Author: Bambi

Bambi would like to thank her father-in-law for sharing the information below:

According to a recent report, classrooms are not “safe spaces” and, to protect the concept of academic freedom, a law may be required.

It is very sad that we got to such a low point of intellectual degradation at our universities (and by extension in our societies) that our governments need to interfere.

Of course, as usual, Québec is a leader when it comes to fighting obscurantism.

In Canada, la Belle Province remains a precious bastion of anti-wokism. Hence all the attacks against its bills and culture, according to Bambi’ non-expert citizen’s opinion.

Make no mistake, we may perhaps eventually hear voices, from within this province, opposing such bill from either the official opposition or from within the universities themselves even. Some may perhaps even call such a bill racist or anti-EDI (Equity, diversity,inclusion) or whatever other absurd name? Could it be? And what would be the role of our federal government in this?

Regardless, it is HIGHLY reassuring to read about Québec lawmakers wanting to try to take a legal action to save what is left of academic freedom at our universities. Bravo!

Here are two articles on the topic from the CBC and CTV News (English content):

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-universities-not-safe-space-1.6285400

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/quebec-university-classrooms-are-not-safe-spaces-says-academic-freedom-committee-1.5706817

Here is an article from the Journal de Montréal (French content):

https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2021/12/14/liberte-academique-les-salles-de-cours-ne-sont-pas-des-espaces-securitaires-conclut-un-rapport

Thank you Québec for giving Bambi hope about intellectual diversity at our higher education institutions. To conclude this post, here is a meaningful German song (like the main theme of this blog). Yes, here is “Die Gedanken sind frei”! Some of the readers may understand it. Others may wish to read the English sub-titles.

Today, Bambi’s heart is filled with much joy, gratitude, and love.

Yes, she has all the reasons to appreciate love in life on this unforgettable day that took place in Montreal 30 years ago under the first biggest snow storm of their immigration years!

Yes, on that day, two love birds got married and made those around them dance, drink, and be merry. This day has generated many years of more love and beautiful (now adult) sons (OK and a cute dog too :)). Mabrouk!

This being said, as per the title of this post, this thought is meant for both love and friendship… So how about when we marry our friend :)? Imagine a friend you met while biking in a public garden, in times of war and hatred, when you were just 13… yes time flies and your rather rare story is simply beautiful. Thank you for being Bambi’s both sister and brother (yes it is possible :)). Much love to you two!

And how about when we love our genuine friends? Bambi is thinking of all her friends she is blessed to have in life. True, but perhaps she is specifically thinking of one of them now (she will recognize herself, if she happens to be reading). What a beautiful picture you sent yesterday evening. Thank you. It is indeed filled with our beautiful memories [not just because of that delicious ice cream… Do you believe Bambi :)?].

To conclude this post on a musical note, two songs are a must. The first is in English and it is a surprise to the love birds (they will know why!). As for the second song, it is simply a celebration of friendship (in French)!

Today, Bambi’s blood boiled when she heard on her internet radio that the Lebanese pound traded at 30,000 to the US dollar!

She then was informed by one of her sisters of a bank hold-up as well as other worrisome stories that are now the new reality of tiny bankrupt Lebanon.

Bearing all this in mind, she just quickly read in L’Orient Le Jour about a Lebanese comedian, residing in London, arrested at the airport because he insulted the President of the Republic (https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1284724/un-humoriste-libanais-se-voit-confisquer-son-passeport-a-laeroport-pour-insultes-envers-le-president-.html). His name is Toufiluk (= Mr. Toufic Braidi).

What is all this about?

In what world do we live where we can no longer be funny, silly, triggering of presidents, etc.?!

If comedians cannot make fun of our politicians, who would?

Enough of censorship! Enough of intolerance! Just enough!

Bambi does not know this comedian. She does not even care about what he said and how he said it and if it triggered the President for real or those in his entourage.

She strongly believes in freedom of expression for all. This means before, during, and… after a speech as well as a comedy, an article, a post, etc.

To conclude this post on a musical note, of course it is the MUCH needed “La tolérance” of Mr. Enrico Macias that comes to Bambi’s mind… You can hear this song below, if you wish, through the voice of a certain talented guy, called Mr. Pascal, who generously made it public on YouTube. Merci/Thanks to him.

Why is Mr. Trudeau telling Canada that he won’t step into Bill 21debate while Mr. Bob Rae is telling the UN/World that Bill 21 is discriminatory AND counter to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-bill-21-jurisdiction-teacher-hijab-1.6283895)?

Why does Ottawa keep stepping into provincial jurisdictions at all levels, from education to health to Québec’s own matters when it comes to its bills (21, 96, etc.)?

When will Ottawa respect Québec’ history/culture and… jurisdiction?

Bambi will stop here. Below you can see the tweets of Mr. Yves-François Blanchet (bravo and thank you), Mr. Bob Rae (how sad and shocking) and Mr. Housefather (not too impressive, especially for a Québecker and a lawmaker who should know better about the history/culture of his home province as well as the essence of Bill 21 https://www.quebec.ca/gouv/politiques-orientations/laicite-etat/programme-dappui-a-la-laicite).

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“Aude blasts those trying to protect ‘criminals’ in port blast case“. This is the title of an article published in Naharnet today (https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/286365-aude-blasts-those-trying-to-protect-criminals-in-port-blast-case).

An interesting quote from the article above… sadly still timely:

“It is no longer acceptable for the government to remain paralyzed in its decisions and actions nor to remain subject to a political minority that acts as the ruling majority,” Aude quoted Tueni as saying prior to his assassination.

“As if Gebran was speaking about what’s happening today,” he added.

May Mr. Gibran Tueni’s memory be eternal and may impunity finally end in his beloved country.

Related to this sad anniversary, Bambi would like to share a powerful speech by Ms. Majida El Roumy (in Arabic, subtitled in English) at the memorial service of Mr. Gibran Tueni. If Achim is reading now, many thanks again for having reminded her (in one of your older comments) of the wise words of this singer. Her speech is about love and unity. It does not just apply to polarized Lebanon. It is relevant to all the countries of the world (Canada included…). Indeed, no place is immune to the threat of divisive sectarianism, if we are not lucid enough like Ms. El Roumy.

Finally, and to conclude this post on a moving musical note, Bambi will end with the famous Feirouz’ Li Beirut. It is an interpretation by the most highly talented Mr. Omar Kamal. What a beautiful voice!

Ms. Monika Borgmann was awarded the Franco-German Human Rights Prize, as per An Nahar (Arabic content, other media, and social media below)!!

https://www.annahar.com/arabic/section/77-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B9/12122021065632111

What a well-deserved award to her in Beirut, to her beloved spouse, Mr. Lokman Slim (sadly in heaven… still with impunity :(!), to their team, to her family (and friends), to Lebanon, and to all those who care about human rights around the world! Yes, caring about those rights, not just when it suits us, but at all times and for anyone and everyone!

Thank you France and Germany for this joint award. If you wish to read Ms. Monika Borgmann’s impressive bio: https://dafilms.com/director/10129-monika-borgmann

To conclude this brief post, and if she may, Bambi would like to offer Frau Monika Borgmann a Mabrouk new song by Mr. Nicolas El Osta and… a slogan (her own!):

And now the slogan…

When Bambi was growing up in war-torn Lebanon, she has never ever participated in any demonstration.

As an adult in Canada, she participated in one demonstration in Toronto 15 years ago.

Today, Bambi felt the urge to jump to Moncton, along with her spouse, in solidarity with about 1000 fellow citizens from all walks of life. Some had signs against vaccine mandates (+loss of jobs). Others against vaccine passports (many signs read as pro-vaccine, yet against passports). Yet others wanted more freedom in churches. Regardless of the sign, everyone walked in peace and harmony, all in solidarity. Everyone longs for more freedom.

As far as Bambi is concerned, the sign in the picture above is hers. She walked because she is against vaccine passport in essential businesses like supermarkets! She is against discrimination in life (food being essential for all of us). As a reminder, at the end of this post, you can see her older post on this topic.

Bambi was reassured by the large number of participants (adults, kids, dogs, etc.). She was happy to see diversity of signs and motivations. She may not agree with all of the latter, but she has the utmost respect for people who think for themselves and who have the courage to express their opinion. It is also heart-warming to see our beautiful Canadian flag carried by some demonstrators with love and pride, not with shame or hatred.

To conclude this post, MOST of the drivers honked in solidarity! Only two people gave the demonstrators, including Bambi, the finger. Today, Bambi felt proud to be a New Brunswicker and Canadian!

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NB: Does the fear of a virus justify social over control, even in supermarkets?

Bambi refuses to go to sleep without sharing this beautiful Christmas Medley (or “Mazeej”) with you. It is mostly in Arabic, along with some French, perhaps toward the end more. Bravo Mr. Lucas Sakr et al.!

To conclude this post, two comments come to Bambi’s sleepy mind: (1) One day, she dreams to share your own talent, Leila 🙂 and (2) Achim, if you happen to read this post, Bambi is curious to know if you would recognize a certain Lebanese Christmas song (or rather prayer). Hint, you may hear it twice. Needless to say that this must be done without cheating, that is without reading the songs’ titles at the end :).

https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/286351-deaths-injuries-in-hamas-arms-blast-in-al-bourj-al-shamali

The Naharnet article above informs us, in English (+ a there is a video), that there are sadly several casualties and injuries in a camp called Al Bourj Al Shamali near Tyre in South Lebanon. It seems that several explosions took place. They resulted from a Hamas arms blast.

The l’Orient Le Jour article below informs us, in French, that this explosion is huge and it happened near a mosque (https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1284398/des-victimes-dans-lexplosion-dun-entrepot-de-munitions-dans-le-camp-de-bourj-el-chemali.html).

What is Hamas doing in Lebanon? Please hands off this sinking country!

Who is Mr. Nicolas Farah? And why is Bambi congratulating him?

Well, she learned from l’Orient Le Jour that, at 87 years old, he is the oldest paragliding amateur of his country (https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1284247/a-87-ans-il-devient-lamateur-de-parapente-le-plus-age-du-liban.html)!

First of all, bravo to this man for having survived the crazy crises of his country up to age 87! All this while enjoying life and his passion of paragliding with his son! What a beautiful activity for a father and son 🙂 (OK if we are not too afraid of height!):

It seems that Mr. Nicolas Farah is dreaming big: He would like to enter his country, Lebanon, into the Guinness World Records with his passion!

As readers of this post, Bambi hopes you will enjoy the beautiful Bay of Jounieh from the sky. This place is quite charming. As she is not on Facebook (or Meta rather), she could not find the video mentioned in the article above. So, if you happen to have access to it an can kindly share the video, Bambi will happily add it to her post. If not, no worries at all. At least, she was able to find a video of paragliding the Bay of Jounieh (and we can always imagine the fun of the Farahs, dad and son). Mind you, one of Bambi’s aunts lives nearby. Plus, Bambi even recognized a fish restaurant where her parents used to take her sometimes during her past visits. She hopes this delicious place is still hanging on in the financial crisis. All the best to it and to all the businesses of Lebanon!

Bravo again Mr. Nicolas Farrah for enjoying life. Please keep flying like a bird!

Well, talking about birds, and to conclude this post on a musical note, here is a song from Bambi to you, Mr. Farah :). It is the famous Vola Palombella interpreted by Ms. Nadina Zarif in both Italian and Arabic. Ms. Zarif was a child during the Lebanese civil war. She began singing this song at a very young age. She made many of her fellow kids, including Bambi, dream of the freedom of flying like a dove (or a Palombella) whether for real or in the imagination!