Posted on 02/21/2006 12:32:20 PM PST by Brian Mosely
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) President Bush says the deal allowing an Arab company to take over six major U.S. seaports should go forward and he will veto any bill that would stop it.
Are you enjoying talking with these rubes? Apparently some parts of the State Department statement don't count.
Sorry charley, that "dog don't hunt" in the shadow of Ground Zero.
I never once said "Trust me" here. I'm making the arguments because, frankly, none of you bashers seem to know what this deal is about or how it works.
You're just trashing Arabs because they happen to be Arabs.
See, by TREATY and Law, DP World will be involved with DHS/Coast Guard Security, in planning, in SOP's, in Plans of Action.
Oh, and DP World will also oversee 2 MILITARY Ports in Brownsville and Corpus Christie Texas. These Ports are where Mercahnt Marine and other military and NON-Military would be involved in Military movements of Heavy equipment...JUST what our enemies would LOVE a heads-up on.
THAT is why they will be involved in security, and why this is a BAD idea!
Sure, post the guy that I quoted and that exact exchange.
Here's a clue: That's the Saudi prince.
Hmmm...in other words, we're too stupid not to know how politically brilliant this move really is.
Explain to me again how it's a good thing that Hillary and Chuckie look tougher on national defense than the President today?
You're too disingenuous to read up on exactly how this deal works, or how ports are operated.
LOL - not really. Apparently the state deparment really needs better spokesman so that they won't say things like
"These cartoons are indeed offensive to the belief of Muslims," State Department spokesman Kurtis Cooper said in answer to a question.if the really don't mean it."We all fully recognize and respect freedom of the press and expression but it must be coupled with press responsibility. Inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in this manner is not acceptable."
You're defending the IRA? Figures.
I'm with you on this one. You're not even a Bushbot, I've been called one (not by you of course) many times, and we've never really agreed on much here at FR.
I'm an unfrozen caveman Bushbot. Surely you can't expect me to understand! /sarc
Thanks for the link. Sounds like McVeigh was one of those non-practicing kinda-sorta Christians. It doesn't sound like it was a motivating factor for him at any rate.
You're lying? Normal.
He works for George Bush and does his bidding, else he would not work for George Bush, Else George Bush is a wuss and lets his employees do whatever they want.
You pick.......
IRA's kinda calmed down lately.
That sure looks like excusing the IRA to me.
If somebody hasn't murdered somebody lately, that's okay?
Funny, I protested HIS assault on MY charactewr...it's still here...
Hmmm...
IRA's kinda calmed down lately.
I'm laughing in my chianti at that line!!
I've been hitting a few of the other boards/blogs, and here's what I come away with:
1--The MSM and Dems aren't telling us the difference between port OPERATIONS and port SECURITY. We are NOT giving up security of the ports to this company.
2--By airing this in public it's letting Iran know that the UAE is our friend (Fifth Fleet HQ in Dubai, anyone?) and that Iran better not count on Arab blood being thicker than dollars when the chips are down (thanks, BillW--Rightnation).
3--UAE's position is critical. We've got Iran cut off on either side and Russia sure isn't about to help militarily. They don't want to lose our support with their battles with the Chechens. With the UAE support, we've got the Iranians effectively surrounded.
4--The UAE has pumped billions OF THEIR OWN MONEY into securing the Straits of Hormuz. Less than 30 percent of their income is based on oil. Most of it is actually shipping.
5--Over 500 companies do business in the UAE, including government entities like NASA. Red herring, anyone? Give this link a lookie...
http://www.export.gov/comm_svc/press_room/marketofthemonth/UAE/UAEOverview.html
AND
http://uae2.gsfc.nasa.gov/
AND
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/uae.html
6--Looking at the management of this company, I see a lot more British names than Arab ones....
7--Does anyone else see more Dems getting their panties in a wad over this than Republicans? Had the RINO's looked at the deal and the details therein they would have realized this and not been so fast to rush to the cameras for a sound bite. But this IS an election year, after all. (Scandal of the week, perhaps?) Don't put it past them!
8--Can you imagine the irony if CAIR, et al, started whining about "profiling" shipments from the ME through these ports?
9--Another point from BillW on Rightnation--if the unions now have another company to deal with in negotiations, ya think that might throw them a curveball and improve ECONOMIC security (preventing another shutdown like we had two years ago)?
10--The economic situation in the UAE is opposite that of most ME nations. Their unemployment is pathetically low (2.4 %) and they need to keep income from shipping and finance (again, less than 30 percent of GDP is from oil), therefore they MUST keep everything above board.
11--If we take a double standard in this (British company = good, UAE company = bad), we risk far more harm than good in the GWOT.
12--UAE is NOT Syria, Iran, or even Saudi Arabia. It IS possible for democratic Arab states to exist. UAE is proof.
13--This was a BUSINESS decision, not a political one. Do we (being the President or Congress) have the right to interfere in the free market when no laws are being broken and none of the players in this effort are on any sort of terrorist watch list?
Just a thought
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