State Department urges non-essential diplomats...

Drudge ^

[RoughDobermann]

and families of American officials to leave Saudi Arabia...

[hoosiermama]

Wonder if it had anything to do with what they found in SH's brief case? Maybe the terrorist are now under pressure to "hurry up their attacks"

[kabar]

I lived in the Kingdom for five years and dealt with the Saudis on an official level. There are many misconceptions and outright fabrications about the Saudis and our relationship with them. We have important strategic military sales. The Saudis have been very helpful to us in many ways, a number of which can not be made public.

I don't believe Saudi bashing is helpful in advancing our interests. I was in Iran when Carter promoted his human rights policies and the US media was bashing the Shah as corrupt and brutal. Iranian students in the US (there were over 50,000 making them the largest student group from any national interests in Saudi Arabia as well as trade and country) demonstrated with bags over their heads in front of the White House. Secretary Vance pressured the Shah not to crack down on the dissidents in Iran as well as exiles like Khomeni. Eventually, a coalition of exiles, mullahs and Bazaaries overthrew the Shah and Khomeni hijacked the revolution. The rest is history and we are reaping what was sown in Iran from the Islamic fundamentalists. Whatever one may feel about the Saudi Royal family, it is better than anything I can see on the horizon.

[FreeReign]

I guess I must be marching to another drummer. Better not get out of step with the prevailing wisdom.

Well at least on this thread we haven't heard the grandaddy of all S.A. prevailing Wisdom; "17 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi, therefore Abdullah and Fahd financed 911" -- or something like that.

[Sender]

If they do snatch some infidels and hold them in exchange for SH, then God help those poor infidels because SH ain't for sale.

[Sender]

Wow, 30,000 US citizens currently in the kingdom? I'm not sure that any amount of deluxe overtime pay would get me to work there now.

[McGavin999]

Thanks for your input, it's very helpful.

[kabar]

Thanks. I don't know what I did, but some of my comments were interspersed elsewhere making them somewhat incoherent. I meant to say we have important strategic national interests in Saudi Arabia as well as trade and military sales. Part of the sentence was moved from the 1st to the 2nd papragraph.

[McGavin999]

They weren't incoherant at all. A lot of folks here don't understand the power struggle that's going on within SA and that by snarking at them all they weaken the good guys as well.

As for me, I'll just shut up and watch this one.

[Calpernia]

I saw your freep mail too. The article at CNN is dated: State Department issues 'worldwide caution' Tuesday, December 16, 2003 Posted: 11:27 PM EST (0427 GMT)

What was the error?

[angkor]

I can assure you the Greek government took it very seriously as did many travel agencies.

Which I suppose is good, but it says nothing one way or the other about the accuracy of State Dept. travel warnings,

which typically cite no reason, rationale, or evidence for their findings.

And typically (this is a good thing), State's cautions don't come to fruition.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

There isn't anyone on earth that they'd trade for Sadaam. Sadaam has breathed his last free breath ever. Any breath he takes from this point on is a breath granted to him by the CIA, or whoever else is responsible for prying every last ounce of info out of him.

I don't care if they kidnap Britney Spears, Sadaam isn't going to be traded for anyone.

[Humidston]

Hmmmm, since Al Qaeda has had no relationship with Saddam, why would they ever want to get involved?

/sarcasm

[woodyinscc]

I agree with you. There are some real crazies out there who are liable to do anything though.

[Cold Heat]

Unfortunately the Hanukkah fun and games is about to start.

[henderson field]

They may have to cancel the Christmas parade. And the pig roast is probably off, too.

[doug from upland]

You never know. If I were a bad guy and wanted him free, taking hostageswould be the first order of business.

[ConservativeMan55]

Hear me Roar!

[JustPiper]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The State Department is warning U.S. citizens and employees of an increased possibility of more terrorist attacks coinciding with the second anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

The above was above yesterday's date...giving the impression it was old. One poster asked , I responded, but still it the thread was pulled for wrong date and dated warning, you tell me -shrug- sometimes I just don't get it ya know

[Eagle Eye]

They've been saying versions of that all year long. Nothing really new about it. Unless you aren't on the State Department ping list.

You are on the State Department ping list, aren't you?

[JustPiper]

Thank you Smogger, you put it the way it is. My thread was timely.;)