Thursday, February 23rd, 2006
By Marie Jon
Dear President Bush,
With all due respect sir, just what are you thinking? What in the world is going on with matters concerning the use of our ports? We do not want " Dubai Ports World" taking care of our strategic water ways. Most Americans--who early on--understood that the war on terror was not "just" a war about Bin Laden or Saddam Hussein, are now somewhat confused. (Video of President G. W. Bush).
Most are pleased that Iraq and Afghanistan are forming into democracies. If the truth be known, most Americans believe that WMD's were really in Iraq. And for those that still doubt this, it has recently become known that WMD's were moved to other places, among them the despotically-run country of Syria. (www.theconservativevoice.com)
We understand that the mainstream media is in total denial about so many political realities--including these tapes with Saddam's actual voice admitting to so much of what your administration warned the world about. Further, sir, we fully understand that today's Democratic Party will never give you a pat on the back for any of your great accomplishments, though they are borne out one by one. (www.buffalonews.com)
We think you and Vice President Cheney, as well as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has done a stellar job in handling the war on terror.
You have instilled in us the liberating knowledge that freedom is on the march in countries that have been waiting to taste freedom all their lives. However, we are bewildered over this latest--and absurd--notion of handing over a few of our seaports to a company where terrorists still are breeding faster than bacteria on a Petri dish.
Respectfully sir, we can understand--and even agree with--secretive and selective wiretapping for America's security. But, please; do not for one minute think that we are going to understand--much less support--your thinking regarding this sour pickle of a port deal, no matter how you personally dress it up and serve it on a silver platter. (www.foxnews.com)
U.S. lawmakers formally asked your administration on Thursday to reconsider your approval of a sale giving a company in the United Arab Emirates control over significant operations at six major American ports. Now, you will forgive me, Mr. President, for saying so, but this action is just not going to fly with the American public. Average Americans seem to have far-better common sense than those of your administration who want you to approve this transaction.
Mr. President, what should I think when I read statement like this one concerning the administrations pending sale of these six ports?
Selling control of our ports to the enemy during a time of war is ludicrous." Even scarier when you consider the "LOST" treaty which proposes to charge the United Nations with control over the seas - by so doing, it would create taxing authority for a globalize governing body. I fear that we are slowly committing suicide."-- Jeffrey Epstein, President of America's Truth Forum. (www.americastruthforum.com)
Respectfully sir, it's time you listened to the American people; the very people who elected you into office. Twice.
On a related matter, we have been trying to get your attention over the country's southern and northern border situation. I hope you will agree with me when I say that the current conditions as they stand on the borders are decidedly unsafe. Now, amidst the still-fresh memories of 9/11, you want us to meekly relinquish control of some of our largest seaports to people we feel cannot be trusted?
Please perk up your ears Mr. President! You, and your administration, will be witness to a huge backlash of Americans against you soon enough regarding this. It will be from the very same people--like me--who have been more than patient regarding your other questionable policy decisions--like your ill-advised guest worker program for illegal aliens. Most U.S. citizens have never supported that plan. If you thought the country rallied behind the concept of the Minutemen [or vigilantes, as you so mischaracterized them] were a bit over the top in trying to protect our borders, wait till you hear from the rest of us on this port issue. (www.washingtontimes.com)
Here is a telling news report from the AP that clearly reports the consternation felt among lawmakers on Capitol Hill:
"The lawmakers, including four senators and three House members, sharply criticized the UAE as inconsistent in its support of U.S. anti-terrorism efforts. They also said the country was a key transfer point for shipments of nuclear components sent to Iran, North Korea and Libya and was one of only three nations that had recognized the Taliban as Afghanistan's legitimate government.
"Outsourcing the operations of our largest ports to a country with a dubious record on terrorism is a homeland security and commerce accident waiting to happen," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York. "The administration needs to take another look at this deal."
The Bush administration defended its approval of the sale. A spokesman for the White House National Security Council, Frederick Jones, said Thursday that security implications of the deal were "rigorously reviewed."
"The Associated Press reported Saturday that government-owned Dubai Ports World had won approval for the $6.8 billion deal from a secretive U.S. panel that considers security risks of foreign companies buying or investing in American industry.
Since then, a growing faction in Congress wants the White House to reconsider its approval of DP World's purchase of the London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., which British shareholders approved Monday.
The British firm, the world's fourth-largest ports company, runs commercial operations at shipping terminals in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States reviewed the transaction and did not object. The committee, run by the Treasury Department, also includes officials from the departments of Defense, Justice, Commerce, State and Homeland Security.
Although it declined to comment on the committee's decision last week, the Treasury Department said Thursday the consensus of the panel's 12 members was that the sale did not present national security problems. The review included an assessment from U.S. intelligence agencies, the department said.
"Clearly no responsibility of government is more important than protecting the national security," the department said in a statement.
Critics have complained that control over port operations by DP World could endanger U.S. security. They cite the UAE's history as an operational and financial base for the hijackers who carried out the September 11, 2001, attacks against New York and Washington.
The lawmakers pressing the White House on Thursday included Sens. Schumer, Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, Frank Lautenberg, D-New Jersey, and Chris Dodd, D-Connecticut, and Reps. Chris Shays, R-Connecticut, Vito Fossella, R-New York, and Mark Foley, R-Florida.
On Wednesday, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Peter King, R-New York, said he spoke to senior White House officials, whom he declined to identify, and urged them to review the purchase. King said he believed the White House took the issue "very seriously and will look into it."
Treasury Secretary John Snow, asked during a budget hearing Wednesday about the committee's approval, said he was not permitted to discuss specific transactions the panel considers."
Mr. President, all of the above as reported by the Associated Press are--to us-- fighting words. We, who have crawled through "broken-glass" to see you elected, and then re-elected, will fight you on this every step of the way. While you have done a superb job in regard to fighting the war against terrorism, it is moments like these that make me and others who voted for you wonder why.
We are listening carefully to your recent words. We are trying to understand.
Associated Press Lasted Release:
"In a rare threat to use his veto power, President Bush said Tuesday he will stop any legislation that attempts to prevent the purchase by a United Arab Emirates-owned firm of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., which runs six major U.S. ports.
Breaking a gaping silence from the administration in the debate about the purchase by Dubai Ports World of London-based P&O, Bush said the deal should go forward and won't jeopardize U.S. security.
"There's a mandated process we go through. ... They ought to listen to what I have to say to this. I'll deal with it with a veto," Bush told reporters after an unusual decision to call media aboard Air Force One to the airplane's conference room.
Back at the White House from a trip to Colorado, the president added that denying DP World the sale would send a mixed message."
Mr. President, this simply is the wrong thing to do when you gave us no warning.
Sincerely,
Marie Jon'
What Americans Can and Must Do Today
Let your opinion be known--through letter or phone--to the White House. Tell President Bush a big "No" on the whole notion of our ports being controlled by people we simply cannot trust. Call and e-mail your senators and representatives. We can turn this matter around if we do not look the other way and believe others are doing it for us. Get moving; for terrorism knows no holiday, and America cannot afford to take one regarding it.
Useful links
Marie is a columnists for RenewAmerica.us , The Conservative Voice, The Daley Times, Life on The Right and The Capitol Hill Coffee House, The Post Chronicle., The Renaissance Woman. Marie Jon' is also is columnist for AlainsNewsletter.com. She is posted as well as featured or guest writer whose work has appeared on many sites.To name a few includes , The New Media Journal, ChronWatch, and Commonconservative.com, The Reality Check, The MichNews , and The National Ledger. She is founder of TheConservativeWoman.org Website and DrawingClose.org Website.
Marie brings a refreshing and spirited point of view that is reflected in her writings, as well as a genuine and spiritual opinion regarding God and his teachings. Marie is an active Christian, a nurse, a student, and a patriotic American. Your comments, yea or nay, regarding her writings are always welcome. Write to Marie Jon' at contact@theconservativewoman.org
