The horrific stampede during the hajj in Saudi Arabia last week took the lives of over 700 pilgrims to Mecca. But when it came time to assess responsibility, the government of Saudi Arabia's response was to blame it on "some pilgrims with African nationalities." However, eyewitnesses report that the stampede was triggered by the closing of two routes to air-conditioned tents so as to allow "V.I.P. cars to pass." This from a country with one of the world's worst human rights records.
Closer to home, Saudi prince Majed Abdulaziz Al-Saud was arrested by Los Angeles police for allegedly forcing a woman to perform a sex act at his 22,000 square foot Beverly Hills mansion last week. They are also looking into claims that another four women were raped by the 28 year-old prince. He's due to appear before a judge on October 19, assuming he doesn't flee to avoid prosecution (recall that the Saudi royal family has a history of taking care of their elites). Then there was this story last spring about a friend of the Saudi royals who was accused of date rape in Utah (!) and tried to flee the country after someone had posted $100,000 bail for him.
Saudi royalty remains unfazed by these matters, and will flaunt their oil wealth whenever and wherever they please. Last summer, it was a public beach on the French Riviera that they closed for the private enjoyment of King Salman and 1,000 in his retinue. So, for the next few weeks while the King's entourage stayed at a massive villa above the beach, that beach was closed to the public. When you have friends / servants in high places, oil money talks.
(photo: "Pucker up Mr. President.")
