HM King Abdullah II comments, readers freak out!

The issue is not Jordan festival in this case. It's not the privatization and selling of the Jordanian assets. It's not making the Jordanian government play "nice" with everyone else, or clearing up the position of everyone in the face of rumours. The issue becomes, who would dare speak out against what the King has said. Even if HM promised democratic treatment and acceptance of whatever is being discussed.

The word of the King in any subject is the ultimate dampener. It will force everything else to be null and void on the fear (which might not exist) that the ceiling of freedoms will fall faster than you can shout 'democracy'. Which in effect is going to deny everyone from the basic right of challenging any piece of news -regardless of it's source-.

There have been a lot of rumours circulating in the Jordanian community, they were all put to sleep with the final word of the King. But did they really get resolved or have they been pushed further underground? In a country like Jordan where conspiracy theory runs deep, very deep. This might be the exact kind treatment that fuels the turbine to push it even deeper.

The failure of the Jordanian government to deal with this crises is an indication of it's weakness, they had to be saved by the King after their whole reign has been marred with many things that are too fishy to stomach. Statements, retractions, denial, protest, more denial it ever happened and the weirdest thing ever, right wing joining left wing in protest! That's an unprecedented level of failure. In fact, if they had a goal set on failure they have succeeded spectacularly in achieving it.

Enough government and back to the King's graceful comments. One thing is certain, if you know for sure the King is reading, isn't it exactly like having your parents watch over what you're doing or saying. It will force you to behave, and self censor on the fear that you might discover what lies on the other side of the Sun. Even if there is nothing to really fear, the legend is far greater than any-one's ability to overlook it!

Don't get me wrong, I think the clarification of the King is brilliant. I also think that his position; backing the government, is Amazing, but I'm most impressed (and have always been) with the King's ability to stay in touch with his people. In every possible way possible, using any tool at his disposal. Which is really not new. In fact, the King has been involved with online communities listening to ordinary people for at least 13 years from the days of the very first online community back in the mid 90's (through a conference called suitably "A better Jordan" which was hosted back then on NETS online, now Batelco Jordan)

This continued connection has grown over the years, and every Jordanian can be proud to have such a visionary leader who is at the forefront of technology to stay in touch with the people, and not rely only on the reports that channel up to him through the official channels.

Lets also not forget the amazing efforts of the King in finding out what's going on by going undercover to the Jordanian Hospitals, directorates and encouraging them to adopt better processes and procedures to better serve the citizens.

There's no easy way to close this subject, only time can tell what the consequences of this period in history are going to be.