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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Martinus on July 04, 2011, 02:58:47 PM

Title: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Martinus on July 04, 2011, 02:58:47 PM
First, Schroeder sucking Gazprom's cock and making deals with former Stasi agents.

Now, the first female Chancellor and the first gay minister selling tanks to the Saudis.

Fuck you. You made a huge show of being pro-democracy and pro-human rights when Americans started a perhaps misguided, but ultimately just attempt to topple Saddam, but you are willing to compromise all your principles to earn some buck.

Disgusting.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Razgovory on July 04, 2011, 03:06:59 PM
 :unsure:

I don't see the problem here.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: grumbler on July 04, 2011, 03:26:53 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on July 04, 2011, 03:06:59 PM
:unsure:

I don't see the problem here.
Marti feels the need to sound indignant, and to say "fuck you!" to people he doesn't know anything about.  Why would that be a problem?  It's a daily occurrence.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Duque de Bragança on July 04, 2011, 03:42:34 PM
Quote from: Martinus on July 04, 2011, 02:58:47 PM
First, Schroeder sucking Gazprom's cock and making deals with former Stasi agents.

Now, the first female Chancellor and the first gay minister selling tanks to the Saudis.


Well, they can't sell Leopards II only to Greece and Turkey. Arms races can get you only far.
:smarty:
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: alfred russel on July 04, 2011, 03:53:32 PM
With Saddam no longer in Iraq, and revolutions brewing across the middle east, arms sales to Saudi Arabia are looking a lot more dodgy than before.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 04, 2011, 04:10:38 PM
Yeah, Marty's post is not completely without merit.

(Hey Marty, I could use a new AC unit.)
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: The Brain on July 04, 2011, 04:44:09 PM
Why does the Pole hate the Germans?
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: DGuller on July 04, 2011, 04:47:00 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 04, 2011, 04:10:38 PM
Yeah, Marty's post is not completely without merit.

(Hey Marty, I could use a new AC unit.)
:lol:
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Neil on July 04, 2011, 04:57:51 PM
A homo selling the Saudis tanks that they will use to roll over convicted homosexuals?  I love it!
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Zanza on July 04, 2011, 05:05:52 PM
We made a huge show of being pro-democracy and pro-human rights in the context of the Iraq War? What do you refer to?
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Razgovory on July 04, 2011, 05:26:00 PM
Marty has a thing for Germans.  I think it comes from the traditional interaction between Germans and Pole via feet.  Typically either bootlicking by the Pole or being kicked in the face by the German. I think Marty interprets this in a sexual context.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Maximus on July 04, 2011, 07:09:50 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on July 04, 2011, 03:53:32 PM
With Saddam no longer in Iraq, and revolutions brewing across the middle east, arms sales to Saudi Arabia are looking a lot more dodgy than before.
They're still locked in a regional cold war with Iran.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Legbiter on July 04, 2011, 07:17:06 PM
Quote from: Maximus on July 04, 2011, 07:09:50 PM
They're still locked in a regional cold war with Iran.

This.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Neil on July 04, 2011, 07:33:06 PM
See, the problem is that unlike the real Cold War, both sides of this one are evil.  And we have to back the Saudis because of their oil.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: AnchorClanker on July 04, 2011, 09:35:47 PM
Poles - permo-victims?
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Syt on July 05, 2011, 12:16:40 AM
The Poles are the Jews of Europe. Only, in general, less business savvy.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: The Brain on July 05, 2011, 06:31:42 AM
I find Mart's threads strangely homoerratic.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: alfred russel on July 05, 2011, 06:37:41 AM
Quote from: Maximus on July 04, 2011, 07:09:50 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on July 04, 2011, 03:53:32 PM
With Saddam no longer in Iraq, and revolutions brewing across the middle east, arms sales to Saudi Arabia are looking a lot more dodgy than before.
They're still locked in a regional cold war with Iran.

That is true, but they don't have a land border with Iran. In the event there is a ground war involving Iran attacking Saudi Arabia either amphibiously or through another country, I would think the US would be in position to stymie the attack (if we are on their side--in 10-15 years who knows how things will have changed).
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Zanza on July 05, 2011, 06:45:08 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on July 05, 2011, 06:37:41 AM
That is true, but they don't have a land border with Iran. In the event there is a ground war involving Iran attacking Saudi Arabia either amphibiously or through another country, I would think the US would be in position to stymie the attack (if we are on their side--in 10-15 years who knows how things will have changed).
That's no problem. I am sure we can sell them ships, jets and missles too.  :P

But they need those tanks to roll over Bahraini democratic protestors fight evil terrorists.

We need to find new markets now that our best weapons customer, Greeece, is bankrupt. I fully expect that Angie will soon start lobbying in the EU to lift the arms embargo on China.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Brazen on July 05, 2011, 07:33:36 AM
Quote from: Martinus on July 04, 2011, 02:58:47 PM
Now, the first female Chancellor and the first gay minister selling tanks to the Saudis.
Why single out the Germans? Everyone's selling military hardware to the Saudis, they're the only country still buying big. After Eritrea, which is a statistical anomaly, Saudi Arabia spends the most on arms per capita in the world, followed by Oman, the UAE and Israel. Arms exports are the only thing keeping European arms manufacturers, and industry in general, ticking over.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Viking on July 05, 2011, 08:34:33 AM
Virulently anti-semitic and homophobic supremacists equipped with the best german made panzers. How can that possibly go wrong.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Valmy on July 05, 2011, 08:45:51 AM
Well they are going to buy them somewhere.  Might as well be from the Germans.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: alfred russel on July 05, 2011, 09:41:15 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 05, 2011, 08:45:51 AM
Well they are going to buy them somewhere.  Might as well be from the Germans.

It is a smart purchase. You know the Germans always make good stuff.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Neil on July 05, 2011, 10:16:43 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on July 05, 2011, 09:41:15 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 05, 2011, 08:45:51 AM
Well they are going to buy them somewhere.  Might as well be from the Germans.
It is a smart purchase. You know the Germans always make good stuff.
Their cars are pretty crap.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: alfred russel on July 05, 2011, 10:22:09 AM
Quote from: Neil on July 05, 2011, 10:16:43 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on July 05, 2011, 09:41:15 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 05, 2011, 08:45:51 AM
Well they are going to buy them somewhere.  Might as well be from the Germans.
It is a smart purchase. You know the Germans always make good stuff.
Their cars are pretty crap.

Is this because in Alberta if it isn't an F150 or a Silverado it is crap?
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: DGuller on July 05, 2011, 10:27:28 AM
They are simple people, they don't know how to take care of refined equipment.  German cars need to be maintained, you need to periodically change their oil, engine, and transmission, if you want them to keep runnig.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: grumbler on July 05, 2011, 10:48:54 AM
Quote from: DGuller on July 05, 2011, 10:27:28 AM
They are simple people, they don't know how to take care of refined equipment.  German cars need to be maintained, you need to periodically change their oil, engine, and transmission, if you want them to keep runnig.
:lol:  Yeah, that was my experience, as well, with two Volkswagens.   Didn't have many transmission problems, but I might have just been lucky.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: alfred russel on July 05, 2011, 10:54:44 AM
As I seem to have mini hijacked the thread with the statement, "You know the Germans always make good stuff," I want to mention that I was quoting the sham wow guy.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: crazy canuck on July 05, 2011, 11:00:59 AM
Quote from: DGuller on July 05, 2011, 10:27:28 AM
you need to periodically change their oil, engine, and transmission, if you want them to keep runnig.

And I thought my old dodge caravan was bad.  Never actually had to change the engine or the transmission - sold it for scrap before it came to that.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Razgovory on July 05, 2011, 11:30:03 AM
Quote from: Viking on July 05, 2011, 08:34:33 AM
Virulently anti-semitic and homophobic supremacists equipped with the best german made panzers. How can that possibly go wrong.

Well, it's likely the tanks sold are export versions and not the best.  If the Saudi Army is anything like other Arab armies, their crews won't be fully trained on the equipment either.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Neil on July 05, 2011, 11:32:25 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on July 05, 2011, 10:22:09 AM
Quote from: Neil on July 05, 2011, 10:16:43 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on July 05, 2011, 09:41:15 AM
Quote from: Valmy on July 05, 2011, 08:45:51 AM
Well they are going to buy them somewhere.  Might as well be from the Germans.
It is a smart purchase. You know the Germans always make good stuff.
Their cars are pretty crap.
Is this because in Alberta if it isn't an F150 or a Silverado it is crap?
Not really.  Myself, I prefer cars to trucks, although the extremes in temperature often result in some rough roads in the cities.  The problem is that German cars simply aren't as good as Fords or Nissans and you pay a premium for them, as well as for maintenance.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: DGuller on July 05, 2011, 11:46:07 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on July 05, 2011, 11:30:03 AM
Quote from: Viking on July 05, 2011, 08:34:33 AM
Virulently anti-semitic and homophobic supremacists equipped with the best german made panzers. How can that possibly go wrong.

Well, it's likely the tanks sold are export versions and not the best.  If the Saudi Army is anything like other Arab armies, their crews won't be fully trained on the equipment either.
Yeah, Arabs never get a premium account.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Martim Silva on July 05, 2011, 12:03:34 PM
Saudi Arabia is still in talks with Russia about the T-90S, and previously they were dealing with the US.

It seems that their purchases are dictated by political interests (rewarding countries who cooperate with them), and not by military concerns.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: Razgovory on July 05, 2011, 12:22:55 PM
If you are an arms importer you want to diversify the weapons you get.  You don't want to go to war and find your main supplier doesn't approve and has decided to stop selling spare parts.  The Iranians had this problem in the 1980's.
Title: Re: Germans - unprincipled profiteers?
Post by: dps on July 06, 2011, 08:48:12 AM
Quote from: DGuller on July 05, 2011, 10:27:28 AM
They are simple people, they don't know how to take care of refined equipment.  German cars need to be maintained, you need to periodically change their oil, engine, and transmission, if you want them to keep runnig.

The Saudis hire Philipinos or Bengalis  or the like to do stuff like that for them.

Which doesn't mean that the people they hire necessarily really know what they're doing either.