January 17, 2012
A very quick note to point folks in the direction of my post for the NY Times’s Latitude blog this week, which deals with proportional representation in Lebanon. For most of you following the debate, not much of it will come as much of a surprise. For those who have not been following along and would like additional context, see here.
I also recommend Michael Young’s good column on the subject earlier this week, and IFES’s very good overview of the Lebanese electoral system.
January 27, 2010
(The scene: A Beirut cafe)
Abu Michel: Did you hear that they’re trying to lower the voting age to 18?
Abu Samir: Of course. What a ridiculous idea.
Abu Michel: What do 18 year-olds know about anything?
Abu Samir: When I was 18, I was still a child.
Abu Michel: And the 18 year-olds these days? They’re even more immature, with their video games and their internets.
Abu Samir: Well, I’m glad that Hakim has been very clear on this point. He will not accept lowering the voting age unless they also allow Lebanese emigrants abroad to vote absentee.
Abu Michel: What do you mean “Hakim has been very clear”? El-General has been even clearer!
Abu Samir: So we see eye-to-eye…
Abu Michel: Absolutely.
Abu Samir: I have soooo many relatives living outside Lebanon. If they could vote, the entire picture would change.
Abu Michel: I have so many as well. Dozens!
Abu Samir: Hundreds!
Abu Michel: Thousands!
Abu Samir: Fourteen million! That’s the number of Lebanese living in the diaspora.
Abu Michel: I heard it was more like twenty million!
Abu Samir: Whatever the number is, it’s a lot ya zalameh. And they’re mostly Christian. Why do you think the Berris and Hariris and Jumblatts don’t want to let them vote?
Abu Michel: Absolutely. Look at Carlos Slim. Richest man in the world. Lebanese.
Abu Samir: (smiling) Not just Lebanese. Maronite.
Abu Michel: (smiling) Naturally. And I’m sure that Mr. Slim would love to vote in the municipal elections here in Lebanon. But noooooo, what do Berri and Hariri say?
Abu Samir: (sarcastic voice) “He’s been away too long… he’s never been to Lebanon… his father left when he was 14… he doesn’t even speak Arabic…” Give me a break! Once a Lebanese, always a Lebanese!
Abu Michel: Exactly! He has a right to vote in his ancestral municipality, even if he’s never stepped foot in it!
Abu Samir: Hell, I’ve never even been to my municipality either! We were registered erroneously in Akkar two generations ago and we’ve never been able to change it!
Abu Michel: Me too! I’ve never been to West Bekaa, but do you think that’s going to prevent me from impacting the lives of the poor schmucks who do live out there?
Abu Samir: Exactly! And so if it’s good enough for us, why shouldn’t it be good enough for Carlos Slim?
Abu Michel: And Shakira!
Abu Samir: Yasmine Bleeth!
Abu Michel: Salma Hayek!
Abu Samir: Keanu Reeves!
Abu Michel: Tiffany!
Abu Samir: And that hot chick who plays the Czech student in American Pie!
Abu Michel: You see? There are so many expatriate Christians… I mean, umm, Lebanese… who should not be deprived of their right to vote.
Abu Samir: I couldn’t agree more. Plus, if we let them vote in our elections, maybe they’ll finally start taking an interest in Lebanese affairs.
Abu Michel: Good point. If there’s one thing that Lebanon needs, it’s foreigners taking an interest in Lebanese affairs.
Abu Samir: Pass the sugar.
**
Thanks are due to the talented Maya Zankoul for the illustrations. To see previous collaborations between QN and Maya, click here.
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