Comments on: King Goes Undercover Again http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/ A Jordanian Blog Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:56:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ed http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-139413 Ed Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:25:03 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-139413 This post was written some time ago and I hopped in by chance. Thank you for penning this, so I thought I could just chip in my share too. I think what King Abdullah has done here is absolutely admirable. How many Ministers/Presidents or Heads of Country even bother to do that? Receiving & reading reports is one thing, a King putting himself on the ground to experience truly the lives of a commoner is quite another matter. Of course, it's anyone's freedom to doubt what his true intentions are. I can safely tell you from where I am in my own country, my Prime Minister can't even differentiate the various food commonly found in the average citizen's food center. King Abdullah's undercover trip may contain other motivations that we are not aware of. I can't deny there may be a certain element of publicity involved, and which Government doesn't do that? The bare minimum is, he cared enough to go through the process as a commoner - even in pretense. In my opinion, that was already 10 times better than a Hillary Clinton stepping off her plane in Haiti's airport (secured by... cough... hundreds of US soldiers), issued a statement in front of snapping cameras, re-boarded her protected jet and garnered one hell of a publicity like as though she had been walking through the streets of Haiti after the earthquake. Have we ever gave him the benefit of doubt that he had been reading reports, so he attempted to mingle among the commoners and well, put to test how truthful these reports have been? Sometimes, such a visit may not be dedicated to changes, but also validating in other sense. Peace be with all. This post was written some time ago and I hopped in by chance. Thank you for penning this, so I thought I could just chip in my share too.

I think what King Abdullah has done here is absolutely admirable. How many Ministers/Presidents or Heads of Country even bother to do that? Receiving & reading reports is one thing, a King putting himself on the ground to experience truly the lives of a commoner is quite another matter. Of course, it’s anyone’s freedom to doubt what his true intentions are. I can safely tell you from where I am in my own country, my Prime Minister can’t even differentiate the various food commonly found in the average citizen’s food center.

King Abdullah’s undercover trip may contain other motivations that we are not aware of. I can’t deny there may be a certain element of publicity involved, and which Government doesn’t do that? The bare minimum is, he cared enough to go through the process as a commoner – even in pretense. In my opinion, that was already 10 times better than a Hillary Clinton stepping off her plane in Haiti’s airport (secured by… cough… hundreds of US soldiers), issued a statement in front of snapping cameras, re-boarded her protected jet and garnered one hell of a publicity like as though she had been walking through the streets of Haiti after the earthquake.

Have we ever gave him the benefit of doubt that he had been reading reports, so he attempted to mingle among the commoners and well, put to test how truthful these reports have been? Sometimes, such a visit may not be dedicated to changes, but also validating in other sense.

Peace be with all.

]]> By: Alessandra http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132823 Alessandra Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:38:01 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132823 Great Abdallah! :-) I hope that this is useful ! Great Abdallah! :-) I hope that this is useful !

]]> By: Nas http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132653 Nas Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:35:58 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132653 @Ammar: First, I am not so sure about the extent to which the King's "solution" is actually a solution to begin with. Second, I have trouble believing that because people are not from a purely jordanian origin, that their allegiances lie elsewhere. Third, I have not merely complained on this blog as it has been a place where I have talked about the mechanisms and institutions that need to be created to bring about the change we need, and I think it's also been a platform for others to debate the same things. @Ammar: First, I am not so sure about the extent to which the King’s “solution” is actually a solution to begin with. Second, I have trouble believing that because people are not from a purely jordanian origin, that their allegiances lie elsewhere. Third, I have not merely complained on this blog as it has been a place where I have talked about the mechanisms and institutions that need to be created to bring about the change we need, and I think it’s also been a platform for others to debate the same things.

]]> By: Ammar http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132636 Ammar Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:32:33 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132636 I totally agree with you nas, your blog is brilliant bjective and courageous, so why don't you offer some solutions that you think might work, like where to begin? Democracy? Empowerment? what about other questions? what kind of democracy? i mean talk is easy you can sit and complain and write tons of words but what are the mechanisms'? The king thought of one which obviously is not the solution but it is better than nothing right? i''m not saying i have any!! but maybe we should start thinking about solutions to the problems that we all know about but what we need is the mechanisms I know most of yur answers before you reply? So what about the Zionist israeli plan to make jordan palestine? what about the majority of our jordanian population that are not native jordanians and are palestinian refugees?!! and have a problem of allegiance to the King and to the land! Have you ever been to Al naqabat main building ? you feel you're in one of Hammas's offices??! Arent the unions main priority are their members not issues in other countries? What about the relegious people who believe Jordan is ARD AL RIBAT in which all the muslim armies will start their battle to defeat the Jews from our land, i don't think these people mind jordan becoming a palestinian state?!! I mean sometmes ii feel like you're talking idealistic stuff and drifting from the reality?!! I totally agree with you nas, your blog is brilliant bjective and courageous, so why don’t you offer some solutions that you think might work, like where to begin? Democracy? Empowerment?
what about other questions? what kind of democracy? i mean talk is easy you can sit and complain and write tons of words but what are the mechanisms’?
The king thought of one which obviously is not the solution but it is better than nothing right? i”m not saying i have any!! but maybe we should start thinking about solutions to the problems that we all know about but what we need is the mechanisms
I know most of yur answers before you reply?
So what about the Zionist israeli plan to make jordan palestine?
what about the majority of our jordanian population that are not native jordanians and are palestinian refugees?!! and have a problem of allegiance to the King and to the land!
Have you ever been to Al naqabat main building ? you feel you’re in one of Hammas’s offices??!
Arent the unions main priority are their members not issues in other countries?
What about the relegious people who believe Jordan is ARD AL RIBAT in which all the muslim armies will start their battle to defeat the Jews from our land, i don’t think these people mind jordan becoming a palestinian state?!!
I mean sometmes ii feel like you’re talking idealistic stuff and drifting from the reality?!!

]]> By: Hashemites « blogging from the heart of the Levant http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132554 Hashemites « blogging from the heart of the Levant Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:06:33 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132554 [...] this account, the king disguised himself to visit a [...] [...] this account, the king disguised himself to visit a [...]

]]> By: Maher Jilani http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132541 Maher Jilani Sun, 31 May 2009 11:52:25 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132541 why didnt you publish my post!? why didnt you publish my post!?

]]> By: Maher Jilani http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132535 Maher Jilani Sat, 30 May 2009 20:51:47 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132535 Hey, great post!!! I have read about this in Arabic on www.mohor.net in arabic, and its extremly funny!! check it out!! Maher Hey,
great post!!!

I have read about this in Arabic on http://www.mohor.net in arabic, and its extremly funny!! check it out!!

Maher

]]> By: BJ http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132533 BJ Sat, 30 May 2009 10:41:43 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132533 poor mechanisms ==> frustration ==> corruption ==> wasta (tribalism) ==> undermining of government ==> worse mechanisms ==> even more frustration ==> more corruption ==> tribalism rules ==> government weakens ==> influence from outside opportunists ==> welcome to lebanon/iraq poor mechanisms ==> frustration ==> corruption ==> wasta (tribalism) ==> undermining of government ==> worse mechanisms ==> even more frustration ==> more corruption ==> tribalism rules ==> government weakens ==> influence from outside opportunists ==> welcome to lebanon/iraq

]]> By: anonymous http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132530 anonymous Sat, 30 May 2009 07:32:16 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132530 I think these visits are 10% inspections, 90% publicity stunts I think these visits are 10% inspections, 90% publicity stunts

]]> By: Zak http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132523 Zak Fri, 29 May 2009 00:01:54 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132523 Excellent post Nas. Dare I ask, why no parliament member bothers to make a visit (mostly no one will know him so no need to disguise) to a troubled department? Also I think citizens can make a website telling his majesty or any one else who cares about the most needy place for his next, royal, attention. Excellent post Nas. Dare I ask, why no parliament member bothers to make a visit (mostly no one will know him so no need to disguise) to a troubled department? Also I think citizens can make a website telling his majesty or any one else who cares about the most needy place for his next, royal, attention.

]]> By: The Observer http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132519 The Observer Thu, 28 May 2009 17:21:07 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132519 While I totally agree that there should be a better system sturcture that would guarantee better quality of governmental services, I do see that these sudden visit can benefitial in one way or another. The idea of the undercover visits is funny in a way but some governmental venues that he visited previously have improved their services and still are doing better than before. While I totally agree that there should be a better system sturcture that would guarantee better quality of governmental services, I do see that these sudden visit can benefitial in one way or another. The idea of the undercover visits is funny in a way but some governmental venues that he visited previously have improved their services and still are doing better than before.

]]> By: Dave http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132518 Dave Thu, 28 May 2009 14:49:23 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132518 Exactly...and frustrating. Lack of accountability has allowed those in power to do the minimum requirement to function, but they can still collect the fat paycheck. Exactly…and frustrating. Lack of accountability has allowed those in power to do the minimum requirement to function, but they can still collect the fat paycheck.

]]> By: P http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132515 P Thu, 28 May 2009 10:04:26 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132515 I agree with you, in fact, even the private sector does not have such systematic processes. I really think it has something to do with our culture and our work ethic - add to that our patriarchal structure in public policy and media. Typical Jordanian work ethic: Customer: I would like to have a .... Employee: [Ya Allah shou beddo menni hada?!] We're just not obsessed with improving things yet. We love embracing the status quo. Making improvements = more work and more responsibility. Now who would want that? I agree with you, in fact, even the private sector does not have such systematic processes. I really think it has something to do with our culture and our work ethic – add to that our patriarchal structure in public policy and media.

Typical Jordanian work ethic:

Customer: I would like to have a ….
Employee: [Ya Allah shou beddo menni hada?!]

We’re just not obsessed with improving things yet. We love embracing the status quo. Making improvements = more work and more responsibility. Now who would want that?

]]> By: Ta' 7 Tee' 7 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132513 Ta' 7 Tee' 7 Thu, 28 May 2009 08:56:59 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132513 I think the solution is to create a Strategic Leaks Department as an integral part of the Royal Court's Sustainable Development Operations office (is there such a thing?). This way whenever a government program is in dire need of special attention, agents of Strategic Leaks Department will leave anonymous tips that the king is about to embark on an incognito inspection trip to the facility or program. Repeat as necessary. That's how you sustain development in a government built on nepotism and cronyism and loyalty and little else. . I think the solution is to create a Strategic Leaks Department as an integral part of the Royal Court’s Sustainable Development Operations office (is there such a thing?). This way whenever a government program is in dire need of special attention, agents of Strategic Leaks Department will leave anonymous tips that the king is about to embark on an incognito inspection trip to the facility or program. Repeat as necessary. That’s how you sustain development in a government built on nepotism and cronyism and loyalty and little else. .

]]> By: serene http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132511 serene Thu, 28 May 2009 07:49:31 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132511 Excellent Post. I back you up completely ... If we had systems in place they will take care of themselves.. Excellent Post. I back you up completely … If we had systems in place they will take care of themselves..

]]> By: Dan http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132510 Dan Thu, 28 May 2009 06:01:16 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132510 1) no democracy, no sense of ownership. 2) wasta breeds incompetence. democracy breeds accountability. 1) no democracy, no sense of ownership.
2) wasta breeds incompetence. democracy breeds accountability.

]]> By: mab3oos http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132508 mab3oos Thu, 28 May 2009 04:54:15 +0000 http://www.black-iris.com/2009/05/28/king-goes-undercover-again/#comment-132508 But, if we twitter about it, there might be some light at the end of the youtube channel. right? But, if we twitter about it, there might be some light at the end of the youtube channel. right?

]]>