Today's post brought to you by PC Flakes: "For When You're Just Better Than Everybody Else."
Cute Line...
But it Still doesn't change the FACTS....
This from Al-Jezeera:
Arab-Americans: US bigotry showing
Wednesday 22 February 2006, 2:34 Makka Time, 23:34 GMT
Arab-Americans have contended that bias and bigotry, not security concerns, lie behind the uproar over a deal that would place commercial operations at six US ports in the hands of an Arab company.
The furore centres around the $6.8 billion acquisition by UAE state-owned Dubai Ports World of London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. P&O which had been running operations at shipping terminals in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami, and Philadelphia.
James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, said on Tuesday that politicians were exploiting fears left over from the September 11 attacks to gain advantage in a congressional election year.
"I find some of the rhetoric being used against this deal shameful and irresponsible. There is bigotry coming out here," he said
"Bush is vulnerable so the Democrats jump on it. The Republicans feel vulnerable so they jump on it. The slogan is, if it's Arab, it's bad. Hammer away," Zogby said.
Anti-Arab bigotry
According to some industry analysts, the change in management would have no real effect on security, which would still be carried out by American workers to international standards.
The UAE, whose government owns Dubai Ports World, is an international financial hub and close US ally.
"The Emirates have been very pro-active partners in helping our security. They have a solid track record of cooperation," said Peter Tirschwell, publisher of the Journal of Commerce.
"I find some of the rhetoric being used against this deal shameful and irresponsible. There is bigotry coming out here" James Zogby, Arab American Institute
Rabiah Ahmed of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said members of her organisation also believed anti-Arab bigotry was driving the debate.
"The perception in the Arab-American community is that this is related to anti-Arab sentiment," she said.