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Dancing to the public's tune
Gulf News ^ | 03/10/2006 | Gulf News Editorial

Posted on 03/09/2006 8:06:27 PM PST by PrinceOfCups

American politicians are riding for a fall. If only they knew it. Instead they are so immersed in scoring political points off each other that they have failed to do their research. But then, why should facts come in the way of a good that is, popular issue in an election year?

The powerful House Appropriations Committee of the US House of Representatives has voted, 62-2, to block a deal that would allow Dubai Ports World ownership of six American ports. Representatives have worked themselves into frenzy, believing the security of the ports will be at risk because of Arab management.

Few politicians, or even the public, seem to have bothered to pay attention to the truth that DP World does not have control over security issues in the port as they are handled by US Coast Guards.

Instead, it is deemed better to jump on the bandwagon of anti-Arab, anti-Middle East, anti-Muslim tirade that has been popular since the 9/11 attacks. Then, even the US vice-president got in on the false information act by claiming Saddam Hussain was behind the attacks, something ultimately proved wrong that the vice-president has continually failed to acknowledge, merely perpetuate the myth.

Of course, much of the anti-Arab sentiment must be laid at the door of the White House. Since the days of 9/11 it has encouraged the American public to believe all things Middle Eastern are to be feared, and that the Republican Party is the only one capable of protecting the country against terrorist attacks from Arabs. Small wonder, then, with Arabs being seen in such a light, and with Americans not understanding the region and its differences, the public should be so against the deal. And while the public think that, be sure the politicians will think likewise.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: dubai; ports; uae
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To: PrinceOfCups
Of course, much of the anti-Arab sentiment must be laid at the door of the White House. Since the days of 9/11 it has encouraged the American public to believe all things Middle Eastern are to be feared, and that the Republican Party is the only one capable of protecting the country against terrorist attacks from Arabs

yes .. there has been a lot of anti arab bashing by some

But the President and the VP have gone out of their way not to bash arabs

21 posted on 03/09/2006 8:18:21 PM PST by Mo1 ("Stupidity is also a gift from God, but it should not be abused." Pope John Paul II)
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To: PrinceOfCups
...that would allow Dubai Ports World ownership of six American ports.

WTF is the problem with people getting basic facts right?

22 posted on 03/09/2006 8:19:18 PM PST by Petronski (I love Cyborg!)
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To: cabojoe

ha!

"King" of Cups is LIVIN' it up over there! playing golf- dating lotz o' women....kick him!

LOL!


23 posted on 03/09/2006 8:19:43 PM PST by eeevil conservative (I am not flirting......I am not flirting.......honest, I am not flirting......)
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To: eeevil conservative

My Friday morning = your Sunday morning. It's almost time for Friday prayers;however, prayers not too big in Dubai. Too many nightclubs available on weekends.


24 posted on 03/09/2006 8:20:14 PM PST by PrinceOfCups (Just the facts, Ma'am.)
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To: Peach; Indy Pendance

Oh yeah, and Indy Pendance gave me a list of all the "Arab" flights in and out of JFK daily which should have all the hysterical folks absolutely frothing at the mouth.


25 posted on 03/09/2006 8:20:34 PM PST by onyx (IF ONLY 10% of Muslims are radical, that's still 120 MILLION who want to kill us.)
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To: LibertyLee; sofaman; sono; Alas Babylon!; maica; anita; prairiebreeze; OldFriend


26 posted on 03/09/2006 8:20:37 PM PST by Txsleuth (Bush-Bot;WaterBucket Brigader;and fan of defconw)
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To: Echo Talon

"I think it would be hilarious if the UAE said, "You want to use our ports for your Navy ships... Pay us $100 billion per year."

I figure only someone who despises America could find that funny.


27 posted on 03/09/2006 8:21:09 PM PST by takenoprisoner
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To: PrinceOfCups

LOL! I just told someone to kick you!

:-)

hope you have a sense of humor! LOL!


28 posted on 03/09/2006 8:21:47 PM PST by eeevil conservative (I am not flirting......I am not flirting.......honest, I am not flirting......)
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To: PrinceOfCups

Sigh, even these guys are blaming Bush? He's the only one who went to bat for them and for Muslims in general. But that's OK, just kick sand in his face, everyone else does.


29 posted on 03/09/2006 8:22:32 PM PST by McGavin999 (I suggest the UAE form a Joint Venture Partnership with Halliburton & Wal-Mart)
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To: eeevil conservative; PrinceOfCups

I don't have a ping list....I was running down freepers that usually go on the Sunday Thread first...because that is where I first "met" PrinceOfCups...

Then, went to the Tony Snow thread...and on and on...but I accidently hit post....sigh

I keep thinking of names also...lol


30 posted on 03/09/2006 8:22:50 PM PST by Txsleuth (Bush-Bot;WaterBucket Brigader;and fan of defconw)
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To: takenoprisoner

oh CHILL

how dare we park our MILITARY ships over there and then we won't let them run some freakin' terminals here?

ya think North Korea or Iran would let us park our MILITARY ships in THEIR PORTS?


31 posted on 03/09/2006 8:24:14 PM PST by eeevil conservative (I am not flirting......I am not flirting.......honest, I am not flirting......)
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To: Txsleuth

LOL! that is how I use to do it too... I finally came up with a list...LOL!


32 posted on 03/09/2006 8:25:05 PM PST by eeevil conservative (I am not flirting......I am not flirting.......honest, I am not flirting......)
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To: MNJohnnie
...It is useful that someone ON THE GROUND IN UAE, such as yourself, would speak truth to the fools...

It is hard to communicate facts when most do not choose to listen.
33 posted on 03/09/2006 8:25:29 PM PST by PrinceOfCups (Just the facts, Ma'am.)
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To: Petronski
"WTF is the problem with people getting basic facts right?"

It's impossible, positively impossible to expect people to get the facts right with this one. And for some reason the WH was supposed to be clairvoyant in just exactly the way this deal was going to be demagogued by not only the Chuck Shumer's of this country, but the Peter King's and Duncan Hunter's. I'm befuddled!

34 posted on 03/09/2006 8:25:38 PM PST by A Citizen Reporter
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To: takenoprisoner
figure only someone who despises America could find that funny

we deserve it, treat an ally like the enemy, expect ramifications.

35 posted on 03/09/2006 8:26:04 PM PST by Echo Talon
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To: PrinceOfCups
Then, even the US vice-president got in on the false information act by claiming Saddam Hussain was behind the attacks, something ultimately proved wrong that the vice-president has continually failed to acknowledge, merely perpetuate the myth.

Cheney never said this, EVER. Seriously. But I totally agree with your overall point. I'm going to be in Dubai next month and would love to meet a fellow FReeper over there, so please FReepmail me. :^)

36 posted on 03/09/2006 8:26:10 PM PST by KJC1 (Bush is fighting the War on Terror, Dems are fighting the War on Bush)
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To: McGavin999

Good post....and yes, it seems like a lot of people are lining up to take shots..but the ones I want a list of are the Republicans that didn't even wait for a review...

THEN attached an amendment to kill the deal to a bill that supports the troops....oh, yeah...they are just "concerned" about security...pffffft


37 posted on 03/09/2006 8:26:36 PM PST by Txsleuth (Bush-Bot;WaterBucket Brigader;and fan of defconw)
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To: PrinceOfCups

LOL! I was about to go to sleep...
you sure know how to WAKE ME UP!


38 posted on 03/09/2006 8:28:09 PM PST by eeevil conservative (I am not flirting......I am not flirting.......honest, I am not flirting......)
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dang! I broke another thread!


39 posted on 03/09/2006 8:29:46 PM PST by eeevil conservative (I am not flirting......I am not flirting.......honest, I am not flirting......)
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To: Txsleuth
..BTW..thanks for posting this editorial....actually it is much tamer than I thought it would be...

The Gulf News is the semi-offical mouthpiece of the government. I haven't seen the UAE tabloids. Ii seems the USA/UAE interests (WOT/Iran) still trump a few billion in business revenue.
40 posted on 03/09/2006 8:30:07 PM PST by PrinceOfCups (Just the facts, Ma'am.)
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