UAE Port Deal

[dustybottoms]

From Drudge Report:

Bush has reportedly said he will veto any bill that attempts to block the deal.

[Nepa]

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OK guys, there are 2.5 million people in the UAE. Despite being overwhelmingly Arab, they are actually not all terrorists. It would be both disgusting and terribly damaging to our current image war in the Middle East to disrupt this deal solely because the buyers are Arabs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you forgetting about 9-11? How many hijackers were from the UAE?

[Rick Nebiolo]

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no, just one part. I don't subscribe but happened to buy the mag. Sort of dumb I don't subscribe because the mag is excellent

[/ QUOTE ]

The first part was in the November 20005 issue and the second part was in the Jan/Feb issue. I just checked the links with an old browser where cookies aren't enabled and sadly you need to be a subscriber to view the articles (some articles don't require this).

Agree the mag is excellent and I've been subscribing for about 22 years. Don't know of a better one that covers the big national security issues along with cultural issues (good example of fascinating article on cultural matters is current issue (March 2006), article titled "How Do I Love Thee? regarding online matchmaking).

~ Rick

[bobman0330]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
OK guys, there are 2.5 million people in the UAE. Despite being overwhelmingly Arab, they are actually not all terrorists. It would be both disgusting and terribly damaging to our current image war in the Middle East to disrupt this deal solely because the buyers are Arabs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you forgetting about 9-11? How many hijackers were from the UAE?

[/ QUOTE ]

2.

2/2,500,000 = 0.00008%.

[bobman0330]

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We wouldn't let a non-Arab country like Iran do this do you think?

[/ QUOTE ]

No. Iran is a hostile nation that is currently under sanctions, is threatening to develop nuclear weapons, and consistently spews rhetoric threatening us and our allies. The UAE is an ally, and no one has produced ANY EVIDENCE that their proposed purchase is suspicious in any way.

[canis582]

The UAE was one of three countries in the world to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.


The UAE has been a key transfer point for illegal shipments of nuclear components to Iran, North Korea and Lybia.


According to the FBI, money was transferred to the 9/11 hijackers through the UAE banking system.


After 9/11, the Treasury Department reported that the UAE was not cooperating in efforts to track down Osama Bin Laden's bank accounts.

[Nepa]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
OK guys, there are 2.5 million people in the UAE. Despite being overwhelmingly Arab, they are actually not all terrorists. It would be both disgusting and terribly damaging to our current image war in the Middle East to disrupt this deal solely because the buyers are Arabs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you forgetting about 9-11? How many hijackers were from the UAE?

[/ QUOTE ]

2.

2/2,500,000 = 0.00008%.

[/ QUOTE ]

So you can trust these guys with port security?

[dustybottoms]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
OK guys, there are 2.5 million people in the UAE. Despite being overwhelmingly Arab, they are actually not all terrorists. It would be both disgusting and terribly damaging to our current image war in the Middle East to disrupt this deal solely because the buyers are Arabs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you forgetting about 9-11? How many hijackers were from the UAE?

[/ QUOTE ]

2.

2/2,500,000 = 0.00008%.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am begging you Bobman. For your own sanity. Please do some research on the United Arab Emirates. This is about much more than 2 terrorists. You blindly trust this president, even though he has continuously refused to acknowledge the existence of Congress. Please research this. You may learn something.

BTW, if there truly is nothing to be concerned about, and the UAE truly is an unwavering ally in the war on terror, they will not be offended by the deal being held up for a bit.

[Nepa]

[ QUOTE ]
From Drudge Report:

Bush has reportedly said he will veto any bill that attempts to block the deal.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is a bluff he never vetoed anything in his life!

[DVaut1]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
OK guys, there are 2.5 million people in the UAE. Despite being overwhelmingly Arab, they are actually not all terrorists. It would be both disgusting and terribly damaging to our current image war in the Middle East to disrupt this deal solely because the buyers are Arabs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you forgetting about 9-11? How many hijackers were from the UAE?

[/ QUOTE ]

2.

2/2,500,000 = 0.00008%.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am begging you Bobman. For your own sanity. Please do some research on the United Arab Emirates. This is about much more than 2 terrorists. You blindly trust this president, even though he has continuously refused to acknowledge the existence of Congress. Please research this. You may learn something.

BTW, if there truly is nothing to be concerned about, and the UAE truly is an unwavering ally in the war on terror, they will not be offended by the deal being held up for a bit.

[/ QUOTE ]

For the sake of disclosure, I'm clearly no fan of President Bush. But let's pretend I'm a blank slate, and someone educate me as to why this is especially disastrous. I understand why the US should exercise caution, particularly in regards to security in the post 9/11 era; but the rhetoric I'm hearing from both sides doesn't seem to be demanding prudence. Forgive me if I'm wrong.

So I do not blindly trust this President; but someone make the case for me as to why I should be especially alarmed.

FWIW, if we were to treat this thread like a poker hand, I prefer bobman's line to others.

To this challenge: "BTW, if there truly is nothing to be concerned about, and the UAE truly is an unwavering ally in the war on terror, they will not be offended by the deal being held up for a bit" -- I would answer that if we suspect UAE is not to be trusted, we need a redefinition of the word 'ally' and a rexamination of American foreign policy and international free enterprise.