Life in Saudi Arabia

Having lived in Saudi Arabia for 30 years before moving to Southern California six years ago, I feel compelled to respond to Ellen Goodman’s column (“Keep Arabia Safe for the Chador?” Commentary, Sept. 16), especially her statement, “As for the Saudis, our nervous hosts and allies, change is due.” It is arrogant to assume that American culture is superior to any other culture, each of which is unique and beautiful in its own way.

As for her concern for change, it is debatable that the rapid changes in American society have been beneficial. I would have to ask Goodman if she would want the close-knit structure of the Saudi family which allows for widows, orphans, divorcees and the elderly to be taken care of to become like that of the American family, whose dissolution is often blamed for many of America’s problems; universal medical care to be eliminated in Saudi Arabia so that poor people would be denied medical care as they are in the U.S.; the Saudi educational system, which has improved tremendously since universal education for both males and females was initiated, to be like the American system in which teachers are often afraid to teach and students seldom want to learn; mental institutions be closed as many have been in the U.S. so that the mentally ill can have the “right” to take care of themselves and end up living on the streets?

SARAH BOOTH

Costa Mesa