Life is Complicated in Lebanon (Elias Muhanna & Mona Yacoubian)

[Bloggingheads]

[Stapler Malone]

Is there a reason political alliances in Lebanon all seem to be named after dates in early March? Any astrologers out there have insight into Piscean political movements?

[Winspur]

Does anyone else see a creepy similarity between Michel Aoun and Michelle Bachmann?

The FPM and the US Republican party both claim to be "secular," sure, but judging from what our diavloggers have said, the FPM is in the iron grip of conservative Christians.

[look]

Originally Posted by Winspur

Does anyone else see a creepy similarity between Michel Aoun and Michelle Bachmann?

The FPM and the US Republican party both claim to be "secular," sure, but judging from what our diavloggers have said, the FPM is in the iron grip of conservative Christians.

I didn't catch that. Can you please give a timestamp?

[Winspur]

--I didn't catch that. Can you please give a timestamp?

I was reading between the lines of what they said, so to speak. I would defer to a real expert on Lebanon, but this much seems definite: Aoun is a Maronite Catholic, and Bachmann is a member of the WELS Lutheran Synod. Both are small conservative denominations.

The FPM Charter states that the FPM "aspires to...Protect the family because it is the nucleus in the building of a society and a nation....Disseminate a political culture that liberates the Lebanese from a mentality of tutelage and supplication and develop their sense of critique."

This sounds an awful lot like the "family values" and "American exceptionalism" which Bachmann loves to harp on.

[look]

Originally Posted by Winspur

--I didn't catch that. Can you please give a timestamp?

I was reading between the lines of what they said, so to speak. I would defer to a real expert on Lebanon, but this much seems definite: Aoun is a Maronite Catholic, and Bachmann is a member of the WELS Lutheran Synod. Both are small conservative denominations.

The FPM Charter states that the FPM "aspires to...Protect the family because it is the nucleus in the building of a society and a nation....Disseminate a political culture that liberates the Lebanese from a mentality of tutelage and supplication and develop their sense of critique."

This sounds an awful lot like the "family values" and "American exceptionalism" which Bachmann loves to harp on.

In a country teeming with Muslims I don't see how 'family values' would be objectionable. It sounds like the last part of your quote is referring to throwing off the yoke of Muslim domination of the country's mindset.

Here's a dingalink about FPM. Its interesting to hear that they are in the driver's seat with no opposition. It will be interesting to watch events unfold.

http://bloggingheads.tv/diavlogs/369...7:44&out=20:03

[look]

Excellent diavlog. Packed with information and insights. Great pairing.

Dingalink on the evolution of Hezbollah since the 2006 Israeli War:

http://bloggingheads.tv/diavlogs/369...2:46&out=43:57