Time will bring change

Submitted by Donald Smith (United States), Aug 7, 2005 at 11:23

Many cultures in the Middle East have a different concept of time than we do in the United States. Our outlook on time is for the near to intermediate future; a year from now or ten years from now. Many Arabs think in terms of hundreds of years. They view the United States' status and influence in the world as a passing blip in history.

How ironic, then, to consider Saudi society, who's wealth is based upon oil. Everyone I have met who has worked in Saudi Arabia comments on the slothful behavior of its citizens. Most difficult physical labor is performed by guest workers from the Philippines, Pakistan, India, etc. A large portion of the technical work is done by Americans or Europeans. I spoke with some American soldiers who went on for hours about how ...Saudi soldiers were and are; America needed to send troops to Saudi Arabia because the country's military was too incompetent and complacent to even defend the country. I realize many of these statements might seem harsh, but from the many individuals I've spoken with - hundreds, they all relate the same types of stories.

My point is this: The industrial world will not rely on oil forever. Other alternate forms of energy are being developed and fielded. Perhaps within a hundred years, oil will not be used. Since the Saudis think in the long term, they surely see this coming. However, the question should be asked, "what will they do when the oil revenues dry up?" The occupants are lazy and complacent and are ill prepared to care for themselves. I believe the 5,000 greedy princes would take the nation's wealth and leave. The citizens would starve or return to the bedouin style of life. In either event, Saudi Arabians will not be a part of modern society in the future. The influence they enjoy today will be replaced by a world that completely ignores their society as they will have nothing to contribute.

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