Did Bush make the right decision on the Port issue?

[Pornwolf]

I am totally opposed to his stance, but I was watching CNN and saw a pundit bring up the possibility that the longterm damage that would be done to our US - Arab relations outweighs small potential damage of actually giving them the ports contract.


I know America is looking a little more anti-arab than ever. Do you think Bush is going against the ENTIRE country for a reason?

[Bill]

One thing I've been looking for is a news report on who it is that is going to profit from this - who gets the money?

Why do we need to sell the ports to somebody in the first place?

Who decided it was a good idea to sell the ports in the first place?

Anybody hear anything on this?

[Toby]

Originally Posted by Bill

One thing I've been looking for is a news report on who it is that is going to profit from this - who gets the money?

Someone is getting their palm greased, no doubt about that.

[MrYum]

The ports aren't actually being sold. Apparently, the ports have been managed by a UK company for some time...that UK company is being sold to a UAE company...and the US approved of the transition to a UAE management company. At least that's what I've gleaned from the bits I've read on the subject.

Security will still be handled by the US Coast Guard and Homeland Security.

I think the problem is all about perception. And as much as I fuckin loathe Bush...this is a no win situation for him. If it goes through...lots of Americans are pissed and think it's a security issue...or just flat don't trust Arab people these days. If it doesn't go through...it pisses off a US 'ally'. Did notice he's now backed off on his 'I'll veto any challenge' threat. The stupid fucker thinks he answers to no one these days...because he pretty much hasn't had to for a long time

Damn, I really really hate that guy

[anasporn]

I clicked on this looking for the punchline...
Come on, anything that starts with "Did Bush make the right decision...?" just HAS to be a joke, right??

[Maj. Stress]

My understanding of the whole mess is the UAE will NOT "own" the ports. They will be running SOME of the terminals within the ports. The question is to what extent. I have not read anything on that topic. Personally I don't like the idea but I don't think it really changes anything no matter if a UK based company or a UAE company operates the terminals.

It would be nice if American companies ran the entire port operations within our own shores. But it has not been that way for a long time. West Coast included.

[Maj. Stress]

Originally Posted by anasporn

I clicked on this looking for the punchline...
Come on, anything that starts with "Did Bush make the right decision...?" just HAS to be a joke, right??

Here's a good one for ya. haha
http://www.insultthepresident.com/

[pornrex]

Originally Posted by MrYum

Damn, I really really hate that guy

Ditto.
I actually did like him in the beginning. But now even I can't tolerate him anymore. Gonna go online and see if I can find a Bush punching bag.

[SirMoby]

Yes, we will control the security but what happens if they decide to divert shipments?

Dubai Ports is government owned. It's another government that's buying control of these ports. We're not giving control to a company we're giving it to a government and quite frankly that is nuts.

I would oppose any government controlling our ports from the British, to the Japanese to The UAE.

- Dubya is selling our financial future by running up debts and allowing forgeign governments to buy those debts.
- He's selling our future by running up huge trade deficits and making China (and others rich) while the quality of life for US workers goes down.
- He's increased terrosim for generations by killing 10,000s of Iraqi cizilians.
- Now he wants to give control of imports and exports to another government.

This country may never repair the damage that this man is doing and I said that 6 years ago on the day he took office. No one that followed his and daddy's career voted for him unless they were getting some incentive to do so.

Q. Who gets the money from this deal?
A. Same people that have been getting all the money from this administration. Cheney, Haliburton, Bectel, Exxon, BP ......

Dubai has a ton of money and they're investing heavily in infrastucture. I'm sure there's billions of $$$ in contracts that will be handed out in the next couple of years and guess who will get many of the kick backs?

Blocking the deal will cost Dubya supporters $billions.

[SirMoby]

Originally Posted by Pornwolf

Do you think Bush is going against the ENTIRE country for a reason?

Yes and it's called profit. Haven't you been paying attention to the increasing deficit and who has been profiting the most in the last 5 years?

[Kinky]

Originally Posted by SirMoby

Yes and it's called profit. Haven't you been paying attention to the increasing deficit and who has been profiting the most in the last 5 years?

LOL alot of Americans still think Sadam pulled off 9/11 and that the war in Iraq is about terrorism... nobody pays attention to the country going into the shitter, and IF the dems can get back into power (how can they not but dubya got re-elected so anything can happen) they will be blamed for EVERYTHING.... the debt, terrorism (when we get attacked again, it's gonna happen someday), illegal immigration, and probably even the mess in Iraq too

[RawAlex]

There are two problems in the US political system:

1 - Presidents only get two terms... so if they get a second term, they usually turn into gift giving ass kissing put all the party guys in cushy jobs and get them out of jail mode morons that will do anything for a buck

2 - House and senate members can be elected forever, so they let the president get away with shit because they don't want to rock the party boat.

The check and balance goes even more out of the window when the majority and the president are from the same party. No Republican senator or house member is going to crap on the president because they would be indirectly taking a dump on themselves. So everyone looks the other way, only glancing over if the media makes a huge stink over something.

I always get a laugh about the idea of "tax and spend" liberals. Usually, the democrats get in after some republican dude has spent the US into a hole (or cut taxes without concern for the debt), leaving the democrats with usually no choice but to raise taxes to pay for what the last fool did. When things get all back to normal, the republicans get re-elected and they spend the US back into a hole.

Fucking insane.

Alex

[SirMoby]

Originally Posted by kinky

and probably even the mess in Iraq too

You are right.

Lots of people blame Clinton for Samolia forgetting who's father sent troops there in with his last 30 days in office. If the dems do win the next Presidential election Dubya will take a poison pill that will leave his daddies to shame and will ensure that this country never recovers.

[MrYum]

Originally Posted by RawAlex

There are two problems in the US political system:

1 - Presidents only get two terms... so if they get a second term, they usually turn into gift giving ass kissing put all the party guys in cushy jobs and get them out of jail mode morons that will do anything for a buck

2 - House and senate members can be elected forever, so they let the president get away with shit because they don't want to rock the party boat.

The check and balance goes even more out of the window when the majority and the president are from the same party. No Republican senator or house member is going to crap on the president because they would be indirectly taking a dump on themselves. So everyone looks the other way, only glancing over if the media makes a huge stink over something.

I always get a laugh about the idea of "tax and spend" liberals. Usually, the democrats get in after some republican dude has spent the US into a hole (or cut taxes without concern for the debt), leaving the democrats with usually no choice but to raise taxes to pay for what the last fool did. When things get all back to normal, the republicans get re-elected and they spend the US back into a hole.

Fucking insane.

Alex

Short, sweet, to the point...and right on the mark

And so sooo fucking sad

[SirMoby]

Originally Posted by RawAlex

"tax and spend" liberals.

It's amazing now that many repubs still use that phrase even when they're proving, without any doubt that the reps are the party of spend, spend, borrow and spend. Hell, they still use the phrase "Liberals are for big government".

I just hope most voter decide to check compare Fox News with fact for the next few elections.

[PersignupDustin]

Originally Posted by Pornwolf

I am totally opposed to his stance, but I was watching CNN and saw a pundit bring up the possibility that the longterm damage that would be done to our US - Arab relations outweighs small potential damage of actually giving them the ports contract.


I know America is looking a little more anti-arab than ever. Do you think Bush is going against the ENTIRE country for a reason?

Bush?? Make the right decision about ANYTHING?!?!?!?!?!??