Posted on 06/26/2005 6:24:00 PM PDT by wagglebee
Where is this coming from?!
The whole problem with the Saudi royal family is that you can't tell the good guys from the bad guys. Just when you think you've got it figured out, something happens to change your mind. I've always thought of Bandar as one of the good guys.
I always liked him too, but ever since 9/11 he has seemed very noncommital about terrorism.
I still like Bandar and that scares me to death because there is every possibility that I actually like someone who may be behind terrorism.
HA! and they say the Chinese are inscrutable.
The Saud family is in a very difficult position. They know if they piss of the US too many times we will quit protecting them, on the other hand if they act like American "puppets" the jihadists will take them out. So, part of the family is pro-American, while the rest fund the jihads.
Their good guys and their bad guys are the same guys.
I never observed or read anything by Prince Bandar that would cause me to believe or trust him any more than any other Saudi Arabian Arab.....
Bandar, being an observant and educated man --- was probably driven to his depression by the fact he could see the world his "faith" fostered, versus the nation he spend most of his time in - AMERICA..
That would have to depress anyone capable of rational thought..
He probably also recognized - the American people no longer trust the Saudis or their representatives, and it is just a matter of time before Saudi Arabia is placed in the "Axis of Evil" where they belong...
Semper Fi
I think sooner or later the time will come when we will need to give the Saudi royal family an ultimatum and at the same time we can let the Islamic world know that Mecca can become a sheet of glass in the blink of an eye.
I think it would almost take some kind of religous event, something that could clearly be seen as a "sign", to turn the tide.
See what I wrote in #29.
"Frightening to think how ignorant some are."
Best for you to look in the mirror before you make that observation!
Have you always had to have jokes explained to you?
Saudi citizens did the dirty work on 911 - true. China was the paymaster, however. It was done at their command.
It's going to require some really fancy footwork to get out of the mess they are in. Personally, I'm convinced that over half the Saudi people are not full blown Wahhabist nutbags, but that still leaves about 49% who are. NOT an enviable position, but then they are the ones who decided to let it get so out of hand.
I think we're going to know pretty soon though.
My first thought was that he is leaving before the next hit...my only basis for believing this is that almost all of the Saudis left the Rochester, MN area the day before 9/11, where they formerly rented entire floors of certain hotels to house the large number of them who came to the Mayo Clinic. They are significantly absent since then, I presume having built medical facilities nearer to their homeland.
I also noted that there were many stories of people selling certain stocks short in the day or days before the attack.
It would make sense that they would leave if their intelligence was indicating something to be frightened about...they problem is, with diplomats, you can never know for certain, since even our "allies" have been known to prevaricate on occasion...
My first thought was that he is leaving before the next hit...my only basis for believing this is that almost all of the Saudis left the Rochester, MN area the day before 9/11, where they formerly rented entire floors of certain hotels to house the large number of them who came to the Mayo Clinic. They are significantly absent since then, I presume having built medical facilities nearer to their homeland.
I also noted that there were many stories of people selling certain stocks short in the day or days before the attack.
It would make sense that they would leave if their intelligence was indicating something to be frightened about...they problem is, with diplomats, you can never know for certain, since even our "allies" have been known to prevaricate on occasion...
Interesting if true.... certainly the muslim world listens when Bandar speaks.
Trying to juggle both worlds is not easy.
I still have respect for those two individuals.
I must say that I'm a little bit sorry to hear this.
Among Saudis, he's someone we've been able to work with.
He's also a real character, prone to tip his hand just a little out of ego to let you know he's on top.
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