Mark Steyn: We've created a monster

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 10/21/2001 | Mark Steyn

[summer]

Thanks for the flag on this.

[Kermit]

I say we start building the new style nuclear plants. We start drilling in Anwar, work with Canadians to develop the oil sands in Alberta, help our new Russian friends develop their oil. Goal is in 10 years to be free of Persian Gulf oil. Then shut down the Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran are all simply parasites on the West. It is Western money and technology that enable these states to cause the trouble they cause. Set them back to where they would be without oil and let them develop thru hard work and brains. Free oil money has created spoiled brats with billions to spend on arms. This has to stop.

[Paulus Invictus]

An unpopular concept, but unfortunately very true. Even in our little town, Saudi zillionnaires headed a huge investment scam that made hundreds of people see their savings disappear. Are they doing this to undermine the US economy? Are they sending the money they collected from hapless US investors to Osama? Is Klintoon a liar?

[Paulus Invictus]

The Brits would never agree to freeze Saudi assets. The Arab princes own most of Britain already and the Brits know it. Hey, they even own Harrods for crying our loud!

[meenie]

Actually this is too sane a policy to follow. During the Carter embargo, this was the apparent solution but nothing was done. Along with the Saudis,we need to prop up the railroads, oil companies, and armament companies in this country.

Since government got in bed with the monoplies, nothing makes sense from a practical standpoint. I am not anti-capitalist, for business should be left alone and to their own devices, but this particular brand of fascism we have in this country now where special interests are favored, by the government, at the expense of everything else is wrong.

[T Ruth]

#42 is well put.

[RottiBiz]

Chances are, while you're reading this, some hapless female member of the House of Saud is having contractions. Because if there's one thing Saudi Arabia can always use, it's another prince.

Couldn't resist repeating this because it made me laugh.

Actually, this is a serious article by Steyn and I agree with everything he wrote. He really has his historical facts down pat.

Now more than ever, we need an energy bill with emphasis on exploration and drilling to end our dependence on Saudi oil. Will we ever learn?

Thanks, Pokey, for the post and the ping.

[RobbyS]

Now more than ever, we need an energy bill with emphasis on exploration and drilling to end our dependence on Saudi oil. Will we ever learn?

When will we start tapping our huge coal reserves? I am almost persuaded that the oil lobby is supporting the enviromentalists.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Looks like dighton wins the latest round of "Spot the weed". There's enough here to publish a field guide...

Astonished	J Harris	Lematha	sawgrass
Passin Pilgrim	LeeAnn6	tynker	Kudzu Flat
Samaritan	Patria One	TBA	TBA

[Thinkin' Gal]

The ''stability'' junkies in D.C. still like the deal, but others are beginning to mull over the likely shape of a post-Saud Arabia. Professor Glenn Reynolds (who runs the excellent Instapundit.com Web site) favors the idea of restoring the Hashemites--the traditional rulers of the Hejaz and the ones the Brits had in mind for a pan-Arabic kingdom until Ibn Saud started slaughtering his way to the top.

Saudia Arabia... Iraq... heck might as well give 'em [back] the West Bank too! That would be toward the south, east, and toward the pleasand land (directions from Amman).

Daniel 8:9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

[veronica]

There are times when a "burqua" might be appropriate. LOL.

[veronica]

Read the New Yorker and other New York press with a grain of salt.

Seymour Hersh marches to nobody's drum, ever. He's an independent curmudgeon in fact.

[Senator Pardek]

LOL!

[Sabramerican]

Welcome everyone to FreeRepublic's fastest growing game show: Who's Astonished Now?

The judges have examined the record. The rules clearly say that not only must she be identified as new but by name.

So it's offical.

The winner of this round is Thinkin' Gal.

Past winners are arriving to congratulate the new champion. If you are a past winner and didn't leave a forwarding address we apologize.

[dighton]

Oh, no! Anticipating the prize money, I just charged a Lexus to my American Express.

[Sabramerican]

I can sympathize. Everyone wants to win Who's Astonished Now?

But Thinkin' Gal is really tough. She is a multiple time winner.

The good news is that you will get another chance....and another....and another.....

It's not the fastest growing game show for nothing.

[MissAmericanPie]

Fox News reported on it. The payoff's by Saudi to buy Ben Ladin off terrorizing them. It is the excuse they gave for hundreds of millions of dollars paid into a charity that Usama dips into.

[nunya bidness]

Cabinet ministers can earn more than $6 million (base).

Does that include dental?

[Lent]

Past winners are arriving to congratulate the new champion. If you are a past winner and didn't leave a forwarding address we apologize.

(Perpetual loser Lent begrudginly extends his hand in acknowledgment of the victor)