I'm sure some of you have seen this on the various newswires, I'm intrigued as to the general response.
http://www.todayonline.com/mideast/uk-seeks-release-briton-facing-350-lashes-saudi-arabia
Read it first if you haven't.
[SPOILER=My opinion...]My opinion for what it's worth is more directed at what possesses a man to break a known law in a known non-forgiving state in the first place? Surely that would suggest he's entirely responsible for his actions and it is what it is. Aside from the barbarity in this and other Saudi situations I'm somewhat apathetic about the whole situation, which perhaps says more about the state of the world then the issue itself? [/SPOILER]
I agree with your sentiments.
What always gives me pause though is the extraordinary hypocrisy we, as a supposed advanced democracy, show when it comes to countries with oil. South Africa didn't have oil and the rulers of that nation were one colour while the people they were being dreadful to were another. So we collectively went apocalyptic on anyone who so much as smiled at a white South African let alone actually had the front to go there or do business with them.
But Saudi Arabia has lots of Oil and generally the people being oppressive and wicked are the same ethnicity as their victims. So as far as we're concerned Saudi Arabia is great and our best buddies.
The only reason this story got column inches was because the victim is a whitey. I remember seeing nothing reported about the 17 year old (Arab) boy being executed until Camerton stepped in.
At least he wans't stoned (with stones, yes?) to death...
But I disagree with "I’m not criticising Saudi because it’s their law, it’s their way of life", I mean I do understand they had to say it, but really, the western world should fight against such laws.
Our (The UK's) relationship with the Saudis is extremely ugly indeed, the hypocrisy of it is staggering. For example: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/29/uk-and-saudi-arabia-in-secret-deal-over-human-rights-council-place
So agreeing that Saudi is all shades of f.d up is the second (arguably primary point). However, if someone from er...Papua New Guinea came to the UK, ran someone over and then we banged him up. Would people expect leniency because he's not from round these parts and therefore didn't know it was the law, or chose willfully to ignore it? I guess I get frustrated with stupid people.
If you want a long thread, how on God/Allahs green/beige earth do you fix the 'problem' in the middle east?
Wait for the oil to run out and then just ignore them.