Posted on 03/09/2006 5:31:15 PM PST by jmc1969
Gen. John Abizaid, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, took an unusual step for a military leader Thursday, criticizing opposition to the attempted purchase of some U.S. port operations by a Dubai-owned company, calling it "Arab and Muslim bashing."
Abizaid, a grandson of Lebanese immigrants, and other military officials were asked about DP World's withdrawal from the deal as they left a briefing of lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
He said the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is a part, is vital to the military's stake in the Persian Gulf region. The Navy heavily uses the port there.
"I am very dismayed by the emotional responses that some people have put on the table here in the United States that really comes down to Arab and Muslim bashing that was totally unnecessary," Abizaid, who just returned from Iraq for meetings in Washington, told reporters.
Abizaid speaks fluent Arabic and holds a masters degree in Middle East studies from Harvard. He is commander of the U.S. Central Command, which includes Iraq.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Sorry....trading a liberty port for compromised security isn't the kind of trade we want to make.
Bet you love that Malkin woman don't you. She's a first class hater of the worst sort. Stop reading her garbage. It's hurting your head.
Well that is a straw-man foolish argument / position.
So.....
General Abizaid is top flight.
And will continue to do so. ....unless, of course, the UAE wants to lose their only protection. They need us a helluva lot more than we need them, and you can bet your burka they recognize that fact.
PUKE!
I am for the port deal, but the race card playing is disgusting.
He needs to salute and obey his orders. The military shouldn't be involved in policy matters...period.
He is correct. Those racist out there won't admit it though.
This guy is the grandson of Lebanese immigrants. I have noticed very very very few muslims in America that don't think this was 100% caused by the fact it was an Arab company that was involved.
And they are right.
Take your race card and stick it, boy.
War breaks out with Iran, It'll be a whole lot more than a liberty port.
Here come the bullies...
No, what hurts my head is the willingness to turn a blind eye to security threats from current supporters of terrorists like the UAE in return for profit. The President might want to reread his own doctrine.
Its a he!! of a big difference from one port THERE and six ports HERE.
Obviously "You Can't Handle the Truth!"
Read a map. The Congress wanting to kill the deal without the 45 day hearing (where they might have learned something) they asked for shows a great deal of prejudice in my mind.
Open your eyes, look at some threads around here if you can't see it then you're either blind or lying to yourself.
Lets see the Good Senator from New Jersey was down at the port yelling we will give the Ports to the Devil before we give it to the arabs. Sounds like race to me. I think this clear that not all people who opposed this deals were racist or religious Bigots. Buts its also clear that many used religious and ethnic sterotypes to sacre the heck out of the American people
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