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Bye, Bye, Saudi Arabian Pie?
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What do you think about terrorist attacks in the Kingdom?
They'll increase in frequency and magnitude.
82%
 82%  [ 14 ]
The situation will stay about the same as it is now.
0%
 0%  [ 0 ]
The worst is probably over.
5%
 5%  [ 1 ]
Ask me later. My airport taxi's waiting.
11%
 11%  [ 2 ]
Total Votes : 17

Author Message
johnslat



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
PostPosted: Mon May 03, 2004 10:47 pm    Post subject: Bye, Bye, Saudi Arabian Pie? Reply with quote
Well, here's a news flash - the US embassy says it can't protect USA citizens in the Kingdom. Who'd a thunk it?

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=4&u=/ap/20040503/ap_on_re_mi_ea/saudi_attack

But seriously, all you guys and gals back there - what do you think? Is it just going to keep on getting worse?
Regards,
John
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Bindair Dundat



Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Posts: 1123
PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2004 4:52 am    Post subject: Re: Bye, Bye, Saudi Arabian Pie? Reply with quote
johnslat wrote:

But seriously, all you guys and gals back there - what do you think? Is it just going to keep on getting worse?


I'm not "back there," but I'll put in my two cents anyway.

Of course it will continue. This is something that has long been brewing. I think it is basically an economic struggle, not a religious or political one, but when economics makes people unhappy they become politicized; when politics do not accommodate them, they become alienated. The Al-Saud have to give an inch; who thinks they are wise enough to do so?

I think this will get much worse before it gets better, and Uncle Sam will get both eyes blackened as he tries to keep the oil flowing (for the benefit of ALL industrial economies, not just for the sake of the U.S.A., my dear European friends).

I'll bet there are lots and lots of reasonable, law-abiding Saudis who are going to become less reasonable as the continued violence and resultant damage to the powers that be encourages them.

We shoulda gone solar.
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Mark100



Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 441
PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2004 5:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have said all along that things here will get worse and unfortunately I have been right.
I don't know how bad things will get but it will take very little for most of the western expats in the eastern province to pack their bags and be on their way.
I feel it is just a matter of time before something happens here as to most i have spoken to.
Now if you look at the Yanbu situation you can see that a horde of expats left after the incident there so it would seem that it was a victory for the terrorists.
If we use this as an example it would encourage other terrorists to do likewise in other areas of Saudi.
One of the platforms of Al Queda is to get rid of all westerners/infidels from the Kingdom.
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Cleopatra



Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2004 8:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Dear Bindair Dundat,

I normally like your posts, so I couldn't work out if you were being sarcastic or not when you said:

"Uncle Sam will get both eyes blackened as he tries to keep the oil flowing (for the benefit of ALL industrial economies, not just for the sake of the U.S.A., my dear European friends). "

Umm... in the first place I never knew the oil was NOT flowing -the US invasion of Iraq is, if anything, going to threathen the OPEC sheikhdoms who have been hand in glove with the US over the past several decades, and have indeed kept that oil flowin' very smoothly.

Secondly, I didn't know the US was the world's "oil policeman" - surely it'\s up to the countries whjo own the oil to decide how precisely it is going to flow?
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2004 8:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I am not sure that I buy this thing about Bush and his cronies sending the military here for the oil.

I subscribe to the f*c**p theory of History.

It happened becasue we have a gang of very stupid people in power in Washington. I mean what would Clausewitz say about a military operation where the goal was not clear ?

How will the White House know when they have achieved their goals in Iraq if their goals are poorly formulated ?
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ohman



Joined: 09 Sep 2003
Posts: 239
Location: B' Um Fouk, Egypt
PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2004 12:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Does any happen to know what an EFL teacher on Pitcairn Island makes?
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Saudi4Ever



Joined: 25 Mar 2004
Posts: 135
PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2004 12:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Cleopatra wrote:

Secondly, I didn't know the US was the world's "oil policeman" - surely it'\s up to the countries whjo own the oil to decide how precisely it is going to flow?


Cleopatra, careful girl! You've been around long enough to know that how that oil flows is 'Allah's Will' masha'Allah Wink
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Bindair Dundat



Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Posts: 1123
PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2004 12:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Dear Ms. Patra,

Cleopatra wrote:

Umm... in the first place I never knew the oil was NOT flowing -the US invasion of Iraq is, if anything, going to threathen the OPEC sheikhdoms who have been hand in glove with the US over the past several decades, and have indeed kept that oil flowin' very smoothly.


Permit me to clarify: When I refer to keeping the oil flowing, I am not implying that the oil is not flowing. On the contrary, I am suggesting that the oil is, indeed, as you have divined, flowing. So, I don't believe we are in disagreement over the fundamental and very germane question of whether the oil is or is not flowing.

Now, for a little background: There are some who fear that the oil may stop flowing (that is, that its flow may be interrupted or impeded) due to the work of individuals who are intent on crippling both the Al-Saud and the so-called 'West" (which includes large portions of the so-called "East"). Some of those who are thus fearful have concerned themselves with keeping the oil flowing (as it is now flowing).

As to the effect that the invasion of Iraq will have, I am not a greatly practiced or successful prognosticator, so I will not challenge your judgement on this matter.

Cleopatra wrote:
Secondly, I didn't know the US was the world's "oil policeman" - surely it'\s up to the countries whjo own the oil to decide how precisely it is going to flow?


Is it? I will not challenge your judgement in this matter, either. You do make a strong point. After all, the oil-pumping countries had the wisdom and the know-how to develop their resources and bring them to market with no help from outsiders, particularly from the U.S.A.; I suppose we can trust them, as always, to continue to do the right thing.

Smile