The Saudi Shell Game

I rarely read the USA Today as it is pretty much a rehash of what I can read on blogs hours before. Since the hotel I'm living in this week gives them away and the choice was between McPaper and the Sacramento Bee. I of course chose McPaper.

They had an advertsing insert included that was about twenty pages of Saudi propaganda touting the great progress attained in the Kingdom and the glorious utopia they've created. I felt like puking. Not one woman featured with exception of a far shot of some woman I can't quite remember speaking on what appeared to be a large TV screen.

The ad also featured the great Saudi bus company that will transport you anywhere in the kingdom. You can travel from Riyadh to al-Khobar to Mecca (provided you aren't a Christian, Buddhist, Shintoist, atheist, Scientologist or especially a Jew) to Medina.

I have no problem with the USA Today carrying the ad--an ad they distanced themselves from by adding a disclaimer at the bottom--but I haven't seen anything on Technorati talking about this shameless promotion of a regime that oppresses women, gays, Christians and all other non-Muslims.

Update: I found a copy of the paper. The woman on the TV screen is Cherie Blair. In the same article, after quoting Al Gore, the Saudi's actually describe themselves thusly:

Saudi Arabia will continue in its historic role as a moderating force throughout the world.

Give me a friggin' break.

This propaganda was distributed by United World-USA. These fine people list as their clients the upstanding nations of Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Libya and Vietnam. What, Zimbabwe didn't pay the bill?

Who is United World USA?

For over a decade, United World has been a recognized leader in the production of special reports that deliver timely, credible information to a sophisticated American audience. Demonstrating a keen understanding of what defines a nation- socially, politically and economically-the reports provide insight from the insiders' point of view to stimulate international interest and dialogue.

Alright, I'm stimulated to create a dialogue. I'll start: what would happen if I was discovered in Mecca as a non-Muslim? What if I was a Muslim and chose to convert to Christianity or Judaism? Lastly, what would happen to a woman who walked down the street wearing a belly shirt? That's my end of the dialogue, your turn.

As for the USA Today, they seem to be a very willing participant in this charade:

There is no better way to reach an upscale American audience than through USA TODAY. Since 1991, United World's Our World special reports have appeared as supplements in "The Nation's Newspaper", providing its readers with perceptive, useful information that brings countries to life and draws the attention of the international business community to potential opportunities in each region.

But don't worry, this is not propanganda, this is honest reporting:

Our World's unique brand of journalism- sending teams of experienced, respected reporters to actually live for a time in the countries they cover- results in reportage that truly expands and enlightens the readers' point of view. Through research and in-depth interviews at the highest level of a country's political, business and cultural leadership, as well as through day-to- day experiences, a picture emerges to generate further inquiry and interest among potential consumers and investors.

OK, I'll play. My further inquiry would be something to this effect; how many of your reporters were women? How much of Saudi leadership is female?