Friday, May 16, 2008

God Damn Saudi America!



ap·pease
transitive verb
PACIFY, CONCILIATE; especially : to buy off (an aggressor) by concessions usually at the sacrifice of principles


“President Bush failed to win the help he sought from Saudi Arabia to relieve skyrocketing American gas prices Friday, a setback for the former Texas oilman who took office predicting he would jawbone oil-producing nations to help the U.S.”

“Bush got a red-carpet welcome to this desert kingdom, home to the world's largest oil reserves, and promised to ask King Abdullah to increase production to reduce pressure on prices, which soared past $127 for the first time Friday. But Saudi officials said they already were meeting the needs of their customers worldwide and there was no need to pump more.”

“Their answer recalled Bush's trip to Saudi Arabia in January when he urged an increase in production but was rebuffed.”

“Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi said the kingdom decided on May 10 to increase production by 300,000 barrels a day to help meet U.S. needs after Venezuela and Mexico cut back deliveries.”

“Bristling at criticism from the U.S. Congress, al-Naimi told a news conference: ‘Supply and demand are in balance today. How much does Saudi Arabia need to do to satisfy people who are questioning our oil practices and policies?”

“Early this week, Senate Democrats introduced a resolution to block $1.4 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia unless Riyadh agreed to increase its oil production by 1 million barrels per day.”

“Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said the discussion with Bush about oil was friendly. ‘He didn't punch any tables or shout at anybody, I think he was satisfied’, the minister said.”

“National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said consumers would not see dramatic price reductions. Oil experts agreed.”

“Analysts also discounted the impact of the U.S. Energy Department's announcement that it would cancel shipments into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for six months beginning July 1.”

“Futures prices of crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange have more than doubled in the past year, from $62.46 a barrel in the first week of May, 2007. Prices reached $100 a barrel for the first time in February and continued rising. They closed at $126.29 Friday.”

“On Jan. 26, 2000, during a presidential debate, Bush opposed taking oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and instead said then-President Clinton should ‘jawbone’ oil producing nations. That week crude oil prices were $28 a barrel.”

“Bush's visit was billed as a celebration of 75 years of U.S.-Saudi relations, though they have been frayed by Arab perceptions that Washington favors Israel too much in the dispute with the Palestinians, the Iraq war and the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The two countries used the occasion of Bush's visit to sign new agreements.”

“Among them was an agreement for the U.S. to assist the kingdom in developing civilian nuclear power. Another involves U.S. promises to help protect any Saudi nuclear infrastructure with training, the exchange of experts ‘and other support services as needed.’ Hadley said it would not involve U.S. troops.”


A First Nation would have a New Chief (NOT like the Old Chief) by now.



My Name is Michael Sterling. Got the message?