Documents obtained by the AP show the Bush administration's conditions for approving a ports sale

Drudge report ^

[Rokke]

"whereas the UAE most certainly does."

You think the Chinese are more closely alligned to our ideology than the UAE?!?

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hehe.

[Howlin]

Did you read this?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1583784/posts

[Victoria Delsoul]

I didn't. I'll take a look.

[Siena Dreaming]

Having overseen some operations in the Middle East Franks knows the importance of Middle Eastern allies.

The allies' cooperation has cut down on the number of casualties we have suffered in Iraq.

[Howlin]

And so the CYA begins.

Just because you didn't know how these deals work doesn't mean it's a coverup.

You went off halfcocked and now you're going to look silly.

[goodnesswins]

O FGS.....we are NOT turning our ports or SECURITY over to them....why don't you go do some reading....okay?

[Rokke]

"Check out the Drudge report link. "

My point is, the last time we heard this statement it was in regard to another phoney boloney "crisis".

[Victoria Delsoul]

Fossella has a right to be concerned, but I fear he's just hoping to jump on the bandwagon.

You maybe right about that.

[Alberta's Child]

Vito Fossella is a smart guy, but I wonder if my Staten Island friend is fully aware of the legal proceedings that are undertaken in this kind of merger/acquisition process (Section 5021 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988).

I can understand why port operations are a big deal to him, though. The New York Container Terminal at Howland Hook is one of the largest employers in his district (though I don't think the UAE deal has any impact on that terminal).

[KJC1]

Breaking General Franks from Iraq war Fame says on Fox the UAE port thing is a good idea. Ok Freepers please start bashing another American HEro and calling him a traitor a sell out etc.

I missed that so thanks for posting it. I did see on Fox earlier that DPW already services U.S. Naval vessels in the Gulf. The knee-jerking on this issue by some FReepers has been truly astounding.

[lawdude]

"Great. So AFTER we have been nuked, Dubai will have to "cooperate" with the investigation. That makes me feel so f*ing secure."

How would this ccause to our being 'nuked'?

They would have NO involvement in security. If we get nuked, blame our security failures.

[bayourant]

Def. I mean freakin General Franks say this a good thing. This is one reason I am glad I voted for Bush. POlicy not made on polling data. Americans have an attention span of 5 minutes. Its amazing Nixon goes makes a deal with red China to use against the Russians. Bush makes a deal with the freakin UAE Govt that has never sent troops against us unlike the Chinese and poof Bush is a sell out.

[Lancey Howard]

LOL, you just get back from vacation? There's plenty of threads around here over the past few days for you to catch up on and get informed. Here's a good one to begin your education with:

In Defense Of Dubai

This article (from CBS, no less!) dispels a lot of the mindless, knee-jerk reactions some people have upon first hearing about the sale. Happy schooling!

Regards,
LH

[Victoria Delsoul]

Based on the law congress passed in 1988 Bush couldn't have reversed the deal after it was approved by this committee. The law states that after the deal was approved by the committee bush or the committee can only go back and review the deal if the company lied to them on the application.

Good point. This needs to be known big time. I didn't know.

[r9etb]

There was an interesting thread earlier today where some guy laid out the real facts of this case: it's because the "A" in UAE stands for "Arab."

Many FReepers are in full agreement with that point of view. One can certainly understand their rationale. But underlying it is the idea that Arab=terrorist, despite the fact that the UAE in particular has been a very good ally in the WOT. (Some have gone so far as to suggest that we're actually at war with the UAE -- which no doubt surprises the American service-folks who go there on vaction....)

I have no problem with taking extra precautions in this deal -- but to scrap a deal because of the mere presence of the word "Arab" isn't rational -- it's stupid bigotry, in fact.

The real noise comes from a different source: the D's, thinking they can get Bush with this one. Hardly the sort of bandwagon I want to hop onto.

[NordP]

This whole deal allows the Republicans to appear concerned and independent of the Administration; and forces Dems to make statements that we should be tougher on terror.

This makes the Republicans appear rational, and the Dems appear to be sending mixed messages.

Karl Rove is brilliant!

The bottom line for me is that in order to support a bad port deal with the UAE, you'd have to be a traitor. I do not think George W. Bush could EVER be a traitor to this Country. QUITE the opposite.

[Victoria Delsoul]

I have no idea. I was just reporting what he said.

[MinuteGal]

Yep, I'm just sitting back and watching the show as the hot-heads explode....and then will wait and watch for the inevitable implosion.

I'm a one-eyed, one-egged, fryin' yellow people watcher.......and the deal looks good to me.

Leni

[Howlin]

Neither did I.

Puts a whole new perspective on things.