Author: Bambi

Bulgaria arrested Mr. Igor Grechushkin (https://shorturl.at/KHJoe) who had been questioned in Cyprus back in 2020 at the request of the Lebanese officials (https://shorturl.at/WvI5Z).

Mr. Grechushkin’s abandoned ship initially brought the ammonium nitrate that detonated at Beirut port on the doomed August 4th 2020. The outcome was a catastrophe beyond imagination: the destruction of a large part of the Lebanese capital, the killing over 200 innocent people, including toddlers, and the injury of over 6,500 people. Some of the latter are still hospitalized. Can you imagine?

It is unclear what will happen next. If Bambi understands well, her birth country seems to have 40 days to seek Mr. Grechushkin’s extradition to question him, according to the Bulgarian law (https://shorturl.at/BK9fq).

Regardless of the next legal steps or the role played by this man (if any), the Lebanese top officials had seven years to act responsibly to prevent this man-made tragedy. Sadly, they did not. All those who knew about the ammonium nitrate closed their eyes. Some even closed their hearts in the days following the tragedy. Will the delayed, and at times attacked, justice be served one day?

As a reminder, it is the heart-warming Lebanese people themselves who rushed to Beirut, from all the regions, to support their fellow citizens and to help them clean and heal. They filled the gap left by their government. They literally became the government.

It is also the generous and compassionate international community who rushed to Lebanon to help. Volunteers and workers, from all over the world, provided medical aid, food, other essential material, and shelter. They validated the traumatic experience of Beirutis. Many citizens of the world, including Canadians, generously made donations or found creative ways to raise funds.

Similarly, many world governments helped, including Canada. Thanks to everyone.

May lessons be learned from this tragedy to prevent future ones in Lebanon and elsewhere. May the memory of all those who died be eternal. Much love to the families of the victims and to those still in the coma or permanently disabled. Most significantly, may justice finally be served and in a fair way, without scapegoating OR excluding anyone (no one is above the law).

Halifax, Nova Scotia, has a population of about 500,000 residents, including 1,500 Jewish Haligonians who are served by three synagogues (https://tinyurl.com/4swbwutf).

According to the CBC, two synagogues, along with a centre for Jewish teaching, were vandalized overnight in Halifax. In the article that Bambi just read, you could see the disturbing swastika symbol and a senseless graffiti claiming that “Jews did 911” (https://tinyurl.com/ms9hvfx5).

Of course, the swastika or the Nazi hooked cross (“Hakenkreuz”) is unacceptable, especially that its use is meant to intimidate and instill fear within our fellow Canadian Jews. By extension, it means within all of us as Canadians.

As for the other absurd graffiti, it seems to refer to one of the common conspiracy theories about the 9/11 tragedy. Who knows? Maybe you are someone who believes the latter. Endorsing one idea is one thing (i.e., our thoughts are free, one must recall). However, using ideas stemming from a false theory (i.e., not based on facts, not testable, not falsifiable) in order to frighten others is another thing. A line has been crossed here. Sadly, in Canada, this line has been crossed several times over the past two years. It is highly worrisome.

To conclude this post, Bambi strongly denounces vandalism to places of worship and shootings in schools in other provinces, as per older posts shown below. All Canadians deserve to live without the fear of intimidation, including the Jewish community members. Indeed, both Halifax and Canada at large deserve to be free from antisemitic graffiti.

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Regardless if it would be called “hateful” or “terrorist”, following investigation, NO to VIOLENCE in Canadian schools, including the Jewish school for girls in North York which was re-targeted again

Once again, no to violence against Canada’s Jewish community in Toronto and Montreal!

Mr. Eli and Ms. Michal Tsurkan: bravo for advocating for your daughter’s safety and for calling for respect and kindness to all, including New Brunswickers of Jewish Israeli origins

Bambi does not want the evening to end without highlighting the “Positive Thinking Day”, which is meant “to promote the power of positivity and the impact this simple act can have on your life” ((https://tinyurl.com/2ard799c).

Thinking positively is a conscious choice to embrace an optimistic mindset in which we treat ourselves with utmost kindness (like we would treat a friend), nurturing enriching thoughts and fostering our continuous well-being. To achieve the latter, we can indulge in both self-compassion and even self-forgiveness, as needed. We can practice gratitude, which involves a conscious effort to put the emphasis on the goodness, that is all the positive experiences in our lives. We can also nurture supportive relationships while liberating ourselves from unhealthy ones. Alternatively, we can manage difficult relationships by setting more efficient boundaries to protect our well-being. We can set goals for ourselves and enjoy achieving them in baby steps. Essentially, we create and keep fostering a “positive” mindset in our own ways.

This being said, there are moments in our life journeys where we may need a pat on the back when it comes to positivity. We might search for encouraging sayings or look for inspiration by a meaningful person from our family or social circle. We may take time to consult, self-reflect, read a book, nap, listen to music, sing, exercise, dance, spend time in nature, practice mindfulness, pray, cook, and/or clean the house.

What strategies do you like to use to cultivate your positive thinking? Is music part of them? If so, and if you wish, please share with Bambi your favourite song. You may wish to do it as a comment on this blog or more privately. As far as she is concerned, she will leave you now with a few uplifting songs [at least for her : )]. Happy Positive Thinking Day!

Extreme activists in Halifax succeeded in making the opening of the Tennis David Cup take place behind closed doors (https://tinyurl.com/umkvtyj9). As a result, and sadly, Canada’s team did not have fans supporting it indoors when it played against the team of athletes from Israel.

Similarly, the Israeli tennis players are performing in our country under hostile circumstances. Unfortunately for them, they did not get to experience the hospitality and kindness of Maritimers, the true tennis lovers, because of a few anti-Israel activists who may not even care about this sport.

The same scenario took place miles away in Montreal where a group of extreme activists “urged the Mayor to exclude Israel cycling team from Grand Prix Cyclistes” (https://tinyurl.com/mrab57ps).

Behind the ocean, in the old continent, counties like Ireland and the Netherlands are stating that they will boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates again (https://tinyurl.com/5n7js6nx).

How sad to see politics hijacking sports and musical events. Why are we penalizing artists and athletes because of the actions of their government? Plus, who told those activists and politicians that these specific singers and cyclists support the Hamas-Israel war?

Would/should we eventually exclude from international events countries like Syria (a former dictatorship or a current Islamist-leaning government), Qatar (playing all sides politically or maybe even involved in funding Islamists), Lebanon (for being the country of the Hezbollah that fought against some Syrians and against Israel)? What about Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, etc.? What about Palestine now or in the future? What about this or that country? Where does all this stop? And why should it start in the first place?

Instead of the above, how about if we ONLY let musical notes speak in the Eurovision competition and athletic skills have the final say in sport events? Why can’t we be both professional and civilized with teams from all countries, including Israel? Why can’t artistic and sport international competitions serve as spaces for interactions, and dialogue, for peace?

Of note, Bambi is expressing this opinion even if Israel is currently re-occupying her birth country. Canada is VERY far from the Middle East in terms of geography. Why the extremism in activism then? Why do we let ourselves be controlled by activists, especially that the Halifax police, RCMP, and ICIS (Canadian secret services) stated that “they were not involved in Davis Cup decision” (https://tinyurl.com/746bck9k)?

In a few hours, it will be the 24th anniversary of the September 11 tragedy in which about 3000 innocent people lost their lives, mostly in New York, but also in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon (https://tinyurl.com/37wf9brc). Of note, about a month ago, three more victims were identified in New York City, including a young man and two women (https://tinyurl.com/y3w22ndv). All the terrorists (19) also died (https://tinyurl.com/37wf9brc).

This horrific and unforgettable day took place over two decades ago. Sadly, our world is still filled with stories of terror and suffering, in addition to unsolved conflicts here and there, and ongoing senseless wars.

Talking about wars, after checking on her dear cousin and his family in Doha, Qatar, yesterday (https://tinyurl.com/3umyckmr), Bambi decided to listen to the news of the region from out of her birth country, Lebanon. The radio station she found online happened to be talking about a port being renovated 35 years after the end of the Lebanese civil war. Bravo for the positive news.

Of note, this port is located in a city called Jounieh, North of Beirut. Bambi’s family escaped Beirut to this port from which they took a small boat to Cyprus. That was in 1989, a year before they migrated to Canada.

At the moment Bambi turned this Internet radio station on, one of the speakers celebrating the inauguration was mentioning a tragedy that happened at the port in 1989 (a year before the end of war). At the time, civilians were rushing to the boat in almost total darkness, without much sound, for safety reasons. Despite this, the shelling began suddenly. Missiles hit the water surrounding the boat and the small harbour quay. A horror story occurred to one of the escaping families, as mentioned on the radio.

Ironically, as mentioned on the radio, this family was also called Azar, like Bambi’s family name. These parents lost their two daughters on the spot. Can you imagine? Listening to the story made Bambi immediately have goose bumps while shedding a couple of tears. Indeed, this war memory is even more meaningful to her for the following reasons: although the radio speaker did not mention the names of the siblings who died, Bambi will always remember that one of them was called Roula, like her own sister (the other kid was Maia). For some reason, her dad either got stuck in Lebanon or maybe had to return there before Bambi’s mom and sisters. Whatever the precise context of the story, Bambi may have forgotten some details. She only recalls that both her dad and mom used to listen to a radio station on which they provided the names of the injured or dead people. This is how her dad heard about the deeply sad tragedy of the two Azar daughters, one of them was called exactly like his own daughter. He got worried, especially that they did not mention their age on the radio. Indeed, they were younger than his daughters.

Wars are ugly. Violence is senseless. And what to say about terrorist attacks? They are unacceptable, even after two decades or more. May the memory of all the victims be eternal. Much love and continuous healing to the surviving families. Same for all those affected by the 9/11 tragedy, back then or across generations.

To encourage her brain to keep waking up early this morning, Bambi read the latest news on her phone while still lying in bed.

She was deeply sad to learn about the six innocent people who were cruelly killed at a bus station in Jerusalem when two attackers opened fire on them and on a bus. There were also several injured people; perhaps twenty, many of whom in critical condition (https://tinyurl.com/ymuux9au).

Bambi immediately reached out to a dear friend in humanity and faithful reader of this blog. Thank Goodness, she and her loved ones are safe and sound. As for the victims of this tragic shooting, whomever they are, may their souls rest in peace and may their memory be eternal. May all those who were injured survive and heal.

When will the latest cycle of senseless violence end in the bloody Middle East? When it is not innocent civilians dying on this side of the conflict, it is innocent civilians dying on the other side of this endless conflict. Enough absurd violence, fear, bloodshed, and tears of grief.

For God/G-d/Allah/No Gods’ sake, enough please.

Beirut-based Yuri Mrakadi is highly creative and filled with talent.

This being said, our world is sometimes too small. Indeed, Mr. Mrakadi happens to have gone to the same school as Bambi (he was a classmate of one of her sisters). Regardless, he has a very beautiful voice. Many of his songs are deep. Others can be quite funny or even sarcastic. He seems to love to sing in the Standard Arabic language, even if some of his songs are also expressed in the Levantine, or Lebanese-Arabic, dialect.

Mr. Mrakadi’s song, which is featured in this post, was composed in 2024. Bambi just came across it on YouTube. Yes, she is just one year behind Mr. Mrakadi’s fans. Not too bad for the dinosaur that she is sometimes :). Although this song’s lyrics are in Arabic, they include the English word “toxic” (for toxic love). Since Bambi had no clue how to say “toxic” in her mother tongue, she asked her clever online friend Mr. Google Translate. He taught her, or rather reminded her, that this term could be “Samma (female version) or “Sam” (male version). The latter literally means “poisonous”, just like in English.

As a reminder, a toxin is a substance (by extension, a communication pattern or a relationship) that can be harmful. In extreme cases, a toxin can lead to not just illness, but also to death.

Of note, a “toxic” relationship (e.g., love, friendship, family, professional, etc.) may have key unhealthy ingredients related to conflict management, competition, and most likely also a need to control or to manipulate. These ingredients, or signs, typically take time to show, which may be months or even years (https://tinyurl.com/2u8wejzu). This is why it would be wise to take our time to get to know someone, or to observe patterns of toxic behaviour or communication, before getting intimate or committing too fast.

Last but not least, before sharing Mr. Mrakadi’ “Toxic” song, Bambi will leave you with a quick translation of its lyrics, thanks to Mr. Google Translate: “Toxic, your love is toxic. Poison runs through my veins. Toxic, even you are toxic. But with you I live my life., Every time you sting me, I bleed in the dark. And from death you revive me. Toxic, your love is toxic. A rose in the desert is calling. What kind of poison are you? It seems love isn’t enough. I became toxic. Poison runs through my veins“.

To conclude this post, may Mr. Yuri Mrakadi as well as you, dear readers, be enjoying healthy and uplifting relationships. May you be happy and peaceful.

Following Algeria’s old ban, now it is Turkey that is cancelling Mr. Enrico Macias’ concert (https://tinyurl.com/pzpf2r27; https://tinyurl.com/5rdcvpm). This country is claiming that it is to prevent anti-Israel’s demonstrations near his concert. In reality, it could be because he denounced the Hamas’ attacks for having triggered the last cruel Israel-Hamas war. Or was it also because of Israel’s recent public recognition of the Armenian Genocide?

Of note, Mr. Macias has always sang for universal topics like love, friendship, joy, beautiful cities like Beirut, and most significantly for peace. Whether he personally likes Israel or not is irrelevant here. What is more important is his music, which moves the hearts of his numerous fans in Istanbul, in the Middle East, in France, and around the entire world.

It is Mr. Macias’ right to be Arab, Jewish, and Zionist all at once. Why does Turkey seem to be using him to punish its neighbour? Instead of scapegoating him, Mr. Enrico Macias should be honoured worldwide for his incredible legacy to both the world of music and to Goodness in our deeply troubled world. As his beautiful song goes, children from all countries deserve peace, love, and music. All countries include Israel as well as Palestine, along with all nations.

“Chorus:
Children from all countries
Hold out your bruised hands
Sow love
And then give life
Children from all countries
And of all colours
You have in your hearts
Our happiness
It’s in your hands that tomorrow our earth
Is going to be entrusted to go out from the night
And our hope to see the light again
Is in your eyes which awaken to life
Dry your tears, throw out your guns
Make of this world a paradise
Chorus
You have to think of our fathers’ past
And of promises which they never have kept
The truth is to love without any borders
And give every day a bit more
For wisdom and wealth
Have just one address: paradise
Chorus
And on the day when love on the Earth
Becomes king, you can rest
When our prayers are covered in joy
You can have your eternity
And every laughs of your kingdom
Will make a paradise
Chorus”.

Bambi stands in solidarity with Mr. Evan Solomon and with B’nai Brith Canada, which “condemns vandalism targeting Jewish MP’s office” (https://tinyurl.com/5n7szrhr). Enough criminal offence in Canada. Enough intimidation. Enough violence.

As reported in the Journal de Québec (https://tinyurl.com/rtwb26bj), Québec seems to be getting ready to table a bill banning public prayers. Indeed, in a recent statement, Mr. Legault expressed the following thoughts: “The increase in street prayers is a serious and sensitive issue in Québec. Last December, our government expressed its unease with this increasingly prevalent phenomenon, especially in Montreal… This fall, we will therefore introduce a bill to strengthen secularism in Québec, notably by banning street prayers” (https://tinyurl.com/rtwb26bj). Will this forthcoming bill resemble what France resorted to in 2011, Bambi wonders (https://shorturl.at/Mg7G8)?

Instead of a potentially controversial new bill, why doesn’t the Government of Québec ban blocking streets, or public intimidation, whether done while praying, dancing/singing, or even silently? Without being a legal expert of Québec civil code, municipal by-laws, and/or federal criminal law, regardless of the protection of freedom of assembly or right to pray, there must be an existing legal framework to work with. Why isn’t being used now in Montreal to prevent some citizens from physically blocking streets, sidewalks, or disrupting traffic. Why isn’t this legal framework enough?

This being said, of course observant people, including Islamists—yes the latter as well, not just Muslims, or other types of believers—are theoretically free to pray anytime or anywhere they wish to. However, why don’t they choose to pray in places of worship, in private homes, or in their hearts?

In other terms, why should a deeply private act of connection with one’s God be exposed to, and even imposed on, the entire world? Despite any passionate drive to pray, whether truly spontaneous or pre-planned, like in a political demonstration, one must not be too self-centred to the extent of disturbing other fellow citizens with one’s own religious behaviour.