Bambi will allow herself to cheat today. She will share an older Easter video from the “Orthodox Archdiocese of Mount Lebanon, a selection of Paschal (Easter) chants in Arabic“, even if the Orthodox Easter falls five weeks behind our Canadian Easter this year (it uses a different calendar and sometimes the time difference is ridiculously large… but this means two opportunities to eat chocolate :)).
Seriously now, Bambi’s family includes 8 different religions (Lebanon has 18 in total). This weekend, she wants to wish part of her family who are Christian Catholics and Maronites a Happy Easter, saying as they say in Lebanon: “Al Massih Kam”! It means: Christ is risen! She will repeat this again in five weeks to the other part of the family who are Orthodox Christians :)!
This year, Easter is even tougher on our world and particularly on Lebanon :(.
Bambi’s heart aches when she reads or hears stories of hyperinflation, famine, despair of the people of Lebanon who are fed up of their political leaders. The latter do not listen to them and do not respect their basic rights to have a government and to have reforms in order to stop the boat from sinking!
One day Lebanon will rise again, just like this Jesus that many believe in or the Phoenix bird, if you prefer. Until then, may the people of Lebanon keep their sanity, hope, healthy sense of humour, faith in humanity, and lucid rejection of agendas of divisive sectarianism. The latter may be used by some to hide their moral, military, and financial corruption. The people of Lebanon are lucid and wise enough: More than ever they are united and in solidarity– sadly, they are all in the same boat of misery… but even this collective nightmare shall pass…The light is behind the cloud. The light will shine again on the beautiful land of Lebanon!
This article by Mr. Mario Dumont is in line with two former posts by Bambi, one at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and the other one more recently about the vaccination (as per the very end of this post).
The choice of the terms “third world” is interesting for Bambi to read because she has also sarcastically used “third world of the developed countries” back in April, 2020. More recently, and contrary to her senior friends and relatives in Ontario and Québec, her parents got their two doses of vaccines, for a while now. Keep in mind that their vaccination campaign only started in the third week of February, 2021 (delayed by one week of the schedule time, if Bambi recalls well). Please also keep in mind that Lebanon is truly in the third world! Plus, it is bankrupt now. Furthermore, it has MANY dangerous issues, and it is still without a government for seven months (only a caretaker form of governance).
Anyhow, here is a quick translation of the very interesting article of Mr. Mario Dumont. When she read it, Bambi could not help not to think about what she already knew: For her, the problem in life is not the mismanagement of (tough) crises by our leaders. It is rather the arrogance of those leaders that is the most disturbing. She is saying so with all due respect and gratitude to all those in Ottawa working hard to ensure our vaccination (beginning with our PM himself and extending to every hardworking politician or bureaucrat). It is surely not easy to govern at any time. Imagine during a pandemic…
Enough of Bambi’s blahblahblah now… Here is Mr. Dumont’s thoughtful article, published today in the Journal de Montréal:
“The new
restrictions announced by François Legault hit hard. After a year, our
absorption capacity decreased. Some are down on morale, others have deflated
optimism, not to mention those who take out their anger on humanity.
It’s natural
to look for the culprits: the government, cheating citizens, owners of
establishments that have had outbreaks. Few people are inclined to point the
finger at the crux of the matter. The low vaccination of our population.
Apparently,
the vaccination campaign is getting better. We are getting more doses. The
large vaccination sites spread across Québec administer these doses.
For the past two weeks, pharmacies have joined the effort in Montreal. In
short, we can no longer denounce a stagnant vaccination campaign.
However, the
rest of the world also vaccinates. To judge the operation in Canada, we have to
compare ourselves. This is where things take a turn for the worse. Canada is
doing really poorly.
We’re
tumbling down
It should be
remembered that Canada was part of the leading pack for the start of its
vaccination campaign. In mid-December, we were on the podium of the top three
countries in the world. In January, our pace slowed for lack of vaccines.
Canada was around 25th in the proportion of citizens vaccinated by the end of
January. Steep descent.
Then it was
the disaster. Delivery interruptions put the campaign almost completely on
hiatus. In the following month, Canada slipped to 50th in the world. Shame.
Canada was overtaken by many poorer countries.
I am
convinced that the general impression is that the resumption of vaccination and
the arrival of larger doses have restored the situation. I am sure many
Canadians believe Canada is moving up this list of countries that vaccinate the
most.
It’s an
illusion. Canada vaccinates more, but even less than others. And when you look
at the world rankings, you can see that Canada has not climbed up, but has
continued to slide down the list. With just over 15% of the population
vaccinated, it is now between 55th and 60th in the world, depending on the
compilation method.
A Very bad outcome
Justin
Trudeau seems to be scoring points in the war of perceptions. At every press
conference, he seems to announce millions and millions of additional vaccines.
But on the floor of the cows, the citizens of his country are in the third
world of vaccination.
The vaccination blackout in February was not just a small detail that required a little patience. This is a major flaw for which we are paying a high price today. The 3rd wave of COVID would not have the same scope if we had double the vaccinated population. The consequences would be less severe if all vulnerable people were protected.”
for fun, if you have the time, you may wish to replicate this table from the source below.
* Countries with more than 100 doses per 100 inhabitants have already started giving the second dose.
A picture of Beirut taken from the Twitter account of Ms. Roula Douglas (spring, 2021)
Beirut is immortal— even after successive occupations, surrealistic explosions, pandemics, bankruptcy, political deadlocks, and hegemony of external forces.
Beirut has it own charm and its own free spirit.
No one can take it away…
So many local and international artists paid tribute to Beirut, the bridge linking the East to the West.
Mr. Enrico Macias also knew it and sang for Beirut.
Gibran Khalil Gibran (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kahlil_Gibran), the Lebanese-American philosopher, poet, writer, and visual artist is famous for this quote: ““Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife”.
Gibran would be turning in his grave right now if he reads about Oxford University’s words on how classical music is “too white” or “colonialist”.
Indeed, this story is real, as reported by several international media today. One of them is an article by Ms. Sophie Durocher in the “Journal de Montréal” entitled “Music is racist” [“La musique est raciste”]:
First, Bambi will present a quick translation of this article. Second, she will share comments of a famous musician and three readers of a French newspaper. Thankfully, they all still have common sense (increasingly rare in today’s world of virtue signalling and woke self-flagellation).
“British newspaper The Telegraph got hold of a report from Oxford University claiming that undergraduate classical music classes are too white and colonialist …
Try to read
the following sentences without laughing … and without choking on your
coffee.
TOO MANY
WHITE NOTES?
“The Oxford
University School of Music is considering the possibility of modifying its
courses to tackle white hegemony.
University employees see the university curriculum as “complicit in white supremacism” in the wake of the # Black-LivesMatter movement.
Professors consider musical scores to be “colonialist” and believe that the content of lessons should be “decolonized”.
Professors claim that the way of transcribing music “has not shaken off its connection to its colonial past” and that to keep it in its current state would be “a slap in the face for students of colour.” Music writing needs to be reformed to be more “inclusive”.
Oxford professors say classes are too focused on “the music of white European men from the days of slavery,” such as Beethoven and Mozart.
Some teachers have also suggested that we stop requiring the mastery of certain classical music techniques, such as piano or conducting, because these lessons are too focused on “white European music” and “cause great distress to colored students”.
Professors
demand that certain courses on Schubert or Guillaume de Machaut be deleted in
favour of lessons in African music or popular music. “
No, these
quotes are not taken from a comedy magazine or a science fiction novel.
I remind you
that Oxford is one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
The only
question we have to ask ourselves when we talk about music is that of
excellence. Is this composer brilliant or ordinary, did he bring something new
to the music?
That his
music was composed in the middle of a period of slavery tells us what about the
composer’s talent?
We still
listen to Beethoven, Mozart and Bach because their music transcends the ages!
Is Mozart
less of a genius because he’s white? Is his music less grandiose because he was
born in Salzburg on January 27, 1756?
If he had
been born in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in 1983, could his Piano Concert No. 23
have been taught in Oxford? Would that have caused less “distress” to
“students of colour”?
Woke “culture” attacks all forms of culture. Looney Tunes cartoons like Beethoven’s music, Little Life episodes like Shakespeare’s plays, Friends episodes or Christmas carols.
We will end up wondering if the “culture” woke likes “culture”.
SELF-HATE
When I read the articles on classical music deemed too white and colonialist, I had images of Mao’s Cultural Revolution in China.
In 1966, the Grand Helmsman banned all Western music on Chinese territory, until his death in 1976, because this music represented “imperialism and capitalism.”
What would Mao say to see that in 2021, it is the West themselves who are self-flagging?”
It’s tomorrow. Such nonsense, finally! It is not possible. Although Schubert might have genius, looking at his portraits he was really too white. As Audiard used to say, “those” (I’m starting to be wary of censorship), when we put them into orbit, they won’t have finished turning…“
“What a contempt for “minorities”!
Not allowing minorities access to the geniuses of timeless and universal music … Oxford is there now?
Criticizing classical music is the height of human stupidity”.
“I propose
To change
the partitions so that the white and black notes have the same value. I also
propose to review the colour of the notes of the piano and other keyed
instruments.”
To conclude this post on a musical (ideology-free) note, meet Mr. Rahman El Bacha, a pianist born in Beirut, playing Chopin in France. Bambi hopes you will enjoy his talent as much as she does!
Bambi would like to thank her friend Mary for this lovely video :). It somehow reminded her of a fellow Atlantic Canadian citizen she once happily met at the Beirut airport on her way out of the country. Just like Jenny, he mentioned that he has chosen to move to Beirut because of the Mediterranean sea, the good food, the way of living, etc. She recalls his colourful words describing the view of the sea from his sunny balcony. Bambi hopes he and his family are safe and sound too.
OK, the short video below may make you curious about the place Jenny decided to move to after the Beirut surrealistic explosion. It is called “Batroun“. If you wish, you can admire its charm in the following video!
A couple of days ago, Bambi read the Tehran Times
(yes, Bambi reads ALL media in life to remain informed and to learn, including
this one). She learned that China and Iran signed a 25-year comprehensive
strategic partnership:
Let’s keep in mind that China, which also sits on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Comprehensive_Plan_of_Action), more commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal or Iran deal, has been recently pushing hard for this deal:
Would it be surprising then to read in the
25-year-signed deal China-Iran the following?
14. Both
sides recognize terrorism, extremism and separatism as threats against all
humanity and the global peace and stability. Emphasizing the necessity for firm and
integrated determination of the international community in fighting the
three evil forces, they express their readiness to discuss pragmatic
cooperation and policies in this regard. They recognize the UN resolution of
“World Against Violence and Extremism” (WAVE) proposed by the Iranian
President, H.E. Mr. Hassan Rouhani, as an appropriate framework to attain
such goals.
E- Regional and International Domain
17- Both sides reaffirm their support for the multi-polarization process of the international system and express their readiness to tackle global challenges and create a world filled with peace and stability.The two sides reiterate their commitment to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, especially those pertaining to respecting the national sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as non-interference in the internal affairs of countries.They oppose all kinds of use of force or threatening with use of force or imposition of unjust sanctions against other countries as well as all forms and manifestations of terrorism and believe that controversial or acute international issues should be resolved through negotiations and political dialog.
18- The Chinese side appreciates Iran’s constructive role in fighting terrorism and establishing regional peace and stability. Both sides are of the opinion that peace and stability in this region are in line with the common interests of the International Community and express their readiness to enhance bilateral consultations on major regional issues including the developments in Syria and Yemen crisis as well as the establishment of an area free of weapons of mass destruction and resolution of acute issues through political dialog. They support the will of the countries and peoples of the region seeking political systems and development paths conforming to their national conditions, aiming at realizing their sustainable stability and economic and social development. Both sides support the efforts by the countries of the region as well as the people of Palestine to achieve their rights too.
19- Both sides shall enhance their consultations within the framework of regional and international organizations. China attaches importance to Iran’s effective role as the regional power and evaluates positively Iran’s role in activities under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and supports Iran’s application for full membership of the Organization.
20- Both sides welcome the agreement reached between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the P5+1 countries on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and believe that the agreement contributes toward guaranteeing the peacefulness of Iran’s nuclear activities and results in the full realization of Iran’s legitimate rights to peaceful use of nuclear energy according to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Both sides emphasize that all relevant parties should implement the JCPOA and the United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 2231 in good faith and in an inclusive and balanced manner and reiterate that they will strive to advance the process of modernization of the Arak heavy-water reactor.
To conclude this post, all the words above would have been beautiful had they not been empty or contrary to what is happening on the ground in the Middle East, and especially in Lebanon. Indeed, Iran is an expert when it comes to war by proxy in the region.
Some of these words even contradict China’s own recent behaviour toward Canada. Indeed, when China talks about “opposition to sanctions”, why did it recently impose sanctions on one of our Canadian Parliamentarians? Thankfully, Minister Garneau denounced this in an official statement on March 27, 2021 (even our PM, despite a history of what looks like an admiration for China. On this one, well done Mr. Trudeau!): https://globalnews.ca/news/7723651/garneau-china-sanctions/
Now, if you still do not believe Bambi, check those sarcastic words of readers of the L’Orient Le Jour quickly translated to English. Bambi has always thought that you get the truth either from children (as they are pure/spontaneous), as per an old Lebanese saying, OR from the citizen’s comments (when this section is open in the mainstream media ?):
“Good news
for the bearded [he is referring to the Head of the Hezbollah] 6-foot-under
[where he is often being reported to be hiding, when not visiting Iran] and
his blind flock except for looking east. No doubt that in the broad outline of
this divine pact will be specified the details to finalize the sale of Lebanon”
(Reader
# 1: R. M).
“Very beneficial exchanges, the Iranians will export in China the archaic darkness of which they are the carriers and the Chinese in Iran the tyranny of the peoples of which they are the experts [he is likely referring to the Uighurs]” (Reader # 2: E.L.A.)
Here is a quick English translation of this article, as Sunday’s food for thought ?:
“How to hold fruitful political debates? How do you ensure that contradictory points of view can be confronted by getting to the bottom of things while doing so in a courteous and civilized manner?
These questions haunt our democracies today, which fear they will not achieve them.
The argument often heard is this: one should not say such and such a thing not because it is false, but because it might appeal to certain radical sections of the population.
Democracy
This argument does not hold water if you think about it a bit.
Should we refrain from criticizing the excesses of capitalism because it might appeal to left-wing extremists and other gullibles who believe in the communist revolution?
Should we refrain from criticizing excessive sanitary measures because it may appeal to conspirators and other wackies [“farfelus” in French] who see the pandemic as a vast conspiracy?
Should we refrain from criticizing mass immigration policies because it might appeal to the xenophobic margins of our society?
Should we refrain from criticizing sovereignists when they become folklore because ultra-federalists will take the opportunity to put independence on trial?
Should we refrain from criticizing Canadian federalism which condemns francophones to extinction on the pretext that it would please those nostalgic for the FLQ [= Front de Libération du Québec]?
We understand the idea: our democracy should not refrain from debating important issues on the pretext that marginal movements seek to instrumentalize them.
Debates
The extremes should not be given the privilege of defining what can and cannot be addressed and hold the public conversation hostage.
Let’s
summarize: when we talk about an idea, we should not ask ourselves whether it
appeals to this or that movement, but whether it is true or false, and how it
can contribute to the strengthening of the common good.
First, Bambi would like to thank Mr. Garneau for re-affirming Canada’s friendship with and continuous support of the people of Lebanon.
Bravo for reiterating “Canada’s desire that Lebanon forms a new government without delay to implement necessary reforms and respond to the aspiration of the Lebanese people“. Mr. Garneau talked about the crucial need for “holding Lebanon’s next round of national elections as scheduled in 2022“.
As per our government’s official website above, “Minister Wehbe thanked Canada for its steadfast support of Lebanon and its contribution of $30 million to assist with the aftermath of the devastating Beirut explosion“.
Bravo again to Mr. Garneau for having “reasserted the importance of achieving justice for the victims of this tragedy though a credible and transparent investigation“.
Bambi is also very happy to read that Mr. Garneau “also called for a credible, impartial and independent investigation into the assassination of civil society activist Lokman Slim“.
Today, we also learned from the Lebanese media that the US Ambassador in Beirut, Ms. Dorothy Shea, used the Arabic word “Khalass” in her message to the Lebanese politicians. Khalass means: “Enough is enough!”
Perhaps the sad political reality of Lebanon right now is that the current American administration does not seem to be as impatient as Ms. Shea, when it comes to the feuding Lebanese politicians and, most importantly, to Iran that has an increased (and almost total hegemony) over tiny bankrupt and fragilized Lebanon.
First, Bambi would like to thank her friend Aline for sharing this moving video.
Second, Bambi would like to take a break from sadness about Lebanon to wish Tina a Happy Birthday :). Much love to you and to your family (= Bambi’s larger family!).
Third, here is a moving song that Bambi adores by our own Mr. Mario Pelchat. The latter had the chance to perform in Beirut several times over his international career. He loves Lebanon from the bottom of his heart… and Lebanon loves him back. Thank you Mr. Pelchat for your beautiful values and talent. If she may, she would like to offer your song to the people of Lebanon. As she has been saying to her loved ones since her last trip in December, 2019 and perhaps through this blog too, “the cloud will move”. For now, sadly, the sunshine is still hidden behind.
Below, you can find the song, with a quick translation of its lyrics. This is followed by the French original words.
A quick translation of “the Cedars of Lebanon” (by Mr. Mario Pelchat)
“Gaping holes
Like
anthills where homeless roam
Where the
people of Phenicia once lived
From the
East of blood, genes and Arabian language
Screams,
tears
And rage in
the heart for so much violence
While we
swim elsewhere under rains of abundance
It is often
when we cry that we experience indifference
What are we
going to say
When danger
surrounds us,
To our
children who question us
Who we try in vain to teach
The verb “to
love”?
What are we
going to do?
If not find
some refuge,
Hope for
another flood
Or kill
yourself to understand
And forgive
Twilight
Like the
life that disappears under the rubble
Another
night to invent the end of the world
A new era
where you are no longer afraid of your shadow
Sentries
Which remind
us that we are not at liberty
On a land
that we did not choose to inhabit
Under the
wrath of a God we want to appropriate
What are we
going to say
When danger
surrounds us,
To our
children who question us
Who we try in vain to teach
The verb “to
love”?
What are we
going to do?
Otherwise
confide in the stars
Praying to
the saints of the cathedrals
Because we
are too little to understand
To forgive
A strong
people
Who still
believes that tomorrow will be different
Like a
treasure that a giant knows how to recognize
As are, in the north, the cedars of Lebanon.”
French lyrics of “Les Cèdres du Liban” (by Mr. Mario Pelchat)
«Des trous béants
Comme des fourmilières où errent des
sans-abris
Où habitaient naguère les gens de
Phénicie
D’Orient de sang, de gènes et langue
d’Arabie
Des cris, des larmes
Et de la rage au coeur pour autant
de violence
Alors qu’on nage ailleurs sous des
pluies d’abondance
C’est souvent quand on pleure qu’on
vit l’indifférence
Qu’allons-nous dire,
Quand le danger nous environne,
A nos enfants qui nous questionnent
A qui on tente en vain d’apprendre
Le verbe aimer?
Qu’allons-nous faire?
Sinon trouver quelque refuge,
Espérer un autre déluge
Ou bien se tuer à comprendre
Et pardonner
Un crépuscule
Comme la vie qui disparaît sous les
décombres
Une autre nuit à s’inventer la fin
du monde
Une ère nouvelle où l’on n’a plus
peur de son ombre
We learn from our Government of NB website that “the
provincial government will fund the costs related to establishing a
commissioner and their work, estimated at $500,000”.
We learn from Global News that the Honourable Ms. Arlene Dunn [our Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business, Minister responsible for Opportunities New Brunswick, and Minister responsible for Immigration] that all this is “being done for people who live this [systemic racism, she means] every single day”. Even whilst saying the latter, our Minister sounds passionless. Is she really convinced deep inside?
She is referring to immigrants, to citizens said to be
“people of colour” (like Bambi ?)
or “black” or Indigeneous.
Well, even if you thought that this is a good step to
address the so-called “systemic” racism, check this CBC article first (without an
open section for comments of course). It informs us that “Indigenous leaders
have denounced the provincial government’s plan to address systemic racism in
New Brunswick, saying they weren’t consulted or even advised”.
Is and will anyone from our government listen to these
Chiefs? And why were they not consulted prior to this decision? What is our
government doing? Who is funding this? Our tax money? Or another source? Is our
government being forced to do this? And if so, by whom? Or are they true believers
of the merit and cost-effectiveness of this one-year highly expensive process?
And what is next in a few months, in a year, or in the next few years?
If we look at the mask of Tobique First Nation Chief
Ross Perley (CBC picture), it reads “Healing our community”. Is
there anything more beautiful in the world than the word “healing” in
life? How does this governmental decision, done without consultation with
Indigenous people, serve the healing of our NB Indigenous communities?
And what about all the other communities? The
French-speaking? The English-speaking? The older, newer, and future immigrants?
Don’t they have a say in this? Those who may have voted for this majority
government or not?
To come back to the GNB website cited above, it
informs us that: “The commissioner will focus on the following
objectives:
“Conducting a public consultation on the nature and impact of systemic racism on racialized, immigrant and Indigenous populations in New Brunswick.
Thorough documentation of experiences in an effort to gather qualitative and quantitative data – performed through a number of means including, but not limited to, a review of previous recommendations, establishing a dedicated website, holding virtual meetings, receiving presentations and written submissions by email, mail or on the website, in-person meetings with the commissioner by invitation and on request, virtual consultation sessions with foreign nationals, employers and other groups as necessary”.
If our government knows that “systemic racism” is “ingrained” in all its Departments and institutions”, why will it waste our public funds [and we are almost broke] to collect all these “qualitative and quantitative data”. Plus, it is excluding Indigenous citizens from this process? Does this make any sense in our provincial and Canadian context?
Can
someone be honest enough to tell us what is happening in our country?
