Bush holding hands with oil sheik

Post-9/11 Era Forum

So, what's up with Bush today?
Just saw him literally holding hands and walking with a Saudi Arabian oil sheik.

Is this the custom for getting lower oil prices in Saudi Arabia, for pity sakes?

That's the headline on foxnews: Bush meets with Saudi oil men for lower oil prices.
And they did a little chatting and alot of hand holding from the footage.

Very odd.

http://home.comcast.net/~inrev/whoiswhose.jpg
April 25, 2005
CRAWFORD, Texas

Yes, it is odd and troubling to me.
----------------------------------------------------

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) - President Bush on Monday pressed Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah to help curb skyrocketing oil prices that are hurting the budgets of American families and businesses.

"The crown prince understands that it is very important ... to make sure that the price is reasonable," Bush told reporters before the Saudi leader arrived at his Texas ranch for a couple hours of talks that also took in new Middle East peace initiatives, the pace of democratic reform in the desert kingdom and counter-terror efforts.

Bush said he would appeal to Abdullah's self-interest, telling him that persistent high crude prices could erode the long-term market for Saudi Arabia's biggest source of revenue. He said he would urge Saudi Arabia to make the necessary investment to increase its production capacity, especially in light of the fast-growing, energy-gobbling markets in China and India.

"A high oil price will damage markets, and he knows that. I look forward to talking to him about that," the president said as he and Vice President Dick Cheney awaited the arrival of the Saudi officials. "We'll talk about his country's capacity."

But the president, well aware that his weakening popularity requires action on many fronts, then pivoted to the domestic scene. He prodded the Senate to follow the House and pass the comprehensive energy strategy he supports. "Now is the time for something to happen," Bush said.

Abdullah and his small entourage were nearly a half-hour late, but Bush gave Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler a warm embrace and a kiss on both cheeks in welcome. Bush kept a firm, guiding grip on his guest's hand as they walked up the path, past a field of bluebonnets that the president took care to point out, to a new office building on a corner of the sprawling ranch.

Bush's goal of spreading democracy across the Arab world also faces a difficult test with Saudi Arabia, a longtime ally ruled by absolute monarchy. Traditionally Bush holds news conferences with visiting foreign leaders, but there will be none during this visit because Abdullah rarely talks with the media. The president got around that by emerging from the building well before Abdullah's arrival and engaging in what was made to appear to be an impromptu exchange with the reporters gathered there.

Monday's meeting also marked another step in a quickening pace of U.S. involvement in the Mideast. Two weeks ago Bush met at the ranch with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and said Israel should abandon plans for new construction of Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories. The Saudis believe the administration's strong support for Israel harms prospects for Middle East peace.

Despite the difficult matters, Robert Jordan, a former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said the stage was set for a much friendlier meeting than three years ago for Abdullah's first visit to the ranch. For one thing, the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, a polarizing figure, is now gone - replaced by an elected president of the Palestinians, Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas will have his own meeting with Bush in the next few weeks.

Jordan noted that Saudi officials also have played an instrumental role in persuading Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon. They have been supportive of increasing oil production at crucial times. And Abdullah has taken some initial steps toward introducing democracy to Saudi Arabia by holding elections for municipal councils, even though women's rights remain severely restricted, political parties are banned and press freedoms are limited.

"This is an important relationship - (my) personal relationship with the crown prince is important," Bush said.

Likely on Abdullah's mind was a Saudi proposal that would give Israel normal relations with Arab nations only in exchange for its return to its borders before it captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war. Although Arab leaders last month endorsed that approach, Jordan said Abdullah - well aware of Bush's position that the "new realties on the ground" of Jewish settlements make a full Israeli withdrawal unrealistic - was unlikely to come in "with some flat demand."

Bush, meanwhile, hoped to nudge Abdullah into giving Abbas additional financial and political support for efforts to rein in militants and build the infrastructure for a viable, stable Palestinian democracy.

But it was the global cost of oil that was at the top of Bush's agenda, with prices at the pump now over $2.20 nationwide.

Saudi Oil Minister Ali Naimi promised last week to increase production capacity to 12.5 million barrels per day by 2009 from the current 11 million limit and, if necessary, eventually develop a capacity of 15 million barrels per day. The kingdom now pumps about 9.5 million barrels daily.

Source: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050425/D89MIQ0G0.html

This morning I saw one of those flashy news bits at the bottom of my TV on CNN.
Said something like Saudi Arabia leader discusses joining World Trade Organization yesterday....
Well, what were these Saudi leaders doing yesterday?
Holding hands with Bush.

So, the day spent in Saudi yesterday had more going on than oil price reduction....
Maybe: We'll let you join the WTO as long as you lower the oil prices for us was more on the agenda?

The media is crap. You have to put 2 and 2 and 23 and 54 together to get any semblance of truth.
I like puzzles...so it's no problem, but if the majority of Americans don't have the time or desire to put 2 and 23 and 54 together, no wonder the American public at large has no clue about what's going on.

Per the Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government:

I dunno but gas prices dropped 4 cents where I am so he must be doing something right genious.

Come back to this thread a month from now, and then we can talk.

Set your calendar.

I hear you, SWTT. It's nothing new though...

http://images.bigghurtt.com/bush_saudi.jpg

-HECK!

As for holding hands in the Bush administration, this is my favorite:

http://www.freace.de/pix/Rumsfeld-Hussein.jpg

Rummy & Saddam sittin' in a tree...

-HECK!

RE: post 7

Is this a Saudi custom?
I have just never seen or would ever think that leaders of powerful nations would hold hands!
Thanks, Heck, it seems like an affair to remember...best forgotten.

Bush walking hand in hand with the Saudi hooded one, whose country 15 of the 19 hijackers of 9/11 were from, is a lot more disturbing to me than a photo of Donald Rumsfeld (in private business at the time and chosen by Reagan to be special envoy to Iraq) playing politics with Saddam in 1983.

Oh Sordid,
These guys (world leaders/and their associates) are so in bed together...clusterflugen would be the appropriate word.

Meanwhile, you and I are left to their wanderings...I just don't have the respect for them that you may have, cuz this hand holding, tail wagging game has been going on for awhile...all at our expense.

And I am glad you brought the 15/19 hijackers up and can see the awful lovin' that's going on between the scenes.

These guys plan havoc for our country...and our boys are left to clean it up.

God will avenge all. No need for me to rant.

Giving support to OBL kicked the Russian butt. That was the plan and it worked.

Oh yeah it worked - it worked so fine that the butt that is being kicked now is american. And all of this because the US has eased OBL's agenda far more that what he could have dreamt of even in his more delirious dreams.

Crude oil prices plunge, settle below $50 a barrel
By George Jahn, Associated Press

http://www.usatoday.com/money/indus...RM_Exclude=Juno

Now, you see what a little hand holdin and lovin behind the scenes can do for your country.

See how long this lasts, maybe frequent lovin is in order here.

Or maybe a Saudi Arabia membership to the World Trade Organization will pay big dividends at the pump.

Wonder why they weren't a member before? Puzzling.

My opinion is, the only solution to energy crisis is use of alternative energy source wherever possible - including nuclear, solar, and other renewable supplies. Oil is going to finish sooner or later.

80% of Ontario electricity is coming from nuclear reactors. 80% of France's electricity is generated from nuclear stations, as well. The figure is only 20% in the US, population being 300 million people and all of them driving cars. Still wondering why the smog is there and Bush has to be friends with Saudi prince?

Yes, alternative fuels ARE an excellent idea, but Bush family and friends wouldn't be wringing in the dough if they actually wised up.

JY
Is there any fallout from these nuclear reactors...
meaning babies born with deformities, higher cancer rates, etc?

Officially no ... and in 1986, "officially", Tchernobyl radioactives fallouts haven't crossed the french borders. It took quite a long time to our governants to recognize the contrary ... it was yet already obvious that they were lying then ....
According to the AIEA, french facilities are among the safest of the world. Very well; but we hear now and then that such or such procedure has not been respected during such or such maintenance step ... so I don't trust 100 % the official version about it.
Nuclear concerns are still a taboo topic for french officials.

I grew up very close to a nuclear reactor...in farmland, corn producing country.

My mother died at a very young age of breast cancer, I have had several bouts of skin cancer. My aunt is recovering from breast cancer.

I went back last December for a visit and remembered all this...while looking at the smoke from this reactor...could see the plant visually like it was next door.

And when I hear of Bush wanting to go that route...nuclear power because it's "safe and clean" and implemented in European countries....I just remember that plant and my family...and I realize George Bush is really the idiot everyone knows he truly is.

It's still much cleaner than traiditional stations running on oil and nuclear reactors produce much more power than other environment-friendly solutions like solar and wind generators. Basically, it's the only solution available right now that is clean and produces enough energy for an industrialised country like France or USA.

Let's wait and see what happens with the fusion reactor. Btw, they wanted to build in Canada, not too far away from one of Ontario's nuclear reactors, but then the proposed site was rejected - not too sure why. Right now they cant decide whether to build the experimental fusion reactor in France or Japan. I say, build one in North America!

PS. Yes it is very expensive to service and dismantle those reactors. Also Tchernobyl was a horrible tragedy that's hard to forget - i've read an article stating that about 60% of wheat growing in a large region surrounding the reactor is mutated; 1 out of 3 children have pre-birth diseases like autism, down syndrome, and others (not sure about the names of diseases, correct me if i am wrong); stroncium and americium - 2 of the strongest radioactive chemical elements - have already made their way to Dnepr, Ukraine's biggest river - and can be found in different regions of the country.

Point being is, nuclear energy is clean and provides enough, but it is costly and God forbid something goes wrong.

Colorado has alot of hydroelectric power.
[Hard to imagine since we have little water resources, but we do]

I also pay an extra $2.50 or so per month to support wind power.

It's interesting, along Hwy 93, which I drive along every day, there are many windmills running and then a little down the road is Rocky Flats where they used to make plutonium triggers during the Cold War. That plant came down by public protest! And now they want to turn the land into a wildlife refuge so we can visit three headed jackalopes! But the dichotomy of Rocky Flats and now windmills shows that at least some progress is being made.

I am afraid our current president has no idea how to manage anything unless it involves oil...especially with oil running through his veins and an oil pump for a heart. That is why Cheney has problems...he has an oil pump pumping oil through his veins too and needs more replacements than Bush.