Ports fiasco reveals political hypocrisy, public ignorance

MercuryNews.com ^ | Mar. 16, 2006 | Victor Davis Hanson

[Hermann the Cherusker]

I noticed you picked 1939. How about 1942?

Pull out one from 1942 or 1947. You'll see the same names.

[conservativecorner]

So German and Japanese companies were still delivering goods to America after the war started? Please do tell where they docked, and what Ports we allowed them to control?

[Hermann the Cherusker]

Hint! Look for the piers controlled by the Hamburg-Amerika Linie (Hamburg-America Lines) and Nord Deutcher Lloyd Bremen

[pissant]

Since when did managing a few terminals equate to "controlling our ports". And last time I checked the UAE had boots on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[absolootezer0]

when will we start depending on foreign sources for much of our laws as well?

ginsberg has already suggested it.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

So German and Japanese companies were still delivering goods to America after the war started? Please do tell where they docked, and what Ports we allowed them to control?

Again, no foreigner controlled any ports. They ran piers. After 1941, their US assets were frozen. However, last I checked, we are not at war with Dubai.

[conservativecorner]

I have changed my mind on national security since 9/11. After 9/11, I like many Americans believed the President when he said, "Islam is a religion of peace". 4+ years later I have learned that that is entirely wrong, and the words "moderate Muslim" are an oxymoron. There are good human beings in the cult, but the cult itself is one of submission and death. Pick any date in recent history, and I can show you multiple attacks on the world by Muslims who are Hell bent on destroying western civilization. If this fact gets in the way of your globalism, tough shite'!

[bert]

Slap, slap, slap.....

Take that FReepers.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Would a dirty bomb exploded at a gate close the gate or the entire airport? Now insert this scenario into your rosy port scenario.

In heading off a dirty bomb attack, the Dubai/ports issue is a gnat in a hurricane compared to our unguarded southern border.

[r9etb]

Hey Vic, it also pointed out the gaping holes in our national security umbrella.

Perhaps it did, but Hansen is correct: this was a purely emotional controversy, fanned primarily by cynical Democrats who played on fear, not reason.

[Sidebar Moderator]

Please make your point without the name calling

Thanks

[Alberta's Child]

Thanks for the info. I guess I missed the news headline about the U.S. declaring war on the United Arab Emirates.

/sarcasm off/

[Willie Green]

Dubai is a Westernizing state that long ago left the eighth century and accepts the modern world of globalized commerce and finance.

No it isn't.
Dubai is merely a luxurious little country-club community for the OPEC princelings.
The LAST thing in the world these pissant little oligarchs want is a government that resembles democracy.

Politics and Strategy After the Dubai Ports Case

[Alberta's Child]

Hansen and I disagree on quite a few things, but on this point he is absolutely right.

As I listened to so many so-called "conservatives" in government and media engage in blatant posturing and grandstanding about this issue, I must say that I have never been so embarrassed about my political leanings in my life. Listening to morons like Peter King, Sean Hannity, and Michael Weiner Savage weigh in on the UAE port deal was like listening to an adult try to tell me that the Easter Bunny is real.

Even Mark Levin was totally ignorant on this at first, but I do give that man credit for educating himself about the issue very quickly. He didn't change his opinion about the deal, but at least he got the facts right.

[conservativecorner]

Thank you for pointing out the facts of what the UAE really is.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Have you been to Dubai?

[Willie Green]

Have you been to Dubai?

Heck no... are you kidding?
I'm not rich enough to go there.

[conservativecorner]

Rasmussen had a 19% national approval rating on this deal. When you have these kind of numbers, it's a stupid idea. It means that Republicans, Democrats, Conservatives and Liberals didn't like the idea, and the President made a political mistake just like the goofy Meirs nomination.