Guthrie Posted April 5, 2007 Report Posted April 5, 2007 the merchant's of greed and death can kick up a dust storm in a rainforest --- isn't it interesting how they are willing to peddle their wares in that part of the world where they can cause the greatest and most horrendous harm - and look what they do to diplomatic realations with our, allies NYTimes WASHINGTON, April 4 — A major arms-sale package that the Bush administration is planning to offer Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf allies to deter Iran has been delayed because of objections from Israel, which says that the advanced weaponry would erode its military advantage over its regional rivals, according to senior United States officials. Israeli officials, including the former defense minister, Shaul Mofaz, have come to Washington in recent months to argue against elements of the planned sales. In particular, the Israelis are concerned about the possible transfer of precision-guided weapons that would give Saudi warplanes much more accurate ability to strike targets, officials said. The United States has made few, if any, sales of satellite-guided ordnance to gulf countries, several officials said. Israel has been supplied with such weapons since the 1990s and used them extensively in its war against Hezbollah last summer. ... The Israeli complaints have introduced a new uncertainty into the administration’s plan to beef up Persian Gulf militaries as a bulwark against Iran and as a demonstration that, no matter what happens in Iraq, Washington remains committed to the Sunni Arab governments around the region. Several officials in the State Department and the Pentagon said that plans to formally notify Congress about the potential weapons sales had been delayed at least until later this month. After notification, Congress has 30 days to decide whether to block the sales. Support for maintaining Israel’s military superiority remains strong on Capitol Hill, and administration officials are discussing how to allay the concerns, including the possibility of a separate arms package for Israel. Some details of the planned sales to Persian Gulf countries had been reported, including in The Boston Globe last month, but Israel’s opposition to aspects of them had not been disclosed. David Siegel, a spokesman for the Israeli Embassy, declined to comment “due to sensitivities of issues such as this,” he said. United States officials from multiple agencies, several foreign officials and arms-industry executives discussed details about the weapons package on condition of anonymity because, they said, they were not authorized to publicly discuss the details, some of which are classified. ... Quote “Most middle-class whites have no idea what it feels like to be subjected to police who are routinely suspicious, rude, belligerent, and brutal” - Benjamin Spock MD
DogOnPorch Posted April 5, 2007 Report Posted April 5, 2007 Kind of a no-brainer. There's no certainty that the government/royal family in Saudi Arabia is going to 'friendly' forever. That being said...there's plenty of arms dealers that aren't American. If one really wants to point fingers it is at countries that produce the AK-47 (based on the German MP-44), the most common weapon in the world with over 100 MILLION examples produced. This weapon was design specifically for ease of use...little recoil...low weight...reliable and easy to clean...children could fire it...and do. When I had one...before they were banned in Canada...it was one of my favorite assault rifles. Thirty rounds in the blink of an eye with very little kick n' climb. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- But I sleep soundly. The fact that people die because of an AK-47 is not because of the designer, but because of politics. ---Mikhail Kalashnikov Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
Guthrie Posted April 5, 2007 Author Report Posted April 5, 2007 Kind of a no-brainer. There's no certainty that the government/royal family in Saudi Arabia is going to 'friendly' forever. That being said...there's plenty of arms dealers that aren't American. If one really wants to point fingers it is at countries that produce the AK-47 (based on the German MP-44), the most common weapon in the world with over 100 MILLION examples produced. This weapon was design specifically for ease of use...little recoil...low weight...reliable and easy to clean...children could fire it...and do.--------------------------------------------------------------------------- But I sleep soundly. The fact that people die because of an AK-47 is not because of the designer, but because of politics. ---Mikhail Kalashnikov You do understand there is not a small difference between a Kalaschnikov rifle and a GPS guided cruise missile? Quote “Most middle-class whites have no idea what it feels like to be subjected to police who are routinely suspicious, rude, belligerent, and brutal” - Benjamin Spock MD
M.Dancer Posted April 5, 2007 Report Posted April 5, 2007 You do understand there is not a small difference between a Kalaschnikov rifle and a GPS guided cruise missile? ]Oh I know I know!!!! One is the world's most popular automatic weapon and the other is a weapon not mentioned in the article! Quote RIGHT of SOME, LEFT of OTHERS If it is a choice between them and us, I choose us
DogOnPorch Posted April 5, 2007 Report Posted April 5, 2007 Guthrie: You do understand there is not a small difference between a Kalaschnikov rifle and a GPS guided cruise missile? I won't insult your intelligence if you don't insult mine. I'd say that the AK-47 has also killed far more 'innocent people' than the cruise missile. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- They claimed I had an AK47 on stage, there was no AK47 on stage...there was one in my pocket...but I didn't have one on stage. ---Ted Nugent Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
Guthrie Posted April 5, 2007 Author Report Posted April 5, 2007 Guthrie: You do understand there is not a small difference between a Kalaschnikov rifle and a GPS guided cruise missile?I won't insult your intelligence if you don't insult mine. I'd say that the AK-47 has also killed far more 'innocent people' than the cruise missile. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- They claimed I had an AK47 on stage, there was no AK47 on stage...there was one in my pocket...but I didn't have one on stage. ---Ted Nugent ok, I am sorry if you felt that to be an insult the point being, the technology involved in the proposed sale is sufficient to provide Iran a delivery system for the nuclear weapons they are developing ---- and not just a delivery system but one of such an advanced nature as to preclude Israel from preventing a nuclear attack - it isn't about who's delivered the, 'most,' bullets but who's proposing to deliver the, 'smartest,' bullets Quote “Most middle-class whites have no idea what it feels like to be subjected to police who are routinely suspicious, rude, belligerent, and brutal” - Benjamin Spock MD
M.Dancer Posted April 5, 2007 Report Posted April 5, 2007 ok, I am sorry if you felt that to be an insultthe point being, the technology involved in the proposed sale is sufficient to provide Iran a delivery system for the nuclear weapons they are developing ---- and not just a delivery system but one of such an advanced nature as to preclude Israel from preventing a nuclear attack - it isn't about who's delivered the, 'most,' bullets but who's proposing to deliver the, 'smartest,' bullets Good thing they are selling them to Saudi Arabia then, and not to Iran. But seriously, You think Israel doesn't have the where withal to stop an air attack, even a stand off air attack? Quote RIGHT of SOME, LEFT of OTHERS If it is a choice between them and us, I choose us
DogOnPorch Posted April 5, 2007 Report Posted April 5, 2007 Iran is already well down the road to success when it comes to a working MRBM...even ICBMs. They've been busy. Check it out... ...it isn't about who's delivered the, 'most,' bullets but who's proposing to deliver the, 'smartest,' bullets... At something like a few bucks (if that) to make, the AK-47 is a pretty "smart" choice for the 3rd World. ok, I am sorry if you felt that to be an insult No worries. It's just all too common on a forum to use the old Rosie Perez line for not apparently agreeing. ------------------------------------------------------- I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution. ---Wernher von Braun Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
Guthrie Posted April 5, 2007 Author Report Posted April 5, 2007 Iran is already well down the road to success when it comes to a working MRBM...even ICBMs. They've been busy.Check it out... ...it isn't about who's delivered the, 'most,' bullets but who's proposing to deliver the, 'smartest,' bullets... At something like a few bucks (if that) to make, the AK-47 is a pretty "smart" choice for the 3rd World. ok, I am sorry if you felt that to be an insult No worries. It's just all too common on a forum to use the old Rosie Perez line for not apparently agreeing. ------------------------------------------------------- I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution. ---Wernher von Braun gee, I thought you weren't going to insult my intelligence Quote “Most middle-class whites have no idea what it feels like to be subjected to police who are routinely suspicious, rude, belligerent, and brutal” - Benjamin Spock MD
DogOnPorch Posted April 5, 2007 Report Posted April 5, 2007 Pardon? ------------------------- Eh? Confused now. Quote Nothing cracks a turtle like Leon Uris.
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