Posted by Tina
Today we have news of another case of the US giving up more than we gain in deals with Iran. In a prisoner swap five Americans will finally come home in exchange for 7 Iranians held by the United States on sanctions charges and charges dropped against another fourteen Iranians.
The shenanigans that pass for diplomacy in this administration have given Iran the upper hand on the world stage and diminished America’s standing in the world demonstrably. While grateful for the return of our citizens this deal is just more of the same from Obama. After seven years of diplomatic failure we will be forced to endure several more months of legacy building by fantasy…look for lots of headlines touting grand accomplishments…such ponies!
We lost more than we gained? Five Americans are worth at least seven Iranians. (Kidding. Mostly.)
But your last sentence has me delighted by the idea that our government and media are filled with ponies.
Glad I could make your day. History will issue the final decree. That doesn’t happen today.
Sanctions against Iran lifted. Iran re-enters the world oil market to the tune of 500,ooo barrels a day. This in a market that has already seen oil below $30 a barrel. Good news for consumers (GasBuddy reports $1.36 for regular gas at an Exxon station here in the DFW area).
There is a huge shake-out going on in the oil industry right now. Texas may well be a lynch pin state in the coming election, and dems are salivating at the possibility of turning Texas from red to blue. Hmmmm….
A survey of investors a few months back asked, “What oil price would show that a global recession was inevitable.” The most common answer was $30 a barrel. We’re there.
The problem for producers is that demand has fallen dramatically all over the world.
Texas is heavily gerrymandered. if it turned blue within these districts it would say a whole lot.
I guess they are basing this on the fact that people are leaving the state after losing their oil jobs. But there’s no reason to believe all the people that went to Texas for an oil job were Republicans.
But it’s fun to think about RHT447. All those Christians, clinging to their guns and Bibles are a ripe plum. The question is, “Will they turn blue?”
Good (2014) article here.
61% of whites and 27% of Hispanics in Texas are Republicans. (26% and 46% respectively are Democrat and 12% and 20% respectively are Independents).
The Demographics are changing but given all of the variables this year, I doubt Texas will turn blue.
Fun indeed. Even more fun to participate. Went to a gun show at the Will Rogers Memorial Center a few weekends back. It was like coming up for air. Reminded me of when I had my own table at the Chico gun show in the ’80s.
I agree, I don’t see Texas turning blue anytime soon. Yes, there are liberal enclaves here, and they are up to there usual shenanigans—
http://www.chron.com/news/education/article/HISD-to-start-process-of-renaming-6493841.php
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Confederate-Battle-Flag-Not-Allowed-in-Fort-Worth-Stock-Show-and-Rodeo-Events-365073581.html
They have also passed open-carry here, reaction to which, as far as I can tell, has been “Yes, and the sun came up this morning.” I have yet to see an open carry weapon on the street. Guns and liberty go hand-in-hand here, so it’s pretty much business as usual.
Gak—should read “…their usual shenanigans—”
Am not going to go look up the numbers, cause it’s not worth the time, but some of the seven were not, in fact, in custody … just indicted. So, in terms of bodies traded we’re more or less on par … but the quibble is so very grade school, really, ….
I’m sure the families of those held by the Iranians would be comforted by your assessment.
Well, they may be comforted by the fact that so many have been released by Iran over the last week.
But you can’t bring yourself to be even remotely happy about their release; their lives are less important than your narrative.
And you’d know whether or not I’m happy about the release of these captives based solely on my comments about Obama?
Maybe a few reminders are in order.
1. This is a conservative blog. That means you can count on me to look at things from a conservative perspective. You can count on me to be critical of progressive methods and principles most of the time. You can count on me to be particularly critical of a socialist President. In cases of egregious failure you can count on me to be extremely critical. You have done no less.
2. You are free to talk up Obama and express your own feelings here as much as you want. We have welcomed your opinions and called you a friend.
3. I am not here to satisfy your need to control expression. I am not here to think according to your rules at any given time. I am not here to be your puppet or whipping post.
4. Hit me and I will hit back.
Your accusation that, “their lives are less important” than “my narrative” is a snotty bit of trash talk. It also happens to be another damned lie. I’ve come to expect that from you; I notice it doesn’t hold up to the standards you set for others.
If you had even the slightest ability to know me through my writing and communication you would know that I love people. Somehow I think deep down you do and that makes this lie even more atrocious.
Tina: “And you’d know whether or not I’m happy about the release of these captives based solely on my comments about Obama?”
Based on your words on this entire matter, you did not seem at all happy about their release. Usually when a foreign country releases our own, the first reaction is relief and thankfulness. I saw none of that here.
“This is a conservative blog. That means you can count on me to look at things from a conservative perspective.”
I don’t see anything “conservative” about the reactions to this release or the proposals for what the sailors should have done instead. This shouldn’t be a right v. left issue. Reagan and Nixon negotiated with our enemies, too; it’s a basic function of government.
“In cases of egregious failure you can count on me to be extremely critical. You have done no less.”
Which would make sense if we were talking about an egregious failure. But the sailors’ quick return was an obvious diplomatic SUCCESS. Acting as if it were a failure is exactly what made me think you weren’t happy about their release.
“Your accusation that, “their lives are less important” than “my narrative” is a snotty bit of trash talk.”
I’m sorry, that was unfair. I should have directed that remark to Jack, who argued that the sailors should have opened fire in foreign waters, this endangering not only themselves, but our entire nation. You never said you agreed with that, so I shouldn’t have said that to you.
Guess what else Obama, Hillary and Kerry did to us with their Iran deal.
US to pay Iran $1.7 bn in debt and interest: Kerry
http://news.yahoo.com/us-pay-iran-1-7-bn-debt-interest-160942074.html;_ylt=AwrC1C6IwZtWNGUAqITQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTByNXQ0NThjBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwM1BHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg–
Very interesting, Peggy. Are these people Muslims or not?
“US to pay Iran $1.7 bn in debt and interest: Kerry”
albaraka.com:
But these people are worthy of trust and the repeal of sanctions.
OMG I had forgotten about that. Remember the Muslims were trying to force banks to give them mortgage loans without interest?
Apparently it’s only against paying interest in the Qur’an. Receiving it is ok, of course. LOL
Seattle Mayor Wants Interest Free Housing For Muslims:
“In an effort to appease followers of Islamic Sharia law, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray is searching for ways to help them buy houses. According to Sharia law, muslims are forbidden to pay interest on loans, thus making it impossible for most of them to buy a house. Mayor Murray wants to meet with lenders to solve this “problem”, and possibly put the rest of the public on the hook for the debt.”
http://www.progressivestoday.com/seattle-mayor-wants-interest-free-housing-muslims/
Tina it was a decent deal. it can be revoked at any mishap.
Bottom Line in your world the only presidents or diplomats who will ever do anything to your liking is A Republican whether they are right or wrong.
The Iraq was was a success in your mind? When do we investigate that on behalf of all our dead military? When do we arrest all of those who purposely lied? When do we make a big deal about the Trillions that went missing and the Trillions squandered? Our troupes forced to let a private company do their laundry at $100 a load?
Dewey there was NOTHING “decent” about this deal. We negotiated with the number one sponsor of terrorism. We negotiated from a position of weakness and appeasement. We gave all our bargaining chips before getting anything of value in exchange. The Iranians are amused by the entire process and hve indicated they will continue to do as they like anyway. And there have already been “mishaps” without consequence.
It surprises you that I prefer Republicans? Amazing, I haven’t hid my preferences. Except for that little problem with Cuba I think Kennedy did a good job of promoting America and American interests in the world, but then he was the old style Democrat, a man who believed in America.
Iraq could have been a success. Obama squandered the opportunity to support that nation in becoming a more modern, western friendly nation. Just for fun he made policies that caused the rise and strength of ISIS turning parts of Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan into dangerous war zones and what could well become a permanent terror activist state.
There were more deaths of our military in Afghanistan in Obama’s first three years than under Bush in eight…75%. More have committed suicide under Obama, sadly. Our press and left anti-war activists just don’t keep track of Obama’s record. Under Bush our military fought hard, won, reached it’s goals and were appreciated for their sacrifice and accomplishment. In many ways, yes, I would say the Bush years were not perfect but much better in terms of the war and our amazing military.