[Sam the Sham]

This isn't about banning Arab companies from doing business, much as their stooges would like to cry 'racism', 'racism', 'islamophobia'.

It is about one project that entails national security risks and no corresponding gain.

Sure the elites of Dubai have supported us. But then again, the elites of Iran and Saudi Arabia supported us even as the man in the street hated us. Musharaf 'supports' us but do you think the people of Pakistan do ? We can't just base our relations on corrupt elites.

[CWOJackson]

"It is about one project that entails national security risks and no corresponding gain."

One project? You are aware that the Saudi's already operate this kind of facility in the U.S. aren't you?

You are aware that the UAE already operates this kind of facility in the U.S. aren't you?

You are aware that this gives them no control over port security don't you?

[saveliberty]

But Musharraf delivered the rumpled AQ bigwig - I can't recall his name but can picture him.

At what point do we give up and say there's no hope, let's withdraw from Iraq? During the Cold War, we had to do business with countries we really didn't like. This is worse than the Cold War-- we will still have to figure out who we have to do business with.

This doesn't mean no vetting. This doesn't mean easy pass, but ask yourself why the Brits, who have also fought along side with us on the GWOT are considering the same deal?

[PrinceOfCups]

You wrote: the elites of Iran and Saudi Arabia supported us even as the man in the street hated us.

The UAE (and especially the Emir of Dubai) cannot be mentioned in the same breather with KSA and Iran. The difference is as large as the difference between San Francisco and Omaha.

[OldFriend]

IMHO, the corrupt elites are here in the US.

Certain pundits have become a 6th. column, if you will.

Proving that their opinions are to usurp the power of the President because they know better.

After all, just look at how many callers to certain shows suggest the host run for President.

That hubris is going to harm this country as much as the hubris of the 5th. column, the media.

[soccermom]

"It is about one project that entails national security risks and no corresponding gain. " No corresponding gain???? Did you read the article? They gave us access to the Taliban. And, God forbid, we have a confrontation with Iran, we are going to need bases in the UAE. As long as we have items coming into this country, we have national security risks. It is just as easy -- probably easier -- for a terrorist to infiltrate us through a British run company. The whole reason Richard Reid was enlisted to be the shoe-bomber is because he didn't fit the profile. And, while I'm sure there are "men on the street" from Dubai that hate us, it is not merely the elites of the UAE that support us. It is a very "westernized" part of the region.