Al Qaeda in 2002: We Infiltrated UAE

Staff / Truthdig Mar 2, 2006 The terrorist organization wrote that it had infiltrated the United Arab Emirates government four years ago, and that the emirates were "well aware" of the infiltration. This is the country that is angling to take over control of major U.S. ports. (Hat tip: Think Progress and Scripps Howard, which broke the news.) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Port Deal Never Probed for Terror Ties

Staff / Truthdig Mar 2, 2006 A Republican lawmaker tells CNN that the Homeland Security Dept. never investigated whether the UAE company slotted to take control over major U.S. ports had any connection to Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Dubai: Great Theater

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Mar 1, 2006 It's the season's big hit, a zany farce with pompous officials in the Bush administration and their hysterical courtiers in the mass media asserting positions that are patently absurd but hilarious to watch. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

34%

Staff / Truthdig Feb 28, 2006 In the last 30 years, only a Watergate-stained Nixon had a worse approval rating than Bush's current level of 34% Of course, CBS' polling methodology has its critics on the right. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Coast Guard Had Security Qualms on Port Deal

Staff / Truthdig Feb 28, 2006 The Coast Guard warned weeks ago that it couldn't be sure that the UAE wasn't supporting terrorists. The disclosure came during Monday's hearings about the Arab country's attempts to take over control of major U.S. ports. Check out the unclassified Coast Guard document. Wanna know why 64% of people disapprove of this deal? Consider how much time and energy Bush & Co. have spent scaring the American public with "what if" scenarios about Arab threats (see: Saddam). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The GOP Shell Game

Molly Ivins / Truthdig Feb 28, 2006 With the Bush administration, it's important to have in mind the old carnival con game: Keep your eye on the shell with the pea under it. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

McCain: Port Sale Overblown Since UAE is Freer Than Chinaђ

Staff / Truthdig Feb 27, 2006 Note to the Arizona senator: it's not saying much to claim that a country is "freer than China." As ThinkProgress reckons it, only about seven countries in the world are less free than China. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

UAE Gave $100 Million for Katrina Relief

Staff / Truthdig Feb 25, 2006 The country seeking control over six U.S. ports donated nearly four times the total of all other countries combined. The State Department denies there's a connection between the gift and the pending port deal. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Armed Cheney to Guard Ports

Andy Borowitz / Truthdig Feb 25, 2006 Attempting to defuse the controversy over the decision to place the operation of several key American ports in the hands of a company based in Dubai, Vice President Dick Cheney said today that he would personally patrol those ports with a 28-gauge shotgun. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

It’s the Corporation, Stupid

Molly Ivins / Truthdig Feb 23, 2006 Regarding the UAE port deal: The people running this country are perfectly willing to outsource American jobs, wages, and health and safety standards for the sake of free trade. Why would it surprise us that national security is ditto? Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Alternative Perspectives on the Port Deal

Staff / Truthdig Feb 23, 2006 With both Republicans and Democrats attacking the White House over its proposed port deal with the United Arab Emirates, it's worth noting that many people feel that the issue of port ownership is either irrelevant to national security (in the New York Times), symptomatic of xenophobic rage (Andrew Sullivan) or just plain opportunistic politics (Think Progress). Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Rumsfeld’s ‘Golly Gee’ Stance on Port Sale Draws Skepticism

Staff / Truthdig Feb 22, 2006 The secretary of defense claims he didn't know about the pending sale of six major U.S. ports to a United Arab Emirates company, even though, as ThinkProgress points out, he sat on a board that approved the sale. Meanwhile, the president vows to veto any blockage of the sale, setting up a showdown with Republicans and Democrats. Confused about the issue? The Moderate Voice has a good primer. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )