I’m not entirely convinced Trump doesn’t admire the Saudis for doing it. The man absolutely hates being questioned by the press or being called out on this BS.
“Saudi Arabia, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, supplied 9 percent of U.S. petroleum imports in 2017, or about 960,000 barrels a day. But thanks to the shale revolution, the United States is essentially energy independent: It, not Saudi Arabia, is now the world’s largest crude-oil producer. Last year, U.S. daily oil exports averaged 6.38 million barrels, or nearly seven times the Saudi imports. If the Saudis cut back production or boycotted the United States, they could temporarily drive up prices, but the beneficiaries would be U.S. shale companies, which over time would fill the gap — and deal a devastating blow to the Saudi oil industry.…
As Bruce Riedel of the Brookings Institution sums it up, “The Saudis have not concluded a single major arms deal with Washington on Trump’s watch.” Moreover, an end to supplies of U.S. spare parts and technical support, something Russia cannot provide, would quickly ground the Saudi air force. That would have the welcome effect of ending a bloody bombing campaign in Yemen that a U.N. investigation concluded was probably responsible for war crimes.”
Re Nuclear: There is ample evidence to suggest that the civilization we know will not survive another 100 years. Nuclear is technically sweet and might have been a major answer for preventing runaway ecosystem damage. But for one little problem. What human undertaking in the support of civilization hasn’t already begun to fall apart? We can’t even maintain our roads or provide safe water. What part of our country is not littered with improperly stored and processed toxic military and industrial waste? How many aquifers already seriously compromised? The air we breath has transferred so much mercury from power production to the ocean food chain as we have burned coal that this once vast and healthful resource is now a danger to our health, and we are far from ever having adequately cleaned the air for our own breathing that we continue to burden with our crud every day.No. There is no evidence to suggest that the human beings who oraganize and run countries or corporations have ever had the care, foresight, or ability to follow through required to safely implement any form of nuclear energy. It is pure hubris to think that we can manage it. Things fall apart. Given that sad fact and the evidence for it that surrounds us on every side, nuclear could never have been an ethical solution.
Mr. Rall is wrong this time. The value of the Saudis is that our cozy relationship with them helps ensure the continued survival of Israel. To paraphrase Winston Churchill: They may be ruthless, murdering, religiously fanatical SOBs, but they’re our SOB’s.
Actually we produce enough oil for ourselves. It’s just that our trading partners would be inconvenienced. Also, we need Saudi Arabia to hold our hands while we try to intimidate Iran.
braindead Premium Member over 5 years ago
Ted, what makes you think Trump can’t tolerate murder of an ‘enemy of the people’ (journalist), who criticized the highest level of his government?
Trump is personal friends and business partners with Saudi royalty.
And, he greatly admires Putin and Russ-e-a where this kind of thing happens frequently.
.
Trump is closely monitoring the situation in order to understand their techniques.
Masterskrain Premium Member over 5 years ago
The same Saudi Royal Family the Bush Family has had business ties to for DECADES, and shrub was shown literally holding hands with.
Motivemagus over 5 years ago
Reason 3,271,075 to move to renewable energy sources: reduce Saudi power.
Radish the wordsmith over 5 years ago
Maybe crooked liar Trump will bow down to the Saudis and get another medal for lying for them.
Jason Allen over 5 years ago
I’m not entirely convinced Trump doesn’t admire the Saudis for doing it. The man absolutely hates being questioned by the press or being called out on this BS.
martens over 5 years ago
“Saudi Arabia, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, supplied 9 percent of U.S. petroleum imports in 2017, or about 960,000 barrels a day. But thanks to the shale revolution, the United States is essentially energy independent: It, not Saudi Arabia, is now the world’s largest crude-oil producer. Last year, U.S. daily oil exports averaged 6.38 million barrels, or nearly seven times the Saudi imports. If the Saudis cut back production or boycotted the United States, they could temporarily drive up prices, but the beneficiaries would be U.S. shale companies, which over time would fill the gap — and deal a devastating blow to the Saudi oil industry.…
As Bruce Riedel of the Brookings Institution sums it up, “The Saudis have not concluded a single major arms deal with Washington on Trump’s watch.” Moreover, an end to supplies of U.S. spare parts and technical support, something Russia cannot provide, would quickly ground the Saudi air force. That would have the welcome effect of ending a bloody bombing campaign in Yemen that a U.N. investigation concluded was probably responsible for war crimes.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/who-needs-saudi-arabia/2018/10/15/3ebe473c-d0a1-11e8-8c22-fa2ef74bd6d6_story.html
Mr. Blawt over 5 years ago
So Trump can’t do anything? I thought he was a great negotiator
wmbrainiac over 5 years ago
Re Nuclear: There is ample evidence to suggest that the civilization we know will not survive another 100 years. Nuclear is technically sweet and might have been a major answer for preventing runaway ecosystem damage. But for one little problem. What human undertaking in the support of civilization hasn’t already begun to fall apart? We can’t even maintain our roads or provide safe water. What part of our country is not littered with improperly stored and processed toxic military and industrial waste? How many aquifers already seriously compromised? The air we breath has transferred so much mercury from power production to the ocean food chain as we have burned coal that this once vast and healthful resource is now a danger to our health, and we are far from ever having adequately cleaned the air for our own breathing that we continue to burden with our crud every day.No. There is no evidence to suggest that the human beings who oraganize and run countries or corporations have ever had the care, foresight, or ability to follow through required to safely implement any form of nuclear energy. It is pure hubris to think that we can manage it. Things fall apart. Given that sad fact and the evidence for it that surrounds us on every side, nuclear could never have been an ethical solution.
rip_marco over 5 years ago
Mr. Rall is wrong this time. The value of the Saudis is that our cozy relationship with them helps ensure the continued survival of Israel. To paraphrase Winston Churchill: They may be ruthless, murdering, religiously fanatical SOBs, but they’re our SOB’s.
Malcolm Hall over 5 years ago
Actually we produce enough oil for ourselves. It’s just that our trading partners would be inconvenienced. Also, we need Saudi Arabia to hold our hands while we try to intimidate Iran.