Middle Eastern Country to run U.S. Ports

That's the key. I don't see any presidential timber on the other side.

 

So, Bush gets a free pass because the alternative was a complete moron? I don't think that's the way the system was designed to work.

 

Bush isn't running for anything.

 

He is currently running the country, or at least attempting to.

Also, notice I said "was" a moron.

And, by the way, your pervious statement is actually the one made irrelevant by the fact he isn't up for re-election.:thumb:

 

i wouldnt use the term "free pass". i certainly think bush deserves a healthy share of criticism. but most issues where i think bush is wrong, his political opponents are even more on the wrong side than he is.

however, on national security/war issues, i think his strategy is right on. and he is doing what i think is truly rare, taking a course that is pretty bad for him politically in the short term, for the long term good of the country.

bush is a religious nutcase, but a religious nutcase that happens to agree with me almost exactly on what steps we need to take to keep our country safe.

 

Just because he is religious does not make him a nutcase. If it did, 95% of the American population would be a "nutcase." As for as the port situation is concerned, I had serious doubts about the wisdom of allowing UAE to run our ports as well. But I think a 45-review would have been better than just outlawing it. Bush has to take part of the blame for the defeat of UAE's plan because of his failure to communicate better with members of congress. If he had spoken with key congressional figures before announcing the plan, he might have gotten more support. The decision to kill the plan may be the best and wisest action, but I can't help but feel that it was a a knee-jerk reaction by members of congress rather than a result of informed debate.

 

95% seems like a bit much. definitely a huge majority though. and i do feel perpetually frustrated by the insanity of everyone. it is not pleasant.

i agree. either way i think it is a relatively insignificant issue and was more of a political hot potater than an issue we need a national dialogue and 5 congressional committees to figure out.

 

I'm with Martin on this. Our ports are anything but secure today. Having a UAE company run them won't make them less so. The uproar by congress and the American people was so stupid. We can't say that we want to have a relationship with the Middle East but then turn around and act like bigots because the company is from the Middle East. Ignorant hypocritical bigots.

 

Just like the CNOOC/Unocal deal that fell through but got swept under the rug so quickly. Foreign companies control all sorts of American based entities, but that would have been the Chinese government owning an American oil company. Very bad idea.