SPREADING TO JORDAN – AT 9:35 A.M. ET:  The Tunisian government has been overthrown, Egypt is in flames today, there is unrest in Yemen, Lebanon has essentially come under the control of Hezbollah, and it appears Jordan is joining the list.  From AP:

AMMAN, Jordan — Thousands of Jordanian opposition supporters took to the streets Friday in the country's capital demanding the prime minister step down and venting their anger at rising prices, inflation and unemployment.

It was the third consecutive Friday of protests following Muslim prayers in Jordan, inspired by the unrest in Tunisia and rallies in Egypt demanding the downfall of the country's longtime president.

About 3,500 opposition activists from Jordan's main Islamist opposition group, trade unions and leftist organizations gathered in Amman's downtown, waving colorful banners reading: "Send the corrupt guys to court."

The crowd denounced Jordanian Prime Minister Samir Rifai's unpopular policies. Many shouted: "Rifai go away, prices are on fire and so are the Jordanians."

Another 2,500 people also took to the streets in six other cities across the country after the noon prayers. Those protests also called for Rifai's ouster.

King Abdullah II has promised some reforms, particularly on a controversial election law. But many believe it's unlikely he will bow to demands for popular election of the prime minister and Cabinet officials, traditionally appointed by the king.

COMMENT:  Again, we caution that we don't know how a popular uprising will play out.  Greater democracy, or greater influence for the Mideast nutjobs who are always waiting to take power?

We've never had this many anti-government riots at one time in the Mideast.  Yes, there is potential for good.  But the word "good" and "Mideast" are not normally found together.  We don't draw much encouragement from this:

As they broke into a procession, the demonstrators chanted, "In the name of God, the government must change" and the Muslim holy book "Koran is our constitution, jihad is our path."

Chills, my friends.

January 28, 2011