US senators pressuring Saudis to hike oil output

[phantom power]

Is this the anger stage, or the bargaining stage? Or maybe they're consolidating into a single new time-saving "threatening" stage.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Democrats Tuesday introduced legislation to stop a U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia worth $1.4 billion in a tactic supporters said was aimed at pressuring the OPEC country to increase its oil output.

"We are saying that we need real relief and we need it quickly. You (Saudi Arabia) need our arms, but we need you to cooperate and not strangle American consumers," said Sen. Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat.

http://www.forbes.com/reuters/feeds/reuters/2008/05/13/2008-05-13T183827Z_01_N13403641_RTRIDST_0_USA-SAUDI-OIL.html

[thunder rising]

1. This time with FEELING people, on three, one, two, three ... PLLLLEEEAAAASSE

[Nihil]

2. Wonder if this was triggered by Monday's little squabble?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x147859
(SA Threatens To Cut Off Oil Shipments To Taiwan Over Investment Spat)

... or is it just the usual greed and "American way of life is not negotiable"?

:shrug: