Wave your Lebanese flags: Lebanon is cheering its armed forces. Rania sent me this from Beirut: "Another assault. By the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (aka, police). He - R.S. - was standing on a sidewalk, waiting for a friend to come out of T Marbouta (off of Hamra street, a main, popular street in Beirut). The time was approximately 8.30 pm tonight. The mere fact that he - a dark man - was standing on the sidewalk prompted suspicion from an overly-paranoid, racist neighbor. (does this remind anyone of the U.S.?) Consequently, a few members fo the ISF approached my friend. Once again, my friend had difficult expressing what was done.Insulted. Insulted because he’s Palestinian. Insults directed against his heritage and his nationality.Beaten. Thrown against the wall. Beaten on the legs. Slapped.Threatened. Threatened with greater physical violence. Threatened with “more.” Threatened that if he does another “wrong” (what was the first wrong? standing on a sidewalk?), he’d see worse.Throughout it all, it was clear that he wasn’t truly a suspect - only a victim of racism."It shouldn’t be surprising - but - still - it is disappointing and disgusting."