The Revolution Will Be Blogged
They have electricity in Freedom Camp now, along with four computers and a broadband wi-fi connection. They also have their own Web site called Pulse of Freedom '05 where they hope to transmit their message of independence, democracy, and peace to anyone in the world who cares to listen.
A group of Web masters, graphic design artists, writers, and photographers stayed up all night for several nights in a row putting the Web site together.
It wasn't easy. 700 people live in the tent-city. Everyone has their own opinion about how the site should look and what kind of content should be published. But they hammered it all out after a series of all-night meetings and arguments. Lebanon is one of the most varied and least homogenous countries on Earth. Compromise and the ability to reach a consensus are skills all mature Lebanese people acquire.
(The Pulse of Freedom editorial board, from left to right: Jad Ghostine, Nabil Abu-Charraf, and Joumanna Nasr.)
The Pulse of Freedom '05 site includes information about the history of Lebanon, the civil war, Syrian rule, and the current political crisis. Links to related news articles are posted daily, as are photo galleries and the tent-city residents' own take on current events. A debate forum page will been created where people both inside and outside Lebanon can discuss what is happening. They will post their own announcements, press releases, and campaign news.
As far as I'm aware this is the first Web site of its kind anywhere in the world. The leaders of a democratic revolution are openly blogging about their experience from the center of the action. They're lucky the Syrians are on their way out. And so are we. Be sure to bookmark their site. It is definitely going to be one to watch. And please donate some money to help them while you're at it. Freedom is not free, and it never will be.
Fine site over there, although more pictures of the lovely Joumanna would make it great (I left a comment there). Interesting Flikr slideshow -- Michael, why don't you try using it, too?
Also, I'm wondering how your Arabic learning is coming, if at all. (Um, I guess I should be studying my own Slovak...)
[ I'd guess some single guys might think of a song like: Give me HOPE, Joumanna, : : Hope, Joumanna, hope before the morning light ... ]
Posted on 2005-04-18 06:45:56 by Tom G.Michael, Can I fly out? You need another man on campus? If I can meet that girl, she's straight up beautiful... please tell her so as well.
Mike Nargizian
Posted on 2005-04-18 09:13:51 by mike n.I feel so guilty posting something so trivial in contrast to something so momentous as the Lebanese Freedom Movement; but Joumanna Nasr is stunning!!! Are all Lebanese women beautiful? From all the pictures I've been seeing this must be so. If I'm ever single again I'm vacationing in Beruit damn it! Joumanna, thank you for the beautiful picture, it has brightened my day.
Posted on 2005-04-18 09:42:55 by Mike T.Also, to me Nabil is either of Armenian or Jewish descent or both.... One of my Lebanese friends here said 2 of his grandparents 1 on each side were Jewish but converted so they could avoid any harassment or problems.
Posted on 2005-04-18 12:23:08 by mike n.Beautiful, indeed. I don't know what it will take, though, to get this cause back into the U.S. media headlines. It'sliterally fallen off the news radar. I did a scroll of the AP photo wire tonight and found exactly one photo of pro-democracy people in Lebanon. That's in contrast to 37 of anti-American protesters in Lebanon.
http://vernondent.blogspot.com/2005/04/freedom-vanishes.html
Posted on 2005-04-19 03:13:25 by Doug H.Media -- time to call for Bono or Peter Gabriel or Madanno or somebody who cares about human freedom to give a quick benefit concert in the square, near the countdown sign.
"Star power." I don't think Arnie would go ... but who knows?
Posted on 2005-04-19 08:16:43 by Tom G.New thought: Please consider getting Skype.com -- for FREE voice over IP. Then various Lebanese bloggers could be availble for Americans, and Europeans, to TALK to Lebanese Freedom Demonstrators. I can imagine that some (small? or big) radio call-in shows would find it interesting to talk with English speaking Lebanese.
I know I would; TomGrey in Slovakia from Skype. And not just J., but any Freedomers.
Posted on 2005-04-19 08:43:08 by Tom G.Yes, I know I'd be interested in talking to Joumanna. If she held a fund drive for $ there's not telling how much you'd raise.... (come on you know you're laughing)
Posted on 2005-04-19 15:54:14 by mike n.I think might put the picture of her smiling on the front of my blog for a few weeks.... lol... and I'll put the support Lebanon link below it.
Posted on 2005-04-19 15:55:10 by mike n.Michael (Totten) you should definitely reply to verndon's blog post above. You guys should be all over this disgusting propaganda the AP is putting out!!
You should check out and in fact post a full response to this excellent post regarding "press coverage" of Lebanon.. disgusting. When I first read the one about willing Syrians leaving while adoring smiling Lebanese wave as they leave I figured it had to be from Syrian State run media, but its <b>from the AP!!</b> http://vernondent.blogspot.com/2005/04/freedom-vanishes.html
Posted on 2005-04-19 16:40:57 by mike n.
