Posted on 08/16/2002 9:59:00 AM PDT by Gopblond
Make no mistake, the American people are largely a pretty savvy bunch, not to be underestimated. Just as the majority of Americans understand the necessity for "regime change" in Iraq, they are also well cognizant that the Saudis are not our friends. In fact, nothing is more apropos in terms of the Saudis than the old adage, "With friends like these, who needs enemies?" As former Middle East envoy Dennis Ross underscored on the Fox News Channel, "We have common interests with the Saudis, but not common values". The long and short of it is that these Saudis are hostile to virtually everything Americans hold dear.
For years, US-Saudi relations have been predicated upon a mutually beneficial alliance that has produced free-flowing oil for the US, and both mega-bucks and protection for the House of Saud, the ruling royal family. Hence, until recently, the US had a considerable number of troops stationed in Saudi Arabia, and an airbase at our disposal. But it wasn't until the September 11th "Day of Infamy", and the awful days thereafter, that we began to focus upon the depths of hatred being systematically instigated within the Islamic world, especially by our ostensible ally, the Saudis. Yes, the Saudis were more than glad to take our considerable monies for their oil. But the Saudi royals were also simultaneously "doing us dirty". They were actively demonizing and scapegoating America, Israel and other western democracies for the purpose of deflecting the anger and frustration of the oppressed Arab masses. From the vantage of the Saudi royals, better that their populace rail against America than the real source of their problems, the Saudi leadership. Heck, the Saudi rulers don't want to be subjected to a coup d'etat! Interestingly, despite all of their unscrupulous conniving, it seems that the Saudi royals may be overthrown in the near future, anyway, if current press reports can be believed. It's somewhat ironic that the al-Qaeda terrorist organization, so lavishly funded by the House of Saud, has always considered the Saudi royals thoroughly decadent, and worthy of overthrow.
Tragically, the billions, upon billions that we, and other nations, have provided the Saudi royal family with over the years have not been used for constructive purposes and the good of the Saudi populace. Self preservation of the royals, essentially maintaining the status quo of their corrupt and despotic government, has always been the name of the game. Abject selfishness is certainly key in understanding these Saudi rulers. The notions of freedom, egalitarianism and democracy are downright alien to them. And the militant Islamic gobbledegook that the Saudi royals have been financing and propagating does indeed reflect their own twisted sentiments as well.
As noted by journalist Cal Thomas, "The truth about our 'friend and ally' Saudi Arabia was told last month in a briefing delivered to a Pentagon advisory panel. A Rand Corp. international security analyst told the panel that 'The Saudis are active at every level of the terror chain, from planners to financiers, from cadre to foot-soldier, from ideologist to cheerleader Saudi Arabia supports our enemies and attacks our allies'. The Bush administration sought to distance itself from the report, but straight-talking Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld refused to disagree with its findings".
Besides wildly indulging themselves in luxury, the Saudi royals were busy utilizing their tremendous wealth for promulgating a hateful, cult-like ideology of radical Islam known as Wahhabism, taught through madrassahs or religious schools in Saudi Arabia and throughout the Middle East. And these militant and perverse teachings specifically target free and open societies, most notable Israel and America, the latter being dubbed "The Great Satan". The mere existence of western democracies deeply offends the sensibilities of these fanatics who believe in the rigid governance of "Islamic law". Historically, Jihad or "holy war" against the "infidels", or non-Islamic peoples, has been part and parcel of the traditional Islamic view. And the events of September 11th are certainly representative of classic Jihad. It has not been lost on the American people that 15 out of the 19 terrorists that perpetrated that "Day of Infamy" were Saudi nationals. And, sadly, the Saudi rulers have yet to take proper responsibility for helping to create these monstrous militants whose behaviors were clearly emblematic of malevolent Wahhabism.
Importantly, these Saudi tyrants are known for their prevailing "backwardness and irrationality" (National Review, "Desert Rats"), truly lacking the vision and sophistication required to successful operate in this complicated world. And, it's not surprising that the Saudi royals, the consummate hypocrites, are now caught between the proverbial "rock and a hard place". They want to continue funding terrorism that harms America, but yet they want to continue garnering those American big-bucks for oil, as well. And by refusing America a staging ground for an attack on Iraq, they have only alienated the Americans further. Undoubtedly, the Saudi rulers don't want America to liberate Iraq, and render it an emerging democracy, since it will lead to further unrest among their own oppressed populace. The Saudi royals cannot have it both ways; they cannot effectively finesse these circumstances. They have even hired Public Relations specialists to improve their image here in the US. However, it's not going to work.
I would bet that Americans are sick and tired of these Saudi scoundrels, who refuse to acknowledge their entrenched involvement with the dissemination of radical Islam, or distance themselves from it in any manner. I, for one, don't want to give the Saudis another dime for their oil. Let them swim in it.
Copyright © 2000-2002, GOPUSA.com, Inc. Privacy Notice | Subscriber and Member Agreement 713-721-6074 | feedback@gopusa.com
The political interest has changed, obviously, with the end of the Cold War, and the economic interest is affected by the advent of North Sea, Russian, and other oil sources. The relationship will naturally be modified or modify itself as a result.
In addition, however, the Saudis have found it useful to use the U.S. as a foil to deflect criticism from their own political challenges and their own less than open-handed economic aid policies. This had to be overlooked when its upshot was minor and its value offset by the interests mentioned above. The interests have changed, and the upshot has grown from a local xenophobic resentment to placing U.S. citizens as the focus of a violent international hate campaign, culminating in the events of 9/11. There are, in addition, fissions appearing in the ruling family in the matter of succession to the throne. All of this together means simply that the old world is over, and those who recognize this quickly enough to adapt will be at a distinct advantage over those pining nostalgically for the way things used to be.
That is actually a mis-print. They are poviding us with intelligence on tourism
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.