Posted on 03/05/2006 9:56:24 AM PST by TheLion
MANY residents of UAE thought — mistakenly as it turns out — that they knew the Clintons. Former president Bill and former co-president/current New York Senator Hillary were deemed to be friends of the UAE — and the Arab world in general.
While Hillary hadn’t visited the UAE recently, Bill is a regular — at least when he’s invited for a paid speech or appearance. Sometimes, he’s graced us in person — other times via a video conference. President Bush, everyone agreed, was an anti-Arab cowboy, worthy of little more than derision.
(Excerpt) Read more at khaleejtimes.com ...
An interesting follow up rant to all of the Clintons and UAE connections.
Democrat stance on port deal hypocritical
By Randy Wood / Columnist
MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2006
I don't pretend to be the smartest person in the world. Also, I've been on spring break down here in Florida and my brain might still be a little fuzzy because of all the coconut rum. With that being said, am I hearing this controversy over the ports right? Are Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer really saying what I think they are? The U.S. should not allow a UAE company to buy the rights to conduct loading and unloading at some of our ports just because they're Arabs? I think that's what they're saying. This will no doubt go down as one of my best laughs in what will surely be a great election year.
This situation is so funny that I almost don't know where to begin. First of all, don't expect me to be disagreeing with the great Hillary Clinton over this one. Remember, I was the one who wrote that we should be racially profiling at airports. Of course, even when I suggested that "extreme" piece of common sense, I did explain how I felt really bad about it. Oh, I wish I could remember all the names I was called for that one! Where are all the little hippies now? Why are the Democrats not being called xenophobic rednecks? It's hilarious how all kinds of liberals are lining up to take shots at Bush over this. You would expect him to be slammed by right-wing Republicans, but who would have thought that Bush would be defending Arabs against the attacks from Democrats? This did help the liberals in the Senate to look like they care about national security for a week or two, and politically speaking, I think it was a brilliant move. But now what?
What's the big deal about a company in Dubai owning business interests in the U.S.? I thought that Bush was the fear monger who saw terrorists everywhere there were Muslims. Some of the fervor has died down a bit since this story started getting a lot of press. A cynical person might say that the harsh tones towards the UAE were moderated because someone told Hillary that Bill Clinton has enjoyed quite a cozy relationship with them. I tend to think that the harsh tones are fading fast because Democrats are actually being forced to admit that we are at war. This is something they have been trying to avoid for the past few years. I'm sure that the Democrats have no problem with this new get-tough position on national security. To tell you the truth, I think it's wonderful. I'm sure now that we've finally admitted that we are at war with more than just a few crazies "perverting" a major religion, we can finally all get on the same page. Now that we all care about national security, I'm sure that Hillary and company will start supporting listening to phone calls from terrorists calling people in the U.S. (Somehow that's called domestic spying if you're a liberal.) While I know that people will line up to slam me for drawing a similarity to port security and airport security, if Arabs require closer scrutiny regarding investments in shipping, then why can they walk on a plane without a second look? I know, I know, in the mind of a liberal I'm sure it all makes sense. Just like when a Democrat sends troops into a third-world country and no one bats an eye.
You see, if you believe we shouldn't be in Iraq because Saddam Hussein didn't personally fly a plane into the Twin Towers, then you must agree that we shouldn't hold the entire UAE responsible for the attitude of a few of their citizens. Of all the countries in the "Arab World," you would be hard-pressed to find one that is more westernized than the UAE. They even host a PGA event. Not quite the same "kill all Jews" talk there either. Not because they'd lose much sleep if Israel was wiped off the map, but more because they would like to be looked at as a civilized country, which we must give them credit for.
For the record, I understand that there are no U.S. companies that do what Dubai Ports World does. So I'm not losing a whole lot of sleep over this fiasco. I have heard the argument that because the government of the UAE controls this company, that makes it more sensitive. (Just say you don't like Muslims gaining too much access, be honest.) I understand that we allow communist China to own way too many investments in the U.S. and somehow that doesn't cause the same fear, leaving me to conclude that the problem is somewhat racial or religious in nature.
Yes, this has been a great debate. If the UAE gains control of port operations, then Bush wins. If they don't, then the world gets to see that Bush likes Arabs more than the Democrats (and some Republicans). Either way, I have loved watching all the grandstanding. It's only March; we're over eight months away from midterm elections. Things will only get more interesting from here.
http://www.easternecho.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?31228
I went to Kings Point....The US Merchant Marine Academy and sailed the seas for about four years. Glad to have served!
Oh LORDY, this is great! Many thanks for the ping! :-)
Just wait til the next ping:-)
And thank you for your patience.
I'm waiting on tenterhooks. :-)
Didn't you get this one?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1590747/posts
Nope....you forgot all about me and I'm crushed, CRUSHED, I tell ya! :-(
Don't know how that happened.
Well, did you read my last post to you about "Agent Clinton"?
Just add me to your ping list now, so I don't get left out in the cold again.
OK!
MSM coverage of Iraq War is like a sports section written by women who hate sports.
Thanks for the ping. At least this angle is making it through the media.
>>>At least this angle is making it through the media.<<<
Well...at least the media in Dubai! The Khaleej Times is a Dubai publication. I'll wait for a ping if this line of reasoning shows up in the U.S. MSM.
Interesting who the authors are; The President of American College of Dubai and a Dubai investment banker. At least the Dubai folks understand the politics of this deal.
Thank you so much for doing so. ;o)
Now...THAT was good!
Thank you!
You really should post more often. ;o)
I will endeavor to do so. Thanks. :-)
You have heard it in the media? I rarely listen to MSM but Fox I do turn on ocassionally. Haven't heard it yet.
I like this paragraph from the above post!
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