Portgate Scandal

The Bushies continue to amaze. They lie. They bypass Congress. They think Bush is a king and rules by decree. They speak condescendingly towards anyone who is not one of “them”. They believe they are above the law and menial, pedestrian concerns like the US Constitution. The latest fiasco is the secret United Arab Emirates (UAE) “Dubai Port” deal that smells increasingly bad. Whenever it comes to making money, the Bushies reliably prove that America's well being takes a back seat.

'The administration's secret deal did not require Dubai Ports to keep copies of business records on U.S. soil, where they would be subject to court orders nor did it require the company to designate an American citizen to accommodate U.S. government requests. Outside legal experts said such obligations are routinely attached to U.S. approvals of foreign sales in other industries. The concessions — described previously by the Homeland Security Department as unprecedented among maritime companies — reflect the close relationship between the United States and the United Arab Emirates.'

Now Dubai Ports is a state owned company. So Little Georgie says a country that has ties to terrorist organizations and a record of supporting Al Qaeda and the Taliban, a country with ties to bin Laden, can operate American ports and they do not have to keep any records in the US. How convenient for abuse. There's more to turn the stomach:

Under the deal, the government asked Dubai Ports to operate American seaports with existing U.S. managers "to the extent possible." It promised to take "all reasonable steps" to assist the Homeland Security Department, and it pledged to continue participating in security programs to stop smuggling and detect illegal shipments of nuclear materials.

So the terrorist linked country can promise to take “all reasonable steps” to assist Homeland Security. I'll bet they had their fingers crossed behind their backs when they made that pledge. Oh, by the way – it was just a pledge – where are the sanctions for non-compliance?

It should also be noted that the “close relationship” between the US and UAE is heavily influenced by a long term business friendship between the Bush family and the United Arab Emirates royal family. Watch this video to see a report by Lou Dobbs that details the financial connections between both Bush Presidents, the UAE, the Carlyle Group, Dubai Investment Fund, Neil Bush and John Snow. Another cozy relationship is Georgie's appointment of a former Dubai Ports Executive, David Sanborn, as head of the U.S. Maritime Administration. In his new position, Sanborn oversees all U.S. port operations.

So on Tuesday Georgie gave the veto threat defense:

"After careful review by our government, I believe the transaction ought to go forward," Bush said. He added that if the U.S. Congress passed a law to stop the deal, "I'll deal with it with a veto."

On Wednesday, the obedient Bushies used the painfully familiar “we didn't know” defense:

The White House said Wednesday that Bush was unaware of the pending sale until the deal already had been approved by his administration.

Today he is using the reassuring, all knowing, putrid, “Father Bush Knows Best” ploy:

Bush, talking to reporters at the conclusion of a Cabinet meeting earlier Thursday, said that "people don't need to worry about security."

Quick, get the Pepto-Bismol. Thankfully, the nightmare ends in 2008.
Posted on The Human Stain