"It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business."

The 9/11 terrorist attacks were very personal, and we took them as such. Now, over four years later, with an enemy still at large, it's no longer personal for the Bush administration. It's strictly business (Via Daily Kos):

The Bush administration dismissed the security concerns of local officials yesterday and restated its approval of a deal that will give a company based in Dubai a major role in operating ports in and around New York City.

Representatives of the White House and the Treasury Department said they had given their approval for Dubai Ports World to do business in the United States after a rigorous review. The decision, they said, was final.

Dubai Ports World is buying the British company that currently operates the cruise-ship terminal on the West Side of Manhattan, one of the biggest cargo terminals in New York Harbor, and terminals in Philadelphia, Baltimore and other big ports.

Unbelievable. Let me just reiterate the points made by Think Progress on this story:

- The UAE was one of three countries in the world to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

- The UAE has been a key transfer point for illegal shipments of nuclear components to Iran, North Korea and Lybia.

- According to the FBI, money was transferred to the 9/11 hijackers through the UAE banking system.

- After 9/11, the Treasury Department reported that the UAE was not cooperating in efforts to track down Osama Bin Laden's bank accounts.

You know, we were allied with Afghanistan against Russia in 1981. Then we are allied with Saudi Arabia against Afghanistan in 2001. Can't wait until 2021 when we team up with our old buddies in Moscow for an all-out blitz in the Middle East!