Bush is digging in his heals over the port deal - what's he up to?

[FormerRepublican]

The Bush Administration is advancing the usual suspects to spin the UAE ports deal, even in the face of massive opposition from both parties. What is Bush up to? Why is the ports deal so important to him that he's willing to risk everything to push it?

I don't trust Bush or any of his pals for a microsecond. They're up to something, and I don't think mere raw $$$ is the total of it. Too risky for not enough return. We need some researchers on this story to find out what Bush's motivation is to push this issue so hard in the face of public opposition. He's hiding something, and the ports deal is a tool to help him hide whatever it is he's planning to do. I read the DU post on how the UAE is a major drug portal, and that might explain part of it. But the Mexican border is wide open and infested with drug cartels, so I doubt drugs are the motivator, either. Illegal nukes? Is Bush planning to sell some nukes to some of his unsavory ME pals and hidey them up through a hidden shipment at a UAE run port? Import nukes for terrorists? What?

IMO, Bush is a traitor. No other explanation for everything he's done since he's been in office. My only question is what treasonist motivation is behind this freaking ports deal?

[Skidmore]

1. Let him dig all he wants. This is gonna

just tank him and anyone who supports the craven greedy little sucker.

[MADem]

2. My guess? To quote Mark Felt, "Follow the money." n/t

[napi21]

3. It may be nothing more than he hates anyone to disagree with him!

If Snow backs down on this, you'll see HIM "want to spend more time with his family!"

I'm just waiting to see just how far Shrub & Rove will go against amy Pubs who fight him in Congress. There are a number is issues NOW that some very prominent Pubs are fighting him on. Might be popcorn time folks!

[Avalux]

4. I think it's about Iraq and the $$ stood to be made by American Corps

In 2003, Dubai Ports World (the company to run our ports) began a "master plan" expand and modernize their port facility, the Jebel Ali Free Zone, to "meet the damand of the Iraqi market". This new facility is now complete:


Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) is on course to complete the new Jebel Ali port expansion master plan on schedule and will be ready to meet the expected demand from the Iraqi market, according to a senior official.

Last year the DPA announced its master development plan for Jebel Ali Terminal, which when completed will offer an extra three major terminals and a total of 82 berths equipped with 125 quayside cranes enabling DPA to handle over 21 million TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units).
DPA has already completed the development phase of berths 11 and 12, berths 22 and 23, the new container empty strip, general cargo berths 37-39 and berth 4. The reshaped quay 4, berth 10/10A, while berths 24 and 25 are currently under construction and to be completed early next year, said a Khaleej Times report. ‘By then Jebel Ali will have excess capacity for this trade,’ he said. To date this year DPA handled 5.2 million TEUs, while the total throughput for the year is expected to touch 6.1 million TEUs.

Meanwhile, Jamal Majid bin Thaniah, chief executive officer DPA, said the general cargo volumes loaded to Iraq through DPA in the last eight months have grown tremendously. It is expected to double, exceeding last year’s volumes by the end of this year, he said.
“Ro-ro units exported through DPA to Iraq have shown same upward trend as January-June figures this year are higher than last full year figures. We have accelerated the investment programme for this and next years to meet such an increase in trade between the UAE and Iraq.”

http://www.oilandgasnewsonline.com/bkArticlesF.asp?Arti...


GE was one of the first companies to benefit from this new facility:


GE Energy has opened a new regional Center Of Excellence (COE) at the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ), which was today inaugurated by Jamal Majid bin Thaniah, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Ports Authority.

GE Energy's rental business is the temporary and portable power unit of GE Energy, a US$19 billion global business specializing in power generation and energy delivery technology.

GE Energy's rental business will now carry out its regional operations from its new 200,000-square foot COE, a specialized facility designed to serve the business's smaller regional hubs. Its expanded capabilities will enable GE Energy to meet the increased energy demands of the region which have contributed to the business's growth. The short-term power solutions provider, which has been serving the Africa, India and the Middle East (AIM) region since 2001 from its previous centre, also located at JAFZ, continues to grow and expand its business.

http://www.ameinfo.com/40386.html

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. It means we need to push harder.

He did this with Harriet & social security. Refuses to admit he made a mistake until the conservatives start talking to him.

[PhilipShore]

6. The offshore banking industry

Money stolen by the Reukes, does not exist, and thus was never stolen when it is in an offshore bank account --tax free.

[ladjf]

16. You are correct. It's the main way the Pub crooks can cover up

their profits, especially from the IRS.

[bluerum]

7. And its also about controlling information about what goes in and

out of the ports.

Soon after the sale you will see an increase in armed guards, surveillance, and a dark veil of secrecy descend over the ports.

Any loud noises or bright flashes will be atmospheric events. That black smoke is only an accident on the dock.

All that miltary aircraft is guarding the ports from terrorist attacks.

[fooj]

8. He's a treasonous rat bstard.

History will remember him as a lying, good-for-nothing traitor.

Little Lord Pissypants...you're doing a heck of a job!

Peace.

[tibbiit]

18. I think LLPissyp should be ENCOURAGED

To dig in his heels... keep his resolve in this matter!
I hope he continues to want this deal to go thru, and am almost inclined to send emails encouraging his continued resolve. I might even send emails to my senators to encourage this too! Then they can all cut their own throats.

tib

[NVMojo]

9. his treasurer secretary worked for Carlyle Group owned CSX when it sold

DP in 04. He immediately left his CSX job for the US Treasury Secretary job. Connect the dots. Guarantees were made to make the sale of the last company to the UAE firm.

[Demeter]

10. I Expect New Orleans Awakened Him To the Value of Ports

So he decided to grab America by the throat and sell her into slavery.

[mzmolly]

11. "LIHOP Part Deux?"

Then, off to Iran/Syria to continue the PNAC - Haliburton agenda.

[thereismore]

14. MIHOP pt. 2

then off to declaring martial law and abolishing the Constitution.

[Twist_U_Up]

23. DING DING DING

Thats the plan.

[Marie26]

12. Military trade-offs, I think. nt

[Botany]

13. Follow the money .....

"Before coming to Treasury, Snow was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CSX Corporation, where he successfully guided the global transportation company through a period of tremendous change. During Snow’s twenty years at CSX, he led the Corporation to refocus on its core railroad business, dramatically reduce injuries and train accidents, and improve its financial performance."

So what company would make lots of money picking up container cargo @ the ports?

Class ...... ?

[medeak]

15. The Carlyle Group smells in this somewhere I bet n/t

[Spinzonner]

17. I think they believe if they show weakness on issues

then the house of cards may be in danger.

SO they pursue things until they get to the point they can cast it as a victory - even if not in fact.

Or they try to get it through surreptitiously, such as the SOcial Security plans hidden in the budget.

[Ksec]

19. Its a payback for their help

Thats a dangerous way to do business.

Thats how and why Reagan helped Saddam. Payback for their help . You create power where power doesnt belong when you use the payback thing in business.

[Bucky]

20. I believe it's called "being a stubborn jackass"

He's pouting. He's holding his breath until he gets his way.



The port sales were about money, pure and simple, money for the people who he owes favors to. The lunacy of the deal never occured to him. He couldn't imagine the Dubaians betraying him--any more than he could visualize his buddies in the Taliban betraying him by backing up a terrorist attack on us--any more than he could imagine his buddy Chalabi betraying us by fooling the neocons into thinking we'd be welcomed with open arms.

Bush is an inept dupe without a clear sense of what serves the American interest. He's as dangerous as a drunk hunting companion. This port business is just more proof that the boy isn't up to the job.

[RazzleDazzle]

21. Money. Power. Carlyle Group. You know, the usual --

Who the hell cares what YOU think?
(good compilation with links)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x474465

UNFREAKING BELIEVABLE--Space program to UAE!!!
Randi just read an article about someone moving a program or business to the UAE to build rocket ships! What is happening?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x482110

BUSH SAYS HE WOULD VETO LEGISLATION TO STOP DUBAI PORT DEAL
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x482124
and: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x482418
and: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2473610
and: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2122983
and: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2473610&mesg_id=2473610
and: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2473635
Link: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/WBT004834.htm

Ask yourself: Why is Bush so damned determined to keep the port deal?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=482138&mesg_id=482138

UAE corp. exec. to be U.S. DOT Administrator. (Jan. 06)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x472586

Edward Copeland (52 posts) Mon Feb-20-06 03:50 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2471299&mesg_id=2471307
1. This thing is smelling worse all the time
On top of the bipartisan criticism of this plan, including Tom Ridge, a poster on my blog tipped me off to this angle: a key executive of the UAE company was appointed by Dubya in January to a key transportation department post overseeing maritime issues and serving under Norman Mineta.

Here is the link to the company's own press release:

http://www.dpiterminals.com/fullnews.asp?NewsID=39




Port security should have been an issue before Bush decided to sell it
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2471299&mesg_id=2471299
Link:
Key lawmaker says U.S. should freeze port deal
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/centredaily/news/local/13914905.htm?source=rss&channel=centredaily_local

the connection to it all - Carlyle Group involved in port security deal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2471320#2471323
also: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x473813
and: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x474295
Link: http://www.bridgedeck.org/mmp_news_archive/2002/mmp_news021219.html
and: http://www.nsnet.com/archive-1-2005-02.html
and: http://www.informare.it/news/review/2003/b030303.asp


Our Ports are a Tradeoff!! All about $$$ and Oil
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x471124
Link: http://www.oilandgasnewsonline.com/bkArticlesF.asp?Article=14878&Section=1947&IssueID=336 (also other links in OP)

[Bluebear]

22. Kickbacks, Carlyle, $$$$$$