>

Very little Saudi Arabian oil goes to the United States. The United States gets most of it's oil from the US itself, Canada, Mexico and Venezuela. Because world oil markets are run by geography. Those who live closest to an oil source get that oil most often. Occasional exceptions exist, and sometimes a few tanker-fulls go from SA to the USA. But that's rare.
The biggest purchasers of Saudi Oil are India, China and the Europeans. Because they are all much closer to Saudi Arabia than is the United States.
World Oil markets run on geography. Just pull out a map. If a country needs oil...ask yourself, who has oil that is closest? 99 times out 100 you'll figure out exactly where they get their oil from. 
The cheapest oil isn't always cheapest. You need to factor in shipping expenses as well. Just like when you buy an item of Amazon. $10 shipping costs vs. $25 often will change what is the cheaper item when you want to buy it.
Well that's fucked up. >

This is what happens in weak autocracies.  The leadership becomes so sensitive to criticism for fear that it might lead to an uprising that any statements that show the government in a bad light are treated as treason. >

My mom's boyfriend used to scare us into silence about his abuse, saying if the cops ever showed up at the door, he wouldn't be taken alive and he'd take us with him. 
When I hear about regimes threatening the death penalty for people speaking out against them, all I see are cowards with a little bit of power flexing it every chance they get, but terrified they'll lose it. 
I also think about this passage from the Old Testament. It basically says it all when it comes to religious zealots of any stripe.

The people of the town demanded of Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has broken down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.” But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.” 

Religious nutters just like killing people. The religion is just an excuse. >


My mom's boyfriend used to scare us into silence about his abuse, saying if the cops ever showed up at the door, he wouldn't be taken alive and he'd take us with him. 

That's rough, my wife had to work through that kind of trauma with a therapist.
But I honestly don't understand that mentality.  I never had to raise a hand or raise my voice to my child.  I would just look at him when he made me mad and he would whither and apologize for disappointing me.  Maybe I just have that face or maybe because I treated him with respect, the potential loss of that was more weighty than any physical repercussions could be. >

The thing is, you're not a coward who makes himself feel less afraid by terrorizing women and children. You're not an oppressive government regime doing the same shit on a much larger scale. >

Saudi Arabia was always and will always be a no-go zone for me! >

That's the entire middle east for me >

I second that. Read about a British doctor that was arrested in Dubai customs because she confessed to drinking a glass of wine on the plane. Something about it being illegal for women to drink alcohol. Spent six months or more in jail waiting on trial. Lost her practice in Britain. I haven’t read a follow up.
Edits: customers to customs…thanks autocorrect for your consistent irritation >

If it would be illegal they wouldn’t sell it on the plane to Dubai, and they would need to arrest dozens of people from each flight, you can also get booze at the airport as women. Media probably left some important detail out why she got arrested , as in the most of the “women in Dubai” stories. >

That fact was mentioned in the article, which could not explain the charges. At first I assumed she was being a Karen but there was no evidence of that presented. No mention of her arguing nor being insulting. As I recall, the arrest came about during the questioning of bringing foods into the country.  
Looks like she was released. >

Too bad they don’t really explain it. Expired visa sounds weird for a tourist, as westerners usually get three months on arrival. Filming the police might be illegal, but that alone probably wouldn’t be enough for accusations. I think she did something she shouldn’t, and they overreacted >

The world will be a better place when the Saudi regime is gone.  I can’t think of anything good to say about their whole history.  The only reasons for their relevance are being a glorified gas station and controlling Mecca and Medina, which they’ve mutilated. >

Saudi Arabia: the preferred gas station of the United States