Not so fast, there

The party in Lebanon might have to be put on hold for a while:

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - Pro-Syrian protesters gathered in a central Beirut square Tuesday, answering a nationwide call by the militant Shiite Muslim Hezbollah group for a demonstration to counter weeks of massive rallies demanding Syrian forces leave Lebanon.

Loudspeakers blared songs of resistance and organizers handed out Lebanese flags and directed the men and women to separate sections of the square. Black-clad Hezbollah guards handled security, lining the perimeter of the square and taking position on rooftops. Trained dogs sniffed for bombs.

Large cranes hoisted two giant white and red flags bearing Lebanon's cedar tree. On one, the words ``Thank you Syria'' were written in English; on the other, ``No to foreign interference.'' (emphasis added)

Could Bush's heavy-handed tactics be backfiring?

Look, you'll never hear me say that democracy and freedom are bad things. It's ridiculous that wingnuts have so many Americans somehow convinced that liberals/progressives are against these values. But to credit Bush with what's happening in Lebanon? Please. Shouldn't we give the Lebanese their props?

From listening to the right-wing blogosphere and much of the MSM, one would think that the Lebanese people have been cowering in fear, just waiting for the Messiah of Freedom (Bush) to bomb the hell out of Iraq as the "OK" sign for them to speak out. Bullshit.

Atrios has some thoughts on the matter, too.