Mr. Marwan Ayoub & Watary Productions: thanks for bringing Lebanon to us, digitally and musically
Month: July 2023
Professor Cumberland: why aren’t academics and environmental groups supporting him, even when denouncing “high levels of glyphosate in most patients with atypical neurological diseases”?
Bambi is not an expert of glyphosate use or abuse, but she has always been allergic to censorship in New Brunswick (NB), Canada, and beyond. This is why, she has been honoured to support Professor Cumberland, as per all the earlier posts shown below.
Today, if she may, she would like to invite you to quickly read the titles of these posts (assuming you are too busy), at least the following one: “If Bambi was called “a proponent of rape culture” by those who did not like her blog, who is surprised that “the trial heard that Cumberland made sexist and derogatory comments to students”?“.
To begin with, Bambi came across an article in the Times & Transcript entitled “Ex-instructor fired by N.B. college launches appeal” (https://rb.gy/s7vr0). Once again, she read about how “he made homophobic slurs and sexist comments to students…”. However, for Bambi, the most important piece of information here is ONLY the following (hence his appeal!):
Regarding the above, Bambi wrote the following in her last post: “For those who do not know it, our province is 85% forested. Thus, the hot issue of glyphosate use is critical, regardless of the point of view about glyphosate use or abuse. In a place truly free of moral or even intellectual corruption, such an issue is supposed to be considered a scientific opinion. No more, no less. Sadly this was not the case in this story in which we forgot that Professor Cumberland is a scientist with integrity who was simply doing his job. We now know that he is also a man of courage, given his incredible ordeal and his spine. What an inspiration!
Anyhow, one thing was clear in Bambi’s mind last month was that Professor Cumberland deserves full justice as well as a MUCH higher compensation than what he got at the end of his trial ($48,645 in severance and $6,700 from his former College toward his legal costs).”
This being said and even repeated, now is the time for the question raised in the title of this post: why aren’t NB academics and environmental groups publicly supporting Professor Cumberland? Are they paralyzed by fear? Are they too indifferent? Or do they feel reluctant to defend his right to academic freedom, even if they share the same side, so to speak? If so, maybe the following hypothesis can help address Bambi’s question: perhaps they do not perceive him to be ideologically aligned, or compatible, with their mindset. Could it be? Specifically, they may be perhaps more into leftism, even taking the views and beliefs of the latter too seriously. Who knows? By doing so, perhaps they forget to focus on the essential in life: their shared humanity with another individual who has experienced much adversity. If there is truth to this hypothesis, once again, it is the basic principle or value of academic freedom-freedom of expression that is being collectively neglected after its initial attack.
Thankfully, Professor Cumberland received much support. However, Bambi still wants to know the following: why aren’t we all publicly co-standing up for the principle of academic freedom by publicly supporting his legal battle? Are we too afraid to do so? Are we too busy with our lives and/or indifferent? Or, again, are we blinded by our divisions?
For Bambi, it is very simple: academic Freedom-freedom of expression is supposed to be for ALL. This means no to censorship for all. No job suspension or firing for anyone (to silence and/or punish them?). In other terms, there must be room for everyone’s voices in our colleges, universities, and society by extension. This must include Cumberland’s voice, that is his scientific opinions and/or findings. This should also include any other voice that may disagree or perhaps even find opposite findings.
Even if Bambi is totally wrong in her hypothesis or analysis, Professor Cumberland could still be considered, by some at least, as being from a different academic, or maybe even social, species. Think of it. He is a man of Christian faith (“Yak”, some may even think nowadays), in addition to his inspiring scientific integrity and merit. In other terms, at least in Bambi’s mind, he does not seem to be a trendy ideologist, like many Canadian politicians and elites. He is simply genuine and, once again, filled with humanity. Despite this, and regardless of his personal values or attributes, as a biologist and as a college professor, doesn’t he deserve our public support? And what about our respect and gratitude for his integrity, along with his courage?
Of note, this post’s question has been on Bambi’s mind for a while. However, she is publicly raising it now after reading an NB Media Coop article, by Mr. David Gordon Koch, entitled “High levels of glyphosate in most patients with ‘atypical neurological diseases’: open letter ” (https://shorturl.at/CDOUX). As you can guess like she did, this article did not mention Cumberland’s case, even if it informed us of an open letter, which is closely related to his battle. The latter was “signed by several medical students and academics, along with the environmental group Stop Spraying NB and dozens of concerned citizens“. According to this letter, “over the past 8 years, over 200 New Brunswickers have developed worrisome, atypical neurological diseases, most of whom also had high urine levels of glyphosate and other pesticides“. Interestingly, Koch’s journalistic work was funded by the Government of Canada [via the Canadian Association of Community Television Stations and Users (CACTUS)].
Of course, it is necessary to resume the investigation of the mysterious neurological diseases, consider all risk factors, including glyphosate, and be transparent with patients and their families (Bambi’s heart goes to them) as well as the general public. For this, Bambi thanks Mr. Koch for his report.
To conclude this post, fingers crossed for Professor Cumberland and Lawyer Paul Champ who will be representing him in the appeal (https://shorturl.at/belR4). Independent of any possible impact of glyphosate on our health or even any role in the awfully tragic cases of NB patients with atypical neurological diseases, Bambi stands in solidarity with Cumberland. She does not know about you, but she wants FULL justice for him in his appeal. Yes, this is her heart’s prayer for him and his family ❤️!
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Thanks to Iran’s courageous men who supported women fighting for liberty, whether they are alive now or executed
From wherever you are reading this post right now, assuming it is from a relatively free society, please imagine the two following extreme scenarios, respectively:
First, your female relative, neighbour, and yourself are being forced on the streets by your police forces to remove a veil, or a hijab, freely chosen to be put on their/your adult head. The latter may be a preference out of spirituality/religiosity, cultural tradition, sense of fashion, or another personal motivator. Would you find the police’s behaviour acceptable?
Second, just like what is happening in Iran right now (https://shorturl.at/efrNV), imagine the opposite of the first scenario: your country’s authorities are reviving “a morality police” to force your daughter, mother, neighbour, and yourself to be covered by an unwanted hijab (or chador in Afghanistan)? How would you feel about it? Would it be fair or oppressive? Does it honour women or is it insulting (i.e., to their intelligence and free will)?
Obviously, for Bambi, both scenarios are problematic because they involve coercion. In other terms, they do not respect women’s choice about what to wear in their “own” daily life. Indeed, no woman is like another; same for men. Each is unique: one may be into the hijab. Another woman may not, even if both may be Muslim and observant. Of note, around the world, most observant Muslim women do not wear a hijab. Nevertheless, many do so and this is their business. Ours is to respect them, regardless of their outfit. In other terms, women must be as free as men to wake up in the morning and decide to wear what they wish. Only them know what is best for them. Surely not men working for a government, a religious order, or for a so-called “morality police“, which uses threats and force to impose a code dress, along with other restrictions.
Remarkably, despite a highly authoritarian regime, Iranian women and men are very courageous in fighting for their liberty and equality. Bambi has many older posts supporting their protests for this basic freedom. The most recent ones are shown further below. A a result, they have been jailed and even put in solitary confinement, like the talented rapper, Mr. Toomaj Salehi (https://shorturl.at/bfMWZ). Of note, he recently received a six-year prison sentence over the protests (https://shorturl.at/bfMWZ). Same for actor Mohammad Sadegh, it seems (https://shorturl.at/kotU2), and for Dr. Sadegh Zibakalam (https://shorturl.at/syCH1) who will appeal against his prison sentence. Tragically, other men who publicly supported their fellow women were executed (https://shorturl.at/aHMTV). Can you imagine? May their memory be eternal.
To end this post with music, two songs come to Bambi’s mind: the meaningful Bella Ciao, uniquely performed by Ms. Talia Lahoud, and Ms. Nana Mouskouri’s powerful “Song For Liberty“. As a reminder, the latter is the English translation of the French version “Je chante avec toi Liberté” (written by Mr. Pierre Delancé and Mr. Claude Lemesle; arranged by Mr. Alain Goraguer). In addition to French and English, this song was recorded in German, Portuguese, and Spanish. If she may, with much respect and affection, Bambi would like to dedicate both musical pieces to the people of Iran.
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Ms. Leila Milki does “not want to fall in love, just fall asleep”
Bambi has no secrets for her blog’s regular readers. Everyone knows that she is a fan of Ms. Leila Milki, as per the four older posts shown further below.
Ms. Milki is an award-winning Lebanese-American singer from Los Angeles. Bambi will repeat again that she was thrilled when this artist wrote a comment on her blog: “Hiii! I’m just finding this – thank you so much for sharing my music and for your lovely words!! I’m very glad you’ve been enjoying these videos ? please stay in touch – would love to connect!(socials: @leilamilkimusic)”.
As as reminder, her reply to her was as follows: “Wow– Ms. Leila Milki herself writing on Bambi’s blog! Bambi is SO HONOURED!! Please keep up your incredible talent and impressive work! You cannot imagine how many people reached out to Bambi to thank her for this post, expressing their admiration for your talent (from Canada, the USA, Lebanon, and Europe too) ❤️. Thank you and Bambi will keep in touch (email noted), count on her!”
This being said, this post is meant to share with you a beautiful orchestral ballad written by Ms. Milki who describes her musical piece as follows: it is “around the longing to escape a painful reality/disillusionment by hiding out in my dreams… would love to know what it sparks in you!”. The lyrics, composition, and piano, vocals were composed by herself. As for the string quartet, it was arranged by Ms. Abby Abdel- Khalek. Bravo to both artists!
Thanks Ms. Leila Milki for your talent. More healing to your heart… and sweet dreams :)!
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Mr. Guy Béart: Had he been still alive, it would have been his birthday today
Almost two years ago, Bambi dedicated a post to a song by Mr. Guy Béart, entitled “Liban Libre” [Free Lebanon], shown further below. Béart composed the music and wrote the lyrics of his powerful melody in 1989. This was exactly one year before the end of an absurd and cruel 15-year civil war.
Bambi recalls how Mr. Guy Béart visited Lebanon on a boat trip, from out of France, to show his solidarity with the civilians of his parents’ birth country. Today, she wants to pause to pay tribute to the memory of the late and talented Guy Béart. She is doing so because the latter was born on July 16 (1930). Although his own life ended on September 16 (2015) (https://shorturl.at/ioALZ), luckily his song is eternal.
Thank you, Mr. Béart for your attachment to your parents’ and to Bambi’s birth place. Most importantly, many thanks for your French song (with a couple of words in Arabic), which is all about unity, peace, and healing among the Lebanese people. Your song remains timely, perhaps today more than ever. Indeed, to what extent is Lebanon free now, you may be perhaps wondering from heaven?
Regardless of the answer to the question raised above, may all the countries of the world (including Lebanon as well as Canada and France) enjoy stability, liberty, unity, and prosperity… along with an urge, by their respective residents, to love one another.
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Lebanon: a stunning sunset captured from the beach and the mountains, respectively, thanks to Dima and Roula
To begin with, Bambi is grateful to her friends, Dima as well as Mary, and her sister Roula for their beautiful pictures. Bravo Dima and Roula for your respective talent. Thank you Mary for your generosity.
The first two pictures (by Dima) show us the sunset on the Mediterranean sea, namely on El Heri, which is a superb sandy beach in the Chekka town. The latter lies in the Batroun district in Northern Lebanon. Bambi has wonderful memories, with her loved ones, on the El Heri beach during several trips to her birth country over the past decades.
This being said, the last three pictures that you see below were taken (by Roula) in a village called Zighrin, which is located in Mount Lebanon. Zighrin’s elevation is 1050 metres, that is 3,444.882 feet. Of note, Mount Lebanon’s highest peak is 3,088 metres, that is 10,131 feet (https://tinyurl.com/yve6a37z).
To express her gratitude to her friends for reminding her of joyful memories and to her sister for sharing Lebanon’s beauty from a higher altitude, Bambi will offer them two songs: the first one is a Lebanese-Arabic melody, originally by the late Ms. Salwa El Katrib and performed by her daughter Ms. Aline Lahoud. This song is about the sea and all the mysteries of the world hiding behind it. As for the second French song, which is entitled “La montagne” [The Mountain], it is performed by the late and unique, Mr. Jean Ferrat.
To conclude this post, one wish comes to Bambi’s mind, like a prayer from the bottom of her heart: long live the sunsets, sunrises, and landscapes of tiny, bankrupt, presidentless, and governmentless yet dignified, resilient, and… eternally charming Lebanon!
A song to France… with love
Today is France’s national day. Bambi wishes this beautiful country much brighter days (than the recent dark and sad ones). France deserves not only social peace, but also love.
What do the late Ms. Simone Veil and Dr. Hubert Reeves have in common, besides having resided in Paris?
Bambi admires both Ms. Simone Veil and Dr. Hubert Reeves for different reasons. In this post, she will share what she knows about them respectively and what they have in common, namely the same birthday. Yes, it is July 13, perhaps also like someone Bambi knows too well [is Katia reading now :)]?
For those who have never heard of her, Ms. Simon Veil was a French magistrate and politician in several governments (Health, Justice, etc). In addition, she acted as the President of the European Parliament (1979-1982). She also happens to be a Holocaust survivor. Imagine she survived both the Auschwitz-Birkenau and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps where she sadly lost her mom. However, her sisters and herself survived the shoa, thankfully. Tragically though, they also lost their dad and brother who were deported to the Baltic states from where they never came back; most likely murdered there (https://rb.gy/oejkg).
“Mistakes are not to be regretted, they are assumed. Fear is not fleeing, it is overcome. Love does not cry out, it proves itself” (Simone Veil)
Bambi admires Veil’s humanity and feminism. Indeed, she was a champion of women’s rights in France. As a health minister, she is known for the 1975 law that legalized abortion. This law is even called “la loi Veil” [or The Veil Act] (https://rb.gy/cgl3u).
In 2010, Ms. Veil became one of the 40 “immortals” of the Académie Française. Of note, she was the 6th woman to have such prestigious distinction of her country (https://rb.gy/cgl3u). In June 2017, at age 89 (well almost 90, to be precise), Simone Veil was buried in the Pantheon (https://rb.gy/eeewu). What an honour!
Now, who is Dr. Hubert Reeves who turns 90 today? Happy Birthday to him, to begin with. Reeves’ birthday song will follow his brief bio and a thoughtful quote from him, which Bambi likes a lot.
Reeves was born in Montreal, Québec, Canada on July 13, 1932. After spending part of his childhood in Léry, a small town on the south shore of Lake Saint-Louis, he returned to Montreal where he graduated from school (Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf), obtained a BSc. degree in Physics (University of Montreal), and an MSc degree (McGill University). Following this, he received a PhD in Physics in the United States (Cornell University). He was awarded highly prestigious national and scientific awards from Québec, Canada, and France (https://shorturl.at/afryA).
After teaching at the University of Montreal, he has worked as an advisor to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and is a director of research at the Centre national de la recherche scientifique [French National Centre for Scientific Research] (CNRS). He often speaks on television where he vulgarizes science and makes it appealing to popular audiences (https://shorturl.at/afryA).
To conclude this post, Bambi would like to thank both Ms. Simone Veil and Dr. Hubert Reeves. May your memory be eternal, Ms. Veil. Happy Birthday wishes to you Dr. Reeves! From now on and until her death, Bambi will think of both of you each July 13 :)!
Making our inner sun shine year-round, regardless of the weather
It may be sunny yet we may be going through a cloud of unpleasant times in our life. Alternatively, we may feel internally content even if it is cloudy outside like this summer in the Maritimes, at least thus far, where an unstable weather is alternating between being cool and warm. Independent of the weather and even life seasons, how about making our inner sun always shine all year round?
As the great philosopher (551-479 B.C.) Confucius stated, “Happiness is not always in an eternally blue sky but in the simplest things in life”? If there is truth to the latter old Chinese wisdom, what are your own “simplest things” in your daily life? Are you aware of them? If so, do you allow yourself to take the time to appreciate them?
Another tip for happiness comes from Robine, Bambi’s mom, who recently said: “Think of beautiful things and the world around you becomes more beautiful“. Maybe this piece of wisdom is inspired by an old Lebanese saying that goes like this: “Smile and the world will smile back at you“.
Of course, “your” cloud may be too thick to make you (re)-connect with your inner sunshine or appreciate the outer light or warmth. In that case, as the proverb goes, “every cloud has a silver lining“. Indeed, even if you cannot see it (yet?), with increased lucidity and perspective, thanks to time, you can see a good aspect in every bad situation.
Before leaving you with music, Bambi wants to remember today, and perhaps also remind you of the following: Even in the worst situation, the promising aspect may lie in the potential for painful yet meaningful lessons, which are the essence of personal growth. Thankfully, we can learn something valuable from all our experiences, including about ourselves, and thus enrich our life journey.
What does a cow mean to you?
Did you know that July 11 has been declared, by God knows whom, as “Cow Appreciation Day“. But what is the latter? It “is a day that has been designed to raise awareness about cows and appreciate everything that they do!” (https://shorturl.at/npuGZ).
Bambi loves all her fellow animals as well as human beings. She does know about your favourite animals, but the cow holds a special place in her heart. Who knows? Perhaps it is the same for you for different reasons. Maybe you are into farming or for a veterinary purpose? Maybe it is for spiritual reasons since cows are considered “sacred” by India’s Hindus? Maybe you love their meat or milk? Of note, in Canada this meat is called “beef” whereas in Lebanon it is called “cow”.
Whatever your reason, in addition to being heart-warming, cows often symbolize fertility, thus motherhood, and generosity; this representation exists across many cultures. This being said, both Bambi and her spouse love cows. They appreciate seeing them while driving or walking in the rural areas of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as per the picture shown below:
In addition to finding them cute, Bambi is highly grateful to cows because she is a fanatic milk drinker. Even at almost age 51, she still drinks lots of milk. Indeed, on average, every ten days, she drink 2 litres of this delicious and nutritious white substance! No wonder her friend Jane teased her by saying that she may have forgotten to switch to wine when she became an adult :).
Furthermore, Bambi is an ice cream lover. She is lucky to live close to Trueman Blueberry Farms where ice cream is homemade and served on a delicious, also homemade, waffle cone (https://shorturl.at/fjpHR). Same for the famous Cows of PEI!
Yes, we owe cows our balanced human diet, which includes (at least for some of us), ice cream and other delicious dairy products like cheese. Louis, Bambi hopes you are not reading thus far given what cheese means to you. Yak :).
This being said, enough of human food likes and dislikes! What about cows? What do they eat, have you also wondered about it? According to the Dairy Farmers of Canada (https://shorturl.at/wxIKV), the most common food for cows is grass with a typical mature cow eating about 29 kg. of it per day. Cows also drink lots of water, of course as a function of their age, lactating status or not, and the seasons.
Although our devoted dairy farmers continuously collaborate with nutrition experts to come up with a diet tailored to their specific cows (https://shorturl.at/wxIKV), some humans forget about cows’ natural eating habits. They offer them the pleasure of an ice cream. After all, they did contribute to its production.
To conclude this “cowy” post with music, Bambi will leave you with “La vache qui rit” [The Laughing Cow], a famous French cream cheese ad, which reminds her of her childhood in Beirut (it is sub-titled in English). In addition, if you like it, you may listen to a kids’ song about an adorable cow called “Lola”. Happy Cow Appreciation Day to all, regardless or your diet or beliefs. Moo :)!
