GOP lawmakers: Fear fueled ports criticism

[sabra]

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8GAD2O87.htm?campaign_id=apn_home_down&chan=db

GOP lawmakers: Fear fueled ports criticism

Four U.S. legislators visiting this city at the heart of a collapsed ports management deal stressed Sunday the United Arab Emirates remained one of America's strongest allies in the fight against terrorism.

...

"We have lots of partnerships (with the UAE). This issue that came up was a firestorm more out of the ignorance of all the facts than anything else," Sen. Johnny Isakson said.
Isakson, Sen. Saxby Chambliss and congressmen Phil Gingrey and John Linder agreed the Emirates would remain a strong ally.

...

"The American people thought it was a bad deal because they have been made to fear it. The Democrats jumped on it a couple weeks ago because we're in a political season, and Republicans responded to try and outdo them," Linder said.

Gingrey said: "There's no question that given the war on terror, obviously that (DP being an Arab-owned company) had something to do with the concern, and the lack of knowledge the people, including U.S. Congress, might have had ... about relationships with the UAE. But I don't think it's a matter of prejudice."

[Charlie Brown]

1. Chambliss once said we should simply arrest every Muslim

http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/2001-12-26/fishwrapper.html

It's nice to see he's Mr. Tolerance now.

What the hell are four Republicans from a southern red state doing defending a corrupt dictatorship that does business with Iran and North Korea?

[ingac70]

18. Because that is where they get their back handers $$$$$

Same with the Pres.

So funny they are whining about fear mongering now!

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Fear came back and bit them in the hand.

Like a genie out of the bottle. Good luck recorking that one.

[redphish]

3. I guess bush yanked back on the old choke chain pretty hard.

[charlyvi]

4. Um....this administration has been stoking the fear factor

for five years....it's what got shrub elected in '04. Now, all of a sudden when it comes back to bite them in the ass, they're looking all doe-eyed and innocent, as though they don't know why on earth anyone could object to an ay-rab government owned entity controlling the security of any ports? Do they honestly think they can put the toothpaste back in the tube when it suits them?

[donco6]

5. I didn't think Repug hypocrisy could soar to such heights.

After what - 5 years? - of creating the "towel-headed boogeyman" and ensuring us that he is lurking under each and every one of our beds and in our suitcases and shoes and nail clippers, now they believe people are irrationally fearful of - "towel-heads"? There's a big, fat "D'oh" for ya.

They made this bed, they can sleep in it.

[Trillo]

14. What about the "Fear Factor" in passing the Patriot Act?

More on topic:
If it gets in the way of making money, it's got to be bad.
If it helps to make money, it's got to be good.

If it helps buisness, it's got to be good.
If it hurts workers, it's got to be good, if it helps buisness.
If it hurts buisness, it's got to be bad.

If it helps gather information on citizens, it's got to be good.
If it helps gather information on government, it's got to be bad.

If it helps Congress's independence, it's got to be bad.
If it hurts Congress's independence, "trust us" says the Republicans (hint, we belive in "the republic" it's in our name, don't pay attention to the new fraud machines)

If it helps the President's Executive Department, it's got to be good.
If it hurts the President's Executive Department, it's got to be bad.

Oh, let's establish a theocracy! Good for all. Hugh!! 11 11

If it destroys the U.S. Constitution, well, who cares <---from the GOP's apparant viewpoint---> "I got mine! Screw you!"

[mike_c]

6. tough getting the xenophobia genie back into the bottle, huh?

eom

[killbotfactory]

7. A company owned by royalty who used to party with bin Laden

I never knew these "strong on defense" assholes would bend so far backward to kiss terrorist loving royal ass.

[jwirr]

8. No commonsense fueled the port criticism. Vital infrastructure

belongs in the hands of our own citizens. Transportation, energy production (we have a way to go on this), etc. If it would be vitally needed in any type of emergency it should be in our own hands.

[banana republican]

9. EXCUSE ME: it's not about fear is about THEFT

and the unjust enrichment of the Carlyle Group....

[The Traveler]

10. I'm still waiting for someone to point out the obvious ...

We are told we must flush our previous civil liberties down the toilet because there might be sleeper cells operating here, yet there is no security risk in allowing a company ultimately owned by those who have partied with Bin Laden run our ports. The logical disconnect there is staggering.

[Ouabache]

11. FEAR FUELS THE GOP and right wing on EVERYTHING

they do. jeez, who woulda thunk it?

[Rainscents]

12. Didn't they created this problem in the first place?

:crazy:

[anotherdrew]

13. didn't they JUST stop a chinese company from buying exxon?

I know consistency is too much to ask

[radfringe]

15. gee - if you want to CALM people's fear

then why the hell did they issue a terra-lert about arenas this weekend?

[truthisfreedom]

16. prejudice CREATED by bushco, via president unelect rove.

it's a demise of their own spawn.

[M155Y_A1CH]

17. post-9/11 thinking

They were very persuasive in getting us to think this way.
Why don't they?

[triguy46]

19. the same "fear" that they have been shoveling out...

to justify our having to enter planes shoeless. What crap.