Can Sheik Mo have your permission?
the poliiical corruption issues presented here aside.
I don't see any reason why they can't buy a newspaper chain - I believe there are already some rules governing the concentration of foreign ownership allowed in the US media? But generally speaking, the US media is so wide open now with the internet and satellite radio, there are plenty of sources available.
And I don't see any reason why they shouldn't have been able to buy a supermarket chain - why did the Albertson's deal fall through?
I see the inherent sarcasm in your question, and thats OK. this whole CFIUS process requires that intelligent judgements be made, and judgements mean that someone wins and someone loses.
would we let the UAE buy Gateway computers? sure.
would we let the UAE buy Cray computers? no. why not? is there a difference? of course there is. we make a judgement.
would we let the UAE buy Cessna aircraft. sure.
would we let the UAE buy Lockheed Martin? no.
would we let the UAE buy some US company that made yachts? sure.
would we let the UAE buy the Newport News aircraft carrier shipyards? no.
if we assign the xenophobe and racist tags to any judgements we might make on decisions like this, then we might as well just hang a FOR SALE sign around the statue of liberty's neck.