[sargon]

With all due respect, this prince was speaking about the realities of life in Palestine, and some of the sentiment of the citizens of his home country. Without rhetoric like this, which is essentially for the appeasement of the domestic population in Saudi Arabia, many "stable" Muslim regimes (such as the House of Saud) could be threatened. This prince was simply covering his ass. It's a different world over there.

We already see what is happening in Pakistan due to that government's somewhat harsher rhetoric.

Instability in regimes which have historically good relations with the U.S., such as Saudi Arabia, could cause this situation to escalate even more dangerously.

I think it would be a good idea for Rudy and the prince to mend their differences, to the point that the $10 million donation is accepted. Rejection of that donation could turn out to be a dangerous political event, IMHO.

We must all try to perceive things from alternative viewpoints, not just with tunnel vision.

After all, the goal here is to break the generational cycle of terrorism. If every hostile (to the point of endorsing terrorism) Islamic extremist was killed, that would not solve the problem. New recruits and sympathizers would simply fill the void.

We must use all tools at our disposal, military, political, religious, diplomatic, to fight and win this war. We won't do it by being reactionarily dismissive of the comments and observations of foreign leaders and allies...

[RooRoobird14]

I agree it would be great if Rudy and the Saudi Prince mended fences--but that would require a retraction/apology from the Prince, and I doubt seriously that will happen.

To accept the money after the Prince blamed the U.S. Middle East policies for the terrorist attacks only serves to legitimize the "blame the U.S. first" mentality. Rudy was absolutely correct in rejecting the $10 million dollars.

[Nonstatist]

If every hostile (to the point of endorsing terrorism) Islamic extremist was killed, that would not solve the problem. New recruits and sympathizers would simply fill the void.

The problem is that Saud and Egypt and the other Arab states allow terror cells which agitate against the US to flourish, as long as they dont threaten their regimes.A sort of relief valve that threatens us, not them

They could assimilate displaced "persons" within their regimes (ie Palestinians) and of course "discourage" religious "schools" from selling their hateful propaganda (like how neat it is to be a martyr). And so on

Yes, there will always be fundamentalists. But look at Turkey and Khrgystan and Tunisia. Those types are "out of favor" there, for the most part

The Arab regimes are the problem. Either they straighten up and find a spine, or maybe we quit "protecting" them. Its Typical behavior, thinking you can have it both ways...

[B Knotts]

We must all try to perceive things from alternative viewpoints, not just with tunnel vision.

No, thanks. That's what got us into the mess we're in now.

[ScholarWarrior]

No. This was a calculated attempt to "buy" time on US TV to make a case.
Pretty crass coming from slimy corrupt Bedouins whose ass we saved and continue to protect.
I may not agree that we should continue to support Israel the way we have,
but the Arabs should not be stupid enough to believe that we will reward an attack on the US by changing our position re: Palestinian cockroaches.
We should be patient with Saudis- only because its one target at a time, not because they should be defended.

[1 FELLOW FREEPER]

WE GAVE THEM BACK THE KUWAITI OIL FIELDS, AND WE CAN TAKE THEM FOR OURSELVES....WITHOUT FIRING A SINGLE MISSLE !!!!

[VRWC_minion]

I think it would be a good idea for Rudy and the prince to mend their differences, to the point that the $10 million donation is accepted

How does that line go ?

We already established your a whore, now were haggling over the price.

[arete]

With all due respect, this prince was speaking about the realities of life in Palestine, and some of the sentiment of the citizens of his home country. Without rhetoric like this, which is essentially for the appeasement of the domestic population in Saudi Arabia, many "stable" Muslim regimes (such as the House of Saud) could be threatened. This prince was simply covering his ass. It's a different world over there.

With all due respect to you also, his timing was very poor. He could have waited a few days and then given the check. Once back in Arabia he could have spouted off all he wanted to about our policy in order to appease his "subjects." Rudy was backed into a corner and not given any way out except to return the check.

Richard W.

[Henchman]

Gee, this discussion took a "left" turn. Let's get back to prince baby. The "Prince" has every right to be concerned. If the retaliation vs the terrorists is inadequate, the City of New York will retaliate. The City of New York will go it alone, if need be without the other members of the US coalition.