Posted on 02/23/2006 12:00:42 AM PST by Dane
Tommy Franks Defends Dubai Ports Deal
Former CENTCOM commanding general Tommy Franks said Wednesday that the Bush administration was right to approve a deal for a United Arab Emirates-based company to run six major U.S. ports.
"We have more U.S. Navy ships using the port in Dubai, Jebel Ali, than any other port outside the United States," Franks told Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes."
The former Iraq war commander explained U.S. reliance on the Dubai port facility by saying, "We know he difference between an enemy and a friend."
"The Emirates is a friend," Franks aid. "That is the best run port that I've ever seen."
Gen. Franks said the Dubai company had three essential qualities that commend it for the task of running U.S. ports: the capacity to handle the job, the inclination to do it right and security, which he noted "will remain, in any case, in the hands of the United States Coast Guard."
Maybe you should. If we simply just reject the deal, business is business--no hard feelings, we're told all hell will break loose.
Well that is not the sign of a real friend.
And by all such indications, they are still an "emirate" and could turn on a dime. They likely are not so different from Yemen.
Better safe than sorry.
The panic in the General's response implies we are relying on a powder keg...and the fuse is lit.
I like your take. If there's anything that W sees clearly, it's that we can't win the WOT without having countries on our side in the Middle East. In fact, it's his entire long term strategy, to change the complexion of the Middle East. The UAE, while flawed, is allowing us to use their land in the war effort and is generally supportive of it; let's not gratuitously make them an enemy.
There's nothing the Democrats would like better than a hard slap to the face of an American ally.
You can extend your comments further. The DoD recognizes DP World as extremely efficient at what they do and in their support of the U.S. Navy.
I'm with you man. But it took me a couple of days for the haze to clear.
Yep...and a completely centralized, Gov't-controlled business world. All jobs Civil Service...all management GS-99s. Salaries determined by the Committee On Relative Worth (who decide, of course, that the highest salaries go to members of the Committee On Relative Worth!). Even the breasts at KFC served through a Gov't Jobs Program where employees learn 'after 1 month you cease to be servants & after 6 months you cease to be civil...everyone in the Back Room, calculating their pensions...
I guess the only fly in the ointment that I am having a hard time getting past is the fact that it is a government-owned company...in essence a company with its own money printing presses. The free market model falls apart.
Those of us who've seen the light have to stick together until the others calm down... I'm starting to feel like the main character in Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery".
Exactly! What do FReepers think retired Generals do in their 'next' life.
The same thing ex-congresscritters & ex-presidents do...
$$$
That's the one problem I have too, but again, what's the alternative?
How about you think for yourself first, rather than blindly trust the government?
Even if the Arab owned company is the best available choice of who ever was bidding, it is somewhat important that it's vetted with the people who back this administration. In other words, pursuing the "right" outcome isn't enough. The move needs support to be credible, and I have to wonder if the average Republican voter has let this pass the basic smell test.
Even if the Arab owned company is the best available choice of who ever was bidding, it is somewhat important that it's vetted with the people who back this administration. In other words, pursuing the "right" outcome isn't enough. The move needs support to be credible, and I have to wonder if the average Republican voter has let this pass the basic smell test
If you had done your own research and not relied on savage(weiner)/schumer talking points, you would have seen it was vetted.
You can trust savage/schumer, I'll trust Bush/Franks.
"Why is Condi for it also?"
Because she was hired for her job by Bush?
Team Bush values loyalty over other characteristics, such as principle.
"I'd vote for that."
Without knowing what type of people they'd put on the Supreme court, when openings come up?
What happens when the Shumers of the world, like a stopped clock, are occasionally right? Do we then, in reaction, choose the opposite position, even if it's actually the wrong one in the given case?
Yes, Shumer with his indepth personal knowledge is right, while General Franks, who has never left the safety of his office and has no knowledge whatsoever of the UAE is wrong.
Who gives a rat's patootie what Tommy Franks thinks in this matter. Another example of American jobs going overseas.
Really? All the containers will be unloaded in the UAE and Star Trek beam transported to the US.
Well, I do for one. Interesting that Franks answers one of my questions on the benefit side the same day I pose it. Franks knows much more than he is saying of course.
Or...humping freight on Baltimore docks has gone the way of picking lettuce in California's Central Valley. None of the students at UC-Santa Barbara are willing to spend their Summer Vacations doing such drudgery anymore...
Instead, they go surfing in Aruba...
Tommie and Rice would but far better judges on the court than Hillary. And besides that isnt the only issue to me.
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