# Paul In Saudi! WARNING! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 20, 2005, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321 "2005-07-20T17:25:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/1 "2005-07-20T17:25:06Z")
I just happened to see [this warning](http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/07/20/ussaudi.warning/index.html) and thought of you, and any other Dopers in Saudi. Granted, I take the Orange and Yellow and Polka Dot warning here in the US with a grain of salt, but this looks pretty specific regarding US citizens living in compound in Saudi. Be careful over there. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/2 "2005-07-20T18:32:13Z")
Yep, the Embassy shoots us an e-mail en masse when something is up. Looks like a good (Thursday/Friday) weekend to lay low. On a related note, a bulldozer is building another, even wider “Death Strip” around the compound. Sort of like the East German death strip, but ours has cricket ovals in it. Seriously, do not worry about me. I am here of my own volition and am willing to take my chances. Further, I do minimize my exposure. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/3 "2005-07-20T19:09:41Z")
Ok, I’ll ask… Cricket Ovals?? ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/4 "2005-07-20T19:22:25Z")
As in the [game of cricket](http://www.abcofcricket.com/grounds/grounds.htm), I presume. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/5 "2005-07-20T19:30:31Z")
Ah…and me thinking that was some sort of militarily defensive thingamajib. Me= :wally ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/6 "2005-07-20T19:54:07Z")
**Paul In Saudi** , glad to hear you had already heard the news, though I guess it is only logical the US Embassy would make an effort to contact Americans living there. In retrospect, I probably should not have capitalized WARNING in the thread title. From the viewership, it looks like people were expecting me to slap you with a glove and demand we go outside for a duel. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/7 "2005-07-20T20:02:32Z")
> [@mr bus guy](#): > > Ah…and me thinking that was some sort of militarily defensive thingamajib. > > Me= :wally “Sir! We’re under attack!” “Release the crickets!” ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/8 "2005-07-20T20:03:53Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > “Sir! We’re under attack!” > “Release the crickets!” “Or release the dogs! Or release the dogs with crickets in their mouths so when they bark they shoot crickets at you!” ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/9 "2005-07-20T20:14:42Z")
“Cry Havoc! and release the bugs of war!” ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/10 "2005-07-20T20:17:32Z")
Yes, our Pakistanis play cricket in the area between our walls on the weekend. This was spurred by the India/Pakistan test last spring. Anyway, well neigh on to 11:30 here. Time for bed. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/11 "2005-07-20T20:18:07Z")
If they are cricket ovals, shouldn’t it be, “Release the fast bowlers!”? (I know I wouldn’t want to be hit by a cricket ball.) ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/12 "2005-07-20T22:00:02Z")
“But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the cricket: Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.” ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/13 "2005-08-08T17:31:07Z")
News Agencies are reporting the Brits are saying an attack is in the final stages of preparations. The US, UK AUS and NZ embassies are closed for a couple of days. Lots of police activity here, also tanks on my airbase and extra checkpoints all over. They have added people to my compound’s security force. A buddy in Riyadh is reporting they have deployed man-portable SAMs at his place. (But he is a civilian, what does he know?) The parrot is taking this very well, I will try to follow his example. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/14 "2005-08-08T17:52:25Z")
> [@flodnak](#): > > “Cry Havoc! and release the bugs of war!” Bwaaa-Hahaha! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/15 "2005-08-08T17:53:19Z")
Have you taught your parrot handy catch phrases to help you out? Stuff like, “Awwwk! Don’t Panic!” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/16 "2005-08-09T02:53:38Z")
“Awwk! Don’t Shoot! I know secrets!” (in arabic, of course). ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/17 "2005-08-09T03:00:15Z")
For the humorous effect, teach him to mutter “Nixon was framed.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/18 "2005-08-09T03:27:48Z")
> [@Paul in Saudi](#): > > I am here of my own volition and am willing to take my chances. I believe Timothy Treadwell said something like that. 🙂 Take care of yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-in-saudi-warning/313321/19 "2005-08-09T11:50:24Z")
Well, noting exciting to report. We had double guards on the way to work. Single on the way back. In fact other than extra checkpoint, everything looks back to normal. Wonder what that was all about.