Bambi's Thoughts
Today, several Lebanese citizens gathered in downtown Beirut, braving the coronavirus (with all its strains, including the deadlier British one), the curfew, and… the Hezbollah.
They are all Mr. Lokman Slim and they denounce this coward yet barbaric assassination (please count Canada’s Bambi among you).
Look at the painting held by the lady at the centre of the picture. Look at her mask.
Is there any need for more words…?
Bambi would like to thank her friend for sharing this shocking yet not surprising news. Yes, the new US administration revoked the Houthi terrorist designation. What is next Mr. Biden? Hezbollah will follow… ?!
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/05/blinken-yemen-houthis-466429
https://thewest.com.au/politics/biden-revokes-houthi-terrorist-designation-ng-s-2048403
For the record, here is the logo of the sweet Houthi organization:
For those who do not read Arabic, the above means: Allah (= God) is great, death to America, death to Israel, curse on the Jews, victory to Islam“!
Is this a joke Mr. Biden?
Or is this a “diplomatic effort”?
Or is your administration up to something we ignore yet?
Bambi had a little more hope in Mr. Blinken, but now she sadly lost it. Perhaps he has his wings clipped or you are all naive and/or corrupt.
For Bambi, all this sounds too stupid to the point of being ridiculous… she is saying this with all due to respect to you and to your position. She also knows that some of her friends will be disappointed by this post. However, they know that she candidly speaks her mind. So, they would likely forgive her honesty. If they can explain this move, she would appreciate a comment on this blog :).
Now she understands even more why most of the Americans of Lebanese ancestry voted for your opponent, despite their Democratic leaning. Their (and Bambi’s) nightmare is becoming a reality…
Bambi just came across this 3-minute video. Mr. Levant is right, the mainstream media is financially (and thus intellectually) too dependent on the government.
This phenomenon happens in some other countries that unfortunately are not the most inspiring models to follow.
Why does it feel that we are becoming more and more like the third world of the developed countries? For instance, think of the delayed vaccines, compared to smaller countries and to the United States; too much ideologies and less efficacy, the overspending and the decision to tap into vaccine fund that is meant for poorer countries, the saga with the Montreal-based pharmaceutical company, the loss of jobs related to the pipelines saga with Mr. Biden, etc.
Of course, it is not easy to govern at any time, especially in pandemic times.
Perhaps one of the lessons of this pandemic is that big and centralized governments, cumbersome, bureaucratic entities (overcentralized federations, the European Union, globalism, etc.) may actually have systemic barriers to vaccination and to common-sense practices related to economic recoveries.
Perhaps the more localized efforts would be the most efficient ones.
Bambi was a child and a teenager growing up in Beirut, but she very well recalls the public debates in the news about the benefits of decentralization (not everything centred in Beirut and more developments in the regions). Despite its wars and numerous challenges, Lebanon delivered on this. It has excellent teaching-hospitals or governmental hospitals as well as universities, not just in the Beirut area.
If the authorities will truly deliver on their vaccination strategy, they seem to have understood that they need to go where the people are (e.g, vaccination sites in 48 hospital-centres across the country, with back-up centres that would be functional if needed. They will also deliver the vaccines into people’s own homes when they cannot go out or are disabled, etc.).
All this to say that Brexit seems to have worked well for England. It is ahead of many European countries, including France. Look also at Israel (that knew how to invest in its medical commercialization for years; a small country ahead of Canada in this regard). Look at Bahrain, another smaller country (the last time Bambi checked, they seemed to be doing well).
To conclude this post, Bambi will stop her blahblahblah here. Here is the video in question. Thank you Mr. Levant for bringing us the other side of the story, to use your own words. It is Bambi’s hope that social media will not cancel your voice.
When he was the US VP in 2009, Mr. Biden visited Beirut more than once. At one point, he warned that the USA’s aid program in Lebanon would depend on the outcome of the parliamentary elections, which could be won by the Hezbollah.
French-Canadian article (Le Devoir):
https://www.ledevoir.com/monde/etats-unis/251800/biden-demande-aux-libanais-de-ne-pas-voter
Google translate (in English):
Today, as the US President, he seems to be in a rush to give Iran carte blanche to achieve its nuclear ambitions and missile arsenal.
So, isn’t he worried about Hezbollah’s and its allies’ role in “hindering peace efforts” anymore (Bambi is using his own words)?
Sorry Mr. Biden, you may be allergic to former US President Trump, but the truth must be told as it is sometimes: The latter was more consistent in his foreign policy in the Middle East, from his promises to his achievements (including its inherent failures, of course! For Bambi, the most disgusting failure of Mr. Trump is what looked to her like a”gift” of the Western Sahara to Morocco in exchange of peace with Israel… unless all parties agreed on the deal, but how is that possible?).
Even if the former US administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy (on Iran) did not last long enough or was not the ideal in life, it seems to have been more promising than your so-called diplomatic approach… at least for now and for Lebanon where increasing assassinations of opposition public figures are taking place (see Bambi’s last post further below).
You may have the best intentions of the world Mr. Biden (thank you for this)! However, sadly, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. As a senior politician, you surely know all this very well.
To conclude this post, with all due respect Mr. Biden et al., it is Bambi’s hope that hell will not be in the form of neither a new war in the Middle East… nor in Lebanon on a silver plate to Iran (via the Hezbollah).
Please Mr. Biden, do not let Lebanon down!
—
Bambi discovered this inspiring thinker, writer, and artist during one of her visits to Beirut a few years ago. She recalls having enjoyed listening to an interview with him on the MTV channel, namely in a daily political show entitled “Beirut El Yaoum” (Beirut Today).
He was cowardly assassinated (and perhaps even tortured?) today. It seems that he went missing for a few hours, as you can see in the English short news video below.
Can you imagine? He only had his ideas and words whilst his killers have their powerful criminality… whomever they are.
You can see him below in a video with his spouse, Ms. Monika Borgmann (of German origins) talking in French about one of their movies on Lebanese prisoners lost in Syrian jails. Mr. Slim often criticized Hezbollah’s (or maybe even Amal’s?) toxic ties with Iran and Syria. Like all his fellow citizens, he also was lucid about the endemic state of corruption in his beloved country. He studied philosophy in France. He spoke several languages, including Arabic. The latter is a tough language to master, especially written Arabic, but Mr. Slim had a linguistic talent.
He was a publisher, partnering with his sister, author Rasha al-Ameer (picture below). Along with his beloved spouse, he founded the Umam Documentation and Research and Hayya Bina (or Let’s Go) organizations.
Umam organized art exhibitions, film screenings, and round tables to discuss issues related to civil violence and civil war memory. Indeed, the ghost of war is still vivid in Lebanon and, if Bambi is not mistaken, schools are still reluctant to teach the Lebanese civil war (1975-1990). However, as we all know and according to Mr. George Santayana, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it“. Thanks to Mr. Slim and Ms. Borgmann for having worked to help Lebanon in creating an archive of war. Together, they produced movies (e.g., one on the massacre of Sabra and Shatila, on prisoners in Syria, and one in progress on Syria’s civil war thus far; 10 years already).
Bambi’ heart goes to both Frau Borgmann and Ms. al-Ameer as well all Mr. Slim’s friends, colleagues (national and international), and the shocked yet not surprised Lebanese population. We are all speechless… May you rest in peace Mr. Slim. Thank you for your courage and work. May your memory be eternal… and, for once, may justice prevail!!
To conclude this post, despite the best wishes for justice, the Lebanese authorities sadly cannot be trusted… even if the family members know the killers, as per l’Orient Le Jour (https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1250805/-nous-savons-qui-sont-les-tueurs-affirme-la-soeur-de-lokman-slim.html). May God know how to comfort their hearts…
If you have 42 minutes of your free time to fill, the video below is a must-watch.
Even if you are someone who likes to write your pronouns after your name on TV screens or at the end of emails, you will learn from this video valuable lessons about medicine/medication and about humanity.
For instance, you will learn about a condition called akathisia (https://bit.ly/2O7OyFp), about the love of a daughter for her dad (Mikhaila and Jordan Peterson), the mean nature of human beings and professional degradation (the journalist in question), a renowned psychologist and one of the rare thinkers of our world (Dr. Peterson).
Bambi shares Ms. Mikhaila Peterson’s anger and disappointment. She is sad to hear about this story. The journalist goes to low levels of stupidity when she compares Ms. Peterson to the spokesperson of Mr. Trump (or whatever she said). Should we laugh or cry? Let’s laugh, it is all we have left to keep our sanity in our world ?.
This sad story is not new. When Dr. Peterson or his daughter announced his ordeal and travels for treatment, some so-called Canadian intellectuals/activists on the so-called sweet Twitter (compared to the mean Parler) rejoiced to hear he was suffering. Can you imagine how sad our world has become ☹? We are happy to see another human being suffering…
Seriously now, Bambi is happy Dr. Peterson is doing well. This is what matters the most. May his spouse heal/be as well as possible in her rare cancer journey. May Mikhaila keep on feeling well and look as beautiful as she is looking (minus the tears).
More importantly, Bambi is happy to hear that his second book will be published on March 2, 2021. Ms. Mikhaila Peterson said that she read it and it is even better than the first. How is that possible? Because the first was excellent, imagine how the next will be. Bambi is eager to purchase it!
Bambi would like to thank her dad for sharing this wonderful piece of information!
https://m.facebook.com/100050289827815/posts/245863593766633/?d=n
Her dad called Bambi to inform her that her good childhood friend is among one of the amazing American scientists of Lebanese origin at Moderna who have just been honoured by their country of origins, tiny bankrupt yet proud Lebanon! Indeed, they all received the National Order of Merit at the Lebanese Embassy in Washington!
Bambi’s Beirut childhood friend is Dr. Charbel Haber, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Moderna! Bambi had the chance to thank him by email on New Year, wishing him and his family her best wishes! When you are working under such worldwide pressure, you deserve all the applauds. So does your family (Maria, his spouse and their children) for all their support! Bambi is proud of you Charbel (and of them too)! She congratulates your amazing brother Marwan and your wonderful mom in Beirut. Your whole family (including your dad from heaven) are all proud today… Bambi shares their joy and pride. Louis and her family in Beirut too!
Bambi is happy to see Lebanon honouring its inspiring diaspora: it seems that a few weeks ago, it honoured the Lebanese-British singer Mika for his I love Beirut concert following the surrealistic yet still unaccountable explosion of August 4, 2021.
Before sharing the names of all those honoured along with Dr. Haber, Bambi would like to say a few words about his professional journey. After earning a PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 1999, he earned an Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Thomas Jefferson Hospitals and Thunderbird School of Global Management respectively. From there, he went to have an enriching career in the USA and even abroad. He has also worked as an Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins.
In addition to his scientific skills, Dr. Haber happens to also be a talented musician and singer. More importantly, he is one of the good souls of our world (with his values), giving us hope in humanity.
Now, let’s say a few words about all those honoured, along with Dr. Haber. Bravo to them too!! First, here are their names, as per 961 (and the Facebook public link above shared by Bambi’s dad, by Mr. Paul Sader):
“A team of 8 executives and scientists of Lebanese descent working at American pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Moderna“:
“The Lebanese members, including the company’s Lebanese-Armenian co-founder and chairman, were granted the Lebanese National Order of Merit in honor of their success in developing the Covid-19 vaccine with 94% effectiveness.
Ambassador Issa presented the National Order of Merit to:
Of note (and, no, it is not only because of his family name :)), Dr. Alex Azar, from the former US Administration was also honoured by Lebanon for his “lifetime achievements in public service“!
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) funds medical research in Canada.
This national funding agency is composed of 13 virtual institutes.
Each of these institutes is led by a Scientific Director who benefits from the advice of “Institute Advisory Boards” (IABs).
These Institutes are the following: Aging, Cancer Research, Circulatory and Respiratory Health, Gender and Health, Genetics, Health Services and Policy Research, Human Development, Child and Youth Health, Indigenous People’s Health, Infection and Immunity, Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Addiction, Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, Population and Public Health. These Institutes work both independently and in collaboration with each other and/or with international institutes or agencies, etc.
As you can see above, one of these excellent institutes is called the Indigenous People’s Health. Its Scientific Director is currently Dr. Carrie Bourrassa who acknowledges “the leadership of previous IPH Scientific Directors Dr. Malcolm King and Dr. Jeff Reading who helped shape the Institute” (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/8668.html). Bambi had the honour to meet/interact or collaborate with Dr. King (what a scientist!).
Over the past years, there has been a debate around sex or gender differences among Canadian researchers and their access to funding. Some wondered if female scientists were less likely to be funded than male scientists because of systemic barriers. The answer turned out to be no. However, there were differences related to men and women’s styles. Perhaps choices of words in writing letters within applications. Perhaps more importantly, there was also a difference related to the more aggressive competing style of men. The latter tended to apply to funding competitions in the next competition immediately following a failure (where women preferred to wait and perhaps improve their chances with this strategy, etc.). OK, this problem was solved fast. There was no systemic discrimination against women. Plus, there is a whole institute devoted to gender and health.
Now, Mr. Trudeau’s government, seems to want to religiously apply the DIE religion (to use the sarcastic term of Dr. Gad Saad from Montreal, Québec) to every aspect of the public service sphere and even in the private sector. DIE stands for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity.
Indeed, look at what our government wants to demonstrate now… It is launching an initiative called “CIHR online discussion on systemic racism in Canada’s health research funding system” (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/52258.html). Can you imagine? The underlying idea here seems to show that our funding system is filled with systemic racism.
If the same excellence criteria are applied to all applicants to a certain grant application and peer reviews are conducted in a thorough way, looking for EXCELLENCE, period (scientific merit and clinical impact/significance), why should we worry about a so-called systemic racism in our health funding agency? Please keep also in mind that any competition with the CIHR (or with other governmental funding agencies) starts with a check of conflicts of interests (http://www.science.gc.ca/eic/site/063.nsf/eng/h_90108244.html?OpenDocument).
Plus, look at our outstanding IPH Institute mentioned above, isn’t it amazing that we have a full Institute, which mission is to “play a lead role in developing research capacity in the First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, and will support partnerships and alliances between Indigenous communities and health research groups at the local, regional, national and international levels. IIPH supports health research that respects indigenous values, beliefs and cultures, while generating new knowledge to improve the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples”. IIPH also fosters capacity building in graduate students pursuing careers in Indigenous health research and promotes partnerships with Indigenous Peoples.
Among its impressive achievements, there is the Indigenous Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative. Indeed, under the leadership of IIPH, and in collaboration with four other institutes, the CIHR developed an initiative called Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI). There is another much appreciated support of IIPH of the CIHR’s Transition in Care Initiative (TiC), co-led by four institutes (including IIPH) in collaboration with four others. Last but not least, there is the contribution of IIPH to the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research.
As you can see, the IPH Institute has played a leading role within the CIHR and even worldwide in great research initiatives! It is one of our Canadian prides, despite our sad history of abuses and de-culturation ☹… and residual contemporary racism.
To conclude this post with an old story (already shared on this blog) to show what Bambi thinks of all this wokeism religiosity: Whenever she applies to funding or completes governmental applications, she refuses to answer those extra questions on her ethnolinguistic background, etc. For her, this is no one’s business. She is Canadian, period. For instance, recently, Bambi accepted an invitation to participate in a research project (as a participant). One of the demographic questions was about ethnic background. The list of answer options was literally endless, with funny categories and even sub-categories. Bambi skipped the list to its very end. Luckily, there was a category called “Other”. She chose it and managed to insert on the form the words: “A proud Canadian :)”.
OK, seriously now, merit and only merit should be our criterion. Yes, we need an equal and fair access to opportunities for all (no discrimination there, support to those in need, etc.). However, we cannot and should not guarantee the outcomes of competitions in life. Once we do that, we set ourselves for scientific mediocrity. Is this what Mr. Trudeau really wants? Likely not. So, why doesn’t he stop and reflect before getting too excited by fancy ideologies, like DIE, wokeism, etc.?
Her name is Ms. Zeina Kanjo. Bambi has never heard of her before, although she was a famous Lebanese model well liked in real life and online. Look how beautiful and full of life she was… Yes “was“. Not even “is” and surely “not will be anymore” :(.
According to l‘Orient Le Jour, Ms. Zeina Kanjo is “the new victim of domestic violence” in her country, Lebanon, “seven years after the adoption of a bill on domestic violence”, called Bill 293, which was amended in 2020″ (https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1250381/zeina-kanjo-nouvelle-victime-de-la-violence-conjugale.html).
Zeina (or Ms. Kanjo) is surely and sadly not the last victim. Others will follow. Unlike the story told in the song below, she did not even have the time to spend years in an abusive spousal relationship. She got married 6 months ago only to a man who apparently was very jealous. Some Lebanese and many international media are circulating a recording between him and a woman called Ruba, who is the sister of Ms. Zeina Kanjo. This recorded phone conversation took place after the tragedy. Bambi will not get into the details as this is not the purpose of this post.
Her heart goes to Ms. Kanjo’s family… and if she may, she would like to honour Ms. Zeina with a beautiful Lebanese song (with sub-titles in English) powerfully denouncing the tragic problem of domestic violence. The song is by Ms. Karol Sakr and it is called “Khallas” (Bambi had an earlier post about this relatively still new song). Bambi is also thinking of the wonderful novel of her own sister, Ms. Roula Douglas entitled “Chez nous c’était le silence“, even if that story had a happier end.
“Khallas” means “enough“. Another Arabic word for it would be “Kafa” (the latter is the name of an excellent NGO that helps victims of domestic violence in Lebanon). Who knows? Perhaps Ms. Zeina Kanjo’s last word was actually “KHALAS” when her tender spouse put his hand on her mouth to make her lower her voice because it was early in the morning (as per his own words in the recording).
To conclude this post on a note of hope of change of mindsets and practices in men-women relationships in some places around the world (with real patriarchy issues!), see how this good man (from another country than Lebanon) is talking about this tragedy. Thanks to him and to the majority of men who are good guys and who refuse to see their fellow men mistreating (or even killing!) their spouses, sisters, mothers, etc. (sometimes hiding behind what they call honour). Some of these men go out of their way to protect women from harm. In addition to bills, we need more and more of these men… and women (who, as mothers, are the first educators of both men and women).
Rest in peace Ms. Kanjo. May your memory be eternal.
Whether we think highly of Ms. Kamala Harris or not (Bambi doesn’t, but she would have written the same post, even if she did), why do we seem to be behaving like in the Middle East? A place where populations under dictatorship make their leaders holy, even framing them in large pictures in public places There, a political leader is deliberately being presented to the people of a country “as a great person who should be admired and loved” (as per the definition of the Merriam-Webster dictionary)?
You may wonder why Bambi is saying so, thinking she is interfering in the US politics. Well, no, make no mistake please. The story is 100 percent made in Canada. Now, we have a cartoonist from Winnipeg, called Mr. Kaj Hasselriis, who created a comic book series called “Politikids“, which tells childhood stories about some of Canada’s leaders. Well, guess what? His latest product is entitled “Kamala in Canada“. It recounts Ms. Harris’ (new VP of the USA) time living in Montreal when she was younger.
Mind you, in her own autobiographical book, it seems that she talks about Montreal without any passion and in a very brief way. For her, it was a cold place (winter) she did not want to move to, as a teenager, and where she had trouble with the French language.
To come back to the book in question, well the news was all over the Canadian media. Here are just two of the numerous examples:
In English (CTV News):
https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg-cartoonist-gaining-fame-for-comic-on-kamala-harris-1.5280828
In French (La Presse):
We even learned later that this book is now “in the US Embassy inauguration swag bag“:
Why are we getting into the cult of personality like that, like the Middle East? And if we are starting with this now, what will we do down the road in 2/3 or 4 years and especially around the next US Presidential elections?
Is the USA a foreign country, after all? Unless Canadians (especially English-Canadians) see themselves as an extension of their neighbour. This is starting to remind Bambi of powerful Syria and smaller Lebanon…
You may be wondering why the title of this post is about Canadian naivety? Perhaps you already know that. Perhaps not. This description is a common stereotype that comes from the mouth of immigrants… and, like other stereotypes, they are partly grounded in truth. This is why, new immigrants, regardless of their birth country (often in trouble), appreciate the goodness of Canadians, but they see it as a double-edged sword: One one hand, it is beautiful. On the other hand, it could put people at an increased risk manipulation at a population level (especially in those who may lack critical thinking. Make no mistake, this has nothing to do with the educational level. On the contrary actually… ). Yes, Canadians are highly educated in general… but to what extent are schools, college/university campuses, and mainstream media opinions still a rich intellectual place to learn critical thinking?
Bambi is thinking mainly about English-Canada, but sadly this phenomenon is now becoming increasingly common in Québec as well, which is perhaps a clear sign that the situation has reached worrisome levels across our beautiful country.
Even and especially if Bambi had been a admirer of Ms. Harris, she would have found this cult of personality both odd and of concern. Who knows? Perhaps because Bambi has always resisted such practices when growing up during civil war. She has never gone to visit or applaud to the current President in her younger years, even if he opened his Presidential palace and called it “the House of the people“. Bambi did not despise him. She just refused to make a public figure holy. Period. She was a teenager and yet she resisted peer pressure. Mind you, she did not like the other powerful alternative neither. Indeed, as she shared once on this blog the following story: when she was the delegate of her class, “she stoop up to militiamen who came to take school kids to applaud to a certain politician in another school (this was during civil war). Bambi told those guys: “We are not sheep and we are not going with you”. Well, the youth of all the schools had to attend in the end. This was not negotiable. Bambi did the following then: She went to hide in the washroom in order not to be forced to go with the crowd, against her will.”
So, to conclude this post, Bambi wishes the new administration Biden-Harris all the best. She wishes them and their beautiful country well. However, she refuses to make anyone holy, neither them nor our own Mr. Justin Trudeau, former/newer Governor General, or any other public figure (whether “BIPOC” as they call them or not… remember she is supposed to fit in this rather funny acronym)!
