The truth about Lebanon's sexual revolution

Nasri Atallah wrote a very interesting piece about sex in Lebanese society back in June (yes I only found out about it a couple of minutes ago) (but) it just got me thinking: 2011 was such a great year for sex in Lebanon!

On TV, our own Malek Springer now rivals Jerry Maktabi while our (in)famous duo of sexologists, Sandrine Atallah (Is she your cousin, Nasri?) and Labib Gholmiyeh have angered every single mufti and priest in the Middle-East (or not).

In literature, I mean come on it's not like you don't (occasionally) check out the Lebanese nude photography section in "Librairie Antoine" (and we thought you were such an intellectual) | And it's not like you weren't curious enough to (think about) buy(ing) Jasad, Lebanon's first (semi?) erotic magazine.

No need to talk about the nightlife, (a picture is worth a thousand words) so just go ahead and check out the pictures posted on beirutnightlife, or published in Mondanité, Spécial, Noun or good old Facebook. (Oh and Folie rouge, good ol' folie rouge)

(If you still haven't read his piece), Nasri Atallah argues that even though our society has become so sexualized, there is "a distinct lack of actual sex".   

I agree (do you?), but unlike Mr Atallah I don't think this will lead to the "complete desexualisation" of our society. I see it differently: we are currently in the midst of Lebanon's sexual revolution, (I just realized our country is actually going through a "revolution" under the banner of the Arab Spring), I mean come on, who would have imagined 15 years ago (or just after the end of the civil war) that our local TV channels would be detailing sexual positions (yes) and talking about masturbation at 10:00 pm.

I just think that our sexual revolution is in Fast Forward mode, this is definitely going to generate some sort of collateral damage, but the end result should make our society somewhat similar to Eastern European ones, don't you think?

It's going to be a long process; 25 years ago parents wouldn't have allowed their daughters to "hang out" at Gemmayze until the early morning hours (3ayb 3ammo). Today, it just takes a (papy please wloooo) or simply a (bye ana ray7a). 

Times are changing, the new generations won't be as harsh on their own children as our parents or grand-parents were... Allah yestor!  

Spectators attend a fashion show for the latest Diamony lingerie collection during "Ski and Fashion Festival 2011" at Faraya Mzaar ski resort, Mount Lebanon.

 

   

What's with supercars in Lebanon?

Ferrari 2012 spotted in Beirut Central District - Estimated price: 277.000 USD

Every study published recently in Lebanon states that the economy over the last couple of years has been somewhat on the downfall. Let's just say the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.

There's just one thing I don't understand.

I've seen at least 100 different supercars on the road this year. (With an average price of 100,000 USD each, you do the math).

Lamborghini Gallardo Roadster spotted in Sin el Fil - Estimate price: 220.000 USD

It seems that Porsches and Audis are no longer up to our standards.

I wouldn't be surprised if banks will create a special supercar loan soon.






Car diving in Lebanon

A few weeks ago, the first heavy rains showered the great roads of cedar land. Bridges became floating lakes, tunnels became underwater passages and mountain roads became ski slopes.

On my way back home, I made the mistake of passing through the "CityMall" bridge in Dora. Weirdly enough, there was a lot of traffic.

I was expecting a "Zouzou ebba" accident, but lo and behold I was about to experience Car diving in Lebanon.

Enjoy the video!

P.S : Skip to 32' for the exciting part.

Lebanon : The calm before the storm.

bloggingbeirut.com - Jonathan Giesen

BEIRUT - For years now, experts and analysts have been speculating on whether or not a major conflict will erupt in Lebanon. Internal tensions have been high for so long between the two major political rivals, that no one can actually remember when was the last times the political scene had no tensions at all.
With Hezbollah currently in a very tricky situation and the International community preparing itself to officially persecute members of the party in the name of the Hariri clan, the future does not look so bright for Cedar Land.
And Yet, both cheikh Saad Hariri, Ex-Pm Rafic Hariri's son and Hezbollah chief sayyed Hassan Nasrallah have promised that there will never be sectarian strife in Lebanon. It is certain that both parties have asked their members not to resort to violence and not to give in to provocation.
Lebanon will certainly be hit with a storm, but no one knows exactly when. This "calm" could last for several months, and even years. After all, everybody was expected the chiite party to make a move in our to divert attention from the situation is Syria. But nothing happened. Yet.
Hezbollah knows the time is not right, and the situation in Syria does not look like it could be resolved within a couple of weeks or so.
One thing is sure, with all the region witnessing change Lebanon won't be unaffected. At some point or another it will suffer the consequences of new politics of the region. Whether the new regimes or "reforms" set up in nearby Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Irak will impact the situation in Lebanon is not a matter of "if", it is just a matter of "When".

Why war between Israel and Lebanon is inevitable

Hezbollah chief sayyed Hassan Nasrallah during his speech on tuesday july 26th in Beirut

BEIRUT - Six years after the end of the "devastating" July 2006 war between Lebanon and Israel, tensions are rising (again) between the two states.

There have been different forms of provocations since the end of the conflict that could easily have lead to war, but nothing happened.

1-Numerous Israeli spy networks were uncovered in Lebanon

2-The Lebanese and Israeli army clashed on the border

3-Israel assassinated a Hezbollah general/commander, according to the chiite party

4-Israel kidnapped Lebanese shepherds and fishermen on the border

5-Israel violated Lebanese air space on a daily basis

6-Hezbollah continued to import and stock rockets and weapons

7-Hezbollah spy ring was discovered in Israel

8-An international arrest warrant was issued against members of Hezbollah for the murder of Lebanese Ex-PM Rafic Hariri

Despite all these dangerous events, and up to this moment, the border between the two countries is calm. Threats and accusations are made on a daily basis between the two sworn enemies.
However, everything changed in 2008 when it was announced that huge natural ressources were discovered in the mediterranean sea.
At first, it just seemed like it won't be a big issue between the two countries, but everything changed this year, this month.
Lebanon wants gas and will fight for it at all costs, Israel wants gas and will fight for it at all costs.
Hezbollah hold the parliamentary and ministerial majority in Lebanon.
Hezbollah chief sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said yesterday he will attack anyone who threatens Lebanese ressources.
Well if this isn't a recipe for disaster, then what is?

Israeli map detailing natural ressources in the mediterranean

Hezbollah: Fighting a lost battle?

A destroyed Israeli tank during the july 2006 war.

BEYROUTH - Hezbollah chief sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is expected to give a speech tonight to commemorate the glorious victory of Lebanon and his party against Israel in the july 2006 war.

However, the sucess and prosperity of Hezbollah has slowly diminished over the years especially after the uprising in Syria, experts say.
The party is also in a difficult situation internally, after Lebanon's Special Tribunal issued arrest warrants against four of its members, accusing them of murdering Ex-PM Rafic Hariri in 2005.
The indictment fueled tensions between the two main rival parties of the country: Hezbollah and Future (Mr Hariri's party).
In his last speech, sayyed Nasrallah vowed he will do all that is in his power to prevent civil strife in the country. But he had warned last year that he would "cut the hands" of those who try to arrest any member of his party.
The Hariri clan, which has been waiting for over 6 years to find out who was behind the assassination of the decade, is not willing to abandon Justice, even for the sake of the nation's stability.
Western powers see it as a golden opportunity to eliminate the chiite party once and for all. After all, Syria is at its weakest at the present moment.
But there is, in fact, only one problem: Iran.
If Hezbollah is indeed fragile after a heavy internal coup suffered last month when Israeli agents were found to have infiltrated the internal organs of the party, this does not mean the chiite group is not capable of launching an all out war against its enemy with the help of Iran.
This would be very convenient for Damascus, but the scenario is unlikely at the moment.
As a matter of fact, Hezbollah is trying to take the upper hand within the Lebanese government and proove to the people that weapons is not all the party is about.
In the meantime, the party is crossing their fingers and relying on sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's charisma to maintain the strong image of the Resistance.
Meanwhile, the new Lebanese opposition is waiting to ambush this current Cabinet: Hariri will not and cannot forget the humiliation of being ousted the moment he met US president Barack Obama.
Lets hear what sayyed Nasrallah has to say tonight:
Things do not look good...