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?
Mr. Mario Dumont’s article, published today in the Journal de Montréal, is entitled “All the minorities… except the francophones” [“Toutes les minorités… sauf les francophones”]. It is a reflection about our contradictory attitudes, whether lucidly or not, toward the francophones in our country. We tend to forget that they are a minority like other minorities. Unfortunately, we fall into the trap of intolerance of their differences in relation to language, culture, approach to addressing social problems or solutions to problems, philosophy of co-existence, and societal choices. We even fall into the trap of self-intolerance… and the latter fuels more externalized intolerance (i.e. of others, namely of their different opinions about this or that issue).
If she may, Bambi would like to take a break from
this serious topic raised by Mr. Dumont for a few moments to offer you a
beautiful old song she discovered yesterday by pure accident. It remains timely
as it is called “Tolerance”. Bambi could not find a clear audio of this song
online with the unique voice of Mr. Macias. However, she discovered the talent
of a certain Mr. Pascal Leyman who arranged and performed this song. Thanks to
him for publicly sharing it.
First, here are the words in English, followed by the original French:
“Tolerance is
proof of love and intelligence
Tolerance is
respect for life in all countries
Tolerance is
to have a lot of indulgence for your neighbour
Open your
heart instead of clenching your fists
For no
reason for nothing
All forgiven
for the tears
Of a child
or of a woman
We are never
loved
By fear or
by severity
Understanding
the ideas of others
Without
wanting to impose our own
It is in
this world a virtue
That we lost
Tolerance is reasoning about the passions of difference
Tolerance means recognizing to everyone their divine rights
Tolerance is the last chance for today’s humans
If they don’t want to no longer live in freedom
in a few years
Despite the many disagreements that still exist between us
Everything can be discussed if we know how to forgive first
Whatever the naysayers of all stripes can write
Mourning the future, I still refuse
Tolerance will eventually win out over backbiting
And on that day, on earth
There won’t be happier than me”
Original French lyrics of Mr. Macias’ song:
« La tolérance, c’est une preuve d’amour et d’intelligence
La tolérance, c’est le respect de la vie dans tous les pays
La tolérance, c’est d’avoir pour son prochain beaucoup d’indulgence
Ouvrir son cœur au lieu de fermer les poings
Sans raison pour rien
Tout excusé devant les larmes
D’un enfant ou bien d’une femme
On est jamais aimé
Par crainte ou par sévérité
Comprendre les idées des autres
Sans vouloir imposer les nôtres
C’est dans ce monde une vertu
Que nous avons perdue
La tolérance, c’est raisonner les passions de la différence
La tolérance, c’est reconnaitre à chacun tous ses droits divins
La tolérance, c’est pour les hommes d’aujourd’hui la dernière chance
S’ils ne veulent pas ne plus vivre en liberté
dans quelques années
Malgré les nombreux désaccords qui entre nous existent encore
Tout peut se discuter si l’on sait pardonner d’abord
Qu’importe ce que peuvent écrire les défaitistes de tous bords
Porter le deuil de l’avenir, je m’y refuse encore
La tolérance finira par l’emporter sur la médisance
Et ce jour là, sur terre
Il n’y aura pas plus heureux que moi»
Now, here the song. Enjoy!
Keeping the spirit of tolerance in mind (ie., bridge building, mutual respect, love, forgiveness, re-discovery… and re-love), please let’s conclude this post with a quick translation of Mr. Mario Dumont’s article:
“The left of English Canada places at the centre of its policy the defense of all the rights of all minorities. They almost make it an obsession. It is this movement that Professor Amir Attaran of the University of Ottawa certainly wants to join.
Officially, this professor fights racism fiercely. In fact, the heart of his remarks aims to stigmatize a group: French-speaking Quebecers. Everything goes: French-speaking Québecers are backward racists. Our past and current governments, our Prime Minister, our laws and even our health care system are manifestations of this wacko Québec society.
I do not intend to elaborate on the case of this provocateur or the administration of the University of Ottawa. The rector is visibly overwhelmed by radicalism in his organization [Bambi agrees with Mr. Dumont, even if she defended Dr. Amir Attaran’s free speech, as you can see in an earlier post at the end of this one. Yes, she happens to enjoy reading Dr. Attaran’s social media, even when she disagrees with him or dislikes his comments about the Québec that she respects, deeply loves, is grateful to for welcoming her family, and is a large part of her complex identities].
Complicit silences
What interests me more is how much good press Professor Attaran has in English Canada, despite his outrageous remarks in their very face. Shouting out loud that Québecers are racists generates few reprimands in English Canada. More like a few approvals and a lot of complicit silences.
For example, Ontario NDP MP Matthew Green shared many of Attaran’s writings on social media. The NDP held a majority of seats in Québec just a few years ago. Yet no one in this party seemed upset to see one of their own insulting Québecers.
At least Justin Trudeau, the one seen as a champion of multiculturalism, was keen to denounce Professor Attaran. Make no mistake, Mr. Trudeau is being blamed outside Québec.
In fact, here is the reality that the Attaran affair puts in our face. The left of English Canada places the rights of minorities at the centre of all its thought and action. Positive discrimination, visible minorities, the fight against racism are the favourite themes of the moment.
There will even be a tendency to scrutinize racism and to find it, even where there is none. To prove the intensity of its determination to fight racism, it is better to find it everywhere.
The minority that can be scoffed at
In short, the left of English Canada defends all minorities… except one: French-speaking Québecers. Obviously, francophones are not a minority in Québec. But francophones in Canada are clearly a minority.
When we look at the situation of francophones from a North American perspective, it is even more striking. Francophones are a minority whose language and culture are under pressure, threatened.
So in English Canada, we will put a capital importance on the preservation of the Indigeneous languages or the languages of all the minority cultures. With good reason. We will be ready to deploy considerable resources to safeguard them.
But the future of French in Canada, in Québec, they don’t care. Attaran’s insults remind us that to protect our language and culture we can only rely on ourselves.”
Thank you, Dr. Joseph Facal, for your thoughtful article published yesterday in the Journal de Montréal. Thankfully, the latter sill knows how to respect diversity of opinions of its columnists (rather scarce in most of today’s mainstream media). Here is a quick translation:
“Glenn Reynolds, Professor of Law at the University of Tennessee, just published a very interesting opinion in the New York Post.
We make a toy disappear, Mr. Patato, because it would embody “toxic masculinity” [Bambi has a post on “cher Monsieur Patate” ?; as shown at the very end of this post].
We make a cartoon character, Pepe, a skunk, disappear because it would normalize “rape culture” [no comment].
You make a book disappear because it contains a word “traumatic” [how sad and unhelpful actually].
Respond
If we did a poll, asks Reynolds, how many people would approve these censors? 1%? [why is most of the 99% of the rest of the population that afraid of them]?
Who voted for it? At the polls, these claims would get laughable scores, even if one might get the opposite impression from reading the complacent commentators of wokism.
They take advantage of the benevolent and peaceful nature of the vast majority of people, who want tranquility, especially no bickering, who do not want their school children to be in the crosshairs of these horny people.
These reasonable people are s, censoring themselves, hoping that this is just passing foolishness.
In a confrontation between a tolerant and an intolerant, the intolerant starts with a huge psychological advantage: folding is not an option.
Stalin would have already said something like: what is mine is mine, what is yours is negotiable.
Isn’t the time, Reynolds asks, to stop bending and retaliate firmly?
Responding does not mean subjecting these petty tyrants to the vile methods they apply to others.
It is not about demanding their exclusion or their silence.
Rather, it is about attacking head-on their most valuable asset: their moral credibility.
These people, says Reynolds, believe themselves to be superior and believe that the correctness of their crusade justifies their violent methods.
For them, the fight against “injustice” justifies breaking as many eggs as necessary.
Let us stop seeing them as idealists whose good intentions go too far.
Let us not fall into this trap of giving them the upper hand on the moral level.
Let’s undress them [OK, watch out we may see their ugliness ?]. Let’s unmask them. Let us take away this mantle of virtue. Let us refuse reasonable accommodation or submission in the name of their so-called idealism.
Let’s talk to them bluntly. Let us tell them, let us tell everyone that their behaviour is abject, dangerous, detestable, condemnable.
No!
In the history of mankind [or humanity], Reynolds recalls, it is not the benevolent, genuinely humanistic people who burned books, censored speeches, demanded dismissals.
They were frustrated, selfish, psychologically rigid people, devoid of empathy and generosity, often socially misfits, with a spirit of revenge on society because their lives were not what they wanted.
Let us refuse that their frustrations poison our lives.
Let’s raise our heads and say no firmly, as many times as necessary.
Thank you Mr. Trudeau for defending ourbelle province!
Bambi has a post on this topic, as you can see further below. This being said, despite any offensive words by Dr. Amir Attaran about Québec and its Prime Minister, his free speech must remain protected. Sam for all his colleagues at the University of Ottawa, regardless of any particular comment, whether in an educational context or on social media.
To conclude this post on a musical and fun note, meant to pay tribute to Québec, here is a symbolic song that Bambi feels like offering to Mr. Trudeau whilst sharing it with Dr. Attaran (Well, M. Legault and Mr. Plamondon will also enjoy it, like her ?):
“For years, the fight against racism was about breaking down barriers. There was a time in the United States when black people were excluded from certain schools, restaurants, golf clubs, and a host of other establishments. Without having reached destination, we can say today that several partitions have fallen.
This is the conception that I have personally cultivated in the fight against racism: to break down walls. Give everyone their chance in a world that opens doors. Let me recall one of Martin Luther King’s famous quotes: “Let’s build bridges, not walls”.
This week we learned that Columbia University, one of the most prestigious in the United States, will be holding several convocation ceremonies. One for Blacks, one for Asians, one for Indigenous people, one for the LGBT community and so on. Silent ceremonies, divided by ethnic or sexual orientation criteria.
Each his own enclosure
The university has dismissed the charges of segregation, saying these events are additions and a grand ceremony open to all will take place as usual. This in no way erases this new tendency to divide the celebrations.
A division that forces everyone to stand in their identity enclosure. Asians have no place at the Indigenous celebration, Indigenous people are not welcome at the Black event, etc. Don’t we force everyone to a little bit of racism to deal with all these distinctions?
Then what do we do with this youth whose father is black and mother is Asian? Is he/she invited to both snacks? Or excluded from both? Unless it all depends on the colour of his/her skin and hair, which are the result of genetic hazards for mixed-race children.
No more sharing
Speaking of the new walls being erected, the translation of Amanda Gorman’s poems also made me feel very uneasy. After her Super Bowl performances and Joe Biden’s swearing-in, the young black prodigy’s work is in demand around the world.
A young Dutch woman and another Catalan were not allowed to translate her poems into their respective languages … because they are white. So sad. Poetry is a work of sharing, a universal work. Anyone who respects the work and its author should be able to do the translation regardless of their skin colour.
The tendency to create new partitions is global. Canada is no exception to this fashion. Need I recall this amazing program created by the Canadian government to help black entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurs of all origins should have the right to support from all available programs, without any discrimination. But the creation of economic programs on ethnic grounds is another example of the enclosures that are recreated, of the walls that are installed [Bambi agrees, as per the older post shown below].
I don’t see how these new silos are approaching us to a more just society” [She does not know about you, but Bambi can only agree…].
Last year, Bambi offered her mom a song to amuse her (a kids’ lullaby called “Maman, les petits bateaux“) ?, as per the older post at the very end of this one.
This year, Bambi will be more serious… she is more than grateful because her mom (and dad) survived their surrealistic Beirut port explosion, despite their heavily damaged place. She is also relieved that they got their two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
There are no words, in any language, that can express how much Bambi loves you “mama”. This being said, she would like to offer you a song, by Mr. Ragheb Alama, that moves her heart every time it plays on her internet radio. It is called “Betzakkar Ya Emmi”. This means: “Mom, I remember”. The singer remembers his mom’s eyes… and how can Bambi forget your beautiful eyes, almost of the same coulour as the flowers’ stalks above… See, Bambi still remembers. Joke to make you smile ?. Mr. Alama also remembers how he used to find comfort and security next to his mom, as a little boy. Same here. Bambi’s sisters and herself used to feel SO secure despite the heavy and noisy shelling, just by hiding behind your back in the middle of the night.
So, without much philosophy, thanks to you and dad for the roots and the wings…
Happy Mothers’ Day to everyone at your end
and abroad (starting with Bambi’s sisters!).
May those who lost their mothers in explosions or pandemics (or in whatever other way) also find comfort in their beautiful memories.
May all those grieving mothers find comfort in one way or another.
To conclude this post on a lighter note, Bambi’s spouse sends you his love and thanks you for your recipe of lentil soup. Well, poor him, he almost had a heart attack when Bambi told him it’s Mothers’ day today! He thought we were already in May… Well, no not yet. Anyhow, he also still remembers his Dearest mom… and her blue eyes (she will likely smile too when she will read this ?).
In this post, Bambi feels like paying tribute to Lebanon, which is going through rough times due to hyperinflation and political deadlock.
Thus, she will go back in time, just twelve years ago, to share with you two songs with which Lebanon (the host of these prestigious games) celebrated “la francophonie” in 2009.
First, please find the lyrics of song # 1, followed by
the actual performance (thanks to Mr. George Breidy for publicly sharing this video
with a beautiful montage featuring his country).
The picture above shows the two great singers: Ms. Majida
El Roumy (Lebanon) & Mr. Youssou Ndour (Senegal).
The lyrics are by Mr. Saeed Aql; adapted from Arabic by Mr. Alexandre Najjar “Cadmus”. The music is by Mr. Joseph Khalifa/Mr. Jean-Marie Riachi. The distribution is by Mr. Jean-Marie Riachi.
As
mentioned above, the video shows Lebanon’s beautiful landscape. We keep hearing
sad/bad news from tiny bankrupt Lebanon that Bambi almost forgot about its
eternal charm!
Verse 1 in
Arabic
My country…
My country is
Lebanon and it is a covenant that is neither rice, nor mountains, nor water
My home is love. There is no hatred in love. It is a light, which will never be lost or go astray…
A hand
created a masterpiece of beauty… and a mind
Please do not say “my nation” and sweep my world … We are the neighbour of the world and its family
Verse 2 in French
We are the friends of the world
We are its family
And in the deep night
A shining torch
Where our ships anchor
The desert becomes beautiful
Culture is our empire
Freedom our flag
Message of unity, eternal Lebanon
Calls on the planet to ban wars
If all religions forgot their quarrels
It would be
so good to live on this old Earth!
Verse 3 in
Arabic
My country…
My country is
Lebanon and it is a covenant that is neither rice, nor mountains, nor water
My home is love. There is no hatred in love. It is a light, which will never be lost or go astray…
A hand
created a masterpiece of beauty… and a mind
Please do not say “my nation” and sweep my world … We are the neighbour of the world and is family
Second, please find song # 2. First, you can read a quick
translation of its French lyrics.
It is called “hymn of Lebanon for the francophonie”. This will then be
followed by this song/hymn, celebrating “la francophonie” in the world.
Bravo to the Notre Dame University
Choir for this performance.
The song writer is Mr. Jean-Claude Boulos. The musician is Mr. Elias Rahbani. May he rest in peace (and shame on you, coronavirus, for having recently taken him…).
Bambi hopes
you will enjoy this song, especially if you happen to understand the language
of Molière, if
you are attached to the francophonie, and/or simply if you respect the universal
values shared by many different French-speaking countries of our world,
including Canada!
