[War] saudi: Times they are a changin

[Pat B]

" Times they are a changin' "

Ali bin Bashir Al Saud
King of Saudi Arabia


=Riyadah=

Driving from the palace to a market square, there was a lot about his
country that offended him, even for all the history and tradition there
was so much that he couldn't look upon fondly.

They had an education system that was supposed to be brilliant yet they
used the Protocols of the Elders of Zion to teach children, no one but
Neo Nazis took that rag seriously, and our children were learning that
Jews used the blood of children to make matzoh.

Not only was that an issue, but the clerics ran the country making him a
figurehead.  That was what he had been told, he would be king, but the
clerics would 'advise' him, in other words sort of encourage the right
path, in exchange no terrorism.


That was now out the window, they had broken their end of the deal, he
was young enough to take a very long view.

Not only that but living in America he had been to a Synogague for 
Passover, seen a Lenten mass, read the Bible, the Talmud, even been in a 
Pagan drum circle.  The mosque he attended was so differnet, women were 
still seperate during prayer but he only saw a few Chador, most of it 
was modest dress with hair covered.  Why did the clerics push such a 
view of his Faith that was so restrictive, why did they call for the 
death of a country that were People of the Book

This is where the long term stepped in.  His car pulled up and he got 
out, people still watched him, he was younger then any of the other men 
who had sat in this palace, so what he had in mind would take years, but 
his country would be better for it.

Sitting around the table as he walked in were several of the Wahhabi 
cleric, who looked at the king curiously they had only seen him when he 
was a young man, now he had the throne.

"Gentlemen thank you for coming I'll make this meeting brief, or as 
brief as I can."

He sat down and a cup of coffee was placed at his seat and he uncapped a 
pen, "Ok first thing is, whatever agreements were in existance beteween 
my family and the clerics were broken when that bomb went off.  As of 
now I rule you advise, I won't reject your advice but I may not follow it."

THat brought up a startled buzz, but he continued, "Next thing, our 
country has some problems, in education, our international reputation, 
and in how we treat our guest workers.  We are going to fix that."

"First thing's first, education."  He opened his briefcase and tossed 
down a book.  "This is the Learned Protocols of the Elders of Zion.  It 
teaches how there is a Jewish Conspiracy to rule the world, it is a work 
of fiction, yet we use it as education for our children?"

Before there was any argument he raised a hand, "Jewish people believe 
in one God, they believe in his prophet, they abstain from unclean 
foods, yet we call for the death of Israel and support Palestine."  He 
looked them over.

"We can't change everything, the people aren't ready but we will make 
some changes.  First of all, this garbage has no place in our 
educational system, I am ordering a full revamp of the education for 
both males and females, we will remove this stuff, we will have our 
reputation as scholars back."

"But women?"  Ali cut him off with a glare.

"Yes women, the longer we keep up this second class citizenship the 
longer we look like a backwards land and once our oil is gone we're 
third world again. We need to grow as a country while keeping our faith."

Writing down a note he spoke again, "the third problem we have a slave 
caste in our country, foreign workers." There was an uncomfortable 
silence. "Yup the 800 pound gorilla in the room, we bring people over to 
do jobs like clean, cook, take care of our cars so we don't have to. Yet 
we treat them like slaves. I've read reports and heard reports of how 
workers can be beaten, harassed, their passports taken, and some of our 
men like to bring boys over as sexual playthings.  This will stop now."

The Clerics looked shellshocked, the King had usually listened then did 
what they advised, things were changing.  But Ali spoke again.

"Last point, Charity, we have done lots for the world but we could do 
more.  Our brothers in Iraq, and Palestine need our help, we must help 
them."  He closed the notebook, "I will be meeting with you weekly, you 
may also meet with me, as I said I will listen to you, I will respect 
you as Iman but I will be my own king and listen to my own heart and 
mind."  With a glance he looked at his watch, "Good day gentlemen."

Then he stopped and turned back, "It is noon, time for prayers and 
lunch, please pray with me and join me for a meal, I would be most 
honored to dine with you."

Actions:

1) Education: Vet all textbooks for any material from suspect sources 
and remove it, rebuld strong educational systems in the basics reading 
writing math, each child will start with computers at Kindergarden 
level, girls will have the same education as boys and will be encouraged 
to go to college, State run universities will be built, be free for all 
citizens and will offer a large range of majors, they will have a 
religious componant but will encourage critical thinking.

2) Rights of women: Begin removing sex restrictions for driving, and 
remove the Chador requirement as long as women's dress is 'modest and 
covers the hair'  it is not forbidden to wear Chadors but not mandatory.
   a)Begin changing laws that restrict women, domestic violence 
legislation and education, begin educating police officers in the new 
laws immediately, also if a woman reports rape she is not to be charged 
with adultery or fornication unless she is lying.
   b)Begin education on spousal abuse, laws forbidding beating your wife 
are to be placed in effect immediately.
   c) Equal enforcement of the laws, it takes 2 to tango so if there is 
an adultery prosecution the man should also face charges.
3) Religious laws: begin restriciting the powers of the religious 
police, do not allow them to continue with public beatings, require them 
to get a police officer when making arrests, require them to have proof.
4) Guest workers: Draw up a guest worker bill of rights, they get to 
keep their passports and return tickets, if they leave before the 
contract is up they forfeit all unearned wages and can be required to 
pay a penalty but may not be restricted from leaving.  Any abuse voids 
the contract and requires full payment of the worker, plus the employer 
is liable for criminal penalties, any sexual abuse of workers is to be 
tried as rape, any abuse of a child is pedaresty and will be punished 
most severley, dedicate a part of the supression of vice to crack down 
on this.
5) Charity, rebuilding of Iraq and Palestine Saudi will pour at least 1 
billion dollars in to both projects, with more to come as needed, with 
the following caveats
     1) Renounciation of terrorisim... no money given will be used to 
support terrorists or their actions.
     2) Crackdown on corruption, the last thing we need is our money 
going to Zurich.
6) As for those we've rounded up, try em and execute the guilty.