Bambi loves France to begin with. She also likes the “Douce France” song celebrating this country and the late singer interpreting it.
Sadly, Mr. Rachid Taha left our world too early. What a HIGHLY talented Algerian-born singer who also gave us “Ya Rayeh” as a superb artistic legacy. Bambi cannot listen to the latter song without thinking of her friend Peter in Toronto who was the first to introduce her and her spouse to this beautiful Arabic song.
Bonne Fête à la France :)! Yes, Happy Bastille Day to all Bambi’s French friends!
With all due respect to the peers of Councillor Phinney, to the residents of Sackville (i.e., locals, temporary, and/or those moving out of it), to our talented MLA, Ms. Megan Mitton, whether we agree with all her politics or not, Bambi cannot help not to comment on the article with the following words:
Councillor Bruce Phinney has earned NB citizens’ respect over the years because he is genuine, principled, and trustworthy. It is not surprising then that human and animal (i.e., deer) of Sackville have the utmost respect for his public ethics.
To hear about a second round of financial sanctions against him, while he is supposed to be relaxing with his family in another province, is shocking although not surprising. Imposing a training on a smart AND decent public servant like Councillor Phinney is insulting not just to his voters or supporters, but also to all those of us who still value decency in public life.
To conclude this post, Bambi cannot help not to be sarcastic as per the title of this post: Why do decent politicians have to be punished and those who indulge in criminal negligence in Beirut (blasts, systemic corruption, etc.) remain unaccountable?
New Brunswick (NB), which is one of Atlantic Canada provinces, is notoriously known for its maritime charm and serenity.
This brief post is meant to share with you a beautiful sunset, which was recently photographed by Brittany, Bambi’s dear friend, on the Aboiteau wharf in the South-East part of NB.
To conclude, Bambi will end with Mr. Yves Duteil’s sunset French song that she would like to offer to all of you who love sunsets, including you Brittany as well as her sister Roula (as per the older post re-shown below). Bravo and thank you, Brittany!
Despite this, and instead of putting their energy to reform or form a new government post-elections, Lebanese authorities are once again busy taking decisions to censor movies, as reported by the 961.
Indeed, and always according to 961, ” aside from China, Lebanon will be the only other country that has decided to ban the Minions“. What is the reason behind this decision and does it really matter? Today, as some have speculated, this ban may be due either to a kiss between two minions or to an armed nun-looking creature. The latter remain non-confirmed hypotheses as no official reason has been stated (https://www.beirut.com/l/63833). Tomorrow, the ban would be due to what? Indeed, a few weeks ago, another ban was because of a kiss between two women, as shown in an earlier post at the end of this post.
Regardless of the “reason”, and with all due respect to everyone in life, Bambi does not endorse censorship by any entity (e.g., governments, religions, pressure groups, etc.), especially when it comes to arts. How can creativity thrive when artists start walking on eggshells, or literally self-censor the expression of their creativity or thoughts?
How can we still call a society an aspiring democracy when it resorts to authoritarian bans like that? Who has not been offended by anything in life? Who has not offended anyone by expressing one’s creativity or opinion at a particular point in time? So why this urge of overcontrol without any respect for the consumers’ intelligence or critical sense? Plus, why can’t owners of movie theatres in Lebanon, China, or anywhere else, benefit from the success of this or that production like their peers around the world?
To conclude this post, perhaps you do not care at all about the Minions or feel indifferent to censorship. Maybe you even endorse it or perhaps benefit from it? Regardless, please just remember that today it is about those yellow creatures with eyeglasses. Tomorrow the target or the decision-makers in power would be different. Yet the principle of suppression of freedom of expression would operate in the same manner. Slowly but surely, from ban to ban, the right to freedom of expression will be increasingly eroded… for all. Is this the country you want for yourself or you want your children to grow up in?
Bambi is fond of Mr. Mike Massy, as shown in the older posts further below.
Today, Bambi would like to share with you a superb song interpreted by Mr. Massy, along with English sub-titles. This great Arabic poem was composed by the late and great Mr. Zaki Naseef (may his memory be eternal).
To conclude this brief musical post, and if she may, Bambi would like to offer Mr. Massy’s song(s) to all her loved ones celebrating “Eid el Adha” :)!
As a reminder, Lebanon is facing a historically tragic economic crisis triggered by decades of systemic corruption and likely mismanagement of public funds. Indeed, there is hyperinflation in the Land of Cedars following a HUGE depreciation of its currency, the Lira. The latter has been in free fall since October 17, 2019. Although, for decades, the Lira was pegged to the US dollar at 1500, it recently hit a new low against the dollar on the black market, namely below 30,000.
Stated differently, the Lira has lost almost 95 percent of its value in 24 months. Can you imagine the daily life of Lebanese people struggling to cope with the economic crisis? How do they afford to survive, from day to day, both financially and psychologically speaking?
Yes, how do the people of Lebanon keep hope alive when their basic needs, namely a continuous access to electricity or water, are NOT met. Add to this the the more limited access to medical care or the lacking medication?! To illustrate the latter, just check this cry for help (in Arabic) by Ms. Jessy Habchy who needs financial support for her cancer treatment!
To come back to gasoline and to conclude this post, in addition to the unaffordable fuel critical to run hospitals, factories, and private generators, there is an absence of a reliable and safe public transportation. Thus, the gasoline problem of Lebanon is surely getting out of proportion. What is next for the Land of Cedars? Is there any envisioned solution and, if so, what is its timeline and possible outcome?
Bambi just discovered Mr. Nicola’s Ciconne’s superb song, filled with simplicity yet much depth, and cleverly entitled “La légèreté” [Lightness]. As always, bravo and thanks to this much talented Canadian singer from Québec!
If she may now, Bambi will take this opportunity to wish you lightness into your life, regardless of any hardship or bad day. Lightness even with your serious work, hopefully accomplished with love, care, and joy. Yes, the joy of a present pleasant moment or an attitude of childlike wonder.
Bambi will be too busy over the next couple of days. She does not want to miss the chance of wishing her American friends and neighbours (deer and humans) a Happy 4th of July!
May your long weekend be joyful… and may you always keep loving your country as you have always done. It is inspiring to Canadian deer like Bambi.
To celebrate this love, here are two songs to you. Of course, God bless America that Bambi loves as well as Mr. Joe Dassin’s L’Amérique (in French subtitled in English!).
Once again, like in an older post on the Hezbollah shown further below, Bambi will ask the same question as it applies to this extremist hate group pretending to be Christians: Since when God needs soldiers?
Another question that begs itself: Can our domestic activists do something to help the LGBTQ+ community in the Middle East?
