Dubai doesn't know what it wants to be and you watch them constantly changing position. Way back in 2004-2005, they were completely open to business. The Knowledge Village, Media City, etc. were just being built and they told us that the restrictions for the rest of the country didn't apply in the Free Enterprise Zone. We were told by Government officials, that the internet would be wide open. We could VOIP, surf to all the dot "IL" sites we wanted. It didn't matter. Those assurances were told to companies like BBC, CNN, Reuters in order for them to agree to build large bureaus there. A special internet company "Sahmnet" was actually set up to provide these services. "Sahmnet" later became Du.

In 2007, a story ran in the British tabloid -- "The Sun" -- about the some rather rather vulger sexual practices of a member of the royal family. Naturally, every who could surf there, probably did. The Government got outraged and said that there was no reason that we had uncensored internet. There was no reason we were excluded from these requirements. Over the next three years, the internet got much tighter in thee areas. I think another concern was that half of Dubai was now in one free enterprise zone or another.

Many Emiratees are truly offended that their culture is being overshadowed by Western Culture in many parts of the city. There are parts of Dubai where you could easily think you were in the UK (but for the weather and driving on the right side of the road).

The UAE is still tribal at heart and if you ain't a member of the tribe, there is little pretense that you are created equal. If a local goes into a western hang out and sees a couple hanging out, some will take offense and call the police for anti-islamic behavior. They won't walk out, they won't politely engage you and request you stop, and they certainly won't ignore it. Quite often, the police will respond and do something.

Many locals I've met have been great. They've been tolerant, worldly and a pleasure. There are also, however, a number of spoiled rich kids with too much power. Unfortunately, one Emiratee man with enough influence who believes his daughter is BBMing with a Pakistani worker could alter the country's telecommunication policy.

I like the region, but Dubai doesn't have the rule of law. The notion of detrimental reliance is not part of their vocabulary. Rules change on the fly and it is very frustrating.

Stu