Jumblat Advises 'You Stink' Activists to Avoid Falling Victim to Political Manipulation
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat acknowledged on Sunday the “rightful” demands of the “You Stink” civil society campaign, warning against the manipulation of the movement.
He remarked via Twitter: “The activists should be cautious of attempts to politically manipulate and hinder their movement.”
Moreover, he advised the campaigners to “carefully study” their current situation.
The MP noted that it remains to be seen how the movement will be able to achieve its demands.
"I do not claim to know the answers because I am part of the political class that the demonstrators protested against," Jumblat remarked.
“Yesterday's rally differed from previous ones in that it truly reflected the pain of the people,” he added.
He also hailed the movement's achievement of creating a new wave in the country away from the March 8 and 14 rival political parties.
On Saturday, the “You Stink” civil society activists staged a huge protest in downtown Beirut against the current political deadlock in the country and officials' ongoing failure to resolve a waste management crisis that erupted in July.
The crisis started when the Naameh landfill was closed amid a failure to find an alternative which led to the piling up of garbage on streets throughout the country.
Thousands of protesters on Saturday demanded the resignation of Environment Minister Mohammed al-Mashnouq and called for holding Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq accountable for the use of force during a similar protest held a week ago.
They also called for the election of a new president.
They gave the government 72 hours to meet their demands, warning that after the deadline expires it will take escalatory measures not just in Beirut.
30 August 2015, 13:09
14
Everyone wants a better country for his children, even you mr jumblat for your son taymour.
30 August 2015, 13:17
04
He doesn't know what the solution is? Well, it doesn't include him.
30 August 2015, 18:40
02
True. It's borderline, being on the fence, trying to see which way he will tilt.
But he could have proposed something & that gets more credibility.
30 August 2015, 21:17
03
He could have offered his resignation to nudge other PMs to do same and clear the way for new elections.
30 August 2015, 14:07
12
How to implement it? It's simple really, this snowball will grow and grow until you see 2 million plus demonstrating in front of you and after that its accountability time for everyone responsible for turning Lebanon into a coconut republic.:)
30 August 2015, 15:18
10
Mashnouq is the modern day version of Joseph Goebbel.
if you don't know who I mean ..you should !
look it up
30 August 2015, 14:36
98
Maybe you should do your part and change that stupid name of yours.
30 August 2015, 14:57
76
No more 8 no more 14 no more sects and religion. Lebanon for the Lebanese.
30 August 2015, 15:53
116
sects and religion are not the problem. After all, 8 and 14 cross sect and religious boungaries but that hasnt helped move the country forward.
30 August 2015, 16:36
65
No city boy march 8 and 14 doesnot cross sect; an alliance between sectarian tribes doesnot mean crossing over sect.. Plus they are playing on religious fear, fear of the sunni extremist, fear of the iranian expenssion, fear over christians right...
And yet nothing to improve dayly citizens live... So enough, let there be place for someone who reqlly wanna work for the country so the can go discuss and do a lot of hiear over the regional, geopolitical, anti imperialist/zionist/khomaiinidt/ksa/takifiri... Whatever they want but let us have the minimum of what a decent country should provide to its citizen...
30 August 2015, 18:47
80
You guys are missing the point, the different sects and religions in Lebanon are what make Lebanon a great and unique place. In fact lack of religion is what probably most lacking right now. Set aside the corrupt politicians, just focus on the general society, how much of daily decisions made now are based on greed and taking advantage of others rather than being true and honest, regardless of what religion you follow. Lebanese people have lost lots of their honesty, care, respect for others. Now people are relying and demanding from the state of everything. Even when there was a functional landfill, how many people did you see daily littering. I wont even get into selfish driving habits, the food scandels, ripping off tourists or strangers.
30 August 2015, 16:38
56
Mr. Jumblat, thanks for nothing, fact is people like you are the reason we're taking to the streets. People like you are now in panic mode, you guys thought, ah yeah, kids filling a fancy, but it turns out differently, these young people know a lot more than all of you old rot, they want change and they will get it. On a pro-rata base, their education and info level by far surpasses you people by light-years. Mr. Jumblat, you can help by giving the You Stink Movement your support, at least history will be gentler on you and your likes if you did. However, with or without, the tide has started, you brace yourself and best keep that tongue of yours well zipped up.
30 August 2015, 16:42
67
I saw one placard that said and your picture Mr. Jumblat was among those other old rot, "Al siyesiyye farra2ouna, woul zbeleh jama3itnah". The last straw that broke the camel's back. Mr. Jumblat, please, we're tired of your lot, and by this I mean all of you lot, M14 as well as M8 all of you, go home and never come back for goodness sake.
30 August 2015, 18:48
17
min-canada
is Bachir part of the current corrupt political class that you are revolting against? If yes, then your logic applies.
31 August 2015, 14:33
00
Canada, the manipulator is a veeeeery well-known troll and he has nothing on me. Then Bachir is a man that ingrained in us the kind of character that is selfless and noble. Bachir proved to all, and well beyond the slightest doubt that when on the summit, he was fully capable of compromise and reforms well beyond the reach of any decent man. Bachir is not an avatar, nor a dead symbol, Bachir is a school of thought, just like Churchill and other great men, which is why he said, "Ya bit kounou kilkoun Bachir, ya sitteen sini 3aleykoun". I am sorry my dear brother, Bachir will remain in my eyes for as long as I live, and those who don't like my avatar should learn to live with it. I believe that I have amply shown my capability at being a moderate, a reformist and certainly not afraid to tell the truth.
31 August 2015, 14:39
00
Canada, just a question: Did you know Bachir? I did, Bachir came from one of Lebanon's most powerful, influential and richest families, yet he lived as one of us, most modestly, drove little cars like Honda Civics, Beetles and used BMWs. When he died, people were stunned to see how modest his house was, no luxury, no opulence, nothing, just another middle class family man he was. being the moist powerful man of his time, could he not have usurped all powers and abused his authority like those leaders we see today and before? When he became president, could he not have just swung his weight on everyone? What did Bachir do then? As I said, he is a school of thoughts, either we learn from him or just stop acting, of course I don't mean you dear Canada, but those hypocrites who have nothing to contribute to humanity.
30 August 2015, 18:43
04
Thief and feudal practitioner #1 who has no business participating in a constitutional republic such as Lebanon. His interest is in maintaining his fiefdom, not in the success of the nation-state Lebanon. He is in government for one reason, to insure that government does not adversely impact his fiefdom in the Chouf or to milk the government for the benefit of the fiefdom.
Jumblatt is not alone in this. After him Berri comes to milk the cow, and then Aoun, Hariri and all of the other feudal lords who parade around as if they are part of a government. Government is something they do not know or understand, but over which the demand to sit.
30 August 2015, 20:41
02
Mr jumb
You are an arch thief, a traitor and a coward. How can anyone trust you?
31 August 2015, 05:17
42
If all the dinosaurs who participated in the civil war were barred from politics, all Lebanon's problems would be over.
31 August 2015, 07:19
14
Jumblatt was the cause of the closure of the NAAMEH landfill , instead of putting out the protests by giving an extension for the landfill , he confirmed that it will never open again , putting the nation in dire straits .....always was a juggling clown and always will be
