X-Message-Number: 24650
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 09:21:37 -0400
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: For James Swayze: importance of oil

For James Swayze:

Perhaps what I've read conflicts with what you've read. However as I
understand the situation in Saudi Arabia, a good deal of the oil 
wealth has spread out to ordinary citizens --- of Saudi Arabia. 
However Saudis do have lots of foreign Muslim workers too, and 
resentment from them may play a role.

Moreover the enmies of the US don't come from a poor background.
Osama bin Laden is himself a Saudi prince (not eligible for the
succession, but still a Saudi prince). 

I would suggest that most of the resentment comes from the 
realization by many Muslims that advanced countries are doing far
better than any Muslim country has ever done, both in prosperity
and intellectual advances, and they know very deep and dark in
their hearts that most of this prosperity comes precisely because
NONE of these advanced countries is a Muslim country or close to
one (morally, not physically). We mock their Muslim identity 
simply by living as prosperously as we do.

I could be wrong here, but I think the problem is much deeper
than simply oil. 

            Best wishes and long long life to all,

                 Thomas Donaldson

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