I see a lot of support and saw a lot of support for Egypt's protesters and rightly so in most ways. I remain skeptical about what will emerge there over the next couple years, but it certainly has opened up possibilities of positive change and seems to be spreading around the Middle East. And while I am skeptical of the ultimate outcomes just because I am skeptical by nature, I think overall this is a positive step.

However, there are starting to be rumblings of protests in Saudi Arabia...protests the government has vowed to crack down on. We're talking another very repressive regime here, one that is likely to resort to violence to keep its people in line. Also, we're talking about the only country that can seriously ramp up oil production when other countries struggle. Serious disruptions in Saudi Arabia mean serious spikes in gas prices, possibly making the prices everyone is upset about right now look like small change. The slightest rumblings here can get oil prices moving.

So...how much do you give a damn about the Middle East and democracy and freedom? Do you care enough about freedom and democracy to want revolution in Saudi Arabia that would likely skyrocket gas prices for you personally? How much are you willing to pay? Is their a price point where you say fuck it, let them suffer...I'm not paying $10 at the pump? I haven't entirely made up my mind. I do think that long-term positive change would be worth some sacrifice. But, we really don't know how this would all play out so I'm no so sure where I fall. Honestly, I'm just curious what people think about this and if they've considered the ramifications of sweeping Middle East changes.

(did I just ask this question on a music board?)

Long-term international stability worth it?
Yes.
Will I still bitch and moan and suffer when filling up after my 70-mile daily round-trip commute to and from work?
You bet your ass?
But for a better world (if, in fact, that is what results) it is more than worth it.

This is a music board?

bear in mind that democracy and freedom aren't mutually exclusive terms...

Already noted.

I just want cheap oil.

i want a lebanese wife

Went out with a Lebanese woman not too long ago. A little uptight for my tastes, but I won't paint the whole of Lebanese womanhood with that brush.

Knew a Lebanese girl in high school that used to like to get pissed on in the shower.

Kind of defeats the point, doesn't it?

coincidentally, i am having lebanese food tonight with my bud and his lebanese wife. i wonder if i should ask about lebanese women's proclivities for golden showers....

doesn't every girl like this?

some, yes, but this girl specifically requested it, even when just hanging out.

by requested it, dalen means she never said anything when he would pee on her through the glory hole in the girls locker room while her back was turned.

oh man, if there was a hole......

i knew a girl who liked to be spit on

I refuse to play the...I knew a girl who liked _____ game for the sake of not throwing an already horribly off track thread even further off the deep end. Well, that and the deep, deep shameful feelings.

I'm not really concerned with what sort of government they end up with, but I'll go on record as saying I really dislike the Saudis. Blech x1M.

seems that the saudi govt has enough $$ to spread around that most want the gravy train to last, civil rights be damned. not a fan either.

Very Very Very skeptical about the long term success of this for many reasons. Most revolutions do not really provide any improvements over the last regime. If Egypt has a chance it is, some what paradoxically, due to the military being professional and not likely to try to take power. I think that is a rare case and may help. It's hard, I think, for people who have never really had freedom and democracy to make that transition so quickly. I hope for the best, and certainly the regimes deserved to fall, but not convinced it will all turn out. Luckily I will not have to worry about oil for at least another 9 months till I return to America.