<They are relatively friendly, concerning oil prices. OPEC could be much more uncooperative than it is, without Saudi leadership.

Ri-i-ight...

$0.75 a gallon is what I call cooperative.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Been there, done that. These cranks ain’t losin’ a nickel in these so-call energy crises we’ve had over the years. They gave the military forces in town the worst housing available -- which is a couple notches above what I live in today. Very, very nice slum district. Certainly not up to the Saudi standard, but very comfortable -- with community gym & pool.

They permit us to base troops in their country to their severe political detriment.

Because they were scared to death by Hussein a decade back. That, and only that, is why we are there today. Read the papers. We’re not just “detrimental” to their political regime. They want us out, and yesterday would be considered too late.

Dan