Comments on: Educating The Public On Corruption http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/ A Jordanian Blog Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:56:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Musa http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123595 Musa Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:51:26 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123595 There is one major corruption scandal in Jordan...period There is one major corruption scandal in Jordan…period

]]> By: Londoner http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123545 Londoner Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:25:31 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123545 well there are currently 2 major corruption scandals investigated in jordan one in aqaba and one in amman muncipality (not much will come out of them ofcourse but at least we are "looking" into them!), Nas plz highlight this in ur next piece! http://www.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=27786 plus the human trafficking lawsuit in the US against a jordanian company... http://www.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=27788 well there are currently 2 major corruption scandals investigated in jordan one in aqaba and one in amman muncipality (not much will come out of them ofcourse but at least we are “looking” into them!), Nas plz highlight this in ur next piece!

http://www.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=27786

plus the human trafficking lawsuit in the US against a jordanian company…

http://www.ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNO=27788

]]> By: Musa http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123530 Musa Sun, 31 Aug 2008 06:30:25 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123530 What a great chance to link to this article again http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050530/glain What a great chance to link to this article again
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050530/glain

]]> By: Hani Obaid http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123526 Hani Obaid Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:52:00 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123526 Corruption has become so ingrained in every aspect of our lives that it's just part of the culture as much as honor killings. What to do ? Corruption has become so ingrained in every aspect of our lives that it’s just part of the culture as much as honor killings. What to do ?

]]> By: Yazan http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123500 Yazan Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:53:24 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123500 Off topic: I was trying to check your archives, but for some reason, I can't find the posts ordered by time. Thought I might let you know. Off topic:

I was trying to check your archives, but for some reason, I can’t find the posts ordered by time. Thought I might let you know.

]]> By: asoom http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123496 asoom Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:42:02 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123496 You're right about the "public institutions" lacking efficiency and part of that reason is that they're too preoccupied in serving/favoring a select few who are either wastafied, have money, or (in some places) are attractive, single, and flirty females. If you don't fall into any of the above categories it makes it so much harder to get NORMAL things done like renew a passport, get a license, or get hired. The general public is well aware of that but noone really thinks about being part of "the change". So maybe there needs to be some kind of public awareness campaigns, but in the first place who on earth would take that initiative....surely not the people with the authority to do so! I once confronted my dad about his overuse of the wasta and his response was pretty much that corruption in Jordan is a hopeless cause, and that's just how you have to do things. You’re right about the “public institutions” lacking efficiency and part of that reason is that they’re too preoccupied in serving/favoring a select few who are either wastafied, have money, or (in some places) are attractive, single, and flirty females.

If you don’t fall into any of the above categories it makes it so much harder to get NORMAL things done like renew a passport, get a license, or get hired. The general public is well aware of that but noone really thinks about being part of “the change”. So maybe there needs to be some kind of public awareness campaigns, but in the first place who on earth would take that initiative….surely not the people with the authority to do so!

I once confronted my dad about his overuse of the wasta and his response was pretty much that corruption in Jordan is a hopeless cause, and that’s just how you have to do things.

]]> By: Mohanned http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123494 Mohanned Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:05:30 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123494 " a strong, consistent and implemented legal system, as well as a free media. " What are you talking about? last time I checked our media was 52% free. But really, if the qualified already left the country, and the ones in power view their positions as "honorary", and if their is no measure for accountability, how do we expect anything to change? Why should we expect a change when tolerance is not a social phenomenon but rather another aspect of the failed policies. My question is: do we have leadership? Is there someone inspiring us? Is there a vision(Other than "toward a green jordan by the year 2000")? When someone or something brings the worst out of us, When success is the unusual, ..thats enough I am out of both thoughts and words..And as our friends at the local media would always say: At least we live in an oasis of peace and stability... ” a strong, consistent and implemented legal system, as well as a free media. ”
What are you talking about? last time I checked our media was 52% free.

But really, if the qualified already left the country, and the ones in power view their positions as “honorary”, and if their is no measure for accountability, how do we expect anything to change?

Why should we expect a change when tolerance is not a social phenomenon but rather another aspect of the failed policies.

My question is: do we have leadership? Is there someone inspiring us? Is there a vision(Other than “toward a green jordan by the year 2000″)? When someone or something brings the worst out of us, When success is the unusual, ..thats enough I am out of both thoughts and words..And as our friends at the local media would always say: At least we live in an oasis of peace and stability…

]]> By: Um Omar http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123492 Um Omar Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:12:50 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123492 What is sad is that there needs to be an agency to handle corruption. I mean really...only in Jordan. What is sad is that there needs to be an agency to handle corruption. I mean really…only in Jordan.

]]> By: Zait O Za3tar http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123491 Zait O Za3tar Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:29:55 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123491 I agree with you mab3oos, there has to be a complete mind shift or cultural upheaval for any attempt to fix this to work. I think bambam's approach is interesting and I have thought about it many many times. However, I think as a society we are more likely to gossip about someone for not "performing" wasta (can't think of another word) and not being good to him acquaintances, than for actually conforming to our social expectations. I don't think one approach would work on its own.. we need to exapnd the Anti-Corruption Committee's with Naseem's suggestions, add to it bambam's suggestion and a push towards transparency... I guess I snoozed off into my dream world again! :-S A man can only dream! I agree with you mab3oos, there has to be a complete mind shift or cultural upheaval for any attempt to fix this to work.

I think bambam’s approach is interesting and I have thought about it many many times. However, I think as a society we are more likely to gossip about someone for not “performing” wasta (can’t think of another word) and not being good to him acquaintances, than for actually conforming to our social expectations.

I don’t think one approach would work on its own.. we need to exapnd the Anti-Corruption Committee’s with Naseem’s suggestions, add to it bambam’s suggestion and a push towards transparency… I guess I snoozed off into my dream world again! :-S

A man can only dream!

]]> By: bambam http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123488 bambam Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:42:43 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123488 mab3oos, i'm impressed ... on the other hand the solution for corruption in jordan is pretty simple :D get people in the goverment to start using proxies and wikileaks, and start another whistleblower protection legislation and a whistle blower how to guide that will be publicized. For after all we, the people of jordan, love gossip and what better way to elevate it when we can celebrate the fact that they can be celebrated on a national level, albeit anonymously. mab3oos, i’m impressed … on the other hand the solution for corruption in jordan is pretty simple :D
get people in the goverment to start using proxies and wikileaks, and start another whistleblower protection legislation and a whistle blower how to guide that will be publicized.
For after all we, the people of jordan, love gossip and what better way to elevate it when we can celebrate the fact that they can be celebrated on a national level, albeit anonymously.

]]> By: anonymous http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123487 anonymous Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:34:38 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123487 سلطة المصادر الطبيعية Good Luck سلطة المصادر الطبيعية
Good Luck

]]> By: mab3oos http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123481 mab3oos Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:45:16 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2008/08/28/educating-the-public-on-corruption/#comment-123481 Actually the form of corruption Jordan most suffers from is the corruption citizens most aware of and most capable of remedying. When you go to the polls and elect your illiterate tribal acquaintance, you are enforcing corruption and supporting it. When you praise your government official relative, you are hiding his/her shortcomings and painting a false perception of the reality. When you slip the king, prime minister, or a MP a note of your wants/needs, you are asking them to mind the process and to hinder the system, which is up side down to start with. When you keep quite and brush aside the faulty policies of the local municipality all the way to the policies of the government council, you are feeding the fire that is eating away the future of Jordan and Jordanians. I have heard it and read it in so many places before, Arabs in general have no street. the voice of the street does not exist. Or it is corrupt and weak if it did. There is no way to have a 110 members of parliament all honest and virtuous when you have 6+ million residents not interested in reform and actually support the contrary. And please don't tell me of the higher powers weakening the street. The Algerians were able to kick out the greatly more superior French. The Earlier Americans defeated the British empire. The Orange revolution instated a democracy in the shadow of Russia. And Yesterday, hungry Thai citizens took over the government compound. I truly believe in the sincerity of the king's efforts to reform the country and change its culture of corruption. But, there are so many other powerful personalities that work in the other direction to their own benefit, not the country's. We have seen so many other initiatives, committees, councils, and forums geared toward lifting Jordan out of its misery. But, the controlling forces have other thoughts and desires. I really wish this committee all the luck in achieving its goals. But, haven't we seen enough committees go by already? Actually the form of corruption Jordan most suffers from is the corruption citizens most aware of and most capable of remedying. When you go to the polls and elect your illiterate tribal acquaintance, you are enforcing corruption and supporting it. When you praise your government official relative, you are hiding his/her shortcomings and painting a false perception of the reality. When you slip the king, prime minister, or a MP a note of your wants/needs, you are asking them to mind the process and to hinder the system, which is up side down to start with. When you keep quite and brush aside the faulty policies of the local municipality all the way to the policies of the government council, you are feeding the fire that is eating away the future of Jordan and Jordanians.

I have heard it and read it in so many places before, Arabs in general have no street. the voice of the street does not exist. Or it is corrupt and weak if it did. There is no way to have a 110 members of parliament all honest and virtuous when you have 6+ million residents not interested in reform and actually support the contrary. And please don’t tell me of the higher powers weakening the street. The Algerians were able to kick out the greatly more superior French. The Earlier Americans defeated the British empire. The Orange revolution instated a democracy in the shadow of Russia. And Yesterday, hungry Thai citizens took over the government compound.

I truly believe in the sincerity of the king’s efforts to reform the country and change its culture of corruption. But, there are so many other powerful personalities that work in the other direction to their own benefit, not the country’s. We have seen so many other initiatives, committees, councils, and forums geared toward lifting Jordan out of its misery. But, the controlling forces have other thoughts and desires.

I really wish this committee all the luck in achieving its goals. But, haven’t we seen enough committees go by already?

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