Article

2006-03-03 Home Front: Politix

Dubai flap threatens other investment in US

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by lotp 2006-03-03 00:00|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I know and like Duncan Hunter. I contribute regularly to his campaigns, but this makes us sound like a banana republic. Third world countries routinely put restrictions on foreign ownership. Whenever the Government interferes with business, trade, and the economy to make political points, we all suffer.

Posted by RWV 2006-03-03 00:28|| 2006-03-03 00:28|| Front Page Top

#2 I've been thinking of buying Halliburton.

Posted by anonymous2u 2006-03-03 01:42|| 2006-03-03 01:42|| Front Page Top

#3 I agree, RWV, though I have never directly supported him - until this I thought he was a good guy with both oars in the water.

I would like to see reciprocal rules. If a country restricts US business and individuals in their country, then the same exact limitations should apply to them here. If they're willing to join the 21st century and open their markets and allow ownership and individual freedoms, then so will we. The current situation is all one-sided and sucks, big-time.

What I saw in Saudi was just nuts. The Saudi company "owners" were merely well-connected ultra-fat-cats. Worthless parasites. The laws also required the "joint venture company" to hire Saudis in a strict quota (don't know the sliding scale specifics, sorry) to the number of ex-pats employed. They did not even show up, much less work. They got a check, same as me and the rest of the guys -- for doing nothing. I was told that them not showing up was actually preferred - since all they would do is sit around jabbering, drink all the coffee, and make endless long-distance calls.

This is going to get out of hand because the political pull is irresistible and popular resentment has been building for a long long time. And there will be repercussions - mostly unanticipated and many very negative - which will end up hurting us more than any Arabs.

Posted by .com 2006-03-03 02:03|| 2006-03-03 02:03|| Front Page Top

#4 A scathing" critique from the head of the House Armed Services Committee, is about as weighty a sandbag as there is. Rep. Hunter has been paying close attention to talk radio.

Posted by Listen To Dogs 2006-03-03 07:25|| 2006-03-03 07:25|| Front Page Top

#5 What an idiot. Doesn't he understands that USA mustn't hurt the feelings of its Arab allies?

Posted by gromgoru 2006-03-03 08:40|| 2006-03-03 08:40|| Front Page Top

#6 the UAE had been "instrumental" in the transshipment of nuclear materials and weapons of mass destruction components.

Some substantiation of these allegations would be nice. Do all of you mean to say that if the above were positively proven, your own positions in this issue would not change one bit?

Posted by Zenster 2006-03-03 11:56|| 2006-03-03 11:56|| Front Page Top

#7 Free trade must be fair trade, and that requires everyone plays by the same rules. Restricting vital infrastructure from foreign investment is necessary or we are open to extortion from some unfriendlies with both lots of money, oil, and nukes. This almost smells something like the UN and other Eurocrats would cook up. We need the foreign investment boost to the economy, but this deal as is leaves national security and our economy more vulnerable.

Posted by Danielle 2006-03-03 13:00|| 2006-03-03 13:00|| Front Page Top

#8
"I would like to see reciprocal rules. If a country restricts US business and individuals in their country, then the same exact limitations should apply to them here."

Well then...you need look no further than the UAE and other Arab entities!

Hoisted? Petard? Anyone?

Save your infantile schoolyard insults for someone that might be impressed or wounded, I'm NOT, that person.

I hereby label you, .comical!

Posted by Vinkat Bala Subrumanian 2006-03-03 13:31|| 2006-03-03 13:31|| Front Page Top

#9 What set you off, Vincat? Got some investments at risk?

Posted by Darrell 2006-03-03 13:50|| 2006-03-03 13:50|| Front Page Top

#10 VBS - You're really not too bright, are you? Here, I'll help you out with a 1st-grade level explanation.

What got you excited is not inconsistent and here's why:

The UAE deal on the ports, on which you have infamously chosen the uberstupid position, oops - I mean where you have made a boo-boo, is happening in a place we adults call REALITY. Go figure, huh? Er, isn't that interesting? The world isn't like in the pop-up books you read. Dick and Jane are getting it on just out of your vision. Pretty icky-ucky, huh? True. Jane has nice, um, tatas, too, under that pinafore. Trust me.

The comment that sent you aflutter is a desirable reality. That means I really do wish we could alter the bad reality and move on to a better reality, such as I described. You know what playing fair means? Good. I believe it would probably cause a few of those unfair countries to eliminate some of their stupid restrictions so they could continue making money here in deep-pockets land. Wouldn't that be nice? It does make sense. Trust me on this, k?

That we do not have a simple law on the books in the US to impose upon foreigners in the US the same standards that we endure when in their countries is a shame. It makes sense. I've said it several times before here on the 'Burg, including a few days ago on this topic. It is a desirable thing.

To your immense surprise, I'm sure, we suffer restrictions with countries that aren't Arab, too. Why even some of our bestest friends play unfairly with us in this way. Sad. Yes, I agree. Here's a tissue. But sometimes life isn't fair. I realize you're a babe in swaddling clothes who's never been further than the corner store - and that was with Mommy trailing 20 ft behind you, but it's true.

But we can change things with a little common sense and some gumption. Do you know what gumption is? Well, we'll save that for another day. We're probably reaching your limits for one day already.

I've been to some of the places you read about and consider nasty, full of mean people, really icky. Not just visited, but lived there. So when I post something about it, I actually know what I'm talking about, you see. There, there, don't cry. Unlike you, I'm not a total fuckwit cheesedick wannabee asstard who's stuck on fucking stupid for life. Gosh, I mean you have alot to learn and I'm here to help. It's just the kind of guy I am, no need to thank me.

I hope you enjoyed this little talk.

I love these quiet little moments before the storm, don't you?

Posted by .com 2006-03-03 17:08|| 2006-03-03 17:08|| Front Page Top

#11 Yesssss. You're a hoot .com! Full of nuance an' everything!

Posted by Rafael">Rafael 2006-03-03 17:57|| 2006-03-03 17:57|| Front Page Top

#12 BTW, am I still a fucking liar??? Did you check?

Posted by Rafael">Rafael 2006-03-03 18:02|| 2006-03-03 18:02|| Front Page Top

#13 Lol. You remind me of the people who don't read the warning signs - and never really learn anything.

You wanna play, today?

Posted by .com 2006-03-03 18:10|| 2006-03-03 18:10|| Front Page Top

#14 You didn't answer.

Posted by Rafael">Rafael 2006-03-03 18:25|| 2006-03-03 18:25|| Front Page Top

#15 "caution, slow children"

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-03-03 18:27|| 2006-03-03 18:27|| Front Page Top

#16 Who? .com? I might agree with you there.

Posted by Rafael">Rafael 2006-03-03 18:29|| 2006-03-03 18:29|| Front Page Top

#17 Lol. Some folks not be too smart. That be you. Wotta surprise. Okay, let's party, asshole.

I've been accused of many things - being nuanced is not among them - or are you saying it? I've been told that bludgeon is more my style. I defer to the master for the hair-splitting shit.

Are you a fucking liar?

LOL.

Since you're being cutesy, think yourself to be witty when witless is far closer to the truth, and playing the asshole, yet again, I'll ask to which instance are you referring? Yesterday's thread - where you were an asshole fuckwit disingenuous dick who cherry-picked to suit your preferred view in spite of the weight of the article pointing to a far less optimistic situation - or one of the other infamous pointless dithering threads where you played the NuanceMeister fool in defense of idiocy?

Re: the nym change - how convenient. Does it add substance to you or your posts? No. Does it make you something? Well...

You see, you've been a fucking something for quite awhile. Your specialty seems to be defending the logically defenseless (for good reason) position. Our very own Don Quixote. Mildly amusing at times, but in the end a total moron who's chosen to waste his time in futile and pointless pursuits.

That you don't recognize what a dipshit many consider you to be is hysterical.

I think you're a classic nothing. No content. No value. Nothing to add. Notable for subtraction, in fact. Just another irritant in a world filled with substantive threats and issues. Another vacuous cranial black hole with zero original thought and a fucked world view.

But no offense intended, of course.

Posted by .com 2006-03-03 18:34|| 2006-03-03 18:34|| Front Page Top

#18 I was just wondering, because yesterday after doing some checking, you labeled me a fucking liar (your italics). I'm pretty sure you went back to that thread again today, if not, then you should because I added some new information. So, will you admit your mistake? Are you big enough to do it?

where you were an asshole fuckwit disingenuous dick who cherry-picked to suit your preferred view in spite of the weight of the article pointing to a far less optimistic situation

I was pointing out an alternative interpretation, mainly because the article painted a far gloomier picture than what other data would suggest. Call it cherry-picking if you want.
Btw, let me correct you on something...an asshole fuckwit disingenuous dick is anyone who disagrees with you. Cherry-picking has nothing to do with it.

You know what...your opinion is actually meaningless as it applies to that thread. You didn't exactly offer anything of value, unless you count your insults. Now, if lotp would say that I'm an asshole fuckwit disingenuous dick, then that would carry some weight!

Posted by Rafael">Rafael 2006-03-03 19:06|| 2006-03-03 19:06|| Front Page Top

#19 lotp would never use such language, Rafael. ;-)

Posted by trailing wife 2006-03-03 19:12|| 2006-03-03 19:12|| Front Page Top

#20 I'll settle for a paraphrase :-)

Posted by Rafael">Rafael 2006-03-03 19:16|| 2006-03-03 19:16|| Front Page Top

#21 I love the willfully disingenuous and dense.

You claim to have posted under another nym, which I referenced in my previous response. Maybe so.

If so, then I was mistaken about you being a fucking liar on that point and, in that case, I am terribly sorry.

Changes none of the rest, however.

You pointed out an alternative interpretation. Right. You cherry-picked because you didn't like the sum of the piece. That is disingenuous. Look it up.

Then you play the equally disingenuous card of implying any response from me would proves I'm a prick. Right. You're a fucking coward and logic pimp.

I disagree with many posts. I do not respond to all of them. You're speshul.

Posted by .com 2006-03-03 19:18|| 2006-03-03 19:18|| Front Page Top

#22
Antlers put on by the misses are way heavy! LOL!

Posted by RD 2006-03-03 19:40|| 2006-03-03 19:40|| Front Page Top

#23 Well knock me over with a feather! I didn't think you'd do it.

You cherry-picked because you didn't like the sum of the piece. That is disingenuous.

...and I didn't like the sum of the piece because I knew it wasn't the whole story (and I provided supporting evidence). Happens every day on Rantburg.

Anyway, enough. If you deem I'm not adding anything of value then that's my cue, I guess. I didn't come here to argue with people I generally like and agree with. I wish everyone the best. I'd like to leave with this:
a joint GROM/SEAL photo, as proof that GROM was never officially involved in Iraq! (The guys holding the American flag are not Americans) Probably the worst kept Polish secret ever :-)

Posted by Rafael">Rafael 2006-03-03 19:46|| 2006-03-03 19:46|| Front Page Top

#24
Anyway, enough. If you deem I'm not adding anything of value then that's my cue, I guess. I didn't come here to argue with people I generally like and agree with. I wish everyone the best.I>

Rafael, why leave? You don't have to argue or "win" a debate.

case in point. »:-)

Posted by RD 2006-03-03 23:32|| 2006-03-03 23:32|| Front Page Top

23:57 Fred
23:56 JosephMendiola
23:55 DMFD
23:47 JosephMendiola
23:45 DMFD
23:32 RD
23:23 JosephMendiola
23:18 Anonymoose
23:16 USN Ret.
23:15 Listen To Dogs
23:06 Frank G
23:04 Frank G
23:00 Anonymoose
22:59 Listen To Dogs
22:53 N guard
22:48 .com
22:45 3dc
22:43 3dc
22:41 3dc
22:39 3dc
22:21 .com
22:02 Anonymoose
21:58 mag44_vaquero
21:57 Xenophon