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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: cabojoe
OUCH!

okay okay... good night!

:-)

61 posted on 03/09/2006 8:45:11 PM PST by eeevil conservative (I am not flirting......I am not flirting.......honest, I am not flirting......)
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To: Echo Talon

I think it would be even funnier if we told the U.E.A. that if they wanted us to continue to protect their sorry, antisemitic, anti-freedom, anti-democratic asses from their fellow muslims who think they are too decadent for sharia law and covet their wealth, then they can just give us all the oil they have.


62 posted on 03/09/2006 8:46:23 PM PST by Prokopton
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To: Prokopton

WOW!

I think you must be Einstein reincarnated...

or maybe Seinfeld's REAL competition in the comedy arena...

(rolling eyes...)


63 posted on 03/09/2006 8:48:06 PM PST by eeevil conservative (I am not flirting......I am not flirting.......honest, I am not flirting......)
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To: cabojoe

I KNOW!!!

I KNOW!!!

"go to bed..."

I'm going.. you can play with Einstein...


64 posted on 03/09/2006 8:48:54 PM PST by eeevil conservative (I am not flirting......I am not flirting.......honest, I am not flirting......)
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To: Rokke

Perhaps this will be a test of their friendship. We will see. However, if they choose to punish us, I wouldn't find anything humorous about it...would you?


65 posted on 03/09/2006 8:50:24 PM PST by takenoprisoner
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To: Prokopton

Who are we protecting them from? They have $, airplanes and a military.


66 posted on 03/09/2006 8:52:17 PM PST by Echo Talon
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To: takenoprisoner
"Perhaps this will be a test of their friendship."

No. We tested their friendship by asking them to allow us to conduct military operations out of their country for the last 5 years. Most of our "good" allies failed that test. The UAE came through in spades.

"However, if they choose to punish us, I wouldn't find anything humorous about it...would you?"

No. But it would be absolutely justified. Nothing about this phony outrage over the port deal is humorous. We just stuck a knife into our own backs. Now we're going to bleed.

67 posted on 03/09/2006 8:57:30 PM PST by Rokke
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To: Echo Talon
Right, just like Kuwait. The Emirs are deathly afraid of Al Quida type muslims who don't believe in the decadent lifestyle they have gotten used to from their oil wealth.
That, and only that is the reason they are our "allies" in the war on terror.It certainly is not to defend freedom of speech, freedom of religion. freedom of association or democracy because they don't believe in these values. They are allies of convenience only and if it was no longer convenient they would not be our allies.
68 posted on 03/09/2006 9:01:49 PM PST by Prokopton
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To: Rokke

"We just stuck a knife into our own backs. Now we're going to bleed."

That almost reads like a threat. Just know this before you pack your carpet bag and exit; if we bleed, those who caused us to bleed will shortly be begging the red cross for assistance just to sustain themselves.


69 posted on 03/09/2006 9:08:36 PM PST by takenoprisoner
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To: takenoprisoner
"That almost reads like a threat."

It's not a threat when we've done it to ourselves. To use another metaphor, when you cut off your nose to spite your face, you just end up looking stupid.

70 posted on 03/09/2006 9:15:29 PM PST by Rokke
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To: onyx

Thanks, onyx.


71 posted on 03/09/2006 9:15:46 PM PST by Cannoneer No. 4 (Our enemies act on ecstatic revelations from their god. We act on the advice of lawyers.)
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To: onyx

Thanks for the ping.


72 posted on 03/09/2006 9:16:12 PM PST by nopardons
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To: onyx

Thanks


73 posted on 03/09/2006 9:18:44 PM PST by 1035rep
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To: onyx

Thanks for the ping....the issue that will not go away.


74 posted on 03/09/2006 9:18:50 PM PST by TheLion
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To: Peach

Yes, this is so and WHERE was the outrage over this, for years and years, unending?


75 posted on 03/09/2006 9:20:27 PM PST by nopardons
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To: PrinceOfCups

I have strongly supported this port deal. The president has not used his bully pulpit to make a strong case. We have been making a strong case here. Not a good equation.


76 posted on 03/09/2006 9:23:12 PM PST by TheLion
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To: Rokke
That was uncalled for.

I like PBR.

77 posted on 03/09/2006 9:27:04 PM PST by Cannoneer No. 4 (Our enemies act on ecstatic revelations from their god. We act on the advice of lawyers.)
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To: TheLion
...The president has not used his bully pulpit to make a strong case...

Tony Snow has been saying the same thing. There must be other national security activities going on well below our collective radar.
78 posted on 03/09/2006 9:29:09 PM PST by PrinceOfCups (Just the facts, Ma'am.)
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To: PrinceOfCups

I was wondering why Bush didn't have a "fireside chat" or something to quell this, you may be right about something else going on.


79 posted on 03/09/2006 9:32:50 PM PST by TheLion
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To: ExtremeUnction

Are you like 16 years old. At this point I am wondering. The last comment was pretty bad.


80 posted on 03/09/2006 9:43:11 PM PST by bayourant
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