Save Us From Our Politicians

Newsweek/MSNBC ^ | 3-20-06 | Robert Samuelson

[STARWISE]

As political theater, the posturing might be harmless. But all the grandstanding—precisely because the criticisms were overblown—damages American interests. It's a public-relations disaster in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates—of which Dubai is a part—has been a strong American ally, permitting the use of its ports and airfields for U.S. ships and military aircraft.

(snip)

If this isn't what we want from Arab countries, what do we want? Much bitterness is reported in Dubai, especially among those who are pro-Western. They blame racism. That's understandable and perhaps correct. A Washington Post poll last week found that 46 percent of Americans had a negative view of Islam—a crude proxy for Arabs. (Yes, not all Arabs are Muslim, and not all Muslims are Arabs. But the poll is still suggestive of American opinion about Arabs.)(snip)

It will be said that other countries are equally nationalistic and political, so their currencies aren't realistic alternatives to the dollar. Not true. If we imitate the French or Malaysians, the dollar will have compromised its special status. The irony is that the people who are creating all these risks are the very same members of Congress who claim to be protecting us.

[STARWISE]

Ding

[nopardons]

This, after Newsweek and MSNBC aided in the forced hysteria?

The facts don't matter; don't you know that? But please DO keep posting them.

[woofie]

mudball

[kcvl]

Save us from 'political opinion columnist'


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/opinion/columns/samuelsonrobert/

[perfect stranger]

They blame racism. That's understandable and perhaps correct.

The Saudis are not a race. Muslims are not a race. It's not racism. Please, get that straight right now. This has nothing to do with the race of anybody involved.

[Cobra64]

The media fails to recognize the difference between ports and terminals. Nor do they recognize that many of these operations are already being run by foreign countries.

They should also dial 1-800-JimmyCarter regarding the Panama Canal operations.

[kajingawd]

"The company's withdrawal last week can be seen as a triumph of public opinion"


What a retard...public opinion is lead by the MSM...like sheep they are. They ( sheep ) don't need to think, they only need to react, and react they( sheep ) did.

[Atlantic Bridge]

Interesting.

Although it is no big issue here in Europe most commentaries see it as "typical" US-protectionism. Since your coast guard and your customs are those being responsible for the security in American ports this alarmism is difficult to understand from the outside.

We Europeans made good experiences with investors from the middle East. They usually do not want to loose their money with crazy terrorism but want to earn more in stable conditions. The biggest shareholders of the Daimler-Benz AG are i.e. Kuweit and Dubai International Capital.

Anyway this development is not bad for us Europeans since our firms are going to skim the money from Dubai and others in the near future.

[unseen]

Leadership in a democratic society requires a willingness and ability to challenge and change public opinion when it is based on misinformation, no information, prejudice or stupidity—as it was in this case.



Good way to change public opinion. first call them uninformed, next add that they are a racist, then call them stupid. That should automatically change that person's opinion.....from possible conversion to outright opposition. The MSM and public leaders can not be that stupid.

[kajingawd]

The one with the best Neon-encrusted bullshyte argument wins public opinion.

sad isn't it?

[DB]

What would you call it?

[unseen]

Concerned Citizens that love their country more than money.

[unseen]

Yeah how's those farm subsidiaries working for you? Or that energy deal France just canceled. How about the Airbus subsidiaries that keeps it in business. Or how about all that EU government sharing of resources. No protectionism on your side of the pond is there?

How's those "youth" riots treating you with that liberal immigration policy. Seen any good cartoons lately? Let me know when you are praying to Allah the merciful.

[DB]

Too many people do things with good intentions that result in the exact opposite due to ignorance.

That's what Liberalism is today... Good intentions, bad results... Predictable results...

Fear and ignorance won the day regarding the "port" deal. That's hardly a win for the country.

[unseen]

You do understand that the people that were against the deal think that those that were for it are stupid, greedy globalists that will sell their country down the drain for a buck don't you?

Now I bet that sentence just gets you all warm and fuzzy and ready to listen to my argument. right? I mean I'm being so intelligent and superior you have to listen right?


Do you see what I am saying? You may have some valid points but by name calling me and my arguments I will never listen to your point of view. Just like 70% of the American people tuned out Bush and et all when they called the American people xenophobic simpletons. Same thing happened with Harriet Meirs. You do not change peoples minds by calling them names if anything you make it worse.

[Atlantic Bridge]

Yeah how's those farm subsidiaries working for you? Or that energy deal France just canceled. How about the Airbus subsidiaries that keeps it in business. Or how about all that EU government sharing of resources. No protectionism on your side of the pond is there?

I do not want to start a fundamental discussion here but things can be seen from different views. Anyway we had numerous economic conflicts with the US in the past and we are used to some forms of American protectionism just as you are used to some forms of European protectionism.

How's those "youth" riots treating you with that liberal immigration policy. Seen any good cartoons lately? Let me know when you are praying to Allah the merciful.

BuHuHaHa! Allahu akbar! We are deeply shaken but appreciate the possibility to marry a stable of new young wives. ;-) (amused sarcasm)

[DB]

"Concerned Citizens that love their country more than money."

Pot calling kettle black...

[endthematrix]

Even if many American's based their opinion on strict "hatred of all things Arab" that wasn't mine. But I'm lumped in with other peoples misinterpretations of the majority on this deal. I felt any foreign involvement in domestic affairs should be under scrutiny. Ports being considered critical to national security should have the attention of the people. I don't care if it is white European, it deserves debate.

[ClaireSolt]

I still think that whoever wrote the initial press releases should go to jail. They miscast this business transaction to get the worst visceral public reaction. If we do not findout who did it, we are really in for a nasty political season.