[Rudder]

So the US and Saudis have each other by the balls: we got their money and they got our oil. Sounds simple enough. Who's going to let go first? We could punch them in the face with our free hand; seems like they're already doing that to us, anyway. But, we can't hurt them too much 'cause we want their oil, and they can't hurt use too much 'cause they want our money.

Got any ideas?

[Republic of Texas]

I have an idea. Annex them. Oh sure it sounds crazy, expensive and bloody...NOW. In a few years though, when oil is at oh, say $150 per barrel, we've had more terrorist attacks either here or abroad, or both, and Muslims are closer to taking over Europe and making inroads in N. America, that idea might not seem so nuts. The more trouble they cause, the more of our debt they own, the easier it will be to consider just taking over the damn place and killing or imprisoning every last bastard that gets in the way.

Eventually, that idea will be cheaper than being their hostage.

[endthematrix]

"we got their money and they got our oil.

They have our money and they still have oil. Everyone has money and everyone wants oil. The US is less relevant in this scenario, except we have the aircraft carriers...

[SatinDoll]

The answer is easy: stop using petroleum products. The HOW TO DO THAT is what’s hard.

1. Go nuclear power nationwide - NO HOLDOUTS!
2. Solar power - use it in regions where it will work.
3. Geothermal - where it is available.
4. Biofuels - only where we have to.
5. Natural gas - sparingly.

It can be done. Only environmentalists and the big oil companies are in the way.

[Catulus]

“So the US and Saudis have each other by the balls: we got their money and they got our oil. “

No, it’s quite one-sided. Did you see Bush grovel before the Saudi king begging him to reduce oil prices?

“But, we can’t hurt them too much ‘cause we want their oil, and they can’t hurt use too much ‘cause they want our money.”

Oil is fungible. They’ve shown they have our government pretty much bought.