A friend of mine, one Abdul Rahman C., published this amusing post on his Facebook wall today. I reproduce it here with his permission. I remember watching Grendizer episodes as a kid, but never thought about its political influence upon my brain. (I always assumed that the cartoon with more obvious resonances with Lebanese politics was the Smurfs, but I’ll have to rethink that…)
If anyone would like to write a counter-post responding to why Hizbullah is your Grendizer, please post it in the comment section and I’ll consider promoting it.
**
Hizbullah is Not Our Grendizer
A guest post by Abdul Rahman C.
Grendizer is the hero of my generation, the Lebanese generation that grew up during the Civil War and witnessed the Israeli invasion. I can confirm that Grendizer is mentioned at the beginning of every Lebanese friendship and at every gathering that brings together a group of Lebanese people for the first time anywhere in the world. It is one of the very few things that our generation genuinely agrees on. I even believe that the whole generation would not oppose calling ourselves the “Grendizer Generation.”
“Grendizer” is a Japanese cartoon series that was dubbed into Arabic and broadcast on Lebanese National Television during the eighties. He is a gigantic robot whose handsome pilot, Daisuke (or Dayski as pronounced in Arabic) is not originally from our planet. The robot and its pilot are dedicated to defending the planet from the alien Vega’s evil plots to invade Earth and control it. I believe that the intent behind showing such a series at that time of Lebanese history was to raise up a generation of resistance and unity. Though the program had a lot of violence, it was justified violence used by good people in defense of the world, to defeat evil powers, and to achieve peace and love. In other words, it is the same old story of good and evil, but there is no doubt again that it made a huge impact on our individual and communal psychology. Maybe we can never claim that the program had actually succeeded in achieving its goal of unity, but it seems that it had done a good job in teaching resistance.
Hizbullah was also growing up with us during the eighties, and it seems that it had also been influenced by our favorite TV show. Being born a couple of years prior to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and having its horrible implications as our primary childhood memories, it is conceivable that we would have a lot of negative emotions towards any type of unjust violence and we would be ready to adopt any resistive ideology. Add to that the fact that Grendizer was feeding our resistive spirit to a great extent. Hizbullah became our real Grendizer, actually protecting us, and fighting our enemy who had killed my cousins and the parents and siblings of so many children of my generation. However, we did not fall in love with Grendizer because it was a Japanese hero — we had no idea at that point that he was Japanese, it would have been a huge disappointment. Grendizer speaks Arabic (specifically classical Arabic) and this was how we knew him, in our own context! This might be slightly different from a child to another; Grendizer could have been seen as a Muslim Grendizer, an Arab Grendizer, and for sure as a Lebanese Grendizer.
What Hizbullah has been doing recently is quite confusing, it actually reminds me of an episode where the evil aliens make a fake ugly robot that looks like our Grendizer with almost the same powers! Hizbullah is not our Grendizer anymore, even if it wants to justify itself, as usual, by saying that its actions are a necessity for resistance, or by saying that it was fighting the “terrorists.” Ironically, those terrorists are with Hizbullah on the same black list, made by the enemies Hizbullah and the “terrorists” share.
Imagine if the last episode of Grendizer was like the following: “Dayski decides to turn on the humans he is supposed to protect. Since he is not originally an “earthman,” he decides that this fight against humans is a necessity that no mind can grasp other than his alien mind. Obviously, it does not fit the main plot of the show.” Would our child minds ever understand that???
Note that many people of our generation had given up on this fake Grendizer long time ago…
Qifa Nabki 
Who doesn’t love Grendizer, and this post!?
Posted by Mazen | June 7, 2013, 12:12 pmhere’s an article by a friend that expounds on the father-figure relationships between Grendizer, Arabs in the 80’s and Japanese post Hiroshima
http://www.arteeast.org/pages/artenews/Graphic_novels/180/
Posted by thisisthepope | June 7, 2013, 1:03 pmI posted a piece on the Iranian election disqualificactions using the scene on Animal House in Dean Wormer’s office. Nobody got the joke.
With your post here, now I know how it feels. I draw a total blank on the cartoon as well as the analogy. I guess you have to be a secular-minded Lebanese Sunni or Christian to get it,
Posted by Pirouz | June 7, 2013, 2:32 pm** Since he is not originally an “earthman,” he decides that this fight against humans is a necessity that no mind can grasp other than his alien mind. **
What the hell ? So hezbollah is not lebanese and hezbollah will fight the lebanese people? Please.
Posted by Jack O | June 7, 2013, 3:54 pmCurrently HA is nothing but an illegal militia doing mercenary work on contract to Iran. They have acted on their own as they have their own state! They should act Lebanese not like Shia soldiers.
Posted by danny | June 7, 2013, 4:16 pmPirouz,
Secular-minded Lebanese Shia’a do get it too !
FYI, during the seventies and early eighties the Shia’a were probably the most secular-minded people in Lebanon, unfortunately, not anymore. Its all Kafka’s fault!
Posted by Vulcan | June 7, 2013, 4:47 pmAh good old times….
Posted by Bad Vilbel | June 7, 2013, 6:09 pmThis is too “in” for an outsider like me–an American from Boston. The host should have explained the underlying issue–disappointment (or more) over what Hizbollah is doing in Syria–and then linked for those who thought they could process the details.
Posted by maxdaddy | June 7, 2013, 6:11 pmOr you could have refrained from posting and waited for another post more to your liking 🙂
It is actually quite a telling comparison not only for Hizballah but all patriarchal organisations that are ‘resistance’ based. One can delve into ancient mythology as well, but simply, the main tenet for Hizballah is that they are the ‘honorable one’s’ [ashraf al nass] defending their lands against an alien enemy [Crusaders,the corrupt West, Zionists]. The enemy is inferior because they have no honour and dignity and they are cowards, but they possess money and weaponry. The ‘honourable one’s’ rely on courage to defeat the enemy and save mankind.
This romanticism when mixed in with identity and a sense of worth can hit home with a lot of simple young men living under a patriarchal system.
Posted by Maverick | June 7, 2013, 7:15 pmIn addition, to pigeon hole Hizballah and bash them at every turn ignores the real ailment of the greater socio-political environment they dwell in, i.e the Lebanese system. One can easily criticise the latter for allowing the unchecked rise to power and the inability to persuade the youth of alternative paths.
Posted by Maverick | June 7, 2013, 7:20 pmGrendizer>Golum>Grendel
“by saying that it was fighting the “terrorists.” Ironically, those terrorists are with Hizbullah on the same black list, made by the enemies Hizbullah and the “terrorists” share.”
The same dead letter club that once upon a time included MEK? Don’t despair, it’s not a an incommutable sentence for some who are willing to hire and hire out.
I think the following example of HA fallen from grace in the eyes of The people is emblematic although I’m unsure if the villagers are being sardonic and in reality, aiming their darts @ Obama:
Posted by lally | June 8, 2013, 12:21 amhow about wissam Saade’s article inspiring this post:
http://mtv.com.lb/News/201669
Posted by dany faustino | June 8, 2013, 1:51 amA young (or not so young) soldier, ( ex “gamer” ) sitting in an air conditioned office pressing a button and killing people from the air 50 or 5000 miles away is also a product of the comic world or comic generation or what so ever. Where did we get such words as the “axis of evil” or on the other side “bloody USA” or …UK or … Zionism ….Capitalism or you put you own pet eternal enemy. It is a universal situation. It is used by the same Syrian (Russian?, Iranian? ) generals who sent the HZ as cannon fodder with or withou cardboard keys to paradise. It will take growing up and a lot of self education befor it will have a chance of being cured.
Posted by Rani Hazbani | June 8, 2013, 6:52 amSeems QN has solved the mystery behind what drives the brains of modern day Levantines.
Japanese cartoons translated into classical Arabic.
My forefathers always thought it was the 6 Million Dollar Man and Charlie’s Angels that lead to the real demise of society.
Posted by Whatever | June 8, 2013, 1:12 pmPersonally, I think most of our political class are still living out their “Dallas” fantasies.
No matter who gets shot out, how, why or by whom … the show will go on !
Posted by Whatever | June 8, 2013, 1:24 pm“Ironically, those terrorists are with Hizbullah on the same black list, made by the enemies Hizbullah and the “terrorists” share.” –Nothing ironic about it when those who make the black list use their goddamn terrorists as it suits them. And what is more, why any longer mention and seem to give credence to such a list, as it’s apparent that the heart of the designator is no less black than that of a real terrorist?
Posted by WT | June 8, 2013, 1:49 pmWell, at any rate, we have to congratulate Hizbullah on its victory in the Battle of the Iranian Embassy. They faced like thirty members of a minor political movement holding a legal protest, and they miraculously prevailed. Grendizer would be proud.
Posted by Rotsapsky | June 9, 2013, 9:01 pmThis might be slightly different from a child to another; Grendizer could have been seen as a Muslim Grendizer, an Arab Grendizer…
i think that’s the most interesting part. We make everything around us into digestible stories, analogies, metaphors… We take some facts from the worlds needed to fit the story. The facts themselves affect the story but they don’t tell it. Our philosophy tells it and the story grows to include the facts that are too big to ignore and picks and chooses from the rest.
Occasionally new facts come around that don’t fit our story. Usually we magnate to fix it without admitting the story was wrong.
Posted by nc | June 10, 2013, 5:00 amIt was divine intervention by the party of “Ashsraf el nass”. Bravo. All shiites are with HA. Now, we know why! Democracy in full display.
Posted by danny | June 10, 2013, 7:41 amSorry guys, we Americans can’t identify with the Grendizer. Have fun…
Anyway, I want to post a question somewhere where we left off last week when AIG and I were discussing Obama’s “hand’s off policy” with Syria (AIG argued this was the right policy).
I stated that inaction here was like kicking the can down the road until these issues because too big to handle (sort of where we are now)
Here are some fundamental mistakes the US and the West have made in the ME:
1.) After the USSR imploded and retreated, the US mad ethe mistake not going on the offense wrt Syria. Inaction allowed Russia to come back in over a decade later. “Clean Break” was ignored and in retrospect, it was a good plan.
2.) Obama was one of the few US senators who was against regime change in Iraq. After becoming president, his policy was to insure failure in Iraq. Obama’s “focus” was Afghanistan as he explained to voters, this was the epicenter of the anti-American jihadis. He has failed there as well.
3.) My point is, that a Marshall-like plan was/is needed for the ME. American and/or NATO permanent bases to keep these countries protected and used as forward bases against nations who have a little too much “resistance” on their agenda (aka Iran). The fact that the US left Iraq without any forward bases and military agreement is a “shonda” (crime).
.
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 10, 2013, 9:49 amAP,
The Palestinians are always the “canary in the coal mine” for all these grand ideas. Much of what is happening in the Arab world happened with the Palestinians many years earlier: The rise of political Islamism, the struggle between Islamism and secularism/nationalist parties, “benign” occupation and Marshall plans. It does not work. If you had removed Hafez in the 90’s, you would not have gotten democracy. You would have gotten the Muslim Brotherhood on steroids. As for permanent bases, Regan did not have the fortitude to hold a base in Lebanon. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_Beirut_barracks_bombing
The Arab societies are very different from the German and Japanese ones. The best you can do is contain their problems, not try to solve them from outside.
Posted by AIG | June 10, 2013, 10:51 amAIG,
Are you so sure the Syrian secular opposition couldn’t have formed a government back in the early 90s?
The Green Zone in Baghdad is huge and very well protected. The US should not have left Iraq without without securing an agreement for permanent bases.
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 10, 2013, 11:32 amAP,
“Are you so sure the Syrian secular opposition couldn’t have formed a government back in the early 90s?”
99% sure. Look how despite US and Israeli efforts Hamas has succeeded in the Palestinian society. Look at how the Muslim Brotherhood succeeded in Egypt. Assad did not let any secular alternative flourish and the result was inevitable.
“The Green Zone in Baghdad is huge and very well protected”
True, but it costs billions of dollars per year and doesn’t bring any security to the rest of Iraq. So what exactly is it good for?
Posted by AIG | June 10, 2013, 12:00 pmTrue, but it costs billions of dollars per year and doesn’t bring any security to the rest of Iraq. So what exactly is it good for?
Well, let’s look at it. “The Surge” is an excellent process to study. And it worked.
It was Obama who, with his long-term anti-war stance, basically dismantled what actually worked. He had to prove himself “right” by destroying what GWB’s administration successfully implemented.
I repeat: “WORKED”.
Now the dollar value. The US should have thrown its weight around and demand Iraq pay for a large portion of their security.
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 10, 2013, 12:43 pmPay now, or pay later…
http://www.dw.de/un-iraq-sectarian-violence-worst-in-years/a-16853048
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 10, 2013, 1:00 pmHopey Changey NewZ
Obama’s Dorothy Doctrine
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/charles-krauthammer-obamas-dorothy-doctrine/2013/05/30/469fcffc-c954-11e2-8da7-d274bc611a47_story.html
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 10, 2013, 1:39 pmThe cost of a luxury apartment in central Beirut these days, +40K.
The cost of seeing an American Jew and an Israeli debate policy in the Middle East on a Lebanese blog. Priceless!
Posted by Whatever | June 10, 2013, 2:14 pmCost of renting !
Posted by Whatever | June 10, 2013, 2:18 pmGuess how much a Luxury apartment is in central Tel Aviv.
Whatever,
Japanese cartoons are a nice diversion, but we need to “talk turkey” about the band-aids that are falling apart in the ME.
I just flushed out AIG as a closet Obama-lover, so I think I should win some sort of QN award.
This is big news. BTW – If you have a suggestion about stopping militant Islam, I’m all ears.
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 10, 2013, 2:29 pmAIG,
If Israel is the holy land of the Jews, Mecca the holy ground of the Sunnis, Qom the holy land of the Shi’ites … where should the Christians flock to? Rome?
Posted by Whatever | June 10, 2013, 2:36 pmAP,
Any suggestions about stopping militant Judaism in the ME ?
We’re all ears.
Posted by Whatever | June 10, 2013, 2:43 pmLas Vegas?
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 10, 2013, 2:44 pmWhatever,
What is “militant judaism”? Fighting over who gets the corner table at a Chinese restaurant?
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 10, 2013, 2:48 pmAP,
The “surge” worked but didn’t solve any problem long term. Surging and spending blood and treasure without getting anything long term is not a smart move and in fact most Americans are against it. I like some Obama policies and dislike others. On Syria, he is spot one so far.
How do you make Iraqis pay if you want to also instill democracy? That is a blatant contradiction. If they chose not to pay, you can’t make them. The facts are that GWB Iraq policies were a disaster. There was no thought out plan what to do the day after Saddam was toppled.
Posted by AIG | June 10, 2013, 2:55 pmThe “surge” worked but didn’t solve any problem long term.
AIG,
Yes, it worked. Attacks and deaths were significantly reduced toward the end of GWB’s presidency. But Americans were tired of the bad press and the cost. Obama, eager to show GWB was “wrong”, dismantled the one thing that worked. He publically announced
timelines for the withdraw of American soldiers. Iraq had no incentive to negotiate longterm base operation or anything for that matter. They knew Obama would fold up the operation.
Surging and spending blood and treasure without getting anything long term is not a smart move and in fact most Americans are against it.
Americans are also against Iran, Hezbollah, al-Queda and terrorism. Out presidents don’t do a good job teaching the American public the consequences of inaction. IHMO, the US should start treating the ME the same way she treated the USSR: an existential threat, one that must be won. We need to plan for it and we need to budget for it.
The first stop the US should make is at the door of the Russian and Chinese embassies. And read them the riot act. Put missiles in Europe and tax manufacturers who do business in China if they suddently lose their hearing.
I like some Obama policies and dislike others. On Syria, he is spot one so far.
Giving Hezbollah, Syria, Iran and Russia a free mass on genocide isn’t “spot on”. It’s miserable, and it will catch up to us real fast.
How do you make Iraqis pay if you want to also instill democracy?
If they don’t pay, if they don’t cooperate we take over the government until someone come up with a plan.
The facts are that GWB Iraq policies were a disaster.
If the surge worked, it wasn’t a disaster. Poor planning resulted in poor results at first. A-holes like Pat Buchanan, who were FOR the Vietnam war, where 55,0000 US men were killed, couldn’t handle an operation where 90% fewer deaths were reported. An open debate on the importance of this war were necessary.
So now, when Syria, Hezbollah and Iran start moving further beyond their borders, we will see another ME war that will make Operation Iraqi Freedom pale in comparison.
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 10, 2013, 3:32 pmAP,
I would not have ONE Israeli soldier die or be injured to intervene in the Syrian civil war. If you don’t mind Americans dying or are happy wasting money on these kinds of wars, be my guest. I wouldn’t send myself or my kids to fight in such a war so I am quite sure I would not send others to fight in it either. Some wars you need to fight, others you don’t. Iraq was a stupid war. Poor planning at first ensured that nothing good would come after except at unacceptable costs to the US.
Where are Syria, Hezbollah and Iran going to move? They already are in Iraq and Lebanon. Where are they going? Into the Gulf countries where the US has bases?
4,500 American dead is 4,500 wrecked families. If I were in one of those families I would be very mad at GWB. It always clears the mind to try to imagine that one of the dead was your kid. How would you view his death if that was the case? Dying to fight Nazis is one thing, dying to make Iran more influential in Iraq is quite another.
Posted by AIG | June 10, 2013, 3:48 pmAP,
read this article from one of the advocates of Iraq’s invasion http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/07/opinion/sunday/the-arab-spring-started-in-iraq.html?pagewanted=all
“Both the George W. Bush administration and the Iraqi expatriate opposition to Mr. Hussein — myself included — grossly underestimated those costs in the run-up to the 2003 war. The Iraqi state, we failed to realize, had become a house of cards.”
“We didn’t know then what we know today. Some, including many of my friends, warned of the dangers of American hubris. I did not heed them in 2003.”
Posted by XP | June 11, 2013, 2:35 amIf you don’t mind Americans dying or are happy wasting money on these kinds of wars, be my guest.
AIG,
You make very good points, and frankly you have won this argument. I know I am talking more from my heart than my head.
BUT, I just feel as though that there is a way to democratize the ME and prevent the pro-terror regimes from winning. I certainly could be wrong.
Iraq was a stupid war.
The assumption was, that given the opportunity, Iraq would be able to create a viable democracy. As XP’s post above shows, this “poor planning” and this opportunity was wasted.
I’m not sorry the US defeated Iraqi Baathism and brought Saddam Hussein to justice. I am sorry Iraq couldn’t stand up, protect herself and her borders.
Where are they going?
Nowhere. If you ever played the game “Risk”, you can attack neighboring countries or you can sit and pile up armies in your own country until you feel ready to attack. Iran and Hezbollah are building up their “pile”. Cheap Katyusha rockets are being replaced by more accurate, longer range missiles.
They are also going into Iraq, destabilizing Gulf states like Bahrain and Qatar. Lebanon and Syria have also fallen to Iran in many ways. So there IS a threat.
Dying to fight Nazis is one thing, dying to make Iran more influential in Iraq is quite another.
I do not see much difference between the Nazis and Iran, except that Iran is probably more suicidal than the Nazis. I don’t see Iran is concerned with international “pressure” or norms. I don’t think they are afraid to wipe out someone else’s cities like Tel Aviv or Aleppo or Baghdad.
So, as they amass weapons up to the Isfraeli border and have their way across the ME, I’m just wondering if there was anything Israel, the US and the international community could have done when the next war breaks out.
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 11, 2013, 7:06 amIran eyes 30 nuclear bombs a year: Israel minister
http://www.france24.com/en/20130610-iran-eyes-30-nuclear-bombs-year-israel-minister
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 11, 2013, 7:19 amWashington blunders yet again in Syria
The Obama administration’s mistake has been to suspend discussion of arming the rebels, when it should have done precisely the contrary: bolster the opposition militarily so that it would come to a conference in an advantageous position. But for the Americans, diplomatic success is all about mood and mutual confidence, and so goodwill gestures are necessary, even when they happen to be self-defeating. How odd for an administration that embraces political realism.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Columnist/2013/May-16/217252-washington-blunders-yet-again-in-syria.ashx#axzz2VuvJ2eZZ
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 11, 2013, 10:19 amLets organize a Peace Beach Party in Byblos! y’all come down to the Festival of Love. drinks on the house.
Posted by Vulcan | June 11, 2013, 1:09 pmFuck Grendizer! Long live Iron Man 🙂
Posted by Vulcan | June 11, 2013, 1:11 pmHow about here in the US?
I prefer Spongebob Square Pants.
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 11, 2013, 2:18 pmBDS NewZ
Phone tracking OK under BO, not so much if under GWB:
http://www.people-press.org/2013/06/10/majority-views-nsa-phone-tracking-as-acceptable-anti-terror-tactic/
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 11, 2013, 2:39 pmThe hell with Grendizer! VIVA CHE!!!!!!!!
Beach Blanket Byblos? Sounds lovely..
BTW, Vulcan. In your various interactions with US State Dept officialdom, have you ever heard rumors about this enterprising molester who apparently targets the local talent?
“A State Department security official in Beirut allegedly “engaged in sexual assaults” against foreign nationals working as embassy guards. The security official, the Office of the Inspector General says, was also accused of committing “similar assaults during assignments in Baghdad, and possibly Khartoum and Monrovia.” The office’s memo says that an inspector general’s investigator who went to Beirut to try to conduct an investigation was not given enough time to complete the job.”
http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/11/politics/state-department-allegations/index.html
Posted by lally | June 11, 2013, 5:32 pmDarling Maria, CHE is departed. Ironmon liveson
First time I’ve heard about this molester, if the allegations are true he assaulted people, glad they caught the pervert and hope he gets sent to jail. I am shocked at some of the other infractions in the list as well.
I wonder why the investigator wasn’t given enough time in Beirut, probably budget reasons!? It’s expensive to operate here, even in the “reasonably safe” areas. The good news is the DoS finally understood they need to have bigger budgets for better and safer diplomatic presence in Lebanon which is very much needed. They are proceeding very well.
If you haven’t already, you should come visit Byblos. You’ll like it… mucho, cheers
Posted by Vulcan | June 11, 2013, 7:32 pmViva Commandante Che!!! YES!!
Posted by danny | June 11, 2013, 8:18 pmWhat would our beloved Ernesto have done in the case of Syria?
It is a paradox to see the [faux] Che lovers in Lebanon side with the regime is it not?
Posted by Maverick | June 11, 2013, 10:55 pmVarious protests in Egypt, Kuwait and Doha today in front of the Lebanese embassies, protesting HA’s intervention in Syria and burning pictures of Hassan Nassrallah.
Aren’t these the same bozos who were celebrating the great Nassrallah throughout the Arab Street back in 2006, after his divine victory?
Posted by Bad Vilbel | June 12, 2013, 12:28 amBV; To quote someone you see every day…These are Sheeple. 😀
Maverick; who are you calling regime supporter dude. Che is more about romanticism then war!
Posted by danny | June 12, 2013, 6:27 amAren’t these the same bozos who were celebrating the great Nassrallah throughout the Arab Street back in 2006, after his divine victory?
The guess Arab Street™ can change on a dime.
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 12, 2013, 9:18 amNot to worry, our elected officials “change on a dime” as well. Take the NSA leak for example:
http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/the-nsa-has-at-least-1-liberal-friend-left-sen-al-franken-20130611
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 12, 2013, 9:51 amI just figured it out. Israel and the Zionists can take over Lebanon by painting all Zionist military equipment with a Syrian flag…
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/06/2013612112942565798.html
Posted by Akbar Palace | June 12, 2013, 10:53 amWhat would Dr Che do? Neither side is compelling. My guess is that whatever else, he would be in the future camp of generalissimo whippersnapper here:
[sorry danny]
Vulcan, Darling Maria isn’t so much of either ;~{) C’est un left coast gringa.
The United States Department of State security guy was a career predator who preyed on the locals under his command. Isn’t he still @ large? He needs to be retired. Institutionalized “Justice” per se would not serve in this case. Name and shame and so on.
The recent reporting on the lax US embassy security must help to counteract what can only described as a blase attitude given it’s Beirut we’re talking about. Hope the deciders will be uber careful in vetting contractors, particularly those dealing with telecommunications……
Alas. I’ve never been to the Levant but was once upon a time dreaming of wandering a route through Turkey to Damascus(!) and then on to Lebanon. Legendary Byblos would be a perfect finale & muchas gracias for the introduction.
Posted by lally | June 12, 2013, 11:33 pmlooks like the Sayyed, look at those eyes that spell trouble maker. 🙂
Danny,
Of course he was, he was more of an adventurer than a Marxist. He would be anti-regime like he was anti-Batista, but then he would have been in a pickle after HA’s direct and heavy involvement.
i can just imagine him saying ” f**k these Arabs, they can’t help themselves, no one can”
Posted by Maverick | June 14, 2013, 1:29 amLally,
I told you no sharing:(
Posted by danny | June 14, 2013, 8:31 am