The fact that the DP World deal is creating such a furor and division within the Republican Party almost makes me wonder if the whole thing is nothing but a smokescreen to push other issues - warrantless surveillance, Libby/Plame, etc. - into the shadows for a while. I mean, the Republicans may be ruthless and even incompetent in many regards, but they're not necessarily stupid (aside from Bush). There has to be more to this than merely trying to put a dubious deal on the fast track.
http://drewlbucket.blogspot.com
Posted by DrewL Bucket at March 2, 2006 09:24 PMHunter is a wingnut, so I have my doubts about his seriousness on this. First of all, the deal is scheduled to go through Fri. or Mon. Is Hunter going to get legislation passed tomorrow morning? Looks more like he's covering his ass. But hats off to him if he accomplishes it. Even better if it turns out to be an all out fight that draws blood from the chimp.
Posted by Mr Larry at March 2, 2006 10:02 PM"Everything in this country can't be for sale."
Wait a second...isnt that the point with globalization and free trade? That everything is for sale..or was that only true for foreign countries?
Posted by Greup at March 2, 2006 10:41 PMI got 1,600 buckets of popcorn for the show. steve, is that enough?? bring it on!!!
Posted by michael72 at March 2, 2006 11:06 PMstart singing sixteen hundred buckets of popcorn on the wall...
this is a travisty. We have a half-wit wild-haired gunmaking the whole world miserable. Maybe he'll go down in Khrachi. Pease, take our "unelected imposter president, Please" (in honor of the late Rodney Dangerfield).
It looks like that old musical, "...gotta stop, gotta stop, gotta stop that man......".
Kiss your freedom goodbye...
Posted by sara swati at March 3, 2006 12:26 AMHe said he would "kill" any deal even if it closes.
What he must mean is that he will prevent the transfer of the leases to the new owners. He has no authority to prevent two foreign companies from merging, and it is irrelevant anyway.
Posted by bob h at March 3, 2006 04:55 AMwhat's going on is the nationalist and business wings of the party are finally coming into conflict
Posted by polimorf at March 3, 2006 05:05 AMHave you seen this article?
Bush: U.S. should welcome Indian competition
In India, president furthers effort to nurture countries’ economic ties
HYDERABAD, India - President Bush urged Americans worried about a U.S. job drift to India and other countries to welcome, not fear, competition with this rapidly growing nation of 1 billion.
[That's right. Stop whining about our loss of jobs and the decline of our middle class, and celebrate "competition" between all the earnings Big Corporations can now rake in by not paying American wages and the un- or underemployed here in America! But don't worry! Those corporations still get all their tax cuts, as if they were paying people right here in the US.]
Posted by anonymous colorado at March 3, 2006 05:10 AMPlease, please, please veto legislation to stop the UAE port deal. PLEASE!
Then, the Congress will cockpunch Bush in his monkey face and override the veto, rendering Bush even more irrelevant than he already is.
Posted by Christopher at March 3, 2006 06:15 AMHey Steve,
What does it take to get blogrolled by you?
Posted by Christopher at March 3, 2006 06:46 AMExcellent point polimorf; let's hope it continues.
Note that it's the GD Reactionary Right that first comes out with legislation stopping foreign investment in obvious national security assets like our ports. Think that's going to be popular?
Way to get beaten to the punch again, Dems! Jesus Christ, the timidity.
Posted by euzoius at March 3, 2006 07:09 AMsmokescreen
Could be, but they've done so much damage on so many levels, I'll take it. Anything to get them to stand up to Commander Codpiece is good. We're going to be fixing this shit for 25 years anyway.
Let's start now.
Posted by Zappatero at March 3, 2006 07:17 AMI fear that this is all just some Rovian plot designed to improve Republicans' chances in November, by creating a splendid opportunity for Republicans to oppose the unpopular Bush. They don't care how popular Bush is (he can't be elected again anyway), they just care about holding on to power.
Posted by Herman at March 3, 2006 09:00 AMthe desire to make money requires a hold on power. The infrastructure for this began just after Bush I lost to Clinton. The impeachment of Clinton was the centerpiece, guaranteeing the disgrace of a popular president and popular party (Dems). 9/11 was the key to unlock everything. The 6 years of Bush have totally been about solidifying the hold on power - a power that transcends politics and even political parties. The weekly follies that George Bush foists on this country only obscure what they've done to the country to keep the power. They are capable of anything, illegal or not, but power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts, absolutely. The house of cards is wobbly, but the base the house of cards sits on is deep rock. I believe that it will take more than bad poll numbers and a steady revelation of utter incompetence to erase these crooks and liars from our midst. Misdirections and obsfucations of events, as noted in this thread, are part of their bag of tricks. But vote fraud is their ace in the hole. Watch the 2006 elections.....they won't just give away what they have.
Posted by T2 at March 3, 2006 09:19 AMT2--I don't want to believe it is that bad. But I do. For all the calculated millions or billions I have seen estimated for the value of this Dubai thing, I cannot imagine why the Alpha Chimp wants to use his veto to protect this contract--unless it is precisely as you say. That is what I find sobering. He wouldn't use his veto to make money. He would use it to consolidate power.
I concur too with your concerns on vote fraud. It is one thing to be hoodwinked by NeoCons--shame on them. To have the vote stolen = shame on us. There is more than ample evidence that the national electorate has been robbed.
Posted by suds at March 3, 2006 10:22 AMAll these tough talking Republicans will fall in line once they get message from Rove that they will be facing stiff competition in the primaries with opponents that are heavely financed.
Posted by suresh at March 3, 2006 10:36 AM