Month: January 2023

Judge Tarak Bitar, featured in an older post shown below, resumed the Beirut port blast investigation, which has been frozen for over a year, as per several Canadian (https://bit.ly/3XJ3PLu), Lebanese, (https://bit.ly/3kAAp3E), and European media (https://bit.ly/3iYLWtb). This is clearly a positive step forward!

Of course, one must wait to observe what will unfold on the ground. May God protect this decent judge. For now, Bambi will repeat saying the following: thank you and bravo, Judge Bitar, for your courage and tenacity. Today, you gave hope to the families of the victims, to people of your country, and to Beirut’s lovers abroad. You are a hero of peace. Good luck in ending impunity for this criminal negligence!

By the way, since we are at it, when will impunity for financial crime also end, Bambi cannot help not to wonder? In one of the largest Ponzi schemes in the world, Lebanon’s Ponzi finance scheme bankrupted the people of this country, “causing” them “unprecedented social and economic pain“, according to the World Bank (https://bit.ly/3Hn2hBk). For the record, some of this blog’s earlier posts on this fiasco are shown at this end of this one.

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Beirut blast investigation: If Judge Tarek Bitar is not a peace hero, what is he then?

Three years since Lebanon’s financial collapse

Sit-in at one of Beirut banks: Thank you Mr. Georges Siam, Former Ambassador of Lebanon and Actual Honorary Consul General of Ireland in Lebanon

Reuters: “Lebanon judge freezes assets of five banks and members of their boards”

Lebanon: Hiba storm (Wion) and an open letter to the IMF (Orient Today)

Bambi has an earlier post on a wonderful song called “Planet” [El Kawkab in Arabic] by the much talented Ms. Rahma Riad, shown below. Today, she discovered a joyful patriotic song, by this Iraqi singer and actress (https://bit.ly/3kCIogv), which pays tribute to her country. This song is entitled “Aash el Irak” [Long live Iraq in English].

Bambi did not have the opportunity to visit this country yet. However, it is nice to see beautiful pictures out of it, like in the video, instead of tragic news about it. May the Iraqi people see bright(er) days of unity, safety, greater prosperity, and love. May the entire Middle East live in peace and shine.

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Ms. Rahma Riad: What a beautiful song called “El Kawkab” [Planet]!

Bambi has older posts devoted to national or international days of this or that, as you can see below. Some designated days seem more meaningful like violin or a hug. Others look odd, like whipped cream, even if tasty.

Often, we do not know who came up with those ideas. However, today is a day filled with touch and love. Yes, it is the National Hugging Day and we know who invented it!

Indeed, the National Hugging Day, which is dedicated to hugging, was invented in 1986 by Mr. Kevin Zaborney from Clio in Michigan, USA (https://bit.ly/3iViYKO). It seems that his idea was meant to cheer his fellow citizens up at a time of the year where they are typically “in low spirits“. According to Mr. Zaborney (https://bit.ly/3iViYKO), in his society, people are reluctant, if not embarrassed, to show feelings in public. What is more heart-warming than a genuine hug? It is even more significant after so many months of strict public health measures where people were socially isolated.

Will your day include a hug? Sometimes, we can sing for hugs, like the kids’ song below or like in love songs, at least in Lebanese songs, or even in some spiritual songs. We can ask a certain God we believe in to hug us. We can even sing for a self-hug (yes all this is available on YouTube). If you do not have anyone to give a hug to or to receive a hug from today, you can always give yourself a hug.

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Who came up with the decision of calling today “National Whipped Cream Day”?

National Hard Candy Day: Long live the “Stoptou”!

Do you love violin?

Bambi cannot end this day without sending a wink to her childhood friend Firas (or Serge)… in heaven. As many readers know, the first page of this blog includes a text written for him at the same time of his funeral, which took place in Lebanon. The entire spirit of this blog, with its underlying song “Die Gedanken sind frei” [Ideas Are Free], is inspired by Firas’ legendary open-mindedness and by those unforgettable memories at the Goethe Institute in Beirut where he and Bambi learned this highly meaningful song together. God knows how much they repeated singing it in the car!

Well, Firas suddenly left us about 17 years ago… and yet, today, it feels like yesterday.

Talking about today, it is your birthday and you would have been in your early fifties.

Bambi misses you so much Firas, today more than ever ❤️. If she may, like every year, she will send her love to your dear sister and her family as well as to your adorable parents. Of course, she also sends her warm regards to all your friends around the world, from Canada to South Africa to the Middle East, etc.

Bambi’s biggest honour was Gigi’s kind and generous support to her; when her blog was under attack. Last year, precisely like today, one of Bambi’s sisters kindly shared with her a moving screenshot of Gigi’s tribute to you, her beloved brother, on your own social media platform. The latter included supportive words to Bambi, along with the logo-picture of this blog. Wow!

To conclude this post with a little musical gift to you Firas, Bambi would like to offer you two songs. The first is one of Fayrouz’ songs because you loved this Lebanese diva a lot. The second is of course Die Gedanken sind frei :). May your memory remain eternal. May your beloved birth and adoptive countries, Lebanon and Canada, be in better places in terms of freedom and of economic prosperity. As for you Firas, please keep watching over us: your inspiring open-mindedness, your beautiful energy, and contagious smile are much needed in our world today!

THANK you Judge Tarek Bitar for your courage and independence in addition to your legal competence and impartiality. Yes, Bambi is happy to read your following statements, as reported by Naharnet citing other media sources (https://bit.ly/3ZKV4SJ):

“I will not give up the port file under any pressure.”

“I will not step down from this case”.

“The investigation will continue and will not come to an end... I will not surrender to obstruction“.

“I hope the judiciary will reach legal exits that would re-launch the investigation course in an ordinary and regular manner”… with “a drastic and not a temporary solution.”

As a reminder, the surrealistic Beirut port double explosion resulted in 218 deaths, 7500 injuries, 300, 000 instant homeless people, 150+ permanently disabled, over 3/4 of the capital damaged, 4 hospitals totally destroyed, US$15, 000, 000, 000 worth of damage. All this in addition to those who have been traumatized; many of whom migrated around the world.

Good luck Judge Bitar and… thank you for the hope of justice!

In a rather random way, Bambi came across this heart-moving song. It is entitled “Terra Corsa“. Its lyrics appear in both Corsican and English languages, following this Youtube video (ps://bit.ly/3krUObd).

First, bravo to Mr. Patrick Bruel, Mr. Patrick Fiori, Mr. Florent Pagny, and Mr. Jean-Charles Papi for their outstanding interpretation!

Bambi has all the reasons of the world to be moved by this song, including a LOVE story with the Island of Corsica ❤️ and WONDERFUL, short yet highly intense, family memories there. She would like to dedicate this song to each of her family members in Sackville, Beirut, Paris, and Dubai. She loves you all… beyond any word, or any note, of any language, including the universal music ❤️❤️!!!

Corsican Land

“Corsican land, so beloved

I hold you in my heart

From near or from afar

When I sing, I sing for you

Corsican land, luminous

With beauty like no other

Rare pearl of the blue sea

When I dream, I dream of you

He who leaves, knows

That one day he will return

To his roots in Corsican land

To stay forever on our land

Corsican land, witness

Of sorrows and joys

Head held high and proud heart

If I speak, I speak of you

Corsican land, mother land

Courageous and generous

You gave so many sons

To glory, to posterity

As the Virgin, Our Lady

And Queen of our island,

Turns her gaze to this Corsican land,

When she prays, she prays for you

Corsican land, holy land

When my life comes to an end

I want to sleep in Corsican land

My last dream of eternity“.

Terra Corsa

“Terra corsa tantu amata

Eu ti tengu in core à mè

Di vicinu ò di luntanu

Quandu cantu, cantu per tè

Terra corsa luminosa

Di bellezza cum’ùn ci n’hè

Di l’azzuru a perla rara

Quandu sognu, sognu di tè

Quellu chi si ne và

Sà chi un ghjornu riturnerà

A e so radighe in terra corsa

In terra nostra per sempre stà

Terra corsa testimonia

Di dulore e d’alegrie

Capu altu e core fieru

S’eu parlu, parlu di tè

Terra corsa, terra madre

Curagiosa e generosa

Ai datu tanti figlioli

A la gloria, posterità

Cum’è a Vergina Madona

E regina di a nostr’isula

Gira i so occhji per ‘ssa terra Corsa

Quand’ella prega, prega per tè

Terra Corsa, terra Santa

Quandu a mio vita finiscerà

Eu vogliu dorme in terra Corsa

L’ultimu sognu d’eternità“.

Bravo to Minister Pascale Dery for sending a letter to all the Presidents of Québec universities reminding them of the value of academic freedom, denouncing censorship as well as the discriminatory practices of the so-called EDI (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) in attributing Canada Research Chairs. Finally, someone standing up against this federally-imposed divisiveness!

Below, you can find her tweet and her letter, all in the official language of Québec. However, Bambi unofficially translated it for you below, with the help of her faithful friend, Mr. Google Translate.

First, Ms. Dery’s tweet, which publicly shared her letter, reads as follows: “I sent a letter to the universities in order to position myself on the importance of academic freedom. Let’s work together for workplaces exempt of censorship“.

Ms. Dery’s beautiful letter to the Presidents of Québec universities (French content) appears following Bambi’s unofficial English translation:

“Québec, January 16, 2023

Ladies and gentlemen, the leaders of the universities of Québec

With regard to recent events that have punctuated the news and fuelled the controversy that exists between the pursuit of objectives favouring diversity and inclusion in higher education and the protection of fundamental and universal values, such as freedom of education and research, a clarification is needed.

Québec’s bill on academic freedom in universities provides institutions with all the necessary tools in order to ensure that these fundamental values ​​are respected and even enriched. The purpose of this bill is to better support academic institutions in the framework of academic freedom and in promoting growth in future decades.

Under no condition should we tolerate censorship in academic institutions. Censorship inhibits thinking and thinking in the grip of fear hinders the pursuit of excellence, which is at the heart of the university’s mission. We cannot sacrifice academic freedom in the name of certain specific struggles, with the risk of losing both at the end of the line.

Academic freedom constitutes the very foundation on which higher education was built and must continue to be so. It shapes our actions, thoughts, and our way of envisioning higher education, not only for the benefit of the student and teaching community, but also for the benefit of the Québec society as a whole. It is inseparable from democratic pluralism, which represents the backbone of our common institutions. This academic freedom is not only a core value, but it is also a Québec value of which we are proud. It is my duty to remind you of this and to ensure that it is respected.

This being so, the pursuit of objectives aimed at diversity and inclusion within educational institutions is legitimate and necessary. This approach promotes equal opportunities because we all want educational environments that promote growth, both personally and academically.

However, under no circumstances should these objectives lead in any way to any form of discrimination or injustice. However, the requirements of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) of programs of Canada Research Chairs, which are set by the federal government, rather restrict certain rights and reduce the primacy of the notions of competence and excellence.

Following a motion that I proposed to the National Assembly last December, Québec’s political class, all parties combined, unanimously denounced these ways of doing things. I underlined that a greater representation of the target groups, underrepresented, must always be carried out in a logic of equal competence. This way of doing things is a the heart of the Québec model, and this in all sectors of society.

It is in this spirit that I have asked the Chief Scientist of Québec to review his evaluation grid in the allocation of research funds by the Fonds de recherche du Québec, so that the EDI criteria are not imperatively predominant, but rather complementary. To do otherwise would endanger excellence, the search of truth and academic freedom.

It is now up to you to achieve this goal. It is about the quality of teaching, research, and the relevance of academia in general.

These expectations are not only those of the government and mine, but they are also those of Québec society. Meeting these expectations is a delicate responsibility that can require difficult trade-offs. This is why, dear leader of university institutions, you can count on my full support in the pursuit of this objective.

Please accept my warmest regards,

Pascale Dery”

Does this post need any word beyond these heart-breaking pictures? Let’s not forget that this is just one of the MANY other families who lost a dear member in the surrealistic Beirut port explosion of August 4, 2020. May Ms. Nicole Helou’s memory be eternal as well as the memory of everyone.

Bambi just discovered a beautiful song by the talented and generous French singer Grégoire. An English translation of its thoughtful lyrics appears following the YouTube video; thanks to the assistance of Mr. Google Translate.

This being said, may you live your life to the fullest. May you be content, not just when you are feeling good about yourself, but especially if you happen to be either in a difficult life transition or in a state like the following: sick, feeling lonely, down, and/or with a grieving heart after loosing your dream, job, optimal health, wealth, or a beloved person.

Enough of best wishes for you. Bambi will stop here; it is time for music now :)!

TO LIVE (By Mr. Grégoire)

“Yes, my friends, we will live

and live strong, intensely,

to look only ahead,

live more than 100,000%

forgetting that we are going to die,

yes, my friends, we will live

unconditionally, truly live,

without “maybe”, without “yes, but wait”,

to eat everything to the fullest,

above all never to suffer,

yes, my friends, we will live

fingers in “V”, head in the wind,

the proud look, the fire in the blood,

courage and a beating heart,

getting up despite the worst,

yes, my friends, we will live

never wasting a moment,

never let time slip away,

hugging, kissing,

to forget that we are going to die,

yes, my friends, we will live

live without regrets, without torments,

bendable perhaps but resistant

to all storms, torrents,

to all the critics of the minions,

yes, my friends, we will live

and live without anesthetics,

without being stupefied by sedatives,

to live without being of all these people

who die long before they die,

yes, my friends, we will live

and live free by choosing,

to look only ahead,

live more than 100k%

forgetting that we are going to die,

yes, my friends, we will live

always live by telling ourselves

that apart from love, nothing is urgent,

the rest is vain, inconsistent

because one day we will die

yes, my friends, we will live

to give everything, to all comers,

without calculating almost unconscious,

because nothing is worth more than these moments

where we forget that we are going to die,

yes, my friends, we will live!”

Well, it is this time of the year, when Bambi’s larger family is blessed to come together again to celebrate, after the Christmas and New Year festivities; twice not just once, that is in two consecutive evenings meant to honour two oldest family members called Antoine and Tanios, respectively. Of course, this along with all those from the second generation of the family who happen to also be called Tony or Antoine, etc. Indeed, Bambi has several cousins, with a similar first name, most in Beirut and one in Montreal. They are all uniquely adorable :). Happy “name day” to each one of them and to Bambi’s friends, Antoinette and Tony!

Of course, in Bambi’s eyes, the most significant Antoine OR Tony in this time of the year is her dad, especially that his birthday is celebrated also on his name day. May God keep protecting you, dear “Antonio”. Many thanks for giving Bambi and her sisters values, roots, and wings; this in addition to being a living example of an inspiring self-made entrepreneur, as per an older post honouring you and your business (shown below). Bambi loves you a lot, dad. She is saying so now while sending her deep affection to our all our dear ones across the miles ❤️!

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Azar Electric: An inspiring story of a store in Beirut…