tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62711032659705758692024-02-19T07:35:45.966-08:00IraatusA devil's Advocate view of Jordaniraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-71536134511676306112010-03-31T21:41:00.000-07:002010-03-31T23:22:06.887-07:00Will Jordan's Youth be the Force of Change They Could?<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >So, the quasi-confirmed Parliamentary elections are to be held in the fourth quarter of this year(2010). Since the nomination date hasn't been set yet, there is a chance for us, Jordanians to do something about the cycle of incompetence that has been: the parliament. In countries around the world, the legislative branch is supposed to be the force that balances the influence of the executive. However, what we have seen in Jordan is that the parliament seems to always go along with limited opposition to what the government proposes in the name of national unity, appease the royal family, and attack whomever tries to shed a light on their perpetual impotence.<br />Therefore, as we have seen in the growing effects of social media, the increased connectedness of Jordanians, and the apparent willingness for youth to do something to better their future, the opportunity is now to have a say in the upcoming elections and break the cycle of electing members of parliament according to tribal connections and based on name recognition. It's not an easy thing to do. But, it is possible.<br /><br />Can we change minds in order to write a better future? -not to sound overly cliché- Yes, we can!<br />To ensuring youth participation in Jordan's upcoming parliamentary elections is a way to capitalize on the oft-cited statistical demographic of the Middle East: xy% is between 18 and 30 years of age. That number for Jordan is close to 30% of the population. (here for a more comprehensive break down of age groups). In a country of more than 6 Million, a 2MM is more than enough to enforce change, not just demand it.<br />My view of a start to that change is to crowd-source a data base of candidates to give potential voters a better objective look at their pasts, experiences, and what their political agenda might be. This data base could allow for an opposing argument to be posted along side the candidate agenda or all candidates in the same district be grouped together in one page.<br />The date base would be a wiki styled website where potential voters are able to find:<br /><br /></span><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet;" ><li><span style="font-size:130%;">the role the parliament plays in keeping the balance of power by countering the influence of the executive branch</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">candidates by district/governorate</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">"know the candidate" section<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">stats on voting demographics</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">educate the voters on issues actively debated by candidates</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">help the voters make an educated decision away from tribalism</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">information on the dangers of vote buying</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">the historical progress of former parliamentarians</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">a list of laws passed by the government as "temporary laws" in the absence of parliament</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">a list laws/bills up for debate and voting once parliament is in session</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br />the list goes on for aspects of electing a viable parliament that could be included in such a website. The goal all along must be to avoid the kind of disappointing group of members of the just dissolved parliament.</span>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-24343576511513896982009-10-05T15:50:00.000-07:002009-10-05T16:01:18.438-07:00To Where Do Jordanians Immigrate?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJwB0QHCDkLIoduO-XuPsqBioQCDSrWc7pORJT9bEtG6SiW7Mk7X67HyodS5_fE3O8Kdaj_KvBHifp9HeqLtvi_hyphenhyphengoI20gilFRX-puQ1VzkoSD32ZCvPo6ltQy_4HC_i4LKyKqgdENY/s1600-h/where+do+jordanians+immigrate.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJwB0QHCDkLIoduO-XuPsqBioQCDSrWc7pORJT9bEtG6SiW7Mk7X67HyodS5_fE3O8Kdaj_KvBHifp9HeqLtvi_hyphenhyphengoI20gilFRX-puQ1VzkoSD32ZCvPo6ltQy_4HC_i4LKyKqgdENY/s400/where+do+jordanians+immigrate.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389254217025002370" /></a>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-65686207719012833852009-07-02T10:27:00.001-07:002009-07-02T10:32:04.406-07:00"The problems of the Arab world are almost always the fault of it's leaders and politicians"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">That is King Hussein as quoted in </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lion-Jordan-Life-Hussein-Peace/dp/1400043050/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246555833&sr=8-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Lion of Jordan</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> by Avi Shlaim. The book so far has been very interesting and "asskinssingless"! Recommended. </span></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-17678219496014518412009-06-26T22:19:00.000-07:002009-06-26T23:02:29.834-07:00On the Jordanian Political Parties law<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">A quick read of Jordan's Political Parties Law reveals how arbitrary the permission granting process is. Section B1 of article 5 says the following:</span></span></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: right;"><span id="dnn_ctr458_HtmlModule_lblContent"><span id="dnn_ctr458_HtmlModule_lblContent"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ب. 1. يجوز لعشرة من الاردنيين على الاقل من الراغببين في تأسيس حزب ، التقدم للوزير بالمبادئ والافكار الاولية للحزب ، وللوزير الموافقة على ممارسة انشطتهم السياسية التحضيرية والترويج لهذه الافكار على ان يتقدموا بطلب التأسيس عند استكمال الشروط المنصوص عليها في هذا القانون وخلال مدة لا تزيد على ستة اشهر من تاريخ تلك الموافقة</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:monospace, sans-serif;"></span></span></div><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">B. 1. It is permissible for at least ten Jordanians, who have a desire in founding a party, to submit to the Minister [of interior] the principles and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Campain, Corbel;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">preliminary</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> ideas of the party, and it is up to the minister to grant consent to exercise their </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Campain, Corbel;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">preparatory </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">political activities and the promotion of these ideas so they could submit the establishing application upon completion of the conditions Set forth in this law, within a period not exceeding six months from the date of such consent. </span><a href="http://www.moi.gov.jo/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%81%D8%AD%D8%A9%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86/%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9/tabid/106/Default.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">source</span></a></span></span></div></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: right;"><span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Campain, Corbel;font-size:14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, fantasy;font-size:16px;"></span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:monospace, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">In a country where joining political parties is still a stigmatized taboo, the government is still making it more the harder on average jordanians to found a political party that has a chance in being approved, let alone changing the status quo. The law puts too much power in the hands of the Interior Minister to decide what suits the public and what is allowed to be promoted as principles and ideals. Jordan has a little chance in advancing the tiny crumbs of democracy into a real and competent force of change if the whole process is carried out in the most undemocratic manner. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-52750202182099298402009-06-24T02:04:00.001-07:002009-06-24T09:06:23.619-07:00Why Language is Jordanians' main factor in deciding where to Immigrate?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Jordanians are certainly one people that would like to get the hell out of the country in search of prosperity in many parts of the world. The chronic economical, social, and civil rights problems are the motivation behind almost all those lining up in front of various embassies in Amman. A few of the <a href="http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-in/Jordan#21784">65 Consulates/Embassies</a> receive the lion's share of interest. Aside form the typical Arab destinations, such as UAE and KSA, English speaking countries are the most popular. Countries like the US, Australia, and Canada are the top preference.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >It just seams to be a huge limitation to confine the search for a better life to a place where you would still need to learn the way the language is spoken locally (believe me. MOE English curriculum is garbage). Saying "How do you do?" in the US won't get yo punched in the face, but will put the letters "FOB" on your forehead immediately. And that not to mention that European countries are actually closer culturally to Jordan than the US and Canada are.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Take for example Spain. The Spanish language is very close to English, contains more words of Arabic origin than any other language, and it already includes the sound TH (as in ثغرة عصفور)! In addition, the people are great, still <a href="http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/fiestas/morosycristianos.asp">celebrate</a> the Islamic mark in their history, and it is home to a lot of North African Arabs. Also, Scandinavian countries have been shown to be the best in terms of <a href="http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/04/14/6-reasons-to-visit-the-worlds-happiest-country/">happiness</a>, <a href="http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2007">least Corrupted</a>,and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Human_Development_Index">Human development</a>. And, Most European countries are within 6 hours of flight time and not 12-20 hours as is the case with the US.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >So, there are other destinations in the world that actually welcome immigrants more than others. Some countries are struggling to coup with a declining population, such as Italy and Spain and others would like to enhance their communities with diverse cultures. And, although the US, Canada, and Australia remain good choices, let's not ignore others that might prove better in the long run.</span><br /><br /></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-23067617820769598712009-04-21T23:46:00.000-07:002009-04-21T23:51:34.589-07:00The New Political Reform and the Monarchy<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:12;">The new political reform “road map” being prepared by Political Development minister, Mousa Ma’aytah, has one huge fallacy as if the minister, who is a staunch supporter of political parties’ rights in Jordan, finally succumbed to the pressures of being part of the same government he opposed. The fundamental error in the road map is the prominence given to the institution of the monarchy: </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" ></span></span></p><blockquote style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" >“</span><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" dir="rtl" lang="AR-SA">آن الاوان لاعتماد (خارطة طريق) لاصلاح سياسي آمن ومتدرج يأخذ بعين الاعتبار أسس الالتزام بالثوابت الوطنية الاساسية وعدم المساس بها وهي مؤسسة العرش والدستور والاردن وطن لجميع أبنائه</span><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" >”</span><span style="font-size:12;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:12;">[Time has arrived for the adoption of a secure and gradual (road map) of political reform, taking into account the foundational commitment to the basic national principles and not compromising the institution of the throne, the Constitution, and Jordan as a home to all its citizens.] <a href="http://www.petra.gov.jo/Artical.aspx?Lng=2&Section=5&Artical=101743"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);">source<br /></span></a></span></span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:12;"><a href="http://www.petra.gov.jo/Artical.aspx?Lng=2&Section=5&Artical=101743"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);"></span></a></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" > </span><span style="font-size:12;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" ><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" >Due to the role played by the monarchy, and the royal family for that matter, and taking into account the history of limiting political freedoms and the taboo that is “political party membership” amongst youths, expecting this reform to take on solid steps and wide participation is impractical. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" >As long as the king <em>is </em>the Executive Power, little is possible in way of changing the perception of political parties to those most in need of having a say heard. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:12;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" >It’s well known that Jordanian universities’ students are more politically vocal than most other age/demographic groups in the country. However, having to concentrate their indignation at those in the cabinet and the parliament has little to do with concrete political reform. Basically, political reform has a much better chance at succeeding, however gradual, if no person/institution is above criticism. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" ></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" >When law is legislated with the monarchy in mind, the law doesn’t have peoples’ interests as its top priority. When judges hand out convictions and sentences while having the government in mind, little credibility is given to the judicial system. In addition, when the government tells citizens to go ahead and join political parties because it’s encouraged and healthy, their response is: “yeah, right!”<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" ><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" >was also posted on <a href="http://www.7iber.com/blog/?p=2330">7iber.com</a><br /></span></span></p>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-81603383682214197092009-04-15T23:35:00.000-07:002009-04-16T22:48:00.821-07:00why should Constitutional Monarchy be implemented as soon as possible<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >King Abdullah made it clear a few years back that he intends on reforming the governing system in Jordan into that of a constitutional monarchy instead of an absolute one. Along with many reforms aiming at decentralizing governance and regulating political parties, constitutional monarchy is the most pressing.</span><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Everyone in Jordan can agree that king Abdullah enjoys a relative popularity in the country. That popularity has seen a decline, I believe, due to the increase in reporting on government corruption and a wide spread dissatisfaction with the parliament. With the ascent of online news portals and the obvious attention given to those sites and their news, Jordanians are more vocal than ever before.</span><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >This decline in popularity, if left unchecked, might lead to chaos in a country that has grown accustomed to a head of state figure of a true king. I don't mean that King Abdullah is otherwise. But, the perpetuating high level, major corruption cases might lead the average Jordanian to the thought that the king himself is "aware but doesn't care."</span><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The expedition of the transfer to constitutional monarchy, along with an elected government and both houses of parliament, might be what's needed to salvage that popularity or what's left of it.</span><br /></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-29263478388703022412009-04-14T22:55:00.001-07:002009-04-16T22:48:24.929-07:00What are the real reasons behind the "Regions Plan"?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >I have been following the regions plan (مشروع الاقاليم) since its inception. Until this moment, I just can't come up with benefits that are concrete enough to rationalize the project. The government has been so vague in discussing the project that it allowed other players in the country to jump in and offer their own versions of reasoning and analysis that have elevated the subject to national level. The discussion, however, is of the uninformed, marred with persistent mistrust, and overwhelming variety.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >I would very much like to give the government credit for actually doing things and being busy. But, it stops right there. I just can not help but think of this project as a way to keep people busy. Government employees or average Jordanians, both are trying to sort out the thought process bringing upon them this looming project, with no avail it seems. Being busy, I am afraid, Jordanian style.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >In light of the government's understanding that the new American administration would apply more pressure onto political and civil rights progress, the government, I reckon, is trying to keep one front asleep. Just a few years after the "Jordan First" campaign, which had the goal of diverting Jordanians' attention form regional events, comes the Regions Plan to keep people in the sand box.</span><br /><blockquote>"One of the project's main goals is to achieve sustainable, comprehensive development across the Kingdom and a fair distribution of services in all governorates within the same region," <a href="http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=15919">Qadi said</a>.</blockquote><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >If you can't do that in a country with 6MM people and already 12 governorates, what makes you think it could be done with 3 regions?</span><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Come think of it, Jordan is tiny; it doesn't need further division to better manage it; it already suffers from a substantial amount of tribal and national origin discriminatory deeply rooted cultures; and Jordanians already vote "tribalistically."</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><strike>sometimes</strike> I wish we could call for live "senate" hearings.</span><br /></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-5277767133325844772009-03-29T22:05:00.000-07:002009-03-29T22:05:00.995-07:00Arab Summits: What a Joke.If the final statement is already out, what is the point of meeting?iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-50971363018737105632009-03-14T21:52:00.000-07:002009-03-14T23:12:37.784-07:00Jordanian Media Continues with its Failed Journalism<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >There is a new enemy weaving a conspiracy against Jordan and Jordanians. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Hassanein_Heikal">M. H. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Heikal</span> </a>is the new target for many Jordanian "journalists" in their quest of "informing," "analyzing," and giving their "opinion" of happenings in and out of Jordan. To put it bluntly, most Jordanian lost their credibility a while ago by sidestepping simple and very much needed basics of reporting. </span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >To write a credible news story one must be able to back up the claims put forward. It doesn't differ much from a student writing a research paper, where quotes must be referenced, the opposing argument given a chance, and for sources where further readings could be found. </span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The current <span style="font-style: italic;">"who can write the most and be more righteous"</span> competition in Jordanian media against <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Heikal</span> (<a href="http://www.alrai.com/pages.php?news_id=260904"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Alrai</span></a>, <a href="http://www.addustour.com/ViewTopic.aspx?ac=%5COpinionAndNotes%5C2009%5C03%5COpinionAndNotes_issue524_day15_id124571.htm">Al <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Dustour</span></a>, <a href="http://www.addustour.com/ViewTopic.aspx?ac=%5COpinionAndNotes%5C2009%5C03%5COpinionAndNotes_issue524_day15_id124505.htm">Al <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Dustour</span></a>, <a href="http://www.alrai.com/pages.php?news_id=260713"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Alrai</span></a>, <a href="http://www.alghad.jo/?article=12404"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Alghad</span></a>,...) produced numerous opposing accounts in dailies and news sites. The attack on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Heikal</span> followed the usual Jordanian, or rather Arab, journalism techniques of nullifying all and every bit of information <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Heikal</span> said and announcing the usual support to the Royal family. </span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >I personally didn't see the program. I would have had a better idea of its content, however, had Jordanian journalist presented a balanced counter-argument to what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Heikal</span> had to say. I would have, as well, given more credibility to Jordanian <strike>quasi-government controlled</strike> media/journalists had they given their audience the chance to read a transcript or to link to a podcast of the show. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Now that I heard a big part of it and read the report linked to below, I can say that there wasn't anything new or major in what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Heikal</span> said. He actually praised King Hussein. </span><br /></div><br />You can Listen to most of the program <a href="http://www.islamonline.net/Arabic/Multimedia/Library/politics/2009/03/07.shtml">here</a> and read a report of it <a href="http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=ArticleA_C&cid=1236508949207&pagename=Zone-Arabic-News/NWALayout">here</a>. (Finally found it after writing the post, I will update this post if needed)<br /></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-66929100347622477662009-03-13T00:43:00.000-07:002009-03-14T22:16:59.702-07:00A German Study Telling Jordanians to Lay Off Wasta<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"The impact of favouritism on the business climate: a study on <span style="font-style: italic;">Wasta </span>in Jordan" a study done by the </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >German Development Institute and published in 2007.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><blockquote>The study’s recommendations are addressed first of all to the Jordanian government and to businesspeople and others in Jordan who have the power to contribute to the fight against favouritism in their country. In addition, the findings of this project may be of interest for foreign donors who are willing to support Jordanian initiatives against the use of favouritism as well as, of course, for academics.</blockquote></span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><blockquote>The Arab world is a particularly instructive example of the consequences of a lack of transparency. Rulers there enjoy immense discretionary powers. They favour clients and cronies in many ways by their political, bureaucratic and judicial decisions. As a consequence, the fulfillment of formal rights depends to a large extent on the ability to carry favour with decision- makers.</blockquote></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.die-gdi.de/CMS-Homepage/openwebcms3.nsf/%28ynDK_contentByKey%29/ENTR-7BMBLJ/$FILE/Studies%2030.pdf">The impact of favouritism on the business climate: a study on wasta in Jordan</a><a href="http://www.die-gdi.de/CMS-Homepage/openwebcms3.nsf/%28ynDK_contentByKey%29/ENTR-7BMBLJ/$FILE/Studies%2030.pdf"> / Markus Loewe <span style="font-size:85%;">… – Bonn : Dt. Inst. für Entwicklungspolitik, 2007 – (Studies / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik ; 30)</span></a> <a href="http://www.die-gdi.de/CMS-Homepage/openwebcms3.nsf/%28ynDK_contentByKey%29/ENTR-7BMBLJ/$FILE/Studies%2030.pdf"><span style="font-size:85%;">ISBN 978-3-88985-358-5 </span></a>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-83708959385527095282009-03-05T23:58:00.000-08:002009-03-05T23:58:00.461-08:00Can Jordanians Live Without Family Names?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Having a prominent tribe's name is something many people envy in Jordan. belonging to a tribe, such as those going back to the years preceding the establishment of the country, is something to be proud of. Tribes in Jordan lend to their members a backing in many occasions and happenings. However, tribalism has been a main drag on the country's development. <span style="font-style: italic;">Wasta </span>is the main qualification of those ascending the government, parliament, and even the judicial ladders in a country with a dire need for reform on all fronts. Worse it becomes if the king does not practice what he preaches, evident by the tribal make up of the cabinet and the senate. It goes without saying, in Jordan, that the offsprings of current ministers, members of parliament, and the high ranks of the armed forces are the future ministers, memebrs of parliament and leaders of the armed forces. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The question that begs to be asked: If tribal affliation is hampering Jordanian chances of becoming a nation of laws and institutions, is it time to shed that fourth name off offical documents? </span><br /></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-68808942404318702872009-03-05T02:49:00.000-08:002009-03-05T02:49:01.106-08:00A lawsuit telling of the whole story behind Petra Bank (Chalabi vs. Jordan)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Its a right that Jordanians, and all Arabs for that matter, still lack: Transparency and Freedom of Information. Someone can argue that Journalists also lack professionalism and curiosity, since there are laws in Jordan allowing for requests of information that many journalists don't know about. But, when Journalists are still afraid of asking questions, still adhere to decades old bureaucracy, still speak in the name of the government, and never employ true investigative journalism, Jordanians would never learn what goes on behind the curtains.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://pacer.cadc.uscourts.gov/common/opinions/200810/07-7141-1145642.pdf">This is the lawsuit</a> filed by Ahmad Chalabi in Oct of 2008 against the Jordanian government in regard to Petra Bank that sheds the light on his side of the story of what went wrong and why he fled the country. I am not defending anybody here. I could care less about Chalabi. But information should be free to those who want it. People would have better formulated opinions if they knew all sides to any conflict.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The bank's headquarters remained empty for many years in the 1990's. Its the big building in Wadi Saqra, next to hayat Amman. Now its Amman Cairo Bank.</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WVRKv2wo9P62A31CpQxjUhN_aL-Y3pAJmZ_foVIaGu3roKEI3v9tkfmlTTm-WWYwuVR5m_gG4rA1kOXY_BezqL4p2GWHE3XlbKkWWLJVX4ky4ZFgxHmL0CnEWJzHTN8jf_257tA7Rd8/s1600-h/former+petra+bank+headquarters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WVRKv2wo9P62A31CpQxjUhN_aL-Y3pAJmZ_foVIaGu3roKEI3v9tkfmlTTm-WWYwuVR5m_gG4rA1kOXY_BezqL4p2GWHE3XlbKkWWLJVX4ky4ZFgxHmL0CnEWJzHTN8jf_257tA7Rd8/s400/former+petra+bank+headquarters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309596815265397986" border="0" /></a>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-86664510447373277352009-03-02T23:56:00.000-08:002009-03-03T01:05:32.488-08:00Desalination (new Jordanian Technology) a Viable Alternative to Disi Water Project<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The new topic on the block these days has been the Disi water project and the <a href="http://www.jordanwatch.net/files/184304.pdf">new study</a> revealing naturally <a href="http://www.jordanwatch.net/archive/2009/3/818099.html">occurring radioactivity</a> in underground aquifers. The Jordanian government, continuing its sacred traditions, contravened and decided to live the lie and go ahead with the project. This behavior, coupled with many Jordanian jouranlists', paid and otherwise, subconscious effort at agreeing with the government, opened the door to conspiracy theories fueled by the mere presence of Israeli scientists in the team that had undertook the study.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >All the while, the Jordanian government, people and journalist as well, went past <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080605.wgtwater0605/BNStory/Technology/home?cid=al_gam_mostemail">news reports</a> of a <u><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Jordanian Scientist, Mohammed Rasool Qtaishat</span></u>, inventing a new desalination method that would drastically reduce the cost of the process of desalination. Current technologies cost about 50 cents a cubic meter, as in an <a href="http://www.water-technology.net/projects/israel/">Israeli </a><a href="http://www.water-technology.net/projects/israel/">desalination plant</a>.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The Disi Project, as it stands now, will cost <a href="http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/spiwebsite1.nsf/1ca07340e47a35cd85256efb00700cee/AE7AA6E1DDF8B120852573FE00747B2D">$875 Million to construct</a>. The government, however, will not get possession of the project for another 25 years. This brings up the issue of opportunity cost given up to </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.gama.com.tr/energy/english/">Gama Enerji</a>, the contractor constructing and owning the project for its first 25 years of its life. If we were to assume a 20% annual return on investment for the 25 years Gama is the sole owner of the whole project, that would be, discounted to present value, around $2 Billion dollars. <span style="font-size:85%;">(don't ask me to show you calculations! Well, at least give me the benfit of the doubt) </span></span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Poseidon, a </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >company in San Diego, CA, has already started work on a <a href="http://www.carlsbad-desal.com/faq.aspx?id=1#q9">desalination plant</a> that will cost $300 Million and produce roughly half as much water as what the Disi project would produce.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >My grave concern is that we would have to wait until a new government is formed to know who is actually behind the Disi project and why is it being pushed so hard. We all remember the <a href="http://www.black-iris.com/2008/03/30/the-dead-sea-casino-dies/">Dead Sea Casino [or]deal</a>.</span><br /></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-86082151604535390802009-03-01T19:50:00.000-08:002009-03-01T19:50:07.267-08:00How Could Ammonnews Become the Huffington Post of Arabia?<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="www.huffingtonpost.com"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUz4bqQOjcsfCSDkllPX8NWjRQWmz6TWntLbIzh8d88iSbBeRWJxSkq29NcWmoc3HSSk3K787tjYWNvGEP7lZGYYNUBXLSGwniyS8Ia8BPhzfFh_O7IYglQAI8A3K7FA-fjT8BaAC2iLw/s400/Huffington+Post+logo.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308431010265296290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ammonnews.net/"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmdQp7YdnUZ2bxyZr6u0WMh2wIPpN0MHbSrAxIdiPf_2odAOiLsCMEXBeGm84-baFKsu1314GGp8mHUp3dwd6fxD2SijMm0N1D2qgbWCs7g-FZvgeKWCVtehFCYV-eLd1F63hsrAV_LQ/s400/ammonheader.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308428958576744194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >There is no doubt that The <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/">Huffington Post</a> has become one of the most influential political blogs in the World. It has, in the almost four years of its existence, become the <a href="http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details/huffingtonpost.com">89th</a> most visited website in the US. For a private blog to reach that feat in a market such as the US is very admirable. The Hufpost was able to do so by following a few measures to enhance its standing and offer an alternative to the mainstream media. Although most of the contributors to the site do so free of charge, that does not lessen from its credibility. With more funding being reported, the Hufpost is becoming more able to hire its own reports and work on the site's interface to improve usability and reader interaction. In addition, a large percentage of the material is from reputable news sources, such as the NYT, WSJ, and other more prominent source.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Hufpost's ascent to its current position was a testament to people's changing preferences when it comes to reporting news. The same could be said about Jordan. In the Jordanian media market the picture is changing as well. More grassroots websites are becoming popular as they deviate from the decades long status quo of tight government control over what gets reported and which opinions are given sound waves. The below graph, from Alexa, shows how web-only, government disaffiliated news sources are surging in the popularity and are close to overcome more traditional Jordanian news outlets:</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E6aDrApX_-NtKdgbJD0rhgGeJLM4zFX6nbeMMoQcwWdnAw6A8tMA-IOnjEhX9IlqsZTj3pM0YxIY0K6rislLFpALa_Ptsan41OyK6jwBpCsnjRAMAbOt9mH6pPmO0JPWu4Se54j4UPM/s1600-h/jordanian+news+sites.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E6aDrApX_-NtKdgbJD0rhgGeJLM4zFX6nbeMMoQcwWdnAw6A8tMA-IOnjEhX9IlqsZTj3pM0YxIY0K6rislLFpALa_Ptsan41OyK6jwBpCsnjRAMAbOt9mH6pPmO0JPWu4Se54j4UPM/s400/jordanian+news+sites.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308427033797044130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">the graph shows the growth (slope of the drawn line) in rank of two web-only Jordanian news sites is outpacing that of older, more established newspapers.</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >In a private, community fueled website the issue of monitoring content is very crucial. Readers would basically say anything they wish without any repercussions. As well as writers, who are free to report about subjects they deem important. At the same time, allowing contributors to explore new areas of reporting and have initiative when it comes to investigative journalism.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >What ammonnews could do to enrich its content and build a better reputation is to rely more on the community of readers it was able to amass to monitor content and comments. For the former, a <a href="http://digg.com/">Digg </a>style mechanism could be employed to let readers make worthy news stories become more prominent on the sites home page. This way the site's editors are able to focus on what readers are looking for and what is more important to them. At the same time, readers can vote for comments to "bury" the offensive ones containing fowl language. Fowl language should be the only reason a comment is buried/deleted. If the silent majority is in fact ammon's concern, their voice must be heard regardless of what they have to say.</span><br /> <iframe id="AnswersBalloonIframe" src="javascript:;" style="border: medium none ; z-index: 99998; position: absolute; width: 490px; height: 306px; visibility: hidden; background-color: transparent; top: 214px; left: 52px; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 10px;"></iframe></div><div style="width: 490px; position: absolute; visibility: hidden; z-index: 99999; top: 190px; left: 52px; text-align: justify;" id="AnswersBalloon"><div class="AnswersHeader"><div class="AnswersHeaderInner" id="AnswersHandle0" style="cursor: move;" handlefor="AnswersBalloon"><div class="AnswersHeader1"><a style="float: right;" onclick="var ac = document.getElementById('answertipClose'); if (ac) ac.innerHTML='close'; else window.status='close'; return true;"><img id="AnswersCloseImage" style="margin-right: 10px; position: relative; cursor: pointer;" alt="Close" src="http://www.answers.com/main/images/close.gif" align="top" border="0" /></a><a id="AnswertipMore" target="AnswersQueryWindow" onclick="var ac = document.getElementById('answertipClose'); if (ac) ac.innerHTML='close'; else window.status='close';return true;" style="float: right; text-decoration: none; visibility: hidden; padding-right: 10px; margin-top: 9px; cursor: pointer;"><span class="AnswersHeader3"> Read more >> </span></a><a id="AnswertipOptions" onclick="var ac = document.getElementById('answertipClose'); if (ac) ac.innerHTML='options'; else window.status='options';return true;" style="float: right; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 10px; margin-top: 9px; cursor: pointer;"><span class="AnswersHeader3"> Options >> </span></a></div><a style="float: left; cursor: pointer;" href="http://www.answers.com/?initiator=FFANS"><img id="AnswersLogoImage" style="" alt="Visit Answers.com" src="http://www.answers.com/main/images/answers-logo.gif" align="top" border="0" /></a></div><div id="Answers_frame" class="AnswersContentFrame"><table id="Balloontable2" class="donotmoveme" style="width: 480px; float: left; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td> <div id="Answertip" style="overflow: hidden; height: 235px; width: 473px;"></div> <div id="answertipClose" style="display: none;"></div><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="AnswersFooter" id="Answers_footer"><div style="width: 471px; height: 22px; float: left;"><iframe id="AnswersAds" allowtransparency="true" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; width: 100%; height: 22px;" src="http://www.answers.com/main/tip2.jsp?s=The%2520resurgence%2520&wt=1&nafid=&cobrand=" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> </div></div></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-60802832869554191012009-02-25T23:15:00.000-08:002009-03-06T07:09:07.103-08:00If you're clueless, Inexperienced, and Technologically challenged, you are wanted at the Royal Hashemite Court!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Yes, I monitor who comes into my blog. Big Deal!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">After labeling all the frequent visitors, you kind of get an idea of what they are looking for. One of these visitors الأشاوس hails from the Royal Court. With the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">IP</span> in hand, the links that brought them in, the pages they visited afterward, and the posts they read, you can't help but develop a certain idea about the person stalking your blog and visiting you this many times in two days:</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsA5w9vHGAj1JWHkruvGIp7szJFGZhYgLxJ9SNSLj1ymM0bZHTDPiWSudZ74q0ZtG8jJdrxLhw20BNkF71Ok8M5qXp5hscdmuqzcvgJJywzrxEw7DbZjoEMdIJLGa_uS6qM4f6Yox95k/s1600-h/royal+court+mystery+visitor.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsA5w9vHGAj1JWHkruvGIp7szJFGZhYgLxJ9SNSLj1ymM0bZHTDPiWSudZ74q0ZtG8jJdrxLhw20BNkF71Ok8M5qXp5hscdmuqzcvgJJywzrxEw7DbZjoEMdIJLGa_uS6qM4f6Yox95k/s400/royal+court+mystery+visitor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307003569384966978" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">the adjectives of the title refer to the following:<br /></span><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-size:130%;">this person has the out-in-your-face "Royal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hashemite</span> Court" as the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ISP</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">does a "blog search" for the word "Jordan." Really?<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Very slow. Clicked on the same post at least 7 times</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Still uses IE 6. 6 for gods sake.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">with an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">IP</span> search, I found out these too:</span> (I deleted the info by the way)</li></ol><ul><li><pre>person: <br />organization:<br />address:<br />address:<br />phone: <br />fax-no:<br />e-mail:</pre></li></ul><span style="font-size:130%;">I swear, if only </span><span style="font-size:130%;">I could serve you coffee digitally, I would.<br /><br /></span></div></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-25094850396834036522009-02-25T00:36:00.001-08:002009-02-25T01:17:51.174-08:00What the World's Media said about the new Jordanian government<span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lynch.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/02/24/jordans_cabinet_shuffle">Foreign Policy</a></span><br /><blockquote>Cabinet shuffles in Jordan are a fairly routine business. Real power (especially over foreign policy) is concentrated in the Royal Court, and no government shuffle will ever touch the core of policy. The King is really his own Foreign Minister. Governments generally go until they start to wear out their welcome, and then shuffle the deck to buy another six to nine months until it's time for the King to designate a new Prime Minister to start over. But government shuffles can serve as important signals of the King's intentions and preferences, with the personality or profile of the new cabinet members or Prime Minister suggesting where he wants policy to go.<br />Salah al-Din Bashir, confidante of the controversial Bassem Awadallah, is out as Foreign Minister.<br />Nasir Joudeh, who has held a variety of government positions over the last decade and had been Minister of State for Information, is known for a good relationship with the King. He doesn't have a lot of baggage in inter-Arab politics, but he most definitely <a href="http://www.jordanwatch.net/archive/2007/8/291271.html">does with Hamas</a> (Jordan Watch). The new Interior Minister Nayif al-Qadhi presided over the expulsion of Hamas leaders from Jordan when he held the same position back at the end of the 1990s. Their elevation likely suggests the deep concern about rising Hamas and Islamist power in the Kingdom and in the region. So the signals are mixed: An openness to bridging Arab divides which may not extend to warming with Hamas, and perhaps a recognition of tough domestic times ahead.<br />The primary focus of the new government will likely be the devastated economy.<br />the specific changes seem to be intended to meet the new challenges posed by the new right wing Israeli government and by the moves towards Arab and Palestinian reconciliation.</blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29347606/">MSNBC</a></span><br /><blockquote>The outgoing government was widely criticized for being unable to control soaring inflation, which doubled to 13 percent, and an across-the-board spike in prices, particularly for food and fuel.<br />Government officials had initially denied there was any negative impact on the economy from the global financial crisis, angering the public. Jordan relies heavily on U.S. aid to keep its small economy afloat.<br />The most significant non-economic change was the appointment of Nayef al-Qadi as the new interior minister. He held the same portfolio in the late 1990s when he deported four leaders of the militant Palestinian Hamas which rules the Gaza Strip.</blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/6187934/Jordans-PM-reshuffles-cabinet">Radio Netherlands</a></span><br /><blockquote>Jordan's Prime Minister Nader Dahabi has announced a cabinet reshuffle in an attempt to combat the country's social and economic problems.<br />Mr Dahabi is hoping that the reshuffle will reduce attacks on his government by the conservative opposition, who have frequently criticised him for following a 'Western' economic course.</blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/marketsNewsUS/idUKLN47211420090223">Reuters </a></span><br /><blockquote>Pro-reformist Labour Minister Bassem al-Salem, who has strong business credentials, was appointed finance minister, replacing Hamad Kassasbeh and sending a strong signal to Jordan's donors and the International Monetary Fund of its commitment to free market reforms.<br />Pro-Western reformist Foreign Minister Salah al-Basheer, who has been a target of criticism by conservatives, was replaced by Nasser Joudeh, a veteran information minister and government spokesman.The new interior minister, Nayef al-Qadi, succeeds Eid al-Fayez, who had antagonised civil rights campaigners and the Islamist opposition by using heavy-handed police tactics to clamp down on dissent during parliamentary elections in 2007.The long-awaited reshuffle became more urgent after the resignation last September of the monarch's closest reform adviser, Basem Awadallah, whose Western-style free market policies had challenged the conservative establishment. The conservatives had accused Awadallah, a confidant of the monarch, of seeking to give the monarchy wider powers by setting up a shadow administration that interfered with the day-to-day functioning of the government. The new 27-member line-up, sworn in by King Abdullah on Monday, includes four women among a total of 10 new ministers in a reshuffled cabinet dominated by tribal figures. Jordan's own majority Palestinian population is under-represented. </blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gM1AmWU9klJcNMb_2Sev6FS5UaIA">AFP</a></span><br /><blockquote>A new ministry of political affairs will be headed by Mussa Maayta, a left-leaning political activist who will be entering government for the first time, the official said.</blockquote>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-71248536646037908622009-02-23T16:57:00.001-08:002009-03-06T07:10:09.227-08:00Arabs and discrimination are Synonyms<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >You might argue otherwise trying to be a proud Arab. But calling it at face value is whats logical. Examples are abundant of how far reaching and infested the ideology of racism and other discriminatory behaviors are in the Arab world.</span><br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jordanians and Palestinians<br /></span></li><li style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Western Arabs and Berbers </span></li><li style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Arabs and non Arabs in Sudan</span></li><li style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sunni's and Shia's<br /></span></li><li style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Lebanese and Syrians</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gulfers and Egyptians</span><br /></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The list goes on without even getting into the misery Women live in Saudi Arabia, for example. So, why is it that we take on such barbaric behaviors and accuse the West of controlling and patronizing us? Why do we always try to play the victim role in a world that we brought a lot of discrimination into?</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >I don't think much could be gained in the Arab world without self-awareness. unless equality is guaranteed to all, not just under the law, but also in the hearts and minds of the people, we should not be complaining of how we are treated by others.</span></div><div style="width: 490px; position: absolute; visibility: hidden; z-index: 99999; text-align: left; top: 295px; left: 144px;" id="AnswersBalloon"><div class="AnswersHeader"><div id="Answers_frame" class="AnswersContentFrame"><table id="Balloontable2" class="donotmoveme" style="width: 480px; float: left;"><tbody><tr><td><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="AnswersFooter" id="Answers_footer"><div style="width: 471px; height: 22px; float: left;"><iframe id="AnswersAds" allowtransparency="true" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; width: 100%; height: 22px;" src="http://www.answers.com/main/tip2.jsp?s=controlling%2520and%2520patronizing%2520us%253F%2520Why%2520%2520&wt=1&nafid=&cobrand=" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> </div></div></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-91167377868981166082009-02-23T06:03:00.001-08:002009-03-06T07:10:32.189-08:00BS aside, this is how the Jordanian government works<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Every time there is a new government, Jordanians start the usual talk of who is qualified and who is not. Basically, no body is. I have <a href="http://iraatus.blogspot.com/2008/12/right-person-in-right-position-case-of.html">posted before</a> on the qualifying standards of Jordanian cabinet members. There is no reason that we will ever see much deviation from that rule.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >People need to understand that the prime minster is not the one that appoints his team members. It is the King. King Abdullah wants people that never say "No." He wants people that always say: أمرا و طاعا. But, if anything goes wrong, the ministers must accept the blame. Most of the cabinet members in Jordan's history qualify under these rules. That's why academic and professional experiences are secondary. For if you dare to think while in office, you might find yourself without one. Pretty soon.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Imagine yourself in the position of minister. You would probably be exposed to huge amounts of information of the inner dealings of the higher-ups. You would see how much gets embezzled and how much gets siphoned off. You would get your blood pressure through the roof and would almost get a heart attack because you see but can't do. This of course assuming that you are an honest person. So, why do these people desperately "<span style="font-style: italic;">serve</span>" the country?</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The position of minister carries a lot of status in a corrupt and backward society, such as Jordan's. Therefore, it is natural the make up of governments shows a distribution amongst the tribes and those power brokers in the Kingdom.</span><br /></div><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >If your tribe is represented, you are <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC5wFByeqn8">representin</a>'</span>. </span><br /></div><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">و كُل حُكومة و إنتوا بخير</span><br /></span></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-84024108017112194102009-02-08T14:52:00.000-08:002009-03-06T07:11:20.460-08:00It's good that Members of Parliament are fighting<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >It shows that they are passionate about something. That they would like to voice their opinions and make their stances clear. Also, it happens in many other parts of the world, where <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MPs</span> would throw ash trays, shoes, and other projectiles at each other. The bottom line is that I think it's healthy.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >However, I have a problem with the subject matter of their disagreements, which causes such infighting, when Jordanian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MPs</span> fight because of he said/she said gibberish. As in the latest episode, the fighting broke out to show who is more patriotic than the other, which is ass kissing of royal proportions.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The hell with government's corruption, I am patriotic!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Screw poor people, long live the king.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">What miserable education system? Health services? Food security? Water scarcity? Malnourished population? Unemployment? هاشمي هاشمي، و انا اشهد هاشمي</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">-I love Jordan more than you do......No I do......No I do......No I do...</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Screw both of you!</span><br /></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-22102037833301443412009-02-07T17:16:00.000-08:002009-03-06T07:11:36.184-08:00Conspiracies Against Jordan<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >I am really sick of those in Jordan that keep on riding the ass kissing wagon. A few weeks ago, the king mentions that there was a conspiracy (<a href="http://www.petra.gov.jo/Artical.aspx?Lng=2&Section=8&Artical=79994">مؤامرة</a>) aiming at permanently settling Palestinians in Jordan. Since the interview with Al Jazeerah, political and tribal personalities had nothing else to do but voice their support. Support that nobody knows for what. Just mere support. Someone said something, the rest of Jordan <span style="font-style: italic;">must </span>get behind them and try to score all possible political points with the Royal Family.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >All that without mentioning that Palestinians in Jordan <span style="font-style: italic;">are </span>citizens; that they have all rights granted to the rest of Jordanians; that they have been in the country since two years after independence. Therefore, Palestinians in Jordan <span style="font-style: italic;">have already been settled</span> a long time ago. </span></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-88832967441400066392009-01-28T11:18:00.000-08:002009-01-28T12:09:10.012-08:00Jordan is tiny, poor, and it stinks. Give it up people!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is important for people to have national pride. It forms their identity and it announces to the world their allegiance to a nation. Also, it gives them a sense of belonging. However, Jordanians go too far in many ways. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I mean the country is tiny, poor, and if you have been to Zarqa, it stinks! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jordan is so tiny that you can drive from extreme north (Ramtha) to extreme south (Aqaba) in about 4 hours; less if you don't count a couple of check points and peoples' urge to take breaks as if they're driving the whole length of </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Highway_80"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hwy 80</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. I remember those school trips we took to Aqaba in the early 90's, when, at arrival, students would race to the main post office to call home and yell at the top of their lungs that everything is OK and they arrived safely. I did that too. But to think of it, you just saw your family three hours ago. Is it necessary to call them right away as if you flew across the atlantic. Give it a rest. they are probably happy they got you out of the house. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And, don't get me started on the Dead Sea. On a visit to Jordan I asked if anybody wanted to go the Dead Sea "now." The look on their faces was like a little kid being told there is no Santa, you're adopted, or "let's go to the dentist." </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let's leave it to the weekend, they would say after the shocking looks on their faces have subsided. Have in mind that the Dead Sea is less than 30 minutes away from Amman. A 30 minutes trip does not require the devotion of a whole weekend. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I guess my family's idea of a trip is waking up at 4am, cook magloubeh and sfee7a, and ride donkeys and camels until we reach El Ghour in time for lunch, then pack up and head back. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jordan is so poor, thanks to الحكومة الرشيدة و المسؤولين الكفوئين . Think about it. I remember paying 3.15 JDs ($5) tuition for a whole year of public schools' education. Textbooks included. You might say that this cost is more expensive than that of US public schools, which are free. But, when your family "qualifies for a discount" from that 3.15, then you're poor living in a poor country. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jordan stinks so bad. I had the unfortunate experience of living in the stinkiest parts of the of the stinkiest city. I lived in the area surrounding the only refinery in the country. Aside form the dreadfully polluted air, the daily, very loud 7am horn sound, and the slippery and dangerous streets going in and out of the refinery and it's neighbour: King Hussein electric station, Aside from all that is محطة السمرا للتنقية. Imagine those hot summer nights' breeze bringing you the pungent aroma of what used to be the above mgloubeh! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I also had to go through the Zarqa transportation complex. Anybody who was ever courageous enough (or had no other option) to cross into the complex on a daily bases deserves وسام الاستقلال من الدرجة الاولى more than those </span><a href="http://ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=33405"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">disappearing ambassadors</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There you have it. Jordan first or not, sometimes you have to sit back and take a look at your country and stop electing your second cousin's uncle's brother in law to the parliament and elect somebody who has the guts to demand change!</span></div>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-39260435285808330532009-01-26T20:03:00.000-08:002009-01-26T20:15:35.204-08:00The only good thing about Gaza<span style="font-size:130%;">was the timing.<br /><br />And the new American administrations new direction is evident by the immediate appointment of an envoy, George Mitchell, who has a lot of experience in the area and in international conflict resolution.</span>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-49337230368407017792009-01-23T08:34:00.000-08:002009-01-23T21:22:34.755-08:00Who Needs Obama, when you have Saudi Arabia.<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >There is no reason not to expect a different, and improved, foreign policy from the new US administration. Obama built his whole campaign on promises of hope and, more importantly, change. As is the norm with politics, however, promises don't always translate into action. But, Bush messed up so bad that an improvement will be achieved regardless of who is taking the helm in DC. So, after watching Obama's inaugural speech, and hearing him mention Muslims twice, I thought that change is indeed coming.<br /><br />The Middle East has spent the last eight years waiting for that change. Although Clinton had some positives going for him in regard to inching toward peace in the Middle East, he was just another ring in a chain of American influence without substance in the area. Arabs keep waiting for change from the wrong source. Change that is dearly needed on many levels and within many areas of life. Change that all the masses are calling for openly and otherwise. Change that could have been brought upon without the need for US presidents' approval or desire.<br /><br />As the world witnessed during the Bush years, the influence of the US has teetered, along with Bush's approval ratings, to lows not seen since the Vietnam war. But, that same influence has kept up its weight in two countries: Egypt and Jordan. Although the two countries are of the top recipients of US financial and military aid (in 2007, Egypt was second and Jordan was fourth), the aid was a very low price to pay to quell the opposing voices to the Iraq war and the Israeli killing machine, and to convince them of a lurking Iranian threat.<br /><br />Arab governments would have been in a far better position to oppose, and act, in response to the Gaza massacre had they not been “owned” by the US. After all, Egypt and Jordan between them have the majority of Israel-Arab borders. They very much protected Israel from the steaming public.<br /><br />Now if one takes a look at the amount of “reported” aid. In the year 2007, Egypt and Jordan received <a href="http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/101408.pdf">~$2.4B and ~$457M</a> from the US government, respectively. At the same time, financial aid given by Arab countries has for decades exceeded these numbers. In the book <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=NlRqLGF-wW0C&pg=PA71&dq=%22the+arab+donors%22&ei=Z_B5SYfyGobgkAT5y8TMBQ">The Pattern of Aid Giving By Eric Neumayer</a>, aid from Arab countries in the years 1974-1994 has averaged 1.5% of GDP. If these numbers held up to these days, that would translate into <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_League#Economy">$35 Billion for the year 2007</a> alone. That's $35B of aid given by Arab countries to Arab and non Arab countries throughout the world.<br /><br />The following sheds the lights on the realities of Arab aid:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.adelinotorres.com/mediooriente/%C1RABES_Ajuda%20%E1rabe%20ao%20desenvolvimento.pdf">The Arab aid paradox </a><br /><br /></span> <blockquote style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">It is a little known paradox that the Arab world, despite its own, often onerous, domestic challenges, is one of the most generous providers of development finance. And, moreover, that this financing reaches far beyond the confines of the Arab world to over 140 developing countries around the globe. Many would be surprised to learn, for instance, that Arab aid has built hospitals in Albania and Senegal, schools in Jamaica and Burkina Faso, and roads in Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Honduras. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Arab aid is responsible, too, for countless other improvements across the entire development spectrum. It has helped ease the movement of goods and people, facilitated access to jobs and social services, provided clean water, sanitation and electricity, and improved food security and nutrition. Indeed, for four decades, Arab aid has been instrumental in improving living standards and life expectancy among millions of the world’s poor. It is a record that speaks for itself, and one made all the more remarkable by the fact that the Arab countries are themselves developing and face many problems of their own. Regrettably, it is a record that has gone largely unrecognized, primarily because of the modest spirit in which the Arab donors have traditionally given their assistance. </span></blockquote><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br />Therefore, as seen above, given the sheer amount of Arab wealth evident in their giving to various countries the world over, it is conceivable that the influence of the US on Arab countries be minimized, and eventually reversed, if Arabs shopped around for influence (if they insist on not having influence of their own) from other permanent members of the Security Council, by re-channeling their aid to Egypt and Jordan just enough to replace that of the US. <br /><br /><br /></span>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271103265970575869.post-45116753812032695192009-01-20T16:53:00.000-08:002009-01-23T21:22:34.756-08:00The best article describing Gaza's Situation in US media<span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/14/when-israel-expelled-palestinians/"><span style="font-size:130%;">KUHN: When Israel expelled Palestinians:</span></a><br /></span><h2 style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></h2>What if it was San Diego and Tijuana instead? <br /><br />Randall Kuhn<br /> Wednesday, January 14, 2009<h4 style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></h4><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">In the wake of Israel's invasion of Gaza, Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak made this analogy: "Think about what would happen if for seven years rockets had been fired at San Diego, California from Tijuana, Mexico." <br /><br />Within hours scores of American pundits and politicians had mimicked Barak's comparisons almost verbatim. In fact, in this very paper on January 9 House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Minority Whip Eric Cantor ended an opinion piece by saying "America would never sit still if terrorists were lobbing missiles across our border into Texas or Montana." But let's see if our political and pundit class can parrot this analogy. <br /><br />Think about what would happen if San Diego expelled most of its Hispanic, African American, Asian American, and Native American population, about 48 percent of the total, and forcibly relocated them to Tijuana? Not just immigrants, but even those who have lived in this country for many generations. Not just the unemployed or the criminals or the America haters, but the school teachers, the small business owners, the soldiers, even the baseball players. <br /><br />What if we established government and faith-based agencies to help move white people into their former homes? And what if we razed hundreds of their homes in rural areas and, with the aid of charitable donations from people in the United States and abroad, planted forests on their former towns, creating nature preserves for whites to enjoy? Sounds pretty awful, huh? I may be called anti-Semitic for speaking this truth. Well, I'm Jewish and the scenario above is what many prominent Israeli scholars say happened when Israel expelled Palestinians from southern Israel and forced them into Gaza. But this analogy is just getting started. <br /><br />What if the United Nations kept San Diego's discarded minorities in crowded, festering camps in Tijuana for 19 years? Then, the United States invaded Mexico, occupied Tijuana and began to build large housing developments in Tijuana where only whites could live. And what if the United States built a network of highways connecting American citizens of Tijuana to the United States? And checkpoints, not just between Mexico and the United States but also around every neighborhood of Tijuana? What if we required every Tijuana resident, refugee or native, to show an ID card to the U.S. military on demand? What if thousands of Tijuana residents lost their homes, their jobs, their businesses, their children, their sense of self worth to this occupation? Would you be surprised to hear of a protest movement in Tijuana that sometimes became violent and hateful? Okay, now for the unbelievable part. <br /><br />Think about what would happen if, after expelling all of the minorities from San Diego to Tijuana and subjecting them to 40 years of brutal military occupation, we just left Tijuana, removing all the white settlers and the soldiers? Only instead of giving them their freedom, we built a 20-foot tall electrified wall around Tijuana? Not just on the sides bordering San Diego, but on all the Mexico crossings as well. What if we set up 50-foot high watchtowers with machine gun batteries, and told them that if they stood within 100 yards of this wall we would shoot them dead on sight? And four out of every five days we kept every single one of those border crossings closed, not even allowing food, clothing, or medicine to arrive. And we patrolled their air space with our state-of-the-art fighter jets but didn't allow them so much as a crop duster. And we patrolled their waters with destroyers and submarines, but didn't even allow them to fish. <br /><br />Would you be at all surprised to hear that these resistance groups in Tijuana, even after having been "freed" from their occupation but starved half to death, kept on firing rockets at the United States? Probably not. But you may be surprised to learn that the majority of people in Tijuana never picked up a rocket, or a gun, or a weapon of any kind. The majority, instead, supported against all hope negotiations toward a peaceful solution that would provide security, freedom and equal rights to both people in two independent states living side by side as neighbors. This is the sound analogy to Israel's military onslaught in Gaza today.<br /><br />Maybe some day soon, common sense will prevail and no corpus of misleading analogies abut Tijuana or the crazy guy across the hall who wants to murder your daughter will be able to obscure the truth. And at that moment, in a country whose people shouted We Shall Overcome, Ich bin ein Berliner, End Apartheid, Free Tibet and Save Darfur, we will all join together and shout "Free Gaza. Free Palestine." And because we are Americans, the world will take notice and they will be free, and perhaps peace will prevail for all the residents of the Holy Land. <br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Randall Kuhn is an assistant professor and Director of the Global Health Affairs Program at the University of Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He just returned from a trip to Israel and the West Bank.</span></span><blockquote><p><em></em> </p></blockquote></blockquote>iraatushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03957265412923793722noreply@blogger.com1