And while everyone is watching Japan...

[CosmicCowboy]

The shit is hitting the fan in Bahrain...

Clashes sweep Bahrain as king declares emergency

By BARBARA SURK and REEM KHALIFA
Associated Press


MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) -- Frenzied clashes swept Bahrain Tuesday, a day after a Saudi-led military force entered the country to defend its Sunni monarchy from a Shiite-led protest movement. Hundreds of demonstrators were injured by shotgun blasts and clubs, a doctor said.

As the government's crackdown intensified, the Bahraini king declared a three-month state of emergency Tuesday that gave his military chief wide authority to battle protesters demanding political reforms and equal rights for Shiites. One demonstrator was shot in the head and killed, and a Saudi official said one of his country's soldiers was shot dead by a protester.

The force of more than 1,000 Saudi-led troops from several Gulf nations saw its first day of action to help prop up the U.S.-backed regime in Bahrain. Its intervention was the first major cross-border military action to challenge one of the revolts sweeping across the Arab world.

Further underlining the regional implications of the unrest in Bahrain, Shiite power Iran denounced the foreign intervention as "unacceptable" and predicted it would complicate the kingdom's political crisis.

Iran holds no deep political ties to Bahrain's Shiite groups, but some Iranian hard-liners have hailed their efforts over the years for greater rights for their community, which represents a majority of the nation's population.

The United States bases its Navy's 5th Fleet in the country in part to try to counter Iran's military reach.

Other Gulf leaders have urged Bahrain's king not to give ground, fearing that gains by Bahrain's Shiite Muslims could offer a window for Iran to expand its influence on the Arab side of the Gulf. There are also worries that political concessions could embolden more protests against their own regimes, which have already confronted pro-reform cries in Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Tuesday's worst confrontations took place on the Bahraini island of Sitra.

A 24-year-old protester, Ahmed Farhan, was shot in the head and killed, said Dr. Ibrahim Youssef, a member of the medical team at the Sitra Health Center. Youssef said hundreds of others were injured by shotgun blasts and clubs.

"Hundreds of people are here. They are everywhere - in the halls, on the floor of the health center," he said. "People are screaming. There is lots of blood."

There was a growing conviction among the protesters, centered in the tent camp in the capital's Pearl Square, that the monarchy is unwilling to meet their demands for an elected government and a voice for Shiites in running the nation.

"They brought tanks from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to keep the monarchy as it is, not to change it," said Ali Issa, a protester manning a checkpoint on a road leading to the square. "We are expecting they will attack us any minute now."

At the square, thousands of protesters were still in shock over the arrival of the neighboring armies when the state of emergency was declared.

"We are ready for anything, but this protest started peacefully and it will end peacefully," said Ali Hassan, a demonstrator in Pearl Square. "We have no guns, but we will resist by remaining here as long as we possibly can."

The emergency law statement said the head of Bahrain's armed forces has ordered authorities "to take necessary steps to restore national security."

Senior opposition leader Abdul Jalil Khalil said the monarchy's steps indicated it has decided to "give a military solution to a political problem."

"They want to talk with a gun on our head, and saying, you either take this or you die," said Khalil, a leader of Bahrain's main Shiite group, Al-Wefaq.

A security official in Saudi Arabia said a Saudi sergeant was shot and killed by a protester in Bahrain's capital, Manama. No other details were immediately given on the death of the soldier, identified as Sgt. Ahmed al-Raddadi.

Throughout the unrest, protesters have displayed no weapons and have adopted the chant of "peaceful" as a main slogan. The Saudi official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

Shiites account for 70 percent of the population, but are widely excluded from high-level political or security posts. The protesters also demand the repeal of a government policy to offset the Shiite demographic advantage by giving citizenship and jobs to Sunnis from other Arab nations and South Asia.

The protests began last month with calls for the monarchy to give up most of its powers to the elected parliament. But as violence has deepened, many protesters now say they want to topple the entire royal family.

The foreign troops are from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council's Peninsula Shield Force. The bloc is made up of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have announced roles in the Bahrain force, but the contributions from the other countries were not immediately clear.

The U.S. was informed of the foreign troop intervention a day before the deployment, said Defense Department spokesman Col. Dave Lapan.

"We have communicated to all parties our concerns regarding actions that could be provocative or inflame sectarian tensions," Lapan said.

He said the commander of the Navy's 5th Fleet will decide whether to send military personnel or family members out of the country. A 5th Fleet spokesman did not immediately respond to a telephone query about what is planned.

---

[CosmicCowboy]

And of course, meanwhile, Obama is pondering the really important stuff like who to pick in his NCAA brackets...

[boutons_deux]

If you were Barry Hussein, what you do in Libya and in Bahrain?

UCA bombing and invading and policing other countries works almost never, and never ends as intended.

And if UCA/allies take out Khadafi, why would we not also take out the Bahraini ruler? Mugabe/Zimbabwe? Cote d'Ivoire? Those countries would want the precedent to be applied in their countries. And if UCA then did nothing, it would embolden the current oppressors.

Actually Zimbabwe doesn't have oil, so UCA doesn't GAF. Nigeria does! :lol

[MannyIsGod]

Pretty fucked up the Saudi's sent in troops.

[Drachen]

Is it sad that I continually think of the muppet show every time I read or hear the name of that city?

[Cry Havoc]

And of course, meanwhile, Obama is pondering the really important stuff like who to pick in his NCAA brackets...

All work and no play...

I mean, Bush clearly didn't have a problem taking a vacation... even though it was during Katrina's impact on New Orleans...

http://thinkprogress.org/2005/08/30/as-katrina-struck-bush-vacationed/

[clambake]

what would you do, cc?

[Cry Havoc]

Obama isn't allowed to be a sports fan like 80% of the presidents before him!

[TDMVPDPOY]

its fkn simple, if you dont like it ...gtfo

[hater]

Saudi Royal Army coming in to kick some democratic ass

http://www.lifthill.com/images/storm-troopers-wdw-400.jpg

[ChumpDumper]

what would you do, cc?

[Oh, Gee!!]

remember when conservatives didn't want to be the world's police force?

[Wild Cobra]

And of course, meanwhile, Obama is pondering the really important stuff like who to pick in his NCAA brackets...
I wonder if any of these national or international tests will teach him any leadership qualities.

[ChumpDumper]

What would you do, WC?

[hater]

they don't know what the fuck they'd do. It's called "being in the opposition"

[Spurminator]

It's true, Obama really does need to stop scheduling these ten-hour NCAA meetings with his advisors.

[Drachen]

He should be clearing brush... That is far more leadery

[hater]

It's true, Obama really does need to stop scheduling these ten-hour NCAA meetings with his advisors.

or stop choking on pretzels while drinking a beer and watching the games :pctoss

[Wild Cobra]

Pretty fucked up the Saudi's sent in troops.
Is it?

From Gulf states send forces to Bahrain following protests (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12729786):

'Answering request'

A Saudi official said about 1,000 Saudi Arabian troops arrived in Bahrain early on Monday, and later the UAE said it had sent some 500 police officers.

Witnesses told the Reuters news agency that about 150 Saudi Arabian armoured troop carriers plus other vehicles entered Bahrain on the causeway that links the two kingdoms.

The Saudi government said in a statement that it "has answered a request by Bahrain for support", according to the Saudi Spa state-run news agency.

The troops are part of a deployment by the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), a six-nation regional grouping which includes Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

It is believed they are intended to guard key facilities such as oil and gas installations and financial institutions.

[ChumpDumper]

Better than the US sending troops.

But what would you do, WC?

CC?

[Blake]

I wonder if any of these national or international tests will teach him any leadership qualities.

I wonder if katrina taught bush some leadership qualities.

I guess we'll never know.

[Cry Havoc]

remember when conservatives didn't want to be the world's police force?

:wow

It's insane how times have changed.

[CosmicCowboy]

what would you do, cc?

Sometimes it's what you DON'T do thats more important. Egypt was the big Domino that really put the whole region in play...Obama chopped Mubarek off at the knees when the protests started there and he started talking "freedom" and "democracy" and advocating that Mubarek step down.... When I pointed out in here at the time that it would come back to bite him on the ass when it happened in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia I was (as usual) criticized by the progressive wingnuts in here as hating freedom and democracy. Oh Well. The hypocrisy should be painfully obvious even to you progressives.

[CosmicCowboy]

Sometimes it's what you DON'T do thats more important. Egypt was the big Domino that really put the whole region in play...Obama chopped Mubarek off at the knees when the protests started there and he started talking "freedom" and "democracy" and advocating that Mubarek step down.... When I pointed out in here at the time that it would come back to bite him on the ass when it happened in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia I was (as usual) criticized by the progressive wingnuts in here as hating freedom and democracy. Oh Well. The hypocrisy should be painfully obvious even to you progressives.

Actually, in that context maybe it IS better he's spending his time on ESPN talking NCAA brackets instead of fucking other things up.

[ChumpDumper]

You didn't answer the question.

[Oh, Gee!!]

You didn't answer the question.

apparently, he would do nothing. yet he criticizes Obama for doing nothing

[CosmicCowboy]

You didn't answer the question.

Sure I did. I would not have openly advocated toppling Mubarek.

[DarrinS]

And of course, meanwhile, Obama is pondering the really important stuff like who to pick in his NCAA brackets...


I resent this. He actually had a very important summit on bullying last week.

[ChumpDumper]

What would you do, Darrin?

[Blake]

apparently, he would do nothing. yet he criticizes Obama for doing nothing

Or because something was done in one country one way that the same way must be used in all situations.

[MannyIsGod]

CC would rather support a dictator. I'm not shocked.

[CosmicCowboy]

CC would rather support a dictator. I'm not shocked.

We already do. Even Kings and Princes. It's called accepting reality and preferring the status quo over change. Whats so hard to understand about that?

[ChumpDumper]

I'm not convinced that a political change in Bahrain would be either a complete coup or completely hostile to the US. CC will have to do a better job of scaring me.

After he tells me what he would do about this as president, of course.

[clambake]

We already do. Even Kings and Princes. It's called accepting reality and preferring the status quo over change. Whats so hard to understand about that?

why don't you accept reality and afford freedoms to the people. they are willing to give their lives for it.

tell us how it benefits you for them to have a boot on their throats. are you willing to give your life to keep your boot on their throats?

[MannyIsGod]

We already do. Even Kings and Princes. It's called accepting reality and preferring the status quo over change. Whats so hard to understand about that?

I don't support any dictators. My government may, but thats not me. I support freedom for all people in the world.

The reality is that people are under the rule of dictators around the world but I don't see why I have to support that. That is not reality.

You may prefer that over change, but I prefer people be free. The people of Egypt do me no good under a dictator and I would never wish that upon them. The goals of the United States government and their interests rarely overlap with mine.

[CosmicCowboy]

You guys crack me up. We went in and overthrew a dictator and set up a democratic government in Iraq and you guys HATED that. Now when I say we are better off leaving them all alone y'all want to argue that I love dictators and y'all are freedom lovers. Make up your fucking minds!

[ChumpDumper]

You guys crack me up. We went in and overthrew a dictator and set up a democratic government in Iraq and you guys HATED that. Now when I say we are better off leaving them all alone y'all want to argue that I love dictators and y'all are freedom lovers. Make up your fucking minds!You haven't said anything about what you would do about Bahrain as president after you castigated Obama for doing nothing about Bahrain.

Are you now saying you would do nothing about Bahrain now, just as Obama has done nothing (that anyone knows of)?

Make up your mind.

[ChumpDumper]

Sure I did. I would not have openly advocated toppling Mubarek.Mubarek is not the leader of Bahrain.

[MannyIsGod]

You guys crack me up. We went in and overthrew a dictator and set up a democratic government in Iraq and you guys HATED that. Now when I say we are better off leaving them all alone y'all want to argue that I love dictators and y'all are freedom lovers. Make up your fucking minds!

Advocating freedom >< Advocating the Americans go in and setup a government in a place that should actually be three countries much to the benefit of American foreign policy.

You can create all the straw men you want but just because I advocate that people be allowed to choose their own destiny and be free if they so wish that doesn't mean I advocate our government toppling dictators around the world.

You're going to have to search a bit harder than that for my beliefs to be at odds with themselves.

[CosmicCowboy]

You haven't said anything about what you would do about Bahrain as president after you castigated Obama for doing nothing about Bahrain.

Are you now saying you would do nothing about Bahrain now, just as Obama has done nothing (that anyone knows of)?

Make up your mind.

Try to stay up Chump. You obviously missed my post about how it all started in Egypt. I'm not going to retype it.

[ChumpDumper]

Try to stay up Chump. You obviously missed my post about how it all started in Egypt. I'm not going to retype it.
And of course, meanwhile, Obama is pondering the really important stuff like who to pick in his NCAA brackets...That was about Bahrain.

Not Egypt.

Since you complained that Obama is not doing anything about Bahrain, what would you do about Bahrain were you in his position?

[CosmicCowboy]

Chump, please, you are not that stupid. These countries are all politically and religiously interconnected and border each other in North Africa...Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain...they don't exist in a vacuum. Obama threw the weight of the United States behind the rebels in Egypt with no apparent thought to the consequences. Why do you think these folks getting shot down and bombed in Libya are now begging for our help? They thought we would do the same for them...They all saw it work in Egypt and think they can pull it off in their own country. Oops. Not when it goes against our own geo-political interests. So Sorry.

[ChumpDumper]

Chump, please, you are not that stupid. These countries are all politically and religiously interconnected and border each other in North Africa...Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain...they don't exist in a vacuum. Obama threw the weight of the United States behind the rebels in Egypt with no apparent thought to the consequences. Why do you think these folks getting shot down and bombed in Libya are now begging for our help? They thought we would do the same for them...They all saw it work in Egypt and think they can pull it off in their own country. Oops. Not when it goes against our own geo-political interests. So Sorry.Again, you aren't saying what you would do about Bahrain after complaining that Obama was doing nothing about Bahrain.

[jack sommerset]

You guys crack me up. We went in and overthrew a dictator and set up a democratic government in Iraq and you guys HATED that. Now when I say we are better off leaving them all alone y'all want to argue that I love dictators and y'all are freedom lovers. Make up your fucking minds!

:lol

[CosmicCowboy]

Again, you aren't saying what you would do about Bahrain after complaining that Obama was doing nothing about Bahrain.

Will you concede that Obama stepped on his dick in Egypt? He practically CREATED the problem in Bahrain, and next Saudi Arabia. Now he needs to sit back and watch our Allies slaughter their protesting citizens and not say a fucking thing.

[ChumpDumper]

:lolHow many American servicemen and women died in the Egyptian coup, jack?

Give me a number.

[ChumpDumper]

Will you concede that Obama stepped on his dick in Egypt? He practically CREATED the problem in Bahrain, and next Saudi Arabia. Now he needs to sit back and watch our Allies slaughter their protesting citizens and not say a fucking thing.So you are now walking back from your complaint about Obama's doing nothing about Bahrain.

OK.

No you can try to convince me why I should be so scared about a move to a more democratic Bahrain.

[jack sommerset]

13? I don't know. Why don't you tell us?

[ChumpDumper]

13?Where did you get this number?

Show us a link.

[CosmicCowboy]

So you are now walking back from your complaint about Obama's doing nothing about Bahrain.

OK.

No you can try to convince me why I should be so scared about a move to a more democratic Bahrain.

I don't have to try to convince you of anything. I'm sure a Shia controlled Bahrain government that threw the 5th Fleet out of the country and served as a model for overthrowing Saudi Arabia would please you just fine. A bunch of freaking Mullas controlling 60% of the worlds oil would just be peachy keen.

[jack sommerset]

Where did you get this number?

Show us a link.


I don't know. Why don't you tell us?

[ChumpDumper]

I don't have to try to convince you of anything. I'm sure a Shia controlled Bahrain government that threw the 5th Fleet out of the country and served as a model for overthrowing Saudi Arabia would please you just fine. A bunch of freaking Mullas controlling 60% of the worlds oil would just be peachy keen.:lol this is what you think is going to happen?

And what makes you believe this?

[ChumpDumper]

13?So you just made up a number.

OK.

[CosmicCowboy]

:lol this is what you think is going to happen?

And what makes you believe this?

It is definitely a plausible scenario.

[MannyIsGod]

Obama created the problem in Bahrain? Really?

Wow.

[ChumpDumper]

It is definitely a plausible scenario.Based on what?

[CosmicCowboy]

Obama created the problem in Bahrain? Really?

Wow.

Not created, but contributed to.

[ChumpDumper]

Obama created the problem in Bahrain? Really?

Wow.And now he should do nothing, but we have to act like he should do something.

[jack sommerset]

So you just made up a number.

OK.

Yes, yes I did. I pulled it out of my ass for shits and giggles thus the question mark at the end of it followed up by "I don't know, Why don't you tell us?"

You are clearly upset today. What's wrong?

[ChumpDumper]

yes, yes i did. I pulled it out of my assok.

[jack sommerset]

How many American servicemen and women died in the Egyptian coup, jack?

Give me a number.


I don't know. Why don't you tell us?

*crickets

[ChumpDumper]

*cricketsYou really don't know?

:lmao

[Drachen]

You guys crack me up. We went in and overthrew a dictator and set up a democratic government in Iraq and you guys HATED that. Now when I say we are better off leaving them all alone y'all want to argue that I love dictators and y'all are freedom lovers. Make up your fucking minds!

You don't seem to understand that these changes are organic and are based on the self determination of the people. While the changes you mention above are thrust upon those people.

[clambake]

You don't seem to understand that these changes are organic and are based on the self determination of the people. While the changes you mention above are thrust upon those people.

he doesn't give a shit about the people.

[Parker2112]

Partisan hacks on this board suck ass.

fuggin sheep.
:wakeup

[Wild Cobra]

Will you concede that Obama stepped on his dick in Egypt? He practically CREATED the problem in Bahrain, and next Saudi Arabia. Now he needs to sit back and watch our Allies slaughter their protesting citizens and not say a fucking thing.
No shit.

This is something we should have either stayed out of, or supported Egypt former ruler.

[Wild Cobra]

You don't seem to understand that these changes are organic and are based on the self determination of the people. While the changes you mention above are thrust upon those people.
The self determination of the people was not the majority, but a group of organized people lied to by the "twelvers" most likely.

Doesn't it strike you as odd the Iran supported this, but quickly squelched their own internal prostests?

[CosmicCowboy]

You guys should read this article

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/middleeast/16bahrain.html?hp

It's from the highly conservative New York Times...:lol

Same shit I have been telling you idiots...


Long-simmering popular anger at the autocratic government and Sunni Muslim domination over a Shiite majority has been ratcheted up by recent revolts across the Arab world.

“We are not an exact copy of what happened in Egypt, but we have been inspired by it,” said Redha Hayat, a petroleum technician manning a protester checkpoint in the village of Sanabis.


Iran, the center of Shiite Islam which has sometimes called Bahrain one of its own provinces, objected angrily to the troops’ arrival. The state media called it an invasion and the Foreign Ministry spokesman told a news conference in Tehran that the presence of foreign troops in Bahrain was “unacceptable.”


In another activist village, Sanabis, Ghada Nasser, an English teacher at the local primary girls’ school, said armed gangs that she believed were sponsored by the security services had been entering the village and causing trouble. She said no one had been sleeping since Sunday because of the turmoil.

“I wish the Americans would help us,” she said. “But the day after your defense minister came here, the Saudi troops came in. What is the United States doing to end this situation?”

[ChumpDumper]

Still not scared, CC. You have yet to show any credible source for the worst case scenario you posted.

[CosmicCowboy]

I really don't give a shit if you are scared Chump. I'm not scared either. So far in this deal I've been a lot closer to predicting consequences of our bailing on Egypt than you have been. Oh that's right. All Chump does is nitpick minute details and never takes a stand on big issues.

[ChumpDumper]

I really don't give a shit if you are scared Chump. I'm not scared either. So far in this deal I've been a lot closer to predicting consequences of our bailing on Egypt than you have been. Oh that's right. All Chump does is nitpick minute details and never takes a stand on big issues.lol bailing on Egypt.

Now you are saying we should have intervened on behalf of the dictatorship.

It's easy to claim you're right when you take every possible side of the argument. :tu

[ElNono]

I was ok with Bush Sr no-fly zone in Iraq, and would have no problem with a similar tactic in these areas. I think it evens the field a bit and let's their people do their thing.
Heck, I wouldn't mind just provide air bombings like Clinton did in Yugoslavia...

I just don't want a full out invasion, troops and the like. Didn't want it in Iraq, don't want it in these places.

[ChumpDumper]

and lol never take a stand.

What stand is there to take in this situation, CC? Or rather which stand should I say I took earlier to make me think I'm right like you have done?

[ChumpDumper]

I was ok with Bush Sr no-fly zone in Iraq, and would have no problem with a similar tactic in these areas. I think it evens the field a bit and let's their people do their thing.
Heck, I wouldn't mind just provide air bombings like Clinton did in Yugoslavia...

I just don't want a full out invasion, troops and the like. Didn't want it in Iraq, don't want it in these places.I guess you are talking about Lybia. If the UN and African Union are more or less on board and involved that could work.

[CosmicCowboy]

lol bailing on Egypt.

Now you are saying we should have intervened on behalf of the dictatorship.

It's easy to claim you're right when you take every possible side of the argument. :tu

What part of "Obama should have shut his fucking mouth and done NOTHING in Egypt didn't you get?"

So tell me what the all knowing CHUMP would do to handle the situation boiling to a head in North Africa and the Middle East.

Yeah, I figured as much. No solid opinion from the fucking pussy. Just sniping at others opinions.

[CosmicCowboy]

I guess you are talking about Lybia. If the UN and African Union are more or less on board and involved that could work.

what is this Lybia you speak of all knowing Chump?

[ChumpDumper]

What part of "Obama should have shut his fucking mouth and done NOTHING in Egypt didn't you get?"So that would be not bailing?

And then what?


So tell me what the all knowing CHUMP would do to handle the situation boiling to a head in North Africa and the Middle East.

Yeah, I figured as much. No solid opinion from the fucking pussy. Just sniping at others opinions.Was I supposed to answer before you posted?

[ChumpDumper]

The army is in charge of Egypt as always. I'm sure Obama knew what they were going to do before he even said anything. That's how these things work. Mubarak was going down because the army was not backing him -- that was apparent early on. You give way too much credit to Obama for tipping the scales or encouraging more rebellions. Shit was happening regardless.

Libya is going to be much stickier and will probably cost some coin. Can't do anything unilaterally there, but there seems to be other willing parties.

Bahrain simply doesn't worry me as much as you are trying to be scared about it. I expect the monarch there to make a shitload of concessions soon as we have already seen in Oman. I can certainly guess that the US already has a hand in guiding those concessions behind the scenes.

[CosmicCowboy]

So that would be not bailing?

And then what?

Was I supposed to answer before you posted?

No, I just knew that you only live to snipe at others takes and don't have solid takes of your own.

[ChumpDumper]

No, I just knew that you only live to snipe at others takes and don't have solid takes of your own.Too late.

[CosmicCowboy]

The army is in charge of Egypt as always. I'm sure Obama knew what they were going to do before he even said anything. That's how these things work. Mubarak was going down because the army was not backing him -- that was apparent early on. You give way too much credit to Obama for tipping the scales or encouraging more rebellions. Shit was happening regardless.

Libya is going to be much stickier and will probably cost some coin. Can't do anything unilaterally there, but there seems to be other willing parties.

Bahrain simply doesn't worry me as much as you are trying to be scared about it. I expect the monarch there to make a shitload of concessions soon as we have already seen in Oman. I can certainly guess that the US already has a hand in guiding those concessions behind the scenes.

Damn. Chump actually posts an opinion. You seem to have a lot more confidence in the State Department than I do.

[ChumpDumper]

Damn. Chump actually posts an opinion. You seem to have a lot more confidence in the State Department than I do.Most of it is out of their hands.

Are you ever going to tell us what you would do regarding Bahrain now, CC?

Or are you just going to snipe at my takes?

[CosmicCowboy]

Most of it is out of their hands.

Are you ever going to tell us what you would do regarding Bahrain now, CC?

Or are you just going to snipe at my takes?

LMAO at Chump getting defensive.

[ChumpDumper]

LMAO at Chump getting defensive.Quite the opposite.

What would you do now about Bahrain, CC?

[clambake]

cc is a hannity fan lol.

[ChumpDumper]

Did Hannity predict a multiracial transcontinental Shia caliphate too?

[Oh, Gee!!]

Are you ever going to tell us what you would do regarding Bahrain now, CC?

he'd talk tough

[boutons_deux]

Is the Pentagon Strong-Arming the White House into Subverting Mideast Democratic Uprisings?

Look closely and outlines emerge of the ways in which the Pentagon and those oil-rich nations have pressured the White House to help subvert the popular democratic will sweeping across the greater Middle East.

Bullets and Blackhawks

A TomDispatch analysis of Defense Department documents indicates that, since the 1990s, the United States has transferred large quantities of military materiel, ranging from trucks and aircraft to machine-gun parts and millions of rounds of live ammunition, to Bahrain’s security forces.

the U.S. supplied Bahrain with enough .50 caliber rounds -- used in sniper rifles and machine guns -- to kill every Bahraini in the kingdom four times over. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency did not respond to repeated requests for information and clarification.

In addition to all these gifts of weaponry, ammunition, and fighting vehicles, the Pentagon in coordination with the State Department oversaw Bahrain’s purchase of more than $386 million in defense items and services from 2007 to 2009, the last three years on record. These deals included the purchase of a wide range of items from vehicles to weapons systems. Just this past summer, to cite one example, the Pentagon announced a multimillion-dollar contract with Sikorsky Aircraft to customize nine Black Hawk helicopters for Bahrain’s Defense Force.

The six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council include (in addition to Bahrain) Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, all of which have extensive ties to the Pentagon. The organization reportedly strong-armed the White House by playing on fears that Iran might benefit if Bahrain embraced democracy and that, as a result, the entire region might become destabilized in ways inimical to U.S. power-projection policies.

"Starting with Bahrain, the administration has moved a few notches toward emphasizing stability over majority rule," according to a U.S. official quoted by the Journal. "Everybody realized that Bahrain was just too important to fail."

http://www.alternet.org/module/printversion/150258

=========

As just another division of the VRWC's UCA, the MIC dictates foreign policy to transfer taxpayer wealth to corps and make the world safe for UCA's predatory, avaricious (oil) corps.

[Winehole23]

At least 200 people have been shot and wounded in a Shi'ite village south of the Bahraini capital, a medic says, as the king imposed a state of emergency after bringing in Saudi and Emirati troops to help quell anti-regime protests.http://www.smh.com.au/world/hundreds-shot-in-bahrain-protest-reports-20110316-1bw8j.html

[cheguevara]

American imperialism at it's finest

Screaming democracy only at select locations :lol

[boutons_deux]

Watch what we say, not what the MIC does.

[SnakeBoy]

After he tells me what he would do about this as president, of course.

If CC or any of the others posters spend two years and many millions of dollars telling everyone that they are the best person in the country to deal with all the problems of the world then you have a fair question. Until then it's pretty ridiculous that you expect them to come up with the solutions themselves.

[boutons_deux]

"best person in the country"

No, just a better person that the feeble-minded, emotionally unstable McLiar and his out-of-control, ignorant, rabble-rousing TV celebrity sidekick.

[SnakeBoy]

I don't recall "I'm not very good but I'm better than McCain" being an Obama campaign slogan.

[clambake]

snakeboy coming to hannity's rescue.....i mean cc's rescue. lol

[Blake]

If CC or any of the others posters spend two years and many millions of dollars telling everyone that they are the best person in the country to deal with all the problems of the world then you have a fair question. Until then it's pretty ridiculous that you expect them to come up with the solutions themselves.

If cc is going to whine about the solutions that the president comes up with, I don't think it's unfair to ask what the better solutions are.

So far, it appears cc would just rather whine.

[CosmicCowboy]

Are y'all REALLY that stupid? Obama already blew it in Egypt. The wind is now in the sails of the rebels across North Africa and the Middle East. There is now no solution except to personally stay as far away from talking about Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as possible. Obama has figured that out and is headed to Rio for vacation. All we will hear is vague statements from minions in the State Department about advocating "political solutions" in the area.

[MannyIsGod]

You're the only one here who thinks he blew it because it seems you're the only one that wants the dictators to win.

[Blake]

And of course, meanwhile, Obama is pondering the really important stuff like who to pick in his NCAA brackets...


Are y'all REALLY that stupid? .......... There is now no solution except to personally stay as far away from talking about Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as possible. Obama has figured that out........

[CosmicCowboy]

You're the only one here who thinks he blew it because it seems you're the only one that wants the dictators to win.

Manny....seriously...You don't realize that our GOVERNMENT wants stable, reliable, and friendly governments in place there which also happens to be the dictators and kings? It's not MY policy, its the policy of the USA.

[CosmicCowboy]

As usual stupid fuck Blake clips snippets out of context to make ?what? point?. Just go suck Obamas dick and get it over with.

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah there are people in our government who want that but I don't think they're the ones posting on Spurstalk.

[Blake]

As usual stupid fuck Blake clips snippets out of context to make ?what? point?. Just go suck Obamas dick and get it over with.

I don't believe I took anything out of context.

If obama has it figured out, explain what he should be pondering in regards to the original article you posted.

[CosmicCowboy]

Yeah there are people in our government who want that but I don't think they're the ones posting on Spurstalk.


???????

It is what it is.

The world is not what you wish it was.

[MannyIsGod]

Well thats obvious, but that doesn't mean I have to conform and believe something was a mistake because those in power do.

[CosmicCowboy]

I don't believe I took anything out of context.

If obama has it figured out, explain what he should be pondering in regards to the original article you posted.

Go fuck yourself. I'll chat with Manny and Chump because they actually seem to have brains and use them.

[Blake]

Go fuck yourself. I'll chat with Manny and Chump because they actually seem to have brains and use them.

Is this you trying to not chat with me because you want to use grown up talk?

Or is this your idea of a snipe attempt?

Imo, youre butt hurt again after being proven to be stupid and/or ignorant.

[clambake]

he didn't fuck up in egypt. how could you, sean, rush and glenn be so stupid?

[Agloco]

I've gotten the sense that Obama and crew are just "going with the flow" as it pertains to Libya. Not that I think it's a bad thing in this instance since thre are many hotspots involved. The less our fingerprints appear on the issue, the better I'd think.

[ChumpDumper]

If CC or any of the others posters spend two years and many millions of dollars telling everyone that they are the best person in the country to deal with all the problems of the world then you have a fair question. Until then it's pretty ridiculous that you expect them to come up with the solutions themselves.Actually he and others have spent the last two years on this board telling us how much better they could have done the job Obama has. It's not ridiculous at all, but thanks for trying to save them some embarrassment.

As for Egypt, CC, what makes you think anything Obama did or could have done short of sending troops would have made any difference? Mubarak was going down no matter what. All Obama did was say "It's probably time for that." There wasn't even an implication of actual intervention.

[ChumpDumper]

I've gotten the sense that Obama and crew are just "going with the flow" as it pertains to Libya. Not that I think it's a bad thing in this instance since thre are many hotspots involved. The less our fingerprints appear on the issue, the better I'd think.I figure that's largely true for most of them.

[clambake]

cc wanted us to put those people down......and the army that supported them. lol

[Blake]

cc wanted us to put those people down......and the army that supported them. lol

The world is not what he wishes it was.

[CosmicCowboy]

cc wanted us to put those people down......and the army that supported them. lol

Where did I say that?

At least TRY to base your attacks in truth.

[CosmicCowboy]

Actually he and others have spent the last two years on this board telling us how much better they could have done the job Obama has. It's not ridiculous at all, but thanks for trying to save them some embarrassment.

As for Egypt, CC, what makes you think anything Obama did or could have done short of sending troops would have made any difference? Mubarak was going down no matter what. All Obama did was say "It's probably time for that." There wasn't even an implication of actual intervention.

Chump, we obviously aren't going to agree on this. I say that Obama's original speech on the situation in Egypt drastically misled the "downtrodden" people all over North Africa and the Middle East that the US would support them if they protested for more civil right just like he did in Egypt. The political reality is that he was just posturing for the US media and had no intention of backing dissidents in other areas, especially Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

I admit that his sentiments sounded noble and in a perfect world would have been great..but we live in a far from perfect world...and in my opinion Egypt set in motion a chain of events that are going to have a profoundly bad result on the entire region.

We will just have to agree to disagree about this one.

Here is the text of the speech:


THE PRESIDENT: Good evening, everybody. My administration has been closely monitoring the situation in Egypt, and I know that we will be learning more tomorrow when day breaks. As the situation continues to unfold, our first concern is preventing injury or loss of life. So I want to be very clear in calling upon the Egyptian authorities to refrain from any violence against peaceful protestors.

The people of Egypt have rights that are universal. That includes the right to peaceful assembly and association, the right to free speech, and the ability to determine their own destiny. These are human rights. And the United States will stand up for them everywhere.

I also call upon the Egyptian government to reverse the actions that they’ve taken to interfere with access to the Internet, to cell phone service and to social networks that do so much to connect people in the 21st century.

At the same time, those protesting in the streets have a responsibility to express themselves peacefully. Violence and destruction will not lead to the reforms that they seek.

Now, going forward, this moment of volatility has to be turned into a moment of promise. The United States has a close partnership with Egypt and we've cooperated on many issues, including working together to advance a more peaceful region. But we've also been clear that there must be reform -- political, social, and economic reforms that meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people.

In the absence of these reforms, grievances have built up over time. When President Mubarak addressed the Egyptian people tonight, he pledged a better democracy and greater economic opportunity. I just spoke to him after his speech and I told him he has a responsibility to give meaning to those words, to take concrete steps and actions that deliver on that promise.

Violence will not address the grievances of the Egyptian people. And suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. What’s needed right now are concrete steps that advance the rights of the Egyptian people: a meaningful dialogue between the government and its citizens, and a path of political change that leads to a future of greater freedom and greater opportunity and justice for the Egyptian people.

Now, ultimately the future of Egypt will be determined by the Egyptian people. And I believe that the Egyptian people want the same things that we all want -- a better life for ourselves and our children, and a government that is fair and just and responsive. Put simply, the Egyptian people want a future that befits the heirs to a great and ancient civilization.

The United States always will be a partner in pursuit of that future. And we are committed to working with the Egyptian government and the Egyptian people -- all quarters -- to achieve it.

Around the world governments have an obligation to respond to their citizens. That's true here in the United States; that's true in Asia; it is true in Europe; it is true in Africa; and it’s certainly true in the Arab world, where a new generation of citizens has the right to be heard.

When I was in Cairo, shortly after I was elected President, I said that all governments must maintain power through consent, not coercion. That is the single standard by which the people of Egypt will achieve the future they deserve.

Surely there will be difficult days to come. But the United States will continue to stand up for the rights of the Egyptian people and work with their government in pursuit of a future that is more just, more free, and more hopeful.

He clearly is not following this same path in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain...

[CosmicCowboy]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_BAHRAIN_PROTESTS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-03-16-06-43-07

Bahrain locks down kingdom as uprising surges

By BARBARA SURK and REEM KHALIFA
Associated Press

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) -- Soldiers and riot police in Bahrain overran a protesters' camp, imposed a 12-hour curfew and choked off movement nationwide Wednesday. Witnesses described helicopters firing on homes in a hunt for Shiites and attacking doctors treating the wounded, while the government called the demonstrators "outlaws" for demanding an end to the monarchy.

The nation that once led the Middle East in entrepreneurial openness went into lockdown, its government propped by troops from Sunni Gulf neighbors fearful for their own rule and the spread of Shiite Iran's influence.

The unrest that began last month increasingly looks like a sectarian showdown: The country's Sunni leaders are desperate to hold power, and majority Shiites want more rights and an end to their dynasty.

Wednesday's assault began in Pearl Square, the center of the uprising inspired by Arab revolts in Egypt and Tunisia. But the violence that left at least five people dead on Wednesday did not stop in the capital.

Doctors at the country's main hospital said their facility was taken over by security forces, effectively blocking physicians from either leaving or treating the wounded on-site.

"There are many people injured, but we can't bring them to the hospital because of the travel restrictions and doctors can't come to us," said Ali Marsouk, a resident of the Shiite village of Sitra, who said helicopters fired on homes in a three-hour attack.

Rania Ali, another resident, said police were charging after Shiites as they sought shelter.

"I saw them chasing Shiites like they were hunting," said Ali, a Sunni whose husband is Shiite.

The Salmaniya hospital complex has become a political hotspot - with the mostly Shiite personnel seen by authorities as possible protest sympathizers. The staff claim they must treat all who need care.

But there have been moments of open anger. As overwhelmed teams treated the injured from Tuesday's clashes, many broke out in calls to topple the monarchy.

"We are under siege," said Nihad el-Shirawi, an intensive care doctor who said she had been working for 48 hours. "We cannot leave and those on-call cannot come in."

The king's announcement of a three-month emergency rule and the crackdown on Pearl Square sent a message that authorities will strike back in the strategic island nation, which hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.

President Barack Obama called King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain to express deep concern over the violence. White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama stressed the need for "maximum restraint."

Security forces barred journalists and others from moving freely. A 4 p.m to 4 a.m. curfew was imposed in most of the country.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the introduction of Gulf forces was "the wrong track."

"There is no security answer to this and the sooner they get back to the negotiating table and start trying to answer the legitimate needs of the people, the sooner there can be a resolution that will be in the best interests of everyone," she told CBS News.

Witnesses said at least two protesters were killed when the square was stormed. Officials at Ibn Nafees Hospital said a third protester died later. The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity because of fears of reprisals.

A government statement said the only deaths during the raid were two policemen who were "repeatedly run over by three vehicles containing protesters."

The government did not say whether the offensive included soldiers from other Gulf nations - a Saudi-led force that has grown to nearly 1,000.

State TV showed military vehicles flying Bahrain's red-and-white flag as security officials moved through the wreckage of the encampment, set up at the base of a monument to the country's history as a pearl diving center.

During the attack, protesters fled into side streets and security forces blocked main roads into Manama. Mobile phones were apparently jammed during the height of the attack and Internet service remained at a crawl.

Hamid Zuher, a 32-year-old protester who slept at the square, said riot police first moved in on foot.

"They fired tear gas and then opened fire," Zuher said. "We lifted our arms and started saying 'Peaceful, Peaceful.' Then we had to run away."

The government said security forces came under attack from about 250 "saboteurs" hurling gasoline bombs and responded with tear gas. It denied live ammunition was used.

In Shiite villages, people went to mosques and held protest prayers. Others lit fires in anger. Clashes were reported in other mostly Shiite areas, where traffic was controlled by military forces in an apparent attempt to prevent gatherings or a surge of people toward the capital.

The government offers hints of a growing propaganda campaign. A statement said forces conducted an operation to "cleanse" Pearl Square and later state TV called the demonstrators "saboteurs" and "outlaws."

A senior opposition leader, Abdul Jalil Khalil, believes the messages seek to bring sectarian civil war.

"And what do they think, that spreading this hate will break our will?" Khalil said. "Until now, we were defiant at Pearl Square. Now we are defiant in every village and town."

Bahrain's sectarian clash is increasingly viewed as an extension of the region's rivalries between the Gulf Arab leaders and Iran. Washington, too, is pulled deeply into the Bahrain's conflict because of its naval base - the Pentagon's main Gulf counterweight to Iran.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday denounced the crackdown and the presence of the Saudi-led force.

"How is it possible to stop waves of humanity with military force?" Ahmadinejad said.

Before the rise of Dubai and Qatar's capital Doha, the business center of the Gulf was in Bahrain. The tiny nation successfully marketed itself in the 1990s as a Western-friendly outpost for banking and financial services as a way to offset its relatively meager oil revenue. Its skyline - now dwarfed by Dubai - was once a symbol of the Gulf's emergence on the world stage.

The unrest has already given a stinging blow: the cancellation of the Formula 1 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix this month. The race is a major tourism draw and the highlight of Bahrain's international calendar.

---

Associated Press writers Brian Murphy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Adam Schreck in Abu Dhabi; Hamid Ahmed in Baghdad, and Ali Akbar Dareini in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.

[ChumpDumper]

Chump, we obviously aren't going to agree on this. I say that Obama's original speech on the situation in Egypt drastically misled the "downtrodden" people all over North Africa and the Middle East that the US would support them if they protested for more civil right just like he did in Egypt. The political reality is that he was just posturing for the US media and had no intention of backing dissidents in other areas, especially Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

I admit that his sentiments sounded noble and in a perfect world would have been great..but we live in a far from perfect world...and in my opinion Egypt set in motion a chain of events that are going to have a profoundly bad result on the entire region.

We will just have to agree to disagree about this one.

Here is the text of the speech:



He clearly is not following this same path in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain...Again, you think that his saying something somehow changed the course of events in Egypt.

It did not. Mubarak was done. It was easy to voice support once it was apparent the Egyptian army wasn't going to go to the mat for Hosni.

And people in Libya and Bahrain and Saudi Arabia aren't waiting for Obama to bless their democratic movements; it's more of a confirmation. That blessing is always implied by the United States' simply being a democratic republic and talking so much shit about how great it is. A big part of the reason the US is not trusted in the region is because its actions in the past did not back up that implied support and at times completely opposed and undermined it.

What is your "profoundly bad result" you think Obama brought about with a few paragraphs saying Mubarak should work to make Egypt more democratic? Indeed, Egyptians think the US didn't do enough to encourage the revolution. The US has to be on the right side of whatever actually comes to pass without forcing the outcome, especially with places like Bahrain.

And you still didn't say what you would do about Bahrain now.

[CosmicCowboy]

Again, you think that his saying something somehow changed the course of events in Egypt.

It did not. Mubarak was done. It was easy to voice support once it was apparent the Egyptian army wasn't going to go to the mat for Hosni.

And people in Libya and Bahrain and Saudi Arabia aren't waiting for Obama to bless their democratic movements; it's more of a confirmation. That blessing is always implied by the United States' simply being a democratic republic and talking so much shit about how great it is. A big part of the reason the US is not trusted in the region is because its actions in the past did not back up that implied support and at times completely opposed and undermined it.

What is your "profoundly bad result" you think Obama brought about with a few paragraphs saying Mubarak should work to make Egypt more democratic? Indeed, Egyptians think the US didn't do enough to encourage the revolution. The US has to be on the right side of whatever actually comes to pass without forcing the outcome, especially with places like Bahrain.

And you still didn't say what you would do about Bahrain now.

We will just have to disagree on the effect Obama's speech had on the outcome in Egypt. Nothing unusual about that.

As for what to do now? Nothing. Events are rolling now. We will just sit back and shut up while the Bahrain military kills the shit out of the Shiites causing the trouble. It is what it is.

[CosmicCowboy]

A few hundred shot is a pretty big deal when you realize that Bahrain has about the same population as the city of San Antonio.

[ChumpDumper]

We will just have to disagree on the effect Obama's speech had on the outcome in Egypt. Nothing unusual about that.You really think if Obama said nothing Mubarak would still be in power?

Mubarak was done for all intents and purposes before the speech since the army allowed the protests. He completely sealed his fate a couple of days later when the army actively worked to separate his camel riding goons from the protesters.

And thanks for walking back from your previous statement about Obama's lack of overt action regarding Bahrain.

[CosmicCowboy]

You really think if Obama said nothing Mubarak would still be in power?

Mubarak was done for all intents and purposes before the speech since the army allowed the protests. He completely sealed his fate a couple of days later when the army actively worked to separate his camel riding goons from the protesters.

And thanks for walking back from your previous statement about Obama's lack of overt action regarding Bahrain.

We could have interceded with the army behind the scenes to work out a compromise if we had chosen that course of action.

[clambake]

you been drinkin the fire water?

[ChumpDumper]

We could have interceded with the army behind the scenes to work out a compromise if we had chosen that course of action.That was up to Mubarak and he passed at the time of the camel stunt, after the speech.

[Blake]

Stupid Mubarak was probably filling out his tournament bracket.

[clambake]

i can't believe we didn't convince the egyptian army to hammer egyptians. lol

[Winehole23]

We could have interceded with the army behind the scenes to work out a compromise if we had chosen that course of action.We might have given them our blessing. No telling though.

http://bna.bh/portal/en/news/449900

[CosmicCowboy]

Yemen is shooting their protesters in the head with snipers. Oh yeah. They are our friends too. Guess it's OK. No No Fly Zones there.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/19/world/middleeast/19yemen.html?_r=1&hp

[Winehole23]

Yemen is complex. Not sure they're our friend in any straight up sense. Maybe the Iraq invasion put the fear of God in em. That Al Qaeda was a Sunni movement in a country that is divided along sectarian lines was just more expedience, IMO. Saleh's pretty tight with Ahmadinejah, too.

[CosmicCowboy]

Looks like Yemen is going down. The generals are defecting to the rebels.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20110321/D9M3J3U80.html