http://www.dgans.com/lyrics.html#Shove
“You can make your own good luck
It'll get you back out on the road
Instead of being stuck
Don't let misfortune stop you cold
Or keep you from your dreams
Learn from your predicament
It's easier than it seems
You'll crash into a wall or two
While driving for perfection
A kick in the ass
Is a shove in the right direction
A kick in the ass
Is a shove in the right direction”
Shove in the Right Direction
David Gans and Lorin Rowan
© Whispering Hallelujah (BMI) / Lo Ro Music (ASCAP
Cassi Creek:
Our friend, singer-songwriter David Gans, penned this as encouragement for personal growth in the face of adversity. I doubt that he had any reason to link it to the current social and political upheavals taking place in the Middle East today. I didn’t see any association when I first heard the song. But inspiration comes from all sorts of sources and political revolution is truly an opportunity for personal growth for those living through it.
In the previous attempts at modernization in the Arab states, the military leaders have repeatedly linked their fortunes to the dictatorial and oligarchic rulers; the source of longevity, power, and wealth for those military leaders. Such links have always excluded the common populace. Egypt’s army is an army of conscripts. That paid off for the Egyptian people. The army remembered its origins and stood guard between the forces of repression and the people of Egypt. This is a huge step in the right direction.
Compare the national army of Egypt to that of Iraq. Prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq Hussein used his army to oppress and torture the citizens of Iraq. After the Bush invasion and the subsequent period of lawlessness resulting from the idiotic decision to discharge all troops and police, the recombinant army of Iraq has yet to prove itself worthy of the name.
The armies of Syria and Lebanon will, when their turns arrive, most likely follow whatever Iran dictates through Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait may be able to stave off modernization for a while yet by throwing hands full of money to the populace. Yemen will likely fall to the Islamic extremists.
Jordan will come to regret its annexation of the territory that was to become the state of Palestine. The best course for Abdullah II may be to reinforce its alliance with Israel and to encourage the Egyptian army to behave in a similar manner. A tri-partite alliance of Israel, Jordan, and Egypt could dominate and model a new Middle East
It all comes down to the wiliness of military leaders in Egypt and Israel and civilian leaders in Jordan and Israel to work for regional peace and strength, forgetting the previous stupidity of religious conflict that has dominated the region for a century or more.
Tunisia and Egypt have shown that the right direction can be reached without very much bloodshed and without invoking the old demon of Israel’s existence. The other Arab states need to understand that they are at risk. The tribalism of the past may fall prey to the internet speed of social revolution and cultural upheaval.
Israel has an unprecedented opportunity to join in this process. The settlements are largely indefensible and should be closed out and handed over to the proto-Palestinians. If the Arab states demand rational and civil behavior of their citizens, Israel can do no less.
I’m very curious to see which Arab state will reform itself next. Jordan could be the best prepared to launch a new nation without a royal family in the driver’s seat. Saudi Arabia may find it has no royal family in residence some fine morning, but the religious extremists pose tremendous potential harm there due to the presence of Mecca and Medina on Saudi soil.
One thing is certain; the next steps will be very interesting to watch. It will take patience on the part of the first world nations to keep from interfering in Arab nations as we have in the past.
Today is sunny, chilly but not bitter cold. I have to clean the ashes from the wood stove and rebuild the fire for tonight. I need to marinate the steaks I’m going to fix for Gloria’s birthday, tomorrow, so that they taste somewhat more interesting than usual. I’ll fix some asparagus as well, roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
It’s a good day to be here.
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