February 23, 2006
Deep Thinker
Ninth District Congresswoman Sue Myrick (R-NC) sent a letter to the White House regarding "regarding the sell [sic] of US Ports to the United Arab Emerites[sic]" yesterday that shows the amount of thought most Congress critters have applied so far to the Ports Dubai bid.
She wrote:
In regards to selling American ports to the United Arab Emirates, not just NO—but HELL NO!Sincerely,
Myrick is certainly representative of most critics of the Dubai Ports bid, as she doesn't bother to grasp the most basic of facts before spouting off an ignorant opinion. Ignoring her staff's basic linguistic incompetence, ("sale" not "sell," "Emirates," not "Emirites," and 12 hours later, not a soul on her staff is bright enough to notice), we can look at the simple truth that the ports are not being sold.
The only thing potentially changing is the port management, and if Myrick is so concerned about foreign management of American ports, she should have raised a stink six years ago when the first foreign company took control of these exact same ports.
Instead, we get muddled thinking and bad grammar.
Too bad only one of those is relatively easy to correct.
Update: I'm glad to see someone is capable of acting like an adult in this situation. Unsurprisingly, once again, it isn't Congress.
I haven't heard alot out of Sue about the massive amount of foreign owned business' in Charlotte, including by Islamic companies.
Posted by: William Teach at February 23, 2006 10:21 PMTheir is something about this deal that bothers me. I really do not care if a foreign country runs our ports or any other aspect of the infrastructure as they currently do. However, the ports have been listed as a potential area of concern in the way we are fighting this "war on terror". Now the people we are fighting are Muslim and the reason we are fighting is the clash of our concepts and their religion. Yet we will not come out and say that we have a problem with Islam. Instead I have to have my Fourth amendment rights shattered when I try to fly, or take a subway train, or walk in a mall. I am as WASP as you can get and not inclined to be a suicide bomber. Now we are allowing the tranfer of aspect of port control to not a foreign country, but to a Muslim country in the middle east. Sure we have a good relationship with them presently, but even though the more radical elements of the religion are the ones that wish us the most harm. In reality, the whole religion has difficulties in whatever country they are not predominent and they have not worked with the necessary single purpose to erradicate the radical elements in their religion. My attitude and I suspect the attitude of many Americans is that we need to begin a different thought process in this war. We need to directly address to problem Islam presents to us and irradicate that problem. If in the process innocent people are harmed then that is the cost of war. I for one am getting sick and tired of the idiotic way security is presently being handled in such a broad base manner and the port deal makes me think that we need to center on the Muslim problem or quit trying altogether.
Posted by: David Caskey at February 24, 2006 10:54 AMSome points to ponder:
UAE recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
UAE banks were used by Al-Qaeda in moving the money used to fund the 9-11 attacks.
The UAE UN voting record for 2004 reveals the following:
62 votes opposing the US
5 votes in favor of the US
10 abstained
2 absences
Would we contract Mexico to control our southern border?
We can be internationally trade friendly with UAE without allowing them to lease/manage terminals within our sea ports. Our sea ports, air ports and borders should be controlled by US entities (either private or government).
I'm not anti-UAE. I am pro-US; especially when it comes to our national security and that includes enter points for people and cargo.
Posted by: Old Soldier at February 24, 2006 06:09 PMOn the other hand, the deal for the P&O terminals is for Dubai Ports to take over 24 terminals of 829 total in the six ports....
Posted by: Specter at February 24, 2006 10:58 PM
