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CAPIVARA · Joined: 23 Jan 2011 Posts: 32

Today I read in BBC that the Grand Prix could be canceled and be moved to another country if the unrest continues. What has happened with peaceful, friendly Bahrain, which we consider as a safe haven while working across the causeway?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I assume that is a rhetorical question...

Sad days ahead.

VS

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Cancel any visits. Try Qassim or Buraidah instead. I hear that you will get a big welcome from the Pious Ones.

gloomyGumi · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 353

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

2buckets · Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Location: Middle East

+1 VS

My understanding is that when the Brits decided to cease being the policeman of the Gulf, (late 1960s), the Shah agreed to takeover and part of the deal was that Iran would cede rights to Bahrain in return for rights to the Greater and Lesser Tumbs and Abu Moosa islands, (now claimed by the UAE). This deal caused riots in Shahjah who had nominal control of the islands.

Rumor has it that Hezbollah is participating in the troubles, wonder who is behind that? HMMMMM?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Lots of rumor... mostly unsubstantiated... the UAE has claimed the two islands for as long as Iran has... and Iran claims Bahrain... and Bahrain claims part of Qatar's gas fields... and... and... and... Laughing

As usual the past is all about oil. But their current problems are not... I would say. It is the extreme inequity between the two groups... just as exists in Saudi...

VS

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Bahrain and Qatar came to an agreement not so long ago about demarcation of gas and oil fields. They have even exchanged Ambassadors. For years there was the absurdity that they did not recognise each other's existence.

gloomyGumi · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 353

gloomyGumi · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 353

gloomyGumi · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 353

johnslat · Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 1:09 pm Post subject:

Dear gloomyGumi,

I see - so, someone who actually knows the correct background/history is a "pedant."

There's also a term for someone who talks/writes about current events but knows little or nothing about the background/history.

Regards,
John

gloomyGumi · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 353

you seem pedantic as well. finding something to correct all the time is either pedantry or obsessive-compulsive. All I was saying was that what has happened in Bahrain is that it is right now no longer that peaceful place as it was before. That was my point. and I think its clear that was the only point, that it is no longer peaceful as it was due to its critical geopolitical position, i.e. does it not host the 5th fleet of the US navy? Or shall we be pedantic about that if, perhaps, I have written 5th fleet when it may be the 4th or 6th Fleet? There is no doubt about the US's keen interest in Bahrain as an ally and a host to its ships, etc. Sometimes we should just get the general meaning there, you know, and not always insuch an anglo-saxon fashion look for things we can "correct". Not that you could operate like that, or VS either.

gloomyGumi · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 353

johnslat · Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 8:17 pm Post subject:

Dear gloomyGumi,

You give me the implications, I give you the inference. Of course, inferences are never 100% certain, so I'll give myself only a score of 99% on the sure scale.

However, your further posts also make me 99.9% sure that you fit the word I had in mind wonderfully.

Regards,
John