When In Danger Or In Doubt…
And so it begins:
More than 100 Saudi academics, activists and businessmen have called for reforms in the conservative kingdom, including the establishment of a ”constitutional monarchy”, in a statement published on the internet.
”We will submit these requests to King Abdullah at a later stage,” said Khaled al-Dakhil, a teacher of political science at the King Saud University and one of the 123 signatories of the petition.
Elsewhere in the Kingdom:
Democracy activists in Saudi Arabia say the government is closely monitoring social media to nip in the bud any protests inspired by uprisings that swept Arab countries, toppling leaders in Egypt and Tunisia.
Which leads to this very germane point:
The clock is ticking on this and somebody better be paying attention if Saudi Arabia wants to continue avoiding the unrest that’s sweeping the region. Handouts buy time, but only so much.
Does the White House have any kind of plan in case the House of Saud falls? What we’ve seen so far (or rather haven’t seen so far) regarding Libya and Egypt isn’t exactly promising.
Yes, they have a plan. It’s really very simple, as it forwards their ideological agenda:
Let it happen.
Because, obviously, we have no business meddling in the rest of the world’s problems. We’ve got too many of our own that we need to make worse, first.
Go reformists. Otherwise, having been there, I can say this: the ruins of Riyadh are going to be spectacular.
Is this a trick question?
Might I make a modest suggestion? How about we drill for oil here in America. And start up new nuclear power plants.
Yes, the White House has a plan for the fall of Saudi Arabia:
1. Prevent drilling in the Gulf of Mexico or any other waters that border the US.
2. Prevent drilling or tapping into the oil sands of the Colorado or North Dakota.
3. Prevent drilling in Alaska unless, perhaps, its in Sarah Palin’s front yard.
4. Pursue corn based energy independence initiatives (as long as it doesn’t come from Brazil).
5. Pray that the magic wind faries and/or the Chevy Volt causes the oceans to stop rising. Or something.
6. Oh wait, huh? Saudi Arabia? Not sure, but Israeli settlements are probably helpful.
7. Sorry, can’t be bothered right now. Got to solve a crisis in Wisconsin.
“The avalanche has begun. It is too late for the pebbles to vote.”
King Abdullah is 86. His successor is 82. What could possibly go wrong?
Imagine millions of tourists coming into Saudi Arabia during the Haj. Talk about “The Social Network”, the Haj is going to be fun this year!