Iran

[NY4Ever]

The only realistic solution would be a UN Security Council resolution which resulting in a total blockade of Iran. China could be made to go along with such a measure if guaranteed sufficient oil supply from other countries. That would mean sharing the sacrifice, but it also could result in crude oil at $100 a barrel and gasoline prices twice what they are today. As painful as that would be short term, there is no other realistic option short of military action.

[billyjoe]

NY,
Maybe Israel will take them out.

billyjoe

[NY4Ever]

NY,
Maybe Israel will take them out.

billyjoe>>

Frankly, I am counting on it. They are the only ones with guts to do it.

[Lyehopper]

NY,
Maybe Israel will take them out.

billyjoe
Webs and me will handle it for a fee....

[ParkTwain]

Why hasn't Bush taken out China? They've had nukes for over 30 years.

[Adam]

NY,
Maybe Israel will take them out.

billyjoe>>

Frankly, I am counting on it. They are the only ones with guts to do it.


From what I heard Sheron had missions scheduled to hit the facilities in March if a piecefull resolution could not be found. Frankly, I think the world won't be free of war until all radical religion is stopped. It doesn't matter what religion is radical at the time. It just happens to be Islamists at this date in time. Remember the Crusades. I think It's radical for anyone to kill or even dislike someone just because they can't agree on something noone has hard core evidence of. Why waste so much time worrying about what other people believe in? The free nations of the world free themselves of the timely efforts of fighting a war that can never be won. Spend the time making the world a better place for the people of your country. I guess after being in the desert for thousands of years you get bored and need entertainment so why not harass your neighbors. Hell, why not the world.

We can only hope someone steps in before it becomes another job for America. The world knows there is a problem. Noone has the right to decide who should live, die, or occupy any piece of land. If Isriel is to continue to prosper they should be allowed without disturbance. If everyone focused on being productive insted of destructive the advances will be unbelieveable.

If Iran continues to threaten the safety of the world eventialy it will end up like Iraq. It is thier chioce, join the world or go down with jihad. And when Jihad is over the rest of the world will continue to prosper. Those who took life for questionable reasoning will see their day come to an end. I can only hope some other country gets the guts to step up and solve the problem.

Here in America, the way you make the most money by solving problems piecefully and on good terms for both parties. I't has worked well. Poeple who solve problems are sucessfull. Those who create problems where there is none or little, in the theory of evolution, should eventialy become extinct!

We can only hope!!!

[billyjoe]

Adam,

I'm not against any religion, but notice how the pilgrims to Mecca are getting wiped out lately in stampedes etc. The amazing thing is they justify it by saying anyone who dies on a pilgrimage is guaranteed a place in heaven. How can you argue with that logic?

billyjoe

[Adam]

Why hasn't Bush taken out China? They've had nukes for over 30 years.

They are to buisy spending their time on becoming the technilogical and boiengineering powerhouse of the world than to waste time to thereten or kill people. There would be noone to sell their goods if they started that crap. Thanx to Bush putting the nix on stem cell research. When the US finally leagalizes the research we will be lightyears behind. PS The aren't so picky about animal/human testing over there either

[Adam]

Adam,

I'm not against any religion, but notice how the pilgrims to Mecca are getting wiped out lately in stampedes etc. The amazing thing is they justify it by saying anyone who dies on a pilgrimage is guaranteed a place in heaven. How can you argue with that logic?

billyjoe


Yea, that sounds like a good excuse for Ignorance.

[Hany]

What's happening here, folks? Keep your opinion to yourself if you're going to disrespect other people's religion or traditions.

The stampede in Mecca is unfortunate but that gives you no right to call them "Ignorance".

Who the hell are you? Racism and bigotry are not tolerated here on this board. What do you say Ernie?

[Websman]

Karel, I would recommend deleting this thread, before it goes too far...

[Lyehopper]

Karel, I would recommend deleting this thread, before it goes too far...
I respectfully yet strongly disagree Webs.... this has always been a free forum. I say "ignore it, if you don't like it".... Everyone here has a right to express an opinion. Remember this.... threads will die if ignored.... as will members.... No fuel, no flame....

~Lye

[Websman]

I respectfully yet strongly disagree Webs.... this has always been a free forum. I say "ignore it, if you don't like it".... Everyone here has a right to express an opinion. Remember this.... threads will die if ignored.... as will members.... No fuel, no flame....

~Lye

Well, you know Lye...I should just come up there to Virginia and whip your.... just kidding. :)

Ok, you have a good point Lye.

karel, Lye has changed my mind. Let the freedom of expression continue!

[Adam]

What's happening here, folks? Keep your opinion to yourself if you're going to disrespect other people's religion or traditions.

The stampede in Mecca is unfortunate but that gives you no right to call them "Ignorance".

Who the hell are you? Racism and bigotry are not tolerated here on this board. What do you say Ernie?


I'm sorroy. I don't mean it to sound racist but It doesn't matter to me when or what race is involved. But when they use an excuse to make people feel better about something that could be avoided It's just that an excuse. Is it not the Islamists that started all this. Maybe It's time their own people who need to tell them to cut the shit. The world cannot prosper if we people continue to make excuses for trageties that can be avoided. Either mankind will cause their own extinction, or we will figiure a way to work together to make the most of the world we are given no matter what religion one believes in.


P.S. Who are you??????Are you for freedom??? Freedom of speech????

[Adam]

I respectfully yet strongly disagree Webs.... this has always been a free forum. I say "ignore it, if you don't like it".... Everyone here has a right to express an opinion. Remember this.... threads will die if ignored.... as will members.... No fuel, no flame....

~Lye


Does that mean you don't like me Lye? I'll stop voicing my opinion if it bothers people. I just want someone to come up with a solution to the problem that doesn't involve dropping bombs.

[NY4Ever]

IAF pilots have completed their mission training and fighter jets have been prepared for an Israeli attack on Iran, the British Sunday Times reported.

The article reported that "the elite 69 strategic F-15 I squadron" had been equipped with weapons that will be tested in combat for the first time, and that two missile submarines were on standby: one in the Persian Gulf and the second in Haifa Bay.

The Times also said that special IDF forces would be helicoptered into Iran to take out targets that could not be destroyed in an air strike.

Iran's nuclear facilities, according to the newspaper report, are widely dispersed at some 40 underground sites throughout Iran, which would make any attack by Israel - or any other nation - exponentially more difficult that Israel 's successful attack on Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981.

Col. [res] Ze'ev Raz, the former IAF pilot who led the Osirak mission, was quoted by the Times as saying, "What we now have is a lot of targets, which makes the operation much more difficult."

Raz believes an aerial assault on Iran's nuclear facilities is possible. There are many things that the IAF has done over the past few years that the public is not aware of, and it has made many important advances in mid-air refueling. Israel can strike the Iranian nuclear program, Raz said on Israel's Channel 1 TV's Politika program last week.

Former IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Uzi Dayan said last week that if Iran gets nuclear weapons, then so would terror organizations, like Hizbullah. "Israel needs to be ready to act on a military option," Dayan said. "Without getting into details, Israel is capable of doing these things."

[Hany]

NY4ever, why are you posting political news on a forum that is obviously financial? :-?

Let's talk about gay rights, KKK and abortion. What do y'all think?

I think that politics should be kept out of this form.

[NY4Ever]

NY4ever, why are you posting political news on a forum that is obviously financial? :-? >>

Whether you realize it or not, there is nothing that can cause a meltdown in stocks as oil at $100 and Gasoline at $5. This thread is highly relevant to the financial markets. If you don't agree -- don't participate.

[Karel]

I completely agree with freedom of speech, but it doesn't hurt to think once in a while. The Muslim belief that someone who dies on the pilgrimage to Mecca goes straight to heaven was formulated in the times that it took people months and lots of courage to make that trip. It effectively countered the fear that all that effort could become useless, just because of one bandit attack.

The current situation is different, but disasters like the one this year are not easily avoided. Travel over thousands of miles becomes easier and easier, and moderately unmanageable numbers of people now make the Hajj. It will only get worse. The Saudi are already discouraging people who want to go a second time. See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajj#Difficulty_in_perfoming_the_Hajj

Regards,

Karel

[Websman]

Great info Karel. You're not part Vulcan are you? You always seem to have a logical answer...

[Hany]

Freedom of speech is a great thing when respecting others. I wouldn't voice an opinion that totally disrespects Christians, Atheists, etc and then say that it's relevant because of blah blah. It's obvious that most people here are not religious but who gave you the right to make fun of muslims.

Let's say I post a thread that says "I hope that the Iraqi insurgents kill the invading Americans because Americans are ignorant Christians that ..."

Wouldn't you be offended? Can't you feel the hatred in the above sentence? I've been a $MM$ fan for 5 years (not as active as I like to be) and I would hate for this board to transform from a $MM$ stocks board into a general news board with some info on stocks.

Think about this: If Al-Qaeda activist starts posting on this board with their radical views, would this be allowed?

[Karel]

I think the point about being respectful should be noted. When people err along those lines, respect them still, but preferably correct errors in a factual way. No need to start crusades, go light on rhetorical questions.

Now what was this thread about again?

Regards,

Karel

[ParkTwain]

Saber-rattling by Israel destabilizes world markets, just as Iran's recent blustering about Israel did. Iran cannot have nuclear weapons anytime soon; they don't even have an enrichment program underway, as far as the international community is aware. So Israel's comments are inflammatory and unhelpful. China and Russia are already doing business regarding nuclear technology with the regime in Tehran, so UN Security Council enforcement of an end to those developments is unlikely.

The U.S. is the leader of the free world. The U.S. also imports more crude oil than any other nation. You would think that with the U.S.'s clout and economic situation, the present U.S. administration would take steps to stabilize international oil markets and to encourage a diplomatic resolution to the present squabbles in the Middle East. Does the present U.S. administration have some interest in keeping world oil prices high (i.e., >$60/bbl)?

Here is another interesting wrinkle:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroeuro
//
A petroeuro is a petroleum trade valued on the euro as opposed to the US dollar (a petrodollar). Trading of any natural resource, including petroleum, is controlled through trading partnerships involving both exporters and importers of the resource, in a defined marketplace, and through a trade agreement. The major countries holding petroleum reserves since the decline of US production are dominated by OPEC, and hence, OPEC may choose dollars, euros, yen, or any currency providing perceived advantage, politically or economically. As of 2005, OPEC continues to trade in petrodollars, but some OPEC members (such as Iran and Venezuela) have been pushing for a switch to the euro.

On March 20, 2006, Iran is planning to open an International Oil Bourse (IOB, exchange) for the express purpose of trading oil priced exclusively in Euros. This will establish a Euro based pricing mechanism, or 'oil marker' as it is called by traders. The three current oil markers are US dollar denominated, which include the West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), Norway Brent Crude, and the UAE Dubai Crude. In 2003, Iran started trading with its European and Asian partners using the Euro. The Iranian Oil Bourse, however, will also establish a fourth 'oil marker', dominated by the Euro.
//

[Websman]

Does the present U.S. administration have some interest in keeping world oil prices high (i.e., >$60/bbl)?

You nailed it Park... That is the big question. Who's profiting from high oil prices?

[Adam]

Park is right on.

Webs question is major. Who profits in an unstable world with high oil prices???


P.S. My appologies for former statements that may have been deemed insensitive.

[ParkTwain]

Google "petroeuros" to read for yourself!

Petroeuros - the real economic threat to the U.S.?
http://www.serendipity.li/wot/akleh.htm
//
March 19, 2005 — Iran does not pose a threat to the United State because of its nuclear projects, its WMD or its support to "terrorists organizations" as the American administration is claiming, but rather in its attempt to re-shape the global economic system by converting it from a petrodollar to a petroeuro system. Such conversion is looked upon as a flagrant declaration of economic war against the US that would flatten the revenues of the American corporations and eventually might cause an economic collapse.

In June of 2004 Iran declared its intention of setting up an international oil exchange (a bourse) denominated in the Euro currency. Many oil-producing as well as oil-consuming countries had expressed their welcome to such a petroeuro bourse. The Iranian reports had stated that this bourse might start its trade with the beginning of 2006. Naturally such an oil bourse would compete against London's International Petroleum Exchange (IPE), as well as against the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), both owned by American corporations.

Oil-consuming countries have no choice but to use the American Dollar to purchase their oil, since the Dollar has so far been the global standard monetary fund for oil exchange. This necessitates these countries keeping the Dollar in their central banks as their reserve fund, thus strengthening the American economy. But if Iran — followed by the other oil-producing countries — offered to accept the Euro as another choice for oil exchange the American economy would suffer a real crisis. We could witness this crisis at the end of 2005 and beginning of 2006 when oil investors would have the choice to pay $57 a barrel of oil at the American (NYMEX) and at London's (IPE) or pay 37 Euros a barrel at the Iranian oil bourse. Such choice would reduce trade volumes at both the Dollar-dependent (NYMEX) and at the (IPE).

Many countries had studied the conversion from the ever weakening petrodollar to the gradually strengthening petroeuro system. The devaluation of the Dollar was caused by the American economy shying away from manufacturing local products — except those of the military — by outsourcing American jobs to the cheaper third world countries and depending only on the general service sector, and by the huge cost of two major wars that are still going on. Foreign investors started withdrawing their money from the shaky American market, causing further devaluation of the Dollar.

The keen observer of the money market could have noticed that the devaluation of the American Dollar had started since November 2002, while the purchasing power of the European Euro had crept upward to reach nowadays $1.34. Compared to the Japanese Yen the Dollar had dropped from 104.45 to 103.90 yen. The British pound climbed another notch from $1.9122 to $1.9272.

Economic reports published at the beginning of this month (March 2005) had pointed towards the deep dive of the American economy and to the quick rise of the deficit up to $665.90 billion at the end of 2004. The worst is still to come. These numbers worried the international banks, which had sent some warnings to the Bush administration. ...

There is only one technical obstacle to the use of a euro-based oil exchange system, which is the lack of a euro-denominated oil pricing standard, or oil 'marker' as it is referred to in the industry. The three current oil markers are U.S.-dollar-denominated: West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), Norway Brent crude, and UAE Dubai crude. Yet this did not stop Iran from requiring payments in the euro currency for its European and Asian oil exports since spring 2003.

Iran's determination to use the petroeuro is inviting to other countries such as Russia and the Latin American countries, and even some Saudi investors, especially since Saudi/American relations have weakened lately. This determination had also invited an aggressive American political campaign using the same excuses used against Iraq: WMD in the form of nuclear bomb, support to "terrorist" Lebanese Hezbollah organization and threat to the peace process in the Middle East.

The question now is what would the American administration do? Would it invade Iran as it did Iraq? The American troops are knee-deep in the Iraqi swamp. The global community — except for Britain and Italy — is not offering any military relief to the US. Thus an American strike against Iran is very unlikely. Iran is not Iraq; it has a more robust military power. Iran has anti-ship missiles based at Abu Mousa island that control the Strait of Hermuz at the entrance of the Persian Gulf. Iran could easily close the strait thus blocking all naval traffic carrying gulf oil to the rest of the world, causing a global oil crisis. The price of an oil barrel could reach $100. The US could not topple the regime by spreading chaos the same way it did to Mussadaq's regime in 1953 since Iranians are aware of such a trick. Besides Iranians have a patriotic pride in what they call "their bomb".

America has resorted to instigating and encouraging its military bastard, Israel, to strike the Iranian nuclear reactors the way it did to Iraq's. Leaked reports had revealed that Israeli forces are training for such an attack, expected to take place next June. Israel is afraid of an Iranian bomb. Such an "Islamic" bomb would threaten Israel's military hegemony in the Middle East. The bomb would extract some Israeli concessions and would create an arm race that would gobble up a lot of Israeli defense expenditure. Furthermore the bomb would force the US to enter into negotiations with a nuclear Iran that might limit Israeli expansion ambitions.

Iran had invested a lot of money and effort to obtain nuclear technology and would never abandon it, as evident in its political rhetoric. Unlike Iraq, Iran would not keep quiet of Israel strikes its nuclear facilities. Iran would retaliate aggressively, which may lead to the destabilization of the whole region including Israel, the Gulf States, Iraq and even Afghanistan.
//

[Lyehopper]

Does that mean you don't like me Lye? I'll stop voicing my opinion if it bothers people. I just want someone to come up with a solution to the problem that doesn't involve dropping bombs.

Sheesh!.... NO!!!!.... I don't know you.... you should read my post again.... I'm just against censorship that's all..... I didn't say I disagreed or agreed with your statements.... I directed my post to Websman, thus the statement by him that he would come up to VA and whoop my arse!... LOL....

I do know Webs, we've become friends.... If you can gain anything from the exchange between Webs and me (and others).... you will understand WHAT $$MM$$ forum is all about....

BTW for the sake of "board peace" we do exercise self controll (from time to time)lol.... We don't find a need to win every fight or have "the last word".... and we also appologize when we've "tweaked" a fellow member the wrong way. There are a great bunch of fellas here.

If I've NOT do so yet.... WELCOME to the forum ADAM.... DUDE!!!!

So are you an energy sector investor?

I hate ESLR and I love to short it. I'm not sure why I hate it.... I just do.... I have some mental problems....

BillyJoe? Got any of that "new" medication DUDE?

btw Adam.... I offered Webs and my "services" to handle that Iran "problem".... I do not own a bomb.... Weds?.... well who know what Webs had hidden up one of those Flordia coves.... Webs and me also kicked around the idea of an Australian invasion, You see... shhhhhhh!... We have "inside contacts" on the mainland.... but HEY!!!!....I've received no calls yet.... so I'm on to other ventures....

Now I know how IIC feels when IBD refuses to call him.lol Hey IIC!!!! maybe you should lower your price a little.... THEN in a few months (when you've shown how "THEY" CAN'T make it without you) you can buck for a big ol raise. Hey!!!! they might hire you as a.... $$MM$$ infiltrator! That's the angle I'd use if I had your great talents.

~Lye

[Websman]

I do not own a bomb.... Weds?.... well who know what Webs had hidden up one of those Flordia coves.... Webs and me also kicked around the idea of an Australian invasion, You see... shhhhhhh!... We have "inside contacts" on the mainland.... but HEY!!!!....I've received no calls yet.... so I'm on to other ventures....

~Lye

I don't have any bombs, but I can get my hands on a couple cases of dynamite.

[Adam]

I'm right with you lye, I was foolin with you anyway. My boss can't even get me to shut my mouth. I was half joking bout the comment that was taken offensive.

P.S. I'm in!!! Let me know when Its time to dig up the stash. Revolution brother!

[Adam]

Park, You tryin to scare us or push up oil prices with that article????LOL

[daskro]

The issue of Iran is burdensome to say the least.

The Iran is considered by the US to be a rogue state and has been treated as such for the last few decades. The most telling of all of this that the US does not purchase Iranian oil. Iran's two biggest consumers are China and the EU, both of which hold veto power on the UN security council. Unlike the US, the EU and China are even more dependant on Middle-eastern oil than the US is, making their stake in the region even more neccesary.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,16518,1687381,00.html

While my interests lie in foreign policy more so than finance, I do believe that any effort by the UN security council to implement sanctions will be limited at best. They will be loose and by no means nearly as severe as those seen with Iraq in 1991. Then again, I see the UN as an ineffective organization when dealing with international relations, especially when dealing with rogue states.

As long as Iran has an economic stranglehold on world players effected by high energy prices, I don't see much change in the status quo, albeit spikes in oil prices here and there.

[Adam]

I do believe that any effort by the UN security council to implement sanctions will be limited at best. They will be loose and by no means nearly as severe as those seen with Iraq in 1991. Then again, I see the UN as an ineffective organization when dealing with international relations, especially when dealing with rogue states.

As long as Iran has an economic stranglehold on world players effected by high energy prices, I don't see much change in the status quo, albeit spikes in oil prices here and there.

I completely gree with the ineffectiveness of the UN to handle these radical states. The sanctions on Iraq, and the sadly failed UN bomb inspection missions in which the Iraqis didn't take seriously. And most important, didn't work, just made life a struggle for the everyday people while Saddam and family lived in luxury. I guess the UN hasn't figured out the those type of radicals only know one way to win or lose, to die for the cause. You can't beat devotion like that with sanctions. I feel it will only hurt the people who are not directly in the conflict. The military and goverment will still eat and live while their people suffer for their govenments cause.

I to become so political on Investing message boards, but, as mentioned earlier, the market takes all world situations into view as they affect the market. Simple law changes, stabilization or unstablization of the world must always be watched if you are a true investor who will use those situation to capitolize and profit. The world is the market. People can't get stuck in a bubble of investing not thinking about the changing world around them. Do that and you'll wind up with an outdated laggard stock that drags the bottom.

Current and future events are what open future market nitches. One can't afford to be wearing blinders at any point in investing.