“The Bondage is so Solid.” Al-Waleed Bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud

“Saudi Arabia has stability. The social contract and the political contract between the king and the rulers and the royal family and the ruled people in Saudi Arabia is very strong and the bondage is so solid.”

Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal

I always wondered if this statement was a Freudian slip by Silicon Valley investor and Menlo College alumni Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal.  There’s a loving “bond” between a parent and a child but a slave is held in “bondage.”  Be that as it may the high profile Saudi prince has fallen afoul of the powers that be.  It’s been reported that the billionaire was arrested in sweeping purge for corruption.  There’s danger in amassing too much wealth (about 20 billion dollars) and too much popularity in an absolute monarchy.  Once you’re seen as a rival to the king you’re toast.  The Prince’s lifestyle may have been a bit too lavish and a bit too public.  Stay tuned for further developments.