It was probably because I was a poor instructor. There were a lot of difficulties! At the time, which was in the early eighties, IBM had an aptitude test and I think a 50 was considered passing. Not one of the twenty university graduates got higher than 20 as I recall.

I worked shoulder to shoulder with their "best and the brightest" on a daily basis, and I'm sorry to say I was disappointed with their math skill levels.

At the time research and development and job opportunities requiring math skills, or for that matter any jobs requiring analytical skills, were almost non-existent. At least as far as I was aware.

Of course there was ARAMCO but again it was dominated by ex-pats.

I was relating an experience I had 40 years ago.

The world has changed enormously since then, especially data processing wise.

I didn't mean to offend you.

"I disagree. The only people who can do lots of harm with impunity are the politicians and the military. And that upsets me no end."

"Clearly you haven't taken a close look at the financial sector lately."

You are so right! That was a serious lapse.

But I am appalled by the way Obama is providing cover for the war crimes that have occurred, despite his campaign promises to provide transparancy. To me the crimes committed by the greedy, financial-establishment elite pale in comparison. Yet I've been personally devastated in my 401K and home price by their ineptitude, arrogance, and disregard for ethical behavior. What pains me the most is that not only are these unscrupulous meglomaniacs, who caused the economic crisis, not being punished, they are being rewarded by being paid tons of money to correct the problems that they themselves created.

There are two sets of unwritten laws in the USA. One for the rich elite and their powerful lawyers and another one for the rest of us.

"I'd like to know who, in your opinion or that of the commenters here, is the worst offender (or the best stenographer)?"

I agree with Pedinska, because the list would be overwhelming and due to its weight meaningless. Perhaps, something more helpful would be a list of competent journalists and then rating them somehow for discussion purposes.

I think you were way too kind. That was a ridiculous post!

I admit that I was wrong in characterizing Arabs as being unable to grasp math concepts. It was wrong to state a generalized view of why something happened, in a particular incidence, based on the accepted explanation at the time among ex-pats, which was unproven.

I apologize.

At the time the general consensus among ex-pats in the Middle East (mostly the Brits) was that the reason so many foreigners were in the country was that most of the Arabs weren't generally well-educated and because an adequate educational system wasn't available to them. Also because automation and similar modern techniques were new to them and outside expertise was needed. That's why the ex-pats really ran things, which I think is hard to dispute.

I didn't give much thought to what I wrote and have been reconsidering it.

Yet I keep coming back to the "fact" that the people there were not prepared for modern technology, such as it was at the time.

The times were very good. The oil money was pouring in and it was being spent on outside help, sculptures, art and a wide variety of other things.

When I was there, in Jeddah, which is where I was when my little anecdote occurred, they were putting up stop lights at busy intersections. They had to impose severe penalties in order to have people understand the need to stop. It was a learning experience that had to be seen to be believed.

I attempted to be careful in not writing anything offensive, but I wouldn't bet that I succeeded.

I am old and recognize the fact that younger people really have little use for old people.

I also recognize that that is the way of life but can't accept it. Again, I wasn't thinking, just reacting to Pedinska's very good post because I was so supportive of what she said.

We're all subject to being unfairly criticized.

And lastly, and I''ll probably get into trouble again, but I feel that the Arabs I have met over the years were some on the nicest, friendliest, and most peaceful people I have ever met, by far. It annoys me enormously when the various pundits equate Arabs to terrorists. I have never felt safer than when I lived in, say for example, Jeddah, because as far I could see crime didn't exist.

I was in Tehran in the late 70's when the Shah was being overthrown and I can't same the same thing about the Persians. They are one tough bunch of people who won't avoid a challenge. My opinion only. Can't prove it!

"I was under the illusion that when Obama found out what many of us knew was going on in the fake War on Terrah and the fake War on Drugs and the fake national security apparatus, that he would dismantle it. I was, obviously, an idiot.

No more. I'm finished. I cannot even get upset or excited about it. I've been drained of outrage. I just can't care anymore."

I echo your feelings exactly.

I recall feeling the same kind of disappointment when the American people accepted torture. Back around 2003 I said to myself, 'when the American people find out about our government torturing people randomly rounded up, there is going to be hell to pay."

Obama gave me hope. Now like you, I just don't care anymore.

It's really stupid to get upset when you can do nothing in the world to change it. Have the wisdom to know that these things are out of our control.