Honored for faithful service
And the Saudis love him, although they love Osama bin Laden more. "Bush delivers arms sale to Saudi Arabia," by Anne Gearan for AP (thanks to all who sent this in):
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - President Bush, on his first visit to this oil-rich kingdom, delivered a major arms sale Monday to a key ally in a region where the U.S. casts neighboring Iran as a menace to stability....Coinciding with Bush's trip, the Bush administration in Washington notified Congress on Monday that it will offer Saudi Arabia the chance to buy sophisticated Joint Direct Attack Munitions — or "smart bomb" — technology and related equipment, the State Department said. The administration envisions the transfer of 900 of the precision-guided bomb kits, worth $123 million, that would give the kingdom's armed forces highly accurate targeting abilities.
The proposed deal follows notification of five other packages to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, bringing to $11.5 billion the amount of advanced U.S. weaponry, including Patriot missiles, that the administration has announced it will provide to friendly Arab nations, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. Administration officials say the total amount of eventual sales as part of the Gulf Security Dialogue is estimated at $20 billion, a figure subject to actual purchases.
The arms packages are an important part of the U.S. strategy to bolster the defenses of oil-producing Gulf nations, such as Saudi Arabia, against threats from Iran. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, which have majority Sunni Muslim populations, harbor deep suspicions about Shiite Iran's apparent designs to establish itself as a major power.
Congress already has been briefed on all the packages, which also include the sale of the Navy's Littoral Combat system. Lawmakers mostly see the deals as critical to maintaining relations with war-on-terror allies. Some are opposed to the JDAMs portion out of concern that it gives Saudi Arabia the ability to attack Israel, but are unlikely to muster the two-thirds majority needed, within an allowed 30-day period, to block the sales.
The administration has assured lawmakers in closed briefings in recent months that there would be proper restrictions on the JDAMs sales to ensure they would not threaten to Israel. Israel, which has been sold JDAMs technology by the U.S. as well, also has said it does not oppose the deal.
How can anyone ensure that they will not be used to attack Israel?
Meanwhile, we'll have to see if the President dares raise the issue of rising oil prices with the Saudi King:
As for the topic of rising oil prices, Bush national security adviser Stephen Hadley would only say "we'll have to see" when asked whether Bush would raise the issue with the king. The Saudis are responsible for almost one-third of OPEC's total output.
And don't expect Saudi Arabia to change, either:
Another item for discussion could be the democratic principles Bush has promoted during his trip. While Abdullah has tried to push some reforms on education and women's rights and there have been limited municipal council elections, the king has been cautious and limited in his efforts. He apparently has been hampered by others in the royal family worried that fast changes could upset the country's conservative clerics and citizens.
Don't want to upset those "conservatives"! But no one on the Saudi side, for their part, is hesitating to make demands:
After arriving Monday afternoon in Riyadh from Dubai, Bush expected to hear Abdullah urge him to keep up the pressure on Israel to halt settlements in Palestinian territories. The administration was able to persuade the Saudis to participate in the U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, Md., in November.
The Saudis know a true friend when they see one:
Bush enjoyed a warm embrace from Abdullah. He was staying a night at the monarch's ranch — a rare show of hospitality to a visiting dignitary that reflects Bush's hosting of Abdullah twice at his own ranch in Crawford, Texas.And the king greeted Bush at the base of the steps of Air Force One — a gesture the president never affords foreign leaders visiting the U.S. A band played each country's national anthem as the leaders walked on a red carpet behind a high-stepping uniformed officer carrying a gold sword.
After dinner in the King's Palace, Bush and Abdullah walked through a large central atrium and picked up cups of Arabic coffee to take into their meetings. Sitting side by side in chairs, Abdullah presented Bush with a gold necklace adorned with a large medallion — the King Abdul Aziz Order of Merit, the country's highest honor, named after the founder of the modern Saudi state.
The award was placed around Bush's neck and the two exchanged the region's traditional double kiss. "I am honored," Bush said.
The hospitality masked Bush's deep unpopularity among ordinary Saudis.
A recent poll conducted for Terror Free Tomorrow, a bipartisan group whose goal is undermining world support for terrorism, found only 12 percent here view Bush positively — lower than Iran's president or even al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden — and more think warmly toward Iran than America. Top among the reasons are the chaos in Iraq that followed the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and the widespread Arab feeling that the United States is biased toward Israel and not serious in seeking Mideast peace.
I'm not convinced these arms sales to SA are so bad.
Does SA actually do anything with their military?
When Reagan made arms sales to SA in the 1980s I rember a huge fuss was being made about selling them awaks planes. (I was like in 4th grade bbut i remmeber)
Did SA ever use the mitliary stuff we gave them for bad?
Bush leaves Israel having told them to give up their buffer zones taken in 67 in a war of extermination against them. He makes sure he use the term "occupied lands" to please his Saudi masters.
Now a flow of valuable contracts to the US global corporations will revive the US economy.
Tha's what Bush and his family is all about really .
This child of privilege thinks of himself as some kind of achiever, he just proved it.
"A flow of valuable contracts to the US global corporations will revive the US economy.
Tha's what Bush and his family is all about really- "
from the poster above.
How true. How sad! How shallow, how corrupt and perverted are we?
"Bush enjoyed a warm embrace from Abdullah. He was staying a night at the monarch's ranch — a rare show of hospitality to a visiting dignitary..."
Sounds like beggars can't be choosers...
Strange.
70 years ago the Sowdi's were scraping flyshit of the walls of their tents...
including Patriot missiles, that the administration has announced it will provide to friendly Arab nations.(above post)
Hmmm...friendly??
Friendly.....as Osama I suppose..
Some are opposed to the JDAMs portion out of concern that it gives Saudi Arabia the ability to attack Israel.(above post)
No need to worry...They won't attack Israel THEMSELVES.
They will simply replenish AlQuida's arsenal stock that is all.
Nothing to worry !
...it is way past time to make alternative energy a reality....take away the oil weapon.....oil extortion is an ugly thing....
The sale should never have taken place, but since it did, why such a bargain? Surely, our technology is worth much more. Our military's sacrifices in that worthless sandbox of the ME(sans Israel) are worth far far more consideration than the amounts offered.
What is Washington to benefit by selling out it's only reliable ally, Israel?
Bush, thy name is shame.
When I see baubles around the neck of fools. I am reminded of Napoleon's remark when he invented the ultimate in tomfoolery "THE LEGION OF HONOUR"
Quote:- "Men are lead by toys"
Bush and Co. do not have a clue about what this "religion" is about and how it gives "moral authority" to Jew-hating (Jews are big targets in this sick belief-system). This belief-system (including the lunatic fantasy that Abraham was at the Kaba or the belief (without proof) that Jesus was a Muslim) are all based on "revelations" to Mu hammed. Those revelations have resulted in the destruction of numerous indigenous cultures (Hindu India, e.g.) and are dangerous to all humans.
Frankly, I never felt more upset by the nature of this belief-system than when I recently began reading Spencer's Blog re the Qu'ran. Once one gets into the head of the believer one realizes (particularly the innate Jew-hating) that Islam is sick. I now know (without question) why Hitler and Himmler thought Islam compatible with Nazi ideology.
Islam is sick, Mr. President.
He is still better than Algore or John F'ing Kerry, but oh so disappointing.
One problem with providing our most advanced technologies to Saudi Arabia, an oil-rich country with few scruples, is that some of these weapons could no doubt be provided to a country such as China under an agreement that the weapons would be reverse-engineered so that additional such weapons manufactured for sale back to Saudi Arabia.
Such a technology transfer would affect the balance of power not only between the Islamic countries and Israel, but between the U.S. and rivals such as China. Because this is not merely a sale of a limited number of weapons, but also a potential technology transfer, it has the potential of taking away the edge that allowed the Western nations to win the last two Gulf wars in a cake-walk.
When residents of Jamestown were starving during the early American settlement, leader John Smith insisted that firearms should never be traded for food. Copper could be traded, but never firearms. John Smith was a great leader, with an interesting background. He had been captured by Muslims and held in slavery before killing his Turkish master and escaping back to the West in his earlier life, before traveling to America and becoming leader of the Jamestown settlement. Would that we could be blessed by such leadership. I would not mind trading a bauble to hang around such a leader's neck, if it would guarantee the leader's fidelity to serving our own interests rather than those of the highest bidder.
Guess who gets to pick up the tab when these arms cost more than the original contract? Keep this in mind when you file this year.
Remind me who are the Saudis at war with? I must have missed something.
When I watch our President dealing with these guys, my mind sees an image of a father dropping the ransom bag of cash for his kidnapped child.
I feel sorry for the Americans who believe that a change of management is going to give any kind of freedom from the fact that our government not only has it's feet to the fire, but that those leg irons will be transferred at the inaugural ceremony.
Our economy has been kidnapped and held for ransom.
The hard lesson that both the jihadis and the greedy oil nations are going to get is one we used to get in school. America's economy is still the standard for the world. As we go, so goes the world.
That keetchy necklace has become very popular lately.
To Aunt Bee who wrote
“Our economy has been kidnapped and held for ransom.”
Perfectly Put!
The billions that have been wasted by this administration should have been directed to a new Manhattan Project for energy independence. Normally, I always advocate smaller federal government. However, this is clearly something the individual states cannot accomplish. We have to kick this oil addiction. This is the only solution to our current national security nightmare.
During the last year of the Second World War, after the German’s lost access to Ploesti, the Third Reich was able to operate its war economy entirely on synthetic fuel. This may not be the best solution in our case, but it hasn’t even been tried. With all our coal reserves, there is no reason why we should import even one barrel. Without oil revenue, our enemies, including people like Chavez, could not do us any harm.
Here is the central core failure of GW as he seeks largesse from the toxic Saudis for his post presidential perks.
If the Iranian weapons caches are not degraded before he leaves office, then is GW diminished.
Sad. because he has been firm for US interests when he has had to be, and he owns the victory in Iraq as much as does Petraeus and the US ambassador to Iraq.
That keetchy necklace has become very popular lately.
Posted by: Shy Guy at January 15, 2008 7:23 AM
See, Sarkozy left Bruni behind. Told ya. Western Europe would fold like a stack of cards without Middle East oil.
VINCE SAID:-
I'm not convinced these arms sales to SA are so bad.
Does SA actually do anything with their military?
They certainly do do something with their military, or more specifically their arms. They stockpile them. 20 Typhoon fighters here, 900 smart bombs there.
They are creating an arsenal. This is in a country that does not allow other religions to practice and yet says it is an ally of the West.
Everything we write and read on this site points to a concerted attempt to rule the world under Islam by deceit and violence, and here we are arming the very heart of Islam. How long do you think they will be our "allies" when they are powerful enough to beat our (more specifically the U.S.) military?
How soon after Iran gains nuclear capability do you think it will be before the Saudis and the Iranians suddenly discover they are best buddies after all?
Wake up and smell the sharia.
Aunt Bea,
Our economy wasn't kidnapped. We gave it away. It's been more than three decades since the first oil shocks and look what we have done - give up on nuclear power, put ocean views for rich politicians above wind power, fill our roads with gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks. Not only that, we gave away a lot of industry. Now we're transferring the knowledge economy. We did all of this in the name of globalism, with the naive idea that trading partners won't fight one another.
Bush is just the guy on watch when the ship goes down. A lot of other captains steered the ship of the US economy into the shoals. Clinton, for one. That being said, why can't Bush retire to a ranch in Saudi Arabia? He deserves it. Clinton should find a home in China.
"I'm not convinced these arms sales to SA are so bad.
Does SA actually do anything with their military?"
Posted by Vince
Besides imposing Sharia to the fullest extent by making Non-Muslims second class citizens, and training recruits in terrorist training camps, I can't think of anything major. Other than that, they are angels.
I'm so glad people can down talk any and all Democrats while turning a blind eye to Bush's affairs with the Kingdom of Saud. I also laugh at the notion that Romney supporters think that these sweetheart deals with the Saudis are going to end if he is elected president.
I'm sure Saudis are pulling for Romney before they pull for any Democrat. At least the major Democrats for the most part want to get away from foreign oil investments and focus towards fuel and energy independence. Even Barrack Obama wants to impose all the measures of the 9/11 commission, which do not favor The Kingdom of Saud in the least bit.
Now why would the "religion of peace" need weapons?
Drewbenstein,
Saying that Bush is better than the alternative doesn't get us very much. Will we do the same thing this November? Pick the guy who will continue the slow but steady deterioration of the US instead of the one who will just throw us off the cliff and be done with it?
How about a third way? There has to be something better than the Democrats and the Republicans. Why are we limiting ourselves to these two choices? We won't vote for anyone else because we think they can't win. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. They can't win if we won't vote for them.
"Bush enjoyed a warm embrace from Abdullah. He was staying a night at the monarch's ranch — a rare show of hospitality to a visiting dignitary..."
What, no lip lock? Abdullah must be little upset with his slave. I bet when they are alone, Abdullah will beat Bush lightly with a tooth brush.
Why? I think it has something to do with feeling subdued when paying jizya. No kiss and a toothbrush whipping is Abdullah's way of saying 'thanks'.
I know that sounds a little kinky but this is Saudi Arabia and Islam.
When Bush 'gives' arms and money to any muslim group, gov or not, he is arming the camp of Islam.
The camp of Islam is world wide Islam. It is not this group or country, nor this muslim or that muslim. The only difference between the Muslims in Saudi Arabia, and muslims in the US, is a body of water. The camp of Islam is not here or there, it is nearly everywhere. To arm part of it is to arm all of it. Bush really is the best friend Islam has, and Bush is to blitzed out to realize, that lip locks or no lip locks, Abdullah hates his guts. But Abdullah knows which side of the bread the butter is on so the slave only gets a tooth brush beating...
You see, diplomacy is easy with our "staunch ally", Saudi Arabia. All you have to do is give freely and ask for nothing in return.
PMK
One of the weirdest things I have seen on the drive-by media was a Sunday morning show in late October. George Stephonapolis was interviewing Bill Clinton.
He asked B C if he regretted signing NAFTA. The look on his face when Clinton said that he was NOT responsible for NAFTA, that it was already in place when he got in office was priceless! I immediatly said 'watch he will change the subject' he did.
I have searched for that tape and can not find it online.
George S. was the White House spokesman at the time for those who do not remember. He knows what happened.
For those who have not had personal experience about why America sent all their jobs out of the country, read the book about fair tax.
Whether you agree with it as a solution or not is not important, understanding why a car costs more than my first house did is.
As an entrepreneur most of my life I have watched the government make it more and more expensive to do business as each year goes by.
Here is the central core failure of GW as he seeks largesse from the toxic Saudis for his post presidential perks.
If the Iranian weapons caches are not degraded before he leaves office, then is GW diminished.
Sad. because he has been firm for US interests when he has had to be, and he owns the victory in Iraq as much as does Petraeus and the US ambassador to Iraq.
Posted by: dgene
He doesn't own the victory in Iraq especially since he mangled it, and there is no victory in Iraq under the present objectives.
PMK you're right, US wasn't hijacked, the US leaders have given it away in the name of globalism.
These words are sounding more and more like curses, globalism, multiculturalism....they just sound so dirty and hostile.
Bush looked very proud being awarded that medal of Abdul Azziz...
The sale should never have taken place, but since it did, why such a bargain? Surely, our technology is worth much more. Our military's sacrifices in that worthless sandbox of the ME(sans Israel) are worth far far more consideration than the amounts offered.
Boy you are right about that.... If this aweful deal must go through, at least for once we can overcharge them for that weaponry like they do oil for us.
But as you said, this sale should not take place.
As for the topic of rising oil prices, Bush national security adviser Stephen Hadley would only say "we'll have to see" when asked whether Bush would raise the issue with the king.
Wait a second here, we are selling advanced technologies that WILL end up going to China.
Someday this technology will be used to kill American soldiers. On top off all of that we are selling it at a bargain to people who can afford to overpay.
Regardless of all of that, you can't even bring yourself to ask for a reduction in the price of herion...er... I mean oil that our economy needs.
Aunt Bea...I remember Clinton putting NAFTA on the fast track. NAFTA has serious sovereignty issues.
I read, but have not researched to verify, that it is against constitutional law for any official to give away, sell away, loan away or any away, any measure of US sovereignty. This is a crime and carries fines and imprisonment. Every official voting for NAFTA knew of the validity of these concerns and voted for it anyway. If there is such a constitutional law, Clinton and all who voted for NAFTA are criminals. Clinton probably knows this so he distances himself from responsibility...
Aunt Bea,
I also remember NAFTA. The Republicans were for it and the Dems against. But the Dems were in the majority and so Clinton had to twist enough Democratic arms to get it ratified. At the time it was touted as one of Clinton's first "victories" in the White House.
I didn't see Clinton's interview but it sounds typical of him. If it turns out good it was all his idea. He would have taken credit for sending the treaty to the Senate for ratification. Instead he says: I didn't negotiate it. (And he didn't have to sign it, either.)
"The administration envisions the transfer of 900 of the precision-guided bomb kits, worth $123 million, that would give the kingdom's armed forces highly accurate targeting abilities."
He's sending them "kits"? Kits? Who the heck is going to put these kits together for them? They're incapable of getting their own oil out of the ground!
Hey, Georgie--Nice necklace! You'll really be blinging big time at your leaving-office party! You sad boy! Don't you know that's a collar you're wearing, with a built-in leash?
The custom, when a dhimmi pays his jizya is for the collector to grab him by the beard. Collars and leashes must be for the clean-shaven dhimmi. You're a slave boy, Slaveboy.
"Now why would the "religion of peace" need weapons?
Posted by: tanstaafl"
....the prayer calls from the minarets are not getting the message out...the Muslims feel the need to make a louder statement....
Loosest fitting dog collar I've ever seen.
The inscription on the tag appears to read:
"Asinus asinum fricat."
Now it seems that Bush is begging, hat in hand, for the Saudis to have pity on us and lower the oil price (increase production). A vision of the future. Makes you proud to be an American...
We need to fund energy independence like we funded the Manhattan Project, the space program, and the Cold War. Or else get ready to say "How High" when OPEC (esp. the Saudis) say "Jump."
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/images2/radicalposter2003.jpg
'Nuff said
He's sending them "kits"? Kits? Who the heck is going to put these kits together for them? They're incapable of getting their own oil out of the ground! posted by abscedere
This is something the US has done for a long time. Along with complicated technological weaponry comes 'advisers' ordnance experts and jockeys to train in the use of the weaponry.
Use your imagination as to whether this has any value to us.
"Asinus asinum fricat.
Heh heh heh
Something about an ass rubbing another ass.
AND BTW - Does anyone know the level of contributions by Bush's beloved Saudis to the Iraqi war effort. How many millions have they donated to assist the families of those Americans who have died so they can sleep peacefully in their marble palaces.
Or is it only the Jihadists and those who spread Dawa whose palms are greased?
Is'nt the safety of the Saudis a main purpose for the war?
I am His Majesty's dog at Kew,
Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you?
"AND BTW - Does anyone know the level of contributions by Bush's beloved Saudis to the Iraqi war effort?"
CAIRO (AP) — Private Saudi citizens are giving millions of dollars to Sunni insurgents in Iraq and much of the money is used to buy weapons, including shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles, according to key Iraqi officials and others familiar with the flow of cash.
Saudi government officials deny that any money from their country is being sent to Iraqis fighting the government and the U.S.-led coalition.
But the U.S. Iraq Study Group report said Saudis are a source of funding for Sunni Arab insurgents. Several truck drivers interviewed by The Associated Press described carrying boxes of cash from Saudi Arabia into Iraq, money they said was headed for insurgents.
Two high-ranking Iraqi officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity, told the AP most of the Saudi money comes from private donations, called zaqat, collected for Islamic causes and charities.
Some Saudis appear to know the money is headed to Iraq's insurgents, but others merely give it to clerics who channel it to anti-coalition forces, the officials said.
In one recent case, an Iraqi official said $25 million in Saudi money went to a top Iraqi Sunni cleric and was used to buy weapons, including Strela, a Russian shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile. The missiles were purchased from someone in Romania, apparently through the black market, he said.
Overall, the Iraqi officials said, money has been pouring into Iraq from oil-rich Saudi Arabia, a Sunni bastion, since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq toppled the Sunni-controlled regime of Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Saudi officials vehemently deny their country is a major source of financial support for the insurgents."
...of course, in typical Islamic fashion, the Saudis deny everything....
Any 'gift' or 'honour' received from a vicious, greedy and corrupt tyrant, in whose country there is an officially-sanctioned and approved gender apartheid, in which women are not even allowed to drive cars!, in which slavery is still practised de facto, is a shameful disgrace.
Even if, for perceived reasons of realpolitik, the USA arms Saudi Arabia, the President of the United States should not accept any token of 'honour' from the head of the House of Saud.
The POTUS is not my head of state, but this picture still makes me feel sick to my stomach.
Throw that damnable object in the sea, Mr President. It is cursed. It is soaked with the blood of those who died in the Twin Towers, at Madrid, at Bali, in the London underground, and everywhere else that Saudi-funded Muslim propaganda has borne fruit in Jihad.
dumbledore - Ever see the picture of Charles Lindbergh receiving a Nazi decoration from Goering?
How true. How sad! How shallow, how corrupt and perverted are we?
Posted by: sheik yer'mami at January 15, 2008 5:31 AM
If this is not selling the probervial rope what is? But what can be expectd from a spoilt brat, raised by Mexican nannies while daddy collected a neat pile after another protecting the oil-rich Islamists? Americans will remember the first gulf war was fought to save the rich wahhabbis from Saddam and ended when Saddam was no threat to the wahhabbis. Daddy then collected one neat pile after another of petro-dollars while "adopting" prince Bandar-Bin-Sultan into the Bush family. Could a Jihadi attack be far away? But even after murdered 3000 Americans. Bush admin aided and abbetted the enemy (remember how important family is to the enemy) doing nothing to protect the border. What followed, is well known.. The phony "war on terror" where once again, the "friends and allies" were the same murderous extended family from Riyadh. Oh.. and guess what? Americans, instead of demanding action against the murderers, elect the same corrupt, timid, spoilt brat, yet again. The result, the picture above that says more than 1000 words. Well, this is what one gets in a democracy. The government one deserves.
MP - no, I haven't.
I knew Lindbergh was a Nazi sympathizer but I didn't know he'd received a Nazi decoration.
Where, when, what for?