Attacks in Saudi Arabia are increasing and are almost daily, now.
From: Out from under the bridge and out for a stroll | Registered: Dec 2003
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praenomen3
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4758
posted 22 April 2004 09:20 AM
With regard to terrorism, if anyone "has it coming", it would be the House of Saud. The chickens have come home to roost. One could fret that the country risks becoming another Taliban state, but could you even tell the difference? Perhaps it might become more egalitarian, to the extent that the misery would be more equally distributed.
From: x | Registered: Dec 2003
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Rufus Polson
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3308
posted 22 April 2004 02:23 PM
On top of their corruption, the house of Saud seem awfully irrational. I mean, consider these two policies: 1. Be very cozy with the United States politically, and indeed personally close to its leaders. 2. Sponsor an extremist fundamentalist sub-sect of Islam with strong anti-American tendencies. Set up lots of schools in this sect in your country.
Now, they're surprised that all the anti-Americans they've spent all this time nurturing don't like them?! I mean, is this self-destructive or what? What were they thinking, some kind of "Make sure the Americans need us in charge because the alternative will be anti-American theocrats" schtick? Or were they just blind to the implications of their own religion?
From: Caithnard College | Registered: Nov 2002
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DrConway
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 490
posted 22 April 2004 02:38 PM
People who have tons and tons of money are the first to start thinking they really are different from anybody else and that what affects other people can't affect them.
The House of Saud is just the most visible example of this attitude that seems to generally infect rich people.
From: You shall not side with the great against the powerless. | Registered: May 2001
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praenomen3
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4758
posted 22 April 2004 04:54 PM
I don't know it was sponsorship as much as it was hush-money, Rufus. They were in danger of being overthrown by Islamic militants in 1979, and seem to have reached "an understanding" with them. When you've got a government that rich, decadent and corrupt, money is about the only way you can defend yourself. Current events have obviously changed that tacit arrangement.
From: x | Registered: Dec 2003
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CMOT Dibbler
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4117
posted 22 April 2004 08:44 PM
So what is the the American game plan if The House collapses? Invasion? If they do that, they would risk blowing up Mecca and Medina...
From: Just outside Fernie, British Columbia | Registered: May 2003
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praenomen3
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4758
posted 23 April 2004 08:25 AM
That seems unlikely. Even Israel knows to leave the Dome of the Rock alone, and it's nowhere near as important as M&M. Some hardliners like the Kach party wanted to have it dismantled, which even the Likkud thinks is an insane idea. If there's only one thing that would truly unite the Muslim world against Israel, that's probably it.
From: x | Registered: Dec 2003
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quote: Temporary Lull Folks, maybe it's a result of that last terrorist attack, maybe it's just me being paranoid, but i'm seeing a lot more "unusual activity" both out in the town and in the neighborhood. I'm going to lie low. The blog and my email contacts will hibernate for a while. Better safe than sorry.
In the meantime, many thanks for your compliments, observations, questions, discussions. Ma'a salaama.