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The Right Plays The Race Card
Red States USA ^ | 3/1/2006 | Michelle Malkin

Posted on 03/01/2006 4:59:32 AM PST by FerdieMurphy

Last week, I skewered Democrat opportunists who have turned into tough-sounding profiling advocates to exploit the White House ports debacle.

Today, I must express bottomless disgust with those on the Right who have turned into mush-mouthed race-card players to shift blame away from President Bush for his miserable mishandling of the situation.

It's one thing for feckless grievance-mongers on the Left to accuse Americans genuinely concerned about national security of Islamophobia. It's quite another for the Right to sink to such a level in accusing all good-faith critics of demagoguery. Reasonable people can disagree on the process pitfalls and security implications of the deal. But the elite Right has simply lost its marbles:

Here's GOP strategist and Muslim voter outreach architect Grover Norquist in the Los Angeles Times dismissing critics of the deal: "The only whiners left by next week will be the registered bigots."

Conservative commentator Larry Kudlow: "This whole brouhaha surrounding the Bush administration's green-light to a United Arab Emirates company slated to manage six major U.S. ports has nothing to do with protecting homeland security. Allow me to give it its proper name: Islamophobia."

New York Times columnist David Brooks: "This Dubai port deal has unleashed a kind of collective mania we haven't seen in decades. First seized by the radio hatemonger Michael Savage, it's been embraced by reactionaries of left and right, exploited by Empire State panderers, and enabled by a bipartisan horde of politicians who don't have the guts to stand in front of a xenophobic tsunami."

The UAE is our "friend," we are told, and to question that assertion, we are scolded, is to engage in reckless prejudice and life-threatening insult. Yes, well, some friends are more equal than others. To instinctively trust a longtime, stalwart Western democracy more than an Arab newcomer with a mixed record on combating terror, international crime and Islamic extremism is not "Islamophobia." It's self-preservationism in a time of war.

We are at war, aren't we?

President Bush himself is ultimately responsible for encouraging the race-card players, thanks to his stunning comment that "those who are questioning" the deal need to "step up and explain why all of a sudden a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard than a Great British company."

Yes, there are countless homegrown terrorists across England, where Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., the maritime company purchased by state-owned Dubai Ports World, operates. So what? So, now, a peaceful Western democracy that is infiltrated against its will by al Qaeda is on the same plane as an Arab federation whose ruling emiratis ran interference for Osama bin Laden before Sept. 11, which continued to be a logistical hub for al Qaeda for years after, which refuses to recognize the existence of Israel, bans our textbooks as "racist" because they point out Syria's state sponsorship of terrorism, and is boycotting Denmark over the Mohammed Cartoons?

Now, all the proselytizers who tell us to collect the dots and connect the dots want us to throw them all away lest we give offense?

Yes, the UAE has taken steps to cooperate in the War on Terror after the Sept. 11 attacks. Give them a pat on the back. But don't tell me that their actions over the past four years elevate them to the same level of partnership and trustworthiness as Great Britain.

That's offensive.

Perhaps Bush should consult with his own Justice Department, which understood the need for heightened scrutiny of Middle Eastern illegal aliens in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, and instituted temporary targeted fingerprinting and registration policies for Middle Eastern tourists, businessmen and students.

Bigots!

Perhaps he should ask his own Border Patrol, which is on heightened alert for illegal Middle Eastern border-crossers.

Bigots!

Perhaps he should ask his own FBI, which is zeroing in on mosques and Muslim charities instead of Lutheran churches and the March of Dimes in the domestic War on Terror.

Bigots!

(But don't bother asking Transportation Department Norm Mineta anything -- well, other than "Why the heck are you still here, Normie?")

The sad lesson of Portgate: Scream "racism" loud enough, and people will blame the messengers and back down. By the Bush standard, we who put American security above Arab sensitivity are all bigots now.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: arabquarterback; dowhatbushtellsme; dubai; dubaie; grovernorquist; homelandsecurity; hushbimbo; hypocrites; ifclintondidthis; libplaybook; locksteppers; malkin; malkinpileson; mcnabb; mcnabbisarab; michellemalkin; mindnumbbushrobots; muslims; norquist; portdebacle; ports; racecard; uae
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To: FerdieMurphy

She left off Karl Rove, who has also been playing the race card to silence port critics.


41 posted on 03/01/2006 5:25:44 PM PST by Pelham ("Borders? We don' need no stinking borders!")
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To: Junior_G

He's used that rhetoric before, to attack critics of his illegal immigration fetish.


42 posted on 03/01/2006 5:30:45 PM PST by Pelham ("Borders? We don' need no stinking borders!")
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To: Stellar Dendrite

Bookmarked for later reading.
Looks like a great find!

"If we acknowledge that the new principles of war are no longer "using armed force to compel the enemy to submit to one's will," but rather are "using all means, including armed force or non-armed force, military and non-military, and lethal and non-lethal means to compel the enemy to accept one's interests."


43 posted on 03/01/2006 5:41:24 PM PST by Canedawg (Dubious about Dubai)
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To: blaquebyrd
When Muslims don't publicly come out and make statements against the thugs who willingly broadcast messages of hatred toward Americans in Allah's name; how do they think Americans will react? Let them whine and call us bigots. Why after only 4 years since an attack on our homeland does this administration make Americans look like the bad guy for not wanting this deal? I hope Congress calls his bluff and makes him use his damn veto. If that's what he wants his legacy to be, make him put his money where his mouth is. Kill this deal and sell them a Starbucks or a Pizza Hut if you must but keep them away from our ports!

LOL! Well said. Blackbird.

44 posted on 03/01/2006 5:48:41 PM PST by BlackbirdSST (Diapers, like Politicians, need regular changing for the same reason!)
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To: Stellar Dendrite

Singlaub and Moorer were two of the best.


45 posted on 03/01/2006 5:52:44 PM PST by Pelham ("Borders? We don' need no stinking borders!")
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To: Echo Talon
...but do we want to make them as big of an enemy as say Iran? I don't think so...."

-The UAE is far closer to Iran as an ally, then they are to the U.S. The Crown Prince of Dubai is reported to have excellent relations with the Iranian dictatorship:

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-18/0602025066004651.htm

Is Iran with us in the WOT?



The UAE also has the same ranking on political rights and civil liberties as Iran.

http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=22&year=2005&country=6856


Percentage of UAE votes AGAINST the US at the UN:
(Israel has voted with us 100 % of the time.)

2004: 87.5%

2003: 100%

2002: 82.4%

2001: 100%


Do we need the Dubai port for military operations? Yup, we sure do. Do we need the Islamic government owned entity known as DP World to run ANY of our 3000 port terminals? Nope, we've gotten along without them thus far just fine.

There are plenty of private companies from many democratic countries willing and able to do the job quite well.

DP World is 100% owned by the Government of Dubai via a Dubai govt. holding entity, solely controlled by the Crown Prince of Dubai, who is in fact: a dictator of an Islamic Regime. It is not just a public corporation based in a foreign country.


And what of the Crown Prince of Dubai's government, how much rights do his "subjects have? I suggest you read this thread to find out:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1587941/posts

His "subjects have NO free press, and no right to vote, or even criticize their "government".

You want to reward THAT?


-And by the way:
http://www.house.gov/hunter/4june.htm

The fact that we have Chi-Comms still operating in the Port of Long Beach is not a good thing:
http://www.house.gov/hunter/4june.htm

Remember the weapons smuggling?
.
46 posted on 03/01/2006 6:01:03 PM PST by FBD (surf's up....way up!)
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To: FBD
The UAE is far closer to Iran as an ally, then they are to the U.S. The Crown Prince of Dubai is reported to have excellent relations with the Iranian dictatorship:

But, yet they share intel with us, what is said in private is different from what is said in public.

47 posted on 03/01/2006 6:38:24 PM PST by Echo Talon
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To: Echo Talon
We don't know factually what, if they share intel wise.
As you said; "what is said in private is different from what is said in public."

That applies to what our govt officials say about the UAE, Dubai in particular.

We need the port of Dubai, for military operations in Iraq and it's cooperation, as best we can get it. Our officials may just be blowing diplomatic smoke for all you and I know. We're not privy to what and anything the UAE shares with us.

We do know that the UAE has shipped nuclear hardware to Iran, we do know that the UAE is on VERY friendly terms with Iran.

Take a look at this, in the "Islamic Republic news Agency":
Iran-UAE-Trade
Iran and UAE explored here Wednesday ways of expanding bilateral trade relations.
"Iranian Commercial attache in UAE Qassem Mirzaie told IRNA that the meeting focused on expansion of trade ties between Iran's Mazandaran province and Dubai."




I went into reading about this port deal with a fairly impartial attitude.

But the more I've read about the UAE, it's government, and it's relationship with countries like Iran, the more I became convinced that we would be better off without DP World's Islamic govt influence in our country, and on our politicians.

We haven't needed them now or in the past, and we don't need them in the future for any of our our domestic port operations.
This deal is far more beneficial for the Crown Prince of Dubai, then it is for the U.S.
48 posted on 03/01/2006 7:14:38 PM PST by FBD (surf's up....way up!)
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To: FerdieMurphy
Even Rush was playing into this crap, calling critics of the port deal racists and xenophobes.

Oh, and anyone not in favor of Open Borders and every trade deal is a protectionist and/or isolationist.

Like Malkin says these people are giving ammunition to the left and confirming conservatives are bigots.

As for Norquist, the man is involved in the Abramoff scandal.
49 posted on 03/01/2006 8:19:27 PM PST by rcocean (Copyright is theft and loved by Hollywood socialists)
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To: MNJohnnie

Yeah, she's an idiot /sarcasm on/

Funny how you always show up to attack Coulter, Buchanan, and now Malkin.

What's the difference between you and DU?


50 posted on 03/01/2006 8:22:24 PM PST by rcocean (Copyright is theft and loved by Hollywood socialists)
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To: Pelham

I know, and it disgusts.

From some reason Bush and bots are never happier than when they are attacking their conservative base as bigots and racists.

They attacked the opponents of Miers as "Sexists".

Just stupid.


51 posted on 03/01/2006 8:28:10 PM PST by rcocean (Copyright is theft and loved by Hollywood socialists)
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To: FBD
we do know that the UAE is on VERY friendly terms with Iran.

They are so friendly with Iran that they have helped us surround Iran with allowing us to use their ports and air bases, last time I checked we have troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, looks like Iran is between a rock and a hard place.

52 posted on 03/01/2006 8:29:12 PM PST by Echo Talon
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To: Echo Talon
>"looks like Iran is between a rock and a hard place."<

We thought the Saudis were our ally too. Remember what happened when we needed their bases to attack Iraq?
http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/11/03/us.saudis/index.html
-Do you think the UAE would allow the U.S. to use it's ports or terminals to attack Iran?

I highly doubt it.
53 posted on 03/01/2006 9:23:42 PM PST by FBD (surf's up....way up!)
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To: FBD

We could use Afghanistan and Iraq, and yes I don't think the UAE would kick us out if we were to take such an action, for their public political concerns they might say some things but they would look the other way.


54 posted on 03/01/2006 9:30:28 PM PST by Echo Talon
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To: Echo Talon
Hopefully we won't have to find out. But Iran sure seems to be stirring up trouble in Iraq.
55 posted on 03/01/2006 10:08:39 PM PST by FBD (surf's up....way up!)
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To: FBD

yep


56 posted on 03/01/2006 10:11:46 PM PST by Echo Talon
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To: Echo Talon
We need to find SOMEONE of national stature, someone as close to the true meaning of the word "independent" as possible. Someone trustworthy enough to lead a Congressional investigation dealing with the port issue....

AND the COSCO deal.

AND the Motorola deal.

AND the LORAL deal.

AND the Panama Canal deal.

AND the Nuclear reactor/North Korea deal.

AND Able Danger. What happened to Able Danger?

57 posted on 03/01/2006 10:19:34 PM PST by Captainpaintball
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To: Captainpaintball
Norm Coleman, is going to have a bill about foreign management
of the ports, Not sure whats in all of it but, it will hold ALL of the companies to the same standard. China, Singapore, Taiwan and the UAE. I guess from what i heard from it so far will require ALL of them to have US managers control their business/terminals. I just heard some of his proposals on Fox last night, I'd need to hear more about it, but maybe its something you would be interested in.
58 posted on 03/01/2006 10:29:34 PM PST by Echo Talon
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To: MNJohnnie
1st She ran around screaming a lie about "Arabs taking over our ports" then when the FACTS come out and bit her on the butt she start whining about "the Right plays the race card"

Sorry, but you have two entirely separate issues now. One is the ports issue. The other is the sudden emergence of the race card as a Republican debating tactic. Even if Jesus himself descended from the heavens and said it was a great idea to have our ports managed by some Islamic entity, what the debate revealed about the character of the Bushbots will still remain.
As soon as George Bush gave his tacit approval for it (in his aw gee whiz comment about "why would a middle eastern company be held to a different standard than a British one"), his sycophants have taken to using the race card with great enthusiasm, like it just comes naturally to them.
As if that weren't enough, we had a Bush defender on another thread trying to portray Great Britain as anti-semitic, as if to say the UAE doesn't hate Jews any more than our other "allies". This is absolute nonsense, but illustrates the depths to which the defenders of the ports deal have had to sink.
Finally, we have the ever growing list of conservatives that the Bushbots now hate, with William Bennett being just the most recent addition.

59 posted on 03/01/2006 10:50:51 PM PST by Junior_G
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To: Echo Talon

Excellent post.


60 posted on 03/01/2006 10:58:02 PM PST by no dems ("A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking" Steven Wright)
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