BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Azizi
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 08:28 AM

Correction:

In my 25 Feb 06 - 07:04 AM post I said 2/11.

Besides being one day after my ex-husband's birthday, I don't think that 2/11 has any national significance.

I meant to write 9/11.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Donuel
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 09:22 AM

The Deal has been looked at more closely and guess what.

The UAE port deal actually invloves 21 US ports...*
not just the 8 that was originally reported.

I guess they thought 8 sounded more palletable than 21.

But no matter, US citizens not only expect they are lied to but now have come to accept it no matter how agregious.

*The UAE control of stevadore services is proposed to include 21 US ports extending from Maine to Texas.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 10:17 AM

Just ccurious about just why port operation is being outsourced. It seems to me that it's the kind of thing that the US companies could compete successfully for--no questions of cheap labor, oppressive retirement and health plans or obsolete equipment.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Greg F.
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 10:22 AM

February 11th probably has an equal significance, Azizi.

The only significance of September 11 [other than the U.S.-led coup in Chile & the murder of Salvador Allende, of course] - is just a one more example, in NYC this time, of the chickens coming home to roost.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 10:48 AM

Except it wasn't the US government who was making those comments, dianavan. At least not the present US administration. It was the media (mostly National Public Radio... my only source for news during the last couple of weeks while we were moving), and members of congress who oppose the Bush administration's plan to allow the Dubai Ports deal to go through, who I heard making those kinds of comments.

If we really want to eliminate the kinds of things you are talking about, we really need to start with our own corrupt government right here in the US, and then we need to reassess our relationships with other corrupt and repressive governments. But if the only people we hold to the particular standards you are advocating... perfectly legitimate standards, by the way, are "Arabs", then that is racism.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Ron Davies
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 10:54 AM

"UAE control of stevedore services" is probably misleading. Remember the company usually contracts stevedoring out--usually to US citizen union members.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 10:58 AM

LOL @ your 25 Feb 06 - 10:17 AM post, dick greenhaus.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 11:18 AM

And let's not forget, dianavan, the first sentance in the opening post to this thread (as well as the thread's title)...

I couldn't believ this one. Can anyone stop this madman's actions? Let's just open up the entire country to the Arabs and let them take it. Or as my friend calls them, the Islamotards.

This is just blatant racism, and it is from someone who is opposed to the Bush administration's plan to allow Dubai Ports International to manage ports in the US, not someone from the Bush administration who is playing the "race card" to help them promote the deal. This kind of comment is exactly what I am talking about, and I think it gives us a true picture of the attitudes of most (not all) of the people who are opposing the deal.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Ron Davies
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 11:24 AM

Consider the title of this thread--besides being blatantly wrong--security responsibility will remain with the US---it's scare-mongering--complete with exclamation mark. And the word "Arabs" these days is loaded--as I suspect the originator of the thread knew.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Greg F.
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 12:59 PM

How Absolutely Right You Are!

Sen. Carl Levin, Thomas Kean- former New Jersey Republican governor who chaired the commission that examined the Sept. 11 attacks, The mayor of NY Michael Bloomberg, the States of NY and NJ who have filed suit in court, Representative Mark Foley, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Gov. Jon S. Corzine of New Jersey, the International Longshoremen's Association, Senators Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Norm Coleman, R-Minn., Robert Menendez, D-N.J., Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Tom Coburn, R-Okla., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Jack Reed, D-RI, Eller & Co. Inc. at the Port of Miami, & the hundreds (thousands? millions?) of others who oppose this idiotic deal are just ignorant racists, every goddamn one of 'em. Every one.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Ron Davies
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 01:05 PM

We'll see how many of them still oppose it when they are given the information they seek.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: GUEST,dianavan
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 02:13 PM

I agree that the opening post of this thread is misleading and racist. I do not believe that everyone who opposes this deal is racist. Its quite possible to object to the UAE managing U.S. ports for reasons other than racism.

I object to the UAE because of their history of money laundering and smuggling. Why give a port to smugglers? I don't care what colour the UAE might be, I don't trust them and I really don't trust the way the Bush administration is trying to push this deal through.

BTW - I understand that the UAE manages some of Canada's ports. Maybe this would be a good place to start. An investigation of their operations in Canada might reveal the truth about the company in question.

My concern is not about smuggling terrorists. My concern is about smuggling heroin.

Such a deal! We'll give you U.S. ports and turn a blind eye to your heroin smuggling if you promise to give us your oil.

...and since when does George Bush give a damn about racism? Thats just a red herring he threw out to the media.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: GUEST,dianavan
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 02:37 PM

After a brief google, I am beginning to be a little more concerned about Dubai owning foreign ports.

Yes, Vancouver is one of the ports they are buying.

From the Globe and Mail:
"In Canada, there have been few reports that a Canadian asset is part of the deal. But what's at stake, specifically, is the Centerm hub in Burrard Inlet, which handles about a quarter of the shipping containers passing through Canada's third-largest city. Centerm is where P&O — and soon, Dubai Ports World — makes money by loading and unloading shipping containers."

So its not just the U.S.A. In addition, they are buying airports in
other major cities of the world.

Doesn't anybody realize that prior to 911, they were caught smuggling uranium enrichment materials to Libya?

Why would you trust them to own our ports? The U.A.E. has no allegiance to anyone. They are strictly about money and power. They don't care about Muslims, or Christians, or Jews or anybody else. They care only about profit and control. No wonder Bush considers them an ally.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Ron Davies
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 02:41 PM

It's not to the UAE's advantage to be seen as a heroin conduit. That's not the kind of business they want--therefore they are not likely to sponsor it--or turn a blind eye themselves. They (especially Dubai) have ambitions to be an international trading center--as I said, they even talk about supplanting London. The US ports are not a big part of their plans-- booming China is a much bigger factor --and is the main goal of the Dubai government's push.

It appears that rather than sponsor this , Bush was so far out of the loop that he didn't know much about it til it was basically a done deal.   Now he's been blind-sided by the opposition. Yet another indication of the out-of touch maladministration.

The allegation of a double standard does seem to apply--there was no protest when the British firm was in charge. In fact, there probably will be little change under Dubai--even to the same US union members as stevedores.

This is very likely a tempest in a teapot--but we'll know more as more information comes out.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Ron Davies
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 02:53 PM

Dubai will not "own" any ports. The main question is what you think will change as a result of the Dubai government owning the British firm which carries out the functions--and why you think it will change. From what I've read, it appears very little will change.
But I'd be interested to hear your views--and the sources.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: GUEST,dianavan
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 03:29 PM

Ron - It probably is a tempest in a teapot but you have to admit it was a deal made in secrecy which invites all kinds of speculation.

The latest is that the deal was made to give the U.S. access to Dubai so that they could launch a war against Iran. Dubai's banks
would also provide access to millions of dollars which are now leaving Iran in the run up to that war. In exchange, the U.S. ports operations would be given to Dubai, giving them access to China.

Another slant is the economic take over of the world by Islam.   Although I do not agree with much of what the Canadian Free Press has to say (especially their anti-Islamist hysteria) I find that they have uncovered alot of information about Dubai and their business deals.

I hope all of the facts are brought to light and that we can all wade through the racist overtones which are always confusing.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Ron Davies
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 03:39 PM

I have to leave now--gotta shake this Mudcat addiction somehow--but the Iran connection is intriguing.

According to the WSJ 23 Feb 2006, as of now "Iran uses Dubai to evade US economic sanctions on Iran and other Middle Eastern countries. The UAE doesn't recognize those sanctions." Dubai does cooperate with the US in terror investigations----but they'd be unlikely to cut off lucrative trade with Iran--including trade in violation of the above sanctions.

Dubai just agrees with Calvin Coolidge--"The business of America is business" I think is how he put it.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 05:02 PM

From the New York times -

"The United States has spent about $1.6 billion on security since Sept. 11, but only about a third of the 600 monitors needed nationwide have been installed, so only about 37 percent of shipped goods are checked for a dirty bomb or other nuclear device. The Coast Guard has estimated that it would cost about $7 billion to equip ports in the United States to comply with security standards.

Among the port terminals that do not yet have this equipment are those that Dubai Ports World wants to take over in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Miami and New Orleans, a company official said."

$7 billion doesn't seem like much when you consider the cost of the war on terror.

Its about time the U.S. put their money into protection rather than aggression.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: CarolC
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 07:29 PM

& the hundreds (thousands? millions?) of others who oppose this idiotic deal are just ignorant racists, every goddamn one of 'em. Every one.

Your words, not mine. I said "most, not all". I think there are a lot of people who are getting some "sticking it to Bush" mileage out of this issue as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Peace
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 10:36 PM

I think in thirty years it will not matter who owns what. There will be One Big Company; 6,000,000,000 labourers, and a select class to oversee the work being done by the workers.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: GUEST,dianavan
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 11:08 PM

Gee, Peace, that sounds almost exactly like the situation in the UAE.

20% masters and 80% imported laborers.

I guess we can all roll over and let it happen.

I'm just a little tired of stepping over junkies and prostitutes riddled with sores, thats all. When you live in a port city, you know how bad it can be. The underbelly of any port city is pretty slimy. Why make it worse?

Anyone who thinks that the UAE cares about what goes into those containers is living in dreamland.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Peace
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 11:53 PM

"I guess we can all roll over and let it happen."

I didn't say that or imply that. I made an obversation. Period.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Peace
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 11:56 PM

"When you live in a port city, you know how bad it can be."

Yeah. I grew up in Montreal. Tell me about it.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: GUEST,dianavan
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 04:05 AM

Peace - Don't be so touchy. I said, WE can ALL roll over...

So would you be concerned about the UAE operating a port in Montreal if you still lived there or do you truly believe that, "...it will not matter who owns what" thirty years from now?

This is now, not what you imagine the world will be like in 30 years.

What about now? Do want to see an increase in heroin smuggling?

What a sick joke. Arrest the pot smokers but increase the opportunity for more heroin to enter the country. Lets arm the guards at the border but lets not inspect the containers coming in from offshore. Lets damn the junkies and the prostitutes but make it easy for the smugglers.

Yeah right. I have to submit to a body search and take my shoes off at the airport when I want to see my mother but some dude from Dubai can put anything he wants into a container and nobody will ever know or care.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 04:41 AM

"According to the U.S. government, 13 of the 19 hijackers entered the United States between April 23 and June 29, 2001. And 11 of those late-arrivers — who were Saudi citizens and primarily the "muscle" for the hijackings — went through Dubai, according to the report.

The hijackers traveled in groups of two or three, taking off from Dubai and arriving at airports in Miami, Orlando, or New York City, the report said.

As for the money trail, Bin Laden's alleged financial manager, Mustafa Ahmed al-Hisawi, received at a Dubai bank a transfer of $15,000 two days before the Sept. 11 attacks and then left the Emirates for Pakistan, where he was arrested last year.

Marwan Al-Shehhi, an Emirates citizen and one of the hijackers, received $100,000 via the United Arab Emirates. Another hijacker, Fayez Banihammad, also was from the Emirates.

About half of the $250,000 spent on the attacks was wired to al-Qaeda terrorists in the United States from Dubai banks, authorities said. al-Qaeda money in Dubai banks also has been linked to the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania."

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 04:43 AM

The post above was a quote from USA Today.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Folkiedave
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:15 AM

According to the U.S. government, 13 of the 19 hijackers entered the United States between April 23 and June 29, 2001. And 11 of those late-arrivers — who were Saudi citizens and primarily the "muscle" for the hijackings — went through Dubai, according to the report.

The hijackers traveled in groups of two or three, taking off from Dubai and arriving at airports in Miami, Orlando, or New York City, the report said.

As for the money trail, Bin Laden's alleged financial manager, Mustafa Ahmed al-Hisawi, received at a Dubai bank a transfer of $15,000 two days before the Sept. 11 attacks and then left the Emirates for Pakistan, where he was arrested last year.............

Why hasn't the UAE - clearly a big supporter of terrorism according to this post - been invaded? And since Saudi Arabia is nothing like a democracy - how come the USA are not bringing the benefits of democracy to there - especially since they are clearly supporters of terrorism too!!

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:37 AM

I find it real interesting that Bush said he didn't know anything about this deal until he read it in the newspapers...

Hmmmmmmmm?

They must have accidently printed the story on the sports page...

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: CarolC
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 10:20 AM

Why do you suppose, Guest,26 Feb 06 - 04:41 AM, given the fact that so many of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudis, the US still sells Saudi Arabia some of our most sensitive military equipment?

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:37 AM

My cartoon for TODAY

Press Conference with McClellan: http://www.angelfire.com/md2/customviolins/deal.gif

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Greg F.
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:50 AM

Why do you suppose, given the fact that so many of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudis, the US still sells Saudi Arabia some of our most sensitive military equipment?

OK, I give up.

Is it because the BuShite "War on Terror" is a fucking bad joke & the invasion of Iraq was only about making great gobs of money after all?

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 12:08 PM

JPG (for those who block gifs)

http://www.angelfire.com/md2/customviolins/deal1.jpg

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: CarolC
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 12:39 PM

Maybe, Greg. Or maybe they just don't see the government of Saudi Arabia as a threat, any more than they consider the government of the UAE to be a threat.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Peace
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 02:02 PM

LOL Don.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: artbrooks
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 10:24 PM

This discussion is, unfortunately IMHO, going the direction such things usually go.

Just one comment about port security: CNN interviewed a (American) terminal operator the other day. He said that cargo security is entirely in the terminal operator's hands from the time the cargo hits the dock (and leaves Coast Guard control) until it is transferred to the forwarding shipper...which means to a train or long-haul truck. Someone mentioned stevedores. There are few, if any, break-bulk ships any more. Nearly all shipping is in containers. The union stevedore's job is to run the crane that lifts the container off the ship and transfers it to a truck body or to a port-side cargo handling system.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 08:58 AM

Having dodged a bullet with the failed destruction of the largest Saudi Oil refinery depot THIS WEEK,

we should expect more of the same anywhere any time. Of course the oil companies would raise prices more than double if the Saudi operation was put out of commission.

ITs gonna happen,


I better get started on my solar and wind assisted underground saline heat pump.

A vegetable oil diesel car wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 08:08 PM

Excuse me! We've all missed the boat on the port deal. But maybe I'm the only one who thinks it's curious that the next day after the deal was announced there was a new person appointed to be director of US Marine Port Security, who was previously a director of the Dubai conglomerate that is trying to consumate this deal.

Let me see if I can find a link to this story which I saw on Lou Dobbs, noted conservative CNN news reporter, this evening.

I think this story still has legs, although it may just be the usual commercial windfall for Bush Administration friends and family.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 08:22 PM

Well, here's a clarification from the TIME MAGAZINE website:

Dubai Ports World has been taken by surprise over the furor, and is reportedly sending its Chief Operating Officer, the widely respected American shipping executive Edward "Ted" H. Bilkey, to Washington for talks. Indeed, the Bush administration needn't wait for Bilkey to arrive; it could get a good assessment of the workings of Dubai Ports World from its own current nominee for the post of U.S. Maritime Administrator — Dave Sanborn, previously a top executive at Dubai Ports World.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: GUEST,dianavan
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 12:24 AM

Like I been trying to say, Charley; this deal is not about Arabs, its about crooked money and back room deals.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 08:29 AM

Dianavan-

I have to agree with you, the economics is what it's really all about and Bush is right on board now that he's finally been briefed.

Moreover, I find it disturbing that so many quips on this thread just reflect the "terrorism paranoia" that the Bush Adminstration has found useful to generate, and at worse reflect an ugly deeper racism and etnocentrism on the part of regular Mudcat contributors.

I find it interesting that Sen. Susan Collins (a moderate Republican) who is leading the charge to re-examine this decision will be meeting head-on with her former boss and mentor Bill Cohen (former Republican US Senator and Secretary of State under Clinton) who has been hired as a lobbyist for Dubai Ports World (he and his associates are responsible for two published "points of view" in the WALL STREET JOURNAL and the NEW YORK TIMES).

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Donuel
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 08:49 AM

Noble, I watched the hearings with the American COO Bilkey of the UAE port company.

"Senator, its too late to put a stop to the deal. It can not be stopped. The money has already been transferred. We will be sending our stockholders checks on March 15th."

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 08:53 AM

Apologies to Alba who first tried to draw attention, way back in this thread, to "current nominee for the post of U.S. Maritime Administrator — Dave Sanborn, previously a top executive at Dubai Ports World."

I can't imagine a more blatent example of "conflict of interest." Well, I suppose it does depend on your point of view...

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: GUEST,dianavan
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 08:29 PM

Looks like two threads covering the same subject but for those who read one and not the other, I will duplicate the link written from a Muslim perspective.

http://globalpolitician.com/articledes.asp?ID=1651&cid=1&sid=27

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 02:47 PM

Known for quite awhile,(lots more at the link) but just published:

"Lapses by private port operators, shipping lines or truck drivers could allow terrorists to smuggle weapons of mass destruction into the United States, according to a government review of security at American seaports.

"The $75 million, three-year study by the Homeland Security Department included inspections at a New Jersey cargo terminal involved in the dispute over a Dubai company's now-abandoned bid to take over significant operations at six major U.S. ports.

"The previously undisclosed results from the study found that cargo containers can be opened secretly during shipment to add or remove items without alerting U.S. authorities, according to government documents marked "sensitive security information" and obtained by The Associated Press."

Rest Easy, Friends

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: GUEST,dianavan
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 10:43 PM

I'm glad the Dubai deal has been stopped but I am especially happy that this situation has called attention to the lack of security in our ports. I find it amazing that so much attention has been focussed on airports and so little on ports. It just goes to show that the 'war on terrorism' has done very little to secure the U.S.

In fact, this makes the current frenzy in the airports a complete joke. Inconvenience the public but turn a blind eye to the those 'money making' containers. Hey, look over there......and quietly slip whatever junk you want in through the back door. Makes the 'war on drugs' equally ridiculous.

If they cared so damn much about security, why have our ports been left wide open?

I wonder if Republicans are beginning to figure it out, yet.

Big daddy Bush really doesn't give a shit about you.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: GUEST,dianavan
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 03:45 AM

Actually, it looks like Dubai Ports World will be transferring the sale of the ports to a 'U.S. entity'. That probably means some kind of corporate re-structuring. My guess is that its just a way to appease the public and go ahead with their original plans under a different name.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Ron Davies
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 07:54 AM

The Wall St Journal editorialized that it hoped the "US entity" would be Halliburton--just to annoy the Left.

Still the question remains what would have been different under a firm run by the Dubai government--with the same US stevedores, the answer is--not much.

The biggest question--which has nothing to do with who is in charge of a given terminal--is whether there will now be pressure to inspect more than the abysmal 5% of cargo now inspected--which Kerry brought up in a debate--and it never became an issue then--and still hasn't been addressed.

If you do insist on more than 5% being inspected, what percentage will you insist on---and will you be ready to accept the slowing of the economy which results?

It's actually very easy to see why people to the left of center opposed this deal. After all it has very much to do with the consequences of globalization, which more and more is a 2-way street--with US jobs at stake. (Less obvious are the benefits of globalization--but consider how many foreign firms have set up shop in the US--like Toyota and Mercedes.) And also how foreign willingness to buy US securities has kept US interest rates down--in the face of huge deficits. Any US citizen interested in buying a house or car should be aware of this.

Also, the Left may have realized how part of Bush's plan was (and is?) to use Dubai as a base for missiles aimed at Iran.

Less easy to see is why the yahoos who voted for Bush oppose the deal--except that of course they don't read--so don't know a lot of the factors behind the deal.

And of course, as I believe has already been pointed out, now we've been told for years to hate and fear anybody from the Mideast who wears flowing robes-- we've seen lots of pictures of Osama and heard about the barbarities in Saudi Arabia, among others.

Now we're told (falsely) that our security is in the hands of Arabs--and never mind. So the deal blew up in Bush's face. Couldn't happen to a nicer despicable propagandist.

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 12:04 PM

Well, I think that most of us can agree that the deal primarily went down the tube because Bush's base has embraced his line that the Global War on Terrorism is highest priority, and Islamic terrorism provides leadership and resources to this battle. And it's all too easy to jump from that position to distrusting all Islamic nations, groups, and individuals. There is a real loss here for protecting human rights at all levels.

But I loved it when this deal blews up in Bush's face! Will the back-up plan involve Halliburton? Who knows? Maybe big-daddy Bush will form a new umbrella group to make a bid. After all he has all the right credentials, including being a former director of the CIA. Maybe that was the plan all along, and we've been sucked right into it!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: artbrooks
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 01:02 PM

I'm a bit depressed by the current cnn.com poll that has the mafia 2:1 against Arab-run companies on the topic of "who should manage American ports". As I said somewhere earlier, to me the issue isn't Arabs (or Moslems, which isn't the same thing at all) running US ports, but any other country...whether it be the UAE, China or Canada!

Subject: RE: BS: Bush Gives US Port Security to Arabs!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 07:56 PM

I find it bemusing that the USA - home of the 'but other countries shouldn't object to having us buy their assets' attitude, has finally rebelled against being on the receiving end.