Pompeo In Saudi discussing Khashoggi

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
a reply to: NiNjABackflip

You said we have billion dollar weapons deals. No we don't, corporations do, and they knew the risks of making them.

Oil deals, we don't need them, true capitalism isn't subsidizing industry with our military. Sink or swim, we have options aside from them.

Its not just the journalist, it's the fact they did it in someone elses country to a journalist who contributes to a US outlet.

There is however no excuse for the atrocities in Yemen.

But again, trump just brokered a multi-billion dollar arms deal and has a trade/strategic relationship that goes back many decades. We don’t have another Saudi Arabia kicking around somewhere.

originally posted by: NiNjABackflip

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
a reply to: NiNjABackflip

You said we have billion dollar weapons deals. No we don't, corporations do, and they knew the risks of making them.

Oil deals, we don't need them, true capitalism isn't subsidizing industry with our military. Sink or swim, we have options aside from them.

Its not just the journalist, it's the fact they did it in someone elses country to a journalist who contributes to a US outlet.

There is however no excuse for the atrocities in Yemen.

But again, trump just brokered a multi-billion dollar arms deal and has a trade/strategic relationship that goes back many decades. We don’t have another Saudi Arabia kicking around somewhere.

That deal doesn't benefit us citizens that don't have stock in Boeing, Lockheed and the likes.

As for not having another Saudi Arabia, good.

originally posted by: CriticalStinker

originally posted by: NiNjABackflip

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
a reply to: NiNjABackflip

You said we have billion dollar weapons deals. No we don't, corporations do, and they knew the risks of making them.

Oil deals, we don't need them, true capitalism isn't subsidizing industry with our military. Sink or swim, we have options aside from them.

Its not just the journalist, it's the fact they did it in someone elses country to a journalist who contributes to a US outlet.

There is however no excuse for the atrocities in Yemen.

But again, trump just brokered a multi-billion dollar arms deal and has a trade/strategic relationship that goes back many decades. We don’t have another Saudi Arabia kicking around somewhere.

That deal doesn't benefit us citizens that don't have stock in Boeing, Lockheed and the likes.

As for not having another Saudi Arabia, good.

Believe it or not, but Boeing and Lockheed are American. No other country is going to occupy the geographic space of Saudi Arabia anytime soon.

a reply to: NiNjABackflip

Believe it or not, but Boeing and Lockheed are American.

Cool, and like any other company in our capitalist economy, our federal government shouldn't lobby on their behalf using tax funded military protection as a bartering chip.

They our a blight on our already tarnished post WWII reputation.

That gas people have the perception as being cheap is subsidized through bloated military spending we pay in taxes.

The only strategic purpose they serve is a pawn in the Middle East. I'd rather take care of our house than theirs.

Edit, and assist in wrecking the rest of it.

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
a reply to: NiNjABackflip

Believe it or not, but Boeing and Lockheed are American.

Cool, and like any other company in our capitalist economy, our federal government shouldn't lobby on their behalf using tax funded military protection as a bartering chip.

They our a blight on our already tarnished post WWII reputation.

That gas people have the perception as being cheap is subsidized through bloated military spending we pay in taxes.

The only strategic purpose they serve is a pawn in the Middle East. I'd rather take care of our house than theirs.

Edit, and assist in wrecking the rest of it.

Take care of our house...well, so long as they don't have stock in Lockheed Martin or Boeing. Cool.

The merits of the relationship between America and Saudi Arabia deserves further discussion, but I'm glad the the knee-jerk emoticons aren't power.

a reply to: NiNjABackflip

Take care of our house...well, so long as they don't have stock in Lockheed Martin or Boeing. Cool.

They can take care of themselves like every other corporation. Again, the federal government shouldn't use tax dollars to lobby for specific corporations (the ones who pay for the campaigns).

Its your right to be pro corporate welfare I'm not going to be able and tell you otherwise.

The merits of the relationship between America and Saudi Arabia deserves further discussion, but I'm glad the the knee-jerk emoticons aren't power.

Lucky for you both parties won't change their stance on Saudi Arabia any time soon. Not as long as they have partisans fooled that we the people benefit for it at all... Even though we foot the bill.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

They can take care of themselves like every other corporation. Again, the federal government shouldn't use tax dollars to lobby for specific corporations (the ones who pay for the campaigns).

Its your right to be pro corporate welfare I'm not going to be able and tell you otherwise.

That makes me "pro corporate welfare"? That escalated quickly.

Defence contractors are contractors, meaning that they are contracted by the US government to build the weapons. The government doesn't lobby for them.

Luckily for me, reality isn't a one-to-one ratio with fantasy.

originally posted by: NiNjABackflip
a reply to: CriticalStinker

They can take care of themselves like every other corporation. Again, the federal government shouldn't use tax dollars to lobby for specific corporations (the ones who pay for the campaigns).

Its your right to be pro corporate welfare I'm not going to be able and tell you otherwise.

Defence contractors are contractors, meaning that they are contracted by the US government to build the weapons. The government doesn't lobby for them.

Luckily for me, reality isn't a one-to-one ratio with fantasy.

Depends what context. They are defense contractors if they are selling to the US. If they are selling abroad they are weapons manufacturers.

The signing occurred at the Riyadh Summit, and was part of Trump's 2017 series of visits to the Vatican, Saudi Arabia and Israel. It also was related to a $20 billion investment in mostly American infrastructure.[19]

Saudi Arabia signed billions of dollars of deals with U.S. arms producers and energy companies, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, General Electric, Exxon Mobil, Halliburton, Honeywell, McDermott International, Jacobs Engineering Group, Rowan Companies, National Oilwell Varco, Nabors Industries, Weatherford International, Schlumberger and Dow Chemical.[20][21][22][23][24][25][26]

wiki to the deal

So 200 billion to corporations (most of whom are the top campaign contributors and lobbyists in Washington).

But, at least they are giving 20 billion dollars to a private company to improve American infrastructure.... But there's a catch.

The firm at the center of the deal, the Blackstone Group (BX), has a close connection to President Trump. Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman advises the president on policy issues ranging from trade to infrastructure.

The $20 billion in Saudi money is part of a larger effort by Blackstone to invest stateside in toll roads, airports and other public works.

The firm said Saturday that it will raise another $20 billion from other investors. With debt financing, Blackstone hopes eventually to bring the total to $100 billion.

link

I agree, reality isn't a one-to-one ratio with fantasy.

So next time bring facts and sources to the table so you can see what reality looks like.

originally posted by: Painterz
Imagine just for a second, if there had been a President Hillary Clinton, and this happened, and she refused to do anything about it and defended the Saudis because she had personal business interests with them?


The Republicans would rightly be tearing down the house about it.

Both sides want answers.

Why are you making this a partisan issue?

originally posted by: TinySickTears
a reply to: CriticalStinker

Did he make an appointment though?
When?
How far in advance?

We all know he went in and didn't come out. So where is the body?

Then trump says it could have been rogue killers and the king firmlyvsaid they didn't do it.

Then they're going to release a statement saying otherwise.

Not saying blame trump but that does not mean we should believe him either.
He lies about everything.

He does cause he can. His minions eat it up.

Oh, trump said the king said he didn't do it.
Good enough for us

Trump helped Salman ascend.

The US need the petrol dollar, therefore they need S.A. on side.

Trump isn't lying about the jobs lost if the arms sales to S.A. collapse.

It isn't rocket science. He went to the embassy to expedite his license. S.A. clearly wanted this very prominent critic silenced and offed him. I believe Turkey when they say they have evidence from the victims apple watch showing the murder.

Trump is simply waiting, hoping the indignation will die down so business can go on as usual. The US and the Saudis need one another, much to my disgust.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

I'm still unsure what your point is, but your "facts" do not bear it out.

There is usually a mix between Foreign Arm Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS)The Department of Defence does not deal with Direct Commercial Sales. Those sorts of arm deals are between the manufacturer and the recipient, but are subject to applicable U.S. exports laws and regulations and the approval of the Department of State.

As for the FMS program:

Foreign Military Sales (FMS) is the U.S. Government’s program for transferring defense articles, services, and training to our international partners and international organizations. The FMS program is funded by administrative charges to foreign purchasers and is operated at no cost to taxpayers. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) administers the FMS program for the Department of Defense (DoD).

Under FMS, the U.S. government uses DoD’s acquisition system to procure defense articles and services on behalf of its partners. Eligible countries may purchase defense articles and services with their own funds or with funds provided through U.S. government-sponsored assistance programs.

Defence Security Cooperation Agency

Trumps Saudi Deal, however, was Foreign Arms Sales (FMS) according to the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, meaning the government is contracting the weapons and brokering the deals on its own behalf at no cost to the tax-payer.

WASHINGTON (May 20, 2017) – President Trump and Saudi King Salman signed a nearly $110 billion defense capabilities package in a significant expansion of the more than seven-decade long security relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

These capabilities will be conveyed via Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOA). Potential future defense capabilities are detailed in a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) to support Saudi Arabia's defense needs.

Fact Sheet: Intended Sales to Saudi Arabia via Foreign Military Sales

Here's some facts and sources for you. Except your reality doesn't match them. Strange how that works.