1 Alienating an Arab ally in the war on terror was such a stupid thing to do I don't even have the words.

2 Hey! What seems stupid is why aren't we managing our own ports in the first place? Britain needs work but so do we! Far as alienating, if the scales are so balanced, let's go ahead and tip them one way or the other so we can truly see who is with us and who is not!

3 We let Britain manage port terminals, but not the UAE? Britain??? which is a haven for radical jihadis fleeing from countries like the UAE where they are imprisoned and killed??? RIDICULOUS. Terrorist infiltration is far more likely with politically correct European countries than it is with hardline secular Arab governments. This was just plain ignorant on the part of the GOP, and pure craven opportunism by the Democrats. A pox on both of them.

4 This is no "Success" as being trumpeted by both the left & the right. We have attached a name to this act of ignorance, that name is "racism".

5 Truth Seeker has seen signs on Earth that Christ is standing after emerging from a split in the Earth which resembles a crow. Below him is a Hooded figure. Half way down the hooded figure is an ultraviolet infant spirit. It is tumbling towards the Boarlike, Dragon beast. I think it signifies what is happening as infant spirits are fed to the beast at the hands of hooded figures. God himself appears at least twice. An imaginative eye might percieve more.

6 I wouldn't go so far as racism, but profiling - definately. Something the left abhors.

7 I see it as a message strait from the people to the middle east. Fix the shit. It pressures those nations to do more against terror.

8 The Sauds and Chicoms run our ports, so what's the beef against the UAE?

9 Not he deal itself so much as do we really want more of the same.

10 >>>We have attached a name to this act of ignorance, that name is "racism". It had nothing to do with "racism." It had everything to do with legitimate (but misplaced) fears about national security on the part of the GOP, and pure political cravenness by the Democrats (who don't give two shits about national security).

11 "Ally in the war on terror?" that was a joke, right? Meanwhile, the real deal the UAE is interested in getting through isnt even being discussed, not even on this site: The UAE's pending purchase of Doncasters which would put them firmly in the business of supplying the US Military with engines and ae rospace parts and other military munitions.

12 From Paul Sperry's base of terrorism related information: Sheik Maktoum's reaction to the mass murder of 3,000 in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania was shockingly unsympathetic (as was CAIR's). In fact, he reserved his sympathies for Palestinians. Two weeks after 9/11, Sheik Maktoum warned Washington not to attack "innocent" Muslims in Afghanistan and to instead focus on "Israeli terrorists" in its war on terrorism. He argued that they are the only real terrorists. "The Arab and Muslim communities have paid dearly for terrorism, especially the state terrorism practiced by the government of [Israeli Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon and extremist groups in Israel," he bellowed. "Regrettably, the powers in the international community [read: America, "the Great Satan"] have done nothing but watch the Israeli terrorists, a matter which has angered Arabs and Muslims [including most assuredly Sheik Maktoum]." He added, "Confrontation of terrorism must cover Israeli terrorism." Sheik Maktoum defines Palestinian suicide bombings as "legitimate acts of resistance," and not terrorism (which makes you wonder how he defines 9/11), and he has held Dubai telethons to support the families of suicide bombers. Also, the sheik has been accused of winking at al-Qaida money-laundering in his city-state, and helping an ailing bin Laden receive care at a Dubai hospital when he was on the lam.

13 This shows that in America what the people really want they can get. Who made the concession then, the Democrats or the Republicans? -- it would seem to me both parties, and the American people had the decision made for them by the UAE.

14 Each one of these awful excerpts just continue to uphold the undeniable fact that all arabs are subhuman filth. There is only one way to win the war on terror and that is the swift execution of every arab man, woman, and child.

15 This shows that in America what the people really want they can get. Even when they have no idea why they want it.

16 Score a victory for the Dems, the left and the iso-nuts. I didn't think it was possible - especially on the so-called issue of "national security" - but they pulled it off - congradulations. Now lets try and be a little consistant about the UAE/DPW and "national security" since everyone seems to care now. DPW does run one particular port virtually exclusively in every aspect - the Port Of Dubai. On any given day, dozens of US naval ships are in that port for service, supply, re-deployment, personnel transfer, R&R etc. In a year hundreds of US naval ships pass thru there - including entire Carrier Task Forces and nuclear submarines. Tens of thousands of naval personnel take shore leave there, plus tens of thousands more military personnel from the SE Asia theater. In fact, it is the largest US naval operation in the WORLD outside the US (ports like Norfolk and Pearl Harbor (remember that name)). Down the road is one of the largest US Air bases in the world. The entire air refueling fleet and bulk of Military Airlift in that region is based there. Massive expansion of site storage, maintenance and runways makes it the only available base in the region capable of handling our bomber fleets - and its easily resupplied - by rail & sea link. Some areas in the Iraq & (especially) Afghanistan are re-supplied and serviced exclusively by Military Airlift Command (MAC UAE/Dubai). In fact, virtually all military cargo going into the SE Asian theater goes thru the Port Of Dubai - examples: fuel, bombs, bullets, armor, toothpaste, toiletpaper (very important!!) and momma's baked cookies. OK - since we are now all concerned about the UAE, terrorism, and national security - isn't it about time someone point out the horrific national security nightmare envisioned above? I mean - this all has the potential to make Pearl Harbor look like a minor skirmish and water balloon fight!!!! Let's be consistant here! This is a real national security situation and crisis! Tens of thousands (maybe more) of American lives are at stake (oh - US military personnel do count as Americans - right?). AND .... the safety and security of nuclear weapons too!!!! Don't some of you think we should be demanding an immediate withdrawl? The risk is there - why take it? Get out now! This is some really heavy shit national secuity stuff people! Of course operations in Iraq and Afhganistan would grind to a halt and probably collapse - and any potential military action against Iran if necessary becomes impossible - but that's not the immediate problem! National Security is! Some Dems and the left are a lot smarter than I thought. The most vital link in any military operations is rear area supply and support. Destroy/poison that - and they achieve what they can't otherwise.

17 It's not racism. That's ludicrous. The fact that Americans don't trust arabs is not OUR fault. As someone said, the arab world "needs to clean up the shit" if they want to be trusted.

18 Very interesting, hondo. Do you think that the UAE will ask that the US go somewhere else and play? Or do they need us to help assure their own security? I'm very curious about this, hondo. Do you have more info?

19 JC I gotta agree on the racism aspect. The Dems/left played the Race card - and they played it incredibly well! They found an issue with traction and they will repeat variations of it for the next several months. I refer you to Bluto's recent topic posting concerning the WP poll on American attitudes concerning muslims and islam.

20 JJ There is nowhere else to go due to topographical and logistics considerations. Kuwait/Basra is out of the question due to the Iranian situation - its a narrow bottleneck and very(!) short-range fixed location for targeting - the Strait of Hormuz compounds it even further. A virtual military nightmare with the potential for disaster. Interestingly enough - the only options (all poor) available for a logistical operation this size would be in India. I don't know JJ. I have no idea how all this anti-arab anti-foreign investment is going to play out. Keep your eye on Boeing/Airbus in the near future for any hints.

21 The hysterics won and have possibly subverted our efforts to fight terror in the UAE and elsewhere. Stupid people always pay a price.

22 OK, half of the UAE ruleing family hugs, and kisses Osama. The UAE has a boycott on Israel, along with other stinking moon god worshipping countries. The ports would not be the problem, the information on what comes in, and out would be. Put that in your pipe, and smoke it!

23 Boy, I hope Halliburton gets the contract to run the ports..

24 Then be consistant and demand the withdrawl of so much of US military assets from their "reach and clutches"! Er, "what comes in and out"?????. A nuclear device detonated in the Port Of Dubai (UAE) would do 10 times more damage (at least!!!) than the Japanese achieved at Pearl Harbor! That is a national security issue - isn't it? Total silence (TOTAL!!!) on this throughout this entire ports thing! Amazing!

25 I'll admit it is ignorance on my part, hondo, even though I've not commented directly on the ports issue, knowing that I did not have enough information to make an informed decision. Frankly, I had no idea that so much of our logistics supporting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan went through the port of Dubai. This is a much more complex issue than what was framed in the debate. I need to know more. Thanks, hondo.

26 My sources - oddly enough in-house military magazines like LOGISTICS, SOLDIER etc., and returning friends - many spent some time in Dubai ... including all of our translators and Intel people. The magnitude and importance is staggering! Some of my troopers (ex-marines) said they have seen a military port operation this big since Norfolk. Why it wasn't brought up - I don't know. Maybe because the hysteria developed so fast ... the desire to not overly advertise a military ops so important and vast ... I don't know. There really wasn't a debate on all this. The Admin didn't expect or anticipate it being played the way it was ... nor the kneejerk reaction and folding on the right.

27 According to what has been written, the customs/ Homeland Security have detection devises for the atomic problem. But, if I was a moon god worshipper wanting something nice to attack, what could be better than a Hospital ship, and where it will be/go etc?

28 The ship in question is in the Port Of Dubai - now say it! - and demand the withdrawl of US military forces from Dubai! and cease all operations in SE Asia! At this point, I not sure whether your an idiot, an ass, or a coy lil' lefty playing everyone here.

29 We were not talking about withdrawing from anywhere. All I was saying is the information is worth it's weight in gold. Customs still run the ports, but they really do not have the muslims inside their company who would want information on different stuff. The UAE does, and is a big reason for our mistrust. P.S. Do not tell me want to say.

30 Your talking out of both sides of your mouth - can't seem to make up your mind what is national security and what isn't - you can say whatever you want to say - seems you won't say anything about operations in Dubai. Reference that Hospital Ship - I know that ship - it sometimes berths here in NYC - often within clear view very nearby at the Homeport pier on Staten Island. As far as I know, that ship at this moment is in the Port Of Dubai - if you think its unsafe then freakin' say so! PS - I won't tell you what to say - but I will tell you to go fuck yourself - feel better?

31 Hondo has an excellent point. I have had mixed feelings myself about this deal, but I know why and will readily admit it was based on an intangible mistrust and a lack of information. So I took the time to really check into the situation and learned the difference between "21 ports" and "21 terminals in 6 ports" (a mere fraction of port operations). I also learned right off the bat that they wouldn't be handling security, that would still be our job. Of course, they'll have their own security measures to supliment ours as well. I also learned that we do indeed have a massive number of ships, air power and a multitude of military personnel in Dubai at any given time. I also know three people who have lived in Dubai and say that it's a very progressive (forgive the word) and modern city replete with whatever one's heart desires. Women hang on the beach near naked, you can get hookers, see any movie you want and dine out in some of the finest restaurants in the world. 5 star hotels and a bustling night life? No problem. It's not at all like Saudi Arabia right on the same mini continent. The hype and suspicion is way overblown. (Glad I proof read that. I had you down as Honda instead of Hondo, lol)

32 There are no muslims *spit* who are our allies; those who are not openly at war against us are only disguised enemies who are biding their time. Muslims *spit* are lying, cowardly, backstabbing scum who have no regard for the Western notions of honor, integrity, or honesty, and cannot be trusted until you dump them in a sewer trench, douse them with diesel, and burn them to ashes in their own shit.

33 A rose by any other name. Having worked for the government, I have become cynical regarding the endless array of dirty tricks they have up their sleeve. Nixon didn't corner the market on dirty tricks. They boys at the top always get what they want. I'd be leary of them creating a new entity or buying out an existing one and the players in the Ports Deal remaing the same. It always about the money and not about what is good for the people.

34 Chimpy may be a libtard, but he speaks the truth here about how government is about enriching those in power rather than serving the best interest of the nation, although I'm sure he would vehemently deny that the sainted Billery ever did anything remotely crooked during its time in office.

35 I am not so superheated in my regard of this whole affair. It seems pretty innocuous and beneficial to the U.S. Really! Consider the outcome. 1) A LOT of Dems and liberals are suddenly on the right side of the war on terror. Where is Kerry & Moore et al and their "there is no war", nonsense? Apparently there IS a war, and for one reason or another, we're not putting questionable companies in strategic positions in our trade infrastructure. So? 2) The (relatively, I'll grant) clear message from the people and Congress, that puts islamic nations on notice that their actions, from supporting terrorism to boycotting Israel and Denmark, have consequences. Fine with that. The UAE loses some face? Golly! I'll send a card. 3) A remarkable unanimity in the general public. Let's face it. This idea sounded like a boneheaded move from the word 'go'. Was it? Probably not. But the way it's threshing out is just fine, thanks. 4) Racism? Profiling? So what? Sorry kids, but the new saying that "not all Muslims are terrorists, but virtually all terrorists are Muslims" , is a fact. Want to change that? Great! Let me know how it works out. As for the ports, I think I'm with Scrappleface (.com) and think that they should be turned over to Wal-Mart.

36 So, should Arab/islamic national/owned airlines be allowed into US Airspace and land? Should any cargo ship/vessel originating or passing thru islamic ports be allowed to enter our harbors? (world traffic is - well er - world traffic, and would include Asia, Europe, South America etc) Should we remove all of our valuable and hugh military assets out of Dubai/UAE where they are vulnerable? (this would include all of the Indian Ocean fleet and a chuck of the S. Atlantic fleet). Should we allow any foreign corporation to do business in America? We don't know who they hire or their personnel practices overseas, or what associations, agreements or trade they might have with islamic nations and how that might affect their operations. There are so many unanswered questions! Why are we in Iraq? after all, those are arabs/muslims attacking us - right?

37 Chimpy isn't lib or con. Chimpy's favorite saying is "VOTE-It perpetuates the illusion of choice". Chimpy thinks that anyone who believes the rhetoric, a politician delivers, is foolish. All they really want is money and they don't care if it comes from China or criminals, Bill Clinton being a perfect example and Hillary being more perfect.

38 It's strange. So many say the arab/muslim states should do more reference the war on terror, radical islam, Israel, etc. There are many muslim states. Along comes one (UAE) that not only does do more - it is quietly the #1 of them all (you never ever get 100% of what you want from anybody! - including blond blue eyed or whatever Brits as an example). Then what happens - so many slam that #1 down - not good enough! Fine - OK! But then - so many then turn around and say again the muslim states should do more! If I was a muslim I would be saying to myself right now - "Do more? Compared to what? - and why bother?".

39 Chimp Alert, If you think your commentary will provide a solid base for compromise between the Chimpy McHitlerburton crowd and those here who aren't of that mindset, you'd better take stock of your library of rhetoric and try another tactic. Yes, it's all about the money. Now, care to say something specific about the subject at hand, or is generalizing all you're capable of?

40 Oyster That's what's called "the 2 cent addition". Means nothing - can't even buy a Bazooka single for that price anymore.

41 Okay, let's cut the guy a break, he may be okay, but it'll take a while to sort him out. After all, he hasn't said anything about the neocon/zionist/space-alien New World Order yet, and obviously doesn't think the sun shines out of Billary's ass, so he's acceptable for now.

42 Oyster, I appreciate that you agree it is all about the money. Part B: There's nothing you can do about it unless you are a lobbyist with deep pockets-Que sera sera. Yes it is a generalization because it is a big umbrella that covers most political activity. At the same time, it is specific to the ports issue. Just as money is laundered through a long trail of various entities, so can control of the ports be disguised. That's what I suspect will happen. In the end, the majority will believe that they have won and that the government is ruled by the people. So yes, that is all I have to say on this site. You will continue addressing a moot issue as I search for a site that discusses the Illegal Alien issue so I can offer the same genralizations to them. Also, when Chimpy keeps score, he rates generalizations, backed by current and historical events, to be higher in value than Ad Homen attacks.