I am pleased that President George W. Bush and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as representatives of the United States in world politics. When Bush was in office, he and Ms. Rice always wince at the Saudi princes and potentates, criticized inconsequential characters, like Fidel and Raul Castro in Cuba. Have they thought it was a good policy to engage in such conduct, or was it just that they do not know better?
Under the editorial board of the Washington Post, the Bush administration, Saudi Arabia as an “ordinary country, and moderate and a loyal ally of the United States.” Mainstream? Moderate? Ally? Wikipedia has described a different view: “A lot of freedoms in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrined does not exist, it is claimed that the death penalty and other penalties are often given to suspects without trial. Saudi Arabia for its suppression of religious and political minorities have criticized the torture of prisoners and the attitude to foreign expatriates, homosexuality and women. ”
Well, I take the remark about torture should not be used against the Saudis, as if Bush was in power we have done the same, but the other criticisms seriously. Saudis, however, believe that their draconian measures are needed to keep the crime rate is low. For example, they say that the thief had his hands cut never fly again and it will be a constant reminder of other things that contribute to not be on the other.
The Saudi authorities justify discrimination against religious minorities and said they have a responsibility to defend and promote the religious Sharia law. Of Saudi non-Christians will be expelled rapidly if they also in their religious beliefs openly, such as reading verses from the bible, while his in mixed company, including Saudi nationals. If the Saudis to promote Christianity or any other religion, they have to face penalties of prison and entered by the police, “religious”.
The attitude towards women in Saudi Arabia is characterized by the case of the “Girl of Qatif.” There was a 20-year-old woman, married, was raped, a man of seven men. Known rapist captured and jailed, but incredibly, a court has found that Saudi women should also be punished with 200 lashes and six months in prison. His alleged crime? Being with a man, not her husband or male relative.
Saudi Arabia is not an ally of the United States, regardless of what Mr. Bush. In fact, it devalued the concept. The president of all people, should have know that the only allies we have in the world, the Great Britain. Other European nations, sometimes associated with the United States, but only if it serves their immediate needs to do. No single country on the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East, including Israel and can never be considered as an ally of the United States.
Meanwhile, Bush and others beaten regularly in Cuba, a tiny island country of citizenship in total compared to the state of Ohio. Government of that country began in 1959, fell as rebels led by Fidel Castro, the corrupt and repressive Batista Fulgenio, which was then supported by the United States. Since then, he was a Marxist-oriented state, for a time allied with the Soviet Union. But what then? Is it worse than Castro Batista? A Marxist dictatorship worse than a Saudi “Royal” dictator? The Cuban officials whip women with whips for the marketing of other men who are not parents? Cubans have different religions? How many Cubans involved in the terrorist attacks of 9 / 11? (0) how many Saudis were involved? (15).
Thus, crawl under Mr. Bush on the agenda. Representatives of the greatest country on earth to bow in the presence of the rulers of the oil-producing countries to loose their endorsement, support and oil searches in the Middle East. But wanted to have our political leaders show their support for human rights so that they simultaneously smashed Cuba and other countries without consequence. They assumed, of course, every day that Americans do not recognize this duplicity.
President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton Secretary of State now have the ability to damage the Bush Administration caused repair and restore the leadership of the United States in the free world. With the help of a Democratic Congress, they could succeed.