Author: Bambi

In his “Ministerial Mandate Letter” to Minister Steven Guilbeault, Mr. Trudeau asked the latter the following (https://pm.gc.ca/en/mandate-letters/2021/01/15/minister-canadian-heritage-supplementary-mandate-letter):

“…Work with the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada to take action on combatting hate groups and online hate and harassment, ideologically motivated violent extremism and terrorist organizations. You will be supported in this work by the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.“

Well, just as a reminder, the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Development is Ms. Maryam Monsef who read a written statement (prepared for or by her?) in which she called the Talibans (who killed at least 159 of our soldiers in addition to civilians and other allies) “our brothers“. Aye… Bambi hopes your own brothers (if any) are nicer than these guys who also stone women and force them into sexual slavery!

First, the “work in question” likely refers to the proposed Bill C-36, which, in the name of online anti-hate, will serve to silence citizens in an rather arbitrary manner. Indeed, what is “hate”, to begin with? Who would define this so-called online “hate” and how? If Bambi understands the proposed bill well, citizens can be fined up to $50K and their online platforms would close. Some citizens would act as anonymous informers. Others would be their target. Our bureaucrats would act as those censoring forces. All this in the name of a noble cleaning of the internet from “hate” content. Do you see the slippery slope and… or the deep ditch too?

Once again, why is our government even envisioning such bills when we already have criminal laws, namely about the call for violence and defamation?

Furthermore, why are our so-called opposition parties (the official one and all the others) silent about this?

Indeed, if Bambi is not mistaken, the only party criticizing this bill is the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) of Mr. Maxime Bernier who is, once again, not invited to the TV debates. By doing so, an important part of the population is getting the message: You are not worth hearing or worth being governed by us. We do not care about you.

Most importantly, why are we leaving the defence of our freedom of expression to a party that is more right-wing or more conservative than the official opposition? Why aren’t the centre-right and centre left BOTH worried about those potential excesses? This is even more absurd as some Canadians may even call this party “far-right”. So, can someone tell Bambi why are we leaving the defence our freedom of expression to just this party? Is this normal/healthy in a (still) democratic, Western country?

To conclude this post, Bambi is concerned not just about the proposed bill C-36 (that she rejects!), but also about the intellectual judgment of Mr. Trudeau [+ his party for which Bambi voted for most of her voting life 🙁 ] AS WELL AS the relevance of Minister Maryam Monsef in a team that would protect us by taking “action on combatting hate groups and online hate and harassment, ideologically motivated violent extremism and terrorist organizations“. How can someone who thinks that the Talibans are her brothers effectively combat terrorist organizations?

Bambi does not want to go to bed without sending her solidarity to her sister and through her to all the residents of Lebanon.

Below, you can see a tweet by journalist Roula Douglas from earlier today, along with a reply:

The tweets above are both moving.

The first one means: “I do not want to adjust as our authorities (accused of corruption) are advising us AND I refuse to leave. # Lebanon“.

The reply (of “El Baron”) shows the picture of Alexandra (“Lexou”), one of the young children who died in the surrealistic Beirut explosion on August 3, 2020. It reads as follows: “So we have to fight relentlessly“.

As a gesture of solidarity, Bambi would like to offer her sister Mr. Claude Capéo’s song entitled “Mon pays” [My country]. In this song, the artist asks his country for “forgiveness” for having had no choice but to leave it to protect his children from the “raging madmen who destroyed it“. The latter did so “as their minds thought they were Gods“.

Gods of corruption in the case of Lebanon…

Hang on Ms. Roula Douglas et al.

Thank you for your courage and resistance (to leave Lebanon for a third time…). Thanks also for caring for our parents and for being there for all your loved ones, those nearby and those abroad. Be safe please.

Love to Lebanon while it awaits its brighter days!

Except the Bloc Québécois (meant for Québec only), all our federal political parties’ names include one of the most beautiful words in the world: Canada!

To begin with, perhaps the term “Canada” can serve as a critical reminder to always aspire to keep Canada first, that is before our ideologies, personal considerations, lobbies’ interests, or foreign pressures?

In addition, and to describe its respective vision of Canada, each party has a meaningful term that has or could contribute to advance/redress our country, in one way or another, as follows:

The term “liberal” in the Liberal Party of Canada is supposed to be all about liberal thinking, liberal policies, and respect of freedoms. Why doesn’t it revive itself around these principles anymore?!

Th term “democratic” in the New Democratic Party of Canada refers to the added value of a neo-democracy that is oriented toward social programs/socialism. Why can’t socialism still be envisioned in a healthy way like the latter, that it without falling into the trap of “racialization” of social ties? The latter comment also and particularly applies to today’s Liberal Party of Canada (with Mr. Justin Trudeau’s as PM).

The term “people” in the People’s Party of Canada refers to the nature of this new party, which is more people-centred and less [big] government-centred. The latter seems particularly appealing from an economic perspective like the promotion of personal responsibility, free market, innovation, and thus productivity (Libertarian). Perhaps the potential political risk of possible excesses of this party would be to stretch its vision or mission to areas where governments can/should play a responsible role.  

The term “green” in the Green Party of Canada is a beautiful colour symbolizing the need to respect/value our environment. Perhaps the political risk of possible excesses of this party would be to be at the other extreme of the People’s Party of Canada: Aspiring for more control of our [big] governments (Communism).

The term “conservative” in the Conservative Party of Canada seems to be needed to conserve or preserve our values, economy, and country. However, the political risk of possible excesses of this party would be to fall into the trap of the rigidity of social conservatism.

The term “bloc” in the Bloc Québécois is interesting because it implies the common interests or working toward those common goals. Ironically, this name (of a party toward the centre-left) is also inspiring for the rest of Canada because it shows us that no need to add any adjective to whom we are: Canadians, period. Québeckers, period.

The term “independent” in those candidates running on their own to serve Canada reminds us of their independence of lobbies or the establishment. Independence is honourable; Sometimes it can eventually involve partnership with other parties.

Reuters informs us that the European Union and the United Nations are worried about Lebanon’s political catatonia (no government yet since the blast of August 4, 2020!):

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/eu-worried-lebanons-fast-deterioration-says-time-has-run-out-2021-08-26/

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-chief-calls-lebanon-leaders-form-effective-government-2021-08-26/

Before sharing the Deutsche Welle (DW) news documentary about Lebanon’s severely challenged healthcare system at large (i.e., public/private), here are some examples of the latest developments shared by L’Orient Today a few hours ago:

1. Dar al Shifa Hospital (Tripoli, Northern Lebanon) will close on Saturdays due to lack of diesel. “We asked authorities to help us, but unfortunately, no one has responded to us…The lives of many of our patients are at risk”.
2. “Dozens of demonstrators have gathered at the Gibran Khalil Gibran Park in downtown Beirut to protest the inability of cancer patients to get medication needed for their treatment due to the shortages of drugs in the country”.
3. “Premier-designate Najib Mikati has left Baabda after his 13th meeting with President Michel Aoun regarding cabinet formation, without giving any statement“.

Below you can see a picture from the demonstration of cancer patients and their families mentioned above. Instead of focusing their energy on their treatment, these patients are worried about shortages of drugs :(.

To conclude this post, Bambi will repeat the same question again and again: When will Lebanon finally form a government to effectively rescue what is left of the sinking boat?!

Who is Ms. Claire Béliveau?

She is a wonderful aunt, a retired oncology nurse, a compassionate human being, a lady, not just any woman (with a SHARP intelligence of both the mind and heart), an inspiring painter, a great Canadian, and the list can go on and on!

Claire, Bambi is blessed to have you in her life. You have inspired her in so many ways (for almost 20 years now), including your coping with this pandemic.

Talking about pandemics, like war, the Covid-19 health crisis taught us that hardship brings out the best and the worst of human nature. With Claire, it is always the best! Bambi thanks you for all the support during her ordeal and for your genuine care. Through you, thanks to all the Béliveaus in Québec and abroad who have supported Bambi. Once again, Bambi is also grateful for all your friends for their support.

To conclude this post with beauty and music, one of your kind summer gesture was this beautiful personalized card to Bambi:

As for the musical note, two songs for you today, l’Essentiel of Ms. Ginette Reno and… of course Happy Birthday!! Bambi loves you so much and wishes you a superb day :)!

Can Minister Maryam Monsef explain to us this comment?

Is this a silly mistake or was it calculated?

Either/or, it is worrisome…

What an absurd Lebanese (or rather Hezbollah)-style story!

An apparently devoted Australian physician of Lebanese origins is being sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison (with forced labour) supposedly for collaboration with the “Zionist enemy“. According to him, as per ABC Net, “the charge of collaboration relates to his work with an NGO that helps the Palestinian healthcare system“:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-24/jamal-rifi-sentenced-by-lebanese-military-tribunal-in-absentia/100403548?utm_campaign=news-article-share-2-control&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

Dr Rifi believed “there was a deeper motive behind the charge against him“, as “an an attempt to smear his brother’s reputation in Lebanon“.

Bambi does not know neither this physician nor his brother (she left her birth country over 31 years now). However, as a deer, she has a STRONG sense of smell (like a dog!). This story smells cancel culture “à la libanaise”, especially that the brother in question has criticized Hezbollah more than once (i.e., surrealistic Beirut port blast).

Former Justice Minister Just Testified That The Blasted Ammonium Nitrate Belonged To Hezbollah

What happened following the testimony of this Former Justice Minister (brother of the Australian physician)?

Well, the Investigative Judge Fadi Sawan was removed by the Lebanese authorities (later, he was replaced by Judge Tarek Bitar).

What is happening now to the brother of this former politician who has testified (also former Head of the Internal Police Forces or La Sûreté Générale)? He is being accused of collaboration with Israel… from out of Australia.

Is this story credible? Perhaps to you…. but not to Bambi.

When you are a physician, you serve your patients and community. You sometimes help others abroad. This is what this physician did. He supported young Palestinian children get a much needed treatment. Since when facilitating access to care is a crime against humanity?

This is a worrisome development, especially that the Al Manar (Hezbollah’s media) also announces two other accusations similar to this one with sentences of 2 and 5 years respectively: https://english.almanar.com.lb/1415262

To conclude this post, is the trend of accusations going to increase now? Or will this latest drama succeed in scaring people and keeping them quiet for a while? Where are Lebanon and the world heading? Why the censorship to this extent? ENOUGH.

Bambi lives on a different planet sometimes, especially when it comes to the most recent music or movies. Well, this time she is just three years behind :). Indeed, the song she just discovered is from August, 2018. If she may, she would like to share it with you because she finds it both joyful and inspiring.

The lyrics of this French song (subtitled in both English and French) tells us how much these two talented men are proud to embrace their sensitivity as well as imperfection in life. Yes, these artists are happy to “just be humans“! For them, acknowledging their limitations, while being genuine about their state of mind, seems to be the main ingredient for a fulfilled life. They sing about slowing down or even giving up (as needed). In turn, this facilitates perseverance later on (once ready), even in the face of failure. Of note, the joyful music of this song shows us how much they are happy to “listen to their instincts” in life (instead of hiding behind a mask or an illusion of perfection). After all, they are not “Gods“, “just humans“, to use their own words.

Clearly, Mr. Girac and Mr. Capeo seem to have fun singing together. Good for them and bravo for their lovely song!

Ms. Kamala Harris is trying to convince Asia that the USA is a “global leader” and that her country “takes this role seriously“:

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/world/800469/us-vp-harris-vows-enduring-engagement-in-asia/story/

http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/283414-u-s-vp-harris-vows-enduring-engagement-in-asia

Her words sound beautiful, even when they seem less convincing or… empty.

Indeed, the reality on the ground seems to be completely the opposite, especially as per the images from Kabul or stories from the Middle-East.

Perhaps China and/or other players are becoming more dominant globally?

Surely and sadly, Islamism (political Islam) is on the rise too.

It would not be surprising to even see ISIS (Al Qaida)-like forces becoming stronger again, not just the Taliban in Afghanistan. Such forces (historically backed by Saudi Arabia) may get into (a classical) competition with the other Islamist forces in the region (backed by Iran). Who knows? Some countries may perhaps be backing these two sides of the same coin of fundamentalism at the same time.

Although Bambi may be wrong, Islamist forces may find their legitimacy in their shared hate for Israel (in their competition with the Jewish religious counterpart over Jerusalem, which everyone calls “holy” ). How can you solve a deep conflict if it has an ideological component to it? How did the Europeans end their religious wars? What can we learn from them? Will the endless cycle of violence (in large part in the name of religion) ever stop in the Middle East? When will we see “resistances” (to occupations, actual or former ones) not calling themselves a religious-based name (e.g., Hezbollah means the party of God)?

Anyhow, in and beyond the Middle East, Bambi is afraid that the dictators of our world will become more authoritarian and the religious extremists even more radical. All this while the USA (+ Canada and, by extension, the Western world) is as weak as ever because it is being divided into tribes, obsessed with race/racism (i.e., wokism) or by other identity-based modern forms of sectarianism. In contrast, as the most cynical among us would say that, the Taliban (as awful as they are for women!) are historically and notoriously efficient at defending their land/ interests… regardless of the occupier.

Bambi cannot go to bed without highlighting the birthday of her childhood friend Nayla, even if she did it in a group at the beginning of this month :).

First and foremost, once again thank God because Ms. Nayla Awad and her family survived the surrealistic Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020!

Second, Ms. Awad kindly accepted to be interviewed by Bambi twice before escaping Lebanon. She generously and candidly described the trauma of the explosion and life with hyperinflation (+ multiple crises), as you can see further below. Thanks to her for enriching this blog with her lucid insights.

At the moment of the explosion, Ms. Awad and her family had the dilemma of escaping immediately (like MANY people did!) OR to take the risk of staying until the end of their children’s school year. They took the decision to stay. The extra year may have helped, but it surely was VERY tough on many levels, to say the least. Thankfully, the family made it safely to Québec, Canada a couple of weeks ago.

Bambi is proud of you Nayla (+ Rony!) for having managed to survive the unbearable financial/economic crisis and for bringing your beautiful two children to safety. It is surely NOT easy to leave one’s life, careers, and loved ones behind. Not easy to migrate in life neither for the first nor for the second time, especially at an older age and during a pandemic.

Bambi will not take much of your time Nayla today. She just wants to say that she loves you and that she wants to offer you two songs: One meant to say Happy Birthday :)!! The second is a classical one by Mr. Enrico Macias about the generosity of “the Northerners“… Enjoy and welcome!

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An interview with Ms. Nayla Awad about life in Beirut four months following the port explosion

Hit by crises twice: Ms. Nayla Awad describes what it is like to live in Lebanon