[QUOTE]Many Saudis are realizing that this oil boom will not have the same impact as the one in the 1970s, which raised Saudis from rags to riches. This time, the wealth isn't trickling down as fast or in the same quantities.

One reason is the kingdom's growing population, said John Sfakianakis, chief economist at the Saudi British Bank. In the 1970s, the population of Saudi Arabia was 9.5 million. Today, it's 27.6 million, including 22 million Saudi citizens.[/QUOTE]~Chicago Tribune~

I was the last of 6 kids. If I could have convinced my parents to not have me before I existed then I would have. I would not suffer, and the existing children would have a better life.

As someone who has had training in working with families and people, I would recommend some counseling to work through this before projecting your experience upon others.  You might be surprised to find out that others don't share your POV despite growing up in similar situations.

I chose to adopt because the welfare of others is more important to me than the continuation of my genes.

Not to get into this holier-than-thou crusade, but you spouted off before finding out that my wife and I adopted two children before having one of those happy surprises.  My wife was about as infertile as they came having poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, so we were personally overjoyed that she conceived without the aid of birth control or anything else.  But, I guess that doesn't count in your world from the tenor and tone of your first post.

Sorry, I don't understand your reply very well. You seem to be critical, but I am not sure what you criticism is. My POV I think comes mostly from my Catholic upbringing. I was taught "love you neighbor as yourself" and I really took that idea to heart. Also, having a happy childhood and loving parents helped. I understand that people who suffer a lot early in life tend to be more needy than generous.

It is normal for parents to be overjoyed at a birth. If all parents really wanted kids and stopped at one like you did, this world would be a much better place.

To get back to the subject (I believe this thread was about cars), my original point was that having 3 kids is so much more harmful to the environment than driving an SUV that it should be addressed first. I have seen too many so-called "environmentalists" giving birth to multiple offspring and then acting all noble because they drive a fuel efficient car.

You seem to be critical, but I am not sure what you criticism is.

I am critical because of the judgemental nature of your tone.

My POV I think comes mostly from my Catholic upbringing. I was taught "love you neighbor as yourself" and I really took that idea to heart. Also, having a happy childhood and loving parents helped. I understand that people who suffer a lot early in life tend to be more needy than generous.

Not sure what that has to do with having children, but o.k.

It is normal for parents to be overjoyed at a birth. If all parents really wanted kids and stopped at one like you did, this world would be a much better place.

Are you sure about this?  How many second, third, and fourth children have gone on to make great contributions to the world?  Would the world have been better off without Mother Teresa, the youngest of her family?  Would the U.S. have been better off without Martin Luther King, Jr. the second child in his family?  You just never know whether or not a child will turn out to make great contributions in agriculturle, environmental awareness, medicine, etc.  Do you want to limit the possibilities?

To get back to the subject (I believe this thread was about cars), my original point was that having 3 kids is so much more harmful to the environment than driving an SUV that it should be addressed first. I have seen too many so-called "environmentalists" giving birth to multiple offspring and then acting all noble because they drive a fuel efficient car.

Having three kids has an environmental impact; however the benefits that they can bring can also offset their impact.  Add this to the fact that every single time someone has said that the world cannot sustain more people, they were WRONG.  Why?  Well, those kids made technological advances in growing crops and multiplying resources that the earth was better able to take care of those kids.

You seem to be critical, but I am not sure what you criticism is.

I am critical because of the judgemental nature of your tone.

My POV I think comes mostly from my Catholic upbringing. I was taught "love you neighbor as yourself" and I really took that idea to heart. Also, having a happy childhood and loving parents helped. I understand that people who suffer a lot early in life tend to be more needy than generous.

Not sure what that has to do with having children, but o.k.

It is normal for parents to be overjoyed at a birth. If all parents really wanted kids and stopped at one like you did, this world would be a much better place.

Are you sure about this?  How many second, third, and fourth children have gone on to make great contributions to the world?  Would the world have been better off without Mother Teresa, the youngest of her family?  Would the U.S. have been better off without Martin Luther King, Jr. the second child in his family?  You just never know whether or not a child will turn out to make great contributions in agriculturle, environmental awareness, medicine, etc.  Do you want to limit the possibilities?

To get back to the subject (I believe this thread was about cars), my original point was that having 3 kids is so much more harmful to the environment than driving an SUV that it should be addressed first. I have seen too many so-called "environmentalists" giving birth to multiple offspring and then acting all noble because they drive a fuel efficient car.

Having three kids has an environmental impact; however the benefits that they can bring can also offset their impact.  Add this to the fact that every single time someone has said that the world cannot sustain more people, they were WRONG.  Why?  Well, those kids made technological advances in growing crops and multiplying resources that the earth was better able to take care of those kids.