White House: Bush Didn't Know About Port Deal

FNC ^ | February 22, 2006

[Kaslin]

WASHINGTON — President Bush was unaware that a controversial deal to sell shipping operations at six major U.S. seaportsto a United Arab Emirates-owned firm was in the works until it was approved by his administration, the White House said Wednesday.

After Bush repeatedly

[bayourant]

Yeah its encouraging the Muslim middle class that are going to become our biggest allies. The UAE is trying to wean people off this wealthy welfare state over there unlike the Kingdom of Saud. I have no problem dealing with Muslim Bankers and MBA people that they are developing. Isnt that a good thing.

[conserv13]

The President assumed that the American people generally behave like rational adults. That was his mistake.

I agree 100%. Joe and Jane Sixpack don't understand the workings of international commerce and container shipping. When they hear "Bush sold our ports to A-rabs!", they call their Congressman and Senator.

[bayourant]

I am sure the President was briefed on this after he had to deal with it.

[Earthdweller]

Of course it's a business deal..It is also a test to see if we are hypocritical, lying, scare, predjudice, whiny babies who don't know how to win a war to save our souls.

We will never win this war with childish knee-jerk people at the wheel that can't see a strategy.

[MineralMan]

"(BTW, MineralMan, although we disagree on this issue, you are not one I include in the hysterical masses.)
"

Thanks.

[brothers4thID]

Well ignoring Coop for the moment, there are others on this thread who have refuted your argument. I've been doing it for two days now on FR. Maybe respond to me?

[SJackson]

It was. As for the White House, it delegated the responsibility. As it so often does (and should!), and can legally do.

If the process works for you, that's fine. It doesn't for me. We both have company in our opinions. Presuming the President refuses a review, and continues it's thoroughly incompetent attempt to get the facts out, I guess the test will be who get's a 2/3 majority.

[Kaslin]

Perhaps he will change his mind now

[afz400]

I think the "BUSH COULD NEVER MAKE A MISTAKE" worshipers are running out of excuses for the guy. Anybody ever think it might be HIM who's to blame this time? Maybe it's just that his true colors are starting to show.

[dirtboy]

It doesn't for me.

Or me.

Especially since the Wash Times is reporting the deal was contingent on not having the more-rigorous 45-day review done:

http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20060221-091158-8114r.htm

There is a chance the deal would dissolve with the tougher 45-day review -- this has happened to previous reviews by the foreign investment committee -- and in this case it is clearly warranted. Last week, it emerged that both Dubai Ports World and Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., the seller, specified that an agreement by the U.S. government not to make a formal investigation as a condition for the deal. This is exceedingly odd; this is enough to persuade Congress to push the review. "

[i_dont_chat]

With all due respect, we are not going to win over as "friends" these fanatics which wish death to all infidels.

Look at history.

[PrinceOfCups]

You got it. UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar are all SMALL countries with oil--some moderate, most huge. They need a BIG ally like the good ole USA. They are bending over backward to help the WOT; albeit some lip-service to their Muslim locals. These guys are committed to working with USA. Dubai is especially pro-West; they are the commercial center of the Mideast. Terror is bad for business. For example, Western residences are being built here in Dubai ($500K) with all the amenities. Terrorism would destroy the thousands of villa/penthouses being built here--and being marketed to Westerners.

[Old Professer]

Dubai has U.S, Navy ports and Air Force facilities, are we being blackmailed?

[Walkingfeather]

There is no winning wars when the leadership hands over the political weapons to the other side. Your smoking some heavy crack if you believe I don't understand the idea of "taking care of our allies". But there are just some things that you don't do just for the appearance.

You are forgetting that the Middle east business is rife with bribery. All it would take is some low level guy to turn the other way and boom. The risk does not out weigh the benefits.

[sarasota]

Thanks for posting this because it makes the story even more intriguing. This is a questionable dealbreaker and I'd like to have some answers. No doubt it has something to do with international "security"?

[sarasota]

I think it's called economic security, not "blackmail".

[Gelato]

White House: Bush Didn't Know About Port Deal.

This revelation hardly boosts confidence in the president. Bad PR move by the White House.

Moot point anyway. Bush supports the port deal so strongly that he has threatened to veto any legislation undercutting it.

[bayourant]

Its time we get out of the all Islam people are the same mode. Everyone had fun ranting against the people protesting the cartoons. Of commenting on the same photo of the few British Moslem Idiots with offenseive signs that was posted a million times. There not all out to kill us. The UAE especially.

[Walkingfeather]

let me find your post hang on....

[sarasota]

That's the part that worries me.