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Reb,
How are the Lebanese you've spoken to taking all this? I have known more Lebanese than I can remember and found them to be very friendly, honest, fun but most of all loyal. Some of the best friends I have ever had.
Most of them I knew at BU when the Hariri foundation sent thousands of them abroad for education. They all started the school year in the second semester and there was apprehension among many of us as to what they'd be like. I ended up with one as my roommate - Mohammad Ali Munzer. I'm a lucky man to have known him. I do hope he is well, I have not heard from him in many years.
All of them were Muslim of every type and they all got along with everyone and among themselves. They went to great lengths to befriend the RA of the floor when they learned she had lobbied not to have any of them on her floor. The young lady was Jewish. By the time the school year ended she counted quite a few of the guys as her friends.
I recall how much they wanted to learn about America. How they wanted to experience everything the city had to offer and seemed to make friends with everyone they met. These men ( and a few ladies ) spent a huge amount of time on their studies and the pace at which they mastered English was astounding. Among themselves they chided each other if any spoke Arabic. ' Speak English, speak English ' they'd say and the fellow who was speaking Arabic always looked a bit embarrassed.
Brother, could they ever drink...these guys loved Heineken and always put me to shame in the consumption department. Many times these guys would insist on taking me to night clubs which I'd never have even considered going to - and this is only after being in the States for a few months.
Just about all of them had some type of military experience during the wars in their country. Some of them had huge gruesome scars on their bodies which you'd see when everyone was making the made scramble for the morning showers.
These guys were my first introduction to Islam. I was 19 years old and didn't know Islam from ice cream. As everything hits the fan over there I have been thinking about their families and the students who returned to Lebanon. I have high hopes for Lebanon. I haven't given up yet.