Top Items:
Associated Press:
Bush unaware of port deal until after approval — White House: President only learned recently of handover to Arab firm … Today show — WASHINGTON - President Bush was unaware of the pending sale of shipping operations at six major U.S. seaports to a state-owned business …
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Phil Singer / dscc.org:
Republicans Opposing Dubai Deal Have Long Opposed Efforts To Secure America's Ports — This week, Republican Senators have come out in force against a controversial deal through which a company based in the United Arab Emirates would take over six major American ports.
Discussion:
Think Progress, Democrat Taylor Marsh …, The Democratic Daily Blog, firedoglake and The Left Coaster
Michelle Malkin:
NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL — Let's take a closer look at a rose-colored Wall Street Journal editorial on the port deal that is garnering favorable reviews from some of my friends on the right. — Sayeth the WSJ: … Contrary to the Journal editorial board's assertion …
Opinion Journal:
Ports of Politics — How to sound like a hawk without being one. — Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is the latest Republican to broadcast his "independence" from President Bush on homeland security, yesterday joining Senator Lindsey Graham, Representative Peter King and numerous state politicians …
CBS News:
In Defense Of Dubai — (CBS) This commentary was written by CBSNews.com's Dick Meyer. — A nefarious multinational corporation secretly controlled by a hostile Arab government has engineered a covert takeover of six major U.S. ports. America is at risk of losing control of its borders …
TKS on National Review Online:SO THE UAE DOESN'T HAVE ANY SAY IN PORT SECURITY? WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL THEN?
Discussion:
California Conservative, Argghhh!, Reuters, News Blog, Instapundit.com, All The News That Fits My Whim and State of the Day
Washington Post:Port Security Humbug
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, The RCP Blog, Media Blog on National …, Bring it On!, Booman Tribune and Hugh Hewitt
Bill Gertz / Washington Times:Security fears about infiltration by terrorists
Discussion:
Washington Post, Tammy Bruce, Reuters, The Huffington Post, California Conservative, CNN and Ezra Klein
Ziad Khalaf / Associated Press:
Sunnis Hit After Shiite Shrine Blast — SAMARRA, Iraq - Assailants wearing uniforms detonated two bombs inside one of Iraq's most revered Shiite shrines Wednesday, blowing the top off its landmark golden dome and spawning mass protests and reprisal attacks against dozens of Sunni mosques.
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Juan / Informed Comment:
Shiite protests Roil Iraq — Tuesday was an apocalyptic day in Iraq. I am not normally exactly sanguine about the situation there. But the atmospherics are very, very bad, in a way that most Western observers will miss. — The day started out with a protest by ten thousand people …
Omar / IRAQ THE MODEL:
Holy Shia shrine bombed in Samarra. — As if we didn't have enough problems already! — The quality of the target and the timing of the attack were chosen in a way that can possibly bring very serious consequences over the country. — The situation in Baghdad is so tense now …
Washington Post:
Blast Rocks Shiite Shrine in Samarra — BAGHDAD, Feb. 22 — One of the most revered shrines in Shiite Islam was bombed early Wednesday morning north of Baghdad, causing the collapse of its dome, police and eyewitnesses said. There was no immediate estimate of casualties in the latest in a series of sectarian attacks in the country.
Edward Wong / New York Times:
Blast Destroys Golden Dome of Sacred Shiite Shrine in Samarra — BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 22 - Insurgents dressed as police commandos detonated powerful explosives on Wednesday morning inside one of Shiite Islam's most sacred shrines, destroying most of the building, located in the volatile town of Samarra …
Monica Davey / New York Times:
Vote Due on South Dakota Bill Banning Nearly All Abortions — PIERRE, S.D., Feb. 21 — Lawmakers here are preparing to vote on a bill that would outlaw nearly all abortions in South Dakota, a measure that could become the most sweeping ban approved by any state in more than a decade, those on both sides of the abortion debate say.
David Ignatius / Washington Post:
From 'Connectedness' to Conflict — One of the baseline assumptions of U.S. foreign policy is that "connectedness" is a good thing. Linkage to the global economy fosters the growth of democracy and free markets, the theory goes, and that in turn creates the conditions for stability and security.
The New York Observer Politicker:
Exclusive: Gays Rebuff Hillary — In an email to his board members obtained by The Politicker, the head of New York State's leading gay rights group describes Hillary Clinton as a "disappointment" on same-sex marraige, and suggests gays and lesbians stop giving money to her campaign.
Alan M. Dershowitz / Boston Globe:
Coup against Summers a dubious victory for the politically correct — A PLURALITY of one faculty has brought about an academic coup d'etat against not only Harvard University president Lawrence Summers but also against the majority of students, faculty, and alumni.
Discussion:
New York Times, Bloomberg, The Corner on National …, protein wisdom, The Belmont Club and Power Line
Eric Berger / Houston Chronicle:
New Orleans says it won't give free ride — 3 City Council members' words to poor trouble Houston officials, some evacuees — New Orleans doesn't want its poorest residents back — unless they agree to work. — That was the message from three New Orleans City Council members …
