[lisa_spyder]

I promised myself I would stay away from these debates...however there are facts some seem to be overlooking, do not know or do not wish to know or plainly wish to ignore.

Lebanon historically is a Christian country. For over 100 years she has suffered the tribulations of war and outside influences well beyond her capabilities of control.

My great-grandmother was a Christian (Greek Orthodox). She and others of her era, along with all Christian Lebanese were tattooed; marked by the Ottomans...just like the Nazis did to the Jews and others...she wore a number on her wrist for all to see.

My grandfather (her son) lived with a Jew on one side and a Moslem on the other as neighbours in his Christian village - in PEACE. It was "the way"...that is until after WWII when the mid-east was carved up by the west (my, the English have things to answer for) with no real understanding or consideration. The all out losers were the Palestinians. They were truly displaced and thus flooded the borders mainly of Jordan (fact - Jordan for many many years had more Palestinian refugees than Jordanian nationals to support). These refugees also flowed to Lebanon...and the Lebanese for many years exploited them. They were not on equal footing with the Nationals, some say they were treated as second class citizens.

There has been unrest in this little jewel country of the middle east for decades...we were there in '68 for several months and my father (Lebanese born Christian) sensed the trouble then. 7 years later the civil war erupted and the country has not enjoyed real peace since.

Who is to blame for the mess then and the mess now? Point the finger wherever you like...you would all be a little right in my view.

Lebanon's weakness lies within - the Christians are not united, the Moslems are not united, there are factions and fractions everywhere. Syria wants her fertile land, Israel wants her water (fact - Israel altered the water course of the Litani river and stole the water years ago)...the Palestians will take what they can get from her until they reclaim their homeland. These are but small examples.

Lots of you lay blame at the feet of the Lebanese and their government. This is a country that was suffering a large international debt back in 1968 and has been decimated ever since. It is a country divided and therefore weakened. It is a crying shame....and an unsolvable problem so long as the fanatics have control. I believe Israel has a right to a homeland and to live in peace. But I also believe Palestine has a right to homeland and to live in peace. Most of all I believe than countries like Lebanon and Jordan have a right to their homelands and to be left in peace! Very sadly, I cannot see a solution and I despair for the land of my heritage.

Please, please understand the history and the culture before condemning either side so widely...redneck generalisations solve nothing and inflame everything. Innocent lives are being lost...a country is being decimated again...a region faces another era of war. A catastrophe that may not, or cannot, or will not be averted.