QUICK STAT:

Please give what you can.

DO YOU FEEL SAFER TODAY

The United Arab Emirates reassured U.S. senators including Charles Schumer that Dubai's takeover of the U.S. port assets of Peninsula & Oriental Steam Navigation Co. is not a threat to national security.

The country's Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan said concerns voiced by some members of the U.S. Congress that the takeover of P&O terminals in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Miami, Baltimore and New Orleans by Dubai's port company, DP World were ``understandable.''

``But, we want to make clear we have also worked very closely with the U.S. in a number of issues especially when it comes to combating terrorism, prior-to and post Sept. 11,'' Al-Nahyan said in a statement in response to questions sent by Bloomberg today. ``As an example we have recently concluded a joint task force agreement with the U.S. on how to fight funding for terrorist groups, and also non-proliferation.''

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is calling for hearings on the $6.8 billion purchase of London-based Peninsula & Oriental that would give DP World, a company that's owned by Dubai's ruling Maktoum family, control over most operations at six U.S. ports, including New York. The measure, supported by Senator Hillary Clinton, is intended to block the sale.

Some facts about the UAE:

    - 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.

I sure don't have the answers to some of these heavy questions but I think if Bush want's to wrap himself in the mantel of being the Terrorist Fighter this can't help.

WE REPORT YOU DECIDE.

THE LAST WORD ON HUNTING WITH CHENEY

I think I've had as much fun as anyone with this "Cheney Shooting" and it mostly for two reasons. First while the shooting and following heart attack where serious and nothing to make fun of the fact that they were not fatal allow us all to say a prayer of thanks and continue to make fun of the handling of the aftermath.

The second reason is the absurd handling of this by Cheney. It's hard to believe that your disdain for the media would allow you to cloud your judgment. But on the other hand you continue to try to make that Saddam - 9/11 connection. Ok now for THE LAST WORD (maybe).

I've heard the terms "NO BIG DEAL", "IT'S A PRIVATE MATTER" and "IT WAS AN ACCIDENT" used by many of the talking heads on TV, mostly on FOX (who'd a thunk it). But the fact is it is a big deal and the more Cheney tried to SPIN it the bigger it became.

Not allowing the police to investigate for some 12-14 hours was and is a big mistake. Having a civilian announce the shooting to a local paper. Not talking to reporters for almost a week and then talking to a friendly reporter at that. Not call the President as soon as possible.

But to me the most egregious error and outrageously bad taste was the fact that Cheney DID NOT FOLLOW Harry to the hospital, for God's sake he just shot the man. To me that shows a callous indifference to his condition.

I never heard one word about this in all the reporting I've seen.

There would not be enough horse on that ranch to prevent me from going to the hospital with the man I just shot. What were they thinking.

MAUREEN DOWD HAD THIS TO SAY IN HER COLUMN ON SATURDAY

It was at the end of his interview with Brit Hume, when Shooter talked about Scooter, that his eagerness to share important facts with the press and public - a well-concealed trait in recent days, years and decades - burst forth. He pronounced himself a Great Declassifier.

This doesn't have anything to do with anything, I just like the way she writes.

NO WORDS NEEDED

PRETTY GOOD JOKE

Molly Ivins:

* "The thing about democracy, beloveds, is that it is not neat, orderly, or quiet. It requires a certain relish for confusion. " . . .

FOR THOSE WHO TAKE LIFE TOO SERIOUSLY

 
26. WHEN EVERYTHING IS COMING YOUR WAY, YOU'RE IN THE WRONG LANE.
 
27. HARD WORK PAYS OFF IN THE FUTURE. LAZINESS PAYS OFF NOW.
 
28. EVERYONE HAS A PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY. SOME JUST DO NOT HAVE FILM.
 
29. IF BARBIE IS SO POPULAR, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BUY HER FRIENDS?
 
30. HOW MUCH DEEPER WOULD THE OCEAN BE WITHOUT SPONGES?

32. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET SCARED HALF TO DEATH TWICE?
 
33. I USED TO HAVE AN OPEN MIND BUT MY BRAIN KEPT FALLING OUT.

YOUR A REDNECK IF. . .