Author: Bambi

Before booking her recent quick last trip to Beirut, Bambi asked her sister Roula (journalist) about the situation in Lebanon. She understood from her that it is hard to predict what was going to happen (or not).

Regarding the same question of whether Israel is preparing for a new war against Lebanon, here is a thoughtful brief short video by Mr. Anthony Samarani (posted on YouTube 9 days ago) addressing this timely issue. Beyond his current video, Bambi wants to repeat once again that she has the utmost respect for Mr. Samrani’s work. What an outstanding journalist and editor. Bravo to him and to the entire l’Orient Le Jour for the continuity of excellence [of course, this includes Roula’s inspiring work :)].

Anyhow, Bambi took the time to transcribe the short French-speaking video in question. She then asked her good friend, Mr. Google Translate, for his assistance with the English translation. For your convenience, dear readers, you can find Mr. Samrani’s translated text as well as his original French message at the end of the video.

With much love, this post ends with best wishes to Lebanon. Enough of wars. Enough of dark days. May safety, peace, forgiveness, healing, love, and prosperity prevail not just in the Land of Cedars, but also in all the countries of the world.

Mr. Anthony Samrani’s translated insights:

“Drones are once again flying low over Beirut. The south is being heavily bombed. And the question that haunted us for months last year is back on everyone’s lips: Is Israel preparing another attack against Lebanon?

The farewell message from US Special Envoy Tom Barrack had the merit of being very clear: Lebanon is not doing enough to disarm Hezbollah. And if it doesn’t fulfill its mission, Israel will do it in its place.

Is a new war necessarily imminent? We must remain very cautious, especially since we don’t have all the information. However, we can assume that Israel would have an interest today in intensifying its bombing campaign, without however entering into a formal war.

Israel’s situation is indeed very comfortable today. It can bomb wherever and whenever it wants, without retaliation from Hezbollah and with the general indifference of the international community. A significant intensification of strikes could thus allow it to send a strong message to the Shiite militia and the Lebanese authorities, without provoking the potential displeasure of the Trump administration, which does not want a new conflict in the Middle East, nor a possible retaliation from Hezbollah, which, if cornered, would eventually be forced to respond to Israeli attacks.

Israel’s objective seems quite clear: to complete the disarmament of Hezbollah and, at the very least, to secure a security agreement with Lebanon that is heavily in its favor. The question now is what Israel believes it needs to achieve these two objectives. Could it be content with a low-profile war, or does it necessarily believe it needs a high-intensity war or campaign?”

—

Mr. Anthony Samrani’s original insights in the French language:

« Les drones survolent à nouveau Beyrouth à basse altitude. Le Sud est massivement bombardé. Et cette question qui nous a hanté l’année dernière, pendant des mois, revient sur toutes les lèvres: Israël prépare-t-il une nouvelle attaque contre le Liban? 

Le message d’adieu de l’envoyé spécial Américain Tom Barrack avait le mérite d’être très claire: Le Liban ne fait pas assez dans le désarmement du Hezbollah. Et s’il ne remplit pas sa mission, Israël le fera à sa place.

Une nouvelle guerre était-elle alors nécessairement imminente? Il faut rester très prudent, d’autant plus que nous n’avons pas toutes les informations.On peut toutefois supposer qu’Israël aurait intérêt aujourd’hui à intensifier ses bombardements sans pour autant entrer dans une guerre officielle. 

La situation d’Israël est aujourd’hui en effet très confortable.  Il peut bombarder où il veut, quand il le veut, sans riposte du Hezbollah et dans l’indifférence générale de la communauté internationale. Une intensification intense des frappes pourrait ainsi lui permettre d’envoyer un message fort à la milice chiite et aux autorités libanaises, sans susciter l’éventuel mécontentement de l’administration Trump qui ne veut pas d’un nouveau conflit au Moyen-Orient et une éventuelle riposte du Hezbollah qui, s’il est mis dos au mur, serait contraint de à un moment de répondre aux attaques israélienne. 

L’objectif israélien semble assez clair: achever le désarmement du Hezbollah et obtenir à minima un accord sécuritaire avec le Liban qui soit très largement à son avantage. Toute la question est désormais de savoir de quoi Israël pense-t-il avoir besoin pour parvenir à ses deux objectifs. Pourrait-il se suffire, se contenter, se limiter à une guerre sous les radars ou pense-t-il nécessairement avoir besoin d’une guerre ou d’une campagne de haute intensité?»

Hello dear readers, even if it is getting late at her end, Bambi cannot go to sleep without sharing a beautiful double talent from France. The songs below are performed by Mr. Olivier Raffo (singer) and Mr. Martial Palacios (pianist). Aline, if you happen to be reading this post, the first song is meant for you :). Long live music!

In a couple of hours, at Bambi’s end, it will be October 31st. She is eager for the kids’ Halloween visit. Until then, and ahead of time, she will wish Mr. Rudy Ayoub a Happy 31st Birthday (https://tinyurl.com/39ebfbtt)!

Below is Mr. Ayoub’s latest short YouTube video featuring Dracula. Of note, when Bambi read this video’s title “Why Dracula hates Arabs“, she could not help not to wonder if it included any joke related to Israel or to the Israel-Palestine conflict, like other recent videos (some funny and others, a bit too much, at least according to her). Thank Goodness, the character was just an apolitical Dracula :).

Regardless of the above, Mr. Rudy Ayoub is so creative, highly skilled in acting, entertaining, and most often hilarious! With fond regards, Bambi wishes him a great year!

Montreal has many crying safety, housing, social, and economic serious issues.

Montreal is 5,600 miles (about 9,000 km) away from Gaza.

For two years, Montreal has seen violent demonstrations, sadly pretending to be in the name of Palestinians. As a reminder, the vandalism used during such demonstrations was rarely, if not never, punished.

Despite all the above, a so-called pro-Palestinian pledge is circulating among Montreal municipal candidates. More than 100 of them signed it (https://tinyurl.com/p7a9pccy).

Who knows? You might be someone who believes that this is the highest form of morality on earth. As far as Bambi is concerned, had she still been a Montreal resident, she would have definitely voted for a candidate who did not sign this pledge. Why?

Well, Bambi is saying the above not because she does not endorse the Palestinian cause, or feel the suffering of Gazans. Surely, she is also saying the above not out of fondness for Israel.

Indeed, she is saying so because a municipal candidate who does not sign such a pledge would likely be a local politician who has demonstrated that he or she knows how to resist current trends and social pressure, hoping the focus would be on what matters the most: Montreal’s affairs and quality of life.

Mr. Naim Kassem, head of the Hezbollah, has the nerve to inform his fellow Lebanese citizens that he “had no regrets about the decision taken on Oct. 8, 2023, to open a ‘support front’ for Gaza, which led to a 13-month war of attrition with Israel”.

Whether accurate or not, Israel is claiming that Iran managed to smuggle weapons to Lebanon’s Hezbollah via Irak and Syria (written media: https://tinyurl.com/5euj5s29; broadcast media: https://tinyurl.com/4vktsube ). If untrue, this is a war manipulation and it is unacceptable. If it is true, this is highly worrisome and totally unacceptable for Lebanon before Israel.

So, how do we expect the official Lebanon to respond given all the above challenges?

Why would the Lebanese army keep confiscating the illegal weapons in the country, with a key deadline of December 2025, if the land of the Cedar will remain stuck in the same old Middle East paradigm of endlessly absurd wars and terror mindset?

Why can’t the Hezbollah learn to accept its fiasco of military defeat by only playing its significant political role, like the rest of the Lebanese political parties or movements?

And when will Mr. Netanyahu finally stop threatening that “Israel won’t seek approval for strikes in Gaza or Lebanon despite truce” (https://tinyurl.com/475hkdw8)? When will Israel stop killing or scaring Lebanese people with its almost daily drone attacks here and there?

How will everyone TRULY give peace a chance? Innocent civilians are fed up of wars and eternal conflicts. They are sick and tired of violence, destruction, death, and trauma.

In the meantime, Lebanon seems to insist that it won’t negotiate peace, or normalization, with Israel directly or, maybe even indirectly (both suggested by the United States recently, as Bambi heard on an internet Beirut-based radio this morning)? Why not? Why not talk to all neighbours, enemies, former enemies, future potential enemies, and any other entity in the world like a mature, sovereign country once and for all?

How about faking sovereignty, as some fake confidence, until you make it? Fake neutrality. Then, it will become a new practice of neutrality with all (the Swiss style!). Negotiate with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel, Palestine, the USA, Europe, Canada, China, Africa, South and North Korea, etc. Negotiate with Lucifer and with deaf walls, if you have to. For God’s sake, keep and never stop negotiating, with everyone, so Lebanese people can finally live in a country that can offers them minimum of safety AND dignity, like most of the noble places of the world!

Bambi’s spouse joins her in wishing both Bente (now) and Salome (five days later!) a double Happy Birthday :)! With much LOVE,”Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag” to both of them ❤️❤️!! This post, which does not need more words, will now let the music talk!

When was the last time you tried to replace your focus on a problem with healthy ways of coping with your problem?

Stated differently, to what extent have you tried problem-solving instead of obsessing with this problem?

Have your tried to maintain a positive attitude while being patient with both yourself and with your coping process?

What did you do to keep moving forward, despite your worries?

Regardless of any particular problem you might have had with anyone in particular, this post features Mr. Kendji Girac’s uplifting song about the choice of lightness, supportive friendships, joy, and personal growth in life.

It is Bambi’s hope that you will enjoy the joyful melody, the meaningful French lyrics (with an English translation shared below), along with the beautiful energy of Mr. Girac et al.

This being said, please have a good one dear readers, whether it is time for a night of sleep like for Bambi soon or time for a new dawn for you.

English Lyrics, thanks to Mr. Google Translate!

“Oh, oh, oh,

You’ve known failures and you still got back up.

You wanted to celebrate and you knew pain.

You’re carrying the weight of your mistakes, a little too heavy.

You looked elsewhere for a little comfort.

Just a little friendship to feel stronger.

That’s how we found each other.

It seems our lives are the same.

It seems our hearts wander.

It seems we see each other without embarrassment.

Together, we forget our problems.

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

When you’ve tried everything, but nothing works

If you want to give up when the problems pile up

But when you’re afraid someone’s going to play a trick on you

You’ll find a little comfort elsewhere

Just a little friendship, to feel stronger

That’s how we found each other

It feels like our lives are the same

It feels like our hearts are wandering

It feels like we see each other and without embarrassment

Together, we forget the problems

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

We know each other, we’re alike

You and I

No need for words to understand each other

You and I

We know each other, we’re alike

You and I

No matter what happens, we’re together

You and I

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

Forget, forget,

You and I

It seems like our lives are the same

It seems like our hearts wander

It seems like we see each other without embarrassment

Together, we forget our problems

You and me

You and me

You and me“.

Original French lyrics found on YouTube

“Oh, oh, oh,

T’as connu des échecs et tu t’es relevé quand même

Toi tu voulais la fête et t’as connu la peine

T’as le poids de tes erreurs pesées, un peu trop lourd

Tu as cherché ailleurs un peu de réconfort

Juste un peu d’amitié pour te sentir plus fort

C’est comme ça qu’on s’est trouvé

On dirait que nos vies sont les mêmes

On dirait que nos cœurs se promènent

On dirait qu’on se voit et sans gêne

Ensemble, on oublie les problèmes

Toi et moi

Oublier, oublier,

Toi et moi

Oublier, oublier,

Toi et moi

Oublier, oublier,

Toi et moi

Oublier, oublier,

Toi et moi

Quand t’as tout essayé, mais que rien ne fonctionne

Si tu veux tout lâcher quand les problèmes s’additionnent

Mais quand tu auras peur qu’on te joue un mauvais tour

Tu trouveras ailleurs un peu de réconfort

Juste un peu d’amitié, pour te sentir plus fort

C’est comme ça qu’on s’est trouvé

On dirait que nos vies sont les mêmes

On dirait que nos cœurs se promènent

On dirait qu’on se voit et sans gêne

Ensemble, on oublie les problèmes

Toi et moi

Oublier, oublier,

Toi et moi

Oublier, oublier,

Toi et moi

Oublier, oublier,

Toi et moi

Oublier, oublier,

Toi et moi

On se connaît, on se ressemble

Toi et moi

Pas besoin de mots pour se comprendre

Toi et moi

On se connaît, on se ressemble

Toi et moi

Quoiqu’il arrive on est ensemble

Toi et moi

Oublier, oublier,

Toi et moi

Oublier, oublier,

Toi et moi

Oublier, oublier,

Toi et moi

Oublier, oublier,

Toi et moi

On dirait que nos vies sont les mêmes

On dirait que nos cœurs se promènent

On dirait qu’on se voit et sans gêne

Ensemble, on oublie les problèmes

Toi et moi

Toi et moi

Toi et moi“.

Bambi has been silent lately. No time to breath, but she does not want to miss the chance to write, ahead of tomorrow, to wish her friend Olga a WONDERFUL forthcoming birthday!

Olga is not just a friend to Bambi’s spouse and to her. She is literally family!

Olga has a golden heart, which has room not just for her spouse, children, grandchildren, beloved close friends or relatives, but also for Bambi’s family MANY miles away. She thinks of them. She asks about them. She prays for them. Same for her spouse’s parents and aunt.

Every year, Olga sends Bambi and her spouse the most beautiful birthday card. A card handmade by herself. What an artistic talent! Of course, the card is filled with love and this makes it even more special. Since Bambi clearly lacks talent in painting, she will simply use this post as a virtual card to wish Olga a Happy Birthday. May tomorrow be a wonderful day for her! May her new year be rewarding in many different ways!

Of note, this year is a key milestone for Olga. Indeed, she just celebrated her Golden Anniversary with Manouchehr (or Cherri)! Fifty years together, WOW! Sadly, Bambi could not travel to Ontario to celebrate with them as she was flying to the Middle East to visit her dad (et al.). Congratulations to the love birds!! Bambi loves Olga, Cherri, and each of their children (along with their respective families) beyond blog words ❤️! Bravo to them for raising such a beautiful family. They provided their children with roots, to be grounded, and wings to fly and expand their horizons!

Olga, fond regards from New Brunswick to the great lady filled with humanity, mother and for the grandmother that you are. Thank you for being Bambi’s friend in good as well as bad times. Thank for having publicly and privately supported Bambi’s blog when it was under attack. Thank you for your time in continuing to read her posts. What a blessing and… Happy Birthday ❤️!

Have you heard of an incredibly talented singer-songwriter from Québec, called Ms. (or Madame) La Bolduc, and her unique songs? This post shares an uplifting song, which was composed by Ms. La Bolduc during Canada’s great depression of the 1930s. It is entitled “Ça va venir découragez-vous pas” [We will get there!]? For your convenience, and if you wish, an English translation of the lyrics can be found online: https://tinyurl.com/4t4a6xrw . Is there anything more powerful than a message of hope during financial dark times?

If you are a boring dinosaur like Bambi when it comes to movies, you may have missed watching “La Bolduc” seven years ago. Luckily, the distance between Europe and Canada is long enough to watch several movies on board of an airplane. Bambi chose to watch only one movie during her trip back home. It was La Bolduc. She was deeply touched by the character, talent, and life of this AMAZING artist. She went through a lot of adversity and kept her spirits up, just like in her songs. For instance, she lost many newborns, infants, and young children (maybe 6 or 7?). She raised her family in extreme poverty. She supported her husband. She composed up to two songs per month, and performed to her beloved audience even when she was extremely sick. What a lady!

The movie was also historically enriching for Bambi to watch since it included scenes featuring Ms. Thérèse Casgrain. The latter is an inspiring French-Canadian feminist, politician, and senator. As a gifted reformer, Ms. Casgrain successfully lead the campaign for women’s right to vote in Québec. Of note, she was the very first woman to be elected leader of a Canadian political party (https://tinyurl.com/47nxtx2j). During her long and fruitful political career, Ms. Casgrain “vigorously fought against social, economic and political injustices affecting both women and men” (https://tinyurl.com/47nxtx2j).

Bambi will end her post here to leave you with Ms. La Bolduc’s song, along with a brief promotional video of the French-Canadian movie in question. She hopes you will enjoy her song, which is inspired by Irish melodies and French-Canadian folk songs.

Bambi started her long day in the middle of the night (of yesterday now) in Beirut. She will end it soon in Sackville, New Brunswick. Atlantic Canada.

Just before entering the gate from which she boarded her airplane in the Lebanese airport, she saw two sets of double pictures that moved her heart. How could they not to, when they were telling the story of the bloody civil war (1975-1990), instantly contrasted with a story of quieter, yet not peaceful, present times?

The few minutes spent looking at the Beirut pre- and post-war-pictures made Bambi remember Poland, namely Warsaw. This beautiful place knows how to remember war victims, honouring their memory. Remembrance is the least at the human level. Remembrance is a must if we want not to repeat the same mistakes again and again.

This being said, Bambi thought again of Poland in her four-hour wait in Montreal for a third airplane on the way to her final destination. Actually, she thought of Mr. Frederic Chopin because today happens to be the 176th anniversary of his death. Warsaw remembered and honoured him (https://tinyurl.com/bpa9vpmr). May his memory be eternal and thanks to him for the incredible musical legacy.