Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:35 pm Post subject:

Dear lall,
While it's true that some/many Saudis (especially the younger ones and especially since the introduction of satellite TV and the Net into the Kingdom) do chafe against the restrictions imposed by Saudi society, I doubt that many think of themselves as "prisoners." After all, it's their homeland and, just as I (and, most likely, you) love my native land, so, too, do almost all of the Saudis I met.
Outsiders, such as you and I, might regard them as being "prisoners", at least in some respects, but we're probably making that judgment by comparing what they're "allowed" to do to what's permitted for many people outside of the Kingdom.
And remember - the environment you grow up in is usually the one that seems "normal" and "right" to you. I'm sure that's the case with most citizens of the Kingdom, too.
Regards,
John

windstar · Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 235

Well said. I think this is personal (even social) perception.

007 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:11 am Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:02 pm Post subject:

Dear 007,

"But I can assure you that the students of the magic kingdom are much better than the prisoners of Uncle Sam in all means!"

Well, perhaps not in ALL means - at least for that very small percentage of "prisoners of Uncle Sam" that now have me as a teacher.

But seriously, 007 - why this:

" . . . have never been to the land of Uncle Sam and never will be!"

I mean, a good number of your postings reference "the land of Uncle Sam." But, as we all know, it's hard to properly evaluate a country that one has never been to. I know, for example, that many of my pre-conceived notions about the Kingdom turned out to be largely ill-founded, something I discovered only after having been there.
So, why not visit "the land of Uncle Sam" (though I'd advise waiting until after President Obama is inaugurated?) We'd welcome you in Santa Fe, and we'd be happy to provide you with room, board, and a proper introduction to Uncle Sam's land.

Regards,
John

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

But, John... then he might have to challenge his prejudices and I'm sure that he is much happier in his ignorance.

But, I can assure him that John and his wife are very gracious hosts. Laughing

VS

007 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Since I live in a small one-bedroom flat, I am unable to extend invitations to anyone... nothing personal 007...

VS

eha · Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 355 Location: ME

Re ghost's description of teaching in Quebec--- schools in the UK are no better. Everything you describe is going on here; the situation has been deteriorating for years, decades, even. There may be some good schools, but they're the exception now. Of course, here the explanation given is political: education became a political agenda and was taken out of the hands of the educationalists. But it wasn't only that: there's been a general deterioration in the way society has developed over the last thirty years or so--- I expect the same thing has happened world-wide. I've always felt that teachers could have at least slowed down the process, but too many of them were part of the problem themselves---- so many teachers of that period seemed to be far more ready to attack and undermine their colleagues than to stand up to the students. Administrators, too.