Mark Zuckerberg & Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud

Hi Mark

Greetings from a fellow Palo Alto resident.  Out of respect for your privacy I refrain from striking up conversations on those occasions when I find myself standing behind you in line at the coffee shop.   But this being the internet I’ll post my thoughts here knowing that you have every right to ignore me.  I’ve read in ArabNews all about the warm Silicon Valley welcome you gave Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud.  I’m sure you’re aware that the prince is referred to as “Mr. Everything” because he’s said to have a hand in, well, everything.  Officially he’s second in line for the Saudi throne but, as architect of Saudi Vision 2030, he’s almost certainly the most powerful man in the Kingdom.  Many say he’ll soon be ruler and given the advanced age and poor health of the current sovereign King Salman that prediction seems most reasonable. 

What you may not know is that Amnesty International rates Saudi Arabia as one of the world’s worst human rights violators.  I won’t go into the gruesome details but be assured that the situation is bad, extremely bad.   The man seen seated to your left wants something from you.  He wants technology.  But that’s about all he’s after.  He doesn’t desire freedom of religion.  He doesn’t long for freedom of speech.   He doesn’t hanker after freedom of the press. He doesn’t crave freedom of artistic expression.  He doesn’t wish for equality for women.  He doesn’t pine for equal rights for LGBTQ people.  He doesn’t aspire for respect for Jewish people and he most certainly doesn’t fancy democracy.  No, not at all.

A few weeks ago I was seated in the Stanford stadium as the film maker Ken Burns told the assembled crowd that there’s no magic wand, no simple solutions, that will solve all our nation’s  problems.   But I thought, maybe Ken Burns is mistaken.  To solve our problems perhaps all we need do is dedicate ourselves to our most basic and fundamental American ideals, chief among them is liberty and respect for the individual. 

Mark, is there a man alive who’s benefited more than you have from having had the good fortune to be born an American?   If so I can’t name him.  You’re one of Silicon Valley’s brightest stars.  You’re one of our most beloved and admired citizens.  Who you choose to associate with is, of course, your own business.  But seeing photos of you yucking it up and exchanging the fist bumps of a budding bromance with a man who is so completely and diametrically opposed to the values we hold most dear is disturbing.

In conclusion I’d just like to add that you’re always welcome at Humans of Silicon Valley Headquarters, anytime, day to night, no prior arrangements are necessary.  Just knock on the door and I’ll gladly drop whatever I’m doing, let you in to give you the grand tour and introduce you to my two cats.

Your Palo Alto Neighbor

Gordon