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A lot of good and intereting work here Cboldt - I think it deserves a separate thread

I agree 100%

This is major. Your information is well sourced and needs careful examination to figure out what is really going on (which I trust you will do, given time). This could be one of the most important stories, both ways, since 9/11.

Then again, I have been wrong before. (please note: that is self deprecating humor, not directed at anyone else)

Seriously, in line with my recent efforts to advance the influence of FR, I would suggest that a thread be started by Cboldt on this topic (has one been started already?) with a specific invitation to "those that care to contribute" (not just kibbitz). Though I have argued with Cboldt several times (even getting heated on a couple of occassions) I have learned that he (she?) is a very knowledgable and resourceful advocate who is usually right and has the facts to back up any positions taken (much to my chagrin, damn it).

I feel very confident of the capablilities, discipline and commitment of the people on my new ping list for the Sunday morning preview thread. I volunteer to ping that list for such a thread if Cboldt will ping me when it is up.

Your information is well sourced and needs careful examination to figure out what is really going on (which I trust you will do, given time). This could be one of the most important stories, both ways, since 9/11.

I cite to it so I can find it again ;-) At any rate, after a bit of rooting around, I am of the opinion that the Dubai deal is more of the usual maneuvering by big money, and nothing more than that. Such maneuvering often involves government actors, as business and government actors are fairly well cut from the same close knit families.

I think the sale is a non-issue from a security standpoint. Dubai and the UAE are already major beneficiaries of US Customs programs, Secure Containers Initiative, and Megaports Initiative. See http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1581698/posts?page=80#80 for an introduction.

I would suggest that a thread be started ...

It'll be more fun for me to watch proliferation of threads on the subject, and resulting flame wars on the Dubai project. My posts today have been on a variety of threads, and many of them relate to the Dubai project. If anybody is interested to review my observations, cites and conclusions, read through my posting history from about here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/user-posts?id=18066;more=36790500

While poking around for a good "post number" to attach to that link, I ran into this old post of mine ...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/620293/posts?page=49#49

I have learned that he (she?) is a very knowledgeable and resourceful advocate who is usually right and has the facts to back up any positions taken ...

Shucks. Thanks. I've been wrong plenty of times, trust me on that one.