Ports again

Here's the thing, yes, the UAE is an ally and helped freeze funds to Al qaeda and yes the UAE has helped in Iraq during both wars. They are the good guys, and yes there is nothing more irritating than a blogstorm, but sheesh...... there is a smell test to things and this one doesn't pass. We would not allow Mexico, our ally and friend, to be in charge of the Texas border. Profiling? Yeah maybe. So?
From Fox News:

Nonetheless, the FBI has also concluded that the UAE's banking system filtered much of the money used for the operational planning before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and many of the hijackers traveled to the United States through the UAE.

Saying that he hopes Bush will overrule the committee and disapprove the deal, Foley pointed out that the UAE on Wednesday moved to improve bilateral trade ties to Iran.

"When the international community is attempting to bring Iran's nuclear abilities to a halt, the United Arab Emirates are talking about expanded trade opportunities with Iran," he said, wondering aloud whose side the UAE would land on if tensions escalated between the United States and Iran.

"This is, after all, a country that still sees the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan and still fails to recognize Israel as a sovereign state," Foley said.

"For a country that recognized the Taliban, as one of only three, the last thing you want is a country like this to have control of ... our ports," added Shays.

DPW would not be responsible for cargo screening, which is performed by the Department of Homeland Security, but the port operator is responsible for securing cargo coming in and out of the port, the port facility itself and the hiring of security personnel.

The War on Terror isn't going to be over anytime soon. This is a long term thing. So while the closer Muslim friends we have in it, the better we are, there are certain fundamentals we ought to agree on. i.e. Israel exists!

Bush quote:
"It sends a terrible signal to friends around the world that it's OK for a company from one country to manage the port, but not a country that plays by the rules and has got a good track record from another part of the world,"

Point taken, but let's try this again.
"It sends a terrible signal to friends around the world that it's OK for a company from one country to manage the port, but not a country that plays by the rules and has got a good track record from another part of the world. However, since this country isn't actually a democracy and doesn't technically recognize one of our greatest allies, we're going to spend a little more time vetting the business there that wants to take over our ports." How hard is that?
The UAE is the good guys but the American people have been screaming for better port coverage since 911. Maybe foreign companies are the only options? What do I know....and therein is the problem. Mr. President, you've told us nothing. Just "trust me, your security is all I think about". I'm sorry Mr. President but I suspect we could have had a little more setup before the punchline this round.
1) Tell us that despite the world's animosity towards us, a foreign country is our only option
2) Tell us that no real information is shared with this business in regards to who what where how
3) Tell us who will be in charge of keeping an eye out. (and somehow make us believe that the cronyism used in the FEMA appointment isn't part of the oversight here)
4) Give us credit for not being a bunch of bigots, but instead caring about this subject.
5) Go ahead and get mad, but get mad at yourself for not giving us a better setup to this.

I really want to trust you. I think you are the good guy. I know you have tons more information than I have. On the opposite side, I don't trust the MSM and if they are having a cow about this, then there's a good chance this is a nonstarter.
But while I will choose to trust you on national security, and military matters, this is a business deal. It didn't pass the smell test with the American people. The questions aren't going to go away.