Edwards assails U.S. arms sales to Arabs

[babsbunny]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070731/ap_on_el_pr/edwards_saudi_arabia

By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
27 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - Democrat John Edwards said the Bush administration's plan to sell $20 billion worth of weapons to friendly Arab states amounted to a foreign policy of convenience and he will take a tougher stance with Saudi Arabia if elected president.


Edwards said the United States should require the Saudi government to shut down the movement of terrorists across its borders, help stabilize the Iraqi government and participate more seriously in regional security before they are offered weapons.

[maximusveritas]

1. This kind of talk really bothers me

I don't like it when Democrats pick on Saudi Arabia and other friendly Arab states as a way to show their toughness. Just because Bush has had a friendly relationship with these countries doesn't mean we should be less friendly.

[fujiyama]

3. Saudi Arabia is a friendly state?

That's news to me. Bush's "friendship" lies on cronyism and shady corrupt family business deals. Saudi Arabia has one of the worst human rights records in the world, all but two or three of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudi, members of the royal family sponsor terrorism, and they have meddled more in Iraq than the eeeevvvvviiiil Iranians.

The recent arms deal is absolutely idiotic...and any sane thinking politician will do their best to block it.

[venable]

4. are you serious?

it is an oppressive, corrupt oligarchy and the bush family's toe-hold in the region.

we absolutely must be tough with them.

in what way are they friendly? because they work comfortably through the Carlisle Groups and the Cheney coterie?

I would prefer we deal more toughly with the Saudis and the Pakistanis (our 'friends'), and show some diplomatic flexibility with our enemies (ie Iran).

That's just me.

[jgraz]

5. Hahahaha!!! A DUzy for sure!

But, next time, you should really use the sarcasm tag. Some people might not understand how totally fucking hilarious your post is. :rofl:

[formercia]

7. No matter what happens to the boys in 08

the War will continue. Arm both sides, make money both ways.

Yeah, right, if we didn't do it, the Russians would.

It's like saying if I didn't rape the girl next door, someone else might have the pleasure.

[sarcasmo]

2. This drives me crazy , the whole arm sales to Saudi deal.

If I remember right weren't almost all of the hijackers Saudi?

[Tom Joad]

6. why not oppose all arms sales to the Middle East? Including the end of

cluster bombs sales to Israel. One million dropped.
Israel killed 1,000 civilians in Lebanon, and Edwards don't give a shit.

[AdHocSolver]

8. Edwards seems to be one of the few candidates to understand the situation in the Middle East.

Selling weapons to Saudi Arabia is about as sensible as pouring gasoline on a fire. On second thought, maybe that is what Bush/Cheney want to do. More warfare in the Middle East means more business and profits to our military/industrial complex. After all, the US is becoming maxed out on weapons purchases. Time to encourage sales abroad.

Moreover, goading Iran into more belligerency by selling more arms to its enemies can be used to scare Americans into giving up more constitutional rights (if there are any left), and starting more preemptive wars.

A few other points to consider about Saudi Arabia.

They have become super wealthy working with our own oil companies to drain the money from our middle class.

They have used the profits from oil sales to us to buy controlling interests in many American corporations, including many companies that are part of the military/industrial complex. (Selling weapons to themselves?)

They are the chief sponsors of terrorism in the Middle East and around the world. They financed PLO terrorism for years, are the main supporters of Al Qaeda, provided most of the terrorists for 9/11, paid the families of suicide bombers for their "sacrifice", and financed the Middle East Arab wars against Israel.

Saudi Arabia is one of the most backward countries socially in the world. They had legalized slavery until the 1960's, and their judicial system is medieval, to put it mildly.

Then there is the consideration that the Saudis bought and paid for the Bush family and made it possible for the Bushes to be where they are today. That alone should make any thoughtful American question what Saudi "friendship" has done for our country.

[Capn Sunshine]

9. THIS should be at the top of the page

Instead, there's a bunch of drones trying to get over on each other, while the real world is in need of attention.