Posted on 02/24/2006 12:20:23 PM PST by Jim Robinson
FR Poll: After a few days of fact finding and debate, do you now support or oppose the Dubai Ports deal?
Support
Oppose
Undecided
Support
Support.
Oppose
Big Time
Bush really painted himself into a corner with this one.
ditto
Ironically, that's exactly what they've probably figured concerning us.
-Dan
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1050.html
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.
I was for the Port takeover before I decided I was against it.
Oppose.
Use this as a springboard to get American companies back involved in port management in this country. Some things just shouldn't be outsourced (though I might consider outsourcing Congress).
This warning applies to many countries, even ones in Europe, it pretty much is standard.
"Bush runs the country too much like a business, when it's more like a day care center."
That was a good one!!!
LLS
Agreed. The Chinese are not our friends either (look at their votes on the UNSC). Eventually, when they feel powerful and untouchable enough, they will contact us to say they are taking over Taiwan the next day - and what will we do then?
If Wal-mart were a nation, they'd be China's 5th largest trading partner (and this was a company that bragged about how many American jobs they saved by buying American). We are paying for their buildup in money, and we'll pay in more important ways later.
This country better wake up and build stronger relationships with our neighbors and people who don't actually hate us. Build a wall around the Arab nations and tell them if they want to pipe out oil, we'll airdrop food, otherwise they can stay in there and kill each other off while leaving the rest of us alone. In return, we won't draw any cartoons....
That'll be the day. You'd better smile when you say that Mister.
I initially voted undecided, but came out for the UAE deal after I gave the issue a closer look.
Baloney! I was swayed by Krauthammer's original opinion that this should be unequivocally opposed. Even more so when I learned from a guest on Fox that the company also controls ports in other countries shipping TO the US. So then they would at least have knowledge of how security is handled on BOTH ends of a shipment, giving an embedded terrorist a good idea how to evade it.
Yes, I agree that Hillary and company are only opposing it because George Bush is vulnerable on the point. If a Democrat was president, they wouldn't have a problem one. But just because they're opposed doesn't make it a good idea (OK, most of the time it DOES, but not this time....)
I was opposed to the port takeover by the UAE before I was in support of it.
SUPPORT
Oppose
Originally opposed, but now, on the basis of the evidence, SUPPORT.
Sure the numbers are better than the first poll, BUT,,,,,if the "Ports" deal can ONLY generate 55% support here (based on an approximate 10% voting sample of likely FR voters--a probable representative FR sampling) from a group that is predominantly Republican and/or conservative--AND is well-read and knowledgable about the issue, much more than the average American--it highlights how bad this issue will play for the Republican Party nationally. It's a big loser for the President and Republicans nationally.
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