I'm certainly no expert on foreign affairs -- either current or historical -- but I think Washington's worries about "political connections" and "foreign influences" were grappled with earlier in our national history. Particularly in the debates over the League of Nations in 1919-1920, and the issue continues to be brought into discussions about the US's place in the UN. As to the issue of who runs our ports, I think Washington would be bothered, but I'm not sure why we should be. I doubt Dubai businessmen are less competent to do the job. And as for security, I understand that the Coast Guard will still be running that, but if poltical types want to make hay of the issue of the port deal, it might be the speed and the apparent streamlining of the process by which this company got the deal -- the adminsitration was very late in notifying Congress of the deal (and evidently even President Bush was one of the last to know). That smacks of a "sweetheart" deal -- and THAT would bother George Washington -- "Mr. Integrity" himself.
David Kiracofe
David Kiracofe
History
Tidewater Community College
Chesapeake Campus
1428 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, Virginia 23322
757-822-5136
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In 1796, George Washington warned ".Against the insidious wiles of foreign
influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow citizens) the jealousy of a
free people out to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove
that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican
government." Washington said "The great rule of conduct for us in regard to
foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them
as little political connection as possible."
Happy b-lated b-day GW! (Yesterday, am I right?) And, what do you think ole'
GW would think about the port issues going on today? I think he would have
been upset when the Brittish first took charge of our commercial ports,
don't you? So, why such an out cry now? Some interesting questions to ask
your history students. What would GW say about what GWB is doing. (hah) Good
one, don't you think? (Hmmm...and I wonder why the Mayor of Baltimore isn't
upset that the Brittish are running his port. They were the ones who shot at
the Star Spangled Banner at Fort McHenry - not the United Arab Emirates).
Well after all it is 2006 and an election year. I can imagine this is going
to get very interesting. Sure wish GW was around to give us some advice.
Lonny
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