Another Kind of Prince

Saudi Arabia has hundreds of princes in a family whose tree looks like more like a forest than a ficus. One of them found his way to my home for a birthday party just before 9/11. He wasn't invited by me but by the guest of honor. He was handsome, educated and dressed like everyone else. To look at him or to hear him speak, you would not imagine he grew up in the richest desert on the planet. His limo and driver waited in front of the house while he came to the door with a gift for me and one for my friend. Mine was a 25 year old bottle of scotch and Donald's, the birthday boy's, was a $2,000.00 leather jacket.

We estimated that he earned, by heritage, $240,000.00 a minute. A minute. He cannot possibly spend his trust in his lifetime or many others. For every minute oil is pumped out of the sand in his backyard, his balance grows as does all of his brother's, cousin's, and future children.

He and I shared a drink and private conversation out on my deck while the party guests were playing a drinking game inside. He was gracious and kind as we discussed the political differences of our countries. We discussed the differences of our criminal justice system and our governments financial systems. In his country, the rich are the rich and will always be the rulers. The poor are condemned, beheaded and stoned to death for infractions we tolerate on our daytime soaps.

He said he wanted change in his country. He said both of our countries had room for improvement. He said there is so much our citizens do not know about our governments actions because our media shows us only one side. We do not live as freely as we think. His family and the Bush family are business partners. He didn't say it, it's common knowledge.

I remembered our conversation last night while watching the news. It was mentioned that this bailout "catastrophe" was actually orchestrated in the White House to allow a plundering of the treasury before the election.

We may never know what really goes on behind the door of the oval office. Papers and records are sealed for decades and by then, they and we are history.

I've called my congressional representatives and told them what I think. That we don't need to sign a bill this week. We need to keep our heads, not panic and move with deliberate intention to see this for what it is.

Let's not be manipulated by fear any longer. Let's slow down, pause, before we respond.