believe that the current Beri proposal needs support from the Lebanese masses if it is to succeed. Sebouh,
I am a strong believer that any real change must have wide grass root support. and so it is impossible to disagree with what you are saying. The only point that I would like to add is my equally strong believe that the current Beri proposal needs support from the Lebanese masses if it is to succeed.

]]> By: Sebouh Akharjalian http://www.yalibnan.com/2010/01/24/sectarianism-municipal-elections-and-the-voting-ade/#comment-1630 Sebouh Akharjalian Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:48:23 +0000 http://www.yalibnan.com/?p=3460#comment-1630 First of all, I'm sure that the writer and most viewers agree with me that the political sectarianist system is the "root of all evil" and the only way to save this country is by dissolving sectarianism and replacing it with secularism. Now since the birth of this nation in late 1943 and before that period Lebanese political system is composed of feudal sectarian clans. These lords even survived the 1975 to 1990 civil war by constantly exploiting the issue of sectarianism and bringing it to their own benefit. Finally, I think sectarianist political system can be abolished only if Lebanese people of all religions and sects unite and challenge the feudal aristocracy class and minimize the power of religious authorities. After that transform Lebanon into an egalitarian secular state. This is the only way out. First of all, I’m sure that the writer and most viewers agree with me that the political sectarianist system is the “root of all evil” and the only way to save this country is by dissolving sectarianism and replacing it with secularism.
Now since the birth of this nation in late 1943 and before that period Lebanese political system is composed of feudal sectarian clans. These lords even survived the 1975 to 1990 civil war by constantly exploiting the issue of sectarianism and bringing it to their own benefit.
Finally, I think sectarianist political system can be abolished only if Lebanese people of all religions and sects unite and challenge the feudal aristocracy class and minimize the power of religious authorities.
After that transform Lebanon into an egalitarian secular state. This is the only way out.

]]> By: Dalal http://www.yalibnan.com/2010/01/24/sectarianism-municipal-elections-and-the-voting-ade/#comment-1623 Dalal Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:49:31 +0000 http://www.yalibnan.com/?p=3460#comment-1623 After giving the idea of voting while living abroad more thought beleive me I couldn't find anybody who's politically independent, balanced and a real leader who would strive to make a difference and heaps of changes to our corrupt system... I found no-one. I would not support or vote for the old deceiving faces we've seeing on front pages for the past 40 years or their look-alike sons who inherited same rotten mentalities..I would not definetely elect leaders of militias and gangs who go their posts today by using gun powder and spilling blood.. I didn't find anyone who truly represent the average peace loving lebanese citizen!!! If this how I feel, then how would it be possible for my children who are over 18 and born In Australia to vote for people they know nothing about and don't even understand the politics of the country...Unless of course we go for religion, something you do if you want a racist Lebanon After giving the idea of voting while living abroad more thought beleive me I couldn’t find anybody who’s politically independent, balanced and a real leader who would strive to make a difference and heaps of changes to our corrupt system… I found no-one. I would not support or vote for the old deceiving faces we’ve seeing on front pages for the past 40 years or their look-alike sons who inherited same rotten mentalities..I would not definetely elect leaders of militias and gangs who go their posts today by using gun powder and spilling blood..

I didn’t find anyone who truly represent the average peace loving lebanese citizen!!! If this how I feel, then how would it be possible for my children who are over 18 and born In Australia to vote for people they know nothing about and don’t even understand the politics of the country…Unless of course we go for religion, something you do if you want a racist Lebanon

]]> By: Ghassan Karam http://www.yalibnan.com/2010/01/24/sectarianism-municipal-elections-and-the-voting-ade/#comment-1622 Ghassan Karam Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:49:12 +0000 http://www.yalibnan.com/?p=3460#comment-1622 Nazih, I neglected to mention in the above comment that there is a difference between those Lebanese citizens who are living abroad and those who are only of Lebanese descent. I believe that this issue deserves to be elaborated upon separately. Maybe I will share my views on this in the near future. Nazih,
I neglected to mention in the above comment that there is a difference between those Lebanese citizens who are living abroad and those who are only of Lebanese descent. I believe that this issue deserves to be elaborated upon separately. Maybe I will share my views on this in the near future.

]]> By: Ghassan Karam http://www.yalibnan.com/2010/01/24/sectarianism-municipal-elections-and-the-voting-ade/#comment-1621 Ghassan Karam Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:43:31 +0000 http://www.yalibnan.com/?p=3460#comment-1621 Dalal, The sectarian problem and the social injustice that you mention exist in Lebanon not because of the constitution but are a result of backroom agreements and budgetary allocations. There is no mention of sectarian allocation except in the Taef agreement which stipulates that confessionalism must be removed from the political system. Nazih, The fact that a system has existed for a long time and the fact that it is well established does not mean that it cannot be eliminated. If that was to be the case then nothing in the world would ever change. It does mean that eliminating it will not be easy because of the inherent interests of the established political class. Walid, Not to allow a Lebanese female to confer citizenship on her children is simply a case of gender discrimination. It is a terrible practice and a great injustice that has to be remedied in addition to introducing the right to hold civil marriage. No one has suggested that if sectarianism is banned from the political system then Lebanon will become an ideal republic but if we fail to ban it then there will be less pressure to implement other needed reforms of issues whose existence is justified by the sectarian system. Dalal,
The sectarian problem and the social injustice that you mention exist in Lebanon not because of the constitution but are a result of backroom agreements and budgetary allocations.
There is no mention of sectarian allocation except in the Taef agreement which stipulates that confessionalism must be removed from the political system.

Nazih,
The fact that a system has existed for a long time and the fact that it is well established does not mean that it cannot be eliminated. If that was to be the case then nothing in the world would ever change. It does mean that eliminating it will not be easy because of the inherent interests of the established political class.

Walid,
Not to allow a Lebanese female to confer citizenship on her children is simply a case of gender discrimination. It is a terrible practice and a great injustice that has to be remedied in addition to introducing the right to hold civil marriage.
No one has suggested that if sectarianism is banned from the political system then Lebanon will become an ideal republic but if we fail to ban it then there will be less pressure to implement other needed reforms of issues whose existence is justified by the sectarian system.

]]>