In a press briefing today, Secretary Rumsfeld revealed that he was not consulted about the decision to transfer operations of six key U.S. ports to the United Arab Emirates, a country with troubling ties to international terrorism.
QUESTION: Are you confident that any problems with security — from what you know, are you confident that any problems with security would not be greater with a UAE company running this than an American company?
RUMSFELD: I am reluctant to make judgments based on the minimal amount of information I have because I just heard about this over the weekend.
Rumsfeld’s statement was particularly troubling because Dubai Ports World, owned and operated by the UAE government, will also take over a major contract managing the movement of military equipment for the U.S. Army. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Peter Pace, who was at the briefing, also said he found out about the deal over the weekend. The deal was approved on February 13.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan claimed the Defense Department was part of “a rigorous review…for national security concerns.” If so, why were two of the Department’s top officials not even informed, much less consulted?
UPDATE: Donald Rumsfeld, as Secretary of Defense, is a member of Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States. As such, he was one of the people who, according to the Treasury Department, unanimously approved the sale on February 13. How could do that when he didn’t even find out about the sale until last weekend?
Heh-heh. Laurel & Hardy do the U.S. government.
Of course, Laurel & Hardy were harmless because they weren’t put in charge of the “world’s remaining superpower”.
February 21st, 2006 at 2:42 pm…
…
Bizzare, even for GW…
Also: Dubai company set to run U.S. ports has ties to administration
February 21st, 2006 at 2:45 pmOH my God. Do you realize that our government is FAR more screwed than any of us has realized? sort of like when you discover the funeral director is eating the bodies…….it’s that creepy. I mean………cheny, Bush, Rumsfeld, don’t communicate?
February 21st, 2006 at 2:48 pmBrownie, chertoff, bush don’t communicate? No one communicates, does their job, and continues to take the citizens money, jobs and civil rights away. Yes i sound upset….. Do you realize what has happened? Our country has been stolen by people who are mentallyl deficient and criminal…….no other way to describe them.
The Dept. of Energy and EPA are run by energy execs.
The Dept. of Education was run by Rod Paige who famously described teachers as “terrorists.”
FEMA was headed by an inexperienced former head of the Arabian Horse Association who lied on his resume.
When you consider the record, handing over US ports to a nation with ties to terrorism makes perfect sense (in a disturbingly twisted sort of way.)
February 21st, 2006 at 2:49 pmGuess who was behind the scenes orchestrating this deal…how about the Carlyle Group? That wouldn’t be the same group of people Bush Sr. chairs, the same group whose membership includes Bin Ladin’s kin, ya know the guys that met with Bush Sr. in NY on the morning of 9/11? How exactly did the Carlyle Group participate in this deal? Let’s start with Carlyle’s purchase of CSX’s container business.
http://www.google.com/ search?hl=…n&q=CSX+Carlyle
The argument from the right who support this SHI-AT say that the deal was struck before 9/11 so therefore it’s valid. Okay, so how’s that FISA law NOT valid, I mean, wouldn’t the deal also qualify under a PRE-9/11 Mentality???
February 21st, 2006 at 2:50 pmSee Bush and Cheney cut Rumsfeld out of the deal > get out of the way as these guys have a knife fight over the spoils!
February 21st, 2006 at 2:51 pmHuh?!? What?!?….the legacy of the Bush Administration.
February 21st, 2006 at 2:51 pmI’m sure Doug “The Stupidest Fucking Guy on the Face of the Planet” Feith was consulted.
February 21st, 2006 at 2:52 pmLOL > Rumsfeld controls the military so he can do a coup on Bush and Cheney > this might get interesting, but run for cover as Cheney gets out his shotgun to defend himself!
February 21st, 2006 at 2:55 pmvia HuffPost, from New York Daily News
February 21st, 2006 at 2:56 pmOh come on Dr Benway!
Really, you left out a rightie’s post on Huff PO - selectively leaving out the right’s favorable speculation.
“Snow was chairman of the CSX rail firm that sold its own international port operations to DP World for $1.15 billion in 2004, the year after Snow left for President Bush’s cabinet.”
This is not a connection. Snow’s ex company sold stuff to DP World 1 year AFTER he left CSX. How is that a tie ? Come on now….
February 21st, 2006 at 3:00 pmPosted by: billu on February 21, 2006 at 12:33pm
#4 — you forgot that a ringer “journalist” was allowed to enter the White House briefing room at least dozens of times, unchallenged to present credentials, without a background check, without even using his real name, in order to plant easy softball questions. . . while simultaneously running a gay male escort service.
February 21st, 2006 at 3:01 pm“This is not a connection. Snow’s ex company sold stuff to DP World 1 year AFTER he left CSX. How is that a tie ? Come on now….
Posted by: billu on February 21, 2006 at 12:33pm”
That’s a tighter connection than was used by the Bush administration as a rationale to go to war.
(I mean the original rational. . . no, wait, the second rationale. . . Saddam’s ties to terrorists.)
February 21st, 2006 at 3:04 pm#3 - “OH my God. Do you realize that our government is FAR more screwed than any of us has realized?” - - Speak for yourself.
February 21st, 2006 at 3:05 pmThis is very suspicious; Frist is trying to block an Administration intiative, i.e., the proposed UAE port deal. And, further, Bush, it is claimed, did not know about the deal. PUHLEEZE!
The whole thing stinks of a well choreographed propaganda event designed for a Bush-to-the-rescue reversal for the sake of our homeland security. There are a number of other stories today that also seem to be part of a concerted public affairs blitz, i.e., multi-pronged attack of seemingly unrelated stories.
Witness: this AP report (wait to hear how the illegal NSA wirtaps led to these arrests); (Gonzales did an obfuscating news conference)
A CNN oddly taped story of U.S. troops discovering an IED factory; replete with an extemporaneous interview with a senior military official;
Rumsfeld press briefing:
a soft-spoken, kinder/gentler Rumsfeld.
Bush/Rice/Gonzales/Rumsfeld all did live broadcast public appearances today.
February 21st, 2006 at 3:05 pmSec.(I don’t use e-mail) Rumsfeld doesn’t get his pony express deliveries until Tuedays at noon.
February 21st, 2006 at 3:06 pmOf course, he may have just missed it in his inbox:
—– The following addresses had permanent fatal errors —–
(reason: 550 5.1.1 … User unknown)
February 21st, 2006 at 3:08 pmfyi, looks like it edited out the email address agove for rumsfeld…
February 21st, 2006 at 3:09 pmJust like Katrina.
Why is it that we all knew about this on February 11 & 12 and Secretary of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Donald Rumsfeld didn’t know about it until February 18 or 19?
February 21st, 2006 at 3:11 pmI personally like this post on Huff PO in response to that RIGHT-WING NUT NUT JOB billu
I don’t see a problem until one of the ports blows up in a terrorist attack. Who takes the blame then? Really? It is just inconceivable, from a PR perspective, that our government would let this happen. Would the White House say, “Heck of a job, UAE”? Monty Python or SNL could not have made up something this ridiculous. To Osama, this must be like going to Disney World after winning the Super Bowl. It leaves one speechless.
Posted by: politicalsports on February 21, 2006 at 01:56pm
______________________________________________________
In response to a right wing nut job.
“THAT’S IT, it’s a contract buy out. Nothing changes other than the letterhead.”
—————-
Thats what people said when the Japanese bought out American commercial Electronic companies in the 70s and early 80’s also. Turned out not to be true. Ask those that worked for those companies. They then brought in people from Japan to replace the workers at those plants and in fact eventually closd all those plants. Remember the Japanese and the Americans could not even eat at the same lunch tables. Thats a nice assumption, but history has shown its not always a correct one.
As for turning the Panama Canal back over to those it belonged to and in whose country it was and at the end of the contracted lease period… and considering how we ended up with the canal (a coup or two later), there should have been no outrage!
Whats your point, that our ports should be turned back over to Americans, just as the Canal was turned over to its real owners..? If thats your point, we then agree!
Otherwise your comparison is w/o merit.
And I dissagree with Jimmy Carter on this. See us democrats dont have to all be in agreement all the time.. we dont consult a web site daily, telling us our newest position and talking points.
Regards
February 21st, 2006 at 3:14 pmPosted by: viper on February 21, 2006 at 02:55pm
“RUMSFELD: I am reluctant to make judgments based on the minimal amount of information I have because I just heard about this over the weekend.”
For a man who doesn’t use e-mail, sadly, this is probably true. I can just picture him hunched over the old Victrola, sweaty fingers twisting the dial in search of Fox Radio, or CBN- ANYTHING but that damned liberal media!
This sounds like his version of “I wasn’t in the loop”.
February 21st, 2006 at 3:16 pmHow the deal went down…
http://www.allhatnocattle.net/ 2-21-06_ebay_cheney_bush_uae.htm
February 21st, 2006 at 3:17 pm“In response to a right wing nut job.
“THAT’S IT, it’s a contract buy out. Nothing changes other than the letterhead.â€
The fact that BushCo didn’t even recognize this as a potential problem shows they suffer from the SAME lack of imagination, foresight, and competence that allowed 9/11 to happen, and later Katrina.
People are dying because of this administration’s utter bungling.
February 21st, 2006 at 3:21 pmPS: But hey! Some fortunes are being made, right?
February 21st, 2006 at 3:21 pmAccording to this dkos dairy , the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (”CFIUS”)had to sign off on the deal. Rumsfeld happens to sit on this committee. So he is either lying or the deal breaks various statutes and executive orders.
February 21st, 2006 at 3:23 pmSpudge: “Why is it that we all knew about this on February 11 & 12 and Secretary of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Donald Rumsfeld didn’t know about it until February 18 or 19?” - - Rummy sent a pouch via pony to Cheney this morning asking how his quail hunting trip to Texas went.
February 21st, 2006 at 3:24 pmHey, Badmoonrising get your own lines. see #16.
February 21st, 2006 at 3:35 pm#According to this dkos dairy , the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (â€CFIUSâ€)had to sign off on the deal. Rumsfeld happens to sit on this committee. So he is either lying or the deal breaks various statutes and executive orders.
Comment by Flounder — February 21, 2006 @ 3:23 pm
Good Catch flounder
February 21st, 2006 at 3:42 pmUPDATE: Donald Rumsfeld, as Secretary of Defense, is a member of Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States. As such, he was one of the people who, according to the Treasury Department, unanimously approved the sale on February 13. How could do that when he didn’t even find out about the sale until last weekend?
The Cabal?
February 21st, 2006 at 3:49 pmNews flash! Either Scottie or Rumsfeld is a liar. Or both…
February 21st, 2006 at 3:49 pmMaybe Bush, Cheney, and Condi Rice got some free property on the Dubai Palm Island resort in exchange for the port deal.
February 21st, 2006 at 3:50 pmGuess who was behind the scenes orchestrating this deal…how about the Carlyle Group
————————}I imagine the Carlyle Groupo has a lot to do with the U.A.E. buying up our ports and papa bush is part of the deal ,boi bush gets his kick back in the form of oil/gas controls in the Middle East. There’s money to be had lots of money the 8.8 billion that was lost in Iraq is prolly safe in off shore accounts.
Scooter Boi will get off as of right now his defebse atty is asking for all papers .I think its called gray papers or something as they are trying hard to stone wall.
If Scooter Boi was put in the avg privatize prision he would be someone “Bitch” just look at that face and hair hee hee .
February 21st, 2006 at 3:51 pmSnow; Yo Rummy
Rummy; Sup Snow Man.
Snow; got a helluva deal for ya.
Rummy; Spill it man.
Snow; See I used to work here and they got this new…$$$
Rummy;Im outta town, make it happen, I dont need the details.
Snow; You the Man
Rummy; I am the PAC-MAN
Snow; Bye. Heil Halliburton
February 21st, 2006 at 3:52 pmRummy; Heil Halliburton.
breaking - randi just announced that the pres. just said he will VETO any legislation trying to block this sale of the ports…
February 21st, 2006 at 3:54 pm#27: Hey, Badmoonrising get your own lines. see #16. - - Lighten up, I was galloping along with your line. Sheesh, who’s the bad mood man here?
February 21st, 2006 at 3:55 pmPlease. Rumsfeld is far too busy protecting us to read what he’s voting on.
February 21st, 2006 at 3:59 pmIt just gets better and better. This deal proves that the GWOT is a cynical lie to transfer more money to cronies who are tied to this administration. US security was never a consideration. The War on Terror was about keeping the power and profiting at the expense of this country. Why do these people hate America so much?
February 21st, 2006 at 4:02 pmwonder what the UAE did for Bush that would keep him so loyal to this sale, even though everyone in America is against it?
I wonder what they did for Bush that was so important, that he promised them this sale
February 21st, 2006 at 4:03 pmWhatever it is, it appears they could be threating to reveal it if Bush doesn’t keep an obvious promise he made to them back when they did whatever it was they did that he’s so afraid of us finding out.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:03 pmMaybe they are threating to release instead of a nuclear bomb, an information bomb.
Would both of these be classified as a dirty bomb?
February 21st, 2006 at 4:04 pm“RUMSFELD: I am reluctant to make judgments based on the minimal amount of information I have because I just heard about this over the weekend.”
Rumsfeld needs to pull his head out of his ass and McClellan needs to keep his mouth shut until he figures out how to talk to the press without looking like an idiot.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:05 pmHere read what Worfeus said on another thread comment #71 http://thinkprogress.org/ 2006/ 02/ 19/ chertoff-uae/ #comments Also here are 2 pdfs from the Un; http://www.unoosa.org/pdf/ser455E.pdf and this one http://www.unoosa.org/pdf/ser390E.pdf I don’t think it’s just about water folks. Thanks Worfeus.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:06 pmWhatever it is they definately have something on him.
People don’t just do things for no reason.
The obvious political capital this is going to cost Bush, not to mention the public and congressional outcry, is so great, that he would never do this unless they had something they were holding over his head.
He’d just drop the deal otherwise.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:06 pmIf you don’t get it by now, you never will. The Bush adminsitraton is not worried about Islamic terrorism because 9/11 was an inside job.
Through this prism, almost everything the Bush administration has done SINCE 9/11 makes sense.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:09 pmMy pleasure Flyman. Here, I’ll repost the Spaceport story. Everyone should know this too, cause no ones talking about it.
U.S. Company Plans $265M Spaceport in UAE
Sat Feb 18, 12:45 AM ET
LOS ANGELES -
A day after Space Adventures announced it was in a venture to develop rocket ships for suborbital flights, the company said Friday it plans to build a $265 million spaceport in the United Arab Emirates.
The commercial spaceport would be based in Ras Al-Khaimah near the southern end of the Persian Gulf, and the UAE government has made an initial investment of $30 million, the Arlington, Va.-based company said in a statement.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:10 pmHe just heard about this over the weekend?? How scary is that the majority of us, we who live in the reality-based community, heard about this on Monday/Tuesday last week??
Know when Rummy heard about 9/11? On 9/16.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:11 pmOn the land, on the sea in the air.
And now in Outer Space.
Boy do I feel safe.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:12 pmNo one here has a problem with the Arab nation that financed 911 have direct access, even ownership of our high tech SPACE technology, do they?
I mean, what harm could giving the Arabs access to high orbit using our technology possibly cause?
February 21st, 2006 at 4:14 pmThey’re our friends.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:14 pmRumsfeld needs to pull his head out of his ass and McClellan needs to keep his mouth shut until he figures out how to talk to the press without looking like an idiot.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 21, 2006 @ 4:05 pm
Is today opposite day or something?
I didn’t get the memo again guys… Damn gmail.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:17 pmTwo fish were swimming along in a stream one day and it suddenly dumped them into the Ocean.
As they swam around looking at all the odd sea creatures, urchins, Octupi and eels, suddenly they found themselves about to be swallowed up by sea creature.
The one little fish looked at the other little fish and said, “with friends like these, who needs Anemones?”
February 21st, 2006 at 4:17 pmPeople don’t just do things for no reason.
Comment by worfeus — February 21, 2006 @ 4:06 pm
No doubt… Especially the megalomaniacal thugs running our country.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:19 pmThere is a bigger story here, and we all need to start talking about it.
JUDD. Put the pieces together. SPACE PORT DEALS, HOMELAND DEFENSE MARITIME SECURITY DEVICE SALES, OUR PORTS, and now BUSH will VETO any legislation trying to block the sale?
This is the BIGGEST story right now. The BIGGEST. And we’ve barely scratched the surface.
Come on JUDD, I’m counting on you buddy.
You’re the TRUTH-O-NATER.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:24 pmAs Kent Dorfman said “Oh Boy is this going to be Great!”
February 21st, 2006 at 4:25 pmBush is clearly setting us up again for another terrorist attack.
Openly and blatenly, because he knows when it happens, all the righties will be enraged, and not listen to anything us lilly livered left wing traitors have to say.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:27 pmIs today opposite day or something?
I didn’t get the memo again guys… Damn gmail.
Comment by unbelievable
I was the first to bust George’s chops for this monumental political fuck-up and down right criminal neglect of our national security. If I say it’s a fuck up then it is and so I’m in no way being inconsistent. I always tell the truth…
February 21st, 2006 at 4:27 pmThe UAE has got something on Bush.
Some deals were made sometime before 911, and the UAE was made promises for these types of government contracts.
The UAE has probably threatened to release details of these secret deals if Bush renigs.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:29 pmUnbelievable.
Just ignore him.
I’m touching a nerve and he is trying to change the topic.
His anger with Rummy and Scotty are just the expected signs of rats leaving a sinking ship.
The right wing is starting to fall apart, and as they do they will turn on each other like a pack of rabid dogs.
Meanwhile, we have got to get to the truth.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:32 pmHere is a great link I snagged this morning on Drudge. This will help build everyone’s confidence. http://www.nytimes.com/ 2006/ 02/ 21/ politics/ 21reclassify.html?ex=1298178000&en=521a35355a85281d&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc
February 21st, 2006 at 4:32 pmThe UAE HAS to have SOMETHING on Bush!
They’ve got too!
Why else would Bush keep this deal secret, and try to hide the sale?
Why would he threaten to VETO any bill or legislation that Congress passes, particularly the GOP, if they didn’t?
Ask yourself, whats his motivation?
There is unfortunately no good answer.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:34 pmThats great Flyman.
I wish I were President.
Then I could classify anything I do thats a crime.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:36 pmWho the hell is lying here — Donald it-wouldn’t-be-the-first-time Rumsfeld, or John it-also-wouldn’t-be-the-first-time Snow, or Scott always-kept-in-the-dark McClellan, or Peter uniformed-lackey Pace?
February 21st, 2006 at 4:39 pmThe piling on of accusations meets the denial of knowledge — the whole damned bunch of them are criminals, lying traitors.
#5 JP
February 21st, 2006 at 4:41 pmI have, like you, thought from the start that this is a Carlyle/Saudi Arabian deal. At first, I thought my imagination was running away with me, but there is no other explanation.
Bush is selling the country to the highest bidder and the bidders are associated with him, his family, his cabinet.
Marie,
Its clear BUSH is the one lying here. His hiding it from everyone, even his own Secratary of Defense, and his insistence on forcing this sale through is clear evidence that he is AFRAID of it not going through.
The UAE has got SOMETHING ON HIM.
I am sure of it.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:42 pmtreason, coming and, hopefully, GOING
February 21st, 2006 at 4:44 pmBush is selling the country to the highest bidder and the bidders are associated with him, his family, his cabinet.
Comment by Marie — February 21, 2006 @ 4:41 pm
No I disagree Marie.
This is far more sinister than just a sale.
He is gambling his entire presidency on this now, with half the GOP and ALL of the country against it.
The UAE has something on the Bush administration, that he does not want released.
I really think we need to look at ALL the facts.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:45 pmThe right wing is starting to fall apart, and as they do they will turn on each other like a pack of rabid dogs.
Meanwhile, we have got to get to the truth.
Comment by worfeus
Hardly, it’s just that conservatives don’t fall in lockstep with our fearless leaders as do the Liberal Losers who without fail will defend the indefensible to their death. Which is why the Democratic Party is self destructing. If Bush fucks up and says and does something that goes against the grain of his conservative supports he gets his ass kicked for it. It’s what we do and why we win. It’s one of the things that makes us Americans and you losers.
You slimey America hating prick you.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:46 pm“I didn’t read it yet”
“I don’t know about it”
“I don’t do Email”
“I can’t comment”
“It’s a matter of security”
D. Rumsfeld
P. Pace
John Snow was among those pooh-poohing concerns about this last week when it first hit the news. No need to wonder why any more.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:46 pmWorfeus, I agree.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:48 pm“There is a bigger story here, and we all need to start talking about it.
JUDD. Put the pieces together. SPACE PORT DEALS, HOMELAND DEFENSE MARITIME SECURITY DEVICE SALES, OUR PORTS, and now BUSH will VETO any legislation trying to block the sale?
This is the BIGGEST story right now. The BIGGEST. And we’ve barely scratched the surface.”
Think about it.
In the last month we have learned about THREE major deals with the UAE.
1. The aquistion of major operations in 6 nations harbors
2. The SPACE PORT sale from an Arlington VA based firm which will provide the UAE with our SPACE technology and capbiilities.
3. The sale to the Port Of Dubai 300 Feet of WhsprWave Maritime Security Devices, the SAME devices that they will be responsible for in our harbors.
Put the peices together.
Its as easy as 1 2 3.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:48 pm“You slimey America hating prick you.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 21, 2006 @ 4:46 pm”
Sweetie, not all of us hate you, which is what you really are trying to say now isn’t it? We don’t hate you, or america, we just feel sorry for you. After all, pity is the only reasonable response to someone so filled with hate, anger, ignorance and loathing. It’s like watching gollum and the ring. You are so consumed by your twisted partisan views, that pity is all that’s reasonable in response.
I forgive you sweetie, clearly you mean well, you’re just too afraid and filled with hate to think rationally or act responsibly.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:48 pmFrom Drudge:
Bush called reporters at about 2.30 ET aboard Air Force One to issue a very strong defense of port deal… MORE… He said he would veto any legislation to hold up deal and warned the United States was sending ‘mixed signals’ by going after a company from the Middle East when nothing was said when a British company was in charge… Lawmakers, he said, must ’step up and explain why a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard.’ Bush was very forceful when he delivered the statement… ‘I don’t view it as a political fight,’ Bush said….
This reminds me of the day that idiot Gerald Ford stood up in front of national TV and declared that the Soviet Union had no control over their East European satellites. F’ing George is in denial and we the conservatives in this country are going to hand him his ass over this.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:50 pmWell I hate him. :D
February 21st, 2006 at 4:50 pmNotice I-RIECHSTAG-I is not really saying anything.
He’s just trying to bury my posts.
Must have struck a nerve.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:51 pmThe media misinformation campaign begins!
Wolfie just said on the Situation Room @ 4:45pm eastern time that Rumsfeld approved of the UAE deal.
At Think Progress today post #302:
] In a press briefing today, Secretary Rumsfeld revealed that he was not consulted about the decision to transfer operations of six key U.S. ports to the United Arab Emirates, a country with troubling ties to international terrorism.
QUESTION: Are you confident that any problems with security — from what you know, are you confident that any problems with security would not be greater with a UAE company running this than an American company? […]
RUMSFELD: I am reluctant to make judgments based on the minimal amount of information I have because I just heard about this over the weekend.
What’s going on?
February 21st, 2006 at 4:51 pmBush isn’t going to be happy unless he pisses EVERYONE off…
February 21st, 2006 at 4:52 pmIn the last month we have learned about THREE major deals with the UAE!
1. The aquistion of major operations in 6 nations harbors
2. The SPACE PORT sale from an Arlington VA based firm which will provide the UAE with our SPACE technology and capbiilities.
3. The sale to the Port Of Dubai 300 Feet of WhsprWave Maritime Security Devices, the SAME devices that they will be responsible for in our harbors.
Put the peices together.
Its as easy as 1 2 3.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:53 pmF’ing George is in denial and we the conservatives in this country are going to hand him his ass over this
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 21, 2006 @ 4:50 pm
Just as planned.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:54 pm9-11-2007 is in the works.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:54 pmBUSH will VETO any legislation trying to block the sale?
This is the BIGGEST story right now. The BIGGEST. And we’ve barely scratched the surface.â€
Comment by Marie
It’s not a sale dummy, it’s a business contract for service. In any case this means nothing to the you losers on the Filthy Left. The conservatives will drive this bus and if there is a story at all it will be how WE took control of the situation and turned it around.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:55 pmWe’ve got the same shit going on “down under”. Dubya’s lap dog in Australia, Little Johnny Howard and his Federal Liberal Party has allowed the same thing to happen.
Strange that this decision has been kept out of the newspapers altogether down here.
Dubai Ports takes over P&O here in March. Coincidentally, at the same time as our port security goes to the highest level!?
So much for “homeland security!!!!
February 21st, 2006 at 4:56 pmPut the peices together.
Its as easy as 1 2 3.
Comment by worfeus
George has converted to Islam? Dumbass.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:57 pmTo Osama, this must be like going to Disney World after winning the Super Bowl. It leaves one speechless.
‘Nuf said! No wonder my head is spinning, I’ve been riding It’s a Small World for the past five years and didn’t even realize it.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:58 pm[…] Update (via Think Progress): QUESTION: Are you confident that any problems with security — from what you know, are you confident that any problems with security would not be greater with a UAE company running this than an American company? […]
February 21st, 2006 at 4:59 pm[…] Update (via Think Progress): QUESTION: Are you confident that any problems with security — from what you know, are you confident that any problems with security would not be greater with a UAE company running this than an American company? […]
February 21st, 2006 at 4:59 pm[…] Despite his endless lies, excuses, and near criminal bungling of everything at the Defense Department and in Iraq, Donald Rumsfeld has managed to hang on to his job time and time again. Could this be the beginning of the end? Today Rumsfeld said he was not consulted on the sale of US ports to the UAE. Now, via TP: Donald Rumsfeld, as Secretary of Defense, is a member of Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States. As such, he was one of the people who, according to the Treasury Department, unanimously approved the sale on February 13. How could [he] do that when he didn’t even find out about the sale until last weekend? […]
February 21st, 2006 at 5:00 pmGeorge has converted to Islam? Dumbass.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 21, 2006 @ 4:57 pm
No I-REICHSTAG-I, Dumbass is what they called that bitchwhore you called a mom who crapped you onto this planet.
And you weren’t even close to the concept I was posting.
Next time when you dad is homeschooling you up there in the Pocatello Compound, tell him to stop sodomizing you and teach you to read.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:02 pmThis story gets even better… not!
“WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush said Tuesday that a deal allowing an Arab company to take over six major U.S. seaports should go forward and that he would veto any congressional effort to stop it.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/ uslatest/ story/ 0,,-5637095,00.html
February 21st, 2006 at 5:02 pmNow CSTMoore, ask yourself, WHY Bush would be so adament about this deal going through.
Why not just abandon it?
Why stick to his guns unless he has something to fear if it does not go through?
February 21st, 2006 at 5:05 pmIn the last month we have learned about THREE major deals with the UAE!
1. The aquistion of major operations in 6 nations harbors
2. The SPACE PORT sale from an Arlington VA based firm which will provide the UAE with our SPACE technology and capbiilities.
3. The sale to the Port Of Dubai 300 Feet of WhsprWave Maritime Security Devices, the SAME devices that they will be responsible for in our harbors.
Put the peices together.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:06 pmI believe nothing that is stated by members of this administration or the heads of the intelligence and armed services committees of the Senate or Congress. Keane headed the 911 commission and is one of the major blockers of information by Siebel Edmonds (read her letter to him from http://www.justacitizen.org/ as well as information regarding Monitoring the Able Danger Congressional Hearings Coverage from MediaChannel.org. The entire hill’s potentates and organizations are a bunch of the worlds biggest criminal organizations.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:07 pmWhen it comes down to the bitter end we will find that it was all a Bush “Snow” job.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:10 pmA new TV show coming this fall from FOX.
SPACE JIHADISTS
Starring; William Shatner, Omar Sharrif and a special guest appearance by Osama Bin Laden.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:15 pmBetter learn to speak some Arabic. You’ll need it when Bush turns the CIA, the FBI and the National Guard over to them.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:16 pmNo I-REICHSTAG-I, Dumbass is what they called that bitchwhore you called a mom who crapped you onto this planet.
And you weren’t even close to the concept I was posting.
Next time when you dad is homeschooling you up there in the Pocatello Compound, tell him to stop sodomizing you and teach you to read.
Comment by worfeus
The bile and venom suits you. Psychologists say that the stupid are more violent because they have no other way to express themselves. It’s one way they explain the level of violence in African countries and American inner cities. So, tell me, are you a brutha? If not then you should be able to explain what you’re talking about instead of heaping personal attacks of a sexual nature upon my sainted mother and hero father.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:22 pmThere was NOTHING violent in my post Nimrod.
I just called your mom a whore.
I like whores.
And I really enjoyed your mom.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:23 pmAnd no, I’m as lilly white as your Nazi Goosetepping little limpdick ass is.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:25 pmRacist nazi prick.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:26 pmRemember the 2000 election? Think that was all above board?
You do not gather figs from thistles.
The special interests who swiped control of our country when they installed George W. Bush as their spokesperson/front man, are not going to just wither away if the American people don’t like what’s happening.
No. BushCo is in position and they’re holding all the cards. Watch.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:28 pmI was the first to bust George’s chops for this monumental political fuck-up and down right criminal neglect of our national security. If I say it’s a fuck up then it is and so I’m in no way being inconsistent. I always tell the truth…
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 21, 2006 @ 4:27 pm
Do I need to go back to putting the smiley face thingies after all of my sacrastic and humorous posts so you quit acting like an irrational woman??? :)
February 21st, 2006 at 5:29 pmIn response to #19 post, John Snow was awarded millions of dollars in bonus after he resigned from CSX, in a deal made with the company that stipulated he would be granted extra compensation if he resigned to serve in the government. For this reason, CSX has let go many employees, the remainder managerial types working 12 hour shifts, and sometimes double shifts because of layoffs. He has vested interested in things which affect the performance of the company, even though he is no longer with them.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:31 pmOops
Forgot there were other people here Unbelievable.
I’ll try and restrain myself.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:32 pmMeanwhile, we have got to get to the truth.
Comment by worfeus — February 21, 2006 @ 4:32 pm
No doubt. I just hope the average viewer gets the truth…
February 21st, 2006 at 5:32 pmIn the last month we have learned about THREE major deals with the UAE!
1. The aquistion of major operations in 6 nations harbors
2. The SPACE PORT sale from an Arlington VA based firm which will provide the UAE with our SPACE technology and capbiilities.
3. The sale to the Port Of Dubai 300 Feet of WhsprWave Maritime Security Devices, the SAME devices that they will be responsible for in our harbors.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:34 pmF’ing George is in denial and we the conservatives in this country are going to hand him his ass over this.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 21, 2006 @ 4:50 pm
But you elected him… twice.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:34 pmAnd its important to remember that we are NOT selling control of our ports to just a foriegn owned Arab firm.
Dubai Ports World is an ARAB STATE OWNED FIRM.
Were giving control of our ports to an Arab nation!
February 21st, 2006 at 5:35 pmSlightly OT, I found this googling for more on the President’s mars initiative, thought maybe i’d find something related to UAE and Capt. Kirk. Lots of fun reading. Enjoy; http://www.edge.org/q2006/q06_index.html
February 21st, 2006 at 5:36 pmElected him Unbelievable?
Hell, I-IDIOT-I has been in here DEFENDING Bush for the last 6 months.
Like I said, RATS leaving a sinking ship.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:37 pmForgot there were other people here Unbelievable.
I’ll try and restrain myself.
Comment by worfeus — February 21, 2006 @ 5:32 pm
You two need to be seperated. Clearly you can’t play nice :)
(notice the smiley face thingie, IRI?)
February 21st, 2006 at 5:39 pmLike I said, RATS leaving a sinking ship.
Comment by worfeus — February 21, 2006 @ 5:37 pm
About damn time… for a while it seemed like lemmings running off a cliff in suit behind their retarded leader who jumped first.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:41 pmYou know, I guess we should not be surprised.
Bush’s traitor Granddad and Bush seniors father traded with the NAZI’s during WW2.
The FBI shut that one down.
Now idiots like I-REICHSTAGLOVER-I made him president.
Trading with the enemy is a Bush family staple.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:41 pmIf what was posted above regarding no U.S. companies bidding on this contract and it being granted by default, I have a couple of questions:
1)isn’t the Federal gov’t responsible for National Defense? If so, shouldn’t a Federal agency do this job? (unfortunately, I’m well aware of massive incompetence of Homeland Security and most Federal agencies under this administration but…)
or for those anti-gov’t types:
February 21st, 2006 at 5:47 pm2)Why hasn’t the U.S private sector jumped at this oppurtunity, I would assume it’s quite lucrative?
Thank God for Martin O’malley.
He’s just NOT going to let this firm in.
He just said so. He basiclly said the President can go screw himself, because he said he is NOT going to surrender his port to a foriegn government.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:47 pmThis deal was in the works a long time ago Jeff.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:48 pmMARTIN O’MALLEY FOR PRESIDENT!!!
February 21st, 2006 at 5:52 pmworfeus– sadly I know that, so I guess those were rhetorical questions, but I thought I’d put them out there.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:56 pm
February 21st, 2006 at 5:57 pmBush’s next move might, well it might include the intermint camps that Halliburton is building and a new Army regulation about using Civilian Inmate Labor, outlined in AR-210-35, actually titled Civilian Inmate Labor Program, a sort of outsourcing without pay;
(1) Inmates are not Department of the Army employees and are not regarded as such. Inmates must not be referred
to as employees. They will not be paid from Department of the Army funds, nor receive any personal or private
gratuity for work accomplished or services rendered. Interservice, interagency, or interdepartmental support agreements
and/or memoranda of agreement with the corrections facility must not create any appearance of employment of
inmates(page 5 AR-210-35)
What work shall the inmates preform you ask;
Work performed by inmates will not interfere nor conflict with approved projects for which
resources have been allocated and funds made available for performance by contract or Army civilian labor force, or
with work which can be accomplished within authorized personnel ceilings. The Civilian Inmate Labor Program was
created to provide installation commanders with an alternate labor source to perform valid requirements. Civilian
inmate labor does not compete with existing in–house or contractor resources.(page 5 AR-210-35)
Well they can cut the civilian work force in DOD by not allocating funds to pay for them and then use civilian inmates instead. See Bush is trying to balance the budget, really he is, honest, I wouldn’t kid you.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:58 pmsorry folks, just trying to post some pics and can’t seem to do it
February 21st, 2006 at 5:58 pmhttp://www.cloakanddagger.de/lenny/SHEIK/Sheik.mht
go there and you will see what us americans purchased.
February 21st, 2006 at 6:00 pmit doesn’t surprise me just t’s me off a little bit more and now these folks will be securing our ports. the very ones our government deemed as terrorists. this is bushies addiction of oil. please folks check this out.
February 21st, 2006 at 6:01 pm118 Sounds a bit like “The Bridge over the river Kwai”
February 21st, 2006 at 6:02 pmJerkShot&Junior OK the Dubai deal yet Pentagon Pops says he wasn’t told. No wonder they can’t wait to whack Iran in order to distract the rubes in the run up to the mid terms.
February 21st, 2006 at 6:03 pmRep Peter King (R) said today that his office has recieved more calls on the port issue than any other issue in his entire 14 years in office.
February 21st, 2006 at 6:07 pm#122 except this time it is an US Army regulation, and they are talking about people here in this country, I’m a former Army Officer and Have read the regulation, you can too at;
http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r210_35.pdf
I’ve read many regulation during my service and never have seen one quite like this one. I get pictures of WW2 also but from another continent.
February 21st, 2006 at 6:08 pmI think we should have the Bush and family secret service detail replaced by the UAE.
February 21st, 2006 at 6:08 pmThen, John Snow’s treasury department.
Then Rumsfeld’s defense department.
A UAE Delagtion arrived in Washington DC today to defend the aquistion of the US ports.
Why is this deal so important?
February 21st, 2006 at 6:09 pmThe delagtion refused to talk to CNN because, according to their spokesman, “CNN will not shut up Lou Dobbs”.
LOL
February 21st, 2006 at 6:11 pmbecause they are going to control our military shipments for the army. now isn’t that just fricken fantastic. sorry o’l peckerwoods.
February 21st, 2006 at 6:11 pm125 I guess my point was that “we” are now assuming the role of the Japanese. It’s disgraceful and tragic that our Army officers are placed in that situation.
February 21st, 2006 at 6:11 pmI think we should have the Bush and family secret service detail replaced by the UAE.
Comment by Marie — February 21, 2006 @ 6:08 pm
Best idea I’ve heard all night.
February 21st, 2006 at 6:11 pmhttp://www.cloakanddagger.de/lenny/SHEIK/Sheik.mht
go there and you will see what us americans purchased.
this is bushies addiction.
MUST SEE TV
February 21st, 2006 at 6:12 pmHere is an interesting list I found over at the Corner(NRO) :http://yahoo.reuters.com/stocks/QuoteCompanyNewsArticle.aspx?storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060216:MTFH70989_2006-02-16_22-45-22_L16210059&symbo
February 21st, 2006 at 6:13 pm#130 There were also some japanese Allies, that did the same thing, but in Europe, with civilians from around various countries, who were found not to follow the party line.
February 21st, 2006 at 6:15 pmBOOBIES!!!!!!
February 21st, 2006 at 6:16 pmHere is a map I got from googling UAE favorite foods. Notice how close they are to Iran. I’ll get back to you with the foods… http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-uae
February 21st, 2006 at 6:21 pmTo the idiot above who posted the cloak and dagger link:
http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/weblog/comments/3769/
ps, thanks for the BOOBIES shout out tesseract,
February 21st, 2006 at 6:22 pmFARK REPRESENT!
Sounds like a partying place to me and the koussa mashi (stuffed courgettes) sound yummy. Maybe we can go watch a nuclear missle launch while we’re drinking some dark coffee… http://destinia.com/ guide/ the-world/ middle-east–north-africa/ united-arab-emirates/ 1-30005-30228/ 13/ en
February 21st, 2006 at 6:32 pmI wonder what they did for Bush that was so important, that he promised them this sale
Comment by worfeus — February 21, 2006 @ 4:03 pm
Well it appears that a top ranked political analysts, Gordon Chang thinks like worfeus.
He said on hardball tonight; “obviously the Bush administration is paying back some favor to the UAE” .
February 21st, 2006 at 6:33 pmCorrection. He said that on Lou Dobbs.
About 4 minutes ago.
February 21st, 2006 at 6:34 pmMust have been one hell of a favor.
:|
February 21st, 2006 at 6:39 pm“I wonder what they did for Bush that was so important, that he promised them this sale”
Maybe, it’s not what they did, but what they know. Blackmail can be a very powerful motivator. The House of Bush have been selling out our national interests for 30 years. Their business partners are smart enough to have documented their dealings with the House of Bush. We are paying the price for their treason.
February 21st, 2006 at 6:56 pmidiot? hold up. this was sent to me. and personally i don’t give a rats mfn ass if it’s a underground sex ring for the muslims. the point is that WE, americans paid for it every time we fill up our tanks.
February 21st, 2006 at 7:29 pmRumsfeld not consulted on transfer…
From Think Progress: In a press briefing today, Secretary Rumsfeld revealed that he was not consulted about the decision to transfer operations of six key U.S. ports to the United Arab Emirates, a country with troubling ties to international terrorism….
February 21st, 2006 at 7:30 pmMaybe, it’s not what they did, but what they know. Blackmail can be a very powerful motivator.
Comment by Innocent Bystander — February 21, 2006 @ 6:56 pm
Innocent Bystander, read my 4:34 Post. This is exactly what I’ve been saying.
February 21st, 2006 at 7:36 pmThe UAE HAS to have SOMETHING on Bush!
They’ve got too!
Why else would Bush keep this deal secret, and try to hide the sale?
Comment by worfeus — February 21, 2006 @ 4:34 pm
February 21st, 2006 at 7:37 pm[…] And according to Atrios, Donny Rumsfeld is on the board that unanimously approved the port deal he’d never heard of. […]
February 21st, 2006 at 7:44 pmAnd according to Atrios, Donny Rumsfeld is on the board that unanimously approved the port deal he’d never heard of
Amazing.
February 21st, 2006 at 7:46 pmWhy do we need any foreign country in charge of any port in the USA? Especially in a time of unrest like we have now, what is the purpose for subbing out our ports?
February 21st, 2006 at 7:54 pmInteresting reading….
I wouldn’t turn over our southern border to a Mexican Security Corporation, either.
:0)
February 21st, 2006 at 8:04 pmHow can a president have so little love or respect for his own country? I have never heard of or can conceive of a president with so little pride in is own country.
We deride or at least patronize the leadership of third world countries for making decisions outside of the interest of the constituencies and we wonder how the citizens of those countries can put up with it. Now we have a president selling of our ports.
I was never a fan of Bush but this is unimaginable greed.
February 21st, 2006 at 8:25 pmRepublican members of Congress are saying they will halt the sale of the port operations to UAE, but after Karl Rove and Dick Cheney call them making threats, we will see if they will stop it? The Bush Regime fights dirty, so NSA illegal wiretaps were probably done on every Republican in DC to keep them in line > it is called blackmail!
February 21st, 2006 at 8:43 pmThis is all part of Bush’s master plan to transform the country into a dictatorship. Let the UAE control the ports and make it easier for Bin Laden to ship a few Pakistani and Iranian nukes into the country. Blow up a few US cities like New York and Miami. Use that as a perfect excuse to declare martial law, suspend habeas corpus, the Bill of Rights and the rest of the outdated Constitution. Close down all newspapers and TV stations. Reopen them with new management that’s more like Fox News. Arrest all Bush critics and ship them to gulags in Alaska, Guantanamo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Thank the UAE ambassador for his help in a job well done.
February 21st, 2006 at 8:45 pm#153 The Gulags are being built by halliburton and the Army has a new regulation on how to use Civilian Inmates for work on military bases
February 21st, 2006 at 8:59 pmThe Seaport Sale Benefits ExxonMobil
Here’s the short version:
February 21st, 2006 at 9:24 pmAl-Nahyan has held power in the UAE for 200 years.
Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the UAE’s new crown prince and Nahyan’s third son, is the chief of staff of the UAE armed forces. He developed close ties with the US military. The new prince favors industry giant ExxonMobil.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/GG02Dh01.html
ADNOC, the UAE family oil business, is the Abu Dhabi national oil company; ADNOC is an ExxonMobil partner and ExxonMobil owns 28 percent of ADNOC. It’s explained here: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/uae.html
http://www.subsea.org/ company/ listdetails.asp?companyid=163
http://www.subsea.org/ company/ listdetails.asp?companyid=257
Exxon Mobil partners with the UAE royal family in the rich Upper Zakum Oil Field
http://www.adnoc.com/ adnoc/ english/ corp_profile/ corporate_profile_press.cfm?showrelid=105&id=485
ExxonMobil needs Bush to Sell U.S. Seaports for the benefit of its partners, the al-Nahyan family business.
Bush does not cross ExxonMobil.
http://www.suntimes.com/ output/ news/ cst-nws-bush02.html
The longer version, that includes pimping prepubescent virgins to the UAE royal family business, is here
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/21/192743/543
Clif,
I go the link for the new US Army regulation. DO you have something on the interment camps?
February 21st, 2006 at 9:35 pmCross-posted from Fark…
I’m not attempting to defend the administration, but Rumsfeld isn’t actually on the CFIUS committee. DoD has a seat at the table and the Department is usually represented by the DUSD(TSP&CP). Decisions from CFIUS are far from rare, this isn’t a random occurence and the Secretary’s of Defense, State, etc., don’t sit around a giant table to discuss this. Don’t want to ruin the “discussion” going on here with anything as minor as facts though…
Here’s a reference for anyone interested…
The DoDs position on each Exon-Florio transaction is decided on a case-by-case basis, Representatives of the DUSD(TSP) establish a coordinated DoD position on the transaction, including risk mitigation matters. Once that coordinated position is established, the DUSD(TSP) submits that position to the Department of the Treasury for full CFIUS consideration and decision.
Link (won’t post for some reason): http://www.acq.osd.mil/ip/docs/ business_combinations_desk_book.pdf
February 21st, 2006 at 9:54 pmThe Man,
Thanks for the link to the: Business Combinations Desk Book
So, with the fact that you got some research skillz. Can you help me to track down the 12 members of the CFIUS?
Thanks.
February 21st, 2006 at 10:01 pmSorry, not sure who the folks actually are for the other Departments, other than that they’re similarly delegated. Seriously, do you have any idea how many “foreign” companies/entities attempt to purchase critical US infrastructure and how often this goes on? I for one am more worried about Chinese purchases of these assets than I am about a company out of Dubai (do a search for “Global Crossing” and “Long Beach” for an example.) Call me crazy, but I’m a bit more concerned with the sophisticated economic power-house with strategic nuclear capability owning these resources than I am about “terrorists smuggling bad things through US ports.” We only screen around 4ish% of all cargo coming into US ports…do you really think you need to own the port operations at the HQ level to get something through…it’s alot cheaper to bribe someone at the dock. Just my .02
February 21st, 2006 at 10:07 pmThe Man,
You and I are gonna be geat friends. I hope you continue to post here. You are on the same exact page as the “regulars” here. The GWOT is just a ruse for selling out the country.
Welcome.
February 21st, 2006 at 10:11 pm“I - FRIGHT - I”, please go back under the rock from which you crawled and die.
February 21st, 2006 at 10:20 pmIn answer to the question of who’s ont he committee:
February 21st, 2006 at 10:44 pmfrom
February 21st, 2006 at 10:45 pm
http://www.treasury.gov/ offices/ international-affairs/ exon-florio/
February 21st, 2006 at 10:46 pmspudge
February 21st, 2006 at 11:00 pmUS internment camps
IMO that’s just an example of typical quality control on US government websites. The Secretary’s of the respective Department’s are not the reps…in the case of DoD/OSD, senior DTSA personnel (under DUSD(TSP&CP)…which I think might be TSP&”something else now”) sometimes represent DoD in lieu of the Deputy Undersecretary herself(McCormick, the DTSA head has done so in the past)…I don’t have a link to that, so take this for whatever it’s worth.
February 21st, 2006 at 11:10 pmThis has been going on for some time. Americans don’t want to work anymore. The Mexicans cook and clean our dishes. People from India do tech work for us. The Japanese and Germans make our cars. The UAE will run or ports. Which country wants to take over our Armed Forces? Cum-on it’s called outsourcing.
February 21st, 2006 at 11:18 pmWell post 167 > when America no longer employs anybody, then we will all be poor like in Haiti! WE could even be eating rats to survive? The wealthy elite have decided that only their needs are important and the rest of us can go to Hell! Sad but true!!!