As I was sitting in a neighborhood coffee shop, contemplating on the theme of my next column and how I was going to go about it, Haitham dropped in, interrupting my thoughts with a banal “what are you doing here” question.

“Oh, I’m just giving my next column a thought, Haitham,” I answered off-handedly.

“OK, what are you writing about this week?” he continued, diminishing the loose structure I had begun to work out in my mind.

“Well, now that you ask, I was considering two topics: One on US presidential candidate Barack Obama and his pathetic groveling to AIPAC, and the other had to do with our finance minister’s insistence that the Kingdom is benefiting by keeping its currency pegged to the dollar.”

“What or who is AIPAC,” interjected my persistent café acquaintance, standing over the table where I was seated. Resigned to defer my writing for the moment, I asked him to be seated while I prepared for a short discourse on AIPAC.

“AIPAC or the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee is one of the most, if not the most powerful lobbies in the United States, dedicated to promoting Israel and its interests above anything else. Its members total over 100, 000 and range from US politicians to businessmen to media personnel. Although most of its members are American by nationality, their loyalty is first and foremost to Israel.”

I continued, “Most of the spin to manipulate US public opinion to favor a war on Iraq was conducted by its members in the interest of Israel. US policy toward the Middle East is unfortunately dictated by the suffocating squeeze put on their politicians by this group. That is why there is no even-handed approach toward the region’s issues.”

Interrupting me, Haitham declared, “Now I know why I don’t like America. American Zionists are the real power behind the scene. But forget about that. Why not write about these Saudi kids in the café, who have been having a difficult time finding a job?” pointing toward a group of Saudi boys seated at a table. “That is something more of an interest to the locals than Jews trying to shape America’s Middle East policy. We all know that.”

“Let’s go talk to them Haitham. Let’s see what their issues are all about,” I replied making my way to the group of five young men shifting about aimlessly in their seats, each obviously nursing a café latte for some time.

After a brief round of introductions, I got into the subject matter right away. “Now boys, I understand from Haitham that you have been jobless and out of luck in obtaining suitable employment for some time now. What’s your story?”

Sameer, a young man in his early twenties was the first to respond. “Look Uncle, I had graduated from King Abdul Aziz University last year in marine sciences and to this day have not found suitable employment. Everywhere I knock, HR people tell me my English is not good enough or that I have to brush up on my computer skills. Now why is it that a university graduate fails in such skills? Why we were not prepared for the real world? I desperately need a job!”

“Good question, Sameer. I will admit that our educational institutions offer few skills for a young graduate. But you could supplement your learning by attending some of these institutes that offer English or computer courses to hone your abilities. Whiling away your time here, commiserating your misfortunes certainly isn’t doing your chances of getting a job any good.”

“Yes, I could do that,” he responded. “But these courses cost a lot of money, which is something I can ill afford at the moment.” His comrades nodded in affirmation to Sameer’s arguments.

“Sameer, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Get a part-time job, even if it’s working at a café or a fast food joint. Save a bit of money and teach yourself the necessary skills. Jobs won’t come to you, as the competition today in the face of rising unemployment is fierce. Help yourself first, and good times will surely follow. The days of milk and honey reaching your front door are over.”

“I guess I could do that, Uncle. Thanks for the advice,” he replied somewhat cheered.

As I walked away from the group later, I wondered how many Sameers there really were in our midst, lost and aimless, and worse of all with no learned practical tools to contribute to the growth of this nation.

While our educational institutions tout and laud the numbers of graduates each year, has anyone of them wondered what happens to these kids a year or two down the road. I guess I have to leave Barack Obama and our finance minister for another day.