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Some speculate about a "secret plan". I see no evidence of such, nor does it make sense. This was a private business transaction between two companies, and it would be quite a stretch to think the U.S. was manipulating world markets to that degree.

I don't think there needs to be a secret plan. Like it or not, Bush believes we need nations on our side, and when they ARE on our side, he wants PROOF that they are not before he stabs them in the back.

As he said, step up and explain why an Arab company is by its very nature unworthy of the trust we placed in the same company when it was a british company publicly owned by stockholders.

I haven't seen anyone explain it without appeal to the "all muslims are bad, all muslims hate us, we can't trust muslims". All this might be true (I don't believe it), but we can't operate on that assumption. We need partners, and UAE is a good partner to us based on evidence.

"As he said, step up and explain why an Arab company is by its very nature unworthy of the trust we placed in the same company when it was a british company publicly owned by stockholders."

I think the point of all the conservative howling, is that even if the UAE comes in and does a masterful first couple of years running the ports, what happens when Port Master Sharik's brother-in-law, that just got kicked out of Dubai Univerisity, and has cut a deal to bring in a plutonium weapon on container 2A1134, labeled "Chinese Plastic DogSh*t", and then, well...there you go.

I think this thread has exhausted its use unless something else is revealed.

Sir, I would like to commend you on your reasoned and well thought out points. You have been a pillar through out this melee.
I have never seen a group of people turn so rabidly ignorant, so fast in my whole time posting on FR. I know thats not as long as some but longer than others.
I wanted to respond to so many of these "reactionaries" but could never have kept up with their vitriol, and spitting. Plus I think many of them are DU disruptors anyway so there is not much point.
Here is some news for all you people who have decided that the "PRESIDENT" (amazing how all the DUers call him by other disrespectful name) has instantly become ignorant.
This President has always said the same things about the borders, as he says now. It has not changed. For goodness sake he spoke Spanish during his first campaign.
For all the anti free traders out there. This President has always been consistent on this issue. He has always been in favor of free trade. For what it worth, so am I. If you can't see that the American economy has changed from a manufacturing economy, to a service economy, then you are blind or living in a cave. Want to start competing in the global economy with American products, eliminate corporate taxes, and reduce regulation, but I'm not going to spend $3000 dollars on a $1000 TV, so some high school drop out, supported by his union thug can make $22 an hour. Sorry if that hurts some of my fellow NC residents feelings.
This President has always worn the "Compassionate Conservative" logo like a badge. That is the reason I did not vote for him in the primaries. But you can not in anyway say he has not been consistent. From campaign finance, to Medicare prescriptions, he has done exactly what he said he would 100% of the time. He has never been, and will never be a Reagan Conservative. I don't understand why some keep thinking he will become one.
On Sept 11, 2001 our President was hurt. He was gut punched like the rest of us. Unlike our Rat leaders, he has given no indication that he has forgotten what happened. This port deal is exactly what CharlesWayneCt has described it to be. It is a deal between 2 foreign corporations in which we really have no say. Yes he can stop it, but why would he. The UAE have been our allies in the WOT, and have been fair trading partners. I believe he is also protecting our interests in their country, which there are many. But if all of this doesn't make a difference to you, try this. I don't recall seeing a lot of threads on this forum about port safety in the past. I'm sure there are some, but not with the debate of this one. These ports have been run by the Brits, and up until now if a Terrorist wanted to get a weapon through those ports bad enough they could have done so. Do you think with a UAE letterhead on the port stationary, all of our Homeland Security will pick up and go home, or will they be even more vigilant? I personally feel safer as alot more people will be watching now. We can not spend the rest of our existence hiding from the fact that a large part of the world is Arab, and if one of the extends a hand in friendship are we to slap it away or cut it off. All Arabs did not attack us on 9-11, just as all white people did not own slaves, and not all Germans were Nazis.
This whole issue is much ado about nothing, created by the same Antique Media that last week wanted Cheney to resign over an accident. How they must be laughing at us now.