To Ali

Some notes on yesterday’s impressive demonstration.

I must say, I’m impressed.

To your credit, the day passed without violence, and we got to prove to the world that we’re not waiting to jump at each other’s throats. I heard that your own people helped keep the peace. I also heard that you distributed leaflets stressing calm. Good job, that can only be a badge of honor to you.

I also appreciate and respect your use of the Lebanese flag and your singing the national anthem. I’m glad that both you and I understand that Lebanon comes before anything else.

I don’t think that you take your orders from Syria and Iran. You are Lebanese just like me. Some of you went to the same university as me. We eat the same food, listen to the same music and dance the same dabké.

But honestly, I’m not a big fan of the Hezb Quawmi Souri, wi2am wahhab, Aoun’s manners or some slogans like “Ba3dou, el Shi3a jeyeen 3a beirut” (move away, the Shias are coming to Beirut). But I’m sure all of these are aberrations. Generally, you were professional and did well. Congrats.

I understand that you feel wronged, and I know where you’re coming from. To take this a step further, I want to tell you this: I am deeply, unequivocally sorry If what you say about our ministers is true. Nobody deserves to be minister if he laughed and gloated while his citizens were being bombed.

That said, I cannot accept that you remove our democratically elected Prime Minister the way you’re trying to. And I’m afraid to break the news to you: Sanioura will not abandon his responsibilities, he’ staying.

You see, we tried what you’re doing now before. We tried to remove President Emile Lahhoud from Baabda by force. It was exciting at the beginning and we were as determined as you are today. We had fun in the tents, with the blessing of our leaders and all the TV limelights we could ever have wished for.

Time has a way with things Ali; people lose momentum and want to go back to their bread and butter. CNN will talk less about “last month’s demonstration”, and no matter how many gimmicks you try (trust me, we tried them all, human flags, human chains, camp fires, guitars, singing, dancing), you are bound to get bored and itch to go back home and to a life of normality.

The best way to solve this crisis, my friend, is for us to talk.

But don’t worry, we won’t spoil your party. Have as much fun as you can. But trust me, it won’t last.

(In case you stumbled here by mistake, “Ali” later replied to my letter)