I suspect it was ignorant Americans.

You see, we allow British and Chinese firms to run our ports, yet somehow we couldn’t get past the Arab moniker to allow this company the same privilege.  That’s just pathetic.  DHS specifically made clear they had no significant concerns about this deal.

This entire fiasco is the result of American bigotry toward Arab countries.  We assume the worst and keep them at arm’s length, completely ignoring the fact that we alienate them with such actions and demonstrate our own hypocrisy.  We want Arab countries to join the Westernized world, yet we deny them the opportunity solely based on our own ignorance and fear.

This is one instance where I agree with Bush: this deal should have moved forward and the Dubai company should have been allowed to manage these ports.  There were no security concerns (we already check less than 5% of all cargo coming into our ports, and who manages them won’t change that).  There were no international concerns (the ports were previously run by a British company, and the Chinese operate some of our ports even now).  There were no job loss concerns (the work would still have been performed by good ol’ American union workers; they just would have reported up a different food chain).  There were no valid security concerns (as I said, DHS already made clear they had no problems with the deal).  Shall I go on?

It’s no wonder the Arab world hates us.  This is a clear demonstration that we want them to be just like us but we don’t trust them to work with us.  We have sent a clear message: we don’t like you and we don’t trust you.

Again, there is nothing to blame except ignorant Americans who politicized the entire situation in the hopes of scoring points.  None of those people who supported killing the deal gave one thought to the reality of it all or the impact that decision would have on our relationships with Arab countries.

Gee, and I thought Bush was dumb.