The Tragic Treatment of the UAE Ports Deal

StrategyPage ^ | February 24, 2006 | Harold C. Hutchison

[F16Fighter]

" The real question, however, is where are the American companies who could operate the port? Were they in a bidding? Were there bids?"

Was the "fix" in?

[syriacus]

Was the "fix" in?

Why is so much worldwide shipping controlled by the Greeks and Chinese?

[GOPJ]

The UAE isn't a charitable organization that's giving us the right to dock there for free. We pay them. But that's not why were important to them. We're important because if we weren't there the Iranians would swoop over and take their oil fields. And if we said "dock our ships for free or we're pulling out, they would dock our ships for free. Now, the relationship is equal. When the war is over, it will be unequal in our favor.

My suggestion to the scardy cats who are afraid the UAE won't like them? They should stop acting so desperate. It's not attractive.

[syriacus]

Draft Halliburton for the job.

Sounds good to me.

Have them take over all those Chinese-run terminals on the West Coast and the Chinese-run shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, too.

[raybbr]

More to the point, there isn't much you've asserted that disputes Dubai's value in the WOT.

Is that going to be Bush's legacy? "If it didn't have anything to do with the WOT I (Bush) ignored it."

There is a lot more to the U.S. than the WOT.

[PrinceOfCups]

You Wrote: Sure you have..

I LIVE IN DUBAI!!!!!!!

Flaming is that last resort of arguments without facts.

[ClaireSolt]

Would you elaborate on this. "Once you get past your probationary period you're a virtual slave there and can't leave the country without the permission of your Sheik sponsor." I noticed that only about 10% of the population are citizens. Is this similar to Saudis who are too good to work and bring in workers from elsewhere?

[cripplecreek]

Sure you do

[tomjohn77]

Wonder how they manage to keep them out before and now its impossible cannot do it today. A Jew probably donnot want to visit the UAE anyways. Its to risky. I would not have visited the UAE thats for sure if I was a Jew. To me the UAE is a fascinating place. I have friends and family that have been there, but how long time can they keep the Islamofascist from taking the power or influencing the average citizen.

[ClaireSolt]

Or, for that matter, has anyone considered how America would look, if we applied the standards? After all, the 19 highjackers were from the Middle East, but they were living in the US. We were carelessly harboring them. If we have shut down charities, our financial institutions were involved. If we have, in fact, convicted 500 terrorist sympathizers doesn't that make us a major threat to any country that is worried about such things?

[dynoman]

Those ME countries are so rich they could undercut any bid and run the port operations at a total loss if they wanted to.

When the chips are down who will they serve, allah or the infidels?

Welcoming Terror to U.S. Ports (From David Horowitz's Frontpagemag.com)

Read that then try and convince yourself any muslim has the best interests of the infidel in mind.

[LibLieSlayer]

I've quit being insulted by that phrase. I am proud to have a Leader to believe in. Between Bush and Jesus, my bases are covered! Have a nice day, and understand that name calling NEVER wins a debate.

LLS

[yoe]

Thanks for shinning some light here.

[F16Fighter]

"Why is so much worldwide shipping controlled by the Greeks and Chinese?"

The Greeks have traditionally have been prolific in the international shipping industry; I assume the ChiCom are just underbidding (what they do best) just to get a foothold...

Letting Muslims control/operate gain ANY access to ANY U.S. port is just absurdly dangerous and unnnecessary.

Any talk of a "fix" was facilitated and shrouded by the secrecy we've witnessed recently. WHY??

[tomjohn77]

Please what does the frog term sotto voce mean. Well, I have an idea. Cheer up donnot be so cranky.

[F16Fighter]

"When the chips are down who will they serve, allah or the infidels?"

The answer is painfully obvious (and I DO agree with Horowitz.)

[tomjohn77]

I guess you have not tried the Israeli passport yet. It would probably not work.

[LibLieSlayer]

Close as in kerry close? BTW, most of those undecideds will break our way. Not even close. Bwhahahahahahaha!

LLS

[veronica]

:)

[syriacus]

Thanks!!