Bush’s “Face-Saving” Charade on UAE Port Deal
Bush’s “Face-Saving” Charade on UAE Port Deal
There are reasonable arguments for and against the sale of U.S. port operations to the UAE. But there is a 45-day investigation for such transactions that is required by law. The administration should conduct the review because its legally mandatory and important for the security of the United States.
The scheme that is being concocted as a face-saving measure for the administration is absurd. The administration would conduct the 45-day review — but only because the UAE requested it. From Meet the Press:
SEN. WARNER: And this is a copy of the agreement which is now being delivered to the administration and to members of Congress. And it really spells out unequivocally the willingness of this country—excuse me, this company, to give every means of support to help work this thing out.
It says, “DP World and POPNA,†that’s the British, “jointly request,†now, they’re requesting, that’s a key thing, “that the CFIUS process on a nonprecedential basis to conduct an aview—review full and 45 days for the acquisition.†So there it all is. And I…
MR. RUSSERT: So the company is requesting a 45-day review investigation …
SEN. WARNER: That’s correct. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
This is too much even for right-wing pundit Charles Krauthammer, who supports the deal. From this morning on Fox News:
CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST: I love how the company is on its own asking for a new review. It sounds like a Soviet show trial in which the defendant says I would like to request that the court indict me again.
Obviously, this is a cover the administration is cooking up to allow it to save the face and say we didn’t ask for a second review.
The point here is simple: the United States government should determine what kind of review is required, not the UAE royal family.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
No need for correction. DP World is a state owned operation. You had it right the first time Senator Warner.
February 26th, 2006 at 2:37 pmright on Spudge Boy, as usual. It make you wonder who owns this country?….what ever the Arabs want?…hmmmmmm…that picture of bush kissing the Saudi prince ON THE MOUTH sure sticks in my mind.
February 26th, 2006 at 2:44 pmIs this an agreement between two countries? Can it be called a contract, one synonym for treaty? Does the Constitution say something about treaties with foreign governments being a responsibility of Congress? Maybe Warner would answer my questions with a positive.
February 26th, 2006 at 2:49 pmSecrecy, deception, and lying will be the Democratic theme for 2006 and 2008. Let’s just not forget about the illegal spying and the failed war.
February 26th, 2006 at 2:56 pm#1 That’s what I thought when I heard it. Had it right the first time.
#3 I agree completely. I am not a lawyer, nor am I an expert on either international or constituional law, but I have to wonder where the line is between what agreements require a treaty (and subsequent approval of two-thirds of the US Senate), and what agreements can be legally accomplished by contract alone?
February 26th, 2006 at 2:58 pm#2, It’s not “whatever the Arabs want”, its whatever the rich companies want. The companies can be American like Haliburton or owned by another government. Either way, it will always come down to money for Bush. He had to know how bad this would sound to people who care about security and the bad position it would put traditional conservatives in, but he clearly cares more about money than security.
February 26th, 2006 at 3:03 pmAlright! 45 days to wait unitl the American people get to hear yet another definitive “fuck you!” from the President of the United States.
February 26th, 2006 at 3:04 pmC&L has the video.
February 26th, 2006 at 3:16 pmMy only concern with DP World is the introduction of a “sleeper” cell. But the NSA keeping track of their phone calls, etc. might negate this. Oh, the silver lining.
But a sincere question for progs of the hypocritical persuasion, “Where were your shrieks when China Ocean Shipping was given the green light on managing Long Beach, CA. Oh… that happened in the Clinton ad nauseum – I mean administration, so….
February 26th, 2006 at 3:18 pmThe problem is the US Government and the UAE Goverment both want this deal to go through.
We need an independent counsel to investigate.
Why would anyone even consider this deal just 5 years after 911?
February 26th, 2006 at 3:25 pmAcutally we were opposed to that as well Not-So-Mighty.
Citizens of the Peoples Republic of China didn’t knock down the trade centers.
Citizens of the UAE did.
Clear it up any?
February 26th, 2006 at 3:27 pmthe life of a troll….so lonely
February 26th, 2006 at 3:29 pm#1, #3, and #6 Yes, up to now I wasn’t sure why some were going to lenghts to point out that Dubai Ports World is state-owned.
True, this is more a matter of a Treaty, than a contract; and the administration’s approval of it circumvents the Congress (and the People).
And not lost at all is the question of WHY this administration is so eager the approve this ‘contract’; what is their relationship to the UAE that makes circumventing the Congress (and alienating the People) so profitable?
February 26th, 2006 at 3:30 pmAnd not lost at all is the question of WHY this administration is so eager the approve this ‘contract’; what is their relationship to the UAE that makes circumventing the Congress (and alienating the People) so profitable?
Comment by Dem02020 — February 26, 2006 @ 3:30 pm
Jay Randall just explained to me, that it’s payback for the failed business ventures of Arbusto and Harken (in whom the Arabs invested)… essentially it’s Nepotism. That’s all G.W. understands. It’s how he went to Yale and Harvard. How he graduated. How he got out of service in the Vietnam War. How he got his political ties. Etc.
February 26th, 2006 at 3:33 pmWhy is the mainstream media so afraid to say that Bush cares more about money than security. If he thinks settling a debt with the countries that financed his business disasters is more important than port security, shouldn’t the media be trying to tear down Bush’s reputation for being strong on security? Even Bush’s supporters admit that it’s all he has left.
February 26th, 2006 at 3:39 pmYeah, yeah, it’s THEIR idea, right. That’s the ticket! LIAR!
February 26th, 2006 at 3:42 pmBush is going to get his way on this anyway, and this phony face-saving act is not going to be the reason why — it will be because his toadies are at this moment polishing up the silver platter.
Well, well, well…even the seed-covered counteneance of mighty admits there is risk that can only be negated by spying…
February 26th, 2006 at 3:46 pmEveryday you show your governmentness you dirty whore.
#16 It seems true, that the Bush family (and all who hitch their political and business wagons to them) has a greater PRIVATE INTEREST than they do any Public one; and that those PRIVATE INTERESTS are so Oil and Arab dominated, that they would rather compromise the security of our Ports, than refuse a $7 billion dollar ‘contract’ with the UAE.
And who can forget the suppressed 28 page conclusion to the Joint Congressional Inquiry’s Report on the attacks of 9-11: A conclusion that identifies the foreign government that financed those attacks; a supression that protects the President’s ‘good friends’, the Saudis.
February 26th, 2006 at 3:48 pmFight the power,
On top of that, how does this administration balance the pro-Imperialism of Cheney against the pro-Trade of Bush?
February 26th, 2006 at 3:50 pmThey don’t.
They buckle after about 5 years.
It’s no wonder these guys are nuckin futs. Kristol wants to kill Arabs(make no mistake-he wants to kill every last one of them)-and Bush wants trade partners.
This is an unsurmountable paradox.
February 26th, 2006 at 3:54 pmSenator Warner is a Bush apologist and NOT an honest man either! He can try to spin the dirty deal with the UAE all he wants, but most Americans know it smells!
February 26th, 2006 at 3:54 pmi will never believe that bush, rummy, and any other liar did not know about this deal…they knew, and they tried to get it through before anyone caught on…more lies and deception…more greed…
February 26th, 2006 at 3:56 pmAnd who can forget the suppressed 28 page conclusion to the Joint Congressional Inquiry’s Report on the attacks of 9-11: A conclusion that identifies the foreign government that financed those attacks; a supression that protects the President’s ‘good friends’, the Saudis.
Comment by Dem02020 — February 26, 2006 @ 3:48 pm
Good point. I think Michael Moore called it. In F 911 he asked who would you be more loyal toward – the people paying you $400,000 a year or the country giving you millions?
All about the bling… But really, what do we expect from Capitalism? We need a new system. Something Humanity based… but I’m not holding my breath on that either. Too many pigs feeding at the trough now to deconstruct the thing.
February 26th, 2006 at 3:58 pmTaylor the notorious female actress who had many husbands, of which Warner was one, said to the press a few years ago that she loved all her EXs except Warner who she said was the dumbest man she ever married > lol. That says it all!!!
February 26th, 2006 at 3:59 pm#16 Jay Randall just explained to me, that it’s payback for the failed business ventures of Arbusto and Harken (in whom the Arabs invested)… essentially it’s Nepotism. That’s all G.W. understands. It’s how he went to Yale and Harvard. How he graduated. How he got out of service in the Vietnam War. How he got his political ties. Etc.
Comment by unbelievable — February 26, 2006 @ 3:33 pm
I want to believe that this is not the true explanation because, let’s face it, it does tend to sound like real tinfoil hat conspiracy-type thinking. But it is also why I want to know what role personal friend James Bath played in this, because he was the one who helped the president secure all that Arab funding for his failed businesses. If Mr. Bath was involved, then I am certain that this was more quid pro quo than anything else.
February 26th, 2006 at 4:01 pm“It sounds like a Soviet show trial in which the defendant says I would like to request that the court indict me again.”
____
And on that score, might I add that — if I felt it would in any way help to remove the cloud of suspicion from my very great friend Dick Cheney — I would with great pleasure once again stupidly and accidentally interpose myself between his rifle and the quail which he was, with enormous prudence and care, endeavoring to shoot in an altogether sober and responsible manner.
I admit that I had it coming, and I would happily have it coming again, without coercion and of my own free will.
February 26th, 2006 at 4:22 pmI want to believe that this is not the true explanation because, let’s face it, it does tend to sound like real tinfoil hat conspiracy-type thinking.
I think it just sounds like business as usual – money makes alliances. That’s the side I saw in Corporate America. People made ‘friends’ with those who gave them moeny. Doesn’t sound conspiracy to me… just Capitalism at its worst.
But it is also why I want to know what role personal friend James Bath played in this, because he was the one who helped the president secure all that Arab funding for his failed businesses. If Mr. Bath was involved, then I am certain that this was more quid pro quo than anything else.
Comment by Wayne A. Schneider — February 26, 2006 @ 4:01 pm
I think quid pro quo is that same thing as I posted. Just with the Bush ideology of neopotism infused.
February 26th, 2006 at 4:45 pm#28 Well stated.
May I add that it was my own recalcitrant wrong-thinking and repeated refusals to comply with reasonable UN resolutions that invited the invasion of my country, and resulted in my own capture.
I can only hope now that I will be rigorously and justly prosecuted for my manifold crimes, and that I will in the end receive the most severe judgment available, which I richly deserve and earnestly crave, so help me God.
February 26th, 2006 at 4:50 pmJudd,based on these comments,this site should be called ThinkConspiracy.
February 26th, 2006 at 4:56 pmI always thought progressives were open-minded,fair and,well,progressive.
The reason conspiracies are able to exist is because of reasonable peoples insistence that they don’t.
February 26th, 2006 at 4:58 pm#30 Don’t be so hard on yourself.
As a result of our own sloth and institutionalized “entitlement” mentality, we invited the scourge of Hurricane Katrina and served as willing accomplices to our own ruination.
We fervently hope that the investigation of these events will be vigorously revisited in the future, and that the full weight of blame will be properly placed on us, rather than the Bush administration and its agents, whose only failure was the inability to overcome decades of New-Deal-encouraged helplessness and over-reliance on government-provided solutions, when surely we merely reaped what we have sown.
May we burn in Hell. Oh, and kudos to DP World and its earnest desire to be held to account, yet again!
February 26th, 2006 at 4:59 pmLook, how about this.
How about EVERYONE watch Farenheit 911 tonight?
Watch it again with NEW EYES, if you want to understand the Dubai deal.
Watch it, knowing that the UAE just funnelled about 8 BILLION dollars into the Carlyle Group (Bushs daddies firm).
Watch it again, and then ask yourselves if this is a good idea. I dare you.
February 26th, 2006 at 5:04 pm#13 – “Acutally we were opposed to that as well Not-So-Mighty. Citizens of the Peoples Republic of China didn’t knock down the trade centers.Citizens of the UAE did.
Clear it up any?” – Comment by WarFACE
*****That white face mime routine called the “Progressives Protest against COSCO”???? That was your “opposition”????
Tim McVeigh, was a home grown piece of $h*t. You didn’t protest the US, did you?
You omit the compliance with US security measures the UAE has undertaken….but facts can be inconvenient…especially if an agenda is at stake….
February 26th, 2006 at 5:08 pmThe left only wants review in the sense of the “review” they wanted for Alito and Roberts.
In other words, they want to sabotage the deal and increase resentment of America in the Arab World.
The fact is that all the needed reviews have occured and there is no reason for concern with this deal. The only cause for concern is from leftist paranoia and racism.
February 26th, 2006 at 5:10 pmIn other words, they want to sabotage the deal and increase resentment of America in the Arab World.
Comment by Gary Ruppert — February 26, 2006 @ 5:10 pm
Oh, but you think the neo cons on the Right regularly calling them Ragheads is acceptable to them? Please…
February 26th, 2006 at 5:12 pmNow, I wonder how anyone could say that “all needed reviews have occured” if there was no 45-day investigation as required by law? The investigation is automatically required if national security concerns are raised. Special provisions were put into the deal because of national security concerns, so the necessary trigger for an investigation happened.
Simply put, this is just yet another time when we’ve had to ask the administration to please, no matter what they think of it, follow the law.
February 26th, 2006 at 5:16 pm#11
M.A. I don’t think China supported terrorists who fly planes full of innocent human beings into buildings also full of innocent human beings. Yes, China has a lousy human rights record, but during the Clinton era, nobody
February 26th, 2006 at 5:18 pmflew their planes into American buildings.
You omit the compliance with US security measures the UAE has undertaken….but facts can be inconvenient…especially if an agenda is at stake….
Comment by mighty aphrodite — February 26, 2006 @ 5:08 pm
Do YOU believe them? Can they secure YOUR house, your childrens? Do you believe the leaders are more interested in their religion or their dollars, here bush has about removed all doubt………..
February 26th, 2006 at 5:19 pmJudd,based on these comments,this site should be called ThinkConspiracy. I always thought progressives were open-minded,fair and,well,progressive.
Comment by TJM — February 26, 2006 @ 4:56 pm
Conspiracy would be blaming Bush for the design and implementation of 9/11.
conspiracy
n 1: a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act
2: a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot)
3: a group of conspirators banded together to achieve some harmful or illegal purpose
We’re not doing that. Just, like a jury does, trying to deliberate the evidence to understand whether or not a crime was committed, and if so – to what degree.
February 26th, 2006 at 5:21 pmIt’s not “racism” if the host country in question has a long history of abetting our enemy.
I am, however, not concerned that the UAE considered the Taliban the legitimate government of Afghanistan. So did we, until it looked like they were going to queer the Unocal pipeline deal.
Remember: “Good” Muslims can support terrorism as long as they send us oil or can be bribed to assist us on miilitary or commercial issues.
“Bad” Muslims are those who don’t comply with our military or commercial interests, whether they support terrorism or not.
In short, “supporting terrorism” is irrelevant to any discussion of strategic US allies. It’s a red herring, and always has been.
February 26th, 2006 at 5:36 pmWayne, that was the source of much back and forth in the hearings Thursday. The law is apparently that if a transaction couldbe a threat to national security,then the 45 day review is required. The reps of the various agencies said that to them,the negotiations with DPW based on issues raised during the initial review,satisfied them and no further review was required.
February 26th, 2006 at 5:38 pmBoth Sens.Clinton and Levin insisted that since this was a foreign gov’t controlled company it triggered the 45 day review automatically.
The panel and the Senators agreed to read the justifications from the Senate legal office as well as the AG.
It’s not a requirement that the 45 day review be done no matter what.
O/T: Any bets on whether that “intelligence” that was “lifted” from Dick Cheney’s office has any bearing on the coup alert in the Philippines?
Who did Arroyo piss off?
February 26th, 2006 at 5:39 pmTim McVeigh, was a home grown piece of $h*t. You didn’t protest the US, did you?
Comment by mighty aphrodite — February 26, 2006 @ 5:08 pm
Yea, a RIGHT WINGED CHRISTIAN FRINGE homegrown peice of sh#t.
And I DO protest those.
Clear it up any?
February 26th, 2006 at 6:04 pmYou omit the compliance with US security measures the UAE has undertaken….but facts can be inconvenient…especially if an agenda is at stake….
Comment by mighty aphrodite — February 26, 2006 @ 5:08 pm
HA HA HA HA HAH HO HO HA HAH HEE HEE HE
stop…..you’re killin me….
February 26th, 2006 at 6:05 pmno…I mean it….you’re really killin me…..stop
:|
February 26th, 2006 at 6:06 pmfeb 23, in a letter to rummy, etc., eleven Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committe write:
“This does not appear to be a proper interpretation of the law. Under 50 U.S.C. App. � 2170(b), the CFIUS must conduct the 45-day investigation “in any instance in which an entity controlled by or acting on behalf of a foreign government seeks to engage in any merger, acquisition, or takeover which could result in control of a person engaged in interstate commerce in the United States that could affect the national security of the United States.”
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Congressmen_write_Rumsfeld_Chertoff_Snow_on_0223.html
…nothing about a “threat”, just AFFECT…
February 26th, 2006 at 6:09 pmand this deal will surely affect national security…
I understand that james batch is no longer with us. He did in a private plane crash, under very mysterious circumstances, shortly before bush ran for president.
you see, bush gets rid of things that stick in his craw.
February 26th, 2006 at 6:55 pmmighty,
All security is the same. $10.00 per hour rent a cops.
February 26th, 2006 at 7:17 pmTerrorist countries should not run ports. It’s not complicated.
I wonder if mighty would sing the same tune if the security of her gated community was being given to the relitives of those she fears so much that she has to live in a gated community?
February 26th, 2006 at 7:39 pmThe UAE asking for another review reminds me of Harry Whittington’s apology for stepping in front of Cheney’s bullet.
February 26th, 2006 at 10:40 pm[...] Another factor that detracts from any confidence one might have in this decision is the demonstrated thickheadedness of George Bush to ignore even what is manifestly obvious that the law calls for. Given all of that it is difficult at best to believe that this deal is in the interest of our national security. [...]
February 27th, 2006 at 1:32 amI can just see the advert in my mind’s eye:
Remember when the Republican party said Democrats were anti-America?
Well gee, I guess ignoring the US constitution and acting like you are above the law is REAL American leadership. (Q clip of Bush more or less saying that)
Remember when the Republican party said Democrats couldn’t take responsibility for anything?
(Q that clip from when Delay called for the Republican congress to blame all its troubles on the Democrats. Or by Brown-nosed Charlie blaming FEMA’s screwups on the Democrats, or any number of wriggling weasel moves.)
Remember when the Republican party said Democrats were dishonest and amoral?
(Q clip all about K Street, Enron and World-com)
Remember when the Republican party said Democrats were gay?
(Q photo of Bush kissing that Arabic guy on the mouth.)
Remember when the Republican party said Democrats couldn’t be trusted with national security?
(Q the sale of the 22 ports the Republicans sold to the UAE)
Suckers.
February 27th, 2006 at 3:37 amAnother add idea
Dock Worker 1: Isn’t government supposed to work for the people?
Dock Worker 2: The Republican government does work for the people.
Dock worker 1: What people?
Dock worker 2: Those people (Points to a group of oil barrons and rich sheiks.)
February 27th, 2006 at 3:47 amAll this talk is a waste of time Bush the DICTATOR has already made his mind up
get rid of Bush and A.S.A.P
February 27th, 2006 at 8:09 amI got a brilliant idea why does The American banks not offer a better deal to P&O
Oh Sorry I forgot Bush has Banckrupted America the dollar is underwritten by a national debt that now exceeds $8 trillion dollars and trade deficits that surpass $600 billion per year. That means that the greenback is the greatest swindle in the history of mankind. It’s utterly worthless. The only thing that keeps the dollar afloat is that oil is traded exclusively in greenbacks rather than some other currency. If Iran is able to smash that monopoly by trading in petro-euros then the world’s central banks will dump the greenback overnight, sending markets crashing and the US economy into a downward spiral.
February 27th, 2006 at 8:37 am#64
Here’ a great add idea!
Narrators voice:
Not happy with the way things are going?
(While cherry picked images of Iraq and Katrina bombard the viewer)
Narrators voice:
Tired of being lied to?
(Play select audio sound bytes to grossly misrepresent and distort the facts about the port deal and every other issue during the last 6 years)
Narrators voice:
Then vote Democrat these next elections!
Speed talking disclaimer:
February 27th, 2006 at 8:59 amWarning—voting Democrat will cause severe knee-jerk reactions, indecisiveness, depression, erectile dysfunction, whining, complaining, loss of direction, intellectual dishonesty, and moral bankruptcy.
Narrators voice:
Then vote Democrat these next elections!
Comment by Antagonist — February 27, 2006 @ 8:59 am
Please, go back on your meds. You’re not even funny. Just really pathetic (hint: a lot of people here aren’t Democrats).
February 27th, 2006 at 9:00 am#11 My only concern with DP World is the introduction of a “sleeper†cell. But the NSA keeping track of their phone calls, etc. might negate this. Oh, the silver lining.
Comment by Mighty Hypocrite
According to your hero, King George, the NSA has been keeping track of phone calls between Al Qaeda members and their contacts in the US. If a sleeper cell has not been calling the US in advance, then, sorry, Mighty Hypocrite baby, but the NSA will not have been keeping track of it–at least if you believe everything King George says (which, by the way, I most definitely don’t).
February 27th, 2006 at 9:01 amAlso, as I, as well as other people, have pointed out previously, the US intelligence agencies are woefully short of competent translators/interpreters of Arabic. There is really no guarantee that any potential sleeper cell calls intercepted would be rendered into English in time to be of any help, just as calls hinting of the 9-11 attacks didn’t get translated until after the tragedy. Or are you going to volunteer to translate them, Mighty Dear?
An interesting aside to this deal was the Treasury Secretary Snow claiming to be unaware of the deal til it was done.Prior to his present job he was in charge of CSX,a company running the railroad container business.They have recently had the UAE take over running this business.Then Snow gets the job at Treasury and, lo and behold, here’s UAE getting the port business yet he “knew nothing about it”!These people will lie right to your face and smile while screwing you.Since they have been getting away with it for years expect this crap to continue.
February 27th, 2006 at 9:57 am“Speed talking disclaimer:
Warning—voting Democrat will cause severe knee-jerk reactions, indecisiveness, depression, erectile dysfunction, whining, complaining, loss of direction, intellectual dishonesty, and moral bankruptcy.”
Okay, first:
Knee-Jerk Reactions directly contradicts indecisiveness. The two are not compatable.
Depression? More like the avoidence of one.
Erectile Disfunction? Hey it’s not our guys who see gun ownership as a suitable substitute for having testicles.
Whining? Not really. More like (in the case of a loss) repeatedly getting to say “I told you so!” to idiot repugs when things inevitably go wrong due to their idiot leaders.
Complaining? Yep, as a person in a Democratic nation you are fully allowed to state your case, moan at your government, and disagree with the direction it is taking – without being called a traitor for doing it.
Intellectual dishonesty? You mean like Ann Coulter (For outright lying repeatedly), Rush Limbaugh (Less blatant about it, but still a liar) or Fox news (Fired two reporters for, you guessed it, not being willing to lie on camera?) Maybe you mean Abramoff (K-Street) or Bush (Just about everything that has come out of his mouth?) Sorry, they are all Republicans.
Loss of direction? As apposed to the current downward spiral perhaps?
Moral bankruptcy? Lets see, a major bribery scandal, putting a political appointee in as the head of the FDA (Not par for the course, the job normally goes to a career scientist) ignoring the US constitution and calling the document quaint when called on it, outright lying about Iraq, declaring war for no known reason, disobeying international law, breaking the Geneva convention (Gitmo) removing a secular dictator and replacing him with a weak theocratic demi-democracy/ civil war, all while calling those who disagree with them traitors to America and charging soldiers in the combat zone for medical treatment etc… Yep, definite moral bankruptcy here except, hey sorry wasn’t that all, you know, the Republican government?
I mean, Republican Senate, Republican Congress, Republican President, gee I wonder who should take responsibility for the last two terms?
February 27th, 2006 at 10:15 am#71
I forgot to include denial, blame placing, assertions without backing them up…
February 27th, 2006 at 10:37 amYep. All of those are bread and butter to the repugs.
Oh, and for sources,
On the guy heading the FDA
http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,1109345,00.html
On the US constitution; That would more or less be my take on the whole bit with warrantless domestic spying; went with Wikipedia because the whole story is pretty much general knowledge:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSA_warrantless_surveillance_controversy
Iraq if you need a source, I have to ask how you have managed to survive this long with your head buried under a rock. Ditto breaking international law (Gitmo is a violation due to the fact that these people are not enemy combatants and are being held without charge, as is going to war without the UN’s mandate)
The growing Iraqi civil war is evidenced by the recent holy site bombings.
As for soldier’s paying medical fees, well I found something even more disgusting while doing a quick search:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1018/dailyUpdate.html
Wounded US soldiers who have returned home are increasingly finding that they are being referred to credit agencies by the US military because of discrepancies in pay or “failure to pay” for lost equipment.
Yep, that thar Republican army sure likes its soldiers.
February 27th, 2006 at 11:25 amWe know George Bush has lied to us, spied on us, broken the law and sent Americans to fight an illegal war. The time for just debate and protest is over. We need real action to save our country and our Constitution – Congress must consider the impeachment of George W. Bush. Click here to take action: http://www.ccr-ny.org/impeachment
February 27th, 2006 at 3:36 pmCritics say the outcry over the £3.9bn acquisition of P&O by Dubai Ports World, which will transfer the running of five US ports to a state-controlled Middle Eastern company, has exposed the US Congress at its xenophobic worst. But it has also revealed more starkly than ever the protectionist tide that is waxing in America under the guise of national security.
In the UK, in the cash-rich Gulf states and in fast-growing India, different incidents in the past week have made people ask the same question: is it worth doing business with the US?
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/analysis_and_features/article347680.ece
February 27th, 2006 at 4:48 pm#68 – “….(hint: a lot of people here aren’t Democrats)”, once again stating the obvious!!!!
February 27th, 2006 at 7:13 pmComment by unbelievable — February 27, 2006 @ 9:00 am
******I could have told you THAAAAT! Mainstream Dems are far to right-wing for the likes of anti-Capitalists like unbeliever.
******I could have told you THAAAAT! Mainstream Dems are far to right-wing for the likes of anti-Capitalists like unbeliever.
Comment by mighty aphrodite — February 27, 2006 @ 7:13 pm
Coulda, woulda, shoulda… don’t you have something to go wash – like yourself.
February 27th, 2006 at 7:45 pm