Course it's an article from a convicted, by some of the locals, right wing rag. B.S
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=23111

Hey Sard, you oughta' know by now that, unlike neocons, we liberals susbscribe to the, "a good idea doesn't care who has it," philosophy.

First and foremost, does anyone seriously think the term, "Middle East ally" is anything but an oxymoron? Since we don't have any middle east allies, maybe that's why we're having to carve out some satelite US realestate in the region. I'm reminded yet again that nations do not have friends; nations have interests.

Without checking any sources, the article seems well written and quite persuasive. Plus it's consistent with other stuff I've read about SA and heard from 3 different friends that lived and worked there at times since the 1970s.

To invoke some anti-Bush sentiment, I could speculate that one reason the US does nothing about this currently, is that Bush shares the same views on human rights as his buddies and family business partners in Saudi Arabia. (insert smartazzed smiley icon here) But for these family interests, wouldn't it make good neocon sense to nuke SA along with Iran and all the other lands occupied by Islamic peoples, given that there's so much sand in the world, and apparently not enough glass?

Salmo g our dealings with the Wahabbis is not a Bush thing. It has been going on thru alot of US administrations. OIL OIL OIL The title of the thread was chosen with a bit of cynicism as you might have guessed from the stuttered question marks. I do consider the Israelis a Middle East ally. Although they will put their own interests first, as do all nations. I believe the only thing that keeps the Sauds in power is their connections with the US. I think we should use that connection to our advantage by making them see their future without our support. More civil war as the camel jockies over throw the dynasty. Maybe we would be in a better position to sell arms to any and all and let em sort it out. The Russian approach. Then make the winners a good Sicilian offer they cannot refuse.

Yeah, I think the oil companies pull the political strings that define our foreign policy toward any oil bearing nation. Their clout varies according to the administration. And they seem to have reached their peak in the current one.

What makes you think Israel is an ally? How has their attitude toward the US ever been anything different from "what can we do for them?" It's not like they buy all that high grade military hardware from us. We give it to them in the form of foreign aid. I keep reading from time to time that Israel consumes 1/3 of the US' foreign aid. All that to the 16th most prosperous nation on the planet. Exactly how is that in the US' interest?

It's not that I'm not aware of the history of Jewish persecution, or even sympathetic toward them. However, I dislike giving aid to someone and then have them show me their appreciation by poking me in the eye with a sharp stick. Hence the indifferent tone towards Israel of many of my posts.

So why buy the Saudi's oil? At the prices we pay, including the externalities, wouldn't it make prudent national interest sense to just notify the house of Saud that they're out of business, and we're taking over the country and the oil, and all who don't like it please line up on the firing line? Nation's historically go to war for natural resources. I'd think it a slam dunk to garner 51% of the electorate's support for something as obvious to American consumers as gas for their cars and trucks.

No bipolar disorder here. LOL As I have said before Aunty, I am the man in the mirror. When faced with inanities, I find it easiest to respond in the same vein. There are actually some pretty bright folk over there and some here too. I think there is less effor expended seeing how profane one can be on the other board. Other than that what's new. I think we should make Puerto Rico the 51st state and then annex Mexico. Be fun to see how the voting districts would be carved up.

Sard: I spend a lot of time in Mexico. I have a good friend there who is a professor at a University. One evening over too many tequilas he said to me, “You know America stole Texas from us." I said, "yes.' Then he said, "You know you stole Arizona and New Mexico too." I again a said, "yes. The n he said, "You also stole California." Again I agreed, wondering where the conversation was headed. Then he smiled and said," Many of us wish you had stolen the rest of the country."

Lol good one. He's right. Wonder what gas would cost with all that Mexican oil on the menu.
My son-in-law's father graduated from U. Mexico in Mexico City, a degree in chemisty. Has worked for American companies ever since. Pays better, big suprise.
It's much easier to achieve American citizenship with college degree. An AA in poverty makes the only alternative, the back door.