So I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the debate about the Dubai Ports World deal. Normally, I’d go with President Bush on this one - as I’m one to believe that he’s in a position of power and knowledge that should easily dwarf mine.
But I’ve been undecided on this issue from almost the moment I was aware of it. Until now.
I must agree with the majority on this one: I think that the Dubai deal is questionable and should receive a deeper consideration. Why? Well, I do like the idea of keeping some friends in the Middle East. We could use the help and the extra eyes when it comes to watching places like Iran.
On the other hand, I have a real issue with a country that won’t recognize Israel, and in fact boycotts the country.
Now, having said that, I also recognize that we already have nothing but foreign companies running the ports around our country. So while I don’t mind if the purchase of the management goes through with Dubai Ports World, I do believe that stronger security measures need to be put in place.
What really has me cheesed off is these Democrats that are crawling out from under their rocks, now claiming that they’re all for homeland security. Bite me. These Dems have been blocking serious attempts at putting security in place from the first day that Bush has been doing the work. Now they expect us all to believe that they’ve become concerned about their country’s security?
Give me a break.
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Update - Thur Mar 9 2006 @ 2:15PM
It now seems as though Dubai Port World will make the decision for Bush. Instead of GOP leaders having to block the deal, DPW has said it will give up it’s stake in US ports. From a report at FOXNews.com:
A United Arab Emirates-owned company said Thursday it would give up its management stake in a controversial ports deal that has taken Washington by storm and has caused massive upheaval in the president’s own party. … “Because of the strong relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the United States and to preserve that relationship, DP World has decided to transfer fully the U.S. operation of P&O Operations North America to a United States entity,” DP World’s chief operating officer, Edward H. Bilkey, said in a statement, read on the Senate floor by Sen. John Warner, R-Va. … The announcement was somewhat of a blow for Democrats, who were pushing for a Senate vote on an amendment that would halt the deal.”
I think that this should be an interesting move by all parties involved. Now let’s see what complaints the Dems have about this new scenario.
RLR