Posted on 03/12/2006 8:29:15 AM PST by Valin
According to a Gulf News poll, 64 per cent of readers say the DP World affair "changed their opinion for the worst" about investing in the United States. A number of businessmen told the newspaper yesterday that Arab investors would think about other destinations. The majority agreed that DP World has been forced out of the US port operations due to "racism".
President George W. Bush admitted Congress has sent the "wrong message" to the rest of the world.
We don't feel that DP World lost. It in fact won the respect of the international business community when it won the bid to acquire the British P&O Company. It gained the admiration of the political community when it showed the maturity to bow out with grace.
Nevertheless, the whole affair served as a lesson for other Arab companies who may have thought of investing in what has proved to be a hostile US atmosphere. All the free trade talk proved to be just empty rhetoric. Another irony is that the Democrats, the supporters of globalisation, were the key opponents of the deal. There must have been something else behind the sudden change of heart.
It was definitely not the concern for national security, as they fully know the Bush administration had run a meticulous review of the deal, which established it was not a threat. Was it the "Israeli element" as some have suggested? Maybe. Otherwise, why would some Congress members bombard the
DP World executive, during last week's hearing, with questions about the Arab boycott of Israel? Did they want to force the UAE to end the pan-Arab boycott of Israel in order approve the deal?
These questions need to be investigated. But the fact remains it was an ugly scene in Washington. Other foreign-owned companies run US ports but they were not Arab. That is the message.
And we got it.
Some Conservative talk-show hosts who don't understand capitalism, who look for dark linings amongst ever silver cloud, and who instruct their lemming listeners on how to think by whipping them into orgied fear frenzies?
"Moderate Muslims", "Undocumented workers", cabbages and sealing wax.
Give it up CowboyJay. If you disagree with one of these third-graders, you are a "racist", "xenophobe", "idiot", or you're ignorant, stupid--or both.
Like the sharp-shooting, blonde bombshell points out (though with "liberals") you can't reason with them: Try and they rush to the top of the slide, then point a finger and yell, "You're stupid! Or insert other term of opprobrium; I believe they informed you that you are a "nitwit". That's nice, isn't it?
Reasoned argument/debate is impossible with these 'Lord of the Flies' kiddies who consider `name-calling' to be a legitimate means of argument.
"Mostly this has been a PR disaster for Bush which I hope doesn't rub off on the rest of the party." The "rest of the party" deserves whatever they get. If they think they're gonna save themselves by becoming the "me-too" party in the lets-exploit-the-port-issue-to-bash-Bush game, they are sadly mistaken.
"Some Conservative talk-show hosts who don't understand capitalism, who look for dark linings amongst ever silver cloud, and who instruct their lemming listeners on how to think by whipping them into orgied fear frenzies?"
B-E-A-U-tiful!
"the message I'm getting here is that it's ok for Muslims to hate us but not ok for us to distrust them." Funny, I never considered aiding us in the war on terror and wanting to do business with us when no American company wanted the contract to be the actions of those who "hate" Americans. Not all Muslims hate us and it is OK for us to trust those who don't.
"The President is justly proud of himself for not leading by poll results, but that shouldn't mean one doesn't pay heed to public opinion at all." Unless, of course, it is patently obvious that the "public opinion" was manipulated by shameless demagoguery and misinformation. Bush is wise not to let public opinion guide him, when the issue impacts national security.
Yeah. I've noticed. I don't blame them. Most are well-meaning idealists who've been unwittingly duped by America-bashing 60's liberalism. They've had their pride in their country or their religion beaten out of them by brainwashing. They accuse everyone with any pride of hate, and don't realize that what they actually hate is their own kind. Tragic.
Mostly this has been a PR disaster for Bush
PR is a very important component to this war. Some here may not want to hear it but a large part of this war is nation building and Hearts & Minds.
some even call it worse than a shooting war because it is destroying the American middle class and lowering the standard of living for all Americans.
"No George, it was sent the RIGHT message, that the people of America are not stupid, and care mightily about their security and their soverignty. Now, there is clearly no doubt as to the truth and reality of that"
Actually your stupid times 3!
AAAhhhh the D.U. line..how original!!!!!
Funny, I didn't realize the UAE was at war with us
They will be...wanna bet?
Actually your stupid times 3!
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Then it is always a better position to be part of the majority opinion -- :-) Stupid? Hardly.
Tis obvious that you don't know me!
Tis obvious that you don't know me!
A sample of one does not make for a nation.
answer is yes... and all hate us, then we should distrust them all... But if the answer is no, then what happened in Washington this week was disgraceful.
The DISGRACE is that we let these infidels in our country at all. Germany is opening a lawsuit to forbid Muslim Religion as a cult and to disallow it in Gearmany. US would be wise to do the same.
...IMHO SINCE YOU ASKED! I would bet 100% over age 5 years ) of arab/muslims hate US in UAE.(if they don't they will be beheaded or murdered). They don't have a choice and must walk both ways. Arab/Muslims only deal with us for financial reasons and still hate us or are helping out the Iraqis (their own people). So your arguement stinks and is without merit or proof!
Bet you're not US citizen!
Bet you're not US citizen!
You're not a very smart gambler, are you?
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