If North Americans truly want to hurt Iran, sell your SUV's, use public transit and make concentrated effort to lower overall energy use. Why would we even care about the present theocracy in Iran if it didn't have its foot on our throats because of its oil reserves.
Oh yes, we did overthrow their legitimate government in the 50's because of the stuff. which led to our current situation so we've actually done all this to ourselves.

Do Iranian students suffer the same fate as Chinese students?

#2 Faye

The minute they protest against their own Govt instead of hurling rocks at us, you bet they will.

#1. Scullion, Canada

Thats spot on .. and with anything to do with oil, there is always more to a situation than meets the eye ...seems very timely they were caught, considering what direction the Iraqi war has been taking recently ...

#1 I would have to agree, SUV's do burn petrol, but public transport isn't much of an option where I live. Very rural. In fact, the majority of city workers live miles from their place of employment and there is no bus service out here. We might burn less gas driving smaller cars (which I do btw) but that doesn't help our heating fuel costs because when sales go down, prices go up. Quite frankly, I can't afford to convert my home to solar power, especially when the weather here in the North would force me to revert to gas heat half the time anyways. So your simplton solution of telling the big bad Americans to drive different vehicles isn't a solution at all. It's merely stale, cliche, regurgitated anti-American rhetoric. Personally, I'd burn wood to stay warm and ride my bike to work if I thought it would hurt the Iranian oil industry, but then I'd have tree huggers bombing my house and slitting the tires on my bicycle.

i dont understand why we dont start using our own oil? why are we saving it? for a raining day? just around my area they are finding oil and gas and they drill it and just cap it off? where is the logic? Iran is going to ruin the whole middle east in there effort to be the rulers of it.. we need to get out of there and let them just kill themselves, maybe even help them with that? say a couple bombs for a goodbye gift.

Russia predicts 6 April for the attack on Iran. Might be worth a Stg.10.00 punt.

In love and war all is allowed.
Iran needs the 15 prisoners as they have exactly that number of nuclear facilities (actualy 17) that will be bombed. One service man on the roof of each target may hold the war off [a few more days]. Webcams with full time broadcasting on the web, untill the bunkerbuster pulverizes the target with its human shield. What a show!

just_ginge
public transport " burns petrol " very often not " efficiently "
" drive different vehicles "
Mexicans and Canadians and Central Americans drive the same vehicles . It is because we have that " evil freedom " .
Others want us to be an insect in the collective because they have no freedom to be individuals and they are jealous of us .

Anyone with the slightest understanding of the commodities markets (oil market) would know that Iran does not get any of the current oil price increases. Iran got paid for oil being pumped today many months ago. People making the profits are the NY and London commodities markets money men and speculators (i.e. Bush and Blair's pals) and the oil companies.

#1, Scullion. Exactly. I was interviewing for a job at the Anglo-Iranian oil company when the job vanished as Mossadeq, the newly elected Prime Minister of Iran announced the oil fields were being nationalised. Big oil in the US could not let this happen since they paid peanuts for the oil so the Shah was reinstated with US arms to back him up. The rest is history.
#5 and #6 Canada supplies 15% of your nat gas but according to the US DOE at current rates of consumption and export will run out in 6 years. Likewise for sweet crude which will run out in 4 years. Perhaps that is why your wells are being capped off and 15 NG gas evaporation stations are being constructed along your coast. This gas will come from muslim countries and at one tanker each 3 days should be a terrorist paradise. Perhaps when you cut down these trees for wood you will find the tree huggers got there before you! Now we do have a lot of heavy crude tar sands but this oil is not easily converted to gasoline. We also have a lot of trees for our own consumption. Bike anyone?

Salta, the arrogant mentality will be the root of the downfall of thet as it is evident now compared to the time of 19&20th century!

It is very ironic that free people tend to loose free thinking in only 100years!

Be humble, & look around the world; if you live another 40yrs you will be able to see it all!

Good Luck!

Salta: True its not just the U.S. who drive the gas guzzlers, but I would like to see a better public transport system in our area. >There may be some who are jealous of our freedoms, but we're not as free as we'd like to believe. >Our auto industry could make their vehicles more efficient, but they're very big business, aren't they? As is oil, and I'm sure they take turns sleeping in each other's beds. And its not just Iran making money off the current situation. Rest assured, every time Iran makes money, a good many Westerners do too. At the risk of sounding simple- Oil is money and money, not our puppet politicians, run this World.

This combined with Iran's cessation of IAEA cooperation & ongoing uranium enrichment serves to justify a military attack against them, which has been some 30 years coming yet is still a hard sell. Now that the world's eyes are opening as to the truth about Islam, we know that an 'Islamic Republic' is nothing more than a bastion of terrorism and misery. Pounding Iran would result in much brighter daily headlines because the Shiite terrorists in Iraq & Syria & Lebanon are but branches of the Iranian tree. So if Iran keeps this crap up, even the war-weary US Congress will justify military action eventually. And when they do, they will have learned from Iraq that the objective must be an endless rain of destruction until the Iranian theocracy surrenders or is destroyed, rather than a futile attempt at 'regime change'.

#11 What is your opinion on the biofuels and wind power? Are they practical alternatives to oil? So our resources dry up in six years... we're either totally dependent on the Middle East (and Venezuela) or we invest in alternatives energy sources?

And I just have to ask....What IS this Middle East obsession with throwing rocks?

Oh my some angry people out there wanting bombs and destruction on people they never met. American? Canadian? What is it with north americans? Is it just the loud ones that have no respect for life? No its not cos I've heard some loud Americans wanting nice things too, like withdrawal from Iraq and a stop to America throwing its bombs around for oil.

"We need oil! Lets Bomb em!!! But we have oil? Still, lets bomb em and get there oil! The middle east looks like a good place, they've only got old weapons we sold them, and they havn't got nukes, yet . . . Ooooh we better hurry then, otherwise they might do us some serious damage. We should destroy there country while we're there just to knock them down a few pegs, I'ld like to see them pull a miraculous economic recovery after that. Then we can go in and 'help them' rebuild the stuff we destroyed, tee hee hee, and have them pay us to do it. HA ha ha ha! We're in the money, we're in the money, la la la la" George Bush

Money doesn't run the world, everybody runs there own world. If you choose it to be money, you can make money your focus/world. You could also choose it to be marine life, environmentally friendly technology, people, music etc The list is endless. Don't let money run your world totally. Where would your heart be? Maybe thats why some don't mind innocent people in a far off country getting slaughtered at the push of a button.

As an Iranian, I would like to remind everyone to make a distinction between people living in Iran and the Iran government, the regime is sort of dictatorship and has no support among the people, whatever supporters that are shown, are just there because they are forced to or paid to. I think if west really want to stop Iran, they should stop selling Iran gas (fuel for running cars), Iran import around 60% of its local consumption. Once they get short on that the price will hike and it will effect the whole country’s shaking economy, that automatically result in turmoil among local dictators in ruling system.

14, proud infidel

You are a disgrace to the human race. You must be so very miserable with your life to come out with something so tangibly hateful and thoughtless.

Do you believe in karma?

#15 Just_ginge

As someone who visits and therefore drives a lot in the United states I can tell you that if you gave up your automatic gearboxes and drove manuals, you would see a big saving in gas mileage.
Autoboxes are so sloppy and inefficient that you need a bigger engine to get the same amount of power to the wheels.
Last time we were over we had a Pontiac Sunbird hire car with a 2.2 litre engine and 3 speed autobox. The performance and milage were crummy compared to say a 1.4 litre VW Golf with 5 speed manual over here which is an equivalent size of car.

#16 just_ginge, you said "And I just have to ask....What IS this Middle East obsession with throwing rocks?"

That's a very good question and if I may I will try to answer it here for you. The Arab obession with throwing rocks is not so much an obsession as it is a national pastime. Around 1800 years ago an Arab Shiek who went by the name of Shiek Abdul-Le bulbul-Demeer inherited a rather rocky part of the desert (more rock than sand) unlike his fellow Shieks who all had nice sandy desert. Well one day Shiek Abdul-Lebulbul-Demeer who was unhappy with is rocky desert ordered his tribepeople to start picking up the rocks and to dump them in his fellow Shieks nice of bit desert. Well as you can imagine his fellow Shieks were not happy with this arrangement at all and so they ordered their guys to pick up the rocks and dump them back from whence they came. As the tribesmen were dumping the rocks back on Abduls bit of desert old Abdul himself and a few of his lads turned up and upon seeing this started picking up the rocks and started throwing (No longer just dumping mind you) but forcibly throwing them back. Well as you can imagine the other Shieks lads were not at all happy about this and so they started throwing rocks back and before you know it evolved into a real rock chucking match with all the other tribes turning up to throw rocks at Abdul and his lads. Unfortunately Abdul himself during the rock throwing stopped one on the side of his head taking half his ear off. From that day on Abdul became to be known as Shiek 18 months or old ear and a half to his close buddies. To celebrate this historical battle the Arab nations every year now have rock throwing contests infact the contests are so popular the Arabs hate to wait a year for them and will use any excuse for a good old rock throwing event. So just_ginge there you have it. I hope I have answered your question to your satisfaction.

#19 Malky's Back, Karma, is that a type of curry?

If the UK goes to war with Iran in April, does this mean the election is off and we're stucik with Joke McDoughnut?

Pink, bah bah, khanjar az posht mizani aziz, look my fellows, this incident is much more simple than what you assume it to be. price of oil as gold and many other commodities rises and falls, it's not a big deal anyways.but
1. take notice of the rise in oil price due to a simple tension, no shots fired, guess what will happen if a war breaks out (attention those who favour bombing not many on this thread thanks god)
2. Iran has been under sanctions by Us and many others for long. we're used to it. Thing twice, can YOU take it.
3. Pink, not all iranians are so sissy to hand over their country or their elected government as easy as you might presume.
4. those worried about british sailors, they are our guests, here they are even safe, really. Ask Iraqis they know very well, when surrendered you're safe with us. the arrested marines knew it well when they surrendered,really do you think they would care about rules of engagement if they thought otherwise.

Pink #18

Nice to hear from an Iranian who isnt in Iran and therefore free to express their opinion without threat of arrest or torture from the Iranian religious police.

Moha #26

You are right. This is about oil price. The iranian regime has captured our servicemen and they are getting an extra 5 million a day oil revenues now. They also get to posture against the "little satan" UK and please the nutter president you have.

IRAN is gaining up to £5 million a day from detaining 15 British sailors and marines as the crisis causes the price of oil to raise dramatically.
AND Blaire keeps on the ego of “Why do I have to apologise. They are good solders” Mr. Blaire Mr. Blaire. Just because you have the central heating office and Mr. Brown put the four wheeler on the higher taxes makes me think, I mean honest. Iran makes profit from the hostages and you are stubborn not to say “Sorry Iran, I am very sorry my guys trespassed. Please release them. The piece of oils, those too please drop this. We have many crises, Iran You Iraq, Middle East Saudi telling USA we do not need you in the Middle East any more, the Dell has also now not just the burning chip but SEC is on the tail. Please do the needful. I am sending my best negotiations team that including Firozali A. Mulla. He Mulla also.
No but Blaire wants to hang on the ego like BUSH. It does not pay. Give in at times. It will save me a trip!!!!

This will convince you!

http://www.pathlights.com/Public%20Enemies/Homo-sheet.htm

Iran has one oil refinery. THats right one after thier release we should..........................................................................................................(fill blank)

Well surprise surprise I wonder who else is gaining from all of this?

There should be a blockade immediately- there are enough ships in the area-
not unlike the Kennedy blockade of Cuba that stood down the Russians. The Russians withdrew when they saw the force powering up against them.
The US lived fine without Cuban products and money, but there is no will of the EU to live without Irianian oil and money,

# 31 Boyce the Balloon

Do you ever give up or shut up?

Go and do some work instead of spending all day on some stupid forum posting the same tired message.

No one is listening.

spinners will spin.... liers will lie....
Close their refinery and see what happens.
The Brits have boats that would be able to stop all oil production in Iran. How much will they earn every day then??????????? If you can not "play nice" then we won't play nice with you. LET MY PEOPLE GO

Turning evil to good

Don't be intimidated by you enemies.…you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

Philippians 1:28-29 NLT

Finding God in Russia

In the 1930s Stalin ordered a purge of all Bibles and all believers. In Stravropol, Russia, this order was carried out with a vengeance. Thousands of Bibles were confiscated, and multitudes of believers were sent to the gulags where most died for being "enemies of the state."

Years later, CoMission sent a team to Stavropol. When the team was having difficulty getting Bibles shipped from Moscow, someone mentioned the existence of a warehouse outside of town where these confiscated Bibles had been stored since Stalin's day.

After much prayer by the team, one member finally got up the courage to go to the warehouse and ask the officials if the Bibles were still there.…The answer was, "Yes!"

The next day The CoMission team returned with a truck and several Russian people to help load the Bibles. One helper was a young man—a skeptical, hostile, agnostic collegian who had come only for the day's wages. As they were loading Bibles, one team member noticed that the young man had disappeared. He had slipped away, hoping to quietly take a Bible for himself. What he found shook him to the core.

The inside page of the Bible he picked up had the handwritten signature of his own grandmother. It had been her personal Bible. Out of the thousands of Bibles still left in the warehouse, he stole the one belonging to this grandmother—a woman persecuted for her faith all her life.

He was found weeping—God was real.

33

Well youre obviously listening or you wouldnt reply
and I will put up and shut up when clueless clowns like you do.

I'm with #10 on this. The oil price claim is silly. If Iran was to be freed from sanctions (with the aid of negotiations on the subject of the sailors), oil prices would go down (since the market abundance increases).

A probable cause for the price increase is the suspicion that Iran will be bombed, since such an action would drastically reduce the oil flow from Iran and neighbouring states and would starve the Chinese giant economy which is a major oil client of Iran... so less oil in the market... the prices go up.

A novel approach to iranian agression suggested in
the early 1980's , was to load pig manure onto B-52's from the Chicago stock yards. The Manure bombs would then be dropped on key government
facilities in Iran . The B-52's can fly from Chicago to
Tehran non-stop .

Its was calculated that the Chicago yards alone produced enough to keep the bombers supplied 24/7 .

Eventually the Iran Government would ask for a cessation of this bombing.

This a variation of the English Seige , the practice
of throwing dead animals over a castle wall etc.

However apparently the dropping of Pig manure on
an islamic state would be worse than a nuclear weapon .

Yet this is a green bomb, a social statement and
non-lethal all in one , plus no loud noise to scare people .

40
Not posted by me.

#42... The user who posted #40 is a troll / cointel agent. He's very professional and has been screwing around on this site for a few weeks now. Actually I learned some new spoofing techniques (faking names, words, domains, etc. on the Net.) from him. Just ignore him, the only purpose of such activities is to hijack and corrupt topics.

#42 & #43 must be Trolls as well. Why elese would they be wasting our time ad feeding trolls?

No doubt this £55,000,000 will be going straight to Lebanon in order to arm Hezbollah guerillas with more missiles, bombs, and weapons to threaten Israel and to take more Israel soldiers captives. It is without doubt that Iran's behaviour will be copied by others and used as barginning chip to get whatever they want. Iran has clearly managed to humilaited Britain just it has done to Americans in 1980. Both UK and US could do nothing but to wait and beg Iran to release them. US even removed its President when Iran made this demanded as a condition for release of Americans diplomats. Utter disgrace.

#38
Rather odd post for this forum-though I may just be too obtuse to see the connection.
#5
I believe I referred to "North Americans" in my post, which, unbelievably, is an area that stretches from the North Pole to the border of Panama and Columbia. Canadians are as bad as Yanks when it comes to being profligate with energy.
Bombs, guns, death, hate...let's get past our knee-jerk hawkish reactions and say if there is a misunderstanding, we meant nothing by it and it was an honest mistake. This will show good faith and may even lead to better dialogue on more important issues.

GeorgeF, thank you for that bit of ancient history. I equate it with a good old fashioned snowball fight. I wonder what these rock throwing protesters would do if Embassy employees doned helmets and padded suits and started throwing them back.

Scullion, my response was not appropriate, and stealing your 'knee jerk response' phrase...that's basically what it was. I've been in a number of discussions with Canadians and Brits who do tend to point the finger at Americans and blame us for all the World's woes which makes me overly defensive at times. Placing blame is easy. The difficulty comes in creating feasible solutions, which brings me back to my question of biofuels, wind and solar energy.

Stick shift vehicles? Making them mandatory is the only way you'll convert American drivers. How could they hold a coffee cup, talk on the phone and put their makeup on if they had to operate a manual trans for petes sake! Not to mention my problem of going backwards when I'm supPOSED to go forward after stopping on an incline. :-P

Terrymich, I hope you have a pilots license and a crew with strong stomachs.

#41 Terrymich, you said "However apparently the dropping of Pig manure on
an islamic state would be worse than a nuclear weapon .
Yet this is a green bomb, a social statement and
non-lethal all in one , plus no loud noise to scare people .

Hmm what an interesting idea and eco friendly to boot though our Islamic friends may not see that way ;-)

PS your not a Michigan pig farmer by any chance are you sir?

Well, this is a surprising story; trouble, or potential trouble, in the Middle east drives up oil prices globally - whodathunkit?

#48 just_ginge you said "Not to mention my problem of going backwards when I'm supPOSED to go forward after stopping on an incline. :-P

The clutch woman, use the clutch until you feel the bite then you won't roll backwards.

The clutch? is that the extra peddle under my left foot? (I don't recall feeling anything bite. It just revs a bit, then stalls. We are talking about driving, aren't we?)

#48
Well, if we are being honest, Canadians are actually worse oil hogs than Americans.
I have seen my wife drink tea, put makeup on and drop down to 4th gear to overtake a semi on the highway all at the same time. It would make Jackie Stewart gasp.

48 just_ginge, U.S.
55 Scullion, Canada

You should try all that on roads like this

http://www.transportcafe.co.uk/britain4.html

#55
Ah Scullion- you haven't seen me drive the Mass Pike or #495?
Weaving in and out of 3 lanes of traffic at 85 miles per hour, reading the paper, talking on the phone, changing the radio station, (everyone in Massachusetts reads the paper while driving), or if necessary, driving down the breakdown lane if I'm late. (I've hit a 120 with a group of cars last fall)
It really isn't any fun unless your passenger has punched a hole in the floor slamming on the brake he wished he had..
Life is good on the Massachusetts highway system because all of us are nuts and not to be outdriven

When driving the vermont interstate howver, always let the canadian lead- the vermont police have quotas- but they would really rather give a ticket to you or a flatlander than to a Vermonter.
Nice scenery in Vermont if you're not whizzing by too fast.

#6-meangrouchy- A few years ago, drilling for oil was put in gw's energy bill (along with building more refineries-which hasn't been done since the 70's). It got knocked down by the dems and a few "moderate" republicans. You would think our politicians would "wake up"!

#14-proud infidel-"Now that the world's eyes are opening as to the truth about Islam"- unfortunately, many can't see beyond iraq. And, it's not politically correct to speak negative of islam, After all, it is a "peaceful" religion!! The quran says so-right after the verse that says kill the zionist and infidels.

How are countries in the EU helping the brits? Are they freezing any iranian bank accounts or business?

#28-Mulla, go to iran and see what you can do. then go to somalia and sudan and sri lanka and negotiate with the muslims there that are fighting.

#26- Moha- when our citizens were captured for over a year & they weren't treated well.

These aren't religious wars, they are wars in which people are using religion as cover for their power-seeking. Domestic U. S. politics is much the same today, in its misuse of religion.

If George Bush is a good Christian, I am quitting my church and starting a hunt for a new religion.