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2006-02-23 Arabia

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Posted by Dan Darling 2006-02-23 01:57|| || Front Page|| [9 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The United Arab Emirates has become what the Bush administration calls a reliable partner in the war against Islamic terrorists, but its rulers maintained close ties to Osama bin Laden before September 11, and the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai have since served as operations and financial bases for al Qaeda terrorists.

Like I said; What do we do when an overseas container arrives with UAE diplomatic seals on it? Arab governments, by nature, are far too duplicitous for us to trust with even minor aspects of national security. We are at war.

Posted by Zenster 2006-02-23 14:51|| 2006-02-23 14:51|| Front Page Top

#2 Sigh.

Posted by .com 2006-02-23 14:52|| 2006-02-23 14:52|| Front Page Top

#3 I'll do more than sigh. How will this overseas container with UAE diplomatic seals on it be handled differently than it would if the company that owned the management agreement for the port were British? Will they UAE managers tell the American longshoremen and stevedors, the Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Customs, to all ignore the container behind the curtain? It won't be handled any differently and every body know that.

Based on Zenster's argument we appear to be at war with all Arabs and I presume the war won't be over till they're all dead. Does this include Abazaid?

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-02-23 15:04|| 2006-02-23 15:04|| Front Page Top

#4 "The United Arab Emirates has cooperated with the U.S. Treasury Department in shutting down bank accounts linked to al Qaeda."

It's about time. The Treasury department was also investigating the NK counterfeiting ring since the early '90's and State is just now confronting them on it. Treasury was also in on the secret meeting that approved the UAE deal without President Bush's knowledge. Maybe Treasury needs investigated? Allowing foreign access seems foolish unless the blackmarket has made a deal with the insiders and need to make sure they don't lose any more turf in the smuggling business. Clamping down on the borders forced new routes and the cargo containers offer the most opportunity. Bin Laden father was once a Yemenese dock worker and the UAE emirs certainly don't have American best interests at heart, keeping control of records on their own soil to avoid government oversight. Afghanistan still grows the most poppies and the US the largest consumer of heroin. The deal smells of the UN, especially when many think the next attack will come through our ports.

Rev. 18:15-19
The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn and cry out:
Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!
Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, Was there ever a city like this great city? They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:
Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!

Posted by Danielle 2006-02-23 16:08|| 2006-02-23 16:08|| Front Page Top

#5 Based on Zenster's argument we appear to be at war with all Arabs and I presume the war won't be over till they're all dead. Does this include Abazaid?

Don't over-reach yourself there, NS. Yes, we are at war. No, we are NOT at war "with all Arabs." The critical point I hope to make is that, historically, there has been way too much collusion between Arab nations, and a lot of it has been Anti-American in nature. The extent of this collaboration, when correlated against the UAE's recent and uncomfortably close relationship with bin Laden, leads me to conclude that it is unwise, at best, to concede any control over our ports to an only recentlty converted ally, especially one who is in the thick of our enemies.

"How will this overseas container with UAE diplomatic seals on it be handled differently than it would if the company that owned the management agreement for the port were British?"

I refuse to believe that you are this incredibly opaque, NS. Britain poses no terrorist threat. The Middle East represents one of the greatest concentrations of extremely corrupt nations on earth. The possibility of wavering or questionable allegiances, switched cargo, bribed warehouse staff and bought-off port authorities at the container's point of origin make such a scenario worthy of comment andsuspicion.

Too often political differences have been overcome by religious solidarity, especially so in the case of Islam and Islamist terrorism. Anti-American sentiment is simply too prevalent and deeply inculcated in Arab countries for this situation not to represent some sort of risk. When that risk becomes part of a scenario that facilitates a nuclear terrorist attack upon American soil, the cost-benefit ratio rapidly approaches less than zero.

Remember, all it takes is one single nuclear terrorist attack to cause nearly irreparable harm to our nation's economy. With hatred of America running so high in Arab countries, this relatively minor business issue makes no sense at all.

Posted by Zenster 2006-02-23 17:04|| 2006-02-23 17:04|| Front Page Top

#6 Coding tags, why do they hate us? That should read:

Based on Zenster's argument we appear to be at war with all Arabs and I presume the war won't be over till they're all dead. Does this include Abazaid?

Don't over-reach yourself there, NS. Yes, we are at war. No, we are NOT at war "with all Arabs." The critical point I hope to make is that, historically, there has been way too much collusion between Arab nations, and a lot of it has been Anti-American in nature. The extent of this collaboration, when correlated against the UAE's recent and uncomfortably close relationship with bin Laden, leads me to conclude that it is unwise, at best, to concede any control over our ports to an only recentlty converted ally, especially one who is in the thick of our enemies.

"How will this overseas container with UAE diplomatic seals on it be handled differently than it would if the company that owned the management agreement for the port were British?"

I refuse to believe that you are this incredibly opaque, NS. Britain poses no terrorist threat. The Middle East represents one of the greatest concentrations of extremely corrupt nations on earth. The possibility of wavering or questionable allegiances, switched cargo, bribed warehouse staff and bought-off port authorities at the container's point of origin make such a scenario worthy of comment and suspicion.

Too often political differences have been overcome by religious solidarity, especially so in the case of Islam and Islamist terrorism. Anti-American sentiment is simply too prevalent and deeply inculcated in Arab countries for this situation not to represent some sort of risk. When that risk becomes part of a scenario that facilitates a nuclear terrorist attack upon American soil, the cost-benefit ratio rapidly approaches less than zero.

Remember, all it takes is one single nuclear terrorist attack to cause nearly irreparable harm to our nation's economy. With hatred of America running so high in Arab countries, this relatively minor business issue makes no sense at all.

Posted by Zenster 2006-02-23 17:07|| 2006-02-23 17:07|| Front Page Top

#7 This has been done, end to end and top to bottom.

When even Tommy Franks derisively (he laughed and almost snorted when asked) dismissed any notion of there being a security issue as pure politics, I knew we had the right take. You are wanking pointlessly.

Posted by .com 2006-02-23 19:25|| 2006-02-23 19:25|| Front Page Top

#8 a cargo with diplomatic seals will go through regardless of country of origin. They are subject to external radiation, mag imaging checks, but can't be opened.

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-02-23 19:56|| 2006-02-23 19:56|| Front Page Top

#9 The possibility of wavering or questionable allegiances, switched cargo, bribed warehouse staff and bought-off port authorities at the container's point of origin make such a scenario worthy of comment and suspicion.

How are doing any of these things made easier by having two or three guys from Dubai sitting in the big wheels' chairs in the front office in Newark?

a cargo with diplomatic seals will go through regardless of country of origin. They are subject to external radiation, mag imaging checks, but can't be opened.

And that's going to be true whether the port is managed by a British firm or a UAE firm.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-02-23 20:28|| 2006-02-23 20:28|| Front Page Top

#10
Zenster, I'm with you buddy! I think it is BAD idea for too many reasons to repeat here. If the deal goes through, and something happens, we can at least say they were warned.

As for Tommy Franks, a decent General Officer and brave warrior, but also a mouthpiece for the Administration.

Posted by Vinkat Bala Subrumanian 2006-02-23 22:11|| 2006-02-23 22:11|| Front Page Top

#11 LOL. Yewbetcha, I'll take your word over his. He's just a tool and you're someone I can listen to for your deep access and knowledge, not to mention obvious trustyworthiness as a source. Righty-O.

Posted by .com 2006-02-23 22:17|| 2006-02-23 22:17|| Front Page Top

#12 Funny, last week Billary was bitchin about how the Repubs are playing the fear card. My how the Donks and MSM have dealt themselves the same card.

We act like a bunch of cowering fools to whine about this deal. The Dubai Ports Authority, as is always the case, does not do security. It is the Coast Guard. The US apparatus remains in place.

The only change is who will cut the payroll checks for the same workers who load and unload cargo.

As for the impact of 9/11, the US is a vastly different country today than pre-9/11. The UAE has joined our side, time to show some gratitude.

If they screw up, we pull the contracts.

Posted by Captain America 2006-02-23 23:10|| 2006-02-23 23:10|| Front Page Top

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