The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not a friend of the United States. It has stonewalled U.S. investigations into the Khobar Towers bombing and Saudi nationals who participated in the September 11 attacks. It funds the building of ostentatious mosques and spreads dawah-ganda around the world. After 911, the Saudi embassy has sent 5,000 unsolicited packages on Islam to American schools. More recently, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz al Saud (aka "Weedy") gave a $500,000 grant to the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), which CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper claimed will go to CAIR's "Library Project" to put carefully vetted books about Islam into all of America's public libraries. Within Saudi Arabia, freedom of religion is non-existent and women are barred from participation in public life. Yet President Bush and Secrectary of State Colin Powell still claim that Saudi Arabia is a good friend and trusted ally of the United States. Behind that is American dependency on Saudi oil.
The High, Hidden Cost of Saudi Oil - an article from the New York Times
King's Ransom - How vulnerable are the Saudi royals? an article from The New Yorker
Saudhouse -A comprehensive resource about the Saudi royal family of al-Saud. Ample information about corruption, abuse, and scandals as published in the media.
Sauduction - Exposes the nefarious doings of the House of Saud
Terrorism, the energy trap, and the way out - commentary from the Christian Science Monitor on the need for comprehensive policy to ensure energy security
Links on technologies that will help us reduce our dependency on Saudi oil:
American Wind Energy Association - advocates the development of wind energy as a reliable, environmentally superior energy alternative in the United States and around the world.
BP Solar - Designs integrated photovoltaic systems and sell photovoltaic system components
Calpine - "world's largest producer of geothermal power"
Jade Mountain - "The world's largest selection of renewable energy products."
Plug Power - Fuel cell power systems for residential and commercial use.
Power Light Corporation - "the nation's leading designer, manufacturer and installer of grid-connected, commercial solar electric products and systems."
Real Goods - Sells energy efficient products on-line or by catalogue.
U.S. Energy Systems - "clean, efficient reliable energy for growing markets" including geothermal energy and biomass conversion
Hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles - Americans love their cars and the freedom of mobility that cars provide them. Hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles could enable Americans to continue enjoying their cars, while reducing dependency on Saudi oil, increasing our autonomy in foreign policy, and yes, providing for cleaner air.
All About Hybrid Cars - A new generation of automobiles combining battery power with traditional combustion engines. Some hybrid cars can get up to 70 miles per gallon.
GM Shows Fuel Cell Technologies in Japan - On GM's hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles
Toyota, Honda deliver first zero-emission hydrogen cars (December 2, 2002)
Hybrid fuel vehicles on the market:
U.S. Department of Energy
Energy Information Administration - "Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government"
National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Boulder, CO
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