The following was sent to me by a dear friend - no a sister, in Lebanon. The world watches as Israel, with our weapons and acquiescence, destroys an entire country. Israel's bombing campaign is not limited to the southern suberbs of Beirut and south of the Latani River; it is destroying the infrastructure of the entire country.

This is what the world is loosing

STATISTICS ABOUT LEBANON

1. Lebanon has 18 religious communities
2. It has 40 daily newspapers
3. It has 42 universities
4. It has over 100 banks (that is banks and not branches of a bank)
5. 70% of the students are in private schools
6. 40% of the Lebanese people are Christians (this is the highest percent in all the Arab countries)
7. There's 1 doctor per 10 people in Lebanon (In Europe & America, there's 1 doctor per 100 people)
8. The name LEBANON appears 75 times in the Old Testament
9. The name CEDAR (Lebanon's tree) appears 75 times too in the Old Testament!!
10. Beirut was destroyed and rebuilt 7 times (this is why it's compared to The Phoenix).
11. There are 3.5 Million Lebanese in Lebanon
12. There are around 10 Million Lebanese outside Lebanon!

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:

1. Lebanon, the country, was occupied by over 16 countries: (Egyptians-Hittites-Assyrians- Babylonians- Persians- Alexander the Great’s Army- the Roman Empire Byzantine- the Arabian Peninsula-The
Crusaders- the Ottoman Empire- Britain-France- Israel- Syria)

2. Byblos (city in Lebanon) is the oldest, continuously living city in the world.

3. Lebanon's name has been around for 4,000 years non- stop (it's the oldest country/ nation's name in the world!)

4. Lebanon is the only Asian/African country that doesn't have a desert.

5. There are 15 rivers in Lebanon (all of them coming from its own mountains)

6. Lebanon is one of the most populated countries in its archeological sites, in the world!!!

7. The first alphabet was created in Byblos (city in Lebanon)

8. The only remaining temple of Jupiter (the main Roman god) is in Baalbeck, Lebanon (The City of the Sun)

9. The BIBLE comes from the name of BYBLOS!!!

10. Lebanon is the country that has the most books written about it.

11. Lebanon is the only non-dictatorial country in the Arab world (it has a President!)

12. Jesus Christ made his 1st miracle in Lebanon, in CANA (The miracle of Turning water into wine).

13. The Phoenicians (Original People of Lebanon) built the 1st boat, and they were the first to sail ever!

14. Phoenicians also reached America long before Christopher Columbus did.

15. The 1st law school in the world was built in Lebanon, in Downtown Beirut.

16. People say that the cedars were planted by God's own hands (This is why they're called "The Cedars of God", and this is why Lebanon is called "God's Country on Earth."

Can anyone possibly be so blind that they fail to understand that no lasting peace can ever result from such wanton destruction and degradation?

It must be remembered that Lebanon has been unable to govern itself because during the past 20 years, at least, several foreign countries took up residence there, attempting to gain control. All were eventually expelled by Syria, which has wanted to regain the control over Lebanon that it once had. Syria, itself, was forced to leave last year,and it did, but it left Hezbollah in its place. So, the Lebanese people have not had the ability to "allow" Hezbollah to exist. We can be critical of the actions of the Lebanese only when their country regains its autonomy.

No Barbara, Tullahoma, TN, Israel has started bombing them too.

It’s easy to cast blame. We could give a high level description of these events, and say simply that Hezbollah’s intentions are to take over Israel, or whatever the case may be. Bottom line, the world in each of its corners is in dire need of peace and everyone can see this on the pleading faces of the remaining civilians in these war zones. In my view, focus is lost by becoming territorial, and what makes matters even more depressing, irrespective of nationality, race group or cultural backgrounds, the most important and obvious common denominator we all share is that we are human beings; the sad reality is that mothers and children are being wiped out daily and this just cannot continue. Life is so very fragile and sacred and this, it seems many don’t realize, is what we should value, respect and safeguard. Let life persevere! – Enrico Louw, Jhb (South Africa)

R in Dayton, if my dog was biting people, I'd put it down. The terrorists dogs have to put down, too. Unfortunately, like rabid dogs, they bite their own, too. They have no control and deserve no pity. People who believe these dogs will not harm them are deceiving themselves and allowing the dogs to rule them. I'm sorry the people of Lebanon allowed Hezbollah free reign, but they did.

War is hell!!! I really feel sorry for the women and children on both sides of the border. However, I am really disturbed at the number of people on various blogs who really would like to see another Holocaust as evidenced by the fact that there is no outcry from two billion muslims when an Iranian leader calls for the extermination of Israel (Jews). Isn't Islam the religion of peace???? See www.thereligionofpeace.com. Where is the outcry from you peace loving bloggers??? There was no outcry against Hitler before World War II.

Every one whats Israel to stop its all there fault. I don't see it. Hezbollah sends suicide bombers into Israel all the time to blow up women and children why are some of you crazy people not codemming them for that? Then when Israel says enough is enough if the UN is not going to inforce a law that was made for Labanon to get rid of Hezbollah they we will do it for them. You people cannot expect Israel to keep letting them come across there borders kidnap people and kill them and not do anything. It is sad that people are getting killed but we need to blame the goverment there for not enforcing the laws. Also these people that live in another world that think you can just set down and talk to these people better hope they don't have a bomb strapped under there shirt you cannot talk to crazy people who just want to kill you. One last thing if you don't want to get bombed then don't let Hezbolla fire rockets from your front yard not a good idea.

I simply don't get it! Why is it all right for Israel to invade Lebanon with weapons purchased with US$$? Was it also all right for Hitler to round up and exterminate "how ever many" Jewish, Polish, and Italians during WWII? What is the REAL reason for this invasion into Lebanon? Was it because Hizbellah kidnapped 2 Israeli soldiers. I THINK NOT!! And anyone who beleives that is plain stupid. Israel has planned this for a LONG time. And should the WHOLE WORLD expect that the Lebanese will sit back and not FIGHT BACK against this invading force? Put yourself in their place. If another county started bombing your city and killed your family - what would you do? Would you crawl into the closet and wait for the next bomb to get you? Or would you stand up and fight. If you had lost your entire family as well as every bit of normalcy in your life, I think that you would fight.. The media keeps referring to the Lebanese as the "Insurgents" or the "Islamic militants" - I see them as Freedom Fighters fighting for their lives. How could I not? (I am sick of the medias warped one-side view - always siding toward the Jewish state.)

If Lebanon's infrastructure supports or condones hezbollah then it is a viable target. When they have business complexes in the middle of the capitol there is obviously some collusion. Is there a Crips Towers in the united states? Any time civilians are victims it is a tradegy but when the enemy strikes,retreats, and then hides amoung them they need to share equal blame for the consequences. It's like if you were in the midst of an armed robbery and when the bullets start flying you pick up your child and use them to protect yourself.
I realize that Lebanon's army might not have been strong enough to disarm Hezbollah but I find it hard to believe that not disarming them wasnt at least in part self serving and intentional. It's like having a second Army in which you can deny responsibility for any of their actions but still can reap the benefits of their protection and adgenda.

We are to believe poor Israel has no choice but to slaughter innocent Lebanese? They were forced to destroy Lebanon's infrastructure? Who believes this?

Someday when Israel is matched militarily by another power in the region (like a nuclear-armed Iran), I think they will not be so quick to attack.

Several days ago, there was a story about the Christian enclaves in Lebanon. This was accompanied by photographs of people sitting around a public swimming pool in swimsuits. These very people were quoted as not expecting to have any damage or injuries because as Christians, they were neutral to the Jewish/Muslim fight.

So, tell me: Are they still there? Have they given shelter to women and children and elders (their own countrymen)? Are they still sipping cocktails around the pool?

To answer the question above “ Why not show "Two Womens Stories"...one from Israel and one from Lebanon?” the answer is the first women does not exist, there was no women or children from Israel bombed by Hizbullah, there was no massacres on the Israeli people. The Arabs stopped counting the massacres committed by Israel through out its history against women and children.

How can you call Hezbollah the cowards when the IDF are the ones too affraid to persue a formidable ground attack. They simply drop bombs and shoot missiles at whatever they please killing innocent people. Israel can be beaten and they are beaten. By taking to long to inflict any damage onto Hezbollah they have only succeded in uniting the arab world into hating Israel and the US even more.

I think that the "one sided reporting" comments come from the nature that we hear only what is in the best interest of the media's agenda. We dont hear that these people ummmm just possibly were intentionally made targets by Hezbollah. What better way to drum up support for your cause than to intentionally draw to a fire to a civilian area, by using it to launch a rocket, knowing full well that this is going to draw an air strike. Then, when the smoke clears, the media goes in and snaps photos of wounded and dead children and plasters them everywhere. This increases support from the world for hezbollah,even from legitimate Arab governments, but specially from other fanatic factions that were previously their enemys. What better way to jump start a "jihad" than unify everyone under carefully calculated circumstances. Very clever......

I remind Mr. Stern that Israel cannot be beaten because our country, the USA, provides it with $3 Billion Dollars per year, and guaranteed safety. Might want to cut down on the bragging, pal. If it was not for our tax dollars, Israel would not even exist, as it clearly cannot stand on it's own two feet.

Ivan in Los Angeles, CA wins the gold medal today for the "Israelis are like Nazis" comment!

Israel doesn't have many other options in handling Hezbollah. It's kind of hard to talk to Hezbollah about peace because you know, they're pledged to Israel's destruction.

"When you lie down with dogs, don't be surprised if you get fleas."

In my mind, you are refering to the US sleeping with israel. whether correct or incorrect, there are reasons why arabs don't like the israelies and it seriously goes beyond anti-semitism... and because we are the parent to israel's spoiled brat persona, yes, people hate us.

look at the cuban americans who still hate castro. these are successful americans now whose grand parents lost their property during the revolution. imagine these same people losing their land, being intermittently bombed by castro and, instead of being successful immigrants, are stuck in a squalid refugee camp for 50 years and imagine how much greater their rage will be. These are the paelstinians. yes, their plight is a result from a "conspiracy of dunces", but that should not apologize for their mistreatment by israel.

Sorrow, fear, death, and hardship is not an an Israeli or Lebanese problem. It is a human problem that is plaguing innocent civilians in both countries, as well as those of us who watch. We label Hezbollah a terrorist group, however, excuse Israel's actions as "defending itself." When we examine each sides' actions, what exactly is the difference? They both kill innocent men, woman, and children. Israel says that is not their intention. Well, at the end of the day, actions and consequences account for a lot more than empty words. Shame on the Bush administration for encouraging this disgusting show of muscle, which is hurting only the civilians of BOTH countries. I hope the Israeli people will also wake up and realize that terrorizing innocent people in Lebanon will make nobody sympathetic to their real problems. I can only hope that they will wake up and demand their government stops the senseless killing, because we know the all powerful United States cannot discern right from wrong in the Middle East.

Hezbollah are a bunch of cowards who use women, children, and the old to hide behind. They are also criminals who think they are above the law. They have been begging for a fight (their jihad) and now thye have one. The isreali's can take on hezbollah, syrians, and the iranians. Isreal cannot be beaten! Ever!

How is this unfair reporting? I don't think this report shows EITHER side. It just shows a country being bombarded by Israelis AND Hezbollah (backed by Syria) and the devastation that war causes. However, if you notice, the Lebanese are the only ones not fighting over Lebanon! I think the only "side" to be taken is the one for the innocent victims who are being evicted from their homes.

Israel's supporters sure get upset when MSN portrays Arabs as human beings and victims of war. I suppose they would prefer that Arabs be portrayed only as subhumans that should be exterminated.

Perhaps they forget that the Nazis portrayed the Jews in exactly the same way.

arent people in lebanon humans the inisent children and women who were killed and had nothing to do with the evil israelis who did all that killing in return of 2 soldiers kidnapping !!!!!!!!!!!!! thats a wierd revenge dont you think so?????????? . at least just think that your dog or pet died the same way. what would you feel?

So where's your story (or anyone's story) on the lives of Israelis which have been decimated by people who say they have no right to exist. If Israel made such a statement with respect to any of its Arab neighbors you people would be calling for a UN strike on the wailing wall. Pathetic.

What's the deal with publishing the amateur photos? I'd expect this sort of thing on YouTube and Flickr where people with usernames like "zionist_devils1987" or "free_palestine1989" put this stuff up.

Interesting that "One" story is told with the purpose of soliciting sorrow for the Lebanese. Why not show "Two Womens Stories"...one from Israel and one from Lebanon? Oh wait, that would mean fair reporting and we can't have that.