Doug Lambert

The recent flap over the so-called “Dubai Ports Deal” reveals some interesting insight as to where we are as a people during this current time of war. It also exposes the fact that the Bush Administration is not nearly as politically savvy as its detractors constantly claim.

It was simply amazing to hear liberal Democrat “leaders” and their Bush-hating minions decry the sale of American-based British owned corporate assets to an Arab-owned conglomerate as being a threat to security, given their track record since the start of the new world war. These are the very same people who have cried foul at every action this President has taken in defense of our Nation, especially when it comes to identifying who the enemies actually are. Patriot act? Bad. Ethnically or religiously profiling airplane passengers in the post- 9/11 environment? Bad. Wiretapping potential terrorists hiding among us as they discuss plans for murder and mayhem? This is so bad some want nothing less than impeachment!

Any time this administration has taken steps to categorize certain types of persons that odds tell us are more inclined to commit acts of terror; the President’s critics instantly go ballistic. “He’s exaggerating the threat for political gain,” they tell us. “He hates Muslims, especially the black ones.” The underlying theme, naturally, is that the Bush administration, along with the rest of “red state” America is bigoted and racist at heart. None of this is factual, of course, but the liberal left and the large numbers of ordinary people being duped by the mainstream media day in and day out can’t seem to grasp the real truth. Danger? 9/11 was just an anomaly- a bad dream... and besides, wasn’t it Bush’s blood lust for oil that caused us to be attacked, anyway? “Bush lied. People died.”

Fortunately for our country, there still are enough people who, although they may not agree wholeheartedly with everything George W. Bush has done in response, haven’t forgotten the tragic events of that infamous day back in September, 2001. They, like me, will never forget the images of hijacked airliners full of innocent people, flown by radical MUSLIMS, into buildings filled with more innocent people. They, like me, won’t forget the photos of men with briefcases in hand and women holding their skirts down as they plummeted to their deaths at the foot of the still standing World Trade Center, murdered by radical Islamic MUSLIMS. Many of us haven’t forgotten what happened that day, and haven’t forgotten WHO did it. And yet, right from September 12th onward, there has been no lack of persons rising to what amounts to an active and ongoing defense of those who wish us all dead! Their actions have the effect of removing even the slightest obstacle preventing a re-run of that tragic day- all in the name of protecting “civil rights.” To them, the events of September 11th 2001 pale in comparison to the “horrors” of an Abu Graib or the “injustice” of a Guantanomo Bay detention center.

And then, suddenly, along comes the “Dubai Ports Deal.” The media do their usual work of not reporting all the facts — in an attempt, it seems, to trip up the Bush Administration as they are so wont to do. And it worked! What got basically reported was that the President, through his ineptness, allowed major U.S. seaports to be sold to... gasp!... ARABS! The American people, understanding who our enemy tends to be, wanted no part of this, opposed their President big time. It worked right into the Bush hater’s hands — a large majority of Americans reacted AGAINST their Commander-In-Chief. The Democrats and their liberal comrades, never ones to miss an opportunity, happily joined in. No matter that prior to this, they would stand no such denial of full, unfettered freedoms, even to known terrorists. Aided and abetted by the open bias of the mainstream media, those possessing neither patriotism nor principle have ridden the wave of political opportunism in grand fashion. “Look at us!” they shout. “We’re tough on security! No ports for Arabs!”

Meanwhile, back at the White House, in a fit of inexplicable tone-deafness, Bush threatened to veto congressional action stopping the “port deal.” This would be the same George Bush who has yet to veto ANYTHING since his presidency began. After allowing his political “enemies” to frame the debate unanswered for over a week, the President decides to threaten its use in order to defend a deal that many, correctly or not, only understood meant “selling vital American ports to Arabs.” So much for the famed Karl Rove and his vaunted political “magic.” I guess even the best of them have off days.

The bottom line is that we face a dangerous enemy. Half of the country pretty much understands the seriousness of the situation, as do their respective elected politicians. The other half of the people, represented by nearly half the politicians in the Federal government, fail to realize what we face. “Diversity” and “tolerance” trump everything else, no matter what. “Profiling” is just another form of racism that must be avoided, even if it endangers people’s lives — unless of course, it involves some faceless Arab-owned corporation, and happens to make the evil Bush look bad — then it’s OK.

Doug Lambert has an opinion about practically everything. His column runs every Thursday in the Laconia Daily Sun, God (and the editors) willing.