A Pity He’s Already Killed Rational Thought
Isn’t this amusing. The climate of generalized paranoia and racism-lite fostered by the Bush regime rises up to take a big, fat chomp out of the Presidential Ass.
The Bush administration has been brokering a deal that would see state-controlled Dubai Ports World, based in the United Arab Emirates, managing sea ports in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia. It makes perfect sense: this is one of the largest shipping and port management firms in the world, and the UAE is a staunch ally of the USA. However, both Republicans and Democrats are in a flap because, of course, this means port management will be partially the hands of the folks that the lovely and talented Ann Coulter so charmingly characterized as “rag-heads”.
The stated source of their concern is that the “UAE” has “clear ties with terrorism and with Sept. 11th.” On closer examination, this seems to mean that:
- some funding for the September 11 attacks had flowed through bank accounts based in the UAE, and
- two September 11 hijackers were UAE citizens.
Well, there you go. Might as well hand the keys of the cities over to Osama himself. Clearly a company based in the UAE, a US ally, poses a clear and present danger to US security.
The problem is, Mr Bush’s last four years have been spent deliberately muddying the water and fostering resentment against a vague, undefined “them”. Visit any conservative blog (including, I’m ashamed to say, many Canadian ones), and you’ll find thinly veiled racist rants that barely (or don’t at all) distinguish between militant Islamists, Muslims generally, terrorists, and secular Arabs. Even suggesting that there’s a difference will provoke a wave of knee jerk mockery or anger, usually both.
Things have gotten so astonishingly convoluted that the US is now warning Iraqis that American support is contingent on Iraqis making a “democratic” choice for a non-Islamist government…you know, a secular government, like that one they just got rid of. Democracy’s great, kids, as long as we agree with your choices. Otherwise…think “Algeria”.
Well, the chickens are coming home to roost. For four years now Bush has raised a little monster of hatred, fear and racism. Funny thing about monsters, though…they never stay on their leash, and they have the most awful habit of turning on their daddies.
I have listened with more than a little amusement to (Right)WingNuts like Hannity, O’Reilly, and Limbaugh, alternately backing the president, trashing the president, generally back peddling; all the while trumpeting the “see this proves we’re unbiased” line while they do so…. their callers are also pretty well fit to be tied over turning port security (which has squat to do with the plan) over to a bunch of terrorists.
I sure would like to be a fly on the wall in the Fox news room these days when they’re trying to put together the daily line ups.
I’m gonna have to check myself in for psychic tuneup. In a seven day period I’ve found myself agreeing with Stephen Harper AND George Bush. I may have to talk to that sports psychologist – I like his treatment.
I agree with you for the most part, Balb. The ” racism-lite ” seems a little over the top, however. I think it’s more symptomatic of ” generalized paranoia.” If a sheik from UAE was looking to buy a steel company, or a retail chain, we wouldn’t be seeing this kind of reaction. In my view, the port management controversy has been fueled in part by the fact that it involves a red button terrorism issue, port security. What many Americans don’t seem to realize is the fact that port security is woefully inadequate now, which makes the nationality of the company managing the ports a tempest in a teacup.
>>”Things have gotten so astonishingly convoluted that the US is now warning Iraqis that American support is contingent on Iraqis making a “democratic†choice for a non-Islamist government…you know, a secular government, like that one they just got rid of. Democracy’s great, kids, as long as we agree with your choices. Otherwise…think “Algeriaâ€.”
Actually Balb, it’s more a case of non-sectarian than “non-Islamist,” and the Bush administration is correct to pressure the Iraqis on that front. The Americans grudgingly acceded to the inclusion of a role for Islam in the Iraqi constitution quite some time ago.
“Convoluted” is certainly the best word to describe this whole mess. I’m not even sure at this point what I think about the proposal or people’s reactions to it. I have heard/read that other of our ports are managed by foreign countries. It’s the business of lumping all Arabs into the same ball of Play Doh.
Point taken, Mike, although in the context of this discussion and the current US climate, you’ll agree that’s a distinction that may escape most Iraqis AND most Americans.
“Visit any conservative blog (including, I’m ashamed to say, many Canadian ones), and you’ll find thinly veiled racist rants that barely (or don’t at all) distinguish between militant Islamists, Muslims generally, terrorists, and secular Arabs. Even suggesting that there’s a difference will provoke a wave of knee jerk mockery or anger, usually both.”
And even more conservative bloggers are starting to warn against the imposition of Sharia Law in Europe and here in Canada – because to them, all Muslim’s want it. Not just the orthodox one’s. All of them. There is no distinction. And if you suggest that there is, well, that doesn’t fit the right wing worldview.
Did you see Kate’s post at SDA comparing moderate Muslim’s to moderate Germans prior to and during WW2? You can’t make this shit up anymore.
That particular meme started at CJunk’s. Bad thinking spreads quicker than bird flu, and does a lot more damage.