Peace in the Middle Easy: Libya.

Remarkable things are happening in the middle east. No one knows how they will shake out, with the Muslim Brotherhood, rebels and other factions vying for a stake in fragile nations and the government’s of western nations continuing to find ways to poke and prod their way into the middle of these uprisings (prior to, during, and surely beyond).

One thing we do know is the people of these nations are fighting for a better life where freedom means food and basic rights, not iPods and new cars. I frankly don’t have anything to offer here other than a plea to stay informed, stay open, and stay supportive in any way you can. This isn’t about religion or borders, this is about people. And, in many cases, kids.

More than half of (Qaddafi’s) 6.5 million subjects are under 18.

A remarkable number, to be sure. One which represents opportunity and hope, yet remains crushed by starvation and unemployment in an oil rich nation.

A Libyan primer from Mother Jones, for your reference. 

And a fantastic Twitter account from Sultan Al Qassemi reporting such remarkable things via Zakariya Salem Saad as:

The mercenaries (including Ukrainians, Serbians & Pakistanis) have been given Anti Bullet Vests to protect them from the police who have joined the protesters.

This Friday we’re holding an open Peace In The Middle East celebration at Tequila Bookworm, highlighting music of the region and generally uplifting vibes to help balance the otherwise terrifying reports and put some positive karma out there for the thousands of people fighting for freedom. It’s not anything profound or immediately helpful for the people of these nations, but it is something for friends of all nations to rally around locally. Join us. We can talk, we can dance, we can drink to freedom.

Peace.
Lee