It's way more than a handful. This seems to be the only place outside the White House where there is such passion for this deal to o through.
It would be more understandable if the passion was more intense on the side of those against the deal. After all, those who take this point of view believe (correctly or incorrectly) the deal could pose actual physical danger.
On the other hand, I wonder what prompts such passion on the side of those who support the deal. I just don't understand it. Is it blind devotion to Bush? Is it some fear that those moslems who are dedicated to our destruction will somehow become more dedicated? What prompts such fierce support of this deal?
$, follow the $.
U.S.-United Arab Emirates Free Trade Agreement Negotiations On November 15, 2004, the U.S. Trade Representative notified Congressional leaders that the Administration intended to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an important step on the path to fulfilling President Bush’s initiative to advance economic reforms in the Middle East and to establish a Middle East Free Trade Agreement (MEFTA) by 2013. The United States and United Arab Emirates began formal negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement on March 12, 2005. The two countries are attempting to build on the U.S.-UAE Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), which was signed in March 2004. For more information on the negotiations of the United States-United Arab Emirates Free Trade Agreement, please consult the website of the United States Trade Representative. To learn more about the U.S. Government services available to help U.S. companies enter the UAE market, please visit www.buyusa.gov/uae/en/ or the Middle East-North Africa Business Information Center (MENABIC).
http://www.export.gov/fta/negotiation/UAE/index.asp?dName=negotiation AuntB posted on 2006-02-24 13:41:52 ET Reply
Ok.. I will play. It is called supporting our President and Commander and Chief and trusting him. He knows what he is doing - he has proven that and his detractors do not have a clue they have proven that.
Now align yourselves as you will- I am hanging out with the GW.
Another reason why many are opposing this deal... (from the post by Stellar Dendrite):
"Here is a partial list of terrorist organizations and individuals with Dubai, UAE ties that were designated after 9/11 by the Bush administration to have their assets frozen.
· Al Baraka Exchange LLC, Dubai, U.A.E.
· Al-Barakaat, Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, U.A.E.
· Al-Barakaat Group of Companies Somalia Ltd., Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, U.A.E.
· Al-Barakaat Finance Group, Dubai, U.A.E.; Mogadishu, Somalia
· Al-Barakaat Financial Holding Company, Dubai, U.A.E.; Mogadishu, Somalia
· Al-Barakat Global Telecommunications, Hargeysa, Somalia; Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, U.A.E.
· Al-Barakat International, Dubai, U.A.E.
· Al-Barakat Investments, Deira, Dubai, U.A.E.
· Baraka Trading Co., Dubai, U.A.E.
· Barakaat Construction Co., Dubai, U.A.E.
· Barakaat Group of Companies, Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, U.A.E.
· Barakaat International Companies (BICO), Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, U.A.E.
· Barakaat Telecommunications Co. Somalia, Ltd., Dubai, U.A.E.
· Barakat Bank and Remittances, Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, U.A.E.
· Barakat Global Telephone Co., Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, U.A.E.
· Barakat Refreshment Co., Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, U.A.E. · Parka Trading Co., Deira, Dubai, U.A.E.
· Red Sea Barakat Co. Ltd., Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, U.A.E.
· Jim'ale, Ahmed Nur Ali, Mogadishu, Somalia; Dubai, U.A.E."