Dubious over Dubai deal

Below are some quotes from an AP article by Ted Bridis. I've added the boldface sarcasm.

What's left to outsource? How about the presidency itself?

"Under the arrangement, UAE-owned Dubai Ports World would control significant operations at six U.S. ports. Lawmakers in Congress and some governors and mayors worry that having a company controlled by an Arab state responsible for port operations would open opportunities for terrorist penetration of an already porous defense."

You say "inconsistent," Dubya's puppetmasters say "investment."

"The announcement of a delay came amid a persistent political furor over the business deal, otherwise expected to be completed in early March. Republicans and Democrats alike have threatened to introduce legislation to block or delay the deal, citing unease over what they describe as inconsistent opposition to terrorism by the United Arab Emirates."

I ain't saying he's a gold digga...

"Bush has threatened to veto any such measures and forcefully defended the small but wealthy federation in the Persian Gulf as a vital ally."

Hey, think of it as a signing bonus.

"The White House noted the United Arab Emirates contributed $100 million to help victims of Hurricane Katrina just weeks before Dubai Ports sought approval for its business deal. It said the money was nearly four times as much as the administration received from all other countries combined, and said there was no connection between the money and the pending deal."

I smell yellowcake.

"At the first Senate oversight hearing since the controversy erupted, lawmakers challenged the adequacy of a classified intelligence assessment that played a crucial role assuring administration officials that the Dubai Ports deal was proper. The report, which is closely guarded, was put together during four weeks in November by analysts working under the U.S. director of national intelligence."

"Looking the other way, if it pays" is job 1.

"Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, asked whether the intelligence report examined purported links between government officials in the UAE and Osama bin Laden before the September 2001 terror attacks."

"'I did not see that in the report,' said Robert Kimmitt, deputy secretary at the Treasury Department.'"