That's a widely held misconception. The price of oil has gone down because there is simply too much oil on the market and in reserves, which is driving supply up and prices down. The Saudis aren't under any obligation to cut output given that it only costs them about $15 to get a barrel out of the ground, whereas its roughly $55-60 to do the same with US shale. The Russians are just a bit unlucky that Putin's megalomanical invasion and land grab in Ukraine happened to coincide with a rise in Oil supply.
That's a widely held misconception. The price of oil has gone down because there is simply too much oil on the market and in reserves, which is driving supply up and prices down. The Saudis aren't under any obligation to cut output given that it only costs them about $15 to get a barrel out of the ground, whereas its roughly $55-60 to do the same with US shale. The Russians are just a bit unlucky that Putin's megalomanical invasion and land grab in Ukraine happened to coincide with a rise in Oil supply.
They're also misogynistic, racist and have customs which would look out of place in a medieval era.
I know exactly why States interact with one another. It just exposes the hypocrisy of western leaders harping on about Assad and Putin when there are more vicious despots in the Gulf who are being enabled.
You clearly haven't figured it out as you're still moaning about hypocrisy and other half thought out concepts. States like the US are driven by power and economics, which easily explains why double standards exist in terms of being cozy with one state whilst simultaneously being at odds with another state with comparable practices. See US policy with Cuba and China, or Saudi vs Iran.
Not sure how that contradicts anything I've said? I'm well aware of the realpolitik norms that exist in contemporary international relations, it doesn't clear certain leaders of hypocritical sentiments though.
It does indeed, as they're not driven by the need to be consistent, they are driven by the aforementioned power and economics, and more recently norms.
Countries will act and interact in what they consider their own best interest, often even the best interest of their leaders or their backers, nothing new to this.
I do find it kind of funny that some posters will harp on about hypocrisy of the west, but never take a country like the USSR/Russia to task for all they did to support the leadership of countries like Syria (you would have to be blind not to see who was Syria's #1 supporter for decades) or North Korea (yeah that one falls squarely into the laps of China and USSR/Russia that government would have ceased to exist in the 1950's and of course there would have been no Korean War at all without all the arms, training, prodding, etc done by both countries) or pretty much the entire Eastern European block during the Cold War (who was it that put down the people will to change governments in Hungary in 1956, who had to build a wall to keep people IN,etc).
I do find it kind of funny that some posters will harp on about hypocrisy of the west, but never take a country like the USSR/Russia to task for all they did to support the leadership of countries like Syria (you would have to be blind not to see who was Syria's #1 supporter for decades) or North Korea (yeah that one falls squarely into the laps of China and USSR/Russia that government would have ceased to exist in the 1950's and of course there would have been no Korean War at all without all the arms, training, prodding, etc done by both countries) or pretty much the entire Eastern European block during the Cold War (who was it that put down the people will to change governments in Hungary in 1956, who had to build a wall to keep people IN,etc).
Probably because hypocrisy needn't be discussed when it doesn't suit their political preferences. That's why it should be entirely removed from the debate in favor of a deeper analytical dive into why international actors behave as they do.
This is an interesting opinion piece. http://www.davidmcwilliams.ie/2014/12/22/oil-proves-putins-weakness
That's a good idea using the organs from executed prisoners, what the Chinese do is an extreme form of recycling.
It undermines arguments from a moral standpoint. Basically, quit the righteous bullshit and tell us what's really going on re: Ukraine, Libya, et al.
Religion of peace... 
You just have to laugh.
You just have to laugh.
Religion of peace...
You just have to laugh.
Doubt it has much to do with religion. Most if not all Religions are interpreted by humans.
Saudi Arabia practices Sharia law and apostasy is part of it, so it does have to do with Islam.
But not Muslims subscribe to that, so its entirely a subjective take on things.
It has something to do with Islam alright, but then again almost all Muslim countries claim to base at least some of their laws on the shari'a, and most of them are very different places to Saudi Arabia (the Mordor of the Middle East).
Granted, Saudi Arabia is one of the states that are more faithful to Sharia. Which actually makes Sharia itself look even worse in a way.
At this rate they'll get the next world cup.
Fixed.
So was me putting atheist on my Saudi Visa application 2 days ago a mistake 
Guess I'll find out when I get my passport back on Monday.
Guess I'll find out when I get my passport back on Monday.
Can't tell if seriousSo was me putting atheist on my Saudi Visa application 2 days ago a mistake
Guess I'll find out when I get my passport back on Monday.
Completely serious, figured it would be hypocritical to put otherwise although I didn't actually use the term atheist; I put N/A in the sect box and None in religion.Can't tell if serious
Not arsed if they reject it, didn't really want to do a week of training presentations to our staff over there anyway and am more than happy for my colleague who dragged me into it to handle it if I'm rejected.
To be honest Bury Red, I presume you are a westerner. Because of that I can't see them rejecting you on that basis. Could be wrong though as I'm basing it on a friend who applied and works in Saudi Arabia right now.
If you're applying for a visa application in a Gulf Arab country, never put down you're atheist, just mention you're Christian, even if you're rednev.
In that case, why not go all in and declare yourself a Muslim.
A) Chances are they won't believe you...assuming you're white with a 'Christian sounding' name, so they'd probably ask you for some form of proof.
B) Its not always beneficial to be given a 'Muslim' visa. In the UAE you're not allowed to get a liquor license if you're Muslim, meaning you can't buy any alcohol legally. Same with pork products in supermarkets advertised to 'non muslims only'. Granted, these laws are barely enforced, but it still begs the question as to why a Westerner would want those restrictions.
The only advantage I can think of is possibly getting more time off during Ramadan, but most companies will tend to have shorter working hours for everyone during Ramadan anyway, regardless of your religion.
RIPSo was me putting atheist on my Saudi Visa application 2 days ago a mistake
Guess I'll find out when I get my passport back on Monday.
You omitted "thousands of years ago when the world was a place full of people who thought that lightening and thunder was the result of the clashes of horns or swords between two mountain-like monsters".
So was me putting atheist on my Saudi Visa application 2 days ago a mistake
Guess I'll find out when I get my passport back on Monday.
Don't think it matters at all. You'll get the visa.
Saudi may be hardline Islamic nation, but I don't think they are 'let's kill all the unbelievers' crazy. Go there, respect local traditions without being judgemental and things'll be fine.
Well now we know where the world cup will be held in 2026.
We should do the same with everyone who doesn't believe in Santa Claus.
This world is truly full of maniacs and degenerates, it's baffling tbh.
This world is truly full of maniacs and degenerates, it's baffling tbh.
today is the day
Do they have like a ticker with the lash number they're on? Or does someone keep count on a tally chart? What happens if they lose count?
Last edited:
Religion is big business there. Hajj is as if millions of gambling addicts would take their life savings to Vegas. Having a sound of mind secular population is seen as a threat.
Exporting of religion is also a state mandate to keep the support of the tribes, has been for the past 30 years. Also this is happening today
http://usuncut.com/world/today-saudi-arabia-will-crucify-teenager-protesting-government/
http://usuncut.com/world/today-saudi-arabia-will-crucify-teenager-protesting-government/
Behead THEN crucify. Seems rather excessive.