If we are ever going to achieve world peace in any form, it will have to begin with understanding. As an American I'm really sheltered from other cultures other than that of my European grandparents (Irish and Italian) however, I have the means to learn and freely research, if I so desire and I do. Last night HBO was showing a documentary called Death In Gaza. It was about the civilians caught in the middle of the fighting and its director who was killed while filming. Frankly, the children are taught to fear and hate and pick up arms, ON BOTH SIDES. These ancient religions don’t seem to have changed with modern times and women are limited at to what they can contribute other than acts of "martyrdom." It is a sad and hopeless life for the people of the Middle East. One by one, we all try to learn and understand the other side. We share our experience, strength and hope (what little we may have) with one another. One such extraordinary person is The Religious Policeman. What an incredible humorous blog this man risks his personal freedom to craft and impart. His grasp of western culture amazes me and his wit is right on. Open your mind, have a read through and laugh at what is an otherwise frenzied and horrifying situation for the people of the Middle East and our soldiers who are away from there loved ones here in the United States.

"I've said before, the idea of attracting tourists here, apart from pilgrims, is a total nonsense. Yes, we have a few old ruins, but nothing like as good as in Jordan and Egypt. We have excellent diving in the unpolluted Red Sea, but you can dive in the Red Sea from Egypt. We have lots of desert to trek in, but you can do that also from the Emirates or Oman. And we have good shopping, but not as good as Dubai. And overlying all of this is the fact that Saudi Arabia, in spite of the basic friendliness of its people, is so unwelcoming to tourists. Imagine a trip to Orlando where Disneyworld ejected its visitors at regular intervals for prayer time; where the Muttawa, no doubt dressed up as Mickey Mouse, asked to see your marriage certificate; where your wife was forced to dress in black, head-to-toe artificial fabric. The only possible group who might be attracted would be "cultural tourists", but it would definitely be a case of "look but don't photograph", unless one wants to sample the cultural experience of a Saudi Jail." ~ The Religious Policeman