Dubai is fucking nuts!

[Tacks]

I knew about some of this, but this is getting ridiculous
http://dubai.isnuts.googlepages.com/

[Arlos]

Looks like they've decided to splurge some of their oil billions on diversifying their economy and making it a tourist mecca, so that should the oil ever run out, they have a stable economy apart from the oil. Looks like they're also aiming to be a financial center and shipping center as well as a upscale tourist hub. Pretty smart overall, ultimately, and it's interesting to see a leader taking the long view.

-Arlos

[Lyion]

UAE does not have the oil reserves many other gulf countries do. Their first and foremost business is business and trade. Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are huge in shipping and recieving and the ports in UAE are some of the busiest in the world.

It was like this when I was there in the 90s, and their focus on economy and growth is paying off.

[Lueyen]

That's pretty impressive looking.

[Naethyn]

In......door.....snowboarding..... in the desert.

[Arlos]

They've got shit like that in Japan, too. Pretty sure there's at least one in Vegas as well.

-Arlos

[Tuggan]

What are they going to do when they realise theyre in the middle east and most Americans won't go there for all this tourist crap?

[Arlos]

They'll be happy with the 200k a day they're bringing in from europe, japan, etc.

-Arlos

[Tuggan]

I wonder how intense security must be around there. It's gotta be a target for the fanatics.

[Lyion]

What are they going to do when they realise theyre in the middle east and most Americans won't go there for all this tourist crap?

When I was there, there were a ton of tourists from Europe, primarily Germany and Britain.

Many people going there go for business.. and bring their families and stay for holiday.

Jebel Ali may be the busiest port in the world now, and is located in a prime spot for shipping.

Security is lax because things are secure and safe there. There are no fanatics there.

[Yamori]

Wow - totally awesome. *Tips his hat to Dubai*

[Menlaan]

Security is lax because things are secure and safe there. There are no fanatics there.

Doesn't sound secure to me (the whole security is lax thing)...

[Markarado]

Not all of the Middle East is in chaos. Not all the tourists come from America. I would LOVE to go check out this city some time.

I heard that a lot of the city is off limits to women. Is this true?

[Dylan]

Alot of those pictures remind me of final fantasy games

[Markarado]

Mabye the game was a prophesy!

[Snero]

I heard the port was built so big, to accommodate the ark with all it's dinosaures

[Lyion]

Security is lax because things are secure and safe there. There are no fanatics there.

Doesn't sound secure to me (the whole security is lax thing)...

I'd have no problems going anywhere in UAE right now and spending an extended period of time. I'd visit any bar, any area, any hotel.

It's certainly not Iraq. It's actually much safer than the U.S..

[araby]

it's a new Babylon. I wouldn't doubt if something came through and flattened all of that. My life is different having seen those pictures. The man-made islands are incredible.

[Zanchief]

I heard the port was built so big, to accommodate the ark with all it's dinosaures

oh snap!

[Tacks]

Security is lax because things are secure and safe there. There are no fanatics there.

Doesn't sound secure to me (the whole security is lax thing)...

Americans think that everywhere in the world is just like it is here. It's not.

[Tuggan]

lol They're surrounded by the fanatical islam, I say it's only a matter of time before we get to read headlines about 200,000 japs and germans get blown to pieces in Dubailand. Or "Worlds Tallest Building collapses into the sea ontop of two retarded man made Islands. Terrorists plot suspected".

[Tacks]

You're missing the point. They aren't the ones that the crazy fanaticals hate.

The fanatics don't randomly blow up people, they have agendas.

Now if there happens to be a huge American tower in Dubai that blows up, we'll know why.

[Tuggan]

It looks like Las Vegas in the Middle East. Plus the whole nation is rather Westernized. I'm sure that rocks the boat for many strict muslims. Such as their psychotic neighbors to the south who are still beheading people for not following islamic law.

[Ginzburgh]

I'm sure that rocks the boat for many strict muslims. Such as their psychotic neighbors to the south who are still beheading people for not following islamic law.

I wouldn't be surprised if they said "fuck it" and built a dome around the entire thing.

[Lyion]

It looks like Las Vegas in the Middle East. Plus the whole nation is rather Westernized. I'm sure that rocks the boat for many strict muslims. Such as their psychotic neighbors to the south who are still beheading people for not following islamic law.

To the south of UAE is Saudi and Oman, which is also a fairly lax country without any real issues. Saudi follows Sharia Law but its territory south of UAE is desert and sparsely populated, and not a threat at all.

If you meant Yemen, it borders Oman and Saudi. Not UAE.