President Bush: "Explain why a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard" [DRUDGE]

Drudge Report (Home Page) ^ | 2-21-06 | Matt Drudge

[jdm]

President Bush called reporters at about 2.30 ET aboard Air Force One to issue a very strong defense of port deal... MORE... He said he would veto any legislation to hold up deal and warned the United States was sending 'mixed signals' by going after a company from the Middle East when nothing was said when a British company was in charge... Lawmakers, he said, must 'step up and explain why a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard.' Bush was very forceful when he delivered the statement... 'I don't view it as a political fight,' Bush said.... DEVELOPING...

[Alberta's Child]

We must place millions of American lives in jepoardy . . .

And how, exactly, is this being done?

[Rokke]

"How open is it?"

You are free to practice any religion

"Any cathedrals?"

Yes

"Buddhist monasteries?"

Yes

"Temples?"

Yes

"Baptist or LDS missionaries?"

Yes, Yes

"Can a woman drive a car?"

Yes

"Are burkas mandatory?"

No

"How much money did they funnel to the Taliban"

Unknown

"whom they still recognize as the legitimate government of Afghanistan?"

Source?

"When was the last time they denounced terrorism and acted accordingly?"

Ever since they allowed large and very important US military operations to be conducted from their soil as part of the war on terror."

"Questioning minds want to know."

Now they know

[BubbaTheRocketScientist]

Are you suggesting we nuke the UAE?

I am merely suggesting that the claim "we can use economic measures to win the War on Terror" is absurd. The same can be said of using "free trade" to cause the downfall of Communism in Red China.

The kinds of economic policies have never been sucessfully applied without first utterly defeating an enemy either on the battlefield (as we did with the Germans and Japanese) or running them bankrupt (as Reagan did to the Soviets).

It is foolhardy to think we can skip the "bombing them into submission" part and make friends by merely buying their goodwill.

[jocon307]

"Horsesh*t. You have no idea what you are talking about."

Prove me wrong then. Can I go to Mass in Dubai? Can I go to Synagoge there? Can I got to whatever the Hindus call their churches? Can I?

[FreeReign]

From your link;

AP:After the attacks, U.S. Treasury Department officials complained about a lack of cooperation by the UAE and other Arab countries trying to track Osama bin Laden's bank accounts.

Thanks for the link.

This is the line everybody is quoting. Yet AP gives no named source or citation.

Do you have anything better than this?

[rbmillerjr]

If the UAE isn't held to a double standard, than neither should every Omar and Mohammed at the airport security gate.

The simple truth is that this deal just isn't required. There is no need for it. Yet Bush is willing to veto legislations that is already formulating.

Leno is on in eleven minutes.

[Alberta's Child]

Getting a group of American companies together to bid on P&O Ports is only part of the challenge. The bigger issue would be getting them to pony up $6.8 billion for the company.

[Wiseghy]

AGreed. The Dems are using this as an opportunity to appear to be concerned about national security while actually undermining it. UAE has been an ally in the war on terror. We need such allies, badly. They will be under such scrutiny, they would never allow anything to happen in any case.

Beware of zenophobia showing among us. Leave that to Boxer.

This port deal is a red herring.

[Rokke]

"Hong Kong and Singapore have real governments that abide by the rule of law -- British common law, that is. You could look it up."

I don't need to look it up. I travel to all those places regularly. You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. If you ever make to to Dubai, buy yourself a scotch, have a seat at the pool, admire the latest bikini fashions on the women sunning themselves all around you....and whine to me again about UAE's sharia law.

[jocon307]

"There are several Christian churches that operate freely in the UAE."

"Operate freely" that is shill talk if ever I heard it. Any synagoges there? Can a Jewish person even go there?

[FreeReign]

Our country "was" used by terrorists. Many countries "were" used by terrorists.

Well yeah, but our country isn't run by sheiks who produce terrorists and fund terror, while on the other hand they pretend to be our allies. Sorry but I don't buy that CR**

Groups in both the UAE and the U.S. funded terrorists. Both countries have worked to clean up since 9/11.

Sorry, you've already bought a load...

[joesnuffy]

Finally, a voice of reason and not a hate-all-of-islam reaction.

One donkey calls to another over a crowded barn yard and refers to the other donkey's call...as 'the voice of reason"?

Okey dokey...if it makes you feel more comfortable...

[DoNotDivide]

You could somewhat make a fairly weak comparison between the UK and the UAE, however, it really doesn't hold any water.

This is a quid pro quo for military actions across the Hormuz from the UAE in Iran.

And I still don't like it one solitary bit.

[Rokke]

"The "government" of Dubai -- and apparently the owner -- is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum."

You've already proved your ignorance on the matter. You still want to claim the UAE is a monarchy and has a king?

[Types_with_Fist]

President Bush should be asked how he'd feel if the Mexican government took over our Border Patrol.

Kinda funny you should mention that... U.S. gives Mexico millions for security.

[BubbaTheRocketScientist]

Can I go to Mass in Dubai? Can I go to Synagoge there? Can I got to whatever the Hindus call their churches? Can I?

Maybe... but if you try to convert anybody, they'll definitely throw your butt in prison.

[VRWC For Truth]

If the UAE paid off a few Democrats ... follow the money. All the whining is due to the fact that Congress didn't get their kickback.

[Wasanother]

There is more to this deal than meets the eyes, otherwise I don't think Bush would be fighting so hard for it.

[Rokke]

"It is foolhardy to think we can skip the "bombing them into submission" part and make friends by merely buying their goodwill."

Let me summarize for you....you think we should nuke the UAE.

[eyespysomething]

If we try to tar these countries with the Al-Qauda brush, we only wind up looking like a bunch of racist yahoos who can't tell friend from foe.

And making enemies of those we are trying to keep on board.

This fits with Bush's whole "hearts and minds".

It is my understanding that the company will have nothing to do with port security.

I don't understand how people howl about needing to bring middle eastern/arab countries into the 21st century, but then smack their hands when they try.

And as for them not being as free as we are, they won't get any freer if we dismiss them immediately as terrorists and not deal with them.