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scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

An American was shot yesterday (1 May 2003) in Jubail. So be cautious if you are in Saudi ! Western Embassies are still advising a high level of awareness on security within the Kingdom. Who says we get our money for nothing ?

johnslat · Posted: Fri May 02, 2003 7:57 am Post subject: And the girls are free

Dear scot47,
" Money for nothing and the girls are free " Dire Straits.
I saw that item in the Arab News today - but, of course, it's still unknown ( or not mentioned ) whether he was shot simply for being an American ( which is a good enough reason for far too many ) or for some other reason. At any rate, as you know - if you want to read about Americans being shot, the pages of most American papers are best for that, especially in the South. We're a gun-happy culture, and even those who want nothing to do with firearms ( such as myself ) are sorely tempted to acquire them, strictly in self-defense. Of course, most of the time, these good citizens end up shooting either themselves or ( unintentionally ) a loved one. This is not to minimize the potential danger over here for ANY
non-Arab/Moslem. We all need to stay alert, not take anything for granted, and, yes ( though I hate to see it in the " embassy warnings " ) keep a low(er) profile. That's just part of the " trade-off " these days for the salaries we make. Is it all worth it? Well, that's for each to decide for him/herself. But an informed decision is necessary.
Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I do not want to be alarmist - just to remind people that it is a good idea to keep the head below the parapet. We live in uncertain times.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

And remember that death in a traffic accident is statistically much more likely than in a terrorist incident. Sensible people in Saudi Arabia do not drive and minimise their exposure to road traffic.

zakiah25 · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 155 Location: Oman

Are you sure that those poor Saudi drivers aren't just fleeing in terror whenever you appear in public?

johnslat · Posted: Thu May 08, 2003 4:49 am Post subject: InshaLaLa Land

Dear zakiah25,
I'm sure scot47 has many abilities, but I doubt his capacity to simultaneously appear all throughout the Kingdom 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And since the crazy drivers do, we must, I fear, seek another explanation for their homicidal/suicidal behavior on the roads ( and sidewalks ) of Saudi Arabia. I have a few guesses, but I'll just mention one: the " inshallah mentality ". Since all is preordained by Allah,
one's behavior ( on the roads or elsewhere ) is " out-of-one's-control ". If it's written that you are going to have an accident, well then, you'll have one, no matter how you drive.
Regards,
John