To the editor:

Many Americans are troubled by President Bush’s refusal to block the sale of six major U.S. ports that will result in turning over commercial operations at those ports to a private company in the United Arab Emirates, a Persian Gulf country with known ties to terrorists.

Nothing can make Bush’s heart beat stronger and faster than having access to oil and the prospect of “spreading democracy” by making “justified” pre-emptive attacks against “rogue” nations.

The UAE is rich in oil and natural gas reserves. It has been in a long and continuing dispute with Iran over ownership of three small islands in the region and it has other security concerns involving some of its neighbors for which it might need U.S. protection.

This sale of important U.S. ports appears to be intertwined with the Bush administration’s insatiable lust for oil and its strivings for influence over Middle Eastern political matters. Thus, Bush will want to formally befriend and commit to defending the UAE against outside attack. With the United States as its close ally, the stage will be set for a possible “urgent” and “necessary” pre-emptive attack on Iran, a country rapidly being perceived as an “imminent threat to our interests and national security.” Sound familiar?

Don’t expect the president to berate himself if this sale of U.S. ports turns out to be another one of his colossal mistakes. Putting six American port cities at risk for possible terrorist attack should not be as worrisome to him as betting the Crawford ranch.

Donald Moss,

Lawrence