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| Middle East |
| King Abdullah II Calls For a civilized model for tolerance... |
| 2003-12-02 |
| Unfortunately there’s no reason for the Famous Biting and Incisive Wit that Rantburg is so noted for (an area that I wish I had some talent at, but obviously don’t...lol) This is a positive Story "Our vision of the Jordan that will emerge in the future is based on a solid foundation, whose substance is that Jordan is a modern, democratic country," he said, calling on leaders to move in that direction "with absolute conviction, in order to promote Jordan as a civilized model for tolerance, freedom of thought, creativity and excellence." "In the speech, Abdullah frequently used his slogan "Jordan First" -- a term that in the past antagonized some Jordanians of Palestinian origin. Most Jordanians are Palestinian, and some felt the term was designed to pull focus away from their concerns. Abdullah said, however, that the slogan is inclusive of all sections of the population. The lack of focus on international issues affecting Jordan, such as Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, also made his speech strikingly different from those of other Arab leaders, who normally place emphasis on these conflicts in order to improve their own popularity. In truth I have been very harsh in my criticism of Jordan, especially with the Parliament’s refusal to to rein in or pass laws with signifigant punishment for Honor Killilngs. This now is a heady dose of Realism for Jordanians. I am far from sure that they will be able to accept this courageous message...but this is still nice to see. Of course, with the history of enmity in the Middle East to this kind of life affirming, personal responsibility type of message, King Abdullah II will probably be assassinated before sunrise...lol |
| Posted by:Traveller |
| #9 I'd like to think that Abs in Jordan and Mo in Morrocco could be decent philosopher-kings. Set stuff up, build democracy, then sit back and play cricket all day. Don't see it happening in Jordan because 70% of the people are Paleos, and they don't take to democracy too well (from what I've heard). Maybe in Morrocco, as long as Mo doesn't get himself killed in the next 20 years or so. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2003-12-2 6:26:52 PM |
| #8 'Tolerance' to the islamofascists means you're allowed the chance to convert to islam before you are killed. |
| Posted by: stuckinthe7thcentury 2003-12-2 3:53:25 PM |
| #7 BH - along way to go before you can be considered real believers in democracy, certainly, but real human beings? Tolerance was revolutionary in Europe 350 years ago - surely you dont mean that say, Louis XIV of France, or King Charles of England were somhow not real human beings? |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2003-12-2 1:13:08 PM |
| #6 I agree with TS. If the best you can do is call for mere tolerance - and that's considered revolutionary - then you have a long way to go before you and your people can be considered real human beings. |
| Posted by: BH 2003-12-2 10:49:03 AM |
| #5 Tolerance means something different to most Muslims, it means we will tolerate non-muslims in our Islamic society, but you will be second class citizens. |
| Posted by: TS 2003-12-2 9:11:14 AM |
| #4 Traveller- Queen Noor is not Abdullah's mother. His mother was an earlier wife of King Hussein. |
| Posted by: Spot 2003-12-2 8:55:36 AM |
| #3 The King is also politicing for the soon-to-be-open post of Guardian of the Sacred Sites. When the House of Saud goes down the crapper, the King is number one as successor if he stays our friend. Makes sense, we get a relatively progressive ruler and the Moslem world gets a Guardian with a legitimate heritage for the post. |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2003-12-2 8:46:21 AM |
| #2 Dearest DPA: I know, I know...Steve White does this better than almost anyone. And yet, as much as the Fisking is fun...I have always had some hope for King Abdullah. He has the possiblity of making a real difference in the Middle East, (Of course, how much of a difference has Queen Noor, American born and his mother, made in the King's life?) Also, on November 12, the King of Morocco said: "How could we hope to ensure the progress and prosperity of a society," asked King Mohammed VI last month, "while its women, who constitute half therein, see their rights pushed aside, and suffer injustice, violence, and marginalization in disregard of the right to dignity and equity that our sacred religion confers upon them?" I realize that matters are proceeding at a glacial pace...But both of these King's get a full two thumbs up from me. Be Good, Traveller |
| Posted by: Traveller 2003-12-2 2:58:24 AM |
| #1 Look a couple of stories down... Steve White bit into it a little bit for ya ;) |
| Posted by: Damn_Proud_American 2003-12-2 2:36:11 AM |