Bush Set to Approve Takeover of 9 Military Plants by Dubai

NY Times ^ | April 28, 2006 | JIM RUTENBERG and DAVID E. SANGER

[neverdem]

WASHINGTON, April 27 — President Bush is expected on Friday to announce his approval of a deal under which a Dubai-owned company would take control of nine plants in the United States that manufacture parts for American military vehicles and aircraft, say two administration officials familiar with the terms of the deal.

The officials, who were granted anonymity so they could speak freely about something the president had not yet announced, said that the final details had not yet been set and that Mr. Bush might put conditions on the transaction to keep military technology in the United States.

But his action is almost certain to attract scrutiny in Congress, because of the political furor that erupted over the administration's approval of a deal earlier this spring that would have given another Dubai-owned company, Dubai Ports World, leases to operate several American port terminals through its acquisition of a British company, the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company.

Dubai Ports agreed to drop the port deal after it became clear that Republicans were abandoning Mr. Bush and opposing the takeover.

In this case, the plants in question are owned by Doncasters Group Ltd., a British company that is being purchased for $1.2 billion from the Royal Bank of Scotland Group by Dubai International Capital, which is owned by the United Arab Emirate government.

Because the plants make turbine blades for tanks and aircraft, the deal was reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which sent it on to Mr. Bush himself for a decision, a step used only when the potential security risks or political considerations are particularly acute.

Administration officials alerted Congress that the deal would go through the committee's review process in an effort to head off the kind of public debate that surrounded...

[planekT]

Here till the bitter end. Well, what else have we got?

;-)

[Supernatural]

What else have we got?

A good eye, a steady hand, lots of practice and lots of ammunition.

[Borax Queen]

Thanks, planekT!

[nicmarlo]

they've only been selling out our country for a little a while. Decades. Practically unoticed. Too bad. Enough of us dummies might have been able to save this joint. Now it might be too late.

And we're supposed to be chanting the mantra, "long live the GOP" while we klick our heels and salute, no mind that those elected are supposed to do the people's bidding and uphold the Constitution, which they swore to do upon their oath of office.

[planekT]

You're welcome. Your contribution here has been stellar. Same for Mr. Supernatural.

[Borax Queen]

BTTT!

[Borax Queen]

:)

[Blackirish]

Dubai is different. I know I'm over there a lot. Our 5th fleet is there.

Now once in a while I get sent to Saudi Arabia ...thats something else. Even so the guys I meet love America. hate the Europeans...If you'd like I'll freep mail you my experiences. It's not all Jihad kill the west...but it is friggin weird. Some of them totally dig Americans...

[planekT]

those elected are supposed to do the people's bidding and uphold the Constitution, which they swore to do upon their oath of office.

They've lied. They do not represent the people or uphold the Constitution.

[nicmarlo]

They've lied. They do not represent the people or uphold the Constitution.

And they snicker about it.

[Old_Mil]

Unless you want to nationalize the defense industry (i.e. become socialists), then you're going to have to get used to foreign companies, including companies from the Mid East, taking over U.S. factories.

Maybe we should nationalize the defense industry then. As a nation, we have no permanent allies, only permanent interests. Selling any portion of our national infrastructure or defense capability to foreign governments is bad policy.

[planekT]

And they snicker about it.

Only behind our backs. But, they are getting carelessly louder. Loud enough to hear.

[sinkspur]

(snicker)

[nicmarlo]

I expected no less than that from you, sinkspur. You've lived up to my low expectations.

[planekT]

Yea, you laugh. You're on the wrong side. You ought to know that by now.

[sinkspur]

You set yourself up, nicky. When you throw a hanging curve like that, I can't help but hit it out of the park.

[nicmarlo]

Because, as Fred Barnes wrote, they have the mindset of, so we screwed you, "get over it."

[sinkspur]

You're on the wrong side.

What side would that be, planek?

(Be careful. You'll be asked to provide evidence of your assertion.)

[planekT]

The evidence will be your future. And ours perhaps.

[sinkspur]

The evidence will be your future. And ours perhaps.

What in hell does that mean?

Were you trying to be profound, and slipped?