Your Neighbor is Your Other Self

YOUR NEIGHBOR IS YOUR OTHER
SELF DWELLING BEHIND A WALL.
IN UNDERSTANDING,
ALL WALLS SHALL FALL DOWN.

WHO KNOWS BUT THAT YOUR
NEIGHBOR IS YOUR BETTER SELF
WEARING ANOTHER BODY?

SEE THAT YOU WOULD LOVE HIM
AS YOU WOULD LOVE YOURSELF.

~ Kahlil Gibran

Of Note: The Arab Spring has taken its time in Syria, but yesterday the Syrian Vice-president called for a transition to democracy after four decades of power by the ruling family. At long last, the demonstrators are having an impact. In the process 1,600 civilians and 350 members of the security forces have been killed. The VP al-Sharaa said during the televised two-day conference in Damascus: "I hope that we will reach transition to a pluralistic democratic state that enjoys equality for all citizens who participate in forming their own shining future." At the same time he warned that future demonstrations should cease. Senior opposition leaders and others boycotted the meeting saying that the overture was insincere while other opposition members joined the discussion, which surprisingly included a series of intellectuals slamming the government for using such a heavy hand with protesters. It was a rare step in a country which does not tolerate dissent and potentially a move in the right direction. Even with the threats by the vice-president, the demonstrators have vowed to carry on, and their energy will eventually carry the day. As mentioned in a previous blog when the Arab Spring began, the Assads might consider packing their bags.

(The quote above was taken from Jesus, The Son of Man: His Words and His Deeds as Told and Recorded by Those Who Knew Him.)