Issue 9

September 26, 2012

Vol. XLV, No. 9 November 21, 2012

Despite high tensions, students stand in solidarity for Gaza Thurayya Zreik Staff Writer Several hundred AUB students, many decked in keffiyeh scarves, gathered for a sit-in around Main Gate on Monday to protest the latest series of Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The military flare-up began last week following an Israeli air strike targeting Ahmed alJabari, a leader of the militant wing of Hamas. Scores of civilians, including women, children and journalists have been killed in the subsequent Israeli air strikes as well as rocket attacks by Palestinian forces.

Images of the death and destruction that continue to devastate the area and its people have been furiously circulating in both traditional and social media, mobilizing young people everywhere to take a stand.

“It is important to make a stand to show that AUB still cares,” said Talal Nabulsi, a student participating in the sit-in. “Our hearts and minds are with the people of Gaza.”

Students in the middle of the crowd held pieces of cardboard that formed a giant Pal-

AUB students stand in solidarity for Gaza at Main Gate (Photo credit: Mada Subaiti) estinian flag. Rippling across the crowd was the melody of the Palestinian national anthem, proudly sung by many of the participants.

After a moment of silence followed several traditional songs of resistance, as well as slogans chanted to demand the end of oppression and continued resistance against

the occupying forces in Palestine.

Despite the spirit of solidarity, some students attempted to begin fights or draw in other political chants. Some of these disruptive voices were quashed as quickly as they rose—the crowd drowned out the voices of those few with repeated phrases such as “One

hand for Gaza,” or “Unity,” sung out loudly and in unison.

Following other comments were small altercations, and the crowd dissipated within the houzr.

Some criticized those who brought signs to promote other platforms, saying that they were missing the point of the sit-in.

President of the Palestinian Cultural Club (organisers of the event), Farah Hamdan, was dissappointed in the actions of the few who caused disruptions.

“I hope we can soon enough become educated and civilized, and once we become civilized, we can actually free Continued on page 6

Final USFC member elected: Meet your new student representatives Heather Jaber Editor-in-Chief After the re-elections Friday, the last remaining University Student and Faculty Committee (USFC) seat, which had been tied in the Faculty of Medicine, was announced.

AUB students officially have their 17 student representatives in the USFC, with eight seats who were affiliated with the United Ballot and Order of Engineers campaigns, seven with Students at Work, one under Campus Choice, and one from No Frontiers.

These representatives were, for the first time, chosen directly by the students on elections day, as part of a change to the elections policy of USFC members.

Most of the candidates were supported by specific campaigns, with some saying that

they are independent, but used the campaign support to make it to a USFC position.

For example, Hade Hamade, with a sophomore USFC seat in the Hariri School of Nursing, was supported by United Ballot and Order of Engineers campaigns.

“In the end, they know where I belong, but in the end, it won’t benefit me,” said Hamade, stressing that the political aspect only comes into play for external political groups to get a statistical handle on their support from the youth.

Continued on page 3

2 · Campus News

November 21, 2012

September 26, 2012

The emerging Egypt: Players, systems and the constitution Hashem Osseiran Staff Writer The Egyptian uprising has created a new political landscape with the emerging political actors reshaping the system as a whole. Mohamed Elgati, director of the Arab Forum of Alternatives, presented a lecture on Wednesday that summarized his views on the emerging Egyptian state in terms of its players, system and constitutional debates.

Though highly criticized, the Egyptian revolution must be acknowledged for one of its most integral reforms: the initiation of inclusive and fair elections. For the first time, Egypt’s head of state was elected by the people.

“I believe when we have a president that represents the

majority,” Elgati said, “it is a reflection of something good.”

Even though this benefit must be considered, the revolution can’t be deemed fruitful in light of some of the country’s most pressing current issues. One challenge post-revolution Egypt faces is the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The presence of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafi parties has created a civilreligious state of polarization, dividing the playing field between the “believers” and “infidels.”

More importantly however, Elgati theorized on the nature of the relationship between the Salafi and Muslim Brotherhood parties. He stated that the Salafis are a political tool used by the Muslim Brotherhood to mobilize fear on the

grounds as a means of driving people towards their own brand of putatively moderate islamism, rather than their extremist counterparts, the Salafis.

The division is not only founded on a religious basis.

In fact, the country is split between two regimes: the old Mubarak regime and the new Islamic Brotherhood system.

“The institution [Egypt] was harmed by the Mubarak regime,” said Elgati. “It was not only corrupt, it also corrupted others.” A reinvention of this regime in a modified and more democratic way might be a functional alternative in the new political landscape of the country.

Another issue pressing on Egypt’s political development is the country’s pending con-

stitution, which mostly represents Islamic power by two thirds.

“The draft is old-fashioned in its form and content,” said Elgati, showing the dysfunctionality of the new constitution. The constitutional drafts are lacking transparency and the negotiations are not declared, leaving the people out of this process.

Recent weeks have witnessed a wide attack on suggested minority and citizenship laws. More importantly, the constitution has modified the International Human Rights Charter content and dismissed it as a Western conspiracy against Muslims.

The balance of power will change in the coming elections, Elgati said. The Muslim

Brotherhood’s arrogance will cause them to secure only 50 percent of the votes rather than the previous 75 percent.

As long as the country is in a discourse of development rather than in an actual state of development, Egypt’s postrevolutionary landscape won’t be one of democracy.

need this ‘political machine’ to back them up.”

“University elections are about agenda setting and fulfilling student demands. It has not been like that in AUB, or in any other university.” Bou Karroum added. He considered that the fault of students, not the administration.

Regarding the democratic process, Bou Karroum said “there are specific standards for elections such as transparency, evaluation of actions and privacy of the voters. Not all of them were met.” He gave the example of having transparent ballot boxes instead of wooden ones, as they provide “a feeling of safety to the voters.”

“As for all university elections,” he said, “there is lack of a democratic culture, knowledge and understanding of the meaning of elections.”

Heads of several clubs that were involved in the campaigning process talked about the difficulty of getting people to vote this year, as many students lost faith in the election

process due to their disappointment with previous representatives and the lack of transparency in the USFC and SRC. Item 12 in the bylaws of the USFC states that there should be an Information and Public Relations committee responsible for communicating with the student body by publishing the decisions and activities of the USFC. However, nothing has been published, and those who voted the members into the student government are left in the dark regarding what goes on in the meetings.

Moreover, a bylaw that has not yet been implemented states that any member who misses three sessions would be excluded from the USFC. Nizameddin said that student government needs to better connect with the student body.

He said “there is a lack of professionalism in the USFC,” as members’ decisions are at times based on personal relationships with the other members rather than on the needs

What happens after the elections? transparently, and to live up to the promises made in the platforms.

Dean of Student Affairs Talal Nizameddin viewed this year’s elections as “very wellorganized.”

“Yes, they teased each other, but it was much calmer than usual,” he said, encouraging this type of civic engagement.

The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections coordinator Tamim Bou Karroum, who observed this Counting the votes in FAS (Photo credit: Heather Jaber) year’s elections on campus, acclaimed the level of organiPoliana Geha and Lujain Ra- sitions, campaigns tooke plac zation of the electoral process bat outside West Hall and a frenat AUB. Staff Writers zied competition occupied the “[The atmosphere] was campus until the results were quieter compared to previous “Elections determine who is announced. years, considering the situin power, but they do not deA voters’ duty does not end ation in Lebanon,” he said. termine how power is used,” when they submit their bal“However, students in several said Paul Collier, professor of lots. The elections are only the universities have been carried economics at Oxford Univer- beginning of a long journey of away with political slogans ... sity. change, development and acaIt should not be that way.”

During Student Representa- demic production.

“There is a ‘political mative Committee and UniversiIn this ongoing process, the chine;’ people get more votes ty Student Faculty Committee voter’s duty lies in followingif they have it,” Nizameddin elections last week, students up on the elected student govsaid. “Some students genuran—independently or with ernment’s ability to improve inely wish to improve a cercoalitions—for different po- the community efficiently and tain aspect, but think that they

Campus News · 3

November 21, 2012

September 26, 2012

Newly elected USFC prepares for year Continued from page 1

Palestine.”

“Democracy is our right,” he said of the USFC policy change.

Some, however, criticized the distribution of the USFC seats. Both USFC seats went to third year engineering students, Ramzi Taybah and Anthony Tayoun, and both said that this was one of the things that should be reviewed in the future.

Both candidates said instead of two seats for all undergraduate engineering students, it could have been divided, one going to the first and second years, and one going to the third and fourth years.

“The good part,” said Taybah, “is that the USFC’s are chosen according to his or her competency and not the opinion or political affiliation of only 22 SRC’s.”

Elie Khalifee, who won the re-election after the tie in Faculty of Medicine, said that now, the policy asks candidates to exert more effort to secure both a USFC and SRC spot.

Some of the candidates already have big plans in place.

Karim Akiki, with an OSB undergraduate USFC seat,

highlighted areas he’d like to focus on. Besides issues affecting OSB students, like connecting OSB students with their faculty, working on course capacity and registration and implementing workshops, he spoke of issues relating to all students, like making financial aid distribution more transparent and extending the reading period.

Nabil Zantout, who ran under the “Just Think” campaign, received support from Students at Work as the campaigning went on. While he stressed that the “Just Think” campaign was independent and actually called attention to the “anti-promise” that most candidates make to their voters, he said that for candidates there is “no other choice” than to run affiliated with the big campaigns.

Some, however, stand by those affiliated with their campaigns. Tayoun said that part of why he ran was that his beliefs are in line with Students at Work beliefs, and he won’t have a problem making on-the-spot decisions, rather than take permission or get feedback from any external parties.

Lama Ghanem, who ran

with Campus Choice (Secular club) and won the Faculty of Arts and Sciences graduate seat, said the problem that many complain about – that the elections are too connected to external politics – is not the real problem.

“The problem is not that the process is political,” she said, “but rather that the elections in AUB are just a reflection of power balances and sectarian divisions that have been created by the political situation in Lebanon.

“There is no problem with politics, there is a problem with how we practice it,” she said, stressing that AUB community has the potential to “create real spaces of debate and action on real and relevant political issues.”

Hussein Ismail, with a sophomore USFC seat in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, spoke positively of the policy change, highlighting the mixture of campaigns that each student voted for displayed on the ballots during the counting process.

“As we were counting the votes, the coordinators realized how much diversity there was in the names being

circled on every list,” he said.

“Students have acknowledged that their vote should be given to the person they think can represent them and make a change, not the person that belongs to a specific political party.”

What some of the USFC members acknowledged is the need for transparency within the USFC. Taybah, who amassed a record-breaking 495 votes, spoke of “giving students the ability to judge us.”

This transparency was especially important to Emily Field, winner of the graduate USFC seat in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

“What’s important to me about student government is transparency,” said Field, who is from the United States and has yet to see exactly how AUB’s USFC functions internally. “It’s important for me to make myself accessible…to make sure people know who I am.”

While some students have said they are slightly optimistic about the potential progress of the student representatives, many say they are not confident and that after elections day, the hype fades and

the promises made by the candidates are forgotten.

“For once,” said Tayoun, who says he was never too involved with elections before this year, “I wanted to see why people win, get there and don’t do anything.”

To the disenchanted, Akiki says he will not bombard students with the promises they are used to, but instead ask them to wait for the actions to take place.

“To those who don’t believe there will be a change, I say let’s wait and see,” he said.

Ghanem asked students to put pressure on their elected representatives.

“This year I personally urge every student to hold accountable their elected members throughout the year,” she said.

Khalifee spoke of the need for students to rely not only on their representatives, but to take some initiative.

“The USFC is the link formed between the students and the university,” said Khalifee, “but it cannot be successfully established without the students believing that we can make a change. It’s a group effort, not a one-man show.”

Students at Work take majority of unresolved FEA seats Frederic Abou Jaoude Staff Writer Faculties whose SRC and USFC elections resulted in ties between candidates returned to the polls last week.

In the FEA, Students at Work’s Youssef Sandakli won the E1 tied seat.

The final results in the FEA show that Students at Work took 12 out of the 16 SRC engineering seats and all the three USFC seats.

This will lead to the formation of an FEA cabinet composed purely of Students at Work representatives. Among

freshmen, three seats went to Students at Work and one went to Order of Engineers.

Among sophomores, Order of Engineers obtained three seats, while Students at Work won two. Students at Work won all the four junior-year seats. And among seniors, Students at Work took two seats leaving, one for Order of Engineers.

In the FAS, Ahmad Abdel Rahman won the tied freshman seat.

In the HSON, Jane-Mary Tarraf won the tied BSN IV seat.

In the FM, Elie Khalife won

in the tied Med II seat. Khalifee was the winner of the last USFC seat, previously tied with Mohannad Othmani.

When asked how it felt when he won, Khalifee said, “I felt like it was my chance to prove to everyone how ready I am to take on the responsibility of a USFC member.”

In an interview with Outlook, USFC winner Ramzi Taybah affirmed that “all the needs of the students are well heard no matter how big or small they are.”

Taybah explained that he will be starting with basic issues concerning Bechtel, such

as renovating the lounge, then move on to granting FEA students the opportunity to participate in off-campus conferences and competitions for hands-on experience.

Taybah stressed that the new policy for electing the USFC directly makes it harder for the candidates to be elected because their voters include students from all four years.

This policy, however, does allow a USFC candidate to be chosen based on his or her competency and not just the opinion of 22 FEA seats, Taybah said.

Though he prefers this new

policy, Taybah said that some adjustments could be included, such as assigning one USFC seat for E1 and E2 and the other USFC seats for the other two years.

Taybah said he will use his previous experience as a member in AUB Outdoors and Civil Engineering Society cabinets to accomplish his objectives. He also pointed out the need to publish USFC successes and failures for the sake of credibility and transparency.

4 · Campus News

November 21, 2012

September 26, 2012

Men’s dorms in disrepair Ilija Trojanovic Contributing Writer The view from the men’s dorms might be nice, the surroundings may be exciting, and the relationships forged there may be matchless, but Kerr and Penrose halls themselves—and the rules their residents are forced to abide by—are another story.

Dany Dalton, a freshman, came to AUB and lived in the dorms after spending several years in Kuwait and the U.A.E. “At first glance the room looked all right,” Dalton said, “but before I went to sleep I felt itchy. I thought it might have been an allergic reaction until my roommate spotted something crawling on the side of my bed. We thought it was a random bug until we lifted the mattress up and saw dozens of these bugs, and their eggs, and shed skin.”

Student Housing coordinator Sarah Sabban told Dalton that the room would be fumigated, but, Dalton said, “we still saw more bed bugs, and that was

it. I had enough. I rented an apartment in Raouche and live there now.”

Dalton is among a large number of students who complain that maintenance issues, outdated facilities and restrictive policies make dorm life difficult.

These issues are not new. In 1990, then AUB student and Erik Stancofski complained that he did not have water to take a shower after handball and basketball practice. At the time, Lebanon didn’t only have problems with electricity, but also with running water.

“I’d have to take a shower after the training session, even with the scum that is sometimes (rarely) delivered to our taps, [but] there was not a single drop of this foul smelling, obnoxious liquid that you innocently call water,” Stancofski sad in a letter he hand wrote to the housing authorities.

Fourteen years later, a Kerr Hall resident sophomore named Abdallah el-Bizri wrote to the editor of Out-

look saying, “wors[t] is when it’s shower time. Finishing freshening-up and reaching the door, one feels he wants to get in again! … The disgusting odor due to the malfunctioning of the ventilators … [and] the grubby floor makes you reluctant about daring to visit that hell again. But you will always return.”

Dorm residents complain that instead of walking up six flights of stairs, they’d prefer to take an elevator. But that has not always been possible, with the elevator sometimes out of order.

In Kerr, the script is different. While there is one very old elevator, it caters to 350 students, and a poster in front of it reads, “Kindly Note: For safety reasons no more than 4 PEOPLE are allowed due to weak cables. Thank You.” The sign does not inspire confidence among residents.

Mayfair Hall, the off-campus women’s housing, was built in 2009 and underwent renovation on both the interior and exterior this summer.

Kerr and Penrose hall, how-

ever, were open for housing in 1962 and 1960, respectively.

The doors and windows were replaced recently in Penrose (but only on the first floor), the elevators were replaced some time ago, and the hole-in-the-ground toilets in Kerr were replaced.

The administration explains that maintenance issues in the men’s dorms are exacerbated by the high occupancy. Because there are several women’s dorms, the university can close one while directing students to other available buildings.

The issue, Sabban said, is one of space.

Many of the students’ harshest criticisms of dorm life concern some policies.

Besides the states of cleanliness and renovation of the men’s dorms, residents are beset with a set of rules and regulations they must abide by. These rules seem retrograde to some, such as forbidding women from entering men’s dorms and vice versa.

Also, smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol in dorms

rooms is forbidden.

Furthermore, some dorm residents find it illogical that the Penrose gate closes after 12:30am on weekdays yet a guard remains idle, though logically speaking, if he’s there, the gate should remain open.

While the walk through AUB from end to end to reach the Medical gate is a serene stroll in a beautiful university campus, things change when it starts pouring and all a student living in dorms wants to do is make it to his room and go straight to bed—dry.

Residents aren’t demanding a Four Seasons experience in the dorms. But when compared to the current conditions, a building free of bed bugs, with running water, working elevators and sensible policies might seems like a five-star experience to some.

Kerr Hall, one of the men’s housing buildings on campus (Photo credit: Mohammad Azzam)

Campus News · 5

November 21, 2012

September 26, 2012

Student Housing Office sheds light on dorm difficulties

New Women’s dorms, women’s housing on campus (Photo credit: Karen Sertin) Camelia Harb Special to Outlook Living away from home is a challenge. Responsibility becomes a priority and your trust in others is put to the test. While a portion of AUB’s student body knows about this very well, living in various flats and apartments around campus, other students are faced with similar trials living on campus.

Of course, there are both triumphs and tribulations. the latter, receiving much more scrutiny than the prior. The purpose of this article, a sit down with Student Housing coordinator Sarah Sabban, is to talk about what has often been and remains to be a hot topic at AUB. Sabban said the goal of the Student Housing Office is to ensure the comfort of students living in the dorms. In creating a “home away from home,” it is vital that such living quarters are made as comfortable and livable as possible.

However, with seven dorms both on and off campus, and around 1,200 students currently taking up residence in the various buildings, providing the best services possible can take time, and efforts of-

ten go largely unnoticed by students.

Issues of maintenance are often a sore spot for many dorm residents. Noise in the hallways early in the morning, broken appliances and delays in vital repairs are only a few of the complaints that are heard in Student Housing.

Stemming from these complaints are rumors of broken machines being replaced by even older appliances, repairs not happening at all, and the women’s dorms receiving better treatment than the men’s dorms.

On these topics, Sabban had plenty to say. To begin with, the issue of maintenance has always been just that: an issue. For big repairs, complicated planning makes quick responses difficult. Whether it be fixing a washing machine, painting hallways, replacing an elevator or the closure of an entire dorm for a semester, coordination and communication are vital.

Dorm residents are responsible for reporting necessary repairs to either the RA or the dorm supervisor. They may also find an online maintenance form through the Housing Office’s website. Housing staff then coordinate with the

physical plant for projects.

If a project involves rooms, students are included in decisions regarding access.

However, improper reporting or documentation of such issues often leads to delays and breaks in communication between the involved groups.

The newer online form for maintenance is still a work in progress, but the goal of this procedure is to assess areas of success, failure and any loopholes the process might have. Above all else, Sabban stressed the desire to move the process away from unaccountable word-of-mouth communications to a simple and efficient system that gets work done quickly.

Regarding the time needed to complete projects, Sabban pointed to the example of the elevator of Boustany dorm.

After being out of service for at least two weeks, the elevator in the dorm was repaired after an essential motor part was replaced. The search for the best part led to delays in the repair.

As for the so told story of appliances being replaced by older pieces, Sabban questioned the logic behind such a notion. There is no sense in keeping older machines that

may also be on the last leg of their life cycle. In addition, Sabban explained how just this past fall, new machines were bought for the dorms to “reduce issues and increase comfort.”

Changing gears to an issue that has also caused a stir, the recently implemented procedure for security deposits, whether for dorms or for storage, have caused confusion among dorm residents. The concept of depositing a sum of $200 in order to ensure a place in the dorm for the upcoming semester began in response to students reserving a room but dropping out unexpectedly.

As a sort of liability fee, this deposit is to be taken at the start of a “dorm life” (as opposed to the initial policy of at the start of every semester) and kept until the student leaves the dorms, at which point it would be returned.

However, were a student to leave without prior notice, the fee would be kept by the Student Housing Office.

Similar reasons are behind the deposit fee for storage items. In previous years, the policies over leaving items in storage has led to widespread abuse of storage space, with

students leaving more items than allowed or simply not returning for their items at all.

Regarding the various complaints and compliments received by the different members of Student Housing, communication is something that is highly stressed. In order to improve the system and smooth out the kinks of many procedures and processes that occur in the dorms, a new student handbook for dorms is being created. Though the date for its release has not yet been decided, the handbook aims to clarify the issues students currently face.

Overall, the relationship that exists between the Student Housing Office, head residents, the physical plant, dorm staff and, of course, dorm occupants is a dynamic one. Experiences of gains and losses come just as easily as do memories of good and bad times of life on campus.

Each involved party has responsibilities, but without the proper communication and agreement to work together, improvements will not be seen through to the end. Creating a home away from home is a challenging process, but the prospect of just that, a home, is worth it.

6· Editorial

November 21, 2012

September 26, 2012

Editorial:

Outlook Editorial Board

With today’s communication technology, there is no excuse for ignorance.

From all around the globe, it’s possible to watch as the Gaza attacks have claimed dozens of lives. Images of bloody sheets wrapped around children, car bombings and explosions flash across television and computer screens in an age where, for better or worse, everything is instant.

As quickly as rockets are launched, social media statuses are updated. Those involved—the Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas—have brought their physical battle into cyberspace for all to see.

The parties exchange tit-fortat threats over Twitter, and an enraged audience comments on and re-tweets the entire spectacle.

The image is strange. It’s hard to imagine those involved in the shooting, bombing and killing, picking up their phones and laptops to ... tweet about it.

Threats from each side are broadcast to millions, heightening every feeling of loyalty, humanity, sympathy, grief, anger and rage.

We are bombarded by the sheer volume of information staggering. Information is power, yes, but this has come to feel overwhelming.

It seems impossible to find a common, collective history, to find an unbiased, objective account of the past to agree on

Staff List

Chairsperson Talal Nizameddin Editor-in-Chief Heather Jaber Associate Editor Ali Kassem Arabic Editor Mada Dibs Arabic Associate Editor: Alaa Kayali Layout Editor: Antoine Ayoub Proofreader: Ian Larson

and lay the groundwork for the future.

We receive our information from “legitimate” news sources and amateur eyewitness accounts alike. We see the world through the lenses of camera phones and in under 140 characters. We cannot be ignorant, but the raw information passing in front of our eyes every day numbs the senses. The question obviously arises: How do we deal with this influx of media, a tangle of conflicting information and opinions?

This is not the first time the public has grappled with new technologies that have brought the images and experiences of war home. Photography transformed the relationship between civilians and distant conflict. Early war photos, stiff still-life scenes of battlefield aftermath, transported the scenes of war to the homefront. The Crimean War photographs of Roger Fenton and the American Civil War photographs by Mathew Brady’s team of photographers were among the first true images of war to escape the battlefield.

One contemporary New York Times report declared that “Mr. Brady has done something to bring home to us the terrible reality and earnestness of war. If he has not brought bodies and laid them in our door-yards and along streets, he has done something very like it.”

Edward R. Murrow’s radio

broadcasts during World War II added another dimension to wartime storytelling by bringing home the terror of the Blitz in all its frightful detail.

A generation later, television reports sank American approval for the Vietnam War as they beamed images of the conflict across the dinner table. War had come into the home with grisly visuals.

Live-by-satellite broadcasts from the front lines during the Gulf War added yet another element to war coverage. Not only was it possible to follow the conflict by the day, it was possible to follow by the minute, with a delay of only a few seconds.

Today, satellites share our Facebook posts, videos posted on YouTube, pictures in eye-watering high-definition on our Flickr accounts. Right here at AUB, word of Monday’s sit-in for Gaza spread like wildfire on Facebook, with photographs surfacing on the AUB Facebook page before the event was even over.

What has remained the same throughout the course of history has been our duty to pay as much attention as possible to the world around us. Ignorance has always been deplorable, but it will take asyet undreamed of innovations to make it impossible.

Member-at-large Sarah Khalil News Executives Kanzi Kamel Rayane Zahreddine Hrag Vosgerichian Ferial Fakih Layout Team Tania Rayes Nizar Aouad Sahar Khraibani Mohammad Yaghi Suhail Yazaji Webmaster

Jad Shamseddine Business Manager Luma Itani Business Executive Sarah Harfouch Photographers Mohammad Azzam Hayder Al-Shakeri Salim Kaddoura Pia Chaib Karen Sertin Staff Writers Mohamad Sibai Frederic Abou Jaoude

Students gather at Gaza sit-in Continued from page 1

Tarek Balshi, who participated in the sit-in, said that while many also care about other causes, “today was about Gaza.”

Samer Bu Jawdeh, treasurer of the Palestinian Cultural Club and a longtime activist, said this type of organized protest aids the overall resistance to oppression.

“Many people choose not to attend under the reasoning that it won’t help the situation, but their logic is fallacious for several reasons,” he said.

“If we can’t contribute to the struggle directly, it is our duty to show our solidarity with the people who are fighting for their own lives and freedom.”

He went on to explain that the relationship between Lebanon and Palestine transcends the issue of nationality, and that the problems faced by either country do not stop at their respective borders.

“We share a common destiny, a common path, and a common oppressor,” he said of the Palestinian people. “We are as much a part of them as they are a part of us.”

The sit-in was an act of solidarity and an attempt to raise awareness among AUB students who may feel disinterested in the events taking place.

With the Israeli forces restricting food, water, construction, electricity, medical supplies and other necessities, residents of Gaza must carry

on as best as they can in inadequate living conditions.

“The bare minimum we can do is to show our solidarity with the people of Gaza,” said Bu Jawdeh, “especially since we are living in far better conditions and with far more privileges than they are. It is our duty to make use of these privileges to help as much as we can.”

“It’s important to consider that it’s not just this incident,” said Khaled Rifai, another student in attendance. “The people of Gaza need their voices heard.”

The chants, songs, and slogans that swept through the crowd under the midday sun echoed Rifai’s sentiments.

As well as a cry for justice for Gaza, there were expressions of resistance against perceived colonialist and imperialist forces and influences that have shaped conflict in the region. But most of all, these were chants against silence in the face of atrocities and injustice.

The attendance addresses the fact that the issue of Palestine is a human issue that transcends borders, religions, and political parties.

Despite the several altercations that took place at the sitin, it was the unified voices of those in attendance that stood out above and beyond political tensions.

Elena Grissom Assia Noureddine Hashem Osserian Karen Sertin Carla Sertin Nerses Arslenian Richard Le Vay Al-Zahraa Majed Sarah Dirani Rana Harbi Nour Shurbaji Ghida Ismail Nadeem Bilani Noura Hamzeh

Sara Sobh Diala Ahwash Zaynab Jaber Deedee Jilani Haya Atassi Farah Bieni Ahmad Osman Cartoonists Ghassan Nassar Jad Jari Maya Ayache

Viewpoints . 7

November 21, 2012

September 26, 2012

Celebrate the hero, not the celebrity Nadeem Bilani Staff Writer

I’ve always wondered about the way celebrities are treated in the world today.

Musicians, actors and artists have maneuvered their way to the top of media headlines, establishing themselves as figures who are admired and envied by the masses.

We all have a favorite celebrity, whose work we greatly enjoy. But do these figures really deserve to be idolized the way that they are?

In a lot of ways, the way celebrities portray themselves can paint a skewed picture about what is perceived to be “normal.” Their platform gives them the ability to effect social change, but this doesn’t mean they necessarily do so with the best intentions.

It’s no doubt that when Britney Spears loops around a stripper pole at a music award show, or when the Kardashians broadcast their shallow, sensationalized outlandishness in weekly episodes, someone somewhere in the world

is going to be affected, and not in a healthy way.

Celebrities have the power to glamorize, and this can affect a younger generation of more easily influenced individuals.

These celebrities can dictate how we should look and act, and what we should believe.

Last year, Eminem and Rihanna received flack from critics when they released the video to their hit single ‘Love The Way You Lie,’ starring Megan Fox and English actor Dominic Monaghan. The video was accused of presenting an abusive relationship in a type of dramatized romance.

Whether the video was actually guilty of this, or if it simply intended to touch on the important issue of domestic violence, a greater issue is raised: Should celebrities be held more responsible for their work or should they have freedom to express whatever they choose?

At the end of the day, many of these individuals in the spotlight make as many mistakes as we do, so what is it about fame that entails

being placed on a pedestal?

Is it simply that we can relate to them in some way?

It’s not that I condemn fascination with the lifestyles of the rich and famous. I just believe that it becomes an issue when this interest distracts from other things that young people need to be thinking about.

How about switching the channel from that “reality” show you’re watching to the news every once in a while?

It’s important to realize that the world isn’t such a happy, liberated place as we sometimes pretend it to be.

Every day, thousand of children succumb to hunger, violence and the pains of war.

Authorities fail their publics, people are discriminated against and millions suffer from incurable diseases.

Let’s celebrate the real heroes: leaders, philanthropists, teachers and doctors of the world, not the celebrity.

Anyway, why some people actually care that Robert Pattinson and that “actress” from Twilight broke up is beyond my comprehension.

Sixty-nine years ago this week, the Lebanese national flag was raised for the first time in the town of Bechamoun.

Nowadays, it is important that all Lebanese citizens and leaders remember what happened nearly seven decades ago.

We should think of the two main factors that allowed our forefathers to succeed in making it come true. These are factors that our country needs to consider right now to overcome obstacles and recall its days of glory.

The first factor that helped us reach independence was the ultimate goal of a national benefit for all. France, like any other nation that tried to dominate Lebanon, emphasized the divisions between its representatives.

When newly-elected prime minister of independence, Riad El Solh, and the president of independence, Bechara El Khoury, were imprisoned in

the Rashaya fortress, they did not allow pressure or greed to come between them.

French generals tried to convince each one of the two men individually to abandon the other for greater political power. Both leaders, however, did not fall for the French trap and remained focused on what mattered.

Lebanon and its independence meant more for our grandfathers than personal gain. This is what Lebanese politicians nowadays do not consider.

The second factor that led to Lebanese sovereignty is unity.

Lebanon in the fall of 1943 was able to unite each and every one of its 18 constituent sects in support of one objective. Arabs and Armenians, men and women, poor or rich, all agreed to stand hand-in-hand with one another in a countrywide alliance.

Muslim party El-Najjadeh and Christian party El-Kataeb joined forces under the combined headship of Sheikh

Karen Sertin Staff Writer & Photographer It is usually generalized that women are obsessed with becoming skinny and looking a certain way to fit the definition of “perfect.”

However, in recent years, it seems that men have been aspiring to that as well.

It’s one thing to want to feel good about yourself and to aspire to be healthy and fit, but it’s another thing to want to be “perfect” and actually believing there is such a thing as “perfect” to begin with.

Also, it is extreme when women take pills (while possibly doing other things) to become thin, rather than exercise and actually act healthily. The same thing applies to men—it’s extreme when they overwork their bodies to a point where they may be harming themselves, or taking steroids just to look bulky.

Exercising is supposed to be a means of becoming healthier and more fit. A perk of exercising is that no matter what kind of workout a person likes, be it swimming,

basketball, running, football and so on, it relieves stress.

Exercising is a great way to forget about life’s problems and release all the anxiety that has been building up inside a person’s head all day. People feel good about themselves after finishing a tiring workout because of endorphins they release.

And so the more regularly a person exercises, when a day comes that they don’t exercise for whatever reason, they may actually feel guilty. This is a positive thing, because it means that the person’s body feels the need to exercise, which would in turn make the person healthier and fit.

The key thing in this situation is to never overdo it.

There have to be days when people give their bodies rest from vigorous exercise.

No one should have to try to fit into anyone’s definition of “perfect,” because there is no such thing. I do not understand why anyone would go to the gym or go through drastic measures just to fit a silly definition that does not even exist.

Umbrellievable Sara Sobh them to be there when they

Reclaiming the Days of Glory Frederic Abou Jaoude Staff Writer

Why I go to the gym

Pierre Gemayel to fight against the French.

Unfortunately, agreement, accord and unanimity are qualities that Lebanon badly needs today.

With the Lebanese statesmen aiming for national benefit inside the Rashaya fortress on one hand, and the Lebanese party leaders uniting the Lebanese population on the other, Lebanon gained its independence.

After almost 70 years, a lot can be learned from the “old days.” Today, Lebanon needs responsible political figures like Riad El Solh, Bechara El Khoury, Cheikh Pierre Gemayel, Saeb Salam, Abdul Hamid Karami and Camille Chamoun.

Lebanon needs steadfast officials to remind us what it was like in 1943. Maybe then the days of glory would return.

Staff Writer

Making your way to and from classes at AUB on a rainy winter day is a nightmare, to say the least.

We’ve all arrived to class soaked a few times, and one might wonder why. Do students not use umbrellas?

I assure you that it is not the case. We buy umbrellas, and plenty of them. However, keeping the umbrellas, well, that’s another story.

The first reason that we have a hard time sticking to one umbrella all winter is that they simply do not last.

It’s not rare to see students’ umbrellas suddenly flip inside out. Maybe two umbrellas per student need replacement due to breakage every winter season.

The first reason is inevitable but the second is not. The number of umbrellas stolen daily at AUB is ridiculous. Students leave their wet umbrellas in designated areas and expect

come back. They are usually mistaken.

Watch out, AUBites.

Experienced students know never to leave their umbrellas in the box by Jafet library’s entrance. People casually walk by pick up a random umbrella and walk out. It’s a cycle. Someone steals your umbrella, so you, in turn, steal someone else’s umbrella and the tragedy goes on.

Since we cannot control the theft, let us work against it. Instead of buying a plain, black umbrella, may I suggest you buy a very bizarre one?

No one is going to steal a noticeable neon green umbrella with pink polka dots on it and walk through AUB publicly. This may seem awkward, but it is better to be embarrassed than wet.

Keep your eye on your umbrella and never leave it in a public place. The stealth of a student trying to avoid an unwanted shower should never be underestimated.

8 . Outloud September 26, 2012

November 21, 2012

Now that the election results are out, what are your expectations for this year?

Students

Abkar Abkarian, Fourth year, Civil Engineering Changes are going to happen, but they are going to be almost not noticeable. That’s what I’ve seen in the past two or three years at AUB. There are changes, but they’re always very small.

Ahmad Abdulrahman, Freshman: I'm really hoping the new USFC will do some good changes to the University, especially in the dorms.

USFC Members

Anthony Tayoun, FEA: Instead of having expectations based on hopes and beliefs, we have plans. Plans to hear demands, make voices heard and implement changes.

Ramzi Taybah, FEA: As part of the new USFC, we will be working on making AUB a better campus and a better home for those living on campus. The dorms unfortunately have been neglected in the previous years. I will work personally on bringing up the issues concerning dorms.

Angelique Chartouni, Sophomore, Business: I don’t really think it’s going to be better a better year for students.

Elie Khalife, FM: Nothing's ever going to get better without the positive input of every student. It all begins with them. Our job is to make what they think is best for the university and for themselves come true.

Fouad Hayek, Freshman: As a first year student in AUB, I think it’s going to be a pretty good year. I’m just waiting to see, but I’m not expecting much.

Hadi Hamade, HSON: Winning USFC has given me a chance to provide what's best for my colleagues and I am honored to do so.

Karma Osman, Sophomore, Business I believe the people I voted for from my old school will make changes, but as a university, I don't anticipate many drastic changes after the elections.

Eliana Bassil, FAS: You have the right not to anticipate drastic changes; however, I ask you to look forward, with the help of SRCs and USFCs, to cause mere changes. Mere changes will eventually add up and result in nothing but a significant alteration. Your friends in school are our friends in university. People with similar goals and objectives usually stick together. Please trust in our mission,trust in our united ballot.

November 21, 2012

Outloud · 9 September 26, 2012

Now that the election results are out, what are your expectations for this year?

Students

Mohammad Majd Itani, Economics, Junior: I don’t expect anything new.

Every coalition promises new things, but we’ll never know what was achieved.

As an economics student, they promised to change the degree from a BA to a BS but that never happened.

USFC Members

Lama Ghanem, FAS: As one of the candidates of the secular club, one clear difference is that we are not affiliated with any of the main two coalitions.

Our main role is to represent students, who have not seen any tangible results. We hope to achieve this is by lobbying to create a mechanism by which each SRC and USFC members will be evaluated on their performance and held accountable after each academic year.

Nader Suleiman, Junior, Business: No one really cares about the students. We used to have a Cupcakery in OSB, but now we don’t, so I guess the situation is getting worse.

Nabil Zantout, OSB: I don't think measuring the situation with cupcakes is fair but i can understand why some believe no one cares. Although some candidates don't care about the students, the vast majority does.

But these are either restrained by their position's limited power or the political conflict that cancels out any improvement attempts from either sides. Let's hope this is not the case this year...

Nerses Arslanian, Sophomore, Political Studies: I didn’t follow the elections this year but I hope there will be some improvements.

I am slightly optimistic.

Karim Akiki, OSB: Nerses, I am sure that this year the USFC is going to improve our university, your optimistic attitude is in the right place:) However, if you have some suggestions I would like to meet up and listen to few of them.

Noor Hmadeh, Senior, Public Administration & Rola Ghaddar, Nutrition, Senior: I didn’t vote but hopefully some improvements will be made.

I didn’t vote either, but I think it’s going be a good year for students.

Hussein Ismail, FAS: Hopefully we will improve the university and if you have any ideas please let me know.

Tala Shtayyeh and Rhea Ghali, Business: I don’t really have any expectations. I had high expectations last year but none of them came true.

The people I voted for told me they would fix many things, but they didn’t.

Emily Field, FHS: I can’t speak for your unachieved expectations last year, but I can for this. You can call/text/email me anytime and I promise to listen and do my best to help make USFC and AUB more accountable and representative to you and the rest of its students.

10 . Arts and Culture September 26, 2012

Hamra personality of the week: Abu Ali Mada Subaiti Photography Editor

Hamra is an area that’s alive and buzzing with energy on every corner.

The places you least expect to have any significance hold tremendous history and character. An example of such a spot is the corner sidewalk across of Le Sam and beside Universal Snack.

Taking a second glance, you’ll notice this corner is someone’s office for a few hours a day.This someone is Abu Ali, a local valet parking attendant for many AUB students.

Ali has been working in the valet parking business since 1991, starting in a restaurant called Lighthouse on Raouche. He soon moved his way up to Bliss, working as the valet for several restaurants until he created his own valet business to better support his wife and kids. His children all attend schools, and only one of his sons works one day a week.

He doesn’t want his kids working this young—he would prefer them to work in the future with their degrees rather than at the sort of job they could find now. This is especially so since he’s healthy enough to work himself and is capable of letting them focus on their studies.

When asked why he chose to be a valet all these years, he said he has a passion for cars and how they work. He claims to be very knowledgeable in auto repair, and says he enjoys helping others with their car problems when he can.

Ali has seen AUB students come and go for several years and has come to respect the majority of the student body.

“Most of the students come from good families and have been raised with manners,” he said.

When it comes to his customers, Ali ranks them highly. He maintains a close friendship with them, cracking jokes and sometimes engaging in intense conversations. He's even had the opportunity to meet some students' parents and create

Photo by Heather Jaber a friendly relationship with them too. He manages to keep in touch with some of his AUB graduate customers through mutual friends.

He carries a proud head on his shoulders, and says he doesn’t want to be associated with those who do not have self-respect. He advises students to improve themselves, as he did to one customer by telling her to quit smoking. He says he doesn’t want them to fall into problems in front of him, so he attempts to remind the students of their family to help motivate them as he would his own children.

Ali treats his customers so personally at times, that it leads him into compelling scenarios. He told a story of when a customer of his, whom he recalls as being a very cheerful girl, got quite sick one day. She toppled over in front of him, and asked him to help her because she was feeling too sick. He ended up pausing his daily routine and job to drive her to her house and help her home to her parents.

He believes he’s responsible for his customers and wants to treat them and their cars with the utmost care. Ali claims to have had many problems and situations in his life, but he remains a positive thinker. He says he prefers to put aside the stories that upset him, and he knows that life needs the sour moments so that we learn to appreciate the sweetness it gives in turn.

November 21, 2012

Affleck impresses as Argo director Richard Le Vay Staff Writer Ben Affleck has come along way since Pearl Harbor and the famous line from Team America’s love song: “I need you more than Ben Affleck needs acting school.” His reputation as a director and leading man was cemented by 2010’s The Town.

Argo is a more-thanadequate follow up. The movie, already hotly tipped for Academy Awards season next year, is a thriller that captures the tense atmosphere of the Iranian hostage crisis over 1979-80 with aplomb.

The first five minutes of the film are enough to allay any fears that this is another Hollywood flick in which a dashing hero saves Americans from a horde of mindless angry Muslims. To be sure, the film has plenty of angry Muslims - this is the Iranian revolution after all but these are put in context, with the audience made fully aware of the Mossadiq coup and the Shah’s decadence.

Meanwhile, Affleck himself sports a beard that at least partially covers the chiselled good looks.

The action itself is tense, depicting the US embassy with a pace that is relentless, being stormed by protesters if not frenetic. You are pulled and the rush to shred into sympathy for the six documents. Extensive use of Americans being sheltered contemporary news footage is by the Canadian ambassador, also successfully incorporated with time running out into the movie, helping to before they are discovered create a more authentic by zealous Revolutionary early 80s vibe. The excellent Guards. moustaches are similarly vital The film’s hook, the story in achieving this. of the CIA smuggling an Affleck has created a operative into Iran under satisfying and emotionally the pretence of filming a complex thriller that manages fake Hollywood movie, also to faithfully recreate a period allows for some excellent locale (in spite of the Tehran light relief. Some great onescenes being filmed in LA), liners are provided by Alan aided by solid supporting Arkin’s washed up studio performances from the likes mogul, who finds purpose of John Goodman and Bryan once more in his life by Cranston. helping the operation.

The first 10 minutes the movie’s Hollywood segment does perhaps suffer from the sheer volume of Beverly Hills in-jokes that become a little tedious after a while, however. “You think the Ayatollah’s scary, you should try the WGA...” is perhaps the worst offender.

Affleck’s direction is impressive, particularly the free-form, almost journalistic style in which Source: argothemovie.warnermost of the action is filmed. bros.com This is especially effective in the film’s opening scene

Book Review: Superman is an Arab Nour Turkmani Contributing Writer “Superman is an Arab,” written by Lebanese journalist, translator and poet Joumana Haddad, is one of those strikingly audacious and bold books that the reader can’t put down, whether they agree with the author or not.

As a sequel to her first book, “I Killed Scheherazade: Confessions of an Angry Arab,” Haddad’s book once again rises to the occasion by giving the reader a truthfully harsh insight to the sexist and corrupt world we live in today.

With each chapter divided into three parts: The poem, The rant and The narrative, Haddad manages to appeal to the emotional, logical and explanatory perspective. The chapters vividly and lucidly discuss controversial issues

such as God, monotheism, love, the Arab Spring, sex and, in her words, “other disastrous inventions.”

The most illuminating element of this book is the nakedness with which the author writes, disregarding the hate mail or threats she usually receives.

Believing that all stories have a beginning, Haddad claims that the patriarchal, besmirched world began with fear. She then goes from concept to concept and finally ends with the world we live in today.

Haddad’s insertion of personal anecdotes, insightful quotes by revered people and collected information and statistics over the years blend together in her book to give the reader a comprehensive and well-formed outlook on important issues.

Being the true feminist she is, she aims for a world

where men and women would have equal (but not similar) rights. She also aims for a world-wide revolution against machismo and refers to the revolutions taking place today not as a spring but rather as a winter since it is not a true depiction of an uprising.

The final part of the book serves as a wistful encapsulation dedicated to the unheard voices of other people. It involves an assortment of stories by various women and men, ranging from Palestinian housewife Heba K. who was married at 16 to a man 21 years older than she, to Lebanese salesperson Nada K. who was molested by her religious uncle as a child.

Despite its successes, this book might be too full of hurtful rants against personal beliefs for some tastes.

Columns · 11

November 21, 2012

September 26, 2012

Tech column Food column Health column Environmental column: How Sany Farajalla Staff Writer RAM: RAM is the computer’s short term memory; it determines how many programmes you can run.

Most programmes don’t demand a lot of RAM, so 2 to 4 GB is sufficient to have, but, as always, more is better.

RAM is unique though, because it has an upper limit.

Unless you’re going to use professional graphical editing software, 16GB of RAM is the maximum you need.

RAM also has clocking speeds, which you can imagine as little hamsters running on wheels inside of your processor. The average clock speed of RAM is 1333MHz, but it’s quickly being replaced by 1600MHz or even 1866MHz. While not as important as the amount of RAM, it’s still worth paying a little extra for more speed.

Smart phones and tablets have an average of 1GB in RAM. For example, 16GB of RAM at 1600MHz is better than 8GB of RAM at 1866MHz, but worse than 16GB at 1866MHz. Storage: Storage is the computer’s long term memory and is split into two categories: Hard Drive Disks (HDDs) and Solid State Drives (SSDs).

Hard drives store your files on a small disk, which are then spun to be read. It’s why you hear the “vwiiiiiii” sound when your computer starts up. Standard Hard Drives can store anything from 320GB to 3TB of data, with 750GB being the standard – although some can store as much as 1TB. HDDs can store data easily and relatively cheaply.

Solid State drives are basically a gigantic version of the SD cards you put in cameras or phones. They run quietly and have no moving parts. This means they are less likely to break and make your computer cooler.

They are also a lot more expensive and tend to store less than hard drives, but are much safer for your data.

Mohamad Sibai Staff Writer

Protein is one of our body’s most important energy sources. It is synthesized for energy that we need for activities of the day. There are many protein sources, like meat, cheese, peanuts and fish.

The most nourishing of all, though, is the insect.

That small brown cockroach you just squashed last night is very high in protein and very beneficial to your body.

These bugs are a common and very popular dish in China and Malaysia. Flour from dried and ground mealworm is used to make chocolate chip cookies. Insects have become a “spice” that is added to many soups, appetizers and rice associated dishes.

Insects also provide very important fatty acids and vitamins.

They have even been compared, not surprisingly, to chicken. In fact, 100 grams of crickets contain 121 calories. Caterpillars are a better source of protein than meat, as the average amount of protein in caterpillars is around 28 grams per 100 grams whereas meat is at around 20 grams per 100 grams.

In Europe, insects are becoming a yummy part of people’s lives. Casu Marzu is an Italian delicacy that is served in the city of Sardinia. It is composed of cheese that is home to live insect larvae. These larvae are added to the cheese to increase the level of fermentation, at which point the cheese’s fats are broken down. These tiny worms are hyperactive and jumpy. They can even leap up to half a foot if you aren’t quick enough.

Antoine Ayoub Staff Writer

As one of the top consumer products in the world, sodas have made their way into almost every household. However, these tasty carbonated drinks have a lot of catches to them.

Drinking soda causes a strange imbalance in the body’s chemistry, which leads to fat buildup around skeletal muscles and the liver. Don’t think that you can escape this by drinking diet sodas. They contain aspartame, which causes an increase in blood glucose (sugar) levels, facilitating the conversion of sugar to fat and adding to your weight.

Other artificial sweeteners may not affect humans since we can’t break them down, but neither can nature hydrolyze them.

Their buildup in nature will interfere with other animals’ feeding habits and work its way up, back to our bodies again.

The source of the tangy flavor we all like, phosphoric acid, also has a catch to it.

High levels of phosphoric acid cause heart and kidney problems. This has recently become significant since manufacturers have increased its amount to proportionally extend the shelf life of sodas.

Other chemicals in sodas have been linked to cancer in animals, especially artificial coloring agents.

As a result, the Center for Science and Public Interest petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of such purely cosmetic colorants.

Finally and saving the best for last, the epoxy resin used to line the aluminum soda cans is known to interfere with one’s hormone balance, leading to everything from obesity to infertility.

Some soda companies are attempting to switch to plastic bottles, but slowly degrading plastics are a source of pollution and will throw the option back in with the resin.

I’m just saying, readers, cut back as much as you can.

Lebanon fails to make use of rainfall Kanzi Kamel and Yara Zeitoun News Executive and Staff Writer

As the dusty summer gives way to the crisp chill of autumn, the telltale signs of the coming winter in Beirut have resurfaced. The brief intervals of pounding rain and refreshing winds mark the seasons, we are once again up to our necks—sometimes almost literally—in the most essential resource: water.

My excitement for the weather was short-lived as I stumbled into what felt like a meter-deep puddle of rainwater mixed with the grime of the asphalt on the “squeaky clean” streets of Beirut.

Blissful though the rain may be, Lebanese infrastructure hardly caters to the enormous yearly rainfall. My damp socks can attest to this.

Despite the consistency of the rainfall every year, Lebanese authorities fail to acknowledge the terrible road infrastructures and sewage systems that inevitably flood the streets of Beirut after every storm. The result is a sad waste of freshwater that could otherwise be used.

Though other countries have mastered the art of recycling and reusing rainwater, Lebanon has yet to introduce such technology into its infrastructure. Rainwater fills potholes, is sullied in the filth streets and washes into the sea, where it mixes with unusable saltwater.

Rainwater harvesting is growing increasingly common around the world, especially in areas with long, dry summer months, where the captured water is used for graywater purposes like flushing toilets.

But beyond ignoring this

precious and fought-over resource, Lebanon’s lack of drainage systems is repeatedly the cause of accidents, fissures and general inconveniences. Almost annually, tunnels, valleys and underground spots are flooded after storms. Together with the archaic electrical network, oor drainage can result in perilous situations that many are unable to avoid.

One must acknowledge the irony of the situation as the country is flooded in the winter season, yet suffers from water shortages in the summer. The obvious solution would be to simply to store the water in times of excess, and utilize it in times of need.

AUB has its own method of water storage, located on the roof of Hostler. Rainwater is directed into crevices and recirculated for other uses. If Lebanon were to apply the same forethought in its infrastructure generally, perhaps money would be directed from unnecessary water tanks toward worthier endeavours.

Both the streets of Beirut and my socks (and the footwear of many others) will surely be grateful for such an improvement.

12 . Entertainment

November 21, 2012

September 26, 2012

Riddle

Poem

Source: trickyriddles.com

Anonymous Some furies paralyze all other muscles.

Nothing else contracts then. Just that grip, tightening and loosening, like the seasons, tells our time. It beats beyond the heart.

It trembles like the fundamental lip.

Its justice is our only possible art.

It cannot slack within our fingertips until, all worn, they’ve clawed out and apart whatever demon in man breeds such delusions that, slaughtering innocents, he thinks he wrestles God, and dreams he climbs each corpse towards angels.

You're in a mansion and the power's out. You see a green door and a red door. Pick one (it doesn't matter which.) Now you see a purple door and a orange door. Pick one (again, it doesn't matter which you pick). Now you see a door with a golden handle and a door with a silver handle. Pick one. You finally come to some signs on three doors. One says "Death from drowning," another says "Death from machine guns," and the last one says "Death from electric chair." Then you see a big sign off to the side that says "Or stay in the mansion and starve to death." What do you choose and still live?

Answer: Pick the door with the electric chair. Remember, the power is out?

Sudoku Source: websudoku.com

Maze Designed by Frederick Abou Jaoude

‫‪ . ١3‬منوعات‬ ‫‪26‬ترشين األ ّول‪2012 ،‬‬

‫‪ 21‬تشرين الثاني‪2012 ،‬‬

‫كل عام و �أنت �أملي‪ ..‬غزة‬

‫أماني اّ‬ ‫علن‬ ‫متطوعة‬ ‫كاتبة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫مرة أخرى غزة حتت احلصار‪..‬‬ ‫و تستنكر؟ أحقاً؟ هل حقق‬ ‫استنكارك نصرا ً و لو ملرة واحدة؟‬ ‫و أنا لصغر حيلتي أجلس مكذ ًبة‬ ‫هذا اخلبر‪ ..‬أي مرة هي يجرح‬ ‫بها وطن و يغتصبون كرامته‬ ‫على مرأى منكم و مسمع و‬ ‫تستنكرون‪..‬‬ ‫بحكم دمي الفلسطيني و نخوة‬ ‫تورثت لنا باللغة‬ ‫العروبة التي ّ‬ ‫يوجعني قلبي على حصار غرة‪..‬‬ ‫و أنا بكل هواجسي يغلب علي‬ ‫الطفل في داخلي ليصرخ بكم‪:‬‬ ‫ملاذا؟‬ ‫و خبر قصف آخر يأتي قبل أن‬ ‫يرتد إلي طرفي‪ ..‬و أتذكر بشاعة‬ ‫اللجوء و جمال العودة يوما‬ ‫ما إليها‪ ،‬فلسطني‪ ..‬إليها غزة‬ ‫اجلريحة‪ ..‬هي اآلن حتت احلصار‪..‬‬ ‫سماؤها ستمطر شهداء و‬ ‫ثكلى‪ ..‬و يجلس أولياء األمر فينا‬ ‫يستنكرون‪ ..‬أو ال تدري طعم‬ ‫اخليبة؟ شعور أن خيبتك تكبر‬ ‫يصبح‬ ‫كل عام و وطنك يَبع ُد و‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫أجملَ كلَ عام و تعجز عن‬ ‫تخفيف جراحه؟‬

‫لست أدري ما الذي في طباعك‬ ‫فيراك‬ ‫الصعبة يا غزة يغري املوت‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫حليفه ؟ األ يبصر املوت حماقة‬ ‫احملتل أيضاً؟ أحاللٌ عليك املوت و‬ ‫حرام عليهم؟‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫و ال يغادر فكري للحظة‬ ‫“إنسانية” الكيان الصهيوني و‬ ‫“أحقيته” بسالم و أمان عادل‪..‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫و ال يغيب عن بالي الظلم الذي‬ ‫جتاوز الستني عاما عمراً‪ ..‬و طوال ً‬ ‫و عرضا ً و مساح ًة في خاصرة‬ ‫فلسطني‪ ..‬و ال وجوه أطفال‬ ‫احلجارة الذين ال يزيدون عن‬ ‫أطفال الناس العاديني بشيء و ال‬ ‫ينقصون‪ ..‬و لكن هو قدر أحمق‬ ‫الذي ابتالنا بهذا العدو الفاجر‪..‬‬ ‫طفل أعزل‬ ‫و ياله من عدو نظرة‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫بكف ِه حجر ٌ تخيفه و هو خلف‬ ‫املدرعات املشيدة‪..‬‬ ‫في أغلب األحيان‪ ،‬ما يحيرني‬ ‫و أجلس هنا بال سالح سوى‬ ‫شعاع أمل‪ ..‬وطني على نفس‬ ‫خط البحر الذي يتوج نافذتي و‬ ‫أتنهد‪ ..‬فكيف يكون هذا الوطن‬ ‫قريبا ً كل القرب و بعيدا ً كمنفى‬ ‫و أنا هنا أشعر بأني الغريب‪..‬‬ ‫فما رأيته من وطني كان دما ً و‬

‫مطر اجلامع ِة ُيف�شي امل�ستور‬ ‫ُ‬

‫جورج حاصباني‬ ‫كاتب صحافي‬

‫‪ ...‬وفي اجلامعة مُتطر فتتراخى‬ ‫وميهد‬ ‫دعائم ُس َتراحلقائق‪ّ ،‬‬ ‫لوصول ظاهر ﹴة‬ ‫سكون األرجاء‬ ‫ﹺ‬ ‫دخيل ﹴة‪ .‬عندئ ﹴذ‪ ،‬تتم ّدد رقعة‬ ‫الظّالم ويَختلط ظالم ح ّدة‬ ‫فبظالم‬ ‫البرد بظالم املظالت‪،‬‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫الظواهر‬ ‫هوةﹲ‬ ‫اجلامعية لتتجلّى ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ظالمي ﹲة مَتنحنا حزم ﹰة جديدةﹰ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫للكتاب ﹺة عن جوانبها‪.‬في اجلامعة‬ ‫مُتطر فتطوف املمرّات باألصوات‬ ‫وتنسحب النداءات من جوهر‬ ‫ازدحامات اخلارج‪ .‬في حضرة‬ ‫األمطار‪ ،‬يَعود اجلميع إلى شاطئ‬ ‫االفتتاحية وكأ ّن األمطارحلّت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ضيفا ﹰ مريعا ﹰ أحال اجلميع إلى‬ ‫عُ زلة عقاب اخلطأة‪.‬‬ ‫الحظوا معي‪ ...‬مُتطر ويَنطرح‬ ‫استئناف‬ ‫عمالُ التنظيفات على‬ ‫ﹺ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫لدواع‬ ‫ها‬ ‫أخلو‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ال‬ ‫التزاماتهم‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫عمال‬ ‫شبه غامض ٍة‪ .‬مُتطر ويداوم ّ‬ ‫التصليحات ِورَشهم ال ّتي عانت‬ ‫الفراغ منذ أن غابوا‪ .‬في املكتبة‪،‬‬ ‫تَنبلج وجو ﹲهعامل ﹲة لم يَستأنس‬

‫ر�سالة منتقمة‬ ‫أعداد قتلى على شاشة تلفاز‬ ‫في من وطني شظايا‬ ‫صماء‪ ..‬و ّ‬ ‫تتمنى لو لم تستقيظ لتسمع‬ ‫أشالء في‬ ‫سقوط شهداء غزة‪ ..‬و‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫بعضي ترى مقاومة هذا الشعب‬ ‫ثملُ بها التاريخ‬ ‫سي َ‬ ‫أسطورة َ‬ ‫قروناً‪ ..‬فلعمرك لن مير على أطفال‬ ‫األرض أطفالٌ مثل أطفالها غزة‪..‬‬ ‫شيوخا ً بتجاربهم‪ ..‬شهداء ال‬ ‫محالة‪ ..‬خطايا لزالت القدر‪..‬‬ ‫يرجتف قلمي حائرا ً من أي ي ٍد‬ ‫يقبلك و يأخذ بخاطرك يا غزة‪..‬‬ ‫هو العجز أدري‪ ..‬هو الضعف‬ ‫ممكن و رمبا الهوان‪ ..‬و أدري‬ ‫قد مللتي األبجدية بحروفها‬ ‫الثمانية و العشرين‪ ..‬لكن أال‬ ‫تدرين‪ ..‬هو القلب يخاف نسيانك‬ ‫و يخاف األلم فيخط اسمك بني‬ ‫ت و صح‬ ‫احلروف لعل و عسى عد ِ‬ ‫األمل‪..‬‬

‫الزهراء ماجد‬ ‫علي أن أحب أقل لكي‬ ‫هل كان‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أبقى على الشاطئ اآلمن منك؟‬ ‫اختذلت كل ما أملك لفرط‬ ‫اشتياقي للحظة عابرة‪ ،‬أحاكي‬ ‫فيها الصبر أمامك‪..‬‬ ‫وماذا عن الصبر؟ وماذا عن‬ ‫االستسالم‪..‬؟‬ ‫ها أنا أمللم بقايا جرح مكسور‬ ‫وقلب مكسور‪..‬‬ ‫وبي ألف سبب للرحيل‪.‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫هل أستطيع أن أرحل؟‬ ‫عاتبني الكبرياء وأن ّبني‪ ..‬فما‬ ‫قدرت على الدفاع‪.‬‬ ‫لم أجد أضعف من محام عن‬ ‫نفوس البشر يفقد قدرة الدفاع‬ ‫أمام هازمه عشقيا‪.‬‬ ‫مللت‪.‬‬ ‫وكذا كلّ أعضائي ملّت‪..‬‬ ‫ضعف قلبي‪ ،‬كثرة النبضات‪،‬‬ ‫كع ّداء يعدو وراء اخليبات‬ ‫املستمرة‪.‬‬ ‫تأنيب عقلي‪.‬‬ ‫رجفة يدي‪.‬‬

‫بصر مغازلتها‪ .‬وفي النادي‪ ،‬يَظهر عاجالﹰ للعودة إلى ودِّ اخلارج‪ .‬لذلك‪ ،‬باملظالت املرتعش ِة بردا ﹰ وتطفو‬ ‫الكراسي لتلعب‬ ‫املعاطف على‬ ‫فعلى التّالميذ حصر َ أسئلتهم‬ ‫مدرّبون جدد يَعرضون اخلدمات‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫دور اجلمرة املتقّ​ّ دة في مسرحية‬ ‫ألوقات دو ّي العواصف لتنضب‬ ‫أما‬ ‫وينسقون التمارين‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫الفنية‪ّ .‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫درب األعاصير‪ .‬في هذا املوضع‪،‬‬ ‫تلك األسئلة على األساتذة‬ ‫العمال الباقون‪ ،‬فينسحبون‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ﹰ‬ ‫البعض يَنظرإلى ثواني الساعة‪،‬‬ ‫هطول حبيبات الغيث‬ ‫ة‬ ‫برفق‬ ‫املزعمة‬ ‫مراتعهم‬ ‫من‬ ‫ا‬ ‫تدريجي‬ ‫ﹺ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫بريق احلبيب‬ ‫في‬ ‫نصهر‬ ‫ي‬ ‫البعض‬ ‫املتبخترة‪.‬‬ ‫املقاعد‬ ‫وعلى‬ ‫األشجار‬ ‫حتت‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫أو احلبيبة‪ ،‬والبعض يُعير إصغاءه‬ ‫بحج ِة التدخني‬ ‫أنشؤوها‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ال ّت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫حبيبات‬ ‫أما التّالميذ فيتقاسمون ألوا َن‬ ‫تنكب‬ ‫ويواصلون واجباتهم‪ .‬كما‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫للجدران لتجذبه نقرات ْ‬ ‫الوابل‪.‬‬ ‫والصفوف واملقاهي‪.‬‬ ‫املكتبات‬ ‫على‬ ‫موظّ فات مكاتبﹺ املباني‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫في املكتبات‪ ،‬تتش ّتت الكتب‬ ‫فراق‬ ‫التدقيق بأوراقهن بعد ٕ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫‪...‬وفي اجلامعة مُتطر فتجد من‬ ‫وتُش ّن الوشوشات عليها‬ ‫شمسي طويل‪ .‬وبهذا‪ ،‬يَكتمل‬ ‫ّٕ‬ ‫نكب الكلّ‬ ‫ويتله ُف‬ ‫يتأمل باجلامع ﹺة‬ ‫العمل في اجلامعة وتخطو دورة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫كغارات أُحادي ّ ٍة‪ .‬ي َ ّ‬ ‫مثلي ّ‬ ‫ت األوقات سهواﹰ‪ .‬ففي‬ ‫حتصيللدراسة والتدقيق‬ ‫على‬ ‫استقالت‬ ‫اإلجناز دورانها وهي ال ّتي‬ ‫على فوا ِ‬ ‫اﹺ‬ ‫جامعتنا من اليبالي مبصلح ِة‬ ‫املنسية منذ‬ ‫املسطرة‬ ‫باملقاطع‬ ‫احملسوبية‬ ‫بحجة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫الدوران يوما ﹰ ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ﹰ‬ ‫ﹰ‬ ‫يتقصى سوى‬ ‫ال‬ ‫ومن‬ ‫اجلامعة‬ ‫في‬ ‫املاضية‪.‬‬ ‫االمتحانات‬ ‫فترة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫فقي‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫سند‬ ‫الالمباالة‬ ‫واعتمدت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫قدوم عاصف ﹴة أخرى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫لها‪.‬‬ ‫الصفوف ‪ ،‬تكتمل صورة احلضور باحتماال ﹺ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ضطر‬ ‫في‬ ‫ه‬ ‫مزاج‬ ‫تزعزع‬ ‫قد‬ ‫أسماء‬ ‫األستاذ‬ ‫شطب‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ة‬ ‫مر‬ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬ ‫وأل‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ ّﹴ َ‬ ‫َ ُ‬ ‫ملداوم ﹺةعمله أو واجبه‪ .‬واإلدارة‬ ‫سجل في صفّ ه‪ .‬لذلك‪،‬‬ ‫الطقسالعاصف ‪ ،‬تُشرّع‬ ‫مع‬ ‫كل من ّ‬ ‫ﹺ‬ ‫ﹰ‬ ‫تتأمل وتفكّر وتكتب‪...‬‬ ‫مثلي‬ ‫بالعواصف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ولع‬ ‫األساتذة‬ ‫يهيم‬ ‫األساتذة‬ ‫دخل‬ ‫وي‬ ‫ُاملكاتب‬ ‫أبواب‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ألنَّ تلك الفترة هي الوحيدة ال ّتي ويَنتج عن ذلك انتشارالعدوى‬ ‫كوب‬ ‫األفاضل إليها‪ .‬يَعود‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫من احمليط‪ .‬فبالقرب منّا‪ ،‬توجد‬ ‫القهو ِة إلى محلّته بعد أن هاجر قد يُصادفون فيها صفوفهم‬ ‫رسمي ﹲة لم تُبدَّل فيها‬ ‫تَفيض بالتّالميذ بعد أن باشروا‬ ‫والصيف على منت‬ ‫خالل الرّبيع‬ ‫إدارات ﹲ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫إنارة الدخول منذ صيف ‪.1968‬‬ ‫أيادﹴمثقّ​ّ ف ﹴةإلى مساكن األحاديث بتشييد حلم االكتمال منذ‬ ‫الرسمية‪،‬‬ ‫عج املكاتب باألساتذة‪ ...‬أواخ ﹺر الرّبيع املنصرم‪ .‬في املقاهي‪ ،‬وفي تلك اإلدارات‬ ‫والهزل‪ .‬ت َ ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫حاج ﹲبمن مواليد عام ‪ 1934‬ما‬ ‫يَتفاقم منسوب املأكوالت‬ ‫حدق في حاسوبه‪،‬‬ ‫بعضهم ي ُ ّ‬ ‫بعضهم يَتخذ ُّ‬ ‫جتس ﹴس‬ ‫الهاتف هيكالﹰ له‪ ،‬وتغرق األصوات لتتوه األحاديث‬ ‫َ‬ ‫زال يَظ ّن أ ّن احلاسوب آل َة ّ‬ ‫أميركية‪ .‬والكثير ُ من املوظّ فني‬ ‫الزاوايا‬ ‫زدحم‬ ‫ت‬ ‫املرايا‪.‬‬ ‫أصداء‬ ‫في‬ ‫العاصفة‬ ‫إنتهاء‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َ‬ ‫وبعضهم يَتم ّ‬ ‫ّ‬

‫قدماي املنهمكتان بعد طول‬ ‫االنتظار‪..‬‬ ‫عيناي وموعدهما مع البكاء قبل‬ ‫النوم‪ ..‬منضبتتان بالوقت‪.‬‬ ‫وجهي الشاحب‪.‬‬ ‫هيأتي القويّة‪ ..‬كم تعبت من‬ ‫القوة‪..‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫كلّني ملل‪،‬‬ ‫وتعب‪.‬‬ ‫سأرحل‪.‬‬ ‫ولكن إليك‪.‬‬ ‫أر ّجع نفسي‪،‬‬ ‫ألنها تستحق‪.‬‬ ‫أمللم شظاياك الدائمة‪،‬‬ ‫أفرّغها في جمودك‪،‬‬ ‫أبرم النيران عليك‪،‬‬ ‫أقتلك‪ ..‬ألف مرّة‪.‬‬ ‫وأبكيك‪،‬‬ ‫ألف مرّة‪.‬‬ ‫خلسة‪.‬‬ ‫ثم أرحل‪.‬‬ ‫ومن ّ‬

‫واملدراء ّ‬ ‫الشغوفني بالعمل إلى‬ ‫حدِّ التكاتف إلسقاط العمل‬ ‫والثّبات في املهنة‪ .‬وبالقرب منّا‪،‬‬ ‫جامعات فرّخت باألمس وأمست‬ ‫ﹲ‬ ‫مراتب‬ ‫باحتالل‬ ‫تتحامق‬ ‫اليوم‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫عاملية‪ .‬وفي تلك اجلامعات‪،‬‬ ‫أولى‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫تالميذ ﹲ ال يتقنون التمييز بني‬ ‫الطاقة الذرّيّة ورئيس‬ ‫مكتشف ّ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫إسباني ﹴة‪ .‬هذا كلّه إلى‬ ‫عصاب ﹴة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫جانبنا‪ ،‬ونحن نتحنجل على‬ ‫ج التقليد‪ .‬مهالﹰ‪ ،‬بإمكاننا‬ ‫منه ِ‬ ‫التقصي عن حلﹴّناف ﹴذ‪ ...‬بإمكاننا‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫السمكة من اقتضاء‬ ‫إسعاف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫يتم هذا اإلجناد‬ ‫الزّوال‪ ،‬ولكن لن ّ‬ ‫الهنيهة‪ .‬علينا املكّث‬ ‫في هذه ُ‬ ‫وانتظار العاصف ِة الوافي ِة‬ ‫األخرى لنستحدث احللول ونعاود‬ ‫الكتابة‪...‬‬

‫‪ 21‬تشرين الثاني ‪2012‬‬

‫‪26‬ترشين األ ّول‪2012 ،‬‬

‫فل�سطني لنا �إىل �أبد الآبدين‪� .‬آمني‪.‬‬

‫اعت�صام‬

‫بوطن قومي‪ ،‬و أصبحنا قوما ً بال‬ ‫دياال أحوش‬ ‫وطن‪.‬‬ ‫أما بالنسبة للمرحلة ما بني‬ ‫كلما حاولت أن أكتب عن‬ ‫الوعد و النكبة‪ ،‬فهي الفترة‬ ‫فلسطني بطريقة علمية أو‬ ‫الواقعة بني إصدار حكم اإلعدام‬ ‫سياسية‪ ،‬أحاول سرد األحداث‪،‬‬ ‫التواريخ و عدد الشهداء؛ ينتهي و اليوم املقرر للتنفيذ‪ .‬و لكننا‬ ‫بي املطاف مبقاطع أدبية عاطفية‪ ،‬املتهم الوحيد على مر ّ التاريخ‬ ‫ثورية‪ ،‬مؤملة‪ .‬أعود و أراجع نفسي‪ ،‬الذي سارع إلى إثبات احلكم و‬ ‫ساعد في تنفيذه‪.‬‬ ‫أقول “يا بنت لتبيني احلق‪ ،‬الزم‬ ‫تتسلحي بالتاريخ و بالوقائع” و‬ ‫و ماذا بعد النكبة؟‬ ‫كل شيء بعيد عن ذلك يبقى‬ ‫توالت النكسات‪ ،‬و أصبحت‬ ‫كالما ً في الهواء‪ .‬أحاول مرة‬ ‫فلسطني عبارة عن كلمة حدود‬ ‫أخرى‪.‬‬ ‫و تواريخ‪.‬‬ ‫أقرأ التاريخ من جديد‪.‬‬ ‫حدود ال‪!48‬‬ ‫أبدأ بسايكس بيكو و تقسيم‬ ‫حدود ال‪!67‬‬ ‫املنطقة‪ .‬يومها ق ُ ّسمنا مناطق‬ ‫و الال حدود‪...‬‬ ‫حمراء‪ ،‬زرقاء‪ ،‬و بنية‪ .‬ضاعت‬ ‫ال حدود للظلم‪ ،‬للموت‪ .‬ال حدود‬ ‫لونوا‬ ‫الهوية‪ ،‬و بدأ عصر األلوان‪ّ .‬‬ ‫للمأساة‪.‬‬ ‫قسموها فيما بينهم و‬ ‫بالدنا و ّ‬ ‫حصار‪ ،‬حصاران‪ . ،‬حرب‪ ،‬حربان و‬ ‫لونا أنفسنا و بدأنا حرب‬ ‫نحن ّ‬ ‫ألف دمعة و شهيد‪.‬‬ ‫تقاسم ما قد ق ُ ّسم‪ .‬و أُنتج‬ ‫خليط األلوان تاريخا ً أسودا ً ما زلنا أصل في السرد التاريخي إلى‬ ‫كامب دايفيد‪ ،‬سقطت أم الدنيا‪،‬‬ ‫جندد فصوله حتى اليوم‪.‬‬ ‫أنتقل إلى وعد بلفور‪ .‬وعد عمره سقطت الدنيا جمعاء و على‬ ‫األرض السالم‪.‬‬ ‫من عمر املأساة‪ .‬وعدوا اليهود‬

‫ال�سال ْم‬ ‫غ َّز ُة عليك َّ‬

‫كيالي‬ ‫عالء ّ‬ ‫الم عليك غزَّة يا م ْع ِقل‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫الس ُ‬ ‫الم على كل من وطأ‬ ‫الس‬ ‫األحرار‪.‬‬ ‫َّ ُ‬ ‫ثراك الطاهر َ و رَوَ ْت دما ُؤه زيتون ًة‬ ‫السالم و التحيَّة‬ ‫فلسطينيَّة‪َّ .‬‬ ‫على األ َّمهات ال َّلواتي ْ‬ ‫يعشن‬ ‫ليلدْن و يلدْن ليستشه َد الوليد‪.‬‬ ‫السالم و التحية إليك يا مدينة‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫قدس يا مدينة املآذن‪.‬‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫الصالة يا ُ‬ ‫السالم على قبتك الصفراء‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ساعة شروق الشمس و ساعة‬ ‫السالم و ألف قبلة‬ ‫مغربها‪َّ .‬‬ ‫أم ثكلى و كل‬ ‫و سجدة لكلِّ ٍّ‬ ‫طفل نال والده َّ‬ ‫السالم‬ ‫الشهادة‪َّ .‬‬ ‫لكلِّ حبَّة زيتون و كل ياسمينة‬

‫للقدس سالم ‪١4 .‬‬

‫قطعوا كل شيء و تركوا القطاع‬ ‫هذا هو التاريخ الذي أردت سرده‬ ‫و الضفة !‬ ‫مبوضوعية‪.‬‬ ‫أهدونا تلكما البقعتني‪ ،‬و‬ ‫أردت أن أحاضر بحقوق اإلنسان‪،‬‬ ‫أن أبرهن أن الشعوب الدميقراطية سجدنا شاكرين‪.‬‬ ‫ال يجب أن ترضى بهكذا ظلم ‪ ،‬ان و راحوا يلتهمون تلكما البقعتني‬ ‫ال متارس ازدواجية املعايير‪ .‬عدت و بحجة الدفاع عن النفس‪ .‬و نحن‬ ‫لم نعد منلك أي نفس لندافع‬ ‫راجعت نفسي من جديد‪.‬‬ ‫عنها‪.‬‬ ‫حقوق اإلنسان‪ ،‬الدميقراطية‪،‬‬ ‫أنظمة احلكم “املتطورة‪ ،‬الراقية”‪ ،‬انشغلنا بقشور الدين‪ ،‬نسينا‬ ‫اجلوهر‪.‬‬ ‫جميعها ولدت في نفس الفترة‬ ‫انشغلنا بالقيم االجتماعية‬ ‫الزمنية التي كانت أكبر مؤامرة‬ ‫البالية‪ .‬و ابتعدنا عن كل ما هو‬ ‫في وجه كل تلك القيم تنفذ‪.‬‬ ‫خير و حق و جمال‪.‬‬ ‫و حسب منطقي املتواضع‪ ،‬ال‬ ‫مكان لقيم ولدت في وقت كانت مع إحترامي لإلميان و املؤمنني‪،‬‬ ‫لألديان و املتدينني‪...‬‬ ‫اإلنسانية تذبح‪.‬‬ ‫كل مؤمن كافر‪ ،‬حتى تثبت‬ ‫أصبح استنتاجي األول و األخير‪:‬‬ ‫كل قيمة إنسانية ال تكون نقطة إنسانيته !‬ ‫ً‬ ‫انطالقتها إصالح اجملزرة التاريخية و انسانيتنا جميعا تبدأ و تنتهي‬ ‫بحق اإلنسانية هي قيمة باطلة في و من فلسطني‪.‬‬ ‫من هذا املنطلق‪ ،‬شعارنا الديني‬ ‫و فاشلة‪.‬‬ ‫الوحيد عليه أن يكون‪:‬‬ ‫“إنا لفلسطني و إنا إيها راجعون‬ ‫و ماذا عن احلاضر؟ ما احلاضر؟‬ ‫و‪...‬‬ ‫حرب اإلبادة ما زالت مستمرة‪...‬‬ ‫فلسطني لنا‪ ،‬إلى أبد اآلبدين‪.‬‬ ‫و بعد إبادة الضمير‪ ،‬ما الذي‬ ‫آمني”‪.‬‬ ‫سيقف في وجه إبادة األفراد؟‬

‫االستبسال في سبيل القضية و قطاع غزة و الكيان الصيهيوني‪.‬‬ ‫تغرس‬ ‫و كرمة‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫املقاومة الفلسطينية في‬ ‫جذورها في ثراك الكرامة‪.‬‬ ‫القطاع تقصف املستوطنات‬ ‫السالم من أعالم الكبار في فلسطني‬ ‫الطَّ اهر‪َّ .‬‬ ‫بصواريخ لم يكن بحسبان‬ ‫الطفل الشهيد “محمد الدرة”‪.‬‬ ‫لكلِّ كوفيَّة‬ ‫جيش االحتالل وجودها‪ .‬وصل‬ ‫استشهد بأحضان والده الذي‬ ‫فلسطينيَّة‬ ‫لتلِّ‬ ‫الربيع و‬ ‫غضب املقاومة‬ ‫عتيقة‪ .‬سالمي كان يحاول أن يبعد بيديه‬ ‫الذي يدعونه بهتانا ً “تل أبيب”‪.‬‬ ‫رصاصات جندي إسرائيلي‪ .‬اليد‬ ‫ألقصاك و‬ ‫أنباء عن قصف‬ ‫ض‬ ‫أقصاك أر ُ‬ ‫الفلسطينية تبعد الرصاص‪ ،‬و إن كما سمعت ٌ‬ ‫استطاعت الرصاصة أن تخترقها الكنيست اإلسرائيلي بصاروخ‬ ‫السالم‪.‬‬ ‫بعيد املدى و كان لذلك ما‬ ‫أ َّما بعد‪ ،‬ها هي فيكفيها شرف احملاولة‪ .‬الدرَّة‬ ‫كان من تأثير على إعالم العدو‬ ‫رسالتي إليك من هنا من مقعدي بات منذ ذاك الزمن رمزا ً ألطفال‬ ‫الشهادة و عنوانا ً يُحتذى به لكل فصدحت قنواته التلفازية‬ ‫حتت زيتون ٍة من بالدي‪.‬‬ ‫هتافة ترسلُ ببرقية مع ميامة إلى باالستنكار و أن دولة إسرائيل‬ ‫ستون عاما ً و العرب ينادون‬ ‫املزعومة فقدت كيانها و بدأت‬ ‫القبة الصفراء‪.‬‬ ‫باستقالل قدسنا الشريف‪،‬‬ ‫بالتحلل مع أول صاروخ نزل‬ ‫كلما أطلقنا اسم فلسطني‪،‬‬ ‫يشجبون و يستنكرون و يدَّعون‬ ‫و يثورون و يهدؤون‪ ..‬ستون عاما ً‬ ‫تلِّ‬ ‫مسلِّما على الربيع‪.‬‬ ‫نهوى أن نذكِّر أنفسنا بعروبتها‬ ‫و نحن نعيش الذلَّ امللطَّ خ بكلِّ‬ ‫فنطلق خلفها رصاصة مسرعة غزة و على صغر مساحة أرضها‬ ‫و بساطة معداتها تستطيع أن‬ ‫اخلطى ندعوها العروبة‪ ،‬قد‬ ‫أنواع العبودية‪.‬‬ ‫تزلزل أهم املناطق لدى الكيان‬ ‫تخطئ الهدف فتقتلها و قد‬ ‫إذا عرَّجت على القضية‬ ‫احملتل‪ ،‬يدور كلُّ ما يدور من أحداث‬ ‫الفلسطينية بأحداثها التاريخية تسبقها و تنساها لتبقى‬ ‫فلسطني وحيدة و العروبة بعيدة و ترتقي أعدادٌ من الشهداء إلى‬ ‫تلقى في كل زاوية حدثا ً يزيدها‬ ‫املولى‪ ،‬أعداد أفضل عدم ذكرها‬ ‫عنها بُعد طائر في طبق سماء‬ ‫جلال ً و روعة و تألقاً‪ .‬ترى فيها‬ ‫كانون و صائده الذي يضع أقدامه ألنها تختلف بني بدايتي الكتابة‬ ‫طفل يحمل بيده حجارة‬ ‫صمود‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫و نهايتي لها‪ ،‬برفقة الصمت‬ ‫املرجتفة على األرض احملدَّبة‪.‬‬ ‫و يقف أمام مدفعية عدوه و‬ ‫العربي الذي ال تعرف ألسبابه ال‬ ‫أسبو ٌع مضى على تصعيد‬ ‫كأنه يقول للموت “تقدم و ال‬ ‫عمالة و ال تخاذل‪.‬‬ ‫تخف” أطفالٌ علمونا كيف يكون االشتباكات الصاروخية بني‬

‫فرح هاشم‬ ‫متطوعة‬ ‫كاتبة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫اجتمعت مجموعة من طلبة‬ ‫اجلامعة األمريكية في بيروت‬ ‫للذهاب للمشاركة في اعتصام‬ ‫فلسطيني لغزة أمام مبنى األمم‬ ‫املتحدة‪ .‬عبَّر هذا االعتصام عن‬ ‫مشاعر جياشة جتاه األحداث‬ ‫التي حصلت في اآلونة األخيرة‬ ‫في مدينة غزة الفلسطينية‪.‬‬ ‫من ضمن الهتافات التي ألقت‬ ‫في االعتصام “ ملا غزة تقوم و‬ ‫تنادي‪ ،‬وين العرب يشوفوا والدي‪...‬‬ ‫وين الدنيا تشوف والدي” ‪”،‬و‬ ‫كرمالك غزة جايني ‪ ...‬غزة أقوى‬ ‫من ماليني‪”.‬‬ ‫من أجمل صفات االعتصام‬ ‫هي وحدة و تضامن اجملموعة‬ ‫على هدف واحد أال و هو خدمة‬ ‫القضية الفلسطينية‪.‬‬

‫أريد أن أوبِّخ نفسي و عروبتي‬ ‫على كل ما يدور حولي من‬ ‫أحداث‪ .‬و إن أخذني احلق أن أذكر‬ ‫التغير امللحوظ الذي يدور في‬ ‫بعض احلكومات العربية جتاه‬ ‫قضيتك‪ .‬و لكني ما زلت أنتظر‬ ‫السبب املقنع ملا يدور أمامي من‬ ‫تغيرات على الصعيد العربي‪ .‬و‬ ‫السبب بطل العجب‪ .‬أنا‬ ‫إذا عُ ِر َف َّ‬ ‫ال أدَّعي أنَّ بعض التغيرات تخفي‬ ‫خلفها مزايا ً أخرى و إن ظهرت قد‬ ‫تلطخها و تنكر أصلها و لكني‬ ‫تعودت على التخاذل العربي الذي‬ ‫يبدأ من هنا من احلبر و القلم‬ ‫فلي احلق أن أستعجب إن الحظت‬ ‫هم ًة في ذاك القلم و غليانا ً في‬ ‫حبره البارد أو حياةً في العروبة‬ ‫املدفونة منذ ألف عام‪.‬‬ ‫كلي أمل أن يأتي حدث عربي‬ ‫يكذب ما كتب باألسطر السابقة‬ ‫من التخاذل و العمالة و كلي‬ ‫أمل أن أغير فكرتي وأن أكتب غدا ً‬ ‫مقاال ً أعتذر به عن كل ما ذكرت‬ ‫و كلي أمل أن أقولها غدا رافعا ً‬ ‫“سجل أنا عربي”‪.‬‬ ‫رأسي‬ ‫ِّ‬ ‫الم ختام‪.‬‬ ‫و َّ‬ ‫الس ُ‬

‫‪September 26, 2012‬‬

‫‪ . 15‬آراء حرّة‬

‫نحن موجودون‬

‫أحمد عثمان‬ ‫كاتب صحافي‬

‫نحن موجودون‪ ،‬ولن نغادر هذا‬ ‫املكان‪.‬‬ ‫نحن أولئك الصامتون الذين‬ ‫يستقلون احلافالت إلى عملهم‬ ‫اليومي‪ ،‬والذين يلبسون حزام‬ ‫األمان في السرڤيس‪ ،‬والذين‬ ‫يقفون عند اإلشارة الضوئية‬ ‫احلمراء إذا ما قادوا السيارة‪.‬‬ ‫لباسا‪ ،‬لن‬ ‫نحن أولئك الصامتون ً‬ ‫تعرفوا ما إذا كنا مسيحيني أو‬ ‫مسلمني‪ ،‬لن تعرفوا ما إذا كنا‬ ‫شيوعيني أو “هيپّيني”‪ .‬عطرنا ال‬ ‫يسبقنا إلى املصعد‪ ،‬وال رائحة‬ ‫عرقنا‪ .‬لن تعرفوا من لهجتنا ما إذا‬ ‫جنوبيني‪.‬‬ ‫شماليني أو‬ ‫كنّا‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫نحن الذين نقف في الصف‪ ،‬بل‬ ‫وجنترحه‪ ،‬حتى وإن خرقه أصحاب‬ ‫النبرة العالية‪.‬‬ ‫لسنا «ربو برّا»‪ .‬نحن «صنع في‬ ‫لبنان»‪ ،‬وألننا كذلك فإن ّنا نعرف‬ ‫عالم قادر لبنان‪.‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫متاما َ‬ ‫سياسيا ‪ -‬نحن‬ ‫محايدين‬ ‫لسنا‬ ‫ًّ‬

‫‪ 21‬تشرين الثاني‪2012 ،‬‬

‫أنت واحلب‬ ‫� َ‬

‫نؤمن بالسياسة‪ .‬بعضنا متحزب‪ ،‬أليسار الغور‬ ‫في ليال شعرنا فيها بالوحدة‬ ‫أركان‬ ‫سيصبحو َن ركنا ً من‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫جميعا آمنّا باألحزاب وكفرنا كاتبة متطوعة‬ ‫لكننا‬ ‫ً‬ ‫بالرغم من كل “احلب” احمليط بنا‪.‬‬ ‫حياتِنا‪.‬‬ ‫بالطاعة العمياء لها‪.‬‬ ‫من الصعب وصف الشعور‬ ‫وبغرابة‪ ،‬قد نق ُع في احلبِ من‬ ‫ً‬ ‫وساعات‬ ‫ليالي‬ ‫و‬ ‫ا‬ ‫أيام‬ ‫ننتظر‬ ‫نرشو‬ ‫ال‬ ‫الذين‬ ‫نحن موجودون‪ ،‬نحن‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ليس الذي يخاجلني جتاهك ‪ ،‬باألحرى‬ ‫حي ِ‬ ‫ث ال ندري ‪ ،‬ولألسف فهو َ‬ ‫فرس‬ ‫ليأتي‬ ‫وال نرتشي‪ ،‬والذين ال ننتظر أن‬ ‫فارس أحالمنا على ٍ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ما من عاشق قادر على كتابة‬ ‫بخط ٍة ن ُ َن ِفذ ُها وال نحن بقادرين‬ ‫يستقيم العالم حتى يستقيم‬ ‫بيضاء ليأخذ َنا‪.‬‬ ‫أحاسيسه كلّها‪ .‬فنبدأ‬ ‫ت قلوبِنا‪.‬‬ ‫على‬ ‫إيقاف دقا ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫يهمنا أن تعرفوا‬ ‫لطاملا كانت رواي ًة من‬ ‫إلى حيا ٍة َ‬ ‫مسلكنا‪ .‬وأجل‪ّ ،‬‬ ‫بالتفكير‪ ،‬ونحس أننا نظلم‬ ‫بوجودنا‪.‬‬ ‫روايا ِ‬ ‫أنفسنا بالتعبير‪.‬‬ ‫ت قيس و ليلى في مخي َلتِنا‪ .‬وماذا أقولُ ‪ ،‬وأنا بني َ قوتني‬ ‫نحن الذين نعرف أن القوة ليست نري ُد أن نشعر َ بتلك الرعش ِة‬ ‫يرفض‬ ‫متناقضتني‪ :‬عقلي الذي‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫جسمنا عندما نسم ُع‬ ‫في عصيان القانون‪ ،‬بل في تسليم في‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ولكن هذه لذة احلب‪ ،‬تلك الدمعة‬ ‫وجودَك ‪ ،‬وقلبي الغير ُ قادرٍ على‬ ‫رقبتنا إليه‪ ،‬حتى ولو قطعها‬ ‫نحس‬ ‫صوت احلبيبِ ‪ ،‬اسمه ‪ ،‬أو‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫بعد الشجار‪ ،‬تلك اللهفة عند‬ ‫التخلي عنك !‬ ‫السيف املستور بني ريشه‪.‬‬ ‫بلمستِه على ي ِدنا‬ ‫االشتياق التي ال ميكننا وصفها ال‬ ‫ال نؤمن برقة الزهور‪ ،‬نحن الذين‬ ‫فرا ٌغ كبير ٌ ميأل ُ‬ ‫ويصبح‬ ‫أنفسنا‪،‬‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫بكلمات وال بدواوين الشعر‬ ‫يصبح املمنو ُع‬ ‫عندما نعشق ُ ‪،‬‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫نخلق من الغضب زهرة‪.‬‬ ‫همنا الوحيد أن يأتي ُ‬ ‫طيف ٍ‬ ‫ننفك بالرغب ِة في‬ ‫رجل مرغوبا ً وال‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫سوف نزداد صم ًتا‪،‬‬ ‫طريق ما‬ ‫يغير ُ مجرى حياتِنا إلى‬ ‫املزي ِد من احلبِ والعاطف ِة لنسقي‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫وسننزل عليكم مثل املطر‪ ،‬زحفً ا‬ ‫كان بطريقَ نا‪.‬‬ ‫بساتني أحاسيسنا‪.‬‬ ‫زحفً ا‪،‬‬ ‫أحيانا نحتاج لغمرة احلبيب لكي‬ ‫حتى نبلغ رقابكم فننهشها‪،‬‬ ‫بشكل طبيعي‪،‬‬ ‫ونكملُ حياتَنا‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫نحس أننا على قيد احلياة ‪ ،‬إلى‬ ‫نهشا ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫نهشا‪.‬‬ ‫فرا ٌغ و‬ ‫نقص عاطفي و بالر َ ِ‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫غم من تلك النظرة منه لتشعرنا أننا‬ ‫فوتناكم‪،‬‬ ‫وإن‬ ‫مثلنا‪،‬‬ ‫جنعلكم‬ ‫سوف‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ذلك‪ ،‬تبقى تللك البسم ُة ال تفارقُ خلقنا من جديد‪.‬‬ ‫نعوف أبناءكم‪.‬‬ ‫لن ّ‬ ‫وجوهنا‪.‬‬ ‫َ‬ ‫سوف جنتاح املكان‪ ،‬مثل املطر‪،‬‬ ‫ولقد سقطنا في شباك احلب‬ ‫وفي هذه الصحراء سوف نُنبت‬ ‫بأشخاص‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫والغرام‪ ،‬فتصبح ليالينا مزدحم ًة‬ ‫تدور ُ‬ ‫األيام ‪ ،‬نلتقيْ‬ ‫السنديان‪.‬‬ ‫يوم‬ ‫ذات‬ ‫أنهم‬ ‫ع‬ ‫نتوق‬ ‫كنا‬ ‫ما‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫باألرق والقلق‪،‬فياما طال السهر‬

‫�صوتت ؟ ب�شرفك �صوتلي!!‬

‫وراء تلك احلدود‬

‫وراء تلك احلدود‬ ‫فريال فقيه‬ ‫وراء تلك احلدود نراهم‬ ‫يبنون حياتهم‪..‬يجسدون‬ ‫الوهم‬ ‫حان موعد “الفجر” في تل‬ ‫وراء تلك احلدود نتركهم‬ ‫أبيب‪..‬‬ ‫يفصلون قطعة اجلنة‪..‬‬ ‫حق العودة أكبر‬ ‫يعتقلونها بجدرانهم‬ ‫الغضب أكبر‬ ‫نشهد أن ال فلسطني إال حرة وراء تلك احلدود نسمعهم‬ ‫يظلمون أهل احلق‪..‬‬ ‫نشهد أن ال “إسرائيل” إال‬ ‫يقيدونهم بحصارهم‬ ‫زائلة‬ ‫حي على الكفاح‬ ‫حي على صمود اجلراح‬ ‫قد قامت املقاومة‬ ‫قد قامت غزة ‪..‬‬ ‫***‬

‫وراء تلك احلدود ‪”..‬كانت أرض‬ ‫جدك”‬ ‫وراء تلك احلدود‪”..‬كنا نسافر‬ ‫إلى القدس”‬ ‫وراء تلك احلدود‪”..‬كنا نتزلج‬ ‫على جبل الشيخ”‬ ‫وراء تلك احلدود‪”..‬كنا نتاجر‬ ‫التبغ”‬ ‫وراء تلك احلدود‪..‬كانت‬ ‫فلسطني أخت اجلنوب‬ ‫من وراء تلك احلدود‪..‬متى‬

‫أليسار الغور‬ ‫تعودين؟‬ ‫متطوعة‬ ‫ألن هذه احلدود وجدت‪ ،‬فمنها كاتبة‬ ‫ّ‬

‫تتحررين!‬

‫عبارات سمعناها مرارا ً و تكرارا ً‬ ‫خالل أسبوع االنتخابات في حرم‬ ‫اجلامعة األمريكية في بيروت‪.‬‬ ‫فالسياسة قد عبرت جدران‬ ‫اجلامعة وعاشت في أنحاء كل‬ ‫زاوية منها‪.‬أصبح لالنتخابات‬ ‫معنًى آخر‪ ،‬إن كان على الصعيد‬ ‫اجلامعي‪ ،‬أو على الصعيد‬ ‫اللبناني‪ ،‬فما عدنا ننتخب هو أو‬ ‫هي على أساس قدرتهما على‬ ‫التغيير‪.‬‬ ‫همسات نسمعها عند مرورنا‬ ‫على “وست” و “هيدول مع مني؟‬ ‫‪ 8‬أو ‪14‬؟ طب هوليك مع مني؟‬ ‫وهول؟” لم تعد تلك األحاديث‬ ‫من حتت الطاولة‪ ،‬بل أصبحت‬ ‫في العلن‪ .‬لقد تخطينا مرحلة‬ ‫السياسة‪ ،‬ودخلنا إلى األعماق‪،‬‬ ‫من الدين الى الطائفية‪ .‬تلك‬ ‫هي األفعال التي تولد احلقد‬ ‫والكراهية في ربيع شبابنا ‪،‬‬

‫فكما تزرع حتصد‪.‬‬ ‫في متام اخلامسة والنصف مساء‪،‬‬ ‫تنقسم اجلامعة إلى نصفني‪،‬‬ ‫وتبدأ الهتافات التي ال تليق‬ ‫بتالميذ جامعتنا وثقافتنا‪ .‬فهم‬ ‫ال يهتفون للتالميذ فحسب‪ ،‬بل‬ ‫تبدأ الزمامير واإلهانات الدينية‬ ‫والسياسية‪.‬‬ ‫ونسأل ملاذا انحدرنا في آتون‬ ‫الطائفية البغيضة لنصبح‬ ‫أسراهاا؟ فتتحكم بكل مفاصلنا‬ ‫وعقولنا وحتجب عن اعيننا رؤية‬ ‫الغد لنصنعه بأيدينا‪ .‬نحن طالب‬ ‫العلم واجلامعات ‪ ،‬أمل الوطن‬ ‫املشرق مبثقفيه ال مبهاجريه‪.‬‬ ‫هلما بنا نصنع التاريخ بوطننا‬ ‫على أسس علمية ال سياسية وال‬ ‫طائفية‪.‬‬

‫إصدار ‪ ،45‬عدد ‪9‬‬ ‫‪ 21‬تشرين الثاني‪2012 ،‬‬

‫أوتــــــــــــلوك‬ ‫املنشــــــــــورة الطالبيــــــــة‬ ‫املســـــــتقلة منذ عام ‪1949‬‬

‫‪26‬ترشين األ ّول‪2012 ،‬‬

‫من اجلامعة األميركية الى غزة‪ :‬مقاومتنا لن تهدأ‬ ‫رنا حربي‬ ‫مراسلة صحافية‬ ‫من لبنان اإلباء والصمود واالنتصار‪،‬‬ ‫لبنان حاضن الشتات الفلسطيني‪،‬‬ ‫من بيروت املقاومة التي دحرت‬ ‫االحتالل عام ‪ 1982‬مستنجادا ً عبر‬ ‫مكبرات الصوت “ يا أهالي بيروت‬ ‫ال تطلقوا النار على جيش الدفاع‬ ‫اإلسرائيلي‪ ،‬نحن منسحبون من‬ ‫بيروت “‪،‬‬ ‫من اجلامعة األمريكية في بيروت‪،‬‬ ‫اجلامعة التي خرَّجت أهم كوادر‬ ‫الثورة الفلسطينية عموما ً‬ ‫واجلبهة الشعبية لتحرير فلسطني‬ ‫خصوصاً‪،‬‬ ‫من جميع طالب هذه اجلامعة‪،‬‬ ‫إلى غزة الصمود ألف حتية وسالم‪.‬‬ ‫ظهيرة نهار االثنني الواقع في‬ ‫‪ 19‬تشرين الثاني ومن على أدراج‬ ‫اجلامعة األمريكية في بيروت وقف‬ ‫الطالب وقفة تضامن حاشدة مع‬ ‫غزة املقاومة‪.‬‬ ‫غزة تق ّدم أطفالها قرابينا ً لتحرير‬ ‫فلسطني السليبة بعد أن تركها‬ ‫احلكام العرب‪ ،‬غزة تقاوم وحدها‬ ‫لتعيد ما تبقى من كرامة األمة‬ ‫التي عل َ​َّمها حكامها وطواغيتها‬ ‫الذل واملهانة‪ ،‬وها هي اليوم تزرع‬ ‫بأرض اشتاقت لطيب‬ ‫صواريخها ٍ‬ ‫أصحابها‪ .‬غزة املقاومة أعادت األمل‬ ‫لعيون بكت بدل الدمع دما ً‬ ‫وعروق‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫نزفت حتى جفّ ت‪.‬‬ ‫على الصعيد الشعبي‪ ،‬بندقية ثائر‬

‫محمد عزّام‬ ‫تصوير‬ ‫ّ‬

‫وحدت الفلسطينيني وأسقطت‬ ‫كل الزواريب السياسية الضيقة‬ ‫املتمثلة باحلركات املتناحرة على‬ ‫مناصب ومراكز سلطوية بنيت‬ ‫على حطام األرض وجسور الشهداء‬ ‫الذين لطاملا حلموا بتحرير التراب‬ ‫من البحر للنهر‪.‬‬ ‫األيادي القابضة على الزناد و ّحدت‬ ‫صفوف الشعب الذي نهشته‬ ‫السياسات واملصالح الشخصية‬ ‫واألجندات اخلارجية‪ .‬فالضفة اليوم‬ ‫تدعو النتفاضة ثالثة مؤازرة لغزة‪،‬‬ ‫بدأت معاملها حتلق في األفق من‬ ‫خالل اشتباكات قلنديا وباب العامود‬ ‫واخلليل وجنني وبيت حلم مع العدو‪.‬‬

‫لبنان وطن اجلمال‬

‫فاجلامعة األميركية في بيروت‬ ‫ت مختلفة من‬ ‫احلاضنة لبيئا ٍ‬ ‫الطّالب حاولت توحيد بوصلتها جتاه‬ ‫فلسطني و العلم الفلسطيني‬ ‫والكوفية الفلسطينية‪.‬‬ ‫شارك في الوقفة التضامنية مئات‬ ‫الطلبة‪ .‬وقد رفعت اللوحات التي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫تتضمن شعارات ورسومات عن‬ ‫فلسطني وعبارات تندد باحلكام‬ ‫العرب الصامتني عن الشيطان ولألمم‬ ‫املتحدة املمارسة الزدواجية املعايير‪.‬‬ ‫وقد شكلوا لوحة بشرية خلريطة‬ ‫العلم الفلسطيني‪ .‬صدحت حناجر‬ ‫الطالب لفلسطني وغزة واألقصى‬

‫منا ال يذهل بسهل البقاع‬ ‫اخملضر بفعل إرادة العيش وحب‬ ‫ميجد من خاللها جمال كائناته‬ ‫اميلي عقيقي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫احلياة؟ ومن منا ال يستذكر‬ ‫وروعتها‪ .‬وقد وجد الفن في وطننا‬ ‫كاتبة متطوعة‬ ‫املاضي مبجرد الوقوف أمام أعمدة‬ ‫لبنان ملجأ له‪ ،‬يختبئ فيه من‬ ‫هياكل بعلبك‪ ،‬هذه األعمدة‬ ‫ضجيج املدن وخبث اإلنسان‬ ‫قال نزار قباني‪ “ :‬لبنان حقيقة‬ ‫التي حملت على أكتافها‪ ،‬على‬ ‫شعرية كما هو حقيقة جغرافية ودناءة األعمال والنفس‪.‬‬ ‫مر السنني واألزمنة‪ ،‬أسرار تاريخ‬ ‫ووجود القصيدة فيه قدر ٌ محتوم‬ ‫األمم واحلضارات؟ ومن منا ال تتألأل‬ ‫لبنان‪ ...‬هذه األرض الصغيرة‪ ،‬هذا‬ ‫كحتمية وجود ثلوجه وصخره‬ ‫أعينه وتدمع عند رؤية الرمال‬ ‫الوطن احلبيب‪ .‬هو الذي أغدق اهلل‬ ‫وسنديانه ومساقط مياهه”‪.‬‬ ‫الذهبية اللماعة املمتدة على‬ ‫عليه نعما ً المتناهية جعلت منه‬ ‫لبنان بلد الفن واألدب واجلمال‪.‬‬ ‫طول الشاطئ اللبناني‪ ،‬مرافق ًة‬ ‫جن ًة حقيقي ًة على األرض‪ .‬فمن‬ ‫سبيل‪ ،‬يتغلغل في‬ ‫فالفن عابر‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ملياه البحر في طريقها؟ ومن‬ ‫منا ال ينحني أمام عظمة جبال‬ ‫حنايا الوديان والتالل‪ ،‬باحثا ً عن‬ ‫منا ال تتكبل اعضاؤه أمام أرز‬ ‫جمال وروعة‪ ،‬صنني املكللة بالثلوج الشبيهة‬ ‫موطن يأويه‪ ،‬موطن‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫لبنان‪ ،‬أرز الرب الشامخ السامي‬ ‫يحط فيه رحاله‪ .‬هو شفة اإلله‪ ،‬بحبات اللؤلؤ الناصعة؟ ومن‬ ‫في سماء احلرية ‪ ،‬الذي يحاكي‬

‫والضفة والنهر والبحر‪ .‬أنشدوا‬ ‫األغاني الثورية منها “يا نبض‬ ‫الضفة “ و “أجراس العودة “ و “شدو‬ ‫الهمة”‪ .‬وشددوا على التزامهم‬ ‫في خيار املقاومة املسلحة منادون‬ ‫“عغزة رايحيني‪ ،‬شهداء باملاليني”‪.‬‬ ‫ت إكراما ً‬ ‫تخلَّل احلدث دقيقة صم ٍ‬ ‫لكل أم مات وليدها و كل طفل‬ ‫غادر أبوه البيت و لم يعد و بعض‬ ‫الكلمات الطالبية و القصائد التي‬ ‫لقيت لها في مدى اجلامعة صدرا ً‬ ‫رحباً‪.‬‬ ‫أتى الطّالب للمشاركة حتت عنوان‬ ‫املقاومة الفلسطينية وعبروا‬ ‫عن ذلك من خالل الصيحات التي‬

‫بصموده نضال الكثيرين في وجه‬ ‫نير االستعباد واالستعمار؟‬ ‫لبنان يا مرتع اجلمال ومقره و يا‬ ‫مهبط الوحي واإلبداع‪...‬‬

‫نادت بالوحدة الوطنية‪ .‬فالقضية‬ ‫الفلسطينية تعني اجلميع‬ ‫‪ ...‬اجلميع مبختلف طوائفهم‬ ‫وسياساتهم وانتماءاتهم‬ ‫وجنسياتهم مبا أن ّها إنسانية‬ ‫بالدرجة األولى‪.‬‬ ‫هذا الشعور بالتضامن املوحد‬ ‫الهدف حاول بعض األفراد زعزعته‬ ‫عبر تشتيت االنتباه عن القضية‬ ‫الفلسطينية‪ ،‬التي تصدى لها‬ ‫الطالب املنظمون للنشاط ‪ ،‬رافضني‬ ‫بأن تصبح غزة موضوع جانبي أو أن‬ ‫يستغل البعض وجودهم إليصال‬ ‫رسائل أو تثبيت موقف ال يعبر‬ ‫عنهم ‪.‬سرعان ما مت السيطرة على‬ ‫املوقف من خالل هتاف جماعي “غزة‬ ‫غزة غزة” و “كلنا ايد وحدة “‪.‬‬ ‫كل ما قام به طالب اجلامعة من‬ ‫التجمهر ألجل أطفال غزة و حريتها‬ ‫املغتصبة لم يكن سوى رسالة إلى‬ ‫اجلميع من صديق وعدو أنهم يقفون‬ ‫إلى جانب شعب غزة في محنته‪.‬‬ ‫من خالل هذه الوقفة التضامنية‬ ‫حاولوا إعادة إحياء احللم العربي‬ ‫الذي ينتهي بخروج احملتل عن أرضنا‬ ‫العربية مهزوما ً كما خرج من بيروت‬ ‫وهو يصيح يا أهالي فلسطني ال‬ ‫تطلقوا النار علينا فإننا منسحبون‬ ‫من فلسطني‪ .‬حينها تنتهي نكبة‬ ‫العربي وتصبح النكبة عرسا ً عربيا ً‬ ‫كبيراً‪.‬‬

‫بناء أم ٍة حرة صامدة في وجه كل‬ ‫عدو ومستعمر‪.‬‬ ‫ٍ‬

‫أعيدك يا لبناني احلبيب في‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫عيد استقاللك‪ ،‬وأقف خاشع ًة‬ ‫أمام أضرحة شهدائك البسالء‪،‬‬ ‫هواء ينعش‬ ‫وطني‪ ..‬إن نسيمك‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫نصلي معا ً لقيامة وطننا من‬ ‫روحي ونشيدك صالةٌ لنفسي‪،‬‬ ‫األزمات التي أملت به‪ .‬وأتوجه إلى‬ ‫لدم يسري في عروقي‪.‬‬ ‫وترابك ٌ‬ ‫مواطن بالدي قائلةً‪ :‬هيا انهض‬ ‫وطني‪ ..‬اني أضع رايتك نصب‬ ‫تائق إلى يا شعبي النائم املسترسل في‬ ‫عيني وأصونها في‬ ‫خافق ٍ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫ُسبات اجلهل واألنانية‪ ،‬على املأزق‬ ‫احلرية واالستقالل احلقيقيني‪.‬‬ ‫وطني‪ ..‬فإن ال تعبير يبجل ويوقر التي تورط نفسك به‪ .‬ق ّدر جمال‬ ‫وطنك وحافظ عليه بروحك‬ ‫مجد تاريخك العظيم‪ ،‬أنحني‬ ‫أمام سواعد جيشك التي تشقى وبكل ما أوتيت من قو ٍة فلبنان‬ ‫لترفع اسمك عاليا ً وتساهم في أرض االلهة ومقر ٌ للفن والرقي‪.‬‬