[Steve Eisenberg]

Hundreds of billions of dollars have been pumped by both our private and public sector into the US economy, even at times when such investment has not been entirely in our interest. Why did we do this? Because we are friends. Because that is what friends do for one another. After all, a friend in need is a friend indeed.

Unbelievable. Is it really true that the government of Saudi Arabia runs a surplus which it invests in US treasury bills? Or is this author suggesting that when individual Saudis buy US treasuries it's an act of charity?

Of course, this does show how the recipients of foreign aid must feel. The thought that foreigners are propping up my government out of charity hardly warms my heart. No foreign aid for Israel, but first stop all aid to Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority directly or through the UN, and help develop oil fields in both Alaska and Russia to put these arrogant SOB's in their place.

I like Kerry's idea of not buying Middle East oil, althogh, of course, given his opposition Alaska drilling, it is a promise that would not be kept. (Kerry is dangerous because he is a skilled politician saying what a lot of people want to hear.)

[pragmatic_asian]

Those T-Bills pay interest, something that is absolutely forbidden by Islam, but I'm sure the Saudi's are taking that money out of the goodness of their heart for out benefit.