Lebanon

[rain_gryphon]

The hundredth anniversary of Lebanon. It started out well, then went right into the toilet. My uncle Billy was in the US Navy in (IIRC) 1960, when we sent the fleet around the Mediterranean to show the flag (and the associated Big Stick) after that debacle with Sadat and the Suez Canal. Beirut was one of the ports they put into. He thought that it was one of the most beautiful cities that he'd ever seen, but the people were collectively insane. He and his buddies were eating at an outdoor restaurant when they saw some guy get lit on fire with a molotov cocktail. Even back then, they were having sectarian problems.

France lays down the law to Lebanon. I've mean-mouthed France in the past, and I probably will in the future, but it must be said in their favour that they step up to the plate when an ex-colony oppresses its people.

Comments

[nodrog]

Apparently much of the Middle East was once a lot cooler place to be than it is now.  I've seen mention of what a swingin' scene Iran was before the Revolution - and Persia has always been like that - their conversion to Islam left the Puritanical hardliners wishing they'd let well enough alone!

[rain_gryphon]

Oh, yes. There was a guy in our class in junior high who was from Iran. I didn't know him that well, but a cool guy nonetheless. His dad was in the States for a few years on business, and they went back right before things went to hell. I have no idea what happened to them.