[freedom44]

I've had friends who were/are 'friends' with the 'Saudi princes' in the United States. Apparently one of the princes would rent out nightclubs in DC, would run up thousands of dollars on alcohol and get totally wasted on cocaine, and heroine. This while his subjects in Saudi Arabia are angry at even an alliance with Western compatriots. In a country where females can't even 'drive' the royal subjects are exposing themselves to massive amounts of cocaine and western females.

I never no respect for Saudis--presently, nor historically.

The Persians freed the Jews, ruled the world peacefully for hundreds of years.. the Arabs lived in tents, ate trees, and attacked with their ruthless swords murdering hundreds of thousands...

And then people wonder why Persians get pissed off when compared to Arabs.

[Adrastus]

I used to ask them what they would have if they had no oil. They always allowed as how Big Al would not let such a thing happen.

They did little to generate any respect. As far as their conduct out of the kingdom is concerned,name the excess and they did it. They were convinced that if attacked, we (the contractors) would defend them. Not so.As a result they will never be able to take care of themselves regardless of the hardware we sell them.

It's really pathetic when you consider all the wasted resources. By all rights theirs should be a virtual paradise on earth, but sloth, corruption and general laziness ate them up.There are a few with some character, but not many. Too bad. All that gone to waste.