[Adrastus]

After spending most of my adult life in Saudi Arabia, I find no area of inaccuracy in Hansons article. If anything it's understated. These people combine the two worst human traits: Arrogance and stupidity. They produce nothing on their own. They depend on ex-pats for the most menial task. I long for the day when they get to eat their oil without benefit of salt nor pepper.

[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.

[RightWhale]

In an ancient Life magazine article, late 50s, an interview with the King of Saudi Arabia, his contempt for the West was clear. In fact, his contempt for ordinary people who were not wealthy kings was fairly clear. It seemed that money made him superior. He did not need to consider anyone's feelings or rights. What would happen when he ran out of oil was also beyond consideration.