George W. Bush is about to fritter away his party's last advantage.

Washington Times ^ | February 24, 2006 | Wes Pruden

[When_Penguins_Attack]

George W. Bush is about to fritter away his party's last advantage. What Republicans have had going for them is that they aren't Democrats. Over the past few days we've seen the men at the top of the Grumpy Old Party drifting toward something that looks suspiciously like an Old Boys' Party. When he hears applause only from Jimmy Carter, who gave away the Panama Canal (now controlled by the Chinese), and Bill Clinton, his newly adopted little brother, George W. should be looking for the panic button. Once they're no longer regarded as the toughest party on national security the Republicans will be burnt toast.

[Spiff]

Actually it should read, Due to the lack of leadership in the Republican party and within the Conservatives, the Democrats plan to turn the party and the Conservatives against the president was extremely effective. Even though, the whole truth was not told and what information was given was skewed the Conservatives jumped on the MSM bandwagon while the Democrats gleefully pat themselves on the back and toasted each other for a well laid plan that the Conservatives fell for hook, line and sinker.

The truth of the matter is that Bush, instead of taking the time to outline the reasons for the Dubai deal and dispell fears and myths, jumped up and said that he would use his first ever veto after 5 years in office to veto any legislation that killed the deal. Essentially, he told those who thought that there should be some open debate about the deal to screw off.

The President started to really turn me against him when he called my friends and I "vigilantes" because we were calling attention to the egregious lack of border security. He further moved to turn me against him when he nominated a totally unqualified political crony to the Supreme Court. Another thing turning me against him is the fact that he has overseen the largest expansion of domestic, non-defense discretionary spending ever and hasn't vetoed a single pork-bloated piece of legislation since taking office. His latest behavior may be the straw that broke the camel's back for me. Bush has his good points yet I've had to put up with a lot of his crap to appreciate them. I feel like a battered wife who still remains loyal to her abusing husband. I've complained about it before, the "battered Republican syndrome" but I haven't escaped the abusive relationship. Yet. I keep hoping something will change. And it does change. The President and the national level Republican Party just keep getting worse.

[Designer]

"Why don't you add the UAE's chief lobbyist, Bob Dole, to that list?"

You mean it's not Neal Bush?

[Alberta's Child]

Let forth the howling dogs who will now decide that Wes Pruden is a closet lib, or disloyal, or that they never liked him anyway.

I won't say any of those things about him, but I'm willing to bet a week's pay that he: 1) has never been to a U.S. port; 2) has no idea how U.S. ports operate; and 3) doesn't have a clue about the legal processes in place to address this kind of acquisition.

Complaining about "national security concerns" over a UAE-owned company having terminal leases at a number of U.S. ports -- while Saudi-owned company has been operating here since 1983 without even a whisper of concern from these people -- is a little bizarre, to say the least.

[CWOJackson]

"You cannot hide every national security-related discussion behind a veil of secrecy."

That was the process that these suddenly outraged Congressmen established themselves...to insult the process from political pressures.

The vetting process proceeded as designed and included the requisite agencies that were satisfactory before Chuck Schumer wanted to make some political mileage by manufacturing a crisis where none exists.

[Coldwater Creek]

You know! I am just not privy to those particular details, and neither are you, but I have read and listened to enough informed sources to make a rational decision, and I am sticking with it.

This is my last word on this subject for today.

[desertlily]

UPI article states that the port deal was not for 6 ports as announced, but for 21 of them !! (Sorry....I lost the link)

[CWOJackson]

Exactly. DP World already does a fantastic job with our Naval assest in the region and they are second to none in what they do. It also makes good economic sense.

[Coldwater Creek]

The hinterland is the real threat, not the ports. We are killing people right and left with motorized vehicle's, abortion, etc., and no says a word.

[ARCADIA]

Pssssssst, they're managing commercial operations, not the ports or their security. A very long leap in reality there.

Pssssssst, while managing commercial operations at our ports they will be in an excellent position to learn how our security procedures work and how to best circumvent them. It may be as easy as collecting the names of our inspectors and deciding which ones may be willing to exchange favors.

[reelfoot]

Conservative Wes Pruden BUMP.

If Bush doesn't soon realize that border security and port security are more important to Americans than spending billions of tax dollars keeping 7th century Mooslim fanatics separated in Iraq, the Republicans could lose Congress. Time for our congress critters to grow spines, separate themselves from Bush on these issues, and look our for our domestic security.

[CWOJackson]

"Pssssssst, while managing commercial operations at our ports they will be in an excellent position to learn how our security procedures work and how to best circumvent them."

LOL! Fortunately adults are in charge.

[AmericaUnited]

You mean the way some people are quick to forget that DP World and Dubai are critical elements in the logistics support for our troops fighting the war? Or how we trust them to provide services and support for the largest contingent of U.S. Navy vessels outside the U.S...including our European so-called friends?

Stop confusing the EMOTIONAL, NON-THINKING, KNEE-JERKING IDIOTS with solid rational facts that DESTROY their basis for moonbatting...

[maica]

Now they are seen by many I know to not care about that anymore. They gave teh rats aclub to beat them with.

#####

Because people so willingly believe the spin. Delegates from 12 diferent agencies in this administration vetted the proposed sale.

What is being bought are contracts with port authorities around the US. If a port, such as Baltimore where I live, does not want to do business with DPW, they can revoke the contract and find another terminal management company.

[devane617]

Looks like many of us have reached our line in the sand with Bush. I suspect we will see many more follow soon. The civil war we are seeing here on FR is a good example of those that have had it with Bush, VS those that are still hanging on.

[onyx]

I'll take a chance and trust that you do wish to make an informed decision.

Here's some links to a couple of FACTUAL news articles, not pundit opinion.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1584235/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1584060/posts?page=54#54

And a link to some opinion pieces and news releases:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1584428/posts?page=81#81

[maxter]

"I'm here to tell you that outside of FR and some of the talk shows, no one GIVES A DAMN about the ports.

Got to disagree. When my in-laws want to call DC to register their outrage, it is a new day.

[Alberta's Child]

You're most likely right, but I think the thing Republicans have to worry about is how the media is able to distort this, as they always do, to make it look like Bush has lost his "security senses."

This is exactly why the Bush administration deserves far more credit on this issue than anyone seems to realize. The notion that a chief executive would allow his administration to follow the letter of the law in a case like this -- regardless of how strong the bipartisan opposition (based almost entirely on ignorance, I might add) is -- is actually quite refreshing to me.

[seanmerc]

Great post! All I have been asking for is a thorough, unemotional/non-partisan analysis of this proposal. I don't know if we'll ever see that.

You touched on another good point--is this REALLY the first thing worthy of a veto that has crossed his desk?

[maica]

Well, considering my over thirty years of active duty in the Coast Guard,

#####

Geez, and we're supposed to trust you!!!

/extreme sarcasm

Thank you for your service, and your willingness to continue to try to spread the truth on this issue.

[CWOJackson]

I know...I feel so bad about that.