Perhaps this is "bread and circuses" to take the eyes off Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. They have been attacking their own people also. The Sauds are a key to our dollar hegemony. We protect them and they only sell oil in dollars. This makes the dollar the world reserve currency. The end of dollar hegemony (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollar_hegemony) would probably mean and end to US empire building. It would also bring on a hyperinflation as all those dollars come home to roost. Also Bernanke's money printing would catch up with him much faster.
Now I don't know this is the case. I sometimes wonder if they are intelligent enough to figure this out. It does seem odd that before Saddam was demolished he threatened to sell his oil in other currencies. Iran is now doing the same and we have been trying to drum up some kind of intervention there.
Just something to keep an eye on.
Either way, the cost is not worth it when we as a nation are bankrupt. Plus, it is sometimes dangerous to meddle in other peoples business.
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I agree with TM on the corruption in central government; both parties.