The Independent: "Middle Eastern anger over the decision by the US to block a Dubai company from buying five of its ports hit the dollar yesterday as a number of central banks said they were considering switching reserves into euros. The United Arab Emirates, which includes Dubai, said it was looking to move one-tenth of its dollar reserves into euros, while the governor of the Saudi Arabian central bank condemned the US move as 'discrimination'. Separately, Syria responded to US sanctions against two of its banks by confirming plans to use euros instead of dollars for its external transactions."
Way to go on that port deal Hillary Clinton, Peter King, Chuck Schumer, Maureen Dowd, Bill Frist, and last but not least, the US public. There will be consequences worse than this.
Posted by mike at March 13, 2006 10:05 PMYeah - I love the fact that Bush & co. seemed somehow surprised that the American public were sent into a panic when they heard the words "Arab," "Protecting" and "Ports" in the same sentence. It's like Pavlov getting upset that his dogs responded to that stupid bell.
Posted by: Amanda on March 15, 2006 11:32 AMSure, it's funny that the Bush administration's fear mongering turned on them; and yes, I'm glad the rank and file mentality of the Republican Party ceased and finally disagreed in a very public way with the White House.
But I'm terribly disappointed with the Democrats and their politicized use of the debate surrounding the Dubai port deal. Education (the Coast Guard and Port Authority still oversee security; other foreign companies (China was repeatedly pointed out) already own U.S. ports) and thoughtful analysis (ehm, impact on the global economy) were tossed out the window in the gleeful effort to rally ignorant Americans into loudly opposing a Bush administration decision. They took the easy route -- as opposed to requesting a more thorough review of the ports deal (I'm fine with suspicions that Bush is sloppy in his dealings) -- and opted for easy sound bites that portray America as hypocritical as ever when it comes to interacting with the Arab world.
I am ashamed of Clinton and Schumer's pandering speeches, and in this case I'm sad they represent my voice in the Senate.
No, I agree. Schmer and Clinton and the rest of those people I mentioned were disgraces on this one. David Brooks wrote a column titled "Kicking Arabs in the Teeth." That's exactly what this was, and there will be further repurcussions to come.
Posted by: Mike on March 15, 2006 11:24 PMI got your meaning the first time; I could tell you weren't pleased with thosed named.
I felt the need to elaborate mostly due to the fact that when I've talked to people in my office (all Democrats, usually liberal), they're more ready to focus on the collateral damage for Bush and celebrate that impact than acknowledge how horribly the Democrats behaved. I'm not naive to political manipulation, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't continue to hold my party or representatives to a higher standard.
I'm a long way off from being jaded, bitter, and apathetic when it comes to politics.
Posted by: Lori on March 16, 2006 10:33 AM