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1st commandment "THOU SHALT NOT KILL"

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Printed Date: March 28 2024 at 7:31am


Topic: 1st commandment "THOU SHALT NOT KILL"
Posted By: carbon20
Subject: 1st commandment "THOU SHALT NOT KILL"
Date Posted: November 20 2018 at 1:50pm

Trump defends Saudi Arabia ties despite Khashoggi murder
41 minutes ago


Media caption Why do Trump's Saudi job numbers keep growing?


US President Donald Trump has strongly defended ties with Saudi Arabia despite international condemnation of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder.

The kingdom is a "steadfast partner" that has agreed to invest "a record amount of money" in the US, Mr Trump said in a statement.

The president acknowledged Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "could very well" have known about Khashoggi's murder.

"In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," he added.

Mr Khashoggi was murdered on 2 October on a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

The journalist who vanished into a consulate
The Jamal Khashoggi story so far
Khashoggi murder: Is Saudi crown prince finished?
Saudi Arabia 'tortured female activists'
Saudi Arabia has blamed the killing on rogue agents but denied claims that the crown prince had knowledge of the operation.

US media have reported that the CIA believes Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder.

Mr Trump's statement said: "[It] could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event - maybe he did and maybe he didn't!"

Later on Tuesday, Mr Trump said that the CIA had not made a "100%" determination on the killing.

In an interview on Sunday, the president told Fox News that he had refused to listen to a recording of Khashoggi's murder provided by Turkey, calling it "a suffering tape".

What does the statement say?
"The world is a very dangerous place!", Mr Trump states, before holding up Saudi Arabia as an ally of the US against Iran.

The kingdom spent "billions of dollars in leading the fight against Radical Islamic Terrorism" whereas Iran has "killed many Americans and other innocent people throughout the Middle East", it says.


Mike Pompeo backed Mr Trump, saying "it's a mean, nasty world out there"
The statement also stresses Saudi investment pledges and arms purchases. "If we foolishly cancel these contracts, Russia and China would be the enormous beneficiaries," it adds.

While admitting the murder of Jamal Khashoggi was "terrible", Mr Trump wrote that "we may never know all of the facts" about his death.

"The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region."

Mr Trump later said he would meet Mohammed bin Salman at a G20 meeting in Argentina next week if the crown prince attended.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has backed his president, saying after talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that "it's a mean, nasty world out there" and that Mr Trump was "obliged to adopt policies that further America's national security".

Mr Cavusoglu said that co-operation with Saudi Arabia on the issue was "not where we want it".

In a statement, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said she was shocked the president was not going to punish Mohammed bin Salman over the "premeditated murder" of Khashoggi.

The essence of America First
By Anthony Zurcher, BBC senior North America reporter

Donald Trump is a different kind of president, and nowhere is that more clear than in his foreign policy, exclamation points and all. His release on the death of Jamal Khashoggi is remarkable for many reasons, and not just its blunt language.

The president quickly tries to change the subject to Iran. He dismisses reports that Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder with a maybe-he-did, maybe-he-didn't shrug. He cites the economic impact of $450bn in investment and arms sales to the Saudis, although much of that is little more than paper promises.

Perhaps most jarring is his casual observation that the Saudis viewed Khashoggi - a permanent US resident - as an "enemy of the state" with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Mr Trump has distilled his "America First" worldview down to its very essence. Morality and global leadership take a back seat to perceived US economic and military security.

Read more from Anthony
How will the statement play out internationally?
What the take-away will be in the Middle East and beyond is a serious issue, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus.

US policy in the region is so closely aligned with that of two key individuals - Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia and PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel - that it is increasingly hard to see how the US can play a role as an independent arbiter, our correspondent says.

Mr Trump's narrow, interests-based approach will further dismay Washington's allies in the West, he argues, reinforcing those in Moscow and Beijing who are already applying a "Russia First" and a "China First" approach in international affairs.

Who are the Saudis blaming?
Last week the Saudi public prosecutor blamed the murder on an unnamed intelligence officer who was allegedly tasked with persuading Khashoggi to return to the Gulf kingdom.

A total of 11 people have been charged over the murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for five of them.

Their cases have been referred to a court while investigations into another 10 people suspected of involvement continue.



Where does the US stand on the murder?

Although the CIA is not said to have direct evidence linking Mohammed bin Salman to the murder, officials reportedly believe it could not have taken place without his approval.

But at the weekend, the state department said the US government was yet to reach a final conclusion on the killing, with "numerous unanswered questions" remaining.

The US - along with major powers such as France and Britain - has continued to sell arms to Saudi Arabia.

But on Monday the German government said it was blocking all arms deliveries to the kingdom, even those that had been previously approved.
















Does he not realise what this statement means ,

can you believe the

DEAFENING SILENCE

FROM THE CHRISTIANS who make up this PRESIDENTS followers

which all goes to prove

IF YOU GOT MONEY AND POWER YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH MURDER................

Lets not mention E_MAILS!!!!!!!!!!

"i didnt know it was WRONG"

come on please............

"GOD BLESS AMERICA"

has a very HOLLOW RING ............





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Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖

Marcus Aurelius



Replies:
Posted By: carbon20
Date Posted: November 20 2018 at 2:08pm
Trump Saudi statement: What the president's words reveal
Anthony Zurcher
North America reporter
@awzurcher on Twitter
1 hour ago
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Related TopicsJamal Khashoggi death
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
"Statement from President Donald J Trump on Standing with Saudi Arabia" - the title of the White House release leaves little doubt about where he comes down on the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

With the US Central Intelligence Agency reportedly poised to conclude that senior members of the Saudi Arabian government were responsible for Khashoggi's death, Mr Trump's move could be viewed as an attempt to pre-empt that finding and clearly indicate that a strong US-Saudi alliance will continue undeterred.

Each section of the exclamation-point-filled presidential statement (full transcript at foot of page) merits closer inspection.

America First!
The world is a very dangerous place!

Say what you want, the president knows how to write a good opening. In two lines, he offers a distillation of his foreign policy priorities - contrasting the supremacy of American interests with a dismal view of the rest of the world, where bad things often happen beyond US control.

Iran
Iran states openly, and with great force, "Death to America!" and "Death to Israel!" Iran is considered "the world's leading sponsor of terror".

Mr Trump very quickly pivots in his statement to talking about Iran and the destabilising role he says the nation plays in the region. They are the ones who denounce the US in the harshest of terms; they are the ones who have killed "many Americans and other innocent people"; they are the ones who have supported Syria's Bashar Assad kill his own citizens.

All this is the president's initial effort to set up a stark contrast with Saudi Arabia and put the death of one man - Khashoggi - up against the deaths of thousands.

Trump backs Saudi Arabia despite murder
Saudi Arabia
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia would gladly withdraw from Yemen if the Iranians would agree to leave. They would immediately provide desperately needed humanitarian assistance.

The Saudis have come under intense criticism for their involvement in the Yemeni civil war, including aerial bombardment that has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians. After condemning Iran, Mr Trump absolves the Saudis of responsibility for the humanitarian crisis that has ensued.

After my heavily negotiated trip to Saudi Arabia last year, the Kingdom agreed to spend and invest $450 billion in the United States.

One of the central tenets of Mr Trump's "America first" foreign policy is that the US has paid an economic price by having been taken advantage of by the rest of the world. In this next paragraph, the president gets to the nuts and bolts of why he views close relations with the Saudis not just as an issue of national security but of domestic prosperity, as well.

Media captionWhy do Trump's Saudi job numbers keep growing?
The numbers he offers, however, don't hold up.

While Mr Trump has cited the $450bn in total investment in the past but has never provided an accounting of where it comes from - and, in fact, there was no mention of that number during his May 2017 trip to Saudi Arabia. The Saudis did agree to $110bn in military spending, although that's a combination of $14.5bn in previously announced purchases and promises of future orders that have yet to materialise.

The Saudis could turn to China or Russia instead, but phantom purchases to either of them are worth as much as they are to the US.

The journalist who vanished into a consulate
The Jamal Khashoggi story so far
Jamal Khashoggi's murder
Representatives of Saudi Arabia say that Jamal Khashoggi was an "enemy of the state" and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, but my decision is in no way based on that - this is an unacceptable and horrible crime.

After contrasting Iran's malevolence with Saudi Arabia's noble intentions, and laying out what he sees as the economic and security benefits of US-Saudi relations, Mr Trump finally turns to the details of Khashoggi's murder, which he describes as a "terrible" and "horrible" crime.

He says 17 Saudis are known to have been responsible, and they have been sanctioned, but after that he draws the line.

In a remarkable passage, he notes that the Saudis viewed Khashoggi as an "enemy of the state" and (erroneously) as a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. While he says that didn't influence his decision, he also doesn't refute them - and the mere mention of these accusations directed against a permanent resident of the US by the president lends them some credence.


Media captionHow has the death of Jamal Khashoggi impacted the war in Yemen?
Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event - maybe he did and maybe he didn't!

Here we get to the heart of Mr Trump's statement supporting Saudi Arabia. Maybe Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder, maybe he didn't. Despite what Americans may hear in the coming days from the CIA, we may never know all the facts!

It is, needless to say, extremely rare for a president to undercut his own intelligence community in such a dramatic way. Of course, Mr Trump has now done so on a number of occasions.

In the end, he says, the US relationship with Saudi Arabia has to remain strong. The needs of the nation, in effect, outweigh the consequences of a crime against one man, however horrible.

Needles to say, such a view has prompted a fierce response from some in the US.

Fred Ryan, publisher of the Washington Post, which employed Khashoggi as a columnist, called the statement "a betrayal of long-established American values of respect for human rights and the expectation of trust and honesty in our strategic relationships".

Khashoggi murder: Is Saudi crown prince finished?
The Trump doctrine
I will consider whatever ideas are presented to me, but only if they are consistent with the absolute security and safety of America.

Mr Trump closes with what can be called the Trump Doctrine - that in a dangerous world, perceived humanitarian concerns must take a back seat to US economic and military security.

Congress, he says, may want to go "in a different direction" - much as it did by imposing additional sanctions on Russia against the president's wishes in 2017. Mr Trump, however, sets very clear parameters for the kinds of measures he will "consider".

The idea of prioritising pragmatic national interests - realpolitik, in the term coined by Ludwig von Rochau - is nothing new in US foreign policy, of course. From Richard Nixon's China diplomacy to George HW Bush's Gulf War, international relations is frequently an exercise in hard, often unpleasant choices.

Rarely, however, are the cold calculations laid out as bluntly as Mr Trump has done time and time again with his "America First" foreign policy.

Part of this may be a reaction to the rhetoric of idealism employed by two of his recent predecessors, George W Bush and Barack Obama. It may also be a reflection of the directness of Mr Trump the man.

Whatever the explanation, the cloak of idealism and morality has been cast aside.

Here is the White House statement in full.

Statement from President Donald J. Trump on Standing with Saudi Arabia
America First!

The world is a very dangerous place!

The country of Iran, as an example, is responsible for a bloody proxy war against Saudi Arabia in Yemen, trying to destabilize Iraq's fragile attempt at democracy, supporting the terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, propping up dictator Bashar Assad in Syria (who has killed millions of his own citizens), and much more. Likewise, the Iranians have killed many Americans and other innocent people throughout the Middle East. Iran states openly, and with great force, "Death to America!" and "Death to Israel!" Iran is considered "the world's leading sponsor of terror."

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia would gladly withdraw from Yemen if the Iranians would agree to leave. They would immediately provide desperately needed humanitarian assistance. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has agreed to spend billions of dollars in leading the fight against Radical Islamic Terrorism.

After my heavily negotiated trip to Saudi Arabia last year, the Kingdom agreed to spend and invest $450 billion in the United States. This is a record amount of money. It will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, tremendous economic development, and much additional wealth for the United States. Of the $450 billion, $110 billion will be spent on the purchase of military equipment from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and many other great U.S. defense contractors. If we foolishly cancel these contracts, Russia and China would be the enormous beneficiaries - and very happy to acquire all of this newfound business. It would be a wonderful gift to them directly from the United States!

The crime against Jamal Khashoggi was a terrible one, and one that our country does not condone. Indeed, we have taken strong action against those already known to have participated in the murder. After great independent research, we now know many details of this horrible crime. We have already sanctioned 17 Saudis known to have been involved in the murder of Mr. Khashoggi, and the disposal of his body.

Representatives of Saudi Arabia say that Jamal Khashoggi was an "enemy of the state" and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, but my decision is in no way based on that - this is an unacceptable and horrible crime. King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman vigorously deny any knowledge of the planning or execution of the murder of Mr. Khashoggi. Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event - maybe he did and maybe he didn't!

That being said, we may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi. In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have been a great ally in our very important fight against Iran. The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region. It is our paramount goal to fully eliminate the threat of terrorism throughout the world!

I understand there are members of Congress who, for political or other reasons, would like to go in a different direction - and they are free to do so. I will consider whatever ideas are presented to me, but only if they are consistent with the absolute security and safety of America. After the United States, Saudi Arabia is the largest oil producing nation in the world. They have worked closely with us and have been very responsive to my requests to keeping oil prices at reasonable levels - so important for the world. As President of the United States I intend to ensure that, in a very dangerous world, America is pursuing its national interests and vigorously contesting countries that wish to do us harm. Very simply it is called America First!

Related Topics
Mohammed bin SalmanJamal Khashoggi deathDonald TrumpUnited StatesSaudi Arabia



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Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖

Marcus Aurelius


Posted By: carbon20
Date Posted: November 20 2018 at 3:29pm
Herald Sun: 6 Jamal Khashoggi's last words revealed as Donald Trump says he stands with Saudi crown prince.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/jamal-khashoggis-last-words-revealed-as-donald-trump-says-he-stands-with-saudi-crown-prince/news-story/c4231c26602c24de8b74bf029593d3f1" rel="nofollow - https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/jamal-khashoggis-last-words-revealed-as-donald-trump-says-he-stands-with-saudi-crown-prince/news-story/c4231c26602c24de8b74bf029593d3f1

-------------
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖

Marcus Aurelius


Posted By: carbon20
Date Posted: November 20 2018 at 3:34pm
Donald Trump backs Saudi Arabia in Khashoggi murder row
https://p.dw.com/p/38cnX" rel="nofollow - https://p.dw.com/p/38cnX

-------------
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖

Marcus Aurelius


Posted By: Technophobe
Date Posted: November 20 2018 at 4:06pm
Of course he does. Oil = USA$. Human beings, on the other hand, are worth nothing.

What I do find surprising is the numbers who still support him. A few sociopaths yes. But the rest, why?

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How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving.


Posted By: carbon20
Date Posted: November 20 2018 at 8:37pm
Because it's easier to fool someone,than to get them to admit they been fooled....

-------------
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖

Marcus Aurelius


Posted By: carbon20
Date Posted: November 21 2018 at 12:51am
Thankfully it looks like American common decency and good sense ,is coming to the fore,

This I think this statement is a bridge to far,

even Chumps backers are backing away

....post haste


-------------
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖

Marcus Aurelius


Posted By: carbon20
Date Posted: November 21 2018 at 1:16am
An opinion from Germany......



Opinion: Donald Trump lets Saudis get away with murder
https://p.dw.com/p/38d5t" rel="nofollow - https://p.dw.com/p/38d5t

-------------
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖

Marcus Aurelius


Posted By: Technophobe
Date Posted: November 21 2018 at 1:34am
We all let the Saudis get away with murder. Trump is a member of a very big herd in that way.

Most governments simply turn a blind eye to violence perpetrated by their allies. The Saudis are simply too usefull to punish. Kashoggi disrupted the status quo because the Turks made the hidden violence visible and Erdogan's people only did that, because it suited their ends this time.

Trump has not really behaved any worse than anyone else here. Our governments have expressed horror - and then carried on regardless. The only difference is one of expression. He is a XXXXX! But then again, so are the rest.

-------------
How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving.


Posted By: carbon20
Date Posted: November 21 2018 at 2:44am
Yes you are correct,

And after all the embassy is technically Saudi Arabia.

however,

This is so blatant,

it has to have consequences,

Maybe get the Prince to write a thousand lines....

I won't send the death squad out again, I won't send the death squad out again.....etc.....lol ,

Then we can get on selling them arms so the Saudi's can bomb more hospitals in the Yemen.....





-------------
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖

Marcus Aurelius


Posted By: Technophobe
Date Posted: November 21 2018 at 3:33am
True! The man has no shame.

Where I think he might differ from the rest, is his inability to understand how bad this looks. There is just enough humanity in the rest to feel shame, or at least, enough to understand that they should feel it. Proof of psycophopathy in my book. Not a bad thing in a CEO; just bad news in politics.

-------------
How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving.


Posted By: carbon20
Date Posted: November 21 2018 at 6:00am
Deffo a psychopath.....

-------------
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.🖖

Marcus Aurelius



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