Sunday, October 02, 2005

I have written about Lebanonese fixation with ranking before. And today, in the silly segment that precedes what passes as the news broadcast on the right-wing sectarian Christian Lebanese Forces' militia TV, LBC-TV, in which famous "Lebanese" profiles are presented, regardless whether the people profiled are really Lebanese or not, a tribute to a certain Lebanese physician, Bassam Al-Bassam, was aired. It said that, among his many other honors and awards, this Al-Bassam won the award for "best physician in the US." I kid you not. What is with this fictitious homeland? What is it with an illusory "nation" that is based on unending supply of myths, lies, and fabrications? Do you know that Lebanese school children are still being taught that the ancient Phoenicians--who never constituted one people or one nation, Lebanese nationalist claims to the contrary notwithstanding-- "invented" the alphabets? And let us assume that they indeed had invented Hummus--which they did not--do they think that this fact alone entitles them to pathetic nationalist fabrications and feelings of superiority toward their neighbors? I mean Col. Sanders invented the secret KFC's recipe, but he was quite modest about it. I, for one, have been awarded a prestigious American award honoring me as the "best potato slicer in the US" but do you see me brag about it? But do you know who is most guilty in reinforcing these myths about Lebanon by Lebanese? An-Nahar newspaper and publishing house. So much damage to Lebanon and its culture they have done.