Situation in Lebanon, and other things

[hiro]

Alright...so last I heard my family was still okay, and they know that the USS Iwo Jima and her battle group may be up from the Red Sea in a few days, so if push comes to shove (and if the US manages to get Israeli permission), they'll probably leave Lebanon courtesy of the US Navy. Which will probably drop them and everyone else in Cyprus, which for my parents would be fortunate because we have relatives there.

I'm feeling more and more alone in how I feel. My relatives here are also concerned, but they don't feel the way I do-- I feel fine on the outside, but on the inside I feel choked by fear. I'm graduating college in a year, and I want my father and mother to be there. Heck, I want to go into college in August without worrying.

Between now and then, I'll have to keep a fundie uncle off my back, as well as the general persuasion amongst many that "World War 3! Holy cow!"

I don't give a damn about World War 3, I don't care if it's the End....all I want is for people to leave me alone and let me live my own life. Much as I can not afford to, I almost feel like I want to stop checking the news, because all it does is bring more pain.

Beirut-- the city I knew and loved for years-- and Lebanon, the country of my childhood (but not of my birth)-- are being dismembered bridge by bridge, powerplant by powerplant, area by area. There's a blockade, and no fuel for the powerplants, no food, no transport, no airlines, no anything, has any way of getting into the country, except from the unpredictable Syria.

I really don't feel like going to church for awhile, but I don't know how I'm going to explain that to my relatives, who may feel that my desire to be left alone needs to be "treated" somehow. Seriously, I've already felt very little comfort from going to church for awhile now, and though I remain a Christian, I feel betrayed by people who seem for all intents and purposes to be worshipping another God. Yesterday I finally worked out one of the biggest reasons why I don't like going to church: I feel like the people there (without actually "saying" it directly) want me to believe that God is an American-- and a Republican at that! I felt closer to God in the temples and shrines of Japan last year, where I was free to pray, think, and just breathe, without people trying to convince me that God is an American. Yes, as hard as that may be to understand for some-- time in Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples actually improved my faith as a Christian!

Last I checked, to paraphrase the words of the famous bumper sticker, my "boss" was a radical, liberal Jewish carpenter. Not a bearded gun-toting leader of zealots. (and we all know very well what a bearded gun-toting leader of zealots DOES look like, don't we? *wink*)

I've had trouble getting to sleep for the past few days, though I'm forcing myself to get at least 7 hours of rest a day, even if I have to force my eyes shut for another hour in the morning. I'm nervous, and I really need to focus full-force on my schoolwork in order to occupy myself (and keep myself out of the house more).

Before this week I was telling myself "Just last until the fall". Now I don't even know if I'll make it that long. Heck...what am I saying? I'll make it. I just don't know how.

-H.

[B3Nut]

1. Prayers your way, and a kick

Hang in there brother, people here have your back.

:hug: :donut:

Todd in Beerbratistan

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear hiro........

Please take care of yourself.......

And know that we are here for you, in whatever capacity we can be......

I cannot even imagine what you must be going through right now......

:hug:

[Suich]

3. Thanks for posting the update, hiro.

I have no idea what it must be like for you, but remember, you've always got support here at DU.

I will keep you, your family and friends in my thoughts and prayers.

Just my opinion, but... find a new church.

:hug:

[Ariana Celeste]

4. Oh wow...

First- :hug:

I wish I could say I understand how you feel... but I can't... I hope that it gets easier for you- sounds like you've got quite a bit on your plate, man. :hug: I'm sorry.

[Hissyspit]

5. hiro, I cross-posted your OP in the General Discussion forum:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1639032&mesg_id=1639032

I hope you don't mind. Hang in there. It's my belief things will calm down soon.

[hiro]

27. Oh god...

http://waynemadsenreport.com/ If this site is right, there is depleted uranium and poison gas being used by the Israelis...

Which I think is probably true, since my brother, last I heard from him, talked about a very strong burning smell that was everywhere...

-H.

[Hatalles]

6. Salaam, Bro.

My prayers are w/ you and your loved ones.

[dysfunctional press]

7. religion is the cause of most of our problems.

if only people would just realize that we're on our own here, and we have to make it work- instead of trying to appease some non-existant deity and look to it for answers and guidance.

ALL religions are equally culpable for the situation the world finds itself in.

[hiro]

8. Thanks

Thanks for your view...even as someone who does follow a religion, I pretty much agree with you, and have often expressed that view to people who pressure me on issues of religion. Last year I was asked what the greatest difficulty would be in my life as a Christian in the coming year.

My answer? "Other Christians."

Again, you raise a good point...the answers are inside of us, and that's where we ought to look first.

-H.

[hiro]

9. Update

My father just wrote. He says "We were expecting lots of action last night, but most of it was out of earshot. We had long power cuts yesterday, and today it has been continuing, but for shorter periods of time- 2 hours on, 2 off, that sort of thing. But the main attraction is bound to come sooner or later. Watch the
news, but make sure you take everything you see with a grain of salt- just as we do."

I'm getting a bad feeling about this...

-H.

[JCMach1]

10. Thanks, I was just in Beirut in May- I was amazed

at what had been done to rebuild... all of that is now in tatters. :(

I hope the friends I made there are safe... :(

[Whoa_Nelly]

11. We here for you, Hiro

:hug:

Keep up your personal meditations and keep believing in yourself and your future.

Thank you for posting about what you're going through and what's happening with your family.

Just wondering what with the anxiety you're having (adding...most totally understandable to have anxiety about all that's affecting your life right now...)
Do you get out and exercise?...such as running, or something to release the anxiety energy? Only asking because as a long term dancer (ballet and jazz), working out was always cathartic for me.

Again, Hiro... mega :hug: for you.

[hiro]

12. :)

I'm a student of two Japanese martial arts-- Iwama-ryu aikido and Bujinkan taijutsu. Training, especially sword training, helps me a lot, as I think of it as "standing meditation." I wish I had a tree of the right size and shape at home, though....I'd pratice this one form called the "dragonfly slash" that both helps let off a lot of steam and improves speed.

Thanks for being here.

-H.

[hiro]

13. *sigh*

I've just seen some of the newest pictures, and I'm not liking what I'm seeing...The strikes are getting closer and closer to the center of the city...

-H.

[laylah]

14. Hiro...

:hug: I have no idea how you must be feeling...scared, angry, alone? Just know you have many supporters here at DU.

Blessings to you and your family.

Jenn a.k.a. Laylah

[hiro]

15. Yes

Yes....I feel all those things. Hearing my aunt say "You have to start feeling better and worry less" got me even madder and scared. I know it's her brother (my father) in danger, but to me, this is a huge crisis. And it goes beyond just my parents...I feel afraid for this country AND Lebanon, for the world, and afraid of "religion" (the external, frightening construct, as opposed to the internal, reassuring presence). I'm afraid of some of my relatives, and I feel sad, because I used to trust them...I used to trust a lot of things.

If it weren't for you guys, and a few close, trusted friends near me, I'd feel like I really was all alone.

-H.

[hiro]

16. kick

[hiro]

17. Update

My brother just wrote.

The buses, both governmental and those belonging to the late Hariri's political faction, have stopped running. So my dad dropped me off and picked me up....The afternoon and evening were punctuated by bombs, falling closer and more frequently. Sleep was difficult, as every now and then an explosion would jar us awake. Chilling, in a way. It helped thinking of it as thunder. The continual smoke has certainly put enough clouds in the sky....This morning we went to church. My father was supposed to deliver the sermon, but all of 8 people, aside from the three of us, showed up.

After church we drove to the new lighthouse that was bombed, and took some pictures. Went down the Corniche (think French), the sea-side, a bit to the old lighthouse, and took a single picture of that before a couple of soldiers called me over to ask me what I was doing, saying "mamno3", forbidden. Suffice it to say, from now on I'm carrying my passport around in my pocket. Fortunately they didn't ask me to destroy the film. Maybe they thought I didn't have the time to take the picture.

Then we went in search of bread. Arabic bread, akin to what you know as pita bread. Half the stores we passed by were closed. One bakery we stopped at had run out of this particular kind of bread. We got to the mini-market at the bottom of our street and got some from their, but when he gave me the bread he said "Hat dughri bi siyyara" (put it directly into the car). That put a little bit of panic in me. In other words, this, a staple food, was in short supply. We got the bread because we're regular customers, friends, as it were. The guy pulled the bags from a corner of the store, and he didn't want people to see that he still had some bread.

So yeah. The electricity is still constant, which is rather odd, but I'm not complaining too much. The only thing that worries me is that the more constant electricity we have, the sooner we'll run out.

They've begun to have shortages...how much longer until the Israeli military has starved the whole nation, Christian, Muslim, Druze, and Jew (Yes, Lebanon still has Jews) alike into surrender?

The US military has managed to pass through the blockade and deliver a team to the US Embassy, which will be overseeing the air bridge operation to Cyprus....I guess the Iwo Jima battle group won't be needed, but will be kept nearby for contingency.

-H.

[miss_american_pie]

18. Your family remains in my prayers

:hug:

[hiro]

20. Thanks

Thank you. :) :hug:

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

21. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers...

I send a prayer of comfort to you and your family through this time.

[hiro]

19. Cross-posted

From the main discussion forum:

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2006/07/16/story268039.html

Apparently the Lebanese media is reporting that Israel has used phosphorus incendiary bombs and vacuum bombs...which are internationally banned, supposedly...

So now they're going to be POISONED on top of being starved?

-H.

[Theres-a]

22. Oh no.

Prayers for all.

[hiro]

23. More

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0714-09.htm

So Beirut is not only mostly cut off from the outside world, it's also effectively cut off from its in-country food supply, in the Bekaa Valley (not to mention the food supply that comes from fishing). Not just that, but according to this article my gut feeling of a couple days ago has turned out to be right, and water is going...

Not to mention the fact that several ports were hit yesterday...

-H.

[LaurenG]

24. Oh no that is horrible

These are innocent people they are hurting. Destroying the entire infrastructure of a country can only bring disaster. Hiro, I'll put you, your family and your country on our prayer list here on DU. I am so terribly sorry.

Are you able to be with others who support you? Please take good care of yourself and find friends to hang out with. :hug:

[I Have A Dream]

25. I am sending light and energy to the situation. I will also include...

your family, hiro. I'm sorry that you've been so personally affected by this mess.

:hug:

[wildhorses]

26. we are here for you....please stop in and hang out for a while...

we are not shinto temple but, we are fun and peace loving and we care about you.
:hi::hug:



do not be scared to be afraid....

[uppityperson]

28. hang in there Hiro, lots of confusion and chaos and we care about you

Hard to tell truth from rumor from fact from falsehood, hoping that your family is ok, friends ok, you are ok. Take care of yourself and get away from the damned news when you can. It is bad, it will probably continue worse, but you have to take care of yourself in order to be able to be of use to others. Keep checking in and remember that a whole bunch of people are sending love your way.

[hiro]

29. Update/kick

Get this.

The US Embassy is asking the people who are about to be evacuated...to PAY FOR THEIR AIRLIFT TO CYPRUS. This is SO messed up.

-H.

[deadparrot]

30. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, hiro.

Good vibes coming your way. :hug:

[hiro]

31. Kick/Update

Worried. Worried sick about the evacuation. I'm hearing stuff from my family and friends which contradicts what we're being told in the media about the evacuation. Apparently embassy contact is sporadic and unhelpful, and while they do answer their phones, apparently the most they answer with is an "I don't know".

Then of course there was the fee for evacuation, which was waived. And I guess that's good.

That makes me wonder....does Bush WANT Americans to die in Lebanon? As an excuse for putting Marines ashore or something? GD had a post about the naval force that's going to Lebanon-- 17 ships from several different countries. This is literally 1982/83 all over again!

All I can really do is just keep praying.

-H.

[malta blue]

32. Sending good thoughts your way...

Hiro,

I sincerely hope your family is evacuated safely, and you will make it through this most trying time.

As far as your questions about americans dying in Lebanon...the shrub could care less...it may give him the opportunity to go after Iran, which is, after all, his next big objective.

Stay strong -
Peace

[wildhorses]

33. keeping you and your family in my prayers during this

troubled time.
:hug:

[Kajsa]

34. Thank you for sharing this, Hiro.

You are one of many directly affected by this war.

You are not alone. Millions of people around the world
are watching this situation unfold and we are very worried.
That's an understatement.

I'm sending prayers for your family's safe return
and that you get some much needed rest at this time.

- Kajsa

btw; Jesus was a liberal Jewish carpenter.
Don't let anyone tell you differently!

:hug:

[hiro]

35. Update

I'm being intereviewed by the AP! Holy cow!

-H.

[txwhitedove]

37. Great, hit them with the truth, Hiro. Let us know where we can read

the story. You are a Christian, so please rely on your faith now.
That's all it comes down to, faith that all will be well and as
it should be. I agree with CalPeggy, time to look for a new church.
You, your family, and the innocents trapped in Lebanon are in our prayers.


:hug:

[hiro]

36. Nevermind

My aunt got interviewed, and not me. Still....apparently they interviewed my mother, my father, and my my aunt and then my uncle in New York. Trying to interview evacuees and people waiting for them, apparently.

-H.

[hiro]

38. Update

A message (several) from my father just arrived.

*According to CNN, today (Wed.) there are supposed to be 2500 Americans going to be evacuated today. I don't believe it for a minute, but who knows?

*This morning a 1970s-vintage truck was bombed in Ashrafieh (east of downtown Beirut) because it contained a drill to dig for water
wells. (think: long, round piece of metal pointed directly upward on the
back of a large flat-bed truck) There were two of those trucks at the
end of our street until a month ago, being used to prepare a foundation
for a new multi-storey apartment building.

*The Israelis have announced that all trucks are now military targets.
Add that to the list of items - cars, villages, apartment buildings,
runways, milk factories, pharmaceutical manufacturers, intersections,
highways, bridges, paper mills, plastic factories. And military targets.
You will notice that there is an endless appetite for destruction, if
the media outlets you use are actually showing the images. Here there
are no "American scruples" to worry about. If there is a piece of a
child on the street or in a morgue, they show it. If there is a charred
body, they show it.

*The most ironic statement (from the people who are in a position to
alter the headlong rush into war) comes from the US State Department.
"The U.S. Embassy reaffirms the firm, enduring and non-negotiable
commitment of the United States to Lebanon and the Lebanese people."
It's at the bottom of every update on the evacuation situation here,
while the plans for evacuating masses of people continue. It's as if
we're talking about a hurricane or a tsunami, something outside the
grasp of mere mortals.

*Refugees are all over the streets of Beirut, and the many, many abandoned buildings in the city are no longer empty. Government services in this disaster are practically non-existent... which is no surprise to anyone who has lived
in Lebanon for the past two years.

As for myself, I can confirm (via a picture posted on CNN) that at least one non-Israeli warship, the HMS Gloucester, is in the area, and transporting refugees.

-H.

[hiro]

39. Update

Warships confirmed by my parents as having been seen in harbor and operating on "shuttle" runs between Lebanon and Cyprus:

*HMS Glocester
*HMS York

The captain of the Glocester was interviewed, presumably by the Lebanese media. He says that his crew is trained for just such a situation, and he's got enough beds for the number of people he ferried to Cyprus, and his cook is ready to feed all the people who are being taken out of Beirut.

-H.

[hiro]

40. Update/kick

My father got the word from the US Embassy. They officially have NO plan, and have notified the citizens that they're gonna do 5000 people a day from Beirut to Cyprus, "first come first serve".

Translation:

It's a free-for-all.

This is not gonna be pretty...

-H.

[Suich]

41. Thanks for the update, hiro.

Hang in there! :hug:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

42. Well, their God IS a Republican and an American.

Fortunately, it's also fiction.

[hiro]

43. Update

GREAT NEWS.

My brother is coming home. He was taken with other Americans to the USS Nashville, and will be returning to the US via the American base at Incirlik, in Turkey.

Thank God.

As for my parents, they aren't saying if/when they're going to head out. Am hoping it's soon.

-H.

[Ariana Celeste]

44. That's great!

I hope you can say the same about your parents soon. My thoughts are with you and your family. :hug: