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Politics, Half Truths and Hysteria
Archy McNally
On the political side the Democrats are in a win, win situation. It does not matter to them who will take up the task of unloading and loading container ships. Whether it is Dubai Ports World or Joe‘s Ship Loading & Unloading Company matters not to the Democrats. All the Democrats want in this election cycle is to appear to be tough on National Security and the Dubai Ports World deal gives them that opportunity to appear to be tough when actually they are weak.
Regardless of the half truths floating around, Dubai Ports World will not own, control or provide security for the ports in question. Their function will be the management of the loading and unloading of container ships and the management of a few cruise ship terminals.
The ships will continue to be loaded and unloaded by American long-shore workers. And, the management of Dubai Ports World will be largely American. Port security will still be under the control of the United States Government in the form of the U.S. Coast Guard as well as U.S. Customs & Border agents.
Without all the facts being known 67% of the American people are being driven by mass hysteria to oppose the port deal because Dubai Ports World is an Arab company owned by the United Arab Emirates.
This hysteria in turn is driving some Republicans such as U.S. Congressman Peter King of the 3rd Congressional District of New York to turn on Bush.
King is up for reelection this year and that should tell volumes about his opposition to the port deal. King has been the most vocal in opposition but the other Republicans have started to retreat since the facts are being revealed. I for one will reserve my judgment until all the facts are on the table.
Bigotry and hatred are the sum of fear and stupidity. Remember the fear and stupidity that consumed President Franklin D. Roosevelt when he issued Executive Order 9066 during World War II that forced Japanese Americans as well as many German and Italian Americans into U.S. interment camps. This same fear and stupidity is driving the judgment of many an American in regards to the Dubai Ports World deal.
If the United Arab Emirates is proven in any way to be involved with terrorists at this present time I will be the first to want them severely dealt with.
One Never Knows Does One?
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