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Wondering about our safety? We don't.

Some relatives and friends have written to express concern about our safety, given the turmoil in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, and now Libya. Those places are distant from us.
The uprising in nearby Bahrain has settled to a peaceful protest-- the government came to its senses after a shameful violent performance by some of the military (we are still debating the origin of the bad decision to shoot protesters), so the opposition has settled into a very large sit-in protest, by all accounts peaceful even pleasant, but determined -- so says even the Saudi news reporter.

We live and teach in a relatively new industrial city, with few truly local residents, and no unemployment, thus little political dissatisfaction. Security is also particularly tight here because of the petrochemical plants. So our personal safety is assured. We are truly more worried about automobile accidents, particularly during rush hour, with drivers who treat painted lines and signs as mere suggestions.

And the weather this time of year is absolutely gorgeous.

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