Smearing our friends. Protecting our enemies.

David Ignatius:

Certainly, al-Qaeda knows who the enemy is. Among the documents released last week by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point was a spring 2002 al-Qaeda warning to officials of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It accused the UAE leaders of working with the U.S. government "in order to appease the Americans' wishes which include: spying, persecution and detainments." Al-Qaeda claimed it has penetrated the UAE government, and the United States should certainly vet any UAE personnel working in the United States. But the idea that by purchasing the British company that has been managing six U.S. ports, Dubai Ports World is somehow opening the door to terrorism is, frankly, racist.

I couldn't agree more. Especially as to Democrats who are always accusing everybody else of racism. Maybe they can't really see the nuance involved.

I don't agree that Bush had it coming for having warned so much about terrorism. That's like saying we didn't really need the Patriot Act after all. Indeed, those who've whined about endangering our civil liberties really should have to explain why all of a sudden they're down on Arab-owned companies. There's a real odor of talking points about this. The campaign is on. It's time for Republicans to go on a war footing if they don't want to lose seats in Congress. So far, they don't seem to be profiles in courage.

Hillary!® really ought to keep quiet about this, since her husband allowed Red China, certainly no great ally, to take over port facilities when he was president.