Okay, so for weeks we've heard that Hezbullah will be out in the streets
en force today, to protest the "pro-Western" Lebanese government and otherwise make life miserable for those opposed to Syria's puppet reign.
Now that photographs are pouring in, we get to see shots like this:
Compare this to
previous Hezbullah rallies, and see if you can make out the difference:
As has been noted fairly extensively, Hezbullah is
very adept at manipulating the media. The fact that these protesters are so blatantly identifying themselves as "Lebanese"--rather than identifying themselves with the usual Hezbullah, Iranian, and Syrian flags--it is apparent to me that Hezbullah has sent out a little internal memo to its rally organizers, instructing them that it would be
most prudent to wrap themselves in the Lebanese flag, to couch the argument in terms that they're somehow "reclaiming" the Lebanese government for themselves.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Hezbullah remains a group whose strings are pulled by
the Opthamologist and
Dr. Spongebob Nuclearpants. To consider them
even remotely pro-Lebanese is farsical at best.
One other possibility here, just as an aside: According to the pro-Lebanese website
From Beirut to the Beltway, the March 14th
(thanks, Austin) group is
planning massive demonstrations in Beirut today
as well, to counter the Hezbullah invaders (and really, what better word is there for a group of the population that intends to turn control of one's nation over
to a neighboring nation?). It's possible, but not likely, that we're actually looking at a group of March 14th'ers here. The reason I would suggest that this
is Hezbullah-in-drag, though, is that most of the signs in the crowd are in
Arabic, not generally the language employed by March 14.
As always, events in Lebanon are complex. Hopefully, my Lebanese compatriots can continue to update us with their side of what's going on over there. Stay safe, y'all!
For extensive Lebanon coverage: Jeha's Nail, From Beirut to the Beltway, Free Cedar.
I know I've been silent on the latest AP scandal--and I have a good reason for being so! Everyone else has
covered it extensively already, and I don't really have anything insightful to add to their
brilliant observations! What can I say? Kurt at Flopping Aces has
done a spectacular job of tossing some egg at the AP's face -- or rather, pointing out the egg that the AP put there itself!
To make up for it, here's a "Flatima" wannabe sighting, following the break, from today's Hezbullah rally. Enjoy! (If you read Arabic, I'd be delighted to hear a translation for the sign behind our dear Flatima impersonator!)
UPDATE: I'm not the
only person who noticed the conspicuous absence of that disgusting yellow flag. Howdy, GatewayPundit! It's good to be in esteemed company such as yours!
Update: Extensive coverage from Abu Kais at
From Beirut to the Beltway, cross-posted at
Michael Totten's website.
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