Job Discussion Forums

[Stephen Jones]

Dear Omar,
Any proof of that nice story? Like a reference to the actual Senate hearings (presumably online somewhere).

Of course the fact that Olive North said it means nothing; he was and is a pathological liar and to suggest he really needed the security to protect himself from the families of the innocent Nicaraguas he had killed wold not have gone down so well.

[scot47]

I assumed Quamtico was somewhwe in Mexico. Sounds very Spanish, but then much of the United States was formerly a Spanish and then Mexican possession. Which reminds me of a saying of some long-dead Mexican statesman :
"Poor Mexico : so far from God and so near to the United States>"

[johnslat]

Dear Ajarn Miguk and omar805,
First, omar - may I suggest you go to this link:

http://hoaxinfo.com/oliver.htm

You'll find a couple of other links at the bottom of that page which further clarify this issue. As for the Mohammed Atta tale, I have been unable to confirm or deny so far on my web searches. All I've come across that even mention this are the " blog sites " of conspriacy theorists. Could you, perhaps, come up with a reputable source?


As for my feelings about Mr. North, Ajarn, I, as an ex-Marine myself ( enlisted ranks, not officer, 1963 to 1967, Vietnam veteran ) not only do I not " like " him, I find him despicable and wrong-headed - and that goes to the deepest core of my being. I know a lot about other unsavory characters, too - Hiltler, Stalin, Pol Pot ( not that I'm putting Olllie in their league ), but that's because I read a lot - not because I like these unsavory specimens of human folly and evil ( that's how I know about rugby, too - never played or watched it in my life ).
Regards,
John

[Ajarn Miguk]

Well, everyone's entitled to their opinion, John. You, Col. North, me, omar805, people who have and have not heard of rugby; played or not played it; watched it or not watched it.

I am curious, though, given the depth of your emotional response to Col. North, was he ever, by any chance, your platoon leader?

[johnslat]

Dear Arjan Miguk,
Yes, everyone is indeed entitled to his/her own opinions - and, may I add that, considering what I assume yours to be you are responding on this board with exemplary restraint and courtesy. No, Mr. North was never my platoon leader, nor have I ever met the man. He was in Vietnam in '68 and '69; I was there in '65 and '66. My animus towards Mr. North stems, in part, from the fact that we were both in the USMC, and, in my view, his actions cast aspersion on the Corps. To some, he was and remains a hero; to me, he was and remains a bad apple whose disregard for the Constitution I find frightening. He has, I'm sure, many good qualities; bravery and loyalty are probably among them. But good qualities used to pursue bad ends are perverted. In some ways, he reminds me of another " true believer ", J. Gordon Liddy, who also saw/sees the world starkly divided into blacks and whites, those for us and those against us.
To such men ( and women - don't want to appear sexist here ) everything is permitted, as long as what they see as the right end is achieved. Morality and ethics are irrelevant - or shaped on a kind of Procrustian bed of conscience to fit their goals. But that's just my opnion.
Regards,
John

[Ajarn Miguk]

Hi John,

Well reasoned and written. Let's just agree to disagree on this one. It does make me wonder how such two interesting personalities can end up with very popular radio shows not too far from the Beltway?

On second thought, no, it really is not a mystery. I know the Beltway, and those who travel inside and outside of it, far too well.

Peace.

AM

[johnslat]

Dear Ajarn Miguk,
Agreeing to disagree sounds good to me - I know I'm not going to " convert " you, and I'm sure you know the same about me. But let me add that I regard you as kind of a " mystery ", too. Much as I try to avoid generalizations, in my experience those who hold the values and beliefs you do ( OK - I'll admit I'm making assumptions here; you've been very coy about revealing your thoughts ), have almost never been so temperate, courteous and reasonable in exchanging political views. You have my respect for that. Peace to you as well, and to us all.
Regards,
John
__________________________
Here's one of my favorite Woody Allen lines: " I don't mind dying; I just don't want to be there when it happens ".

[scot47]

I have my doubts about this story on Mohammed Atta. I have been following the extensive coverage in "Spiegel" of Hamburg on this. In their well-researched report on Atta there was no mention of this monster ever being in Israel.

As for the story about Ollie North taking about Osama bin Laden, that does not ring true either. In those days bin Laden was one of the good guys, fighting the evil Russians.

Reportage on all of these stories is always prone to the truly looney conspiracy theorists.

[Mark100]

Well It is not true that all employers hold your passport in Saudi.
I work as a contractor for Aramco and all the guys i work with have multi exit re entry visas.We hold our passports and can come and go as we please.We often go to Bahrain on the weekend.
If you work for KFUPM you can also get a multi visa.
However if you work on a defence contract through the Saudi military they will hold your passport and you have to apply for a visa if you want to leave the country.This has to be approved and you pay a one off cost of 200 riyals.

[scot47]

Mark 100 just confirms what has been stated elsewhere. If you are coming to Saudi make sure you come with a reasonable employer. Holding on to your passport is just ONE thing a nasty employer can do. Having siad that the passport issue never botherd me when I worked here with lesser employers.

I was always more bothered by the possible refusal of a No Objection Certificate, which is essential if you want to leave one employer and come back with another.