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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: goldworldnet who wrote (153453)	12/6/2004 4:23:30 PM
From: Michael Watkins	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

> They routinely have public beheadings and by modern standards most would consider them barbarians. < By modern standards, most would consider the Death Penalty, so frequently applied in former Governor Bush's home state, barbaric too. Most would consider dropping cluster bombs on civilians and civilian areas barbaric. Most would consider bombing electrical, water and sewage facilities for a civilian public barbaric. International law calls it a war crime. Yet we do all three and more. Barbarism: all in the eye of the beholder?

To: goldworldnet who wrote (153453)	12/6/2004 11:19:20 PM
From: Neil H	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

HI The average Saudi citizen does not hate the US. Many do not like our policies in Iraq and Palestine but generally they like Americans and America. They love the freedoms and opportunities of our country. It would be true to say that our relations have deteriorated starting with 911. The steady diet of anti US propaganda from Al Jazeera and Hezbollah and other Arab media outlets beamed across the Middle East via satellite has had an effect to dampen relations. It would also be true to say some hate America, but this is a minority. We probably have more citizens in America that hate America.(right Ray Duray) The country has its problems but the monarchy is not threatened near term and the country is certainly not a ticking time bomb. The open opposition are the "deviants" as the Saudi press calls the local Al Qaeda and have been and are continually being hunted down and decimated, ever since the May attacks. These attacks seemed to have awaken the Saudi Govt. and they are taking out this threat. Most would love a more representative govt. but are certainly not motivated to violence to make a change. Demographic issues such as large # of the population being teens and below brings out economic issues that must be solved such as jobs and wealth per capita and these are probably the most crucial issues the govt must solve. Democracy is making inroads though as their are local elections coming soon. Will this and economic issues force a change. Maybe, but probably not soon. Regards Neil

To: goldworldnet who wrote (153453)	12/7/2004 1:40:41 PM
From: Neocon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

The monarchy lasts because direct theocracy would be worse. Nevertheless, it is a fearful place, where people are maimed or killed in accordance with Shari'ah, and extremists are bribed by the royal family in order to keep them from a revolution. The royal family is less a family than a bunch of welfare cheats who get exceedingly large checks. If they were made to engage in useful occupations for their supper, everyone would be better off. Some of them are fanatics, or sympathize with fanatics. Some spend most of their time in casinos. Meanwhile, they have bought social peace with oil money, and failed to provide for a more modern, diversified society in the longer run. One hopes that time will not simply run out........