tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214806.post114070752767884439..comments2023-10-26T04:30:25.160-07:00Comments on Craigorian Chant: Reap ItThe Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08523670703459279989noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214806.post-1140717750060978692006-02-23T10:02:00.000-08:002006-02-23T10:02:00.000-08:00This episode is fascinating because it reveals so ...This episode is fascinating because it reveals so much about the administration and the atmosphere they have created.<BR/><BR/>1. The "Brownies" that now permeate our government are not even bright enough to figure out that someone like Rumsfeld ought to be notified about a deal like this.<BR/><BR/>2. Even I'm surprised at how little grey matter obviously exists in Bush's head. If he had even a few working brain cells, he would know that this deal would not fly. The fact that he thought, and still thinks, it will is absolutely incredible. <BR/><BR/>3. There's very little speculation in the mainstream press over why Bush is making such a big deal, even threatening to go to the extreme length of vetoing legislation that blocks the deal. Some answers in the blogosphere are the Bush is trying to wrap up a free-trade agreement with the UAE which would provide his backers with yet more profit, and (more likely) he wants the UAE as a base for the upcoming attack against Iran. (Look at a map for validation of this.)<BR/><BR/>4. How come even Democrats, who readily point out that the UAE recognized the Taliban government of Afghanistan, have not mentioned that the UAE has never officially recognized Israel? There must be some reason this is not being mentioned.<BR/><BR/>5. Similarly, notice how everyone is afraid to say that we don't want "Arabs" owning our ports. Usually, the comment is that we don't want "foreigners" to own our ports, but of course they already do. The euphemism now is that we don't want "government-owned" organizations to own our ports, thereby giving retroactive approval to the private firm P&O. Why don't we simply say that "Hey, the Brits are long-time allies (since 1815 or thereabouts) so we don't mind giving ownership to them, but the UAE doesn't have that sort of track record."<BR/><BR/>6. The other point that should be made is that even though security will remain under US control, giving ownership to Arabs (or anyone else) just gives them that much more ability to circumvent that security. "Hey, why are you wandering around the port at 3am in the morning?" "I'm one of the owners, I can do what I please." "Yes, sir." End of effective security.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com