The Island of Dr. Moron.
I am sure that by now, many Lebanese across the world have seen this image that has been circulating in emails. At first I thought it might be a hoax, but then I got it many times, from different sources… And this mass advertising scares me.
“Beirut - "Noor International Holding", located in Beirut, declared its determination to present to the Lebanese official authorities the development of "Lebanon's Cedar Island" project facing the Lebanese coast in order to get the approvals. The company revealed also that the project is an artificial island in the sea and it is similar to Lebanon's national symbol. It is worth mentioning that this island will be the biggest artificial tree in the history” Now pardon my arrogance and maybe my pretense, but with my multiple architectural degrees, and in all modesty, I can sincerely say that I would tend to have thoughts regarding this.
So here’s my educated opinion:
What the FUCK do you think you’re doing!
"Dr. Saleh confirmed that the project, in its plans, takes into consideration the protection of the maritime environment without causing any damages to it due to the fact that some of the Island's parts will be the cedar's branches floating above the sea surface."
What? Does anybody buy that?
So you’re telling us, that you are going to claim 3.5 M.sq.m of marine land, and not disturb aquatic life? Or the planet? I don’t care how many environmentalists you’re going to hire, but I don’t buy into that… not one bit.
Furthermore, and to add to the insult, Dr. Saleh claims that he “invented” the idea, while flying above Lebanon on the Middle East Airlines (of course). He thought “why don’t we eternalize the emblem, by having a giant Cedar island float at sea…
Did any of you not think that this is a dumb imitation of the ultimate Dubai stupidity that is called the Palm Island, when you saw the image?
…
Thank you!
I am sorry, but you did not invent shit! A person that is capable of such projects can not possibly have a creative mind…
Why… Why would anybody dotted with the least bit of logic, and with the thinnest grain of intelligence, think that Lebanon would need this?
What is the point?
There is no argument whatsoever that I would accept to justify this endeavor, so they should just save their breath, and withdraw this delusional masterplan, as I am confident that it will not pass cabinet.
I went on their site (which I am not even going to bother giving you), and much to my surprise I actually found in their guestbook, insane people that supported this delusional project. Those who did not approve were a bit more numerous, and that is a big kudos to the Lebanese.
The fine Doctor also claims that his mega-project will grant 50.000 Lebanese new jobs. Those workers will only be the tentacles of your glory, your construction workers, and then they are gone; they may later work as servants for the elite society you are creating on your gated island, built on PUBLIC LAND.
Is it not enough that most of Lebanon’s shore is private and exploited, now you’re extending to the sea.
“Moreover, the company mentioned that it will be the main developer of the project and that it has started its calls with many Lebanese investors residing in Lebanon and abroad, with Arabs and other investment parties.”
You have to give it to him though; the man is a clever businessman. He is creating work for himself. He is the Client and the Architect at the same time, and all we have to do is bite. He created the idea, and then became the client. He won his own competition, and commissioned the job to himself, so he became the Architect. What he is doing now, is trying to sell the idea, so that he can steal public domain, and sprawl his gated community. He can finally act as the “main” developer, and will reap the profit of his own lie.
I am almost positive though that the Lebanese government will not go through with him on the project. Despite what I think of our politicians, I suspect that most of the elected officials will quickly dismiss this environmental and social disturbance.
Otherwise God help us.
Dr. Saleh, if you really care for the cedars and their symbolism, and if you really want to do something for Lebanon (and not just the filthy rich few) why don’t you spend a fraction of that money (7.4 billion) to plant actual Cedar trees up Mount Lebanon; that’s Cedrus libani for you.
I’ll even write to the government and push them to name a whole forest after you…
Labels: architecture, Lebanon, ramblings, stupid
posted by _z. @ 10:13 PM
18 Comments:
If they wanna eternalize Lebanon's symbol and create jobs, why don't they allocate chi 4-5 million dollars for 1 million cedar tree and reforest All the friggin' barren mountains that Fattouch & company are so diligently destroying ... It will cost much much less than this piece of freak real estate and for sure it will not disturb marine life and most and foremost it will not insult anyone's intelligence ...like building a massive island and having it "FLOAT" on the sea without "disturbing marine life" ... Fi kam Akho Charmouta ma chib3o min bale3 el akhdar wil yebess ...so they are turning taychoufou addeysh fiyoun yibla3o mayy mel7a ... Chercher L'argent & the crooked politician behind this .... wa 3oushtoum wa 3ashat arzat Loubnan 3al yabissa mich 3al Mayy
Sorry, I was so worked up at reading this that I did not see it through to the end where you propose the planting ... Yalla sirna 2 ...
very well said...
senseï
I definitely definitely definitely agree! am gonna join forces with you and post it on my blog barke the idiot reads it and halts this destructive project.
_z.,
LOL <--- was my initial reaction a few days ago when I read about it. I was thinking "no, you must be kidding me?!"
I don't know what to add. I agree with everything you said and you said it well.
I personally don't think it will pass cabinet either - unless I'm overestimating the fools that represent this country.
I agree with you :) and I have just linked to your post here!
I hope you get a reply from some personnel of Noor Holding, at least to see what do they have to say about it.
Mazbout, the only consolation here is that the cabinet most probably won't agree on such a project. khay
fi a fan page for this project on facebook iza 7adan baddo
I wrote something "en long et en large" this morning w medreh shou sarla el connekshon, it didn't register...
I do agree with all that has been said. I received that email and it frustrated me as much.. I still get worked up thinking of it. I cannot believe there is a Dr Moron thinking that in Lebanon we need such a project when we have already beautiful and REAL landscapes - sheghel Allah ya3ne - that only need our tender loving care and maintenant. Ykebbo hal mosriyyat 3ala tondif el landscape instead and plant as someone already suggested here.
Masalan, it kills me to see garbage in rivers, on the side streets, and right behind fences of beautiful touristic areas. What's even worse, people throwing their man'ousheh paper once their done, including army men who are supposed to be the country keepers and best role models.
Money is needed also for awareness to let these people know what it really means to Love Lebanon, Mesh bass "bet7ebb lebnen 7ebb sina3to" slogans... l3ama! Minimum consider this land like your own home, because fact has it that IT IS.
As far as the marine life goes, I think it's been affected long ago when they expanded the land from Nahr el Kalb to Beirut. Tari2 el ba7riyyeh is more like tari2 el ba7er literally... and there's even a ministry of some sort and an army base built in the sea...
And creating work for Lebanese is total bullshit, we all know who works on such projects here.
I wrote again in long and large, 3afwan :) It really hurts me to see the neglect of what we have and think of such a foolish, selfish and silly project. What hurts more is that there are people high up who will agree to it, li anno they will have their share of profits, just like in any other unrealistic project. Why is there fuel for "moteurs" and not for the power company? why is there water for the "citernes" and not for the water company? and the list is long bass that is turning into my own post which is not intended...
Thanks for letting me vent :)
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=45677629462&ref=mf
There's a Facebook group against it!
I won't rant and rave much, since you and everyone else pretty much said it all, so I'll just say THIS PROJECT SUCKS!!
PS: thanks everyone for the supportive messages on my blog :)
ok guys so you said it all!! I don't need to add anything about such a foolish project!!
Oh and who's gonna pay for such a project? hummmm yeah right a lebanes investor w menchaghel l lebneniyeh w yay chou 7elo 3ala chakel arze....
Que du delire, with such amount of money I'd rather they take care of other more important issues!
Anyway... adoummou sawti ila sawtoukoum :)
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/join/204387/1354044?m=ac75a943
we set up a cause, latest information is that IndyAct and Greenpeace are working on it (separately I presume)
love the way you write! KUDOS!
Thank you all for your valuable input and opinion...
I think that by now they got the advertising and the attention they were seeking, so let's just hope that we are able to break the rule that says bad advertising is good advertising...
I hope that our voices will get through, and that this baby doesn't leave the cradle.
I have faith..
whats wrong with having another Palm/Cedar island with mmm lets say... Baalbek-looking hotel? idiots!
Marvelous !!!
You expressed exactly what I - and few other Lebanese - feel about the issue. Million kudos.
Respect
I think it is only normal to be appalled by such monstrosity… Anyone with common sense should bash this project…
Thank you for visiting
Man, you rock! I suck at architecture and still had similar ideas! Anyways analyze this for a change: You know ashrafieh right? I mean who doesn't!!! Syoufi? does it ring a bell? St Coeur Sioufi, Crepaway, this entire residential area surrounding sassine?? well in the last available empty spot (which used to be the only available parking space in the entire area, some moron is gonna build 5 towers of 37 floors high!!!!!!!!! as if ABC my ass hasn't cost enough shit!! i mean can you imagine! with all the narrow streets, and the already over crowded streets! and none of the local citizens has so far done a thing!
Can I cross-post your entire post on my blog Green Prophet? www.greenprophet.com - linking back to you of course? my email is karin (dot) kloosterman (at) gmail.com
This is the first time i visit this site... I have to agree with you guys, a project like this shouldn't even be considered in lebanon.
Just think about where they're gonna get the the stones and dirt to cover the 3,311,731 m2 of surface area, not considering the tens of meters you have to fill before reaching the surface. How many mountains are gonna vanish??? Back to the subject of KESSARAT. Lebnen 7elo bi tabi3to, lebnen balad el jbel li ma bterka3.
Ibrahim R.
Post a Comment
<< Home