Religious Freedom: Important (Unless, well...)

Religious freedom. It's important. Our president says so.

"Freedom is on the march in this world. I believe everybody in the Middle East desires to live in freedom. I believe women in the Middle East want to live in a free society. I believe mothers and fathers want to raise their children in a free and peaceful world. I believe all these things, because freedom is not America's gift to the world, freedom is the almighty God's gift to each man and woman in this world."
--Speech in Pennsylvania, October 22, 2004

He has a lot to say about religion and how valuable it is to everyone around the world. He meets with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. He has used the authority vested in him by the Constitution and laws of the United States to proclaim Religious Freedom Day each January he has been president:

• Religious Freedom Day, 2005
• Religious Freedom Day, 2004
• Religious Freedom Day, 2003
• President Proclaims Religious Freedom Day, 2002

So, why is it that the United States (the government of which is presided over by one George W. Bush) has waived the sanctions on Saudi Arabia for restricting religious freedom? Oh. Right.

Oil. Money.

Money. Oil.

Same thing.

Why should we expect religious freedom (well, I guess we don't now) in Saudi Arabia when women are prohibited from voting, citizens aren't afforded freedom of speech, and people are regularly tried in secret court proceedings. But, just ask Mr. Bush (either/both of them) what great friends and allies of America the Saudis are. He can tell you.