Chutzpah by the Lebanese Army: Unconditional Aid Only

In the hamlet of St, Paul’s on the island St. Kitts, grandma would say to me, place one self in such a person’s shoes; it was a lesson for my not being selfish, but to imagine myself facing whatever that person was going through. It is a lesson that is steadily disappearing from our world; take for instance, the gall of the Lebanese Army, who is complaining that any aid from the United States must be had without conditions. The New York Times is reporting that the United States Congress has told the Lebanese Army in order to secure a $100 million in aid, it must promised not work with the Hezbollah, the terrorist group and surrogate of Iran.

The reason for Congress’ conditional aid proviso is two fold: to thwart Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon… preventing incidents like last week’s skirmishes on the shared borders of Israel and Lebanon… thought to be the influence of Hezbollah on the Lebanese army; and to sever the hold that Hezbollah has in Lebanon. This last objective is wishful thinking on the part of the Americans - but they could hope.

The problem is that instead of Lebanon refusing the largesse, it is demanding that such aid comes without conditions. If the Lebanese think that in taking aid from the United States based on conditions is tantamount to selling its soul, then simply refuse it. Where else can beggars be choosers? We know that many a country who hates America… take aid in some form from her, but they save their pride by doing such taking through straw organizations like the World Bank, The United Nations, and other NGOs.

Let us tally some of the unbelievable chutzpah that is now affecting America: we have Mexico and a number of countries in Latin America suing the State of Arizona over its Immigration law, while those same countries have draconian laws, which govern their respective immigration policies; and we have countries (Lebanon) receiving our aid, but telling us that said aid should not be conditional. None of these countries are placing themselves in the place in America’s shoes, because they cannot overcome their induced selfish Narcissus syndrome.

I feel like the Roman dictator, Nero, playing of the proverbial fiddle, while Rome burned or like the captain of the Titanic listening to the dirge rendition of, “Nearer My God To Thee,” while the behemoth ship sank. Chutzpah!