Saudi Prince al-Walid bin Talal is financing the construction of a 5,250ft tall tower in the Saudi Arabian desert, which will be more than double the height of the world’s tallest buildings, still under construction in Dubai and Kuwait, as well as the planned Freedom Tower in NYC:

The tower will have to be capable of withstanding a wide range of temperatures, with its top baking in the desert sun by day but dropping to well below freezing at night. To resist the strong winds prevalent in the area and stop it swaying, giving its occupants a form of high-rise seasickness, it will be fitted with a giant computer-operated damper. Two “mini-towers” will be built on either side of the main tower. Linked to it by elevated walkways, they will anchor it and act as stabilisers.

The project is expected to cost upwards of £5billion ( almost $10 billion ) which seems like a lot, until you take note of the fact that Saudi Arabia pulled in over $200 billion dollars in oil income in 2007.

Q: What do the authorities provide for a young woman who gets abducted and gang raped in Saudi Arabia?
A: 200 lashes.

How’s that for justice? American culture is pretty backwards but the way some folks interpret Islamic Law makes me proud to have OJ Simpson as part of our legal system’s legacy.

Aside from Israel, Saudi Arabia is like the US’s BFF in the Middle East. Pretty sweet, huh?