Posted on 03/10/2006 9:18:02 AM PST by Dark Skies
Our "friends" and "allies" have been telling us to "F" ourselves for decades.
As to blowback? Two words: Pearl Harbor. Any economic blowback will be cast, in my eyes, as similar to Pearl Harbor (in an economic sense). You can bet that millions of Americans in flyover country will have a similar reaction. Middle Eastern oil states would rue the day they set this in motion.
why do they insist on wanting to buy critical infrastructure and defense related companies? why can't they buy hotels, casinos, or any of a thousand other things in the US.
Excellent point.
I am shocked that the UAE and the adminstration and the investments bankers and all parties involved didn't conclude that this deal, however fine it may have been operationally and financially, might have a huge PR problem.
When the fox tries to buy access to the henhouse, the chickens get nervous.
Maybe they -- like me -- intially had some questions about the potential PR problem when the deal was first announced, but had those concerns alleviated when "the PR problem" didn't materialize.
Most people seem to forget that this deal was first announced in public more than two months before the PR nightmare materialized here in ths U.S. When the DPW acquisition of P&O Ports was announced in late November of 2005 and there was no adverse reaction to it from elected officials and other interested parties in the U.S. in December, January, and during the first two weeks of February, there was no reason for anyone to suspect that it would suddenly become a major problem in mid-February.
The biggest mistake the UAE and Bush administration made in this debacle was that they grossly underestimated the abject ignorance and stupidity of people of Chuck Schumer, Peter King, Robert Menendez, and a whole host of people in the media with big mouths and small minds.
Most people seem to forget that this deal was first announced in public more than two months before the PR nightmare materialized here in ths U.S. When the DPW acquisition of P&O Ports was announced in late November of 2005 and there was no adverse reaction to it from elected officials and other interested parties in the U.S. in December, January, and during the first two weeks of February, there was no reason for anyone to suspect that it would suddenly become a major problem in mid-February.
Apparently it took the public time to wake up to the transaction. I follow the news very carefully right here on FR and elsewhere, and I didn't notice it in December. A google search shows the first link regarding this deal was February 8th of 2006
And regarding the PR issue, the deal had an odour. With the right sales job, it mightn't have been a problem.
The idiot democrats simply stepped into a vacuum created by the deal planners when they (and all officials who successively put their stamp of approval on it) failed to visualize how the deal might look from a distance.
Ultimately, it isn't the deal itself that is so troubling as it is the stupidity of all parties surrounding it.
I wonder what percentage hit to GDP would cause these isolationists to start worrying?
The job of the Arab behind the counter of the local gas station is "crucial to security" then too.
If I were Dubai, I'd buy the Airbus out of pure spite
But, these were the same possibilities we were warning about. The trade talks DID get postponed, you know that, right?
Loading and unloading sealed containers, and disposing of them according to instructions by U.S. Customs. Also, reapiring and storing empty containers. MUCH less involved in security than the ship bringing the stuff into the harbor.
Hiring personnel? Within the constraints of Longshoremen contracts, to do stevedore services. If you're going to ban that trivial of an operation, then we should ban civilians within sight of any port.
I agree with you on the economy part - but a lot of stink is being made about the Chinese port terminal operations now too - this is just the beginning. Seriously, it could lead to "ZERO foreign" ownership of quite a bit before it ends.
Yep, along with Sukhoi or MIG figher planes.
Gas stations?
I doubt it, this issue is over and they will move on. The Commies won't be kicked out.
Wait a second! Our country tells them they can't buys American assets, and then if they don't, we are going to claim that is some kind of SNEAK ATTACK on us?! What are you smoking?
I know you are probably joshing but for those that don't know otherwise...deal makers don't make emotional decisions.
I don't share your optimism: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1594128/posts
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.