With all the horrendous conflicts escalating in the Middle East, it may seem a tad trite to observe the obvious – that monitoring the world via the internet without broadband is a drag. Try contributing to an events focused blog without it. (and mega-kudos to Helena for managing it even while traveling!)
More than a cute phrase, we have a serious “digital divide” afflicting tens of millions of Americans, separating those who can get affordable “broad band” access to the internet from those of us who cannot in any form. To those who must endure the barrage of TV commercials laying on the guilt trip about how deprived their children are without broadband, it seems quite the “injustice” – one that cries out for attention from our political and business leaders.
I think my own “quest for broadband” saga is not atypical of what those millions of American “have-nots” suffer. As of today, my own tale has a happy, if bizarre ending, which I’ll save… for the end. I now “have” it, but I will never forget what it was like to be a broadband “have-not.”
As the proverbial crow flies, I live a mere 8 miles from the University of Virginia, the presumed flag-ship University of the Commonwealth of Virginia. And Charlottesville, home of “the Hoos,” supposedly is known for its progressive spread of wireless broadband for free. Unfotunately, that may be true only if you live, work, or play within a few hundred yards of our quaint downtown mall.
DSL?
For the past three years, I endured multiple hopes and false promises from our telephone, electric, wireless, and cable companies about getting pay broadband service. The day before Thanksgiving, 2003, I vividly remember being promised at the local Sprint (now “Embarq”) store that “everyone in your Charlottesville telephone exchange will have DSL within six months.” Yah right. Two and a half years later, I was told by Sprint technicians that I was still 8,000 feet away from the nearest reach of their DSL service.
If you ever hear a telephone company claim that the deciding issue is how far you are from a local office, they are “blowing smoke” at you, counting on you to be “trusting” of their presumed “expertise.” Never mind the propaganda, the issue for years has not been “distance” from a brick and mortar phone switching office. To the contrary, the needed switches are now so small they can fit in locally deployed pedestals.
My research leads me to think that the core problem no longer is technology. Instead its a matter of corporate will; do they want your business or not? And it’s a matter of government and community interest: does the “Commonwealth” think broadband should be made available for all, like electricity, or reserved only for those lucky enough to win their local broadband lottery.
Like much of America, the process of deciding who gets wired DSL here in Albemarle County is highly arbitrary, haphazard, and subject to underhanded manipulation by powerful players – e.g., developers, wealthy landowners, and county officials. Worse, the process is abetted by a local media that seems to deem its primary role as “boosterism” for the local image and morale, rather than investigating problems affecting a major chunk of their readership. (Murrow is still dead.)
Getting DSL from Sprint around here really is akin to winning the lottery; you want it, you know you will benefit enormously from getting it, but your chances of getting new service are anything but rational. Happily, my long time mentor won the DSL lottery last January; having it has revitalized his scholarly productivity and energy. While he’s rapidly downloading files by the megabytes, I’ve had the daily adventure of hoping relatively tiny kilobyte size files don’t gag my dial-up pipe.
Broadband Over Powerline?
I had some new hope for broadband last August, when our local paper, The Daily Progress, reported that thanks to US Government support, my local electric cooperative, CVEC, was promising that everyone within their 12 county service area would have the new “broadband over powerline” service by Christmas. (last year) How progressive I figured. We are to have something in our area before the rest of America. CVEC’s long stated ideal remains wonderful in concept: a non-profit electric coop going back to its roots and delivering to its rural customer base, the new “have-nots,” what their urban/suburban cousins had long enjoyed – broadband. CVEC has been talking about BPL for several years; when I read the Daily Progress article, I thought wow, finally!
I should have known better.
By November, I found out CVEC’s BPL project had become a sad farce. One press release after another looked increasingly redundant and stale. I called CVEC’s BPL spokesman, Greg Kelly, and asked him about his “by Christmas” promise in the Daily Progress. I was bluntly informed, “I never said that.” The Daily Progress reporter and his colleagues later told me that they resented the insinuation that they made up a key attribution in what essentially was a cheerleading “puff piece” for CVEC. So much so that CVEC still has the article on their web site – even with the now hilarious claim about delivering BPL to all by last Christmas.
I urged The Daily Progress repeatedly to do a follow-up story. One writer agreed – but it never appeared. Sadly, our Daily Regress, like so many other local papers now under regional ownership, rarely publishes stories critical of local businesses or government.
(To illustrate my point, albeit slightly off-topic, one of the chief “stars” of the Abu Graib scandal, American Sgt. Ivan (the terrible?”) “Chip” Frederick, happens to have been a prison guard at one of our local Prisons, in nearby Dillwyn. One might think that our local media would have been all over that story – interviewing his co-workers, neighbors, family, or even asking, just how out of line was Frederick’s conduct from what goes on at the Dillwyn Prison? Please. The local media never to my knowledge touched what should have been an obvious local hook to a troubling global story.)
Anyway, nearly a year after my local electric coop’s BPL-by-Christmas promise, CVEC’s “broadband-over-powerline” remains essentially dead-in-the water. Famously, you can get BPL in our “Walton’s Mountain” area (Schuyler); that’s about it. Even now, CVEC’s BPL still is in test phase, and roll-out remains on hold until God knows when. Maybe I’ll run for the board of CVEC next year.
Cable, Wireless?
As for cable broadband, alas, we live in an area where the bankrupt Adelphia still has a monopoly. For some reason, Adelphia never wired my street, even though it is a key connecting road in our county. Ever try to get new cable service from a bankrupt company? Only works if you are buying a home within a new subdivision – one with a well-connected developer.
Yet back in March, my broadband hopes sprang again upon learning of wireless options creeping into our area. My cell phone company, “Ntellos” now offers one such service, and their on-line map of their service area sure looked promising, with coverage indicated towards Scottsville (10 miles to my south). I was warned about “line of sight” issues, but I figured, hey, I live on a ridge, and on a clear day, I can see the mountain where their tower is located.
I should have known better. They at least were kind enough to mail me a test modem, free of charge. But no signal; another hope dashed.
Barking at Embarq
Ah, but back to Sprint – the phone company. When the corporate Gods last month mysteriously decided to change the name of Sprint’s local service to Embarq, I thought to check their new/old web site for the umpteenth time to see if I could get their DSL. At first, I thought I too had won the DSL lottery. There it was; my phone number coming back with the bold orange highlighted message, “Congratulations! – you too can have DSL.” I should have sensed it was yet another cruel joke.
Rather than signing up on line, I cheerfully went to the “new” Sprint-Embarq store and asked for them to sign me up. I was ready to sign up a dozen neighbors too – all of whom now had numbers saying that they had DSL service. We should have known better.
At the Embarq store, I was assisted by a friendly Tikki Barber look-alike telling me that his computer screen didn’t confirm what the public Embarq web site said. Two days later, he lamely told me, without any explanation, to forget it: “you can’t now get it, and we have no idea when you will.” Furious, I called Embarq central numbers for a technical explanation.
After persisting, I eventually learned that I was no longer the 8,000 feet away from presumed DSL availability. Instead, I was startled to learn that two of my newest neighbors already had DSL at the top speed available (5 mbs) and the closest one had a driveway about 850 yards from mine.
Worse, these two new neighbors just happen to be very successful builders and developers. And their homes sit back on their estates well away from the road, at least another 600 yards. Looks fishy, eh? Random chance that they got DSL but we long time neighborhood stiffs didn’t? You tell me…. Ok, they may be wonderful people. Still, they are the “haves” and their long time commoner class neighbors are the “have-nots.”
Needless to say, I was bewildered. I called Sprint/Embarq yet again and was promised an “escalation” of my concerns (and those of my neighbors). How fitting then that the very next day my ancient dial-up telephone line died. Retribution? Its been down three times in the past two weeks, at one point for 3 days.
The first repair technician who visited with me – a 40 year veteran of the telephone corporate takeover wars – kindly let me vent my broadband frustrations on him. He matter-of-factly then said, “you know, if you didn’t want your local phone anymore, I could get you DSL service today.” (e.g., something about greater distances from DSL switches interfere with voice lines) To which I said, “sure, PLEASE take my miserable dial-up telephone and get me the DSL now!”
Again, I should have know better. Several calls to stonewall representatives at Embarq only revealed that my local tech hero was “not authorized” to tell me what he did. In the end, Embarq representatives have given me and my neighbors countless different stories. Some tell us to hang on, we could get DSL any day now; others techies say, don’t kid yourself, “your local phone lines and ‘rats nest’ local switches are in critically bad shape, and only a major corporate change of heart will result in DSL getting those last few yards to your houses.”
Too bad also we don’t live in a more progressive state like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Oregon, states with major government initiatives to advance the spread of broadband to the millions of “have-nots.” As I understand it, if 25 Pennsylvania or Jersey neighbors within a certain distance from each other agree that they all wish to have DSL service, they can “force” the local telephone company to provide it. What a concept!
Ah, but this is George Allen’s Vuh-GIN-yah, where we leave everything to the private sector to work out. Say, if Al Weed wants to impress me and my neighbors further in his uphill fight to unseat Congressman Virgil Goode, maybe he should add something about “broadband in every pot” to his promises. If jwn readers know of any politician anywhere with the nerve to tap into this “raw” issue, let us know here!
Out of the Blue
Ok, I did drop an opening hint that my saga has a semi-happy ending. Some of you may be reading this via Satellite broadband options – like Starband or DirecWay (now Hughesnet). Both were non-starters for me until recently, as they outrageously demanded you to fork over $800 for equipment and installation and then pay $60-90 per month for a service that is relatively slow, does not support voice over internet or gaming, and frequently fails when clouds move over head.
Then comes the new satellite service on the block, Wild Blue,” with their $300 installations and $50 per month service. Yet I still balked, as their service in our area has been problematic, and I feared that I might finally get Embarq DSL (which is much faster and cheaper by comparison) on the day after I plunked down the $300 for the satellite.
Yet I got off my high horse and met one of my neighbors who had won the DSL lottery. Turns out he had unused WildBlue equipment and would kindly turn it over to me if I would assume the remaining months on his WB contract. Better yet, a friendly Wild Blue installer told me he would wave his normal installation charge of $150 if I completed the equipment transfer myself. (Officially, all the satellite companies now say that they are “prohibited” from letting you do it yourself . *vbg )
So skipping over a few “off the record” details, I can happily report that I am now FINALLY accessing you all via broadband – over satellite. So far, not bad.
To celebrate, I have a host of much delayed commentaries to share with jwn friends in the coming hours and days, on everything from the plight of assorted Iranian oppositionists to Suskind’s recent appearance at UVA, to a “review” at the certitude of some of my “Christian Likud” friends. Stay tuned.
As one last sardonic footnote on my broadband saga, I today discovered Wild Blue chat forums where I’ve read countless references to new Wild Blue customers reporting their own tales of woe in trying to get DSL from their phone companies. All too many accounts report that when they call Sprint (or Verizon, etc.) and inform them that they gave up waiting for DSL and thanks to Wild Blue, they wished to cancel their basic phone lines. Naturally, they routinely are then hearing, “Gee, we just checked your line again, and now we now can get you DSL….”
There is one other option available to folks in your situation. I spoke to Rural Nelson about this in 2003, when they were so frustrated about their inability to get broadband. Basically, you unionize.
If you can persuade a dozen neighbors to go in on it, you can order a high speed internet line, such as a T1. The phone company can install those anywhere, without the concerns of distance that exist with DSL. The catch is that they’re expensive — they require about a thousand dollars in hardware and they’re hundreds of dollars each month. (Alternately, you can get a satellite connection, as you’ve gotten, which is less good but still totally usable.) You can run that line to one person’s house, and outfit the houses in the area with wireless base stations ($30/each) and cantennas ($6/each) on the roof, creating a wireless network that joins all of the houses back to the original house. The bandwidth can be shared among everyone, with a per-household cost that can be as cheap as or cheaper than DSL.
You need somebody with a little technical know-how, of course, but it’s a surprisingly straightforward thing to do.
Scott
The IEEE standardon on Broadband over powerline p.1901 is due for publication at end 2006.
This should help unblock the rollout.
A lot of agenceis are wary of the technology because of the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) problem. (ie it might interfere with your neighbours TV reception)
BPL isn’t the panacea that they’re claiming. Powerlines are very bad transmission lines at the 2 – 83 Mhz that BPL uses for its carriers. They’re designed to be efficient at 60hz!
The consequence is that the digital data must be carried on a fiber trunk, and ‘injected’ onto the power line for the ‘last mile’ or so. This means that BPL requires the SAME two-tier infrastructure as DSL or Cable: Fibre to the neighborhood, copper to the home. The only difference is the form of copper.
The cost of the ‘fiber to the neighborhood’ link is the limiting factor: Low density neighborhoods do not have an economic payback to the provider, so they won’t get wired, period.
Good points all. Several of us here had indeed talked to Sprint about a T1, but in effect it seemed woefully expensive – and we were’t bunched in tight enough to share it. As for sharing a satellite feed, two problems: 1. the top speed you can get is 1.5 mbs, and splitting it among multiple users dilutes the “broadband effect” rapidly. 2. sharing the satellite service flatly violates the contracts you sign with the satellite companies…. and they’ve been known to prosecute folks they discover to be sharing it. While I’m game to push the limits of legal gray areas when I encounter them, this one seemed a bit too cut and dry. Yet I did like the idea of “cantennas” – finally making good use of Pringles cans. Alas, “line of sight” was another practical problem. Here in Virginia, we have lots of big green trees! Those legendary cantenna distances are across badlands and open lakes. As for those wireless access points stations, I tested two “MIMO” class models, but it didn’t seem to me that they were strong enough yet to get a signal past anyone’s front yard. (and that includes the new $140 pre-N routers which are getting nasty reviews)
As for BPL, I too had read about the various technical and political issues, especially for HAM radio. Yet we were told by CVEC, again and again, how the trials were coming back positive, and that they were “excited” by the solutions coming on line. (if you will)
Oddly enough, I just read about a larger BPL trial being terminated last fall in Allentown Pennsylvania (a more urban area where PPL was up against cheaper, faster DSL alternatives). And yet in Manassas, Virginia (hardly rural, near D.C.), they apparently have had BPL up and working for almost a year… See, for example,:
http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/200510/msg00268.html
Guys
T1 is obsolete.
Have a look at Gigabit Ethernet.
Dear Helena ,
My following comments are on an article posted here in Aprill -19 2006 , with title “Palestenian & Jordan”
Pease note that I write ,but I donot publish . your site here is a discovery to me . I have noticed Justworld news .. just last week while I have been navigating . I I have posted my comments here because I couldot find a place-space to comment under the article
“Jordan First”
Tribalization- VS- Modernization
“Without prejudice”
People live, fight and die under and for slogans. Slogans are adopted by individuals, families’, tribes and companies out of principals, ethics codes, maxim and commercial purposes, respectively. Other types of slogans are adopted by Political Parties and/or countries.
In such respects, slogans indicate the objectives of a given party or a state. Allegedly, slogans here should photocopy the public majority’s stand of political beliefs and aspiration, concurrently in the national and international dimensions.
In this article, we will trace back and forward, Jordan’s trip with slogans, the impact and outcomes of slogans on Jordan, throughout the period that extends from the inauguration of King Abdullah’s II up to currently ( 1999- present )
National unity.
“Jordan first” launched in 2002, has been understood by (JEBD)- Jordanians of an East Bank Descent, representing hypothetically a 45 % of the population- in the way that they have finally located the right umbrella under where and of which they can protect then evolve with their political –national identity and interests in their very home land-Jordan , now politically known (1946 ) as The Hashemite Kingdom Of Jordan and formerly was the Emirate of Trans Jordan.
They claimed that this identity and these interests have been infringed and cannibalized, on base DE-FACTO, by the second major component of the Jordanian population, The Jordanians –of a Palestinian Descent, (JPD) – those representing hypothetically and in parallel another 45 % of the population.
JEBD have developed this attitude out of a misreading, eventually a misconception of King Abdullah’s first national slogan (If there is will, there is way)… (Ala qadr ahl Al-azaym).
JEBD believe and have been afraid , that this slogan has staged them armless in an open , unfair ,direct and a hardnosed competition with their( Guests) the (JPD) Jordanians –of Palestinian Descent ,those that have a competitive edge , a mix of a know how & financial muscles, that will enable them with certainty to win the competition .
These fears where developed and cumulated throughout a period 58 years of their political unity with the (JPD) Jordanians –of Palestinian Descent.
JEBD’s Current generations have the general concept that, through out this period they where fully occupied in servicing the states (Civil Servants- Government) and protecting the( Royal Throne) (Soldiers -The Army- Intelligence & Security Forces ), but they have not harvested any personal recognition ,financial gains and benefits up to the Nobility/Sacrifice of any of these two involvements and engagements .They also ponder that their upcoming offspring will be in the same pool .
They also claim that (JPD) are not loyal neither to the state nor the throne, and that they always cons pirate with P.L.O against both, while despite such attitude and action, factually (JPD) are economically better off.
We believe this national & economical unrest ness among (JEBD) has forced and implied the tactical phasing – out of King Abdullah’s II first slogan, (If there is will, there is way) and alternately the phasing – in of the second slogan “Jordan First”
JBD has formerly, overwhelmingly welcomed king’s Hussein announcement of his initiative –The Disengagement (1988). Since then JBDs current spirit and attitudes as discussed have been in the early stage of off take and shy declaration.
The Disengagement Initiative has provided the ground, in (2002) Jordan First, the slogan has eventually re-engaged with the announcement of Disengagement, enhanced, accelerated the said off take and polarized the shy declaration into a semi open one .
The first were grateful and felt recognized, honored, privileged and compensated under the slogan (Jordan First). The majority of this category of Jordanians perceived that their homeland has concluded a third national independence (2002). Metaphorically, the second was upon King Hussein” Declaration of Disengagement”(1988) and the first was “The Declaration of Independence”(1946) from the British mandate.
“Jordan First” is a multi –impression slogan, in a one dimension it gives an impression that it is a continuation, a complementation that has a kind of engagement with a preceding / proceeding, a first chapter of the story, King Hussein’s initiative disengagement.
Alternately in another dimension, the slogan implies a kind of disengagement from King Abdullah’s II first slogan (If there is will, there is way)-(Ala qadr ahl Al-azm …).
(JEBD), considered themselves under the slogan “Jordan First”, the chosen, the most deserving, the most royal – loyal, the real stead fasters , the truest, the sole owners, sole custodians of country’s heritage, and are exclusively the Jordanians.
Jordanians –of Palestinian Descent (JPD) have understood “Jordan First” in the way that they have been announced secluded, marginalized and their interests and share in the state’s welfare and benefits are concurrently neglected and will be indefensibly cannibalized by Jordanians –of East Bank Descent, this time with a clear, straight forward and an unprecedented support of the State’s Authority, and the Government.
(JPD) claim and have considered themselves: The developers of the country, the builders of the its economy, the less benefited of its welfare , the most self made people, the less demanding & most deserving of recognition, the less costing to its expenditure budgets ,the least dependants on the countries resources , the most urbanized and the promoters of the concept, Jordan the Modern state. They also insist that they are the investors in the country’s well-being and the custodians of its future.
Under the slogan “Jordan First”, Jordanians –of Palestinian Descent considered themselves as second been taken as a second class /grade with allegation and suspicion ,or ear marking of non loyal citizens to the country ,concomitantly to the throne , eventually the slogan “Jordan First” has enchantingly motivated and pushed them more to stick to their original identity –Palestinians –Palestinians , those that due to international/local , conspiracy been forcibly lodged in Jordan.
(JPD) felt that the balance they have set and scrutinized all along 50 plus years is trodden. That balance they have accomplished between their original-descent as Palestinians and the forcibly and circumstantially gained Jordanian citizenship.
They believe that as they are paying their taxes, live by the country’s laws , respect these laws and prosper within the country by own talent and efforts, they are fully and deservingly entitled and to carry its citizen ship; and in accordance they carry it, hence they shouldn’t be looked down at or considered
Second Grade citizens or/and to be treated as constrained ones.
(JPD) are strongly convinced that (JEBD) who suspect their national loyality to Jordan need to understand the real perception of Jordan -The Modern State. VS. The perception of Jordan – The Tribal Home land. (JPD) also don’t hide in the instance their positive mind- set in Palestine as home country –dream land.
As for (JMA), the Jordanians- Minorities Assorted,) – mostly of those are of Non Arab descents –they hypothetically represent a 10 % of the population. Out of a traditional normality of practice, they have always welcomed the slogan “Jordan First” and prevailed content.
Country’s Resources:
Country’s resources have been, geared up, utilized then exhausted unexceptionally by Subsequent Governments to service and to pamper a privileged part of the population, concurrently state benefits been redirected to service the same objective.
In the parallel, the established class of marginalized groups- of all descents has enlarged- to encompass the overwhelming majority of the population. The marginalized majority has been inattentively left to its mussels and to its lots. These phenomena are prevailing unavoidably for the first time in the history of Jordan.
Neighbor- West. Palestinian Authority:
In one of my visits to Tunisia, and in a brother’s in law house, I socially met with one of- P.L.O Executive Committee – members –Fath, namely ambassador Al-Hakem Bal-awi. The meeting occurred incidentally
on the next day to king’s Hussein’s announcement of initiative 1988 (East- West Banks Disengagement).
Out of national anxiety, I approached the man with the question: “what will happen to Jordanians- Palestinians of Refugee Descent …now after this disengagement initiative? Without hesitation and with extreme pragmatism, He answered with what I quote here “This is a Jordanian internal affairs issue”. I respected the man, for his straightforwardness.
After (6) years past this meeting, Al-Hakem’s answer has been realized, actualized and contracted in the Israeli –Jordanian 1994 (Arabeh Accord ). I have not met with the man ever since, but since that day I have recognized that man’s political pragmatism and Insight.
Neighbor- North. Syrian –Arab Republic:
The Syrians have never at any time welcomed the Jordanian slogans. They have utilized and employed (Jordan First) deliberately to achieve the objective in where they exposed and pinpointed that Jordan has strategically relinquished: THE Arab National- Cause. Unity, the Dream of the Arab peoples – Countries. The dream of the forefathers –Sheriff Al-Hussein Bin Ali of Mecca !.
They have disparaged the slogan at one of the recently held large Arab conferences in Damascus; the Syrian president has mocked the slogan with the approval, the cheer and the ovation of those Jordanian parties, who were participants in this conference.
Neighbor- East –Iraq.
The Iraqis have reproduced their own copy of “Jordan First” with a prefix change.
They launched it in their endeavors to conclude national unity under the slogan (IRAQ First).
Neighbor- South – Saudi Arabia
The Saudis have been wise as they always are. They don’t interfere in the internal affairs of any neighbor. With exception to Bin Laden’s slogans; the Saudis have no time to discuss or give attention to slogans from wherever and by who ever these are announced or adopted,
Old Brother- Egypt-South –west
Before king Abdullah’s II inauguration, king of Jordan, President Sadat has created the Slogan (Egypt First), applied it pragmatically in Camp David Accord.
President Sadat has been the pioneers of the concept (First Thing first). He employed his slogan practically to engage the Egyptians in their national unity issues, concurrently to disengage Egypt from its ARAB Unity Cause and of any Past – Future Arab military coalition against Israel.
International Community –International Stage
All countries on the international stage have encouraged the young king’s aspirations of reform and modernization.
It has been noticed that some local Jordanian advertising circles –agencies and magazines has criticized the tendering of the creative, art work of the Slogans Campaign to an International Public Relation Corporate!
Internally : Impact & Outcomes
National unity: the wedge is widening the fracture in the fragile and feeble body and constituents
of this unity.
An accelerating increase in number of the frustrated marginalized Jordanians from all origins and docents is remarkably noticeable.
A multiple discontent of political, economical and social issues has established it self
in the core the national prospect. , loss of direction is hovering on the national scene.
Country Resources: are exhausted and exploited by corruption & favoritism, the prevailing phenomena in the developing countries.
Democracy -Rights-Political Development-: political rights are squeezed and confiscated.
Democratic reforms are hindered. It seems that this Government as its predecessor and successors will never be in position to conclude the new Laws, that of Public Elections and the other one of National Parties. Those two Future- Indicators are ever elongated draft –laws.
Externally: Impact & Outcomes
Jordan is loosing its traditional alliance base across the globe, or at the optimistic perception, the alliance base is in the shrink.
At Arab Countries level:
Exclusively in the region, the only alliance ship is between Jordan – Fath –The Palestinian Authority.
This alliance is a failure back – to- back failure alliance. It is doomed to not make the grade
Israel:
Those who perfectly know its opportunisms, Israel may perform the last mercy bullet shooting. Israel will not hesitate to inter into conspiracy- with who ever- to revive the concept “One State in West & East Banks’,” Jordan is the Palestinian State” or the” State of the Palestinians”, what ever of these prospect will come first, Israel will apply here the practice (First in – First Served)
At international Level:
United States, United Kingdom, and France & NATO Countries: The insurgence of Iran as a Nuclear Power has perplexed all these countries .These have to forcibly change their traditional alliance and support to Jordan to a lower key, eventually they will be undependable.
The Strategic Sin !
Initially King Abdullah II has declared the Slogan: (IF There Is Will There Is WAY) – (Ala qader ahl Al-azm Tuta Al-Azayimu…)!
This Slogan reflects a modern perception of (Jordan -THE STATE). Eventually for tactical reasons and in a slip of time, this slogan has been replaced by (Jordan First).
The slogan (Jordan First), was exposed to wrong readings and short understandings by the influential elites and moreover to a direct unprecedented, extraordinary exploitation by the mislead commons.
Primarily both sides are internal constituent, whereas no any tangible direct harm was caused by any neighbor Arab countries. Discussion of the (external Factor) here is of no relation or significance.
We believe that the slogan (Jordan First) in this comparison reflects outspokenly the miss perception of The Hashemite kingdom of Jordan as: Jordan the Tribal Home land VS., and at the expense of Jordan the Modern State.
Consultants and Advisors:
Jordan is Floating simultaneously in the internal and external levels on a misleading accumulates of wrong advices from a bunch of In-Competent and Non state- seasoned consultants, They have ensnared the country to sin between the two options: The Tribalization of a State – VS- The Modernization of the State.
The (First Option) regrettably has been dramatically and irresponsibly pampered and catastrophically well entertained.
King of Jordan, Abdullah II, is young, and has the time to rebuild. We are sure of that King Abdullah II has the will and by now the Know- how , the 10 years experience in leader ship , hopefully he will re-service and re-phase in his original first slogan “If there is will there is way” –that perception of Jordan The Modern State
Rulers are in a Non – Stop search to obtain and maintain a pool of good consultants, those who should be State – Seasoned and State-Loyal.
Conclusion.
Ruling and reigning are two tasks that correspond to and homage each other; they are “Two Faces of one Coinage”
Rulers to reign need to set the golden balance, and to maintain it with pains and devotion at any time representing of and feasible to various: ethnic, social, religious constituent of the population.
An individual or group of these components of a given population can be declared or ear- marked loyal or disloyal upon and by his/her action.
Citizens’ being comprehensively loyal to a country means they respect and comply with the laws of the country- “The Social bond” and the Institution.
The Dilemma , the Pool of Consultants and the Cabinet!
For a head of a State, these two tools will make or break the reign of power. Successful rulers / countries are those who find the solution for the dilemma of prevalence in power: Is loyalty before proficiency, or is it the other way round..? Does loyalty implies locality.. ?
Pool of Consultants , When rulers err in judgments and options between:
The selection of a pool of Loyalties-Consultants whose priorities, are enticed in the following order: the ruler’s recognition, royalties and the achievement of a short sighted personal interest.
A pool of kind has often proved to have achieved to a country a gasping Survival of
no future.
-VS
The selection of a pool of Efficient -Consultants whose priorities are enticed in the following
Order: their country’s recognition, the ruler’s respect, and then royalties as complimentary.
A pool of kind has often proved to have achieved to a country a prosperous survival and a
Promising future
The Cabinet -When rulers err in judgments and options between:
The formation of a cabinet of ministers that includes experienced, efficient and specialized technocrats, who will conclude a successful performance of the tasks.
-VS-
The formation of a cabinet of ministers that includes Semi – experienced, Semi efficient and un – specialized persons those indicators of regional representation /decent, who will conclude a mediocre performance of the tasks.
While the first option has often brought progress and development, the second one has remarkably proved to have inflicted on a country at a halt position if not regression.
Loyalties never coincide with localities or/ and good organization.
Nabeel Yaseen
Dubai -10-June -2006
Nabeel, these are interesting observations but are Off Topic for this post (as you noted) and also ways too long for the guidelines here. In the future, if you have things you want to contribute to the nComments board, try to keep them within the guidelines and on topic.
If you do have things that are longer, you can either (a) post them on a website elsewhere and post a short comment here that gives the URL, or (b) contact me to see if they might fit into a post of their own that I would put up, with full attribution to you.
Dear Helena ,
Thank you for your promptness , and thank you for putting me on the track .