CEO of Dubai firm on CNN with Blitzer (11:07 a.m.)

[Coexist]

Mohammed Sharaf is his name.

Painting a coat of gloss on the issue.

Lots of blah, blah, blah.

[Cush]

1. I thought they were boycotting CNN?

[Coexist]

3. Ha! I forgot about that!

[Coexist]

2. bringing up the Work Visas issue

Leslie, "what kind of controls... background checks..."

response: "Port operators don't control the security of the port.. would have to go through U.S. immigration"

[Coexist]

4. WTF? Blitzer didn't even get him to respond to this.

Lousy reporting, but what did I expect.

[Coexist]

5. Bringing up boycott of Israel

"I am a commercial arm of the government owned company, I don't get into that."

Calling it a non-issue.

"we have the gold star shipping line call here. As a commercial operator, we don't get into those issues."

[Avalux]

6. We'll be fed this stuff with a spoon for the next 45 days -

A PR push by the UAE and our government to 'convince' the American people the port deal is just fine.

One observation in perception. I'd think the powers that be would have tried to make Mohammed Sharaf look more western and professional and stuck him in a suit.

[Coexist]

7. the interview is in Dubai - maybe that isn't done.

(showing my incredible ignorance, I am sure)

[Avalux]

13. Good point

But, as we both know, the intention of this coverage and interviews is to influence ordinary Americans. A lot of Americans won't listen because of the way he's dressed; but perhaps you're correct and it just isn't done there. Interesting.

[Coexist]

8. Leslie "what are the ramifications if the deal doesn't go through?"

response, "as far as we are concerned the deal is going to go through"

[Coexist]

9. Chuck Schumer up next!

for the "other side"

[Coexist]

11. Schumer, "I was a little disturbed by the interview"

"you'd think the CEO of the company would know it" speaking to security questions.

[malaise]

14. That was great

He's tearing them up.

[Coexist]

10. Late Edition poll:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/late.edition/

QUESTION OF THE WEEK
How much of a threat would the sale of ports to Dubai be to U.S. security?
Major threat
Minor threat
Not a threat

[Coexist]

12. Schumer just said, "poppycock"

that is funny.

[Tennessee T]

15. Nothing more than a PR Seqment

What you saw on CNN was CNN promoting Dubai Ports. This will be crammed down our throats just like everything else. These types of reports are nothing more than a conditioning of the American people into acceptance.

It's called 'going through the motions'. It's a PR stunt.

The same thing is done by the oil companies so people will accept higher gas prices. Pavlov was right.

[Gin]

16. I heard him at the hearings the other day....say the deal is a done deal..

..BUT...they will have the 45 day review...a democrat representative said "isn't that backwards?"

YA THINK?

This is just another version of smoke and mirrors....the deal will happen...folks runnign for re-election will make noise that it wont happen...but Money rules the day...and this is all about money. (IMHO)