The Logic Off Topic list

> From: "Wilson Zorn" <wilson.zorn@...>
> 
> The article indicates, "In the current Arab climate of hostility to Israel
> and its US backers, many Saudis resent their government's friendship with
> the West. "  "Many" I take to be "large", though whether it's a majority or
> simply significant, it's unclear.

Yes it is, and a prime example of how media can subtly 'slant' a story.

>  However, the article also states, "Their
> immediate problem is unemployment. Unofficially it is running at more than
> 25%. " and "For the last few years per capita income has been falling and
> many poor Saudis are getting poorer. "  It is almost unheard of in any
> nation for these conditions not to result in a large portion of the
> population not disliking the leadership.

Under what you or I might take as accompanying circumstances.  But this
thought occurred to me -- does unemployment equal poverty in Saudi Arabia?
I don't know, but it's a very rich place, and they might have a gold
embroidered safety net.
(http://www.ain-al-yaqeen.com/issues/19971124/feat8en.htm)
I'm reminded of visiting Norway years ago, and seeing these clean, well
dressed youth hanging out on park benches.  My friend said "those are the
heroin addicts."  In NYC, put it this way, junkies wish they had it so good!

Indications are that Saudis live very much in the so-called first world:
http://www.ifc.org/camena/saudi.htm
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107947.html

I have yet to dig up anything that supports the claim of 25% unemployment,
but it's undeniable that, like most countries, Saudi Arabia is complex and
changing:
http://www.ndu.edu/inss/strforum/forum125.html

None of which support eminent revolt...