Posted on 02/21/2006 6:35:23 PM PST by 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...
"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?"
Why yes...yes you can!
In October 2003, the DECC opened in a large compound of Christian churches just outside of Dubai. The de facto ruler of Dubai donated the land to the interdenominational United Christian Church of Dubai (UCCD). Both Catholic and Protestant churches have been built on the compound, and other Christian congregations without their own buildings, such as the Anglicans and Orthodox, regularly conduct services in the existing facilities.
Many Christians were pleased that the Government allowed Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" to air in theaters over the Easter holiday season. Attended by Christians and Muslims alike, the movie broke the country's box office records during its run.
In January Ras Al Khaimah Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi met with officials and members of the Indian Orthodox Christian community to discuss opening a church in that emirate. Currently, Ras Al Khaimah has only one non-Muslim worship center, which various communities rent to conduct their services.
In April the evangelical Christian men's group "Promise Keepers" held a 2-day religious conference in Dubai. About 500 persons from all emirates as well as other countries in the region attended the event, which was the first of its kind in the Middle East. There was no government interference or police presence at the event.
Source
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/reluae04.html
Shhh! They're about to step in it.
Well said!
Because "Islam is a religion of peace"?
Aren't the American people sick and tired of that by now? Why do all Bush's plans for our future have some hidden purpose? Why can't he just level with us? I think the back-door way that this deal was done is what bothers most, including me. Why can't he come out and tell us what his plans for the future of America is rathar than letting us wonder?
Kerry had a bunch of plans that he wouldn't reveal and this forum went nuts over them.
I think you're the one who needs to stop being ridiclous. The bureaucracies may have come up with the idea, but ultimately its the President's call. Surely you've heard the phrase: "The buck stops here".
Also, while I too like making Liberals squirm, there is no way that its worth compromising national security to do it. The President's statement, equating a British company to a Middle-Eastern one, is hyperbole and everyone knows it.
It just stinks though. Like a fish somewhere in your new car.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, or Jordan going to buy the P & O corp? Gee I guess that let's out any investments in the U.S. by Iraq in the future too. Oh and by the way I don't see any "American concerns" lining up to purchase P & O.
But it's a religion of PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEACE!!!
And what happens if these yokels go on sitdown strike.
Thanks, it seems to be much better than Saudi Arabia. Interesting link, can't spend too much time on it now, but I'll probably read more later.
Your statement is ridiculous and in no way refers to anything I've said on this issue. If you're not up to a serious discussion please don't bother replying.
I think this deal will be part military strategic planning when it comes to tackling Iran. This maybe one of those deals with the UAE that relates to a, I'll scratch your back if you scratch ours? The UAE is the only "partners" that can assist us in preventing Iran from blocking the Straight of Hormuz. If Iran does block it because of sanctions placed on them, world oil prices will hit $200 easily. If this has nothing to do with strategic planning then I'm too left to wonder, what the hell is he thinking?
The government and ruling family in UAE is 100% islamic. They're not an islamist government but they are islamic. The fact that they recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan should be reason enough to put the lie to the statements that they're the most liberal and progressive muslim gov't in the world.
That was five years ago? Since then they've helped America immensely in the war on terror, haven't they?
The US recognized the PLO as the government of the Palestinian territories, the same PLO that funded suicide bombers. Does that mean American companies can't be trusted?
The generalizations and stereotyping that have occurred on FR the last three days is a shameful thing.
That was a foolish, naive and immoral decision which I never supported. But at least the US had the facade of the Oslo Accords to justify that recognition...the UAE had no justification, except for conforming to Wahabbist theology, to ever accept the Taliban. The UAE supported the Taliban, provided 2 of the terrorists who attacked us on 9-11 and for several YEARS following 9-11 were very uncooperative in our efforts to track down Al -Queda funding.
For crying out loud, this deal stinks to high heaven. Why don't we just hire Bin-Laden Construction to build the security fences at our southern border?
I generally like President Bush but he has a huge blind spot when it comes to "The Religion of Peace" and our borders.
This entire article is b.s. The company operating the ports is entirely responsible for security. The Coast Guard will be standing by but the neither the Coast Guard nor HS have boots on the ground providing security at our ports.
And another thing...Galen seems to think that he's the only one who knew that P&O ia a foreign company. The issue isn't if a dforeign company should manage our ports...what other business enterprise is more dependent on international trade and cooperation that a port fer crissake? The issue is that we're letting an islamic government take over control of our ports...not just a foreign company!!! This is ridiculously foolhardy.
We've recognized since 9-11 that we are MOST vulnerable to a catastophic terrorist attack through our ports and our borders. To let an islamic company...let alone and islamic government, operate our most vulnerable and strategically sensitive facilities is simply nuts!
No they're not. Homeland Security does not have a force on the ground or in the offices or on the docks running security. The Port operator is in charge of that. Homeland Security approves their security plan but it does not implement it. The Coast Guard, a branch of HS now, can barely inspect 2% of the containers coming in and out of our ports now...and you think it's ok to put muslims in charge of the ports?
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