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So, Three Muslims Walk Into a Port
Human Events Online ^ | 2/22/2006 | Ann Coulter

Posted on 02/22/2006 7:49:10 PM PST by eddie2

So, Three Muslims Walk Into a Port

by Ann Coulter Posted Feb 22, 2006

The idea that the Democrats have any meaningful interest in America's national security is a joke, so I'm perfectly willing to believe there's more to this port story.

But President Bush is going to need a better justification for turning over management of our ports to an Arab country than he's come up with so far -- especially now that Jimmy Carter has said it's a good idea. Judging from his life's work to date, Carter's definition of a good idea is "an idea likely to hurt America and/or help its enemies."

Bush's defense of the port deal is to say that "those who are questioning it" need to "step up and explain why all of a sudden a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard than a Great British company."

First of all, it's not "all of a sudden." The phrase you're searching for, Mr. President, is "ever since the murderous attacks of Sept. 11." The Bush administration's obstinate refusal to profile Middle Easterners has been the one massive gaping hole in national security since the 9/11 attacks -- attacks that received indirect support from the United Arab Emirates.

There are at least 3,000 reasons why a company controlled by a Middle Eastern Muslim emirate should be held to a different standard than a British company. Many of these reasons are now buried under a gaping hole that isn't metaphorical in lower Manhattan.

Even four years after 9/11, I note that we don't hear Tony Blair condemning some cartoons in a Danish newspaper as "a cultural extremism," or saying their publication represents a "dreadful clash of civilizations."

That was U.A.E. Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs Mohammed Al Dhaheri's recent comment on the great Danish cartoon caper.

So maybe Bush could defend his port deal without insulting our intelligence by asking why anyone might imagine there's any conceivable difference between a British company and a United Arab Emirates company.

Bush has painted himself into a corner on this issue, and he needs a face-saving compromise to get out of it. Here's my proposal: Let Harriet Miers run the ports.

Isn't it enough that we're already patronizing the savages over the cartoons? Do we have to let them operate our ports, too?

The Bush administration defended Muslims rioting over cartoons, saying, "We certainly understand why Muslims would find these images offensive." Hey, while they're at it, why don't they invite some Muslim leaders with well-known ties to terrorism to the White House for a reception? Oh wait, I forgot ... They did that right after 9/11. Yes, now I see why we must turn over our ports to the United Arab Emirates.

The University of Illinois has suspended editors of the student newspaper, The Daily Illini, for republishing the cartoons -- even though the kiss-ass editors ran a column accompanying the cartoons denouncing them as "bigoted and insensitive."

That was still not enough for Richard Herman, the chancellor of the university, who wrote a letter to the editor saying that he was "saddened" by the publication of the cartoons. You want sad? The University of Illinois' sports teams are known as the "Fighting Illini." Now they're going to have to change it to the "Surrendering Illini."

Fox News' Bill O'Reilly refuses to show the cartoons on "The O'Reilly Factor," saying he doesn't want to offend anyone's religion. Someone should tell him those endless interviews with prostitutes from the Bunny Ranch and porn stars aren't high on Christians' list of enjoyable viewing either. (How about adding Prophet Muhammad cartoon T-shirts and fleece tops to his vast collection of "Factor gear"? Isn't Father's Day right around the corner? I'd buy those.)

Needless to say, the Treason Times won't show the cartoons that have incited mass rioting around the globe. At least The New York Times has a good excuse: It's too busy printing national security secrets that will get Americans killed. Its pages are already brimming with classified information about our techniques for spying on terrorists here in America -- no room for newsworthy cartoons! The Pentagon Papers and a top-secret surveillance program are one thing; cartoons that irritate Muslims are quite another.

Two days after the Times editorial page justified its decision not to reprint the cartoons as "a reasonable choice for news organizations that usually refrain from gratuitous assaults on religious symbols, especially since the cartoons are so easy to describe in words," the Times ran a photo of the Virgin Mary covered in cutouts from pornographic magazines and cow dung -- which I seem to have just described using a handful of common words! Gee, that was easy!

Taking to heart the lesson that violence works, I hereby announce to the world: I am offended by hotel windows that don't open, pilots chattering when the passengers are trying to sleep, and Garfield cartoons. Next time my sleep is disturbed by gibberish about our altitude over Kansas, the National Pilots Emirate embassy is going down. And mark my words: One minute after "Garfield II" goes into pre-production, some heads are gonna roll. Oh -- and I'll take the San Diego port, please.


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To: SittinYonder

I have a couple of different issues with allowing the UAE to take control of any American port not just the fact this deal represents six major US ports.

First, the UAE is a Muslim country. Terrorism against America is being funded and fought by Muslims. The 'conservative' or 'quiet' Muslims are not united in criticizing terrorism, they are simply not voicing any public opinion which tends to make me think they are just educated radicals waiting for the right moment to strike.

Second, having fought in a combat zone I know how American troops react to a few weeks of peace and quiet. They tend to get sloppy in regards to maintaining a high alertness. I'm going to the head or to the showers and I can leave my unloaded rifle here. Where three weeks earlier we would have had 24/7 a fully loaded magazine in locked in, safety on, within arms reach. If you went to another tent across the walk you took it with you but now because of a few nights quiet sleep it is ok to leave it behind and unloaded when you are going 300 feet away. That sloppy attitude last only until the next attack.

Civilians have no idea what I am talking about. If you think that civilian security guards give me any sense of security, you are way off base. They are looking at the girls walking by and doing the absolute minimum to keep their jobs. The are like a police force. They react after the incident occurred instead of maintaining high alertness and preventing the situation from every getting a foothold.

To think that UAE Muslim executives are going to have the same sense of pride and patriotism that I do towards America is simply horsemanure. They will view port security as an overhead cost that should be reduced because it impedes freight movement. The slower freight moves into and out of the port has one effect and one effect only in their eyes, lower profits. Reduce the time spent examining trucks, CONEX boxes, personnel background files and the profits multiply. Hurray!

Reducing the number of personnel doing security work and most certainly reduce the necessary qualifications for security personnel because all of these things which cost money will be their goals. Cut down the overhead costs will be a continual rant of the CFO's and lower executive managers. Let's increase annual bonuses by cutting overhead costs 10%. On and on.

I'm sorry but you can talk until you are blue in the face and you will never convince me that a foreigner, especially a Muslim is going to protect America to my standards. I want an America that is safe from terrorist attacks and it sure would be nice if the President thought the same way.

89 posted on 02/20/2006 8:15:10 AM PST by B4Ranch
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1576547/posts?page=89#89

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Americans in the United Arab Emirates should exercise a high level of security awareness. The Department of State remains concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. Americans should maintain a low profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with caution. In addition, U.S. citizens are urged to avoid contact with any suspicious, unfamiliar objects, and to report the presence of the objects to local authorities. Vehicles should not be left unattended, if at all possible, and should be kept locked at all times. U.S. Government personnel overseas have been advised to take the same precautions. In addition, U.S. Government facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time as necessary to review their security posture and ensure its adequacy.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1583729/posts?page=74#74


61 posted on 02/22/2006 8:39:10 PM PST by B4Ranch (No expiration date is on the Oath to protect America from all enemies, foreign and domestic.)
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To: The Gallows Party
Whether you know it or not, you are an honorary member for the Looney Party.

- TLP

62 posted on 02/22/2006 8:39:23 PM PST by perfect stranger
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To: SittinYonder
I think Bush is a good man. I know his family on his mother's side.

But he is still just a human being...I do believe he is a good man, but this is a very complicated matter.

We are not at war with another state...and not even with an ideology. We are at war with a religion (and only with the devout side of it).

GW is a good man (of that I am confident)...but he is blind to the snake-like qualities of this sect. I do not blame the muslims, but I do blame the cult by which they are imprisoned. Bush thinks it is a religion and deserves some space. He is wrong (IMHO). It is a religion alright...but a Satanic one...and it deserves our fear and trepidation.

63 posted on 02/22/2006 8:43:32 PM PST by Dark Skies ("Free speech is THE weapon of choice against islam.")
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To: B4Ranch

Case closed. Good night.


64 posted on 02/22/2006 8:44:27 PM PST by eddie2 (Congress should issue wanted dead or alive bounties for Imams declaring fatwas on Americans.)
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To: B4Ranch
"To think that UAE Muslim executives are going to have the same sense of pride and patriotism that I do towards America is simply horsemanure. They will view port security as an overhead cost that should be reduced because it impedes freight movement. The slower freight moves into and out of the port has one effect and one effect only in their eyes, lower profits. Reduce the time spent examining trucks, CONEX boxes, personnel background files and the profits multiply. Hurray! "

Well a port going up in smoke and flames because of poor security will certainly reduce profits won't it. For this reason they will have every incentive to see to it that the ports are secure. The profit motive is good not bad. They run ports in other countries too and if one thing goes wrong because of terrorism their entire multi-billion dollar company will collapse. I happen to believe that they love profit so much that they will do everything they can to make sure the ports are run safely and securely.

65 posted on 02/22/2006 8:50:28 PM PST by Hound of the Baskervilles (Liberals are unfit for citizenship in a country that values freedom and courage.)
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To: Hound of the Baskervilles

Look at the date in which she stated that quote. What exactly were you saying two days after 9-11? Personally, I wanted to kill them all, not just the leaders. (The fact that I still feel that way is not really germaine to this conversation) :-o


66 posted on 02/22/2006 8:50:51 PM PST by SoCalConservative
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To: eddie2

I intuitively thought it was a bad idea, and when Jimmy Carter endorsed it, I knew it was a terrible idea.


67 posted on 02/22/2006 8:52:31 PM PST by Malesherbes
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To: SittinYonder
By the way...I don't trust all Georgians but I trust my own instincts best when evaluating a fellow Georgian.

Southerners are a fine bunch (maybe too fine)...I spent my career in NYC. I am a Southerner tried and true. But I ain't quite as fine as some of my family and friends...I am close to the Yankee mindset and know its errors too.

Wahhabism is our enemy. It will eat us alive if we don't kill it. The Prez is walking a fine line. He is listening to his faith and the voice of his friends in islam. Islam (IMHO) is a demonic lie! I really don't know if the President knows that!

68 posted on 02/22/2006 8:54:24 PM PST by Dark Skies ("Free speech is THE weapon of choice against islam.")
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To: Hound of the Baskervilles

Their state of mind and character is definitely all our fault.


69 posted on 02/22/2006 8:54:31 PM PST by abigailsmybaby ("This is the sort of English up with which I will not put." Winston Churchill)
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To: B4Ranch
hey will view port security as an overhead cost that should be reduced because it impedes freight movement

Perhaps you can point to where I'm wrong, but it's my understanding that port security is now and will remain in the hands of the Coast Guard.

I understand your concerns and agree that in theory they are valid. I don't, though, see how many of your concerns are eased by a British company owning the ports versus a Muslim country, particularly considering the fact that Muslims have so thoroughly infiltrated Britain.

Of our Middle Eastern allies (excluding Israel), the UAE has been one of the better ones in the WOT. The UAE is trying very hard to make Dubai a major tourist spot ... if they're assisting in cutting off the heads of infidels it works against them.

Besides, as I said, our ports are not safe as it stands, and this won't change that, but unless there is some critical part of this deal that I haven't seen, this doesn't make it worse.

If we are going to fight this war effectively, we're going to need allies in the ME. Tying their pocketbooks to our safety is a good incentive, IMO.

I'm going to read your links now. Maybe that'll change my mind.

70 posted on 02/22/2006 8:55:11 PM PST by SittinYonder (That's how I saw it, and see it still.)
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To: Hound of the Baskervilles

I agree with you and believe profits are a strong, driving force. Although that Carter endorsement is truly and genuinely disturbing me very much.


71 posted on 02/22/2006 8:55:40 PM PST by SoCalConservative
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To: SoCalConservative
"Look at the date in which she stated that quote. What exactly were you saying two days after 9-11? "

Has she recanted? Changed her mind? Apologized?

72 posted on 02/22/2006 8:58:51 PM PST by Hound of the Baskervilles (Liberals are unfit for citizenship in a country that values freedom and courage.)
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To: abigailsmybaby
"Their state of mind and character is definitely all our fault."

If Bush or any of his people would say something like Ann Coulter said, then I would not blame the Muslims for hating our guts.

73 posted on 02/22/2006 9:01:10 PM PST by Hound of the Baskervilles (Liberals are unfit for citizenship in a country that values freedom and courage.)
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To: SittinYonder
"If we are going to fight this war effectively, we're going to need allies in the ME. Tying their pocketbooks to our safety is a good incentive, IMO."

Exactly!! This is just common sense.

74 posted on 02/22/2006 9:02:27 PM PST by Hound of the Baskervilles (Liberals are unfit for citizenship in a country that values freedom and courage.)
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To: SoCalConservative
"Although that Carter endorsement is truly and genuinely disturbing me very much."

Who cares what Carter thinks? He's an idiot. Tommy Franks says he trust the UAE. And he's no idiot.

75 posted on 02/22/2006 9:03:42 PM PST by Hound of the Baskervilles (Liberals are unfit for citizenship in a country that values freedom and courage.)
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To: Hound of the Baskervilles

"Has she recanted? Changed her mind? Apologized?"

Maybe she has, maybe she hasn't. I really don't care and will admit that I don't agree with a lot of things she comes up with. However, I maintain that none of us have to apologize for anything that was said in the days following the attack.


76 posted on 02/22/2006 9:04:46 PM PST by SoCalConservative
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To: Hound of the Baskervilles
"Who cares what Carter thinks? He's an idiot. Tommy Franks says he trust the UAE. And he's no idiot."

I can sure agree with you on both points there! I really respect Franks and saw him on Hannity tonight. Read his book, he's about as respectable as it gets, no doubt about that.
77 posted on 02/22/2006 9:06:50 PM PST by SoCalConservative
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To: Dark Skies

"Hey Dude...don't jerk your knee like that."

I guess it could have been a knee-jerk, but I get so tired of conservatives being called Nazis. I know it was not intended to insult, but Nazi imagery is typically a PR no-no.


78 posted on 02/22/2006 9:07:22 PM PST by bk1000 (A clear conscience is a sure sign of a poor memory)
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To: Hound of the Baskervilles

Goody for me then. You won't blame me for hating muslims for striving in the ugliest ways possible to make the world population be muslim or be dead.


79 posted on 02/22/2006 9:07:30 PM PST by abigailsmybaby ("This is the sort of English up with which I will not put." Winston Churchill)
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To: Echo Talon
So the US was attacked by the Govt. of the UAE on 9/11.. Hmmm never heard that one before.

She didn't say that at all, which is probably why you didn't hear it. She wrote: "attacks that received indirect support from the United Arab Emirates."

80 posted on 02/22/2006 9:07:48 PM PST by FoxInSocks
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