This is the United Arab Emirates

[tgnyc]

From the US State Department's Consular Information Sheet:

Americans in the United Arab Emirates should exercise a high level of security awareness. The Department of State remains concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. Americans should maintain a low profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with caution. In addition, U.S. citizens are urged to avoid contact with any suspicious, unfamiliar objects, and to report the presence of the objects to local authorities. Vehicles should not be left unattended, if at all possible, and should be kept locked at all times. U.S. Government personnel overseas have been advised to take the same precautions. In addition, U.S. Government facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time as necessary to review their security posture and ensure its adequacy.

Sounds like the kind of place you want running your national ports, don't it?

[berni_mccoy]

1. Not to mention the fact that the BushAdmin has been trusting them

To screen cargo bound for the U.S. since March 2005: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=491375&mesg_id=491375

[politicaholic]

2. Look at all of those instructions, see, they focus on safety...

If only cargo containers could search themselves.

[JCMach1]

3. Why don't you check to see how many terrorist acts have

taken place in UAE? While you are there, check the crime rate? Then, maybe per capita income and education levels? Then, see where most of the GDP comes from?

Could you do that?

Then, I will tell you I am much more afraid when I travel to Europe or the US (expotentially so).

We don't lock our doors. Our daughters can walk safely anywhere.

[tgnyc]

4. I'm more concerned about the terrorist acts coming out of the UAE

9/11, for example.

[FormerRepublican]

6. And yet financial crimes and smuggling are rampant, due to lax...

...oversight. As I'm sure you know, this DOES lead to crime in other places - with the most notable example being the terror attacks of 9/11.

I'm not saying there's anything inherently bad about the UAE. What I am saying is that prior acts (or failure thereof), and the perception of them in the aftermath of 9/11, calls for greater scrutiny of UAE involvements in US ports.

[fasttense]

7. If you are a daughter in the UAE, you better be covered from head to foot

before walking. And God forbid you drive. :eyes:

[Taxloss]

5. Jeez, you missed the worst bits.

In the past year, several arrests have been made in the UAE in connection with various possible international Islamic extremist terrorist plots. The UAE Interior Ministry has urged UAE citizens to be alert and vigilant by, for example, keeping an eye out for suspect packages or people acting suspiciously at subway and train stations and airports and reporting anything suspicious to the appropriate authorities by contacting the free confidential anti-terrorist telephone hotline. Americans are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise caution.

From time to time during periods of heightened threat of terrorism, the UAE government deems it necessary to raise levels of security activity. Heightened activity may include the use of military personnel in support of the police and law enforcement officers. The use of troops, who remain at all times under the control of the police, is part of long-standing contingency plans. Military personnel and equipment may be deployed at airports and other transportation links, or other public locations.

Early in 2001, two explosive devices were detonated in Dubai suburbs, injuring eight people and damaging buildings.

You wouldn't want a basket case like that running your ports. The place sounds like a terrorist hive.

[mondo joe]

8. And here's the UAE on gays

(Abu Dhabi) Eleven of twenty-six men arrested at what police in the United Arab Emirates called a "gay wedding" have been sentenced each to five years in prison.

The 15 others were acquitted but are still being held until the government decides whether to have them retried.

The men were charged with homosexuality, a crime under Sharia law, although police acknowledged that non of the men were engaged in a sexual act when police raided the event.

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/02/021106emirates.htm

I remember when progressives wanted to boycott Apartheid South Africa. :eyes:

[mitchtv]

9. shhh, didn't you hear?

Gays are being forgotten by the Dems (for now)