US ports

[Chewbacca]

So, let's sell them some voting machines instead of our ports. How is that for nice?

[Felix The Assassin]

What I find very intriguing here is all this jaw jacking, about, and yadda, yadda going around. But no one has even mentioned the real deal here.

Mind me whilst I inject some real political gamemanship here -taken from anyone of numerous websites:

Bill Clinton helped Dubai on ports deal
By Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington

Bill Clinton, former US president, advised top officials from Dubai two weeks ago on how to address growing US concerns over the acquisition of five US container terminals by DP World.

It came even as his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, was leading efforts to derail the deal.

[Morgeruat]

actually I posted a link to that a page or two ago when I made like 3-4 posts in a row, probably should have said what was at the link, but yeah, the Clintons are playing both sides against each other.

[Timber Loftis]

Originally posted by Felix The Assassin: What I find very intriguing here is all this jaw jacking, about, and yadda, yadda going around. But no one has even mentioned the real deal here. Mind me whilst I inject some real political gamemanship here -taken from anyone of numerous websites: Bill Clinton helped Dubai on ports deal By Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington Bill Clinton, former US president, advised top officials from Dubai two weeks ago on how to address growing US concerns over the acquisition of five US container terminals by DP World. It came even as his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, was leading efforts to derail the deal.

The real deal? The Clintons got their wires crossed again and went at cross purposes? That's the real deal? No, that's a sideshow.

The real deal is we just did a /spit and /slap to one of our few tested allies in the region. An ally who is a keystone in providing ports for our fleets in the region. An ally who despite being an arab/muslim nation is about as advanced technology-wise as western nations are. These are the kind of countries in the region we should befriend and encourage to lead by example.

I'm not saying they are without reproach. But crap in this country is owned by foreign companies all the time. The Dubai Ports deal reeks of prejudice amongst the masses.

[Luvian]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: The real deal? The Clintons got their wires crossed again and went at cross purposes? That's the real deal? No, that's a sideshow. The real deal is we just did a /spit and /slap to one of our few tested allies in the region. An ally who is a keystone in providing ports for our fleets in the region. An ally who despite being an arab/muslim nation is about as advanced technology-wise as western nations are. These are the kind of countries in the region we should befriend and encourage to lead by example. I'm not saying they are without reproach. But crap in this country is owned by foreign companies all the time. The Dubai Ports deal reeks of prejudice amongst the masses.

Oh well... we can't expect everyone to understand diplomacy...

[Felix The Assassin]

Tanks, TL. I have developed a way of making a thought provoking point, but have managed not to be able to properly put closure on it. Surely a downfall of a technical background, or so says my "American Lit" proc.
Yes, clearly a slap to the brow of a good ally, and mainly there was joint venture on the issue.

Sorry Morgy, I did not fully explore your posted link.

[Chewbacca]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: The real deal is we just did a /spit and /slap to one of our few tested allies in the region. An ally who is a keystone in providing ports for our fleets in the region. An ally who despite being an arab/muslim nation is about as advanced technology-wise as western nations are. These are the kind of countries in the region we should befriend and encourage to lead by example. I'm not saying they are without reproach. But crap in this country is owned by foreign companies all the time. The Dubai Ports deal reeks of prejudice amongst the masses.

Or perhaps the real deal is Americans are waking up to the great sell-off that is occuring at the expense of our pride, security and economy. I know I'm wide-awake and aware that we have some buying back to do, after we dig our asses out of the pathetic huge debt and trade deficit.

If they are such great friends, maybe they can be understanding like good friends actually are, rather than act like spoiled rich childeren who didn't get their way. We shall see how good friends they really are, time will tell- actions will speak.

Anyway, a great victory occured for America and her patriots in my opinion. The rich FORIEGN special interests didn't get their way, even with friends in the highest of places. I do give them kudos for backing out. Folding a weak hand is almost always a good move.

[Morgeruat]

Originally posted by Felix The Assassin: Sorry Morgy, I did not fully explore your posted link.

It's ok, I didn't label the link and I probably should have, I know when I'm scanning a thread I don't always click every blind link posted.

[Luvian]

Originally posted by Chewbacca: We shall see how good friends they really are, time will tell- actions will speak.

Actions have already spoken. America isn't friend with them. I don't see why they would need to act like friend in return.

[Memnoch]

Personally, I reckon it's an overreaction. Companies these days are owned by other companies around the world. It's part of what globalisation is all about. If you look at any of the companies in the NYSE and check to see who the institutional investors are, you'll find a number of foreign funds/companies in there.

I can understand however, the fear that it would cause in the US, if an Arab (or non-European) country had ownership of anything remotely related to national security. The politicians in Congress, though I think part of the reason they created an uproar is because they felt miffed at not being consulted, are merely reflecting the views of the majority of their constituents. That's the way things are in a democracy - majority rules.

Personally, I felt that had Geedubya been more transparent with this deal and gotten key members of Congress involved at the start, there would have been much less of a fuss. But that's beside the point. Geedubya hasn't shown himself to be the smartest political operator around - he can't even count on support from his own party!

Just my 2c. )