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Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
Protesters from the Islamic Action Front and other opposition parties shout slogans during a demonstration after Friday prayers in Amman.
Updated at 11:33 a.m. ET: AMMAN, Jordan -- Around 2,000 people called for the removal Jordan's King Abdullah at a rally in downtown Amman on Friday in protest at fuel price hikes, in a marked escalation of street anger in the third day of demonstrations in the Western-backed kingdom.
One person was killed during demonstrations on Thursday.
PhotoBlog: Jordan protesters call for 'downfall of the regime'
"Go down Abdullah, go down," the protesters Friday chanted as police, some in riot gear, largely stayed away from crowd, near the main Husseini Mosque.
The crowed also chanted "The people want the downfall of the regime," the rallying cry of the Arab Spring uprisings that have shaken the Middle East and toppled leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen.
"Shame. Shame. Prices are spiking and Abdullah gambles," people shouted.
Criticizing the king in public is forbidden in Jordan and is punishable by up to three years in jail.
Thousands of Jordanian protesters rallied against the government's hiking of fuel and gas prices in Amman today. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.
The Muslim Brotherhood, the country's largest opposition group, had called on people to take to the streets, but top officials from the group choose not to participate in the rally.
The 50-year-old king has ruled since 1999.
On Thursday, the protester was killed and scores were injured during an attack on a police station overnight in Jordan's second-largest city of Irbid, witnesses told Reuters. Police said they used tear gas to disperse masked youths who attacked government property.
Some protesters torched part of Irbid's municipal headquarters later on Thursday to vent their anger at officials who said the dead young man had been armed, the witnesses said.
Mohammad Hannon / AP
Protesters throw rocks at police during a demonstration at al-Baqaa Palestinian Refugee Camp north of Amman, Jordan, on Thursday.
Elswhere, hundreds of people blocked roads, set government buildings alight and trashed shops in the towns of Maan, Tafila, Salt and Karak.
Thousands chant 'revolution' in rare protest against Jordan's king
"The country has risen up from north to south and this state of popular tension is unprecedented," said Murad Adailah, a senior member of the Islamic Action Front, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood.
'Political crisis'
A staunch U.S. ally with the longest border with Israel, Jordan has not seen the kind of mass revolts that swept other Arab countries. The coming days will be crucial in testing whether the relative calm can continue.
Jordanians have held occasional protests inspired by the Arab Spring uprisings, demanding democratic reforms and curbs on corruption. But those gatherings were peaceful and the security forces did not use weapons.
Latest news on fighting in Israel and Gaza
Demonstrators sometimes chant against Abdullah but there seems to be little enthusiasm for revolution. The monarchy is seen as a guarantor of stability, balancing the interests of tribes native to the east of the Jordan river with those of the majority of citizens, who are of Palestinian origin.
But the price rises announced on Tuesday could boost the popularity of the Islamist opposition, emboldened by the successes of its ideological brethren in Egypt and Tunisia.
The government has warned Islamists not to take advantage of the tension caused by the price rises but they have never sounded more confident.
Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
A Jordanian police officer fires tear gas at protesters during a demonstration in Amman on Thursday.
"This is a huge political crisis and it has become clear that there is no more room to delay real and comprehensive reforms," said Jamil Abu Bakr, a Muslim Brotherhood leader.
Most of the civil unrest is in outlying areas inhabited by powerful tribes who are the original inhabitants of the country. They supply the army and security forces with recruits and form the backbone of support for the ruling Hashemite dynasty.
Full Middle East & North Africa coverage
Economic pinch
Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said lifting hefty subsidies that cost at least $2 billion annually was unavoidable to avert economic collapse caused by a ballooning budget deficit and minimal foreign aid that normally keeps the economy afloat.
As a result of the changes, cooking gas will jump 54 percent, he said. Many low-income Jordanians use the gas for heating.
Some politicians say the monarch has been forced to take only cautious steps toward economic reforms, constrained by his tribal power base, which sees such measures as a threat to its political and economic privileges.
Complete World coverage on NBCNews.com
The palace has traditionally contained discontent by offering patronage, state jobs and other perks. Critics say that policy of placating constituents was not sustainable in a country that no longer enjoys large infusions of foreign aid.
The fuel price increase is aimed at securing a $2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
ahhh the peaceful brotherhood spreading good cheer and joy for the upcoming holidays.
The middle east is on fire, so what's new! Maybe it will burn out this time and turn into a wasteland so something new can grow, but not likely.
We can thank the stupid brits for giving the jews all the land that used to belong to the Palestinians. Of course that had nothing to do with all the trouble today. Then the back-stabbing jews ran the brits out of Israel. Talk about egg on your face, the brits looked like the cowards they are after that. And the jews have been murdering ever since. That's all the jews know how to do, is cause trouble. Nuke israel, so the world can enjoy some peace.
What a bunch of cowards. They call people to fill the streets, but they won't show up themselves for fear of...
alex,
Hate Jews much?
Nah....more like trolling just so people will notice him.
With the 50th anniverary DVD of Lawrence of Arabia coming out it might put some perspective on this situation if you remember that the ruling Saudi family has been in there since Lawrence fought alongside them in WWI.
Imagine if Woodrow Wilson's family never left the White House.
Does that help? Any wonder why things haven't changed in the Middle East?
I thought Jordan was the one example of a stable Arab nation. But with the troubles here, and on the West Bank, it looks like 2013 is going to be another year of middle east war. I guess an overly great love of tradition, religious fundamentalism, and strong leaders lead to bad things. They need a good dose of irreverance and liberalism.
I believe that the only way the Middle East will have peace is if it were totally devoid of all form their of inhumanity, since it looks as though they don't have any semblance of humanity now.
alex-3123851
You are quite mistaken. Israel is not the cause of the problem. The problem has been around much longer. America's first foreign war in 1801 was caused by the Muslims along the Barbery coast taking Americans as hostages and ransoming them...sometimes. The Ambassador envoy to London from the Ottomans stated specifically that it was their religious duty to attack kill or subjugate the unbeliever. This is 147 years before Israel was a nation. The Koran and Hadith has the same 'kill, plunder or subjugate the unbeliever in the name of Allah' mentality.
Israel is not the problem in the middle east.
Shame on those people for wanting a say in their own government.
I guess all of the Muslim Allie to the United States are coming to an end. These Muslim people elect to be enslave by these religious fanatic. Freedom was to much for them oh I guess will are loosing our freedom also. The government are trying to control from what we eat to how we mate with our partner. all we need now is a third world war to accommodate everyone.
Wow, Dick, you dug deep for that priceless gem of social commentary. And the way you chain your words together... Bravo!
@ Geronimo Sittingbull. Thanks, however in my original post I did add an extra misplaced word "of" in front of the word inhumanity. I do have my moments, but however they are to far in-between. Again, Thanks.
I noticed that the "cause" of the "uprising" was a removal of a large subsidy that kept the costs of cooking oil (also used for heat by many - it says) low. Now the price is rising a lot. Did you all notice why the subsidy was removed? It was because foreign aid has dried up. In other words, other countries have stopped sending them so much free money to shore up their economy. I'm guessing that the money flow from Euro countries has stopped, but it could have stopped from elsewhere.
To wit, if all foreign aid to these countries was stopped, what would happen to them? Would they crumble in on themselves? Would that dry up the terrorists, too? Interesting concept? Perhaps, we should push for that. Stop aid to all middle eastern countries, and see if that stops them from shipping out terrorists.
I mean, there was a story on this site a day or so ago that said the USA would be the biggest producer of oil by 2020 (that's only 8 years away) and we would be totally self sufficient by 2030. I consider that an excellent thing.
"Criticizing the king in public is forbidden in Jordan and is punishable by up to three years in jail."
That's called dictatorship. Those of you criticizing these people for demonstrating, if you had live in a place where you're told you can't speak your mind about the government, I don't think you'd be able to contain yourselves for a minute. When the U.S. supports rulers for decades who forbid their people from speaking, you don't get why that causes animosity against the U.S.?
World wide Caliphate here we come. It's shaping up nicely.
War with out end. Amen.
Pedestrian in SF Nice to see you here making stupid comments again. Remember last week when I said Hillary was jumping ship to distance herself from the stench of BO in Washington and you blatantly told me Hillary is not quitting? Well read the news laughing boy! Well at least there is one Democrat who knows what is really happening in Washington. (That is why she is leaving) Open your mouth a little wider, there is room for both feet! Apology accepted.
alex-3123851, don't smear all followers of a religion. You're suspended for a month for violating #5 - and #1 - of the Code of Honor.
Well, looks like Obama's X-mas has started early.
The problem with all of these moves to democracy is that they are chaotic. I was under the impression that the King of Jordan was moving the country towards a more western style of constitutional monarchy, in which case the process should continue and not be rushed. The institutions of democracy need to be in place before democracy can actually thrive. Otherwise you get chaos like we are seeing in many of the countries involved in the Arab Spring.
Another Arab
SpringFall revolution!Seven. Oh, yeah, I remember last week just fine. :D
Hillary has done a fine job. She said from the beginning that she would stay through one term, and she has. Can you name any SOS who has served two terms? Not Kissinger. Not Rice. Not Albright. Not Powell. Schultz maybe? What is REALLY happening in Washington is that the GOTea is slowly coming to heel... it's been a long road, but even old dogs can learn new tricks if the motivation (2014) is there. You seem to have difficulty grasping the concept that winning a second term with well over 300 electoral votes does not equal a sinking ship. I know it hurts, doesn't it. Poooor baby.
Muslim Brotherhood does not care about the economy, they just want to over throw the government and place Sharif law in Jordan, as they are doing in Egypt. My heart goes out to all Non-Muslims in Egypt.
Interesting turn of events: From Wikipedia and cited in other sources as well, "The IAF's support base is primarily Palestinians residing in Jordan."
So they are attacking Israel and moving against Jordan. In a few years you'll hear how the Jordanians stole Palestinian lands as well. Once the Muslim Brotherhood has control of Syria and Jordan you'll see Saudi Arabia fall. We'd in the US better be energy independent by that time or you'll see $20 a gallon gas. People easily forget the anti-US rhetoric from the MB. They were part of the groups celebrating the 911 attacks and now our government is giving them billions of our tax dollars.
somebefuddledperson - I read that article, too. However, I'm willing to bet that we'll ship a good portion of that oil to China or the next highest bidder, and the American public will still be paying $3.50-$4.00 a gallon for gas.
@somebefuddledperson: put down the bong.
PEDESTRIAN IN SF
The captain of the Titanic had a hard time grasping the concept of "sinking ship" he stupidly stayed on the ship and drown. While it may have been a noble thing to do, it certainly did not make him smart. The only thing it did make him is DEAD. His problems are over, yours, I am afraid, are just beginning. I hope you know how to swim.
Tyler.
You did this ...
"The jews have been murdering ever since. That's all the jews know how to do,
alex-3123851, don't smear all followers of a religion. You're suspended for a month for violating #5 - and #1 - of the Code of Honor."
It was wrong to suspend this guy (done) or delete the post (didn't yet) - if newsvine is to have any value, speech must remain as FREE as possible, even distasteful speech - otherwise the only opinions that matter are yours and that holds little interest for me.
His speech wasn't illegal or criminal - where the bar should be placed. Moreover, I read a lot of worse things about the Muslims, and those comments never draw a peep from the Moderators. Why is that Replace his use of the word JEW with Muslim and you NEVER comment or otherwise "butt-in."
And by the way I'm Jewish and from New Jersey; my Grandmother survived both the Nazi's and the holocaust and SHE (rest her soul) would have had a problem with what you did.
It strikes me as if anti-Jewish or anti-Israel comments are verboten here! Is newsvine run or owned by Jews - biased ones? Because that's how it comes across.
Thank you for your time.
So the people rise up because of price increases? If the current leadership is replaced by any of the other possible political blocks, including the Muslim Brotherhood, exactly how will that prevent price increases? Or will they follow President Obama's policies by propping up their promises to the people with spiraling national debt until the bottom falls completely out? Tell me Democrats, what happens next? Will the people be begging for a return to a country ruled by monarchs? We here in the USA are still wondering if Obama and the Democrats have a plan to address our national debt. So far, all we see are attempts to raise taxes on the rich and it has been said over and over again that would solve nothing. Especially with the party of tax and spend in control. To be fair, Republican leadership also contributed to our debt, but the current administration's policies are dependent upon increased national debt just to survive Obama's last term in office with no chance of our nation retaining it's economic status. Saw a good one today:
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day.
Give a man foodstamps, a phone, a welfare check, a place to live, and a six pack of beer and you have a Democrat for life.
You can't even call Abdullah "shorty" in public without risking prison?
It's time the West starts living up to its democratic principles and end its support for this non-elected leader. The people of Jordan deserve to be able to choose their own leader and to rule themselves--not be ruled by a "soft" dictator who steals the country's assets.
Dan, while I partially agree, watch what you ask for. The world called for free Palastinian elections and the Palastinians voted in Hamas. Sometimes the alternatives are as bad or worse than the status quo in that region.
Here you go again: Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni Saudi Islamic extremist front is behind this problem!
With Iraqi wars dancing to the tunes set by Sunni Saudi, oil companies, Jewish extremists like Netanyahus and their lobbyists: we lost heavily; Sunni Saudis and co became richer and we got their one-way traffic hate preaching and killer training centers, Salaffi and Wahhabi mosques all over the US, Brtain, Europe and other places as gratitude and their Sunni Islamic killer outfits like al Qaida, Taliban, MB and other label ones became stronger.
""The people want the downfall of the regime," the rallying cry of the Arab Spring uprisings that have shaken the Middle East and toppled leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen."
Now Islamic extremism has gone beyond control. It is only matter of time before King of Jordan is out.
Next ones on the line are: Sunni Saudi, UAE, Kuwaiti, Qatar, Oman and other tin pot highly corrupt, despotic and bigoted seventh century rulers!
House of Saud, a strict Wahhabi, is not even tolerating Prophet Mohammad’s heritage places. House of Saud consists of a megalomaniac, despotic and bigoted ruler and highly corrupt, despotic, bigoted seventh century mindset 5000 princes and princesses.
In Mecca, the house of one of the wives of Mohammed was demolished and converted into public lavatories. Mohammed’s birth place may vanish with plans to have skyscrapers, mega shopping malls and a Grand mosque!
In Medina, ten years ago a mosque of grandson of Mohammed was dynamited and the religious police were celebrating on this. There are plans to pull down three seventh century mosques in future.
What can you say more about the Islamic extremist madness of these people?
Most of these people are very unsophisticated. The Muslim Brotherhood comes in and manipulates them into believing by overthrowing their existing government they can finally gain control and live better lives. Unfortunately these people are just trading one tyrant for another. Very sad.
No, you can't say anything that would remotely be construed as criticism of the king in public. You do, it's a dark hole without a key for you and your family. Just another one of our faithful, bought and paid for faithful puppet "allies". Down with the puppet tyrant!!!
It's a problem. On the one hand, the king has been a good friend to America and someone who won't do crazy things to its neighbor Israel. On the other hand, he is a dictator and we have this idea that we support democracy. If the king were smart, he'd say, "Okay, let's transition out of my sole leadership role into a parliament system with real western-style democracy, so that my family will be titular only."
But apparently, that kind of thing is too hard for these guys to do,
Dan, They will just "elect" someone or a group that is just as oppressive. As Dean Wermer once said to the Delta House, "Sharia Law is no way to run a democracy."
Jordan is the last of the moderate nations in the region. Yes they have a non-elected King. After saying this he in fact puts a value on his people and for their welfare well ahead of other leaders in the area or perhaps Muslim leaders across the world. We need to develop our oil because those nations will merge together and just rob us, because they can.
In other words american taxpayers are tapped out after sending all our money to Israel and we can't afford to send money to Jordan. America is broke suckers, wake up !!! Ron Paul is right, America is over the fiscal cliff and is over period. Wait for the riots in the streets of america, thanks to the bush family that brought this calamity on america.
The bush family always wanted to destroy america so they could have their stinking new world order. Old man bush, the pedophile, can be seen on youtube demanding a new world order on sept. 11, 1991. They have been working on it ever since. They let the FED print money till the american dollar is worthless. Get ready for the riots.
alex,
Take off the tinfoil hat and join the real world...
Really! I might not have voted for Bush Sr., but I like the guy. He is smart and very capable and he is no pedophile! I like him way more than Bush Jr. (ugh!) If you are going to make accusations, at least make sure they are ones you can back up. Otherwise, you just sound like another nut....
Alex, please get a job and out of your trailer. All the plastic and other toxins in your double-wide are making you ill.
Alex, please turn off Alex Jones and Info Wars!!! You've taken that garbage waaay too serious!!!
Ron. If Alex took of his tin foil hat, all you would see is an empty bird cage full of bird $hit. A brain would be a terrible thing to waste, but I believe he doesn't have one so its a moot point.
Alex-Take Your Meds and Go Lay Down Until the Voices Stop !!
Hey Alex: The Obama Administration has printed more money (and used it buy the debt) in 3 years then the last 5 Presidents have done in 25 years. Whoops, now you have to go back and get some more info frm the workbooks.
Hope the US has enough sense and votes in Congress to stay out of this mess!
If it involves the Jewish people the U.S. is already in it. The Jewish community runs a good portion of this country, especially the financial sector.
Any military adventure Israel jumps into takes the US in, feet first. Who remembers Netanhahu publicly taunting the President while Congress gave him a standing ovation???
Common Sense-2004266
That's what Hitler was saying in Germany in Mein Kampf. Try to be original with your bigotry.
We need to start protests like this over here. Demand a new government. One that follows OUR Constitution.
absolutely, with no handouts to lobbyists, unions, corporations or the people directly.
There will be more of Arab Springs due to steep increase of Islamic madness, especially Sunni ones!
ME is not our business. Just keep miles away.
Just like before each Iraqi wars, autocratic, highly corrupt and despotic bigoted Sunni Sunni Saudi, UAE, Qatar, Kuwaiti and Sunni oil rich nations are stage managing their dances and actions through oil companies, extremist Jewish lobbys and their puppets in the US, Britain, EU and other nations on Syria and Iran.
In Syria, Syrian rebels are backed by a-Qaida and MB.
In Egypt, Islamic fundamentalist Morsi is a front cover for the Sunni Islamic extremist Salaffi, MB and others.
With sanctions on Iranian oil, oil prices which was around $40 in 2009 has crossed $110 now.
If Iraqi wars gave us PIIGS, there will more nations added to PIIGS.
IRAQ WARS
Net results of Saudi, Kuwait, UAE, oil companies and their lobbyists directed 1991 and 2003 Iraqi wars are
WINNERS
1. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE and other rich ME sharks became richer by manipulating oil prices too high.
2. Oil companies and their lobbyists also benefitted. Oil prices, which were hardly $30 a barrel before 1991, shot up to $140 a barrel.
3. Since 2003, future traders, rating agencies, Wall Street and oil companies and their lobbyists transferred five trillion dollars from oil importing countries to oil exporting nations.
4. Rich Sunni ME sharks (Saudi Arabia in particular) funded Salaffi and Wahhabi mosques and Islamic radicals and terrorists all over the world. These Sunni Islamic radicals and terrorists are rampaging all over the world. World’s 80 percent of problems are due to them.
LOSERS
1. General US and European nations’ public. There have been high unemployment, cut in welfare measures, housing market collapse and more miseries. Since 2001, US spent three trillion dollars on Iraq and Afghan wars. Did the Saudis and co foot the bill?
2. Poor soldiers killed and injured and their families. In Iraq and Afghan wars 6300 soldiers were killed and 40000 injured.
3. High budget deficits and heavier borrowing. Many nations (PIIGS) and people are on line to bankruptcy!
4. Iraq will plunge into bloody sectarian civil wars leading to the creation of Shiastan, Sunnistan and Kurdistan. Here the losses are of Iraqis.
REMOVE SANCTIONS ON IRANIAN OIL TO WEAKEN OUR ENEMIES AND REDUCE OUR ECONOMIC PROBLEMS!
jonathan. you forgot to mention the ultimate winner of iraq war"ISREAL" have you checked the oil pipeline constructed from both ends of iraq throgh jordan and to isreal with us millitary h1, h2, h3 bases protecting it?
rameshm2,
Brilliant
You need to get out more.....and quit hating so much.
tomcoz: You are right!
rameshm2: Why do you suspect Israel every where?
The particular type of government isn't nearly as important as whether or not it's rulers are fair and just. Three years for speaking out against the monarchy may seem extreme, but radical Islamic rule would likely make the same offense punishable by death or disfigurement. Sometimes the evil you know is preferable to the one you don't.
That's not a very American point of view. I prefer the idea that I'd rather have the mess of democracy and the errors of electing a George Bush every now and then, than a perfect wise king who tells us all how to live, no matter how good the king. What is the point of life if you are just someone's pet?
hey noncom: always with the 'my party lies less than your party' crap. The R's and D's share equal blame for screwing up our country. It is what happens when you sell your office to the highest bidder just to get votes. Start voting 3rd party and wake up.
First they want to be part of the "civilized modern" by courting trade with the West. They always feel cheated, so that didn't work out the way the Clerics wanted because they didn't get all the profit. So they had uprising every where. No real attention being paid to Israel, except to get the West attention and military aid. They have run through Kings and Dictators and Islamic Cleric leaders with every form of democracy and theocracy there is.
All they really want is financial aid from the West. And, they get this aid increased every time they need to by threatening Israel. And the West agrees to pay them more. No body wants that land over there. Its just a bunch of rocks and hills with more rocks and more sand and dirt with more rocks. And it never rains and it is hot as hell. It is a miserable place to try to exist. They have never had enough drinking water or water for agriculture and never will. It is a huge problem that will never go away, because pretty soon they are going to be fighting over water, not Islam. Islam promises them revenge and virgins, but it doesn't promise them water.
The Jordan River and the Galilee Sea are right smack dab up and down the Jordan and Israel border.
Water. That's a big big problem no matter what kind of peace with make with Islam.
andy... partially i agree with you. water. the syrian golan hight is occupied by isreal since after the war. there was negotiation going on2 years ago mediated by u.s to give the golan hight back to syria. But 1/3 of isreali water comes from the golan hight. and now the unrest in syria had stopped the negotiation. It seems that every time there is an unrest, the isreali's are the ultimate winner?
Rameshm2 you mean unrest, like in Assad killing 40,000 people, oh that unrest. Yeah, Israel should give back the Golan Heights after Syria attacked her and she beat their butts to capture the GH. Yeah, that might work.Hmmmm, with Iran as the broker of the deal.
what a mess, I say stay out of it, refuse admission to this country of inbred muslim zombies, let Isreal take care of itself...
We used to criticize the ex soviet union or the iron curtain for not allowing their people freedoms. I, however, believe we are the new iron curtain. Each and everyday our freedoms have been taken away from us in this country. Big brother is in our computers, phones, emails, etc... Most people have no idea that the FBI has a file on each and everyone of us. Check out your FBI file by filing a request under the freedom of information act in your state. You might be very surprised!!!
yes it isn't amazing, most countries are slowly throwing off the shackles of government. And 1/2 of America keeps voting for more government, with no concept of what that will lead to
So what else is new in the mid-east today??
We are witnessing the downfall of Islam. The people held in check by various King's and dictators for decades now riot and push for the overthrow of the only thing that keeps them in check. If this is removed then total chaos rules as the people have no experience in governing so that opens the door for Islamic states, sharia law. With no economy and cut out tourism they will begin to degenerate into ungovernable tribal areas. I do believe that Islam is in the process of cutting it's own throat.
Islam is in some process, but I am a great believer in evolution's mantra, survival of the fittest. Somewhere in the middle east, some apporach will work, that nation will thrive, and we'll slowly see a transformation to something better. It may even be Iraq, which would be something. I'd have to admit that the end result of the Iraq war was good. Or it might be Libya. For all the Benghazi mess, the greater part of Libya is pro-democracy in a way that most arab states are not (and there are people in Libya who openly advocate for American-style government). In that case, conservatives will need to admit that the end result of Obama's Libyan policy was good.
I think we are witnessing an increase in Islam.
December 21st is just around the corner!
And December 22nd is just after that!
My computer has a calendar. You must have gotten a cheap one.
GOD- Hopefully on Dec 22nd you will have prepared yourself and have a paper calendar in hand since the Computer wont be working.
hopefully the Mayans and other Cultures for that matter who predict the same date as the end of Erath comes true since this rock we call Earth is becoming more and more unstable.
The world will continue on after Dec 21 there will be no destruction of the Earth.
If Jordan falls into revolt, expect a broader war with Israel to begin. Just look at Egypt's reactions to the rocket attacks. They are backing Hamas. If the Brotherhood gains control in Jordan it will just make things worse. War is looming.
It does look bad. A war would be a stupid waste of money and lives, but Israel would win (we'd make sure). When that happened before, the arab nations responded with oil cutoffs and the price of gasoline soared.
You guys seem to be missing the real trouble maker is this matter. The IMF and central banks. The banks have really made a mess of everything. The time of the central banks needs to end. The idea that these banksters have loaded all of the nations in the world with such extreme debt is crazy. All they did was print the money. The nations of the world need to get together and establish a new monetary system. Of course, that can only happen if the people of the world wise up and quit electing the puppets. Obama / Romney are both puppets. Grow up people, before it is too late.
"CHILDREN SEEKING WORLD PEACE" (Short Film Script)
Opening Scene;
We see the Outside of the United Nations Building next we see a man dressed in a suite carrying a brief case walking into the building he approaches the Desk of the Chairman of the United Nations, pulls out a very large manila envelope and hands it to the Chairman. The Chairman opens the envelope, reads the paper work and scratches his head, looks up at the Special Carrier with a bewildered look on his face and says; Wow this is an Extremely Unusual Request and it comes from very unusual sources this is a First for me.
Carrier
What do you mean unusual request, who sent the letter ?
Chairman
Did you notice the Post Marks on this letter ?
Carrier
Yes I did, and it also has so many different kinds of stamps on it from around the World.
I have never seen so many Stamps on one envelope in my life, so who is it from and what are they want ?
Chairman
It appears that they are following up on an idea that originated from a Film Script Writer in America who came up with an Idea of writing a short Film Script he Calls "Children Seeking World Peace" The writer posted it on line and some of the Country Leaders around the World liked the idea so that they implemented it.
Carrier
Implement what ?
Chairman
Every Country in the World picked two Young Students from one of their schools a boy and a girl to represent their Country and are asking for a "SPECIAL UNITED NATION'S MEETING" that will be attended by all of the Leaders in the World but this is the Catch.
The adults are not to speak at this meeting, only the Children will be allowed to speak at this Special meeting called"CHILDREN SEEKING WORLD PEACE"
Carrier
Wow, I see what you mean when you said an unusual request and that is comes from an unusual source you were right about that.
Chairman
There's more this request gets even more stranger they are requesting that we install a large garden area next to the United Nation Building before this meeting takes place that we don't plant anything in the garden area just leave it bare dirt, there are to be small signs placed every two feet next to the rows in this garden area with the names of each Country in the World next to each one of these signs there will also be a watering can containing water.
Carrier
Do you think that the Board will consider this bizarr & unusual request ?
Chairman
Yes I do after all these are the Children of the World, the next Generation seeking the opportunity for them to be part of the Peace Process from their Generation and we should give them the opportunity to do so.
Scene Two;
We see the inside of the United Nations building where many young children are standing paired off one boy and one girl facing all of the Adult Leaders from around the World these Children are from all walks of life all different nationalities and all dressed differently.
Every Girl is holding a small pot containing a different flower in it in one hand and a small shovel in their other hand.
Each Boy is holding a small pot containing a different kind of plant in one hand and a small shovel in his other hand.
(all of these flowers and plants are beautiful and very colorful)
Every Boy & Girl from their Country are wearing Name tags with their Countries names on the tags. The Children are just standing there in silence.
The inside of this building is silent at first then we hear whispers coming from the Adult Leaders, what is this all about, what do they want, this is strange.
Next we see a girl step forward from the row of children following behind her is another girl and a boy they are all three standing there for a minute and the room gets silent.
Then the boy speaks,
I have been chosen to speak on behalf of all of the Children in this room. We are standing here before all of you representing the Worlds Next Generation, Your Worlds Next Generation. We only have a few words to say to all of you here today.
All of us had several things that we wanted to say to all of you today but we all decided that words are not enough without all of Our WORLD LEADERS making a Solid Commitment to end all Wars in Our World Today ! ! !
So, we only have three words to say to all of you here today... " PLEASE JUST STOP"
(one of the girls standing next to this young boy translates this message in all languages)
The three young children stand there for a minute in silence then one of the two girls step forward she says, we only have one more request to ask from all of you in this building today, please follow us to the garden area located just outside this building.
(the other girl translates this request in all languages)
The other children in the building follow the three children exiting the building followed by the Adults.
Third Scene;
We see all of the children lined up still holding their flowers and plants in one hand and their shovels in their other hand they are paired off one boy and one girl standing along side of the garden rows facing their Countries signs that are placed in two foot sections of their Special Garden.
(we see all of the Adult Leaders standing around this garden in groups whispering to each other we can't make out what they are saying to each other but they have a confused look on their faces)
Next the same Girl that spoke earlier in the building is holding a flower in one hand and a small shovel in her other hand says, I would like all of the Adult Leaders from their Countries to stand in front of their Countries signs facing each of us. (translated by the girl standing next to this girl)
The Adult Leaders line up in front of their Countries garden signs facing these children then every child bends down at the same time and digs a small hole in the ground in their two foot section of this Special Garden. (each two foot garden section now has two small holes dug in them and everyone is silent)
Next we see the same girl that spoke earlier stand up after digging her hole in the garden she hands her Adult Counter Part Leader her Potted Flower and says, each one of these Flowers that all of us has brought here today Represent WORLD PEACE for Our Future.
she continues..
All of the Children Around the World requested this SPECIAL UNITED NATIONS MEETING to beg all of the Leaders of Our world to help us Plant our Flowers here today to end all Wars in our World Immediately and all of the Plants that the Boys brought here today represent Commitment To Do So.
(translated again by the girl standing next to her)
Next we see the Boy that spoke earlier at the meeting hand his Adult Counter Part his potted plant then the Girl that is speaking looks over at all of the other Children that are still standing next to their garden and she nodes her head.
Then, All of the Children say the words together, in their own languages in a loud & begging tone."PLEASE JUST STOP"
Next, We see all of the Children reach in their pockets, pull out a small bag and pour out a few of seeds into each of their Adult Counter Parts hands.
The Girl speaker then says,
we are giving all of you our seeds to take home with you so you can plant them in your gardens as a reminder of your Commitment all of you made here today to; END ALL WARS In Our World IMMEDIATELY..THESE SEEDS ALSO REPRESENT FORGIVENESS for without forgiveness there can be no PEACE, so please pass these seeds on to your transgressor so the Peace Process can begin. (translated by the girl standing next to her)
Last Scene
We see all of the Adult Leaders bent down next to the Children planting the Children's Flowers & Plants together in their"Special World Peace Garden" Located in Front Of the "UNITED NATIONS BUILDING"
Fade Out..
"TIME FOR EVERYONE TO STEP BACK, TAKE A DEEP BREATH.. JUST STOP...FOR THEIR CHILDREN"S SAKE "
Obama did a good job with foreign policy in the middle east. How many millions of people are going to die as massive wars break out?
what should obama have done differently?
as far as "millions of deaths", well, we'll see. The 6 day war, for example, a few thousand died.
Umm Ok Vermontguy, just humor me for one moment, as too who invaded, and how many countries invaded, and who then kicked said invaders butts. Now type slow,cause I don't hear well. Are you truly from Vermont ? To think it only took Israel 6 days!! Now that's impressive!!
One of the last remaining Allie that we have. Eventually Israel will be surrounded by Muslim enemies just as the Bible predicted it would be.
isreal has effectively always been "surrounded by muslim enemies", by definition of taking the land away from muslims in the middle east in the first place.
In Biblical and Roman times this area was control by a Jewish Kingdom.
So what Vermontguy is trying to say is there were no Christans nor Jews in the Middle East, only Muslums. Hmmmm, Yes taking away land..hmmmmm This all before he was going to perform Brain surgery..impressive!!
Vermont Guy,
There were no muslims in the middle east before 600 AD.
Isn't it comforting to know that the Muslim Brotherhood is behind the opposition. What a wonderful world we live in.
My husband was born in Jordan but is now a naturalized U.S. citizen. We have two children 28 and 14. Every summer we travel to Jordan to visit family. My husband's brother was the Minister of Labor in Jordan until a few weeks ago, when all of the ministers were replaced. This is the second time in as many years that all of the ministers have been replaced. The reason for this is because of the Arab Spring. Jordan has been aware of the surge for quite a while and has put measures in place to curb demonstrations. I don't see any further developments other than a few uprisings here and there. Jordan is a peaceful country with a progressive King. I believe these demonstrations are temporary. And, yes, water is an issue especially in the outlying tribal villages.
The deceased previous king of Saudi Arabia told George Bush that a war with Iraq would destabilize the entire middle east.
Why are people blaming Israel for unrest in Jordan? This is being stirred up by the Muslim Brotherhood to overthrow a western back monarchy. This has nothing to do with Israel.
Its a protest against rising cooking fuel prices.
Lloyd, please do not interupt the Israel bashing with anything remotely making sense. MB will have to work harder on their PR department, to get you to fall in line!!
Just what we need Jordan turned into another fundamental/radical Islamic cesspool.
It's just a protest against rising prices of cooking fuel. This is not a revolution.
oh right, re-elect obama 2012, and the uprising in Libya was just a result of the anti-muslim movie.
The world is suppose to end in a global apocalypse that starts in the Middle East. It sure looks like it is starting.
Demonstrators sometimes chant against Abdullah but there seems to be little enthusiasm for revolution. The monarchy is seen as a guarantor of stability, balancing the interests of tribes native to the east of the Jordan river with those of the majority of citizens, who are of Palestinian origin.
Most of the civil unrest is in outlying areas inhabited by powerful tribes who are the original inhabitants of the country. They supply the army and security forces with recruits and form the backbone of support for the ruling Hashemite dynasty.