Amman Voice: Democracy in the arab world

January 23, 2009

Democracy in the arab world

Political Thoughts:

The only two countries in the Arab world with democratic presidential elections are Palestine and Lebanon. Both have political problems, attacked by Israel, and the world is against them. Isn't that Ironic? Maybe we are not ready for democracy, or maybe the west don't want a real democracy!

2 comments:

Madi said...: Hello Emad,
Reading "Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think" helps to build an answer for that question.; January 24, 2009
Anonymous said...: You are generalizing when you say 'the West'.

The US government is enjoying and benefiting from your corruption, they want the current leaders you have because they are getting political support, cheap oil and good weapon buyers.

At the same time the US does not want the middle east to be democratized if the new leaders are going to be religious extremists.

On the other hand, Europeans and humanitarians around the world want an end for dictatorship, the US government claims that it supports democracy to get their acceptance and support.

What the people should do is try to adapt to a democratic leadership but at the same time they should avoid electing religious groups that just want to spill blood to gain the paradise in the claimed to be after life.

Electing religious leaders that want to cause terror and more wars in the region will only give the US regime and Israel to attack and fulfill their goals in the region in the name of freedom, justice and security.; January 25, 2009

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Amman is a city best enjoyed on foot, yet we plan our streets for cars. Amman City's streets are the soul of its neighborhoods and the pathways to it’s destinations. For generations, Jordanians and visitors have strolled, shopped and socialized on sidewalks and street corners. Pedestrian friendly streets are the city's most fundamental assets.
Unfortunately, we aren't making the most of these assets. Instead, our streets are being managed almost entirely for
traffic flow, with neighborhoods and business districts buckling under increasing amounts of dangerous car and truck traffic. If we continue planning our streets for cars and traffic, we will get more cars and traffic; conversely, if we start planning our cities for people and places, we will get more people and places. Streets are more than just car corridors; they are valuable civic spaces and resources that need to be wisely allocated. We need to start thinking about a campaign building the movement to re-imagine our streets as lively public places.

The Benefits of Great Streets

Stronger Local Economies
- Shoppers are walkers: improved pedestrian life supports local businesses and jobs.
- Street investments enhance real estate values and increase the tax base.
A Sense of Community
- Great streets create emblematic places that define communities.
- Sidewalks serve as public venues shared by people of the diverse ethnicities and ages.
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Improved Safety and Security
- Making neighborhoods safer for pedestrians and bicyclists saves lives.
- More "eyes on the street" actually reduce crime and increase residents' sense of security.
Better Access for All
- Reduced emphasis on cars and parking makes transit, walking, and biking more viable options.
- Walkable streets are comfortable public settings for people of diverse abilities.
- Community assets, jobs, and services become more accessible.
Healthier Cities
- Increased walking makes for a healthier population.
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Wise Development
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- Increased foot traffic attracts new development and businesses.
- Success fosters ongoing investment.