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 )

Chertoff Goes Mum on Portgate

Blair Golson / Truthdig Feb 21, 2006 Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff on the proposed deal to cede control of six US ports to the United Arab Emirates: "The discussions are classified" Truthdig doesn't pretend to understand the ins and outs of port ownership logistics, but we are troubled by Think Progress' revelation that a country linked with international terrorism is going to have dominion over 40% of the U cargo bound for Iraq . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Committee Head Wary of Arab Control Over U.S. Ports

Staff / Truthdig Feb 16, 2006 With a company owned by the United Arab Emirates set to take control over six U.S. ports, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee is urging the White House to reconsider approval of a sale. It was news to us at Truthdig that a foreign power could even do such a thing in the first place. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Army Gives ‘Hearts and Minds’ Another Go

Staff / Truthdig Jan 31, 2006 New commander plans to emphasize improving Iraqis' quality of life, rather than fighting insurgents. | storyPresidential advisor Karen Hughes' disastrous "listening tour" across the region last year proved that this is a tough sell, to put it mildly. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )