Balta1701

911 commission staff report 4:

Based on press reports today, it also seems that the proper procedures for approval of this deal were in fact not followed. Which in part would explain how a guy who seemingly voted for it in Rumsfeld claims that he didn't know about it until it was reported in the press. (Yes, it's a partisan site...but the links are good)

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Feb 22, 2006 -> 08:57 AM) For someone who is all gung-ho about vetoing any attempts to block this deal I'm starting to wonder how well informed he is on the matter. Turns out he heard about the deal after it was already made. Bush Unaware of Port Deal Until After Approval Which only adds to my bewilderment as to why he's so adamantly in favor of this deal going through.

QUOTE(Controlled Chaos @ Feb 22, 2006 -> 08:56 AM) That the people arguing against this are hypocrites. They are profiling. How would you feel about the Chinese Government handling management and hiring security personnel at U.S. ports?

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 22, 2006 -> 08:56 AM) So if publishing a picture of Muhammed is worth people dying over, I wonder how incredibly tough the protests will be against those who bombed a Muslim holy shrine? With it looking like an Al Qaeda attack, does that mean all of these same people and countries will finally cut off funding and support of these groups? Somehow I doubt it. The countries which fund and support Al Qaeda are mainly the Sunni nations, like Saudi Arabia. This was an attack on a Shi'ite shrine. The Shi'ites will respond with protests, likely a lot more targeted killings of Sunnis by Shi'a militiamen, and maybe even some additional bombings of Sunni mosques. The Sunnis will respond in kind. This sort of attack on the Shia will only serve to build support amongst the Sunni population that we've helped radicalize.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 22, 2006 -> 08:40 AM) Anyone? Sorry for the delay, I was asleep! I can at least tell you of 1 other...there's a company from Miami which has sued to block the sale.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 22, 2006 -> 02:25 AM) I don't think they will ban abortions. The key word in that statement is 'ban'. They may, however, overturn Roe v Wade which would then put the decision whether or not abortion should be legalized back in the hands of the states. And which would also make it possible for the federal government to actually institute a ban, by simply getting a majority vote in both houses of Congress. Yes, it would go to the states at first, but there wouldn't be any reason to assume it would remain only a state decisision.

QUOTE(AirScott @ Feb 22, 2006 -> 08:19 AM) I wouldn't think Jenks would falter like Shingo in terms of hitters figuring him out, because Shingo was more gimmicky, for lack of a better term. Jenks is a completely different pitcher, who can sometimes get by on only fastballs. if Jenks falters, it will be if he starts consistently falling behind 2-0 or 3-1, and hitters can just forget thinking curve. In other words...if Jenks falters...it's for the exact same reason Shingo faltered...he couldn't throw strikes.

QUOTE(The Critic @ Feb 22, 2006 -> 08:16 AM) The "Mack Daddy" is going to quickly become the favorite player of a lot of Sox fans. He will be what Graffanino was, and then some. I think Anderson may do that for a lot of folks as well. No surprises that Mack's going to face some righties, heck Ozzie did that with Timo, Pods, and Rowand sometimes last year. Thank God he can't do it with Timo this year. And hopefully Mack's defense in CF will be a step up from Pods.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 09:38 PM) Most things I have read said he will be near full strength at mini camps. So by the sounds of it he should be ready to go by training camp. I just can't fathom the lightning bolts letting him walk if they really believed that.

QUOTE(fathom @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 06:15 PM) Where's the Red Sox public relations specialist to spin this? There's some joke here involving a bear suit which is just dying to be made...

Brad Lidge didn't exactly leave the world awe-struck in the playoffs either. Unless you're talking about that pitch that Pujols...well...I think the Hubble is still trying to find that ball. I'll admit, I'm a little worried about Bobby. Probably more worried than I was about Shingo last year. Problem was, I thought Shingo could keep throwing strikes. For all I know Bobby could spend the year struggling with his control. But all i can say about that is...he's got some darn good people to work with in Cooper, Herm S., and our catchers. He's also got guys with closing experience (Hermanson) to drag him along. If he just can go out there and throw strikes with the fastball and the curveball...he'll get beat a few times during the year, but so does Rivera.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 03:10 PM) Any scientific polls done on this with the American public? I would imagine a rating in the low teens for approving this deal to go through. I doubt there's even been time yet...we only learned about the deal at the end of last week...which btw, seems to be before Rumsfeld knew about it.

QUOTE(Rex Kickass @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 03:02 PM) The reason that got dropped was because CNOOC was partially state controlled IIRC. So it stands to reason a state owned company would have the same worries and concerns. Just to make sure...you do know that this UAE company is at least partly state controlled? The CEO of that company seems to work directly for the crown prince in that country.

QUOTE(minors @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 03:00 PM) I don't believe he would purposely place us in harms way I think we need to look at this proposal a little more before passing judgement. Which is why I asked if anyone could give me a good, valid reason for why he's so vehement in defending this deal? It sure looks like it would weaken security. I mean, for example, according to Congress, that company's ports have been involved in illegal shipments of nuclear materials to countries like Iran, North Korea, and Lybia...and the ports they would be taking over have shipped roughly 40% of the U.S. materials involved in the Iraq war (ports of ew York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia) And, according to press reports... So the company would even have some significant security related duties at the ports. I can't see any good logic thus far which would tell me why the President responded to the concern with a veto threat.

QUOTE(Rex Kickass @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 02:57 PM) George Bush made a good point on this fight today. That sounds right Democrat of him actually But the point he's neglecting to acknowledge is that this company is owned by a state that sponsored terrorism. So even though I think he's still wrong - if this is his premise for defending the deal, I think its a pretty noble one. Which is why I can't possibly imagine how that's his only premise for defending the deal. Where was he when CNOOC tried to buy Unocal and was forced to drop the bid after U.S. legislators threatened to block it?

QUOTE(samclemens @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 02:31 PM) and that excuses his idiotic statement how? he's still a public official... Public officials at every level make stupid statements all the time. So do I. Everyone does. I'm sure if we looked hard enough, we'd find more than a few public officials who don't like having to use the same sinks as African Americans. Doesn't mean that I should really care, unless they're working for my district.

So has anyone yet come up with an idea of why exactly it is Bush seems so adamant about this deal going forward, when it certainly doesn't pass the "does this smell right" test if nothing else?

QUOTE(ChWRoCk2 @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 01:46 PM) ^^ If those are the dominicanas then they are gonna win this thing The Dominicans don't necessarily have the pitching to hang with some of the other teams, most obviously the U.S.

Jack Abramoff was paid $1.2 million to arrange a meeting between former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and President Bush. The Rove connection: Abramoff contacted Karl Rove “on at least 4 occasionsto help arrange a meeting, according to an eyewitness to the activities.” When the meeting was finalized, “Rove’s office called to tell Abramoff personally.”

QUOTE(Cuck the Fubs @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 01:25 PM) Pitchers: Colon and Martinez There are severe doubts about both of their abilities to compete, probably more so with Pedro, who's experiencing pain in 1 of his feet I believe. Colon still sounds like he'll pitch, but the Angels arent' happy about it given his injury at the end of last year.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 01:32 PM) I think they can get the 2/3s vote. This should polarize them to drop the bipartisanship for a moment. I think the Democrats would happily vote in unity to help overturn Bush's first veto of his term, just a question of how many Republicans the Bush Administration could peel off. It'll never come to that...if Bush doesn't want that bill going through Congress...he'll get it stopped beforehand.

Now This certainly inspires my confidence in this deal. Donald Rumsfeld, in a press briefing today: If Rummy is not lying here, not only is it disturbing that they didn't bother talking to the SecDef about this...but it's also worth noting that the SecDef sits on the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States, which unanimously approved the deal. So in other words, he voted for it without knowing about it. I'm confused. Bush is reportedly threatening to use the first veto of his administration on any bill which would block the sale.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 09:56 AM) I don't have a problem with diversity within our borders. I do, however, have a major problem with our educators presenting a jaded view of the US, which has been happening throughout our educational system for decades, and increasing exponentially as time goes by. Do you have evidence of that claim, or is it just an opinion?

QUOTE(bmags @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 12:11 PM) seriously, can't we just punish all the corrupt politicians regardless of party lines? Do you think for a second i would want a corrupt democrat in office over a noble republican? Gimme a break. Abramoff worked native americans for millions! Put this guy in jail! He's going to jail, for a long long time. The only question is who all is coming down with him. He's gotten a slight reprive on his jail time to spend more time working with prosecutors to bring down more folks with him. I will admit...that analysis is quite disturbing, and I shan't be using the study by TAP until I see a valid response from them.