By Marie Jon

To many of us, it’s perplexing to see the hysteria going on about the UAE (United Arab Emirates) ports deal. President Bush has stated that he will veto any bill that comes across his desk that goes against his wishes concerning the UAE.

Further, what are Republicans who go against the president really saying? Are they saying that Bush is naïve--maybe even foolish--by allowing a company owned by a country from the Middle East to conduct business in our ports? If so, then I am of the opinion that many of these Republicans may also conclude that Bush is beginning to get lax concerning the war on terror.

Undeterred, Bush answered his critics quickly, and clearly:

Bush, who has yet to veto a bill during his administration, warned that the United States is sending "mixed signals" by attacking a Middle Eastern company after the ports were run by a British firm for several years.



"Lawmakers who have called for the deal to be blocked need to "step up and explain why a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard."

(www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/21/port.security/ )





Taking a step back from this rush to condemn the UAE, one sees that the mainstream media is helping this whole controversy along with the hope of damaging the Bush administration. The media--in case you haven’t noticed--is merely the water carriers for the “apple of their eye,” the Democrat Party.

When people first heard about an Arab owned company having anything to do with U.S. ports, Americans believed they had good reason to be upset and concerned. Those feelings were genuine and real, as the events of 9/11 were all too real, and none too-far removed from our consciousness.



Since then, much more information has come to the forefront concerning the very sensitive issue of a Middle Eastern country having such access within U.S. ports. Because of this new information, it's time to step back, use some common sense, and look at the issue for what it is.



Presently, there is a 45 day investigation going on by the Senate and House. Dubai Ports stands in approval of this further investigation, and welcomes the time to let cooler heads prevail.



Much has also been said about Dubai Ports World not being a willing partner of Israel. Yet, Israel's largest shipping line endorses DP World taking over operations in these six major ports.



"CNN has learned the chairman of the board of Israel's largest shipping line is now strongly endorsing the takeover of these six major U.S. ports by Dubai Ports World. In a letter to Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton of New York State, Idan Ofer, the chairman of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, Ltd., says he wants to put his support for the deal on the record.

(http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1107AP_Dubai_Ports_Israel_Boycott.html )




Despite this open and mutually beneficial relationship between Israel and Dubai Ports World, some have seen fit to pretend otherwise.



For days now, radio personality Sean Hannity and other talking-heads in the new media have acted as naysayer’s, pounding away at the very thought of the UAE taking over operations of these ports. The constant and continuous droning of Hannity has not only muddied the issue, but it has furthered confusion within the GOP base.



Hannity has even gone as far as calling his “loyal listeners and viewers” who believe as President Bush does regarding the deal, "Kool-Aid drinkers" and "enemies" (http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48980 )





If clear-thinking conservatives do not understand the harm that may in fact be done by the likes of a Sean Hannity--who has some 12 t0 15 million people a week tune in to his radio show alone--then they will understand when Democrats get what they want in 2006 and 2008.

Republicans might want to take a page from the Democrats’ playbook on this. Though no one is saying to submit to blind Party loyalty, neither should anyone be calling fellow-Republicans “Kool-Aid drinkers.” For all their obvious faults, Democrats know how to “gather round the wagons,” and protect their own.



For over five years now, President Bush, a decent and Godly man, has been serving his country. He has been unfairly and ceaselessly attacked by the hateful left on a daily bases. With that in mind, it is all the more disconcerting to hear this blustering-banter against Bush from some on the right, especially when such personalities as Sean Hannity should know better.



Some feel it is abusive for a talk show host to seemingly wield such power over the political thoughts of so many. Often, as is the case here, radio hosts do not present the necessary details needed to support their opinions. Worse yet, they fail to discuss facts that detract from their opinions. The aforementioned chairman of Israel's largest shipping line, who now strongly endorses the takeover of these six U.S. ports by Dubai Ports World, has conveniently been left out of so much of talk radio’s dialogue.



According to some of the more critical talkers and thinkers that are aligning themselves against the administration, we are to believe that President Bush is totally incompetent for even giving thought to allowing Dubai to service some our ports. If so, far too many of us have become self-professed “experts,” maybe even paranoid. Look out for those in "black helicopters” flying over your heads.



With this story as a national political backdrop, it’s of small wonder that the poll numbers are down for President Bush, even among Republicans. Far too many Americans have forgotten that this president has kept them safe from a repeat of 9/11.



Yet for all the hyperventilating and hysteria from both Democrats and Republicans, I believe that Arab-owned D P World will manage those ports in the future.



Let this be a lesson to the right: Wait and see all the facts before acting out of emotion. To date, the facts are continuing to come in. Hearsay and gossip are not the way to gather information and the draw conclusions.

In case you haven’t noticed, the war on terror is this president's forte. The cause of spreading freedom is part of that war, and should be embraced. It is the paradigm against terrorism.



We live in a world that includes many different countries and cultures, and in many of those countries, good and inclusive Muslims live, including the USA. A real leader works with all countries and takes goodwill where he finds it in hopes of promoting peace and tranquility. In my mind, President Bush is that leader.



President Bush understands his place in history. This week,he made his way to Pakistan amidst tight security while the enemies of Democracy make known their vile hatred with murder and chaotic protests.



As President Bush made his way through the tumultuous troubles of our time, he did so with in hopes of smoothing a path for the next generations of the world to come. ( www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,186694,00.html )




If I might, many thanks ought to go to President Bush. Many wish they could vote for him again in 2008, if only for the remarkable job he has done protecting the nation. At the end of the day, Bush will have proved to be right regarding the UAE as allies in the war against terrorism. And those on the left--and impatient right--will have to put away their misplaced hysteria and willful ignorance for another day.





Related Readings

Transcript: Bush's Radio Address

( http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,186831,00.html)











Marie is a columnists for RenewAmerica.us , The Conservative Voice, The Daley Times, Life on The Right and The Capitol Hill Coffee House and The Post Chronicle. 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

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