....why I'm against the UAE ports deal:

http://renewamerica.us/columns/benamon/060306

It looks like we are going to be dealing with this ports controversy for some time. I was against Dubai Ports World gaining control over operations at ports in the U.S. from the beginning, and I'm still against it. Why?

The fact that Americans are losing, little by little...sight of who they are, is the main reason why I'm against the ports deal with the UAE. Americans are allowing major outsourcing...allowing so many countries and foreigners to have a foothold in American operations. Pretty soon, if this trend continues, foreign influence will overtake this country. What American pride do we have left? We aren't taking care of business ourselves. Is there anything we control anymore? I honestly think that an American company should officially have complete say in the operations of our ports. It's such a sensitive area. No foreign country should have a say, and that could include anyone, Britain, Australia, etc.

Over the past few weeks, I've sat and listened to the rhetoric stemming from the Republican side. Republicans are split on this issue, and some are calling those who are against this deal ignorant of the facts, or somehow, lining up with Democrat hysteria. How wrong they are! I've also heard the "islamophobia" term thrown around describing those against the deal. I'm simply concerned about our country, and want Americans to completely control a vital area in our nation. It's certainly not because I'm racist. I am also looking at things realistically.

The UAE no doubt is doing business with those who want Israel gone. Not only that, they are upholding a boycott of goods from Israel...

From the Jerusalem Post:
"Yes, of course the boycott is still in place and is still enforced," Muhammad Rashid a-Din, a staff member of the Dubai Customs Department's Office for the Boycott of Israel, told the Post in a telephone interview.

"If a product contained even some components that were made in Israel, and you wanted to import it to Dubai, it would be a problem," he said.

***

To me, that is racist!

However, I found many contradictions to this story. In another find, I hear that Dubai Ports World does work with Israeli firms. And even though UAE law enforces a boycott on trade with Israel, supposedly, it is rarely enforced.

"Our company has long-standing business relationships with Israeli companies among our diverse international clients," DP World Senior Vice President Michael Moore said in a statement Tuesday.


"DP World does not discriminate and has not been charged with violating any anti-boycott statutes. DP World, as a global port management company, facilitates trade with many nations," he said.

***

So, who to believe? DP World Senior Vice President Michael Moore, or Muhammad Rashid a-Din, a staff member of the Dubai Customs Department's Office for the Boycott of Israel?

President Bush is pushing hard to promote peace and harmony between Muslim nations and Israel...but there are practices in place to isolate and place Israel as the enemy. I mentioned in an earlier article that I've written...Selling our Sovereignty down the river...that the UAE is looking to do business with Palestinians. Hamas has recently won elections there and this is not looking good for Israel In one breath, the UAE says that it does not block shipments of Israeli goods from reaching ports around the world that they control, but then their business interests surprise me.

President Bush adamantly supports the Dubai Ports Deal, yet he remains patient as a second investigation of the ports deal is underway.

Bush suggested there was no reason to think the second investigation would produce any different outcome than the first. The President is positive the outcome will be good. "I look forward to a good, consistent review," he said. To Congress, he says, "please, look at the facts." He mentions, "What kind of signal does it send throughout the world if its OK for a British company to mange the ports but not a company that has been secured - that has been cleared for security purposes from the Arab world?"

***

Again, this is not a race or cultural issue to me. I am thinking of our nation's sovereignty. There are too many issues that have come out, issues I've mentioned above. I am still leery of this whole deal, period. The UAE is wishy-washy when it comes to our best ally in the Mid East, Israel. I say to the UAE...do away with the UAE law that places a boycott on trade with Israel if you are to be viewed as truthful.

Don't get me wrong, the UAE has been an ally to the U.S. in terms of letting our naval ships dock at their ports, etc...I'm not against having a strong foreign policy and connecting with nations around the world, but there are still some issues that need to be ironed out, and handing another nation control of our ports isn't the answer.

The President is suffering a very low job rating, at 34%, and no doubt his support of the ports deal plays a role. I feel it is because the President is not looking at the issue through the eyes of many Americans. He is so quick to approve a deal that many have angst over. He is quickly trying to soothe the nerves of Americans in what I see as a hasty business deal, how is it supposed to help America? The U.S. should never allow our nation to slip away in the name of building international relations through shaky business ventures, folks.

I wish we could take politics out of the picture in regards to the ports deal and think about what is healthy for our country. To allow such foreign control of many areas in our nation concerns me. This year, we should not be engaged in partisan politics, Democrats vs. Republicans. We all need to take a look at the serious issues that face us. The American people need to wake up and take their government back. Important decisions are being made that will later directly affect us, and we are too busy playing partisan politics between the parties. And now, it's come to political infighting among Republicans. It ought not be this way.

Just as the Dubai Ports World ports deal was delayed because many citizens and a few Senators aired their concerns, the effort by the people should continue to let our government know that we, the people are in charge. The government should hear the will of the people, be it at the local or federal level.

The Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), plans to introduce a bill that will block Dubai Ports World from taking over operations of our ports, and, also would remove many other foreign countries from key sensitive areas in America.

From the Washington Times:

"I think we should kill this deal," said Rep. Duncan Hunter, California Republican, who plans to introduce a bill next week to do so. "Dubai cannot be trusted."

His bill would require 100 percent inspection of all incoming cargo and would mandate that, over time, all ports and other critical U.S. infrastructure, such as power plants that are owned by foreign entities be sold back to Americans.

***

I'm solidly with him. It's time to reverse the trend of handing America over on a silver platter...let's get America back in the hands of Americans!

*To see the links from the information gathered in this article, and to see more articles by Felicia (Fee) Benamon, go to RenewAmerica.us:

http://renewamerica.us/columns/benamon/060306

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