Douglas Buckland + 6,308 April 15, 2020 14 hours ago, Gregory Purcell said: We can't win the war in Afghanistan because we never had realistic clear objectives, our political leadership never could say, what winning would look like. Meanwhile the Taliban knows exactly what winning looks like. 15 years ago a Taliban commander said in an interview "Every American soldier has a fancy clock on his wrist, but time is our main weapon, time is on our side" Plus, you can’t help those who won’t help themselves. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douglas Buckland + 6,308 April 15, 2020 20 hours ago, Dan Warnick said: Did it ever occur to you that we might need a playground to keep our top notch fighting forces trained and busy, within view of a few bullies? Plus, we need somewhere to test all the new stuff... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0R0 + 6,251 April 15, 2020 15 hours ago, Rob Plant said: If the US withdraws their troops and leaves Saudi to the chaos that would ensue then the US loses. The US loses to Iran, China and Russia for the whole region's political direction for decades. There is a bigger picture than the current price of oil here. Which is why the US is not leaving till a European and Japanese force is ready to take over the majority of the job. . The US is no longer there for Saudi, it is there against Iran Russia and China. 2 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douglas Buckland + 6,308 April 15, 2020 (edited) 4 minutes ago, 0R0 said: Which is why the US is not leaving till a European and Japanese force is ready to take over the majority of the job. . The US is no longer there for Saudi, it is there against Iran Russia and China. I wouldn’t hold my breath while waiting for Japan and Europe to take over the heavy lifting in Saudi Arabia... Edited April 15, 2020 by Douglas Buckland Hhh 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0R0 + 6,251 April 15, 2020 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Douglas Buckland said: I wouldn’t hold my breath while waiting for Japan and Europe to take over the heavy lifting in Saudi Arabia... The gulf, not Saudi. Japan is already there. So are the Brits. Just not there in a big enough way to do the boots on the ground work. Edited April 15, 2020 by 0R0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douglas Buckland + 6,308 April 15, 2020 12 minutes ago, 0R0 said: The gulf, not Saudi. Japan is already there. So are the Brits. Just not there in a big enough way to do the boots on the ground work. Yep, time for the Yanks to leave and let anyone else take over. We’ve spent enough blood and money in the region with no thanks at all. Time for somebody else to have a go at it. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Regan + 1,776 April 15, 2020 (edited) 6 minutes ago, Douglas Buckland said: Yep, time for the Yanks to leave and let anyone else take over. We’ve spent enough blood and money in the region with no thanks at all. Time for somebody else to have a go at it. You guys should have learned from Mexico, there are limits to how far you should go. Gringo from the Mexican Spanish of Green GO, and that took a Scotsman to do it for you. Yep a skirt wearing Jock leading...... Edited April 15, 2020 by James Regan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douglas Buckland + 6,308 April 15, 2020 22 minutes ago, James Regan said: You guys should have learned from Mexico, there are limits to how far you should go. Gringo from the Mexican Spanish of Green GO, and that took a Scotsman to do it for you. Yep a skirt wearing Jock leading...... We got Texas and California out of the deal...to bad we can’t give California back. 4 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Plant + 2,756 RP April 15, 2020 18 hours ago, Gerry Maddoux said: With all regards, this is not "my" price that needs to come up. You're British, right? The US came to your defense when your backs were up against the wall. Well, our backs are up against the wall. With 22,000 deaths and counting--and with full realization that your country has suffered as much, per capita--and with 20 million people suddenly out of jobs, we are on the cusp of falling into the abyss. Only the astute handling of this crisis by the president, his advisers and the Federal Reserve were we able to partially mitigate this economic disaster. The Saudis launched this ill-conceived scheme of theirs just before it became apparent that we'd be facing the butcher from Wuhan. Any decent people--much less an ally--would have pulled back at that point, said gee we didn't foresee this, and we really want to help our "ally." But no, they pushed on gleefully, reconfirming their stance over and over. Kick 'em when they're down. What dirty bastards! We are talking about a couple of million American jobs at stake, an entire industry, and you have the audacity to say "I guess you'd get your oil price up . . ." I'd rethink that one if I were you. If the US fails, what do you really think it going to happen to the UK, to Europe, to Israel, and to the world. The European Union is headed for a financial calamity. I fear the UK is too. I hope not. As in the past, it's easy to let everyone pile on the American back, and I fully understand that many people think shale had it coming to them, but for God's sake, where is a sense of unity? I've had my long run in my chosen profession, but I'd sure like to see it prosper for the men and women coming behind me. I can survive this economic onslaught, even if "your oil price" languishes at this level forever, but I sure would hate to see a couple of million hard-working people whose jobs can ALL be salvaged fall into the maws of a psychopath like MbS. Take any shot at me you like, but try to get it right. And please, take a moment and determine if you really want to be preaching to me. You know absolutely nothing about me, my morality, my patriotism, and certainly not my heritage. The comment, "I guess you'd get your oil price up" was a slur to me and everything I stand for. And I won't stand for it, not for a moment. Gerry this wasnt meant to offend, my humble apologies if it came across that way! It was in no way meant as a personal slur but reading it back I can easily see why it was taken as such I have stated what I personally think of you and your comments (cant remember if it was this thread or another) but that should suffice to formulate your opinion on the matter. Yes I agree its a time for pulling together as we havent done since WW2 and for like minded countries to stand together as we have done many times. Economically we are all headed for a world of pain and that's just a fact unfortunately, how bad nobody knows at this point. I feel desperately sorry for those who have just left school/university as their generation will be paying for this for decades. I agree with your view on Saudi and what they have done is stab the US in the back. I just want a calculated response from the US (I'm not criticising the US in any way here) as i dont think destabilising the M.E further will help anyone. Tariffs or whatever financial/ political retributions the US imposes are all fine with me and the least they deserve. 2 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douglas Buckland + 6,308 April 15, 2020 Gerry, just whack Rob with a 36 and we’ll call it even. He ain’t a bad guy, just not oilfield.😂 That said, you are both absolutely correct that now is the time to pull together! 2 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Plant + 2,756 RP April 15, 2020 4 hours ago, 0R0 said: The gulf, not Saudi. Japan is already there. So are the Brits. Just not there in a big enough way to do the boots on the ground work. Problem is we just haven't got enough boots on the ground to do the job, and I dare say Japan are in the same boat as us. Europe just hasnt got the political will to do it, France in particular has a lot of vested interests in the region to start policing it. Maybe Canada could come to the party? They only spent 1.31% of their GDP towards NATO so they owe us! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Plant + 2,756 RP April 15, 2020 1 minute ago, Douglas Buckland said: Gerry, just whack Rob with a 36 and we’ll call it even. He ain’t a bad guy, just not oilfield.😂 That said, you are both absolutely correct that now is the time to pull together! Haha yeah I deserve it to be fair 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douglas Buckland + 6,308 April 15, 2020 6 minutes ago, Rob Plant said: Haha yeah I deserve it to be fair FYI: A ‘36’ is a 36” pipe wrench, usually purchased from the Rigid Tool Company. Have fun with that company’s name...😂 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Kirkman + 8,860 April 15, 2020 16 minutes ago, Rob Plant said: Maybe Canada could come to the party? With Trudeau running Canada into the ground, that ain't gonna happen. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0R0 + 6,251 April 15, 2020 13 minutes ago, Rob Plant said: Problem is we just haven't got enough boots on the ground to do the job, and I dare say Japan are in the same boat as us. Europe just hasnt got the political will to do it, France in particular has a lot of vested interests in the region to start policing it. Maybe Canada could come to the party? They only spent 1.31% of their GDP towards NATO so they owe us! Which is why we are still waiting. Europe is still trying to imagine its way into self sufficiency in oil. But this Russia thing keeps getting in the way as they are always there to undercut whatever home grown oil they manage. So it appears they will stay in need of Saudi and co. for a long while longer . We are still waiting to see how they move ahead to return of empires. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Kirkman + 8,860 April 15, 2020 7 minutes ago, Douglas Buckland said: FYI: A ‘36’ is a 36” pipe wrench, usually purchased from the Rigid Tool Company. Have fun with that company’s name...😂 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Plant + 2,756 RP April 15, 2020 11 minutes ago, Douglas Buckland said: FYI: A ‘36’ is a 36” pipe wrench, usually purchased from the Rigid Tool Company. Have fun with that company’s name...😂 I guess its more use than one from the Flaccid Tool Company 😂 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douglas Buckland + 6,308 April 15, 2020 49 minutes ago, Tom Kirkman said: Tom, Do you remember those hot Snap-on calendars before some PC Nazi made them stop? No hotrod shop in the States was without one! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Kirkman + 8,860 April 15, 2020 13 minutes ago, Douglas Buckland said: Tom, Do you remember those hot Snap-on calendars before some PC Nazi made them stop? No hotrod shop in the States was without one! Yep. Now considered NSFW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Ron + 18 April 15, 2020 According to an article published on this site: “Saudi Arabia hiked prices for shipments heading to the U.S., a nod to President Trump and the OPEC+ agreement. But it cut prices to shipments to Europe and Asia, evidence that Riyadh is not done with its market share strategy.” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douglas Buckland + 6,308 April 15, 2020 1 hour ago, Tom Kirkman said: Yep. Now considered NSFW. PC is taking the fun out of life... 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Kirkman + 8,860 April 15, 2020 3 minutes ago, Douglas Buckland said: PC is taking the fun out of life... 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan Warnick + 6,100 April 15, 2020 9 hours ago, Douglas Buckland said: We got Texas and California out of the deal...to bad we can’t give California back. Purchase contracts only require a $ value in order to make it legal. Would they take Cali if we offered it for a $1? Granted we'd have to read subtitles on new movies, but Google could probably step in with real time dubbing. No more sanctuary cities, just cities! Oh, the potential benefits and opportunities for Nancy, Diane and Maxine to realize their utopian dreams are incredible. Unless they pull up with a NIMBY ankle sprain or something. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan Warnick + 6,100 April 15, 2020 3 hours ago, Douglas Buckland said: Tom, Do you remember those hot Snap-on calendars before some PC Nazi made them stop? No hotrod shop in the States was without one! Er, like this one: And for you, Douglas: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites