“The Coalition to Combat Online Hate, which includes Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Indigenous and Black organizations, has written to Justice Minister David Lametti and Rodriguez urging them to ensure that a bill regulating online hate and vitriol will have “swift passage” through parliament.”
Her question is the following: What are these groups forming this so-called coalition and how many of them are funded by our federal government, the so-called “Liberal” Party of Canada?
Plus, how sad it is to read that a former Bloc Québécois member is also pushing for Bill C-36.
To conclude this post, a song comes to Bambi’s mind… yes, again, Ms. Nana Mouskouri’s liberty song:
Those, who like Bambi, come from countries that have been torn by sectarianism know very well where modern forms of tribalism can lead.
Of note, Lebanon has a word for (institutionalized) sectarianism, called El Taifia, and it specifically applies to religious sects or affiliations/identities. However, the world is still not as upside down in Lebanon as it is in Canada (even though this country is sadly collapsing while struggling for its existence). Lebanese people lucidly know (when they do not want to forget…), deep inside of themselves, that El Taifia is destructive because it is socially toxic and potentially highly explosive.
After listening to the brilliant words of Dr. Pardy (thanks to his clever interviewer, Ms. Kate Wand), Bambi came to the conclusion that not only she doesn’t mind, but she is actually proud, to be called “racist” if it is by those who have endorsed distorted views of a concept as important as racism. She means by that the definition of this word or the new norm of the so-called anti-racism or anti-phobia (whichever its prefix), that perhaps comes down to an obsession with group identities or sub-identities (like colour/races/religions/sex/gender, etc.).
Stated differently, Bambi is convinced that respect of all (or humanity towards all) is the best antidote to racism and to any other form of discrimination or injustice in our world. Perhaps it all starts with a simple yet priceless ingredient called self-respect. The latter naturally extends to respecting others. Perhaps it is the same for love? And maybe also the same for peace?
For Bambi, each person she encounters in life is unique (she has been blessed to meet so many amazing people over the past 6/7 months that have enriched her life in one way or another. Thanks to each one of them). Before and beyond this period of her life, each character of each person [or other deer :)] she has meet or will meet in the future is unique. Each story of each character is also unique. Failing to see the richness of this uniqueness is a loss of a lifetime opportunity to learn from and grow with/through the experiences or relationships with others. In other terms, this can be a dead end to personal growth, to the joys of human love, and to opportunities of laughter in social interactions… and what is life without (genuine) love and a sense of humour?
To conclude with a touch of humour proving her point, and if your own sense of humour has not been surgically removed yet (with much political correctness), here is a potentially funny short video for you… Well, maybe not for you but it made Bambi laugh :). Thank you Marc & Nico in this Marc Hachem video on food and table manners between two friends in Montreal (entitled: ” What happens when you pit JAPAN against LEBANON? Clash of cultures or perfect match”?).
On June 19, 2021, Bambi’s two posts were about the beautiful Ehden village in Lebanon (in the Middle East). Thanks to her sister, Ms. Roula Douglas, Bambi was able to share some pictures and even videos from this beautiful village. However, in her first post, she made a mistake and showed a picture of Bcharreh instead of Ehden. She commented on her own post with the following words :):
“This is Bambi commenting on her own blog. To be very accurate, and in order not to mislead her readers, she just learned from her sister that those specific pictures were taken from the nearby village, called Bcharreh, and not from Ehden per se. Luckily, both are located next to each other in the Zgharta District region! So, Bambi’s mistake could be easily forgiven :). This being said, if you happen to be reading this post and you are from Bcharreh, please accept Bambi’s apologies. One of the future posts will be about the charming Bcharreh, count on her :)! “
Well, today, she would like to act on her older promise by devoting this post to feature the charm of Bcharreh. She hopes to do justice to its beauty… but from where to start?
Perhaps first with the etymology, which is the field of studies of the origins of words and their change throughout history? Bcharreh is of Syriac origin: “Beit Shary“, which means “to begin” or “strength and stability”, as per the blog below entitled “Les plus beaux villages du Liban“. According to this source, Bcharreh is a “former Phoenician village where cedar wood was exploited in antiquity” .
What about geography now? According to the same Lebanese reference above, “Bcharre rises to 1400m in North Lebanon, in the heart of a majestic and fierce nature. The village, with a rather urban character, stands out above all for its exceptional natural environment marked by the presence of two UNESCO World Heritage sites, namely the millennial forest of the Cedars of God and the Holy Valley of Qadisha, home to meditation and asceticism since the beginning of the Christian era. Several hermits still live today in the rocky slopes of the Qannoubine valley“.
Mr. Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931; birth place: Bcharreh, Lebanon. Death place: New York, USA). A picture taken from Wikipedia.
If you are into spirituality, you will be well served in this piece of heaven (religious or spiritual tourism). If you are into winter sports, you will enjoy skiing and discovering the snow-covered mountains. Mind you, you can resort to this activity even late in the spring- early summer. You can be skiing and less than an hour later (OK minus any traffic :)) find yourself swimming in the Mediterranean sea!
Bcharreh under the snow. A picture taken from Wikipedia
Wadi Kadisha [or the sacred valley]/Bcharreh. A picture taken from TripAdvisor
“Kadisha” means “Holy” in Aramaic, which is the language Jesus spoke. This valley is simply SO beautiful. It is close to the “Forest of the Cedars of God“. So many civilizations used the timber (e.g., Temple of Solomon, shipbuilding, railways, etc.): The Phoenicians, Israelites, Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Romans, Arabs, Ottoman Empire or Turks, etc.
Cedars of God in Bcharreh, Lebanon. A picture taken from Wikipedia
Cedars of God in Bcharreh, Lebanon. A picture taken from TripAdvisor
To conclude this post, here is a very brief video called Bcharreh by drone. Bambi hopes you will enjoy it, along with the music. One of the songs is called Almahaba (or love)– of course a tribute to Mr. Gibran Khalil Gibran! The other is called Bint el Shalabiya by Fairuz (Bambi still did not have the time to complete learning how to play it on the guitar :). Hopefully soon!
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Bambi’s older posts on Ehden located in the Zgharta district (North of Lebanon).
It is always fascinating how old songs come to our brains at unexpected times.
Yes, even deer with ugly voices sing all the time.
Tonight, Bambi heard herself singing a song that she has not heard for over three decades.
This song was composed by the Rahbani Brothers for Feirouz. It is entitled “La tehmelny La Tensany” (or “Do not ignore me, do not forget me“).
Well, is it a song or a prayer? Bambi forgot… Perhaps it is just Feirouz’ pure voice that makes it sound like a prayer?
Well, whatever it is, since it remains timely, Bambi will dedicate it to Lebanon (Fairouz’ beloved country).
If you are interested you can listen to it below. If you are curious about the meaning of the lyrics, Bambi managed to find a translation of the Arabic words in French and Turkish respectively (https://bit.ly/3kSKczg). No English… but thanks to her faithful friend Google Translate, here is a quick translation for you!
“Don’t leave me (Don’t neglect me) My house is yours, and I have no one By dint of calling you, Spaces get bigger (3)
I waited for you at my door, and all the doors I wrote you about my pains On the setting sun (3)
Don’t leave me, don’t forget me, I only have you, don’t forget me (2)
My country has become an exile The streets are covered with thorns and wild grasses Send me tonight, someone to watch over me
My house is yours, and I have no one By dint of calling you, Spaces get bigger (3)
Don’t leave me, don’t forget me… Oh poor sunshine From our land of fear we cry out… Oh sun of the poor The days punished, the looks promised I call you, until your voice enlightens me My promise and my heart cry out for your voice in song
Don’t leave me, don’t forget me… Oh poor sunshine From our land of fear we cry out.. Oh sun of the poor
I am a rose of your flowers, bless me, help me With tears you plant me, with happiness you harvest me
You are overflowing with justice towards me, your generosity enlightens me And if everyone forgets me, you are left alone not to forget me
I called you in my sadness, I knew you with me The spaces widen and the earth kneels
Don’t leave me, don’t forget me… Oh poor sunshine From our land of fear we cry out… Oh sun of the poor”
Are their words empty (just stating the obvious: Do you know anyone who does not want justice, mutuality, equality, accountability, etc.?)? Or do these words hide a concrete agenda for increased bureaucracy of the flourishing industry of so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion“? Or maybe both?
Are our universities in financial crises and is our federal government tying funds (of research chairs) to the promotion of such UN-based ideologies?
Is there a real problem here and, if so, what are the concrete proposed solutions? And where are we heading with all this?
Mind you, Dr. Malinda Smith is also referring to Canada as “the Indigenous territories now known as Canada“, like the language used by the University of Alberta (as per the older post shown further below).
Bambi’s birth country is struggling for its existence due to an endless regional conflict between two powerful countries. It is also struggling to survive its own financial, political, and moral bankruptcy. Despite the hell that the Lebanese people are living in (no gas, no medication, no access to their money, no safety, etc.), and despite the danger of sectarianism, imminent wars, and this continuing history of migration, no one has EVER called his/her doomed country “this place now called Lebanon“! Why? Because they respect it and they are attached to it, despite its MAJOR issues.
So, why did Canadians give up on their country/civilization to that extent? Why the collective self-destruction in our prestigious universities? Aren’t those places meant to generate and test innovative ideas to fix problems and build better futures for societies? Since when were they supposed to fuel destructive ideologies that can literally kill the spirit of a nation… ironically in the name of justice, of course?
Even if you do not agree with Bambi, please check this tweet by Mr. Jonathan Kay, one of our great journalists who has been tirelessly informing us of the extent of destructive (and absurd) ideologies in our beautiful university campuses and in our societies? How can someone working at a public institution call his or her (and our!) own country “a place now called Canada“? And what to say about the rest of the language of this (well-paid) job ad? If this is not propaganda, what is it then? And who is funding all this?
The position in question is called: “Lead Educational Developer, Decolonial Pedagogies and Indigenous Initiatives Lead Educational Developer, Critical Pedagogies and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity“.
What does the above title mean precisely? If you do understand it, Bambi begs you to write a comment to explain it to her. Thank you.
The University of Alberta’s vision is “to inspire the human spirit through outstanding achievements in learning, discovery, and citizenship in a creative community, building one of the world’s great universities for the public good”. Its mission is the following: “Within a vibrant and supportive learning environment, the University of Alberta discovers, disseminates, and applies new knowledge for the benefit of society through teaching and learning, research and creative activity, community involvement, and partnerships. The University of Alberta gives a national and international voice to innovation in our province, taking a lead role in placing Canada at the global forefront” (https://www.ualberta.ca/strategic-plan/overview/our-vision-mission-and-values.html).
So, how does this position and its language help achieve the above? And Can/will our universities stop betraying their educational missions after becoming too dogmatic like that… to the point of absurdity?
Related to this question, Bambi will re-share an older post on the topic, featuring an article by Mr. Jonathan Kay in Quillette that helps us in understanding the broader context of what is afflicting our Canadian universities? Tragically, the latter are a reflection of the worrisome state of our country. They are like a mirror (or the symptoms), so to speak.
Once again, thank you Mr. Kay for your thoughtful article. Is it too late to save our universities from this intellectual corruption? If not, why didn’t his work trigger a societal debate? Bambi recalls having read a French article by Dr. Joseph Facal about this important work in the Journal de Montreal (https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2021/11/13/la-bureaucratisation-de-lideologie-woke). If she is not mistaken, Dr. Gad Saad (also from Québec) made a video about your article. She does not know if others from the rest of Canada interviewed you about your investigation. She is curious.
To conclude this post, in Bambi’s mind, Mr. Kay’s continuous contribution, perhaps especially this thought-provoking article, deserves a journalism award, like the one awarded to Ms. Caroline Hayek (as per the old post shown further below)… Well, whether this will happen soon or not, she is nominating him for an imaginary prestigious pan-Canadian investigative award in her mind right now!
Bambi was delighted to receive an email sharing the happy news directly from her own sister who happens to be a proud colleague of Ms. Hayek at l’Orient Le Jour!!
Bravo to this francophone journalist from Lebanon for her well-deserved prestigious award! Bambi recalls very well her series of articles on the surrealistic Beirut blast all elegantly written and where the readers could see a light of humanity in the middle of all the losses of this tragedy (Who knows? Bambi may have even perhaps shared a link or a picture in some older posts).
While reading more about Ms. Hayek now, Bambi discovered that she speaks Arabic, French, English, and Italian (https://lb.linkedin.com/in/caroline-hayek-2796a79a; https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Hayek). Below are articles featuring her success story from some of the francophone media in Lebanon, France, and Québec. It is both reassuring and thrilling to see that the beautiful language of Molière and Voltaire remains vibrant in Lebanon (thanks to the talented l’Orient Le Jour‘s journalists and contributors like Ms. Hayek):
Here are tweets and re-tweet by Ms. Roula-Douglas:
Ms. Azar-Douglas is proud of her colleague, Ms. Caroline Hayek.
Yes, bravo to Ms. Hayek and, through her, to Lebanon for remaining a hub of the French language.
Félicitations/Mabrouk!
Lebanon badly needs good news these days… What a pride indeed.
To conclude this post, “mabrouk” and bravo again to Ms. Caroline Hayek! Please keep up the excellence of your work and be safe while covering the news from the Middle East, namely about the Syrian conflict and the multiple crises of Lebanon. If Bambi may, she would like to offer you Mr. Jean-Jacques Goldman’s beautiful song: “J’irai au bout de mes rêves” [ which means I will follow my dreams to the end]. Please keep following your dreams… and, by doing so, keep making others dream, work hard to achieve their aspirations (whatever they are), and aim for excellence and professionalism.
She is one of Bambi’s amazing cousins! Not any cousin. Indeed, she is both a cousin and a friend.
She is close even when far away. She is always here in good and in bad times.
She is a wonderful woman, mother, wife, daughter, sister… and of course cousin!
She will surely be a superb mother-in-law and grand-mother too one day [even if it is too soon :)].
She is very smart. She is educated too. She is elegant and down to earth. A real lady basically. She is kind too because she laughs at Bambi’s silly stories even early in the morning at her end (middle of the night here).
Coco, Bambi does not know if you recall when her spouse heard her chatting with you on the phone for the first time. She was calling you “Coocéyé“. Poor guy. He thought Bambi was talking about a drug :), mixed with some Arabic words. By the way, “Coco” is already a shortened version of your name… so really no need to shorten it further, especially when it becomes longer.
Well, Christiane, Coco or Coocéyé, Bambi loves you and misses you so much. She wishes you peace of mind, love, and joy, along with health and prosperity.
To conclude on a joyful note, below are two songs for you. The first one was stolen from YouTube (thanks to whomever made it public). The second one is Ms. Chantal Goya’s famous “Bécassine, c’est ma cousine“. It is meant to make you recall your childhood [since it has been a while now 🙂 :)]!
“The whole concept of requiring the economically developed world to give $100 billion a year to the economically underdeveloped or mismanaged countries of the world is absurd. I believe in development assistance and the wealthy nations of the world certainly should assist less prosperous countries but in projects that generate economic growth and raise standards of living and are given in a proper spirit of fraternal internationalism, not an inundation of falsely extorted Danegeld that will be squandered in the boondoggles of phantasmagorical pseudo-environmentalists”.
Bambi happened to have read his thoughtful article after reading the following piece of news about one of the most mismanaged and corrupt countries of the world, Lebanon (https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/15490-luxembourg-opens-criminal-case-into-lebanon-s-central-bank-governor). The same wealthiest countries who participated in the COP26‘s UN Summit on Climate Change (e.g., France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, etc.) are the ones now opening criminal cases into Lebanon’s central bank governor. Bravo to them to do so (finally). However, why are they doing something for financial accountability with one hand while giving funds to the same problematic governance’s system with the other hand? Even if the latter hand is painted in green, this does not justify such contradiction. So, why the re-distribution of wealth like that and what does it bring to people in power in the wealthiest countries in the world? Is there anything in politics done completely for free? Out of pure compassion?
