Just read this and had no idea...never read about it or heard a thing before this....

"The Obama administration has quietly forged ahead with its proposal to sell $60 billion worth of fighter jets and attack helicopters to Saudi Arabia unhampered by Congress, despite questions raised in legislative inquiries and in an internal congressional report about the wisdom of the deal.

The massive arms deal would be the single largest sale of weapons to a foreign nation in the history of the U.S., outfitting Saudi Arabia with a fully modernized, potent new air force. "

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/critic...ry?id=12192558

I am really not sure about this deal, but what struck me is the constant pattern of a LACK OF TRANSPARENCY by an administration that so touted how visible they would be and so criticized anyone and everyone else in Washington. This is a DONE DEAL if not stopped by TODAY. This was done by the administration to take advantage of the break for the elections, KNOWING this would happen thus it is more than a proposal..it is a done deal !

From a Democrat....

"Rep. Anthony Weiner, a New York Democrat, submitted a resolution this week to try and block the deal, and was among those who objected to the way the administration approached the required congressional review.

"Hiding this in a recess announcement is a sign of how unpopular it is," he said. "It's bad policy that now is further tainted by shameful process."

Were there not folks on THIS BOARD during the election blasting the Bush Adminstration for even talking to the Saudi's ?

I have to read much more about the deal, BUT WHY IS EVERYTHING DONE IN SUCH A SNEAK WAY !!

During the 1972 oil embargo, Nixon/Kissinger negotiated an 'understanding' with the Saudi Arabia that would work for both sides. The United States would buy Saudi oil and, in exchange, Saudi Arabia would buy US arms.

This understanding has worked well for both countries. The US has continued to buy Saudi oil. Saudi Arabia has continued to buy arms from the US. These arms have never been used against Israel. Saudi Arabis allowed us to base forces there during the first gulf war against strong opposition for ISlamic fundamentalist.

Today, Saudi Arabia faces an increasingly militant Islamic regime in Iran. They need all the help we can provide to them.

Sometimes you must ignore the nut jobs in DC, Weiner in particular, and do what is right for the US. I am not a fan of the present administration, but in this case it is doing what is absolutely essential to protect our interests. Transparency sounds good, but is not always in the best interests of all involved.

Originally Posted by BBQMan

During the 1972 oil embargo, Nixon/Kissinger negotiated an 'understanding' with the Saudi Arabia that would work for both sides. The United States would buy Saudi oil and, in exchange, Saudi Arabia would buy US arms.

This understanding has worked well for both countries. The US has continued to buy Saudi oil. Saudi Arabia has continued to buy arms from the US. These arms have never been used against Israel. Saudi Arabis allowed us to base forces there during the first gulf war against strong opposition for ISlamic fundamentalist.

Today, Saudi Arabia faces an increasingly militant Islamic regime in Iran. They need all the help we can provide to them.

Sometimes you must ignore the nut jobs in DC, Weiner in particular, and do what is right for the US. I am not a fan of the present administration, but in this case it is doing what is absolutely essential to protect our interests. Transparency sounds good, but is not always in the best interests of all involved.

Thanks for your response. I tend to agree with you and would suppose that I have become somewhat sensitive to the openness issue with all the secrecy recently in Washington DC.

I agree that transparency is not ALWAYS the best, but at this point, I would say that only on foreign affairs...still think the domestic issues need to be aired.

Having said all that, I "think" I agree with you. We need allies in that area and in todays age, all alliances will not feel warm and comfy at first glance.

It is difficult, however, to support a regime that doesn't let it's women so much as drive a car.

Talk about being between a rock and a hard place...

Originally Posted by djplong

It is difficult, however, to support a regime that doesn't let it's women so much as drive a car.

Talk about being between a rock and a hard place...

I'll have to think about that one.