Playing the Muslim Card: Charles Johnson, Wall Street Guru

Over at LGF, the brain that is Poodle Chaz come up with yet another reason for the Dubai Ports World deal to be scuttled:

Dubai Ports Deal Misperceptions and Mysteries

At National Review, Barbara Lerner has another disquieting fact to throw into the mix, in the Dubai Ports deal controversy: Misperceptions & Mysteries.

We should reject the Dubai Ports deal, not just because it is risky to have a hostile country managing critical parts of our infrastructure, but because the claim that the UAE’s desire to do so is “just business” presents us with a mystery. At the very least, those who make this claim need to explain why the UAE agreed to pay P&O a 70-percent premium over existing share prices to buy the company. If P&O is really worth $6.8 billion, why didn’t any other international shipping company offer anything remotely like that? Apologists for the deal say the problem is that few privately-owned companies have pockets deep enough to pay that much. Maybe, but DPW is hardly the only deep-pocketed, government-owned international shipping giant, and none of the others made any attempt to outbid DPW either. Apparently, no one else thought they could pay that kind of money to manage our ports and still make a profit. Perhaps DPW knows something no other shipping company does. Then again, it may be that DPW has some other motives for wanting to take over the management of key American ports.

Everything's a mystery, Barbara, when you're dumber than a box of dead crabs.

Actually, I’m somewhat surprised the Poodle went for this one – it’s a lot more complex than simply claiming Arabs are plotting to take over the world and turn us all into underage camel jockeys – but nonetheless it’s pretty lame. Well, it'd be lame for someone other than Chaz, that is...

Let’s see if we can get to the crux of the biscuit here:

1. Barbara Lerner, whose Wall Street creds aren’t posted at NRO, claims that DPW is wildly overpaying for P&O.
2. Because DPW is overpaying for P&O, DPW must have [insert dramatic pause here] other reasons for wanting to by P&O.
3. And since they’re Arabs and Muslims, the only reason we can think of is...

Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?

Actually, if either Barbara Lerner or Charles Johnson was worth a shit, they’d have bothered to follow the story in the financial press (you know, like the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times)... and rest assured, neither has. Had they done that, they’d know:

1. DPW bought P&O for several reasons, first and foremost was P&O’s extensive presence in Europe. P&O’s business centers around its European operations, not the American ones.
2. The premium paid by DPW wasn’t considered outrageous in the financial press. Nor was it thought to be strange within the markets. Bottom line? There was a bidding war for P&O, DPW decided to up the premium to get the acquisition done, and done quickly. But you’d have to be adult enough to understand how business works to grasp that.

There’s something else to note here: The last sentence the Poodle presents of Barbara Lerner’s post.

Then again, it may be that DPW has some other motives for wanting to take over the management of key American ports.

It has been how many weeks? And yet the Poodle and Barbara Lerner still don’t have a basic understanding of what the deal actually entails.

But this is really about National Security, right?

Comments

[wxjames]

I've been calling the Senate to urge they pass the border control bill passed by the House in December. Gosh, it's March already ?
This ports controversy has the issue on the front burner, and the relationship of ports to borders....well, you get the picture. The same goes for the wire-tapping hype. Senators, where do you stand ? American security first, or blame Bush ?
So, I urge all Americans to call, write, or fax your senators and urge the House border control bill be passed and sent to the pres.
The citizens should stay active for a while and steer the ship. In time, this political food fight will decline and patriotism will govern the actions of good politicians (if there are any left).

[Scott Ferguson]

I think that all right-thinking people in this country are sick and tired of being told that ordinary decent people in this country are fed up with being sick and tired. Well, I'm certainly not. And I'm sick and tired of being told that I am.
--Graham Chapman (r.i.p.)

[Jim]

Dennis,

Michelle and Charles are doing Pajamas proud with their reactionary bluster and poorly argued positions on DPW. Wretchard is also doing his part for the corporation. He had a post up at the top of the page last week from Thursday through Monday giving linky love to Michelle and Charles over the super big and really geo-politically important issue of Bennish, (now hold on- this is shocking), the Liberal Colorado High school teacher. It was the top post for so long that it received over 400 comments, some of which devolved into anti-immigrant ranting that's not terribly helpful. Funny the timing of his supportive Johnson/Malkin post- right on the heels of your righteous take-down of them over Dubai.

As for himself, Wretchard has had next to nothing to formally post on the Dubai ports deal (found one sentence: "...even (the Left) find themselves decrying the Dubai Ports World deal because -- although they will never put it that way -- President Bush is a fool to trust these people with the gateway into America."- February 28). Now that opinions are hardened after several weeks of damaging demagoguery, it's just too late for major bloggers to suddenly find and responsibly explore this important issue, if they want to pretend that New Media is relevant and topical in the least.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen major posts on the deal controversy at Protein Wisdom, either- just a few supportive words, like Wretchard. Maybe I've missed them, but don't think so. Have to wonder whether this is Pajama Party politesse toward Malkin, Johnson and like-minded corporate bro's, or whether Roger's New Media corp has taken a de facto editorial stance against the deal. Abysmal showing, either way.

[Jim]

Just to clarify the above: after reading Wretchard's sentence on Dubai in context, I'm not sure what his stance on the ports issue actually is, but I had initially assumed he supported the deal, as opposed to much of the Left's declarations against it. Jeff G. more clearly stated his support of the DPW deal in a sentence or two within a post on something else- sorry I can't find them, though.

That Belmont and ProWis haven't produced dedicated posts on a controversy that's right up their geo-political/ Arab issues/ and political chicanery alleys, and that Charles and Michelle are feeding the reactionary cons who would feed the unserious and hypocritical Dems in '06 has convinced more than a few of us that Pajamas is a tipping point Titanic for New Media and possibly even for our domestic political fortunes. How does alienating moderate Muslims, our Arab allies and legitimate international business interests enhance our national security, especially after a national security review of the deal OK'd it and given that Dubai is currently acting in strong logistical support of our mil ops in the ME? And who do Charles and Michelle suggest should buy out P & O's port terminal business? Do they know of a particular US company with at least 6.9 million dollars lying fallow that could bid in DPW's stead?

[Peter vE]

While we're on the subject of those wily foreigners, what did the Japanese have in mind when they overpaid for a 20% share of the assets of Rockefeller Brothers Associates (AKA: "The Japanese are taking over NYC!!!!!!!!!!!")?

(ironic pause)

Well, as it turns out, those wily Japanese had their mortgage on Rockefeller Center foreclosed by Rockefeller Brothers Associates. Pretty clever of those wily foreigners, wasn't it?

Maybe DPW "overpaying" is the result of the graph showing the rising amount of international trade, and the rising profits at those ports. Of course, I have a graph showing the price of oil, and another with world oil consumption, and I'd hate to bet the farm on rising trade when those graphs collide.

On a tangent, every time I see "DPW", I have a vision of 4 guys leaning on their shovels drinking coffee while the fifth guy is on the phone.

[elemental]

Jim,
Michelle, Charles, Wretchard and all those other tools only cared about the Republican party because it seemed the most anti-Muslim and it was the party calling for bombing the shit out of Iraq. Do you honestly think they care about small government responsible fiscal policy?

You need to admit that your party has been hijacked (yet again) and for all its previous errors, these hysterical fanatics are ruining what was at least a respectable political platform.

[elemental]

We should reject the Dubai Ports deal, not just because it is risky to have a hostile country managing critical parts of our infrastructure

Didn't even take one sentence for her to discredit herself.

[FabioC.]

elemental,

A question: have you ever read and understood Wretchard?

He comes from a very different mold.

[Terrye]

elemental:

Another question: have you ever read or understood the Iraqi Liberation Act written by President Bill Clinton? That would have been back in 1998 when Clinton gave the orders to [gasp] bomb the shit of out Iraq. How soon they forget.

[Jim]

elemental,

Wretchard and Jeff G. aren't reactionary tools. They can be exquisitely and irreverently thought-provoking on the constructive side of issues, except on anything having to do with their flannel club-corporation. Unfortunately, not only is there an appearance of some major Pajama bloggers pulling their punches against other big PJ club members, they positively look like they're having a tea party, sodden with Earl Grey. Disappointingly, Wretchard and Jeff G. haven't, but have other major center-right Pajama bloggers taken on Malkin and Johnson directly?

The Peasant's one-man operation has accomplished more research and clarification of the facts and issues surrounding the Dubai ports deal than all of the sad new media corporation that is Pajamas. Even huge Pajamateer Instapundit blamed Bush for not hand-feeding everybody and the media the facts to save them the embarrassment of over-reacting. Some new media. Some powerhouse PJ corp.

That some in the GOP are either pandering or succumbing to DPW hysteria is jarring, because Bush's tack has been to take the long view in encouraging moderation in the Muslim/Arab world (via both military intervention and constructive engagement). That the Dems take the short view on every issue, to include the WoT, and no matter how contradictory, solely to counter Bush policy and get elected to office is not surprising. Which is worse? Hard to say in this case.

Excellent point about the Japanese, Peter vE! What a shame that they bought up our country high and sold it back low, yes?

[Terrye]

Duncan Hunter and a few his xenophobic friends are talking about having a vote in the House next week and not even letting the review go through.

[Terrye]

More...the House Approbriations Committee just voted to block the deal.

[richard mcenroe]

Terrye -- this is a panic-stricken stampede of French proportions on the part of the Republican party. And the hell of it is, if they were paying the slightest attention, they would know it was entirely unnecessary. The Kos wing of the Democrats got its ass handed to it in the texas primaries yet again. So I am forced to assume either poll-drive cowardice on the part of the House Republicans or guess what, they really are the racist assholes the Party of Slavery, Secession and Segregation has been painting them as all these years.

Now, next question: Does the House have the legal authority to block this private commercial transaction?

[Terrye]

richard:

I am not sure. They put this on a bill for money for Katrina and Iraq and Afghanistan...knowing it could not be voted down.

What happens now?... I am not sure.

I know I am completely disgusted. Over at flares I linked to an article from WaPo and some of those idiots were spouting the same kind of crap the Democrats were. You would think that by now they would have learned the difference between a lease and a purchase. morons.

So whether this was driven by panic or stupidity or both I know I am disgusted. cowards. Bush is going toe to toe with the mad mullahs and they cut him off. Shame on them.

[richard mcenroe]

"Wretchard and Jeff G. aren't reactionary tools. They can be exquisitely and irreverently thought-provoking on the constructive side of issues, except on anything having to do with their flannel club-corporation. Unfortunately, not only is there an appearance of some major Pajama bloggers pulling their punches against other big PJ club members, they positively look like they're having a tea party, sodden with Earl Grey. Disappointingly, Wretchard and Jeff G. haven't, but have other major center-right Pajama bloggers taken on Malkin and Johnson directly? "

You would think that these professional, big-dollar bloggers and nationally syndicated columnists would notice that the Kossites and D-freaking-U were saying THE SAME DAMN THING they were. You would think that would give them an instant's pause for self-reflection, wouldn't you?

Figgered wrong, Butch.

[Jim]

"Butch"? Man, that's choice.

At least I'm calling them out on their exquisitely tortured avoidance, richard mcenroe. Who else has?

[Terrye]

richard:

I think they see it as a form of self preservation. I got news for them, nobody likes a traitor.

[Terrye]

malkin is all happy. Congress sent a message.

nauseating.

[richard mcenroe]

Jim — You need to see more movies.

Terrye — The irony is, this was not a week they NEEDED self-preservation in. Delay won his primary (whatever you think of him), the Kossites got humiliated again in theirs: the evidence is clear that the public is not embracing the Democrats' fragmented message.

LGF is spinning this as "Republicans don't let Democrats move to the right of them." I suppose the notion of asking the Democrats why the only Arabs they see fit to condemn are the ones they sold 80 billion in arms to, and who let our Navy dock in their ports.

The scary part is that now we have to rely on Senate Republicans to behave responsibly on this. Enter McCain...

BTW, I give it two days 'til we hear the first "racist Republican" meme...

[richard mcenroe]

Jim — You need to see more movies.

Terrye — The irony is, this was not a week they NEEDED self-preservation in. Delay won his primary (whatever you think of him), the Kossites got humiliated again in theirs: the evidence is clear that the public is not embracing the Democrats' fragmented message.

LGF is spinning this as "Republicans don't let Democrats move to the right of them." I suppose the notion of asking the Democrats why the only Arabs they see fit to condemn are the ones they sold 80 billion in arms to, and who let our Navy dock in their ports.

The scary part is that now we have to rely on Senate Republicans to behave responsibly on this. Enter McCain...

BTW, I give it two days 'til we hear the first "racist Republican" meme...

[richard mcenroe]

That should have been: "I suppose the notion... never occurred to them."

[richard mcenroe]

Jim — You need to see more movies.

Terrye — The irony is, this was not a week they NEEDED self-preservation in. Delay won his primary (whatever you think of him), the Kossites got humiliated again in theirs: the evidence is clear that the public is not embracing the Democrats' fragmented message.

LGF is spinning this as "Republicans don't let Democrats move to the right of them." I suppose the notion of asking the Democrats why the only Arabs they see fit to condemn are the ones they sold 80 billion in arms to, and who let our Navy dock in their ports.

The scary part is that now we have to rely on Senate Republicans to behave responsibly on this. Enter McCain...

BTW, I give it two days 'til we hear the first "racist Republican" meme...

[elemental]

Terrye, what do the actions of Clinton have to do with anything I've said, and more to the point how are you relating it to Johnson and Malkin's lack of support for traditional Republican conservatism?

I've been more than happy to criticize Clinton, particularly in his insistance to do absolutely nothing about Rwanda.

Jim and Fabio, I know you are impressed with Wretchard's writing and I will admit that he does put a lot of effort into his posts. In that sense I was wrong to link him to Malkin and especially Johnson who pretty much resort to posting links and rolling their eyes. It's certainly not that he's hard to understand but there is a fundamental difference in how you and I view his writing. I am not swayed by flowery language covering for a childish, dysfunctional view of the world. A lot of that is based in the fact that I see the world completely differently than you do or Wretchard does. I know for a fact that both of you see many liberal blogs in the same way. You have no ability to appreciate them because you're incapable of seeing the viewpoint from which they're being written. It's a mutual dysfunction, and I think we'll just have to agree to disagree.

[Jim]

elemental,

I can see that Wretchard is a Pajama company man, florid style or no. He lost my respect as soon as he joined the club and refused to address its dysfunctionality and faux eliteness. His keeping a post top of the page for five days must be close to a record for him, and this he did for Malkin and Johnson on a ridiculous, diversionary topic right after DtP took them on over Dubai. Pathetic, really. Pajamas is bad for the integrity of center-right blogging. And Pajamas is doing its little part to help the GOP radicalize and splinter. Wretchard and his commenters can yammer away about the Left or Iraq; meanwhile, an important battle just got waged and they were AWOL.

Richard, as usual, your political assessments are spot on, but I think you see too many movies and forget that some of us are over forty and experiencing early dementia. So, which is it? Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids is too obvious, so that can't be it. It's just that I hate the name Butch, especially since so many women in my area self-describe as such.

(I support gay marriage, elemental, so don't start...)

[richard mcenroe]

BTW, I have no idea why that post appeared three times. Sorry all.

JIm — Yep, I'm old. But "Figgered wrong, Butch" is one of the great lines... and quoting Harpo Marx never seems to advance the conversation.

[FabioC.]

Actually, Wretchard's language is the feature that impresses me in the least.

But at least, elemental, you recognize that there are a few irreconciliable worldviews out there.

[Jim]

So, who's Harpo Marx?

[Terrye]

elemental:

I was just pointing out that when it comes to bombing Iraq, it was not necessary to go for Bush.

[richard mcenroe]

Jim -- He was a variety show and film comedian who stole a lot of his routine from Ben Turpin and Charley Chase. That help?

[richard mcenroe]

Me am slow on bizness...

how exactly does having an American Holding Company manage the terminals make the ports safer?

[Jim]

The American holding company will make Congressional seats safer- isn't that enough?

Why suddenly get hysterical over port safety and WMD issues, when we can self-inflict a huge existential explosion at our ports over a vetted Arab ally engaged in free enterprise? The flare-up of wilful ignorance and bi-partisan cynicism regarding DPW can't help but damage US economic and military relations and this administration's credibility worldwide. We are spewing toxic fall-out on ourselves, all by ourselves.

Some of the same screamers over Dubai also scream about Iran. They need to look at a map and then hope and pray our scary Arab allies not only continue in giving it but will step up logistical support to our military. Michelle and Charles might want to start praying to (the other) Allah just about now.

[Jim]

"Those who demagogued this issue and helped organize the campaign of misinformation… got away with it. No consequences. No deterrence from using this tactic again. Expect to see it again in the near future.

That would be Glenn and Roger?

Posted by Don't blame me, I voted for King Pyrrhus"

Exactly. (Above comment at ProWis [now that Pajamas' Jeff G. has finally found time to address the Dubai issue, post mortem.])