I might ask you to "prove" Abizaid wasn't asked or strongly encouraged or a mention facilitated by the WH to make a statement that suggesting "bashing," bigot,"xenophobe," or "racist" -- things that the President has been implying refarding objections to this Dubai Deal to certain members of the press.
"Timing?!?! The issue couldn't be any more current. Out of the ordinary...he was commenting on a major strategic issue ...he was responding to a reporter's question about an issue that will have a very significant effect on his ability to accomplish his mission in Southwest Asia. It is certainly not out of the ordinary for him to comment on that issue."
Huh?? A CENTCOM General giving subjective social commentary now of all times?
Has the General yet described exactly who was "bashing," the nature, and exactly how he describes "bashing"??
And did HE feel as though part of himself was bashed indirectly as an "Arab-American"? Is there a difference between "Arab Muslims," and "Arab Christians"?
He could easily have opened himself at the press confereence to a semantic quandary and can o' wormsthat has NOTHING to do with his job. Fortunately even the GOP has "friends" in the MSM. (Btw, I could just imagine General Eisenhower commenting to the press in 1944 about those "German-Bashers.")
"Dubya simply miscalculated in his using the press, exploitation of Abizaid, and insulting the intelligence of the American people (most of which were conservatives.) MY OPINION."
"Which part of your statement is your opinion?"
All of it. And then some.
The handling of the DPW deal was/is still a total PR debacle whichever side of the issue you're on.
Was the Bush Administration ignorant about just how sensitive issue this potentially was going to be? It which required a finesse and openly debated dialog which should have begun months ago.
"My opinion...It was globalist business as usual. One foreign company was bought by another. It happens all the time. It just so happens in this case that Chuck Schumer recognized the opportunity to make political hay, so he did...."
The reaction of conservaive pundits and freepers has PROVEN this deal wasn't "business as usual."
That's where you're outta touch as was the Bush Administration.
Of COURSE Schumer and the Dems were going to hit an home run with this issue. Schumer and the Dems were underhanded by the GOP a baby-pitch on THE one issue they constantly lose -- "security."
"Unfortunately, the Arab country involved happens to be one of our strongest and oldest allies in the region. And the fundamental reason for terminating the deal was the belief that we couldn't trust that ally."
As I've already stated, if so, a stronger case should have preempted the DPW Deal that may have quelled the serious objection you've just witnessed.
"It's going to hurt us in many strategic ways and will have a significant impact on CENTCOM planning for future operations."
Breaking THIS deal? Politics is politics. Business is business. Unless you anticipate some blackmail or extortion over it in the future? (And what kind of real "ally" would that prove them to be?)
"If Gen Abizaid didn't have an opinion (which he is allowed to voice) on the matter, he would be derelict in his duties."
We obviously disagree.
You're asking me to prove a negative? Even if that were possible, I have no need. You have repeatedly stated that the Whitehouse told Gen Abizaid to make his statements. You obviously have no evidence to support that, and later in your last post you admit it is merely your opinion. I am fine with that.
"A CENTCOM General giving subjective social commentary now of all times?"
His comments weren't some broad, spontaneous sermon on debate tactics. He was directly responding to a specific question regarding a specific issue that is currently dominating the news cycle. When do you suppose he should answer a direct question about a specific topic?
"Has the General yet described exactly who was "bashing," the nature, and exactly how he describes "bashing"?? "
No, which makes it even more curious that certain individuals take more offense to his comments than others.
"And did HE feel as though part of himself was bashed indirectly as an "Arab-American"?"
Don't know, don't care. But you are starting to sound like you think his comments might have been self-motivated and initiated.
"He could easily have opened himself at the press confereence to a semantic quandary and can o' worms"
Easiest thing in the world at a press conference to say "No further comment".
"The handling of the DPW deal was/is still a total PR debacle whichever side of the issue you're on."
On this, we agree.
"The reaction of conservaive pundits and freepers has PROVEN this deal wasn't "business as usual.""
ONLY because this issue was brought to their attention (by the likes of Chuck Schumer no less). From there it was dramatically distorted by the MSM until the reality of what was actually involved is so obscured that most people can't really state with any certainty what was involved. The fact is, most of our ports are under foreign management. Several of our airports have various levels of foreign management. There have been 1500 CFIUS reviews of foreign investment in the United States including port management transfers to China and Saudi Arabia. None of them became the public issue this has because they didn't have conniving opportunists like Chuck Schumer distorting them and elevating them to a national debate.
"As I've already stated, if so, a stronger case should have preempted the DPW Deal that may have quelled the serious objection you've just witnessed."
Again, we agree. The Whitehouse was caught absolutely flat footed on this issue and never did really respond. They needed to move before the negative momentum and distortions that overwhelmed this issue became insurmountable.
"Breaking THIS deal? Politics is politics. Business is business."
When was the last time we canceled a major business deal with an ally because we said we couldn't trust them due to their ethnicity? That is going to have a long term impact on our future relations with the UAE. And it is going to hurt us.