United Arab Emirates

[RapidCreek]

I find it interesting that Mr. Bush, the champion of freedom and democracy, seems to be having some sort of illicit relationship with a group of countries which refer to themselves as an Emirate. Emrites are ruled by a dynastic Islamic Monarch styled emir. The Citizens of this Emirate do not have the right to change their government. The Government restricts the freedoms of speech and of the press. The press avoids direct criticism of the Government and exercises self-censorship. The Government restricts the freedoms of assembly and association, and imposes some restrictions on freedom of religion. The Government restricts the rights of workers, some of whom are not protected by labor laws. There are no labor unions. There are reports of poor working conditions, failure to pay wages, and abuse of foreign domestic servants in an economy in which 98 percent of the private sector workforce is foreign. Trafficking in women and children continues to be a problem. Beginning September 1, the Government implemented and enforced a ban against the use of juvenile camel jockeys, a number of whom were trafficked to the country from South Asia.

Now if I remember correctly we are currently engaged in a war with Iraq because they weren't afforded the freedoms they deserved. The Iraqis, that is. Well that's the reason, anyway, that's been manufactured since all the other reasons turned out to be lies.

Why are we so disinterested in the freedoms of Saudis?

Why does our president advocate giving control of our major ports not to a foreign company but a foreign COUNTRY which is the antithesis of a democracy. Why has this not been focused on? Why has not more been made of it? For christs sake the bush's penchant for self serving hypocrisy is amazing. All of our newscasters seem more than happy to allow him to get away with ....even the "good" ones. Must be those gosh darn liberal tendencies showing themselves again.

RC