# Riyadh Dopers, you still there? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 13, 2003, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riyadh-dopers-you-still-there/174947 "2003-05-13T13:51:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riyadh-dopers-you-still-there/174947/1 "2003-05-13T13:51:42Z")
**Paul in Saudi** is in Riyadh, IIRC. [His last post was last night at 10:34pm EDT](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3412931)(Tue 5:34 AM local time), [about 45 minutes before the suicide blasts](http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=26154). > [@](#): > > A resident of the Al-Hamra compound, where the blast took place, talked to Arab News moments after the explosion took place. > Nick, a European national, told Arab News that the incident took place at around 11.15 p.m. He said that he and his family were sleeping when they woke up to the sound of gunfire. Moments later, a loud explosion within the compound was heard followed by another bigger explosion. Has anyone heard from him since then? Are there other Dopers in Riyadh? I think that **Airman Doors** , et. al., are over near Kuwait, if they are in Saudi at all, but I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Howard\_Juneau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bb73d2/32.png) [@Howard\_Juneau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Howard_Juneau)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riyadh-dopers-you-still-there/174947/2 "2003-05-13T15:41:52Z")
Still holding my breath waiting to hear from **Paul in Saudi**. Sending all good thoughts in your direction! ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riyadh-dopers-you-still-there/174947/3 "2003-05-13T16:49:14Z")
**Paul in Saudi** lives in Jeddah, actually. ---
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riyadh-dopers-you-still-there/174947/4 "2003-05-13T19:05:17Z")
Well, I guess that’s a bit of a relief. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2003, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riyadh-dopers-you-still-there/174947/5 "2003-05-13T19:14:46Z")
There’s [Testy’s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=183571) thread. Mind you, it resides in the Pit. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2003, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riyadh-dopers-you-still-there/174947/6 "2003-05-14T13:32:15Z")
I am here! I am here! Gosh I thought to write my wife & family when I heard the news, but didn’t think to write my SDMB family as well. Thank you all for your concern. I am as snug as a bug in a rug here in Jeddah. I am thousand kilometers from Riyadh. I am a little saken and very angry, but physically fine. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riyadh-dopers-you-still-there/174947/7 "2003-05-14T16:33:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Paul in Saudi \* > \*\*Gosh I thought to write my wife & family when I heard the news, but didn’t think to write my SDMB family as well. > > \*\* Jeez, **Paul** , you think we don’t worry about you too? A little consideration here!! 😉 Seriously, glad you’re okay. I’d be interested in the local opinion over there to this attack. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2003, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riyadh-dopers-you-still-there/174947/8 "2003-05-14T16:57:17Z")
Wow, I’m glad to hear from Paul. I’ve been thinking of you and hoping you’re OK!! ---
**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:** [May 14, 2003, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riyadh-dopers-you-still-there/174947/9 "2003-05-14T17:59:11Z")
Well let me share some observations and thoughts. The first of these is that just because I live here doesn’t mean I am an expert. First the Saudis are lying. I note that (as of now) they have not released a list of the dead. THis implies they are understating the number dead. A list of the Khobar Towers bombing (local) dead was never released although it was often said no Saudis were killed. Since I am familar with the area I doubt that very much indeed. The papers are claiming security was lax at this compound. I doubt it. Vinnell in particualr takes security seriously. In addition, this line of argument smacks of blaming the dead. I recall the Shulla Mall fire. The local fire brigades (staffed 100% by locals) refused to enter the building. The Arab News has claimed this rescue effort was a model of perfection. I doubt it and wonder what else they are lying about. The AMEMB did a great job. We had a warning on 1 May and again two days later. Of course what the heck are we supposed to do? Stay in the villa? That wouldn’t have helped. A few days after the warning were given the Saudi police raided a site in the Capitol. ALL OF THE SUSPECTS escaped. The Arab News ran their photos on the front page. What lousy police work. Inexcusable. Heads shoud roll. Much explosive was taken and perhaps another bomb or two was prevented. The mood here is remarkably relaxed. The Saudis are unconcerned and we expats are made of sterner stuff. Not panicing is good, this minimal reaction is downright wierd. Whistling in the dark past the cemetary? The locals have taken little notice. My students have not said a word to me (unlike 9-11). If the local reaction is anything to go by, I predict no change in Saudi policy. Of course I could be wrong. What has changed? The rent-a-cops at our compound gates are popping our trunks and hoods. I for one will not complain. A couple of those guys died yesterday. Police checkpoints still wave most cars through. Security at the base is only stopping Westerners. Poor police work again. OK, enough of my rambling on. I am a bit rattled and tend to talk too much when that happens. I am here and here I shall remain. Don;t worry about me.