One reason conservatives respect George W. Bush so much is that he sticks to principle regardless of the polls. His laserlike focus on the war on terror is a case in point. However, when his convictions appear not to be linked to principle, he appears simply stubborn.
Such is the case with the United Arab Emirates port deal. Despite widespread opposition by Republicans and Democrats, who question the wisdom of inviting a small Arab state to have such a key role in our nation’s security, Bush opposes legislation to overturn the deal and is threatening the first veto of his presidency. He correctly notes that the UAE has been a staunch ally in the war on terror.
While that may be, we can’t turn over our ports to an undemocratic nation with ties to al Qaeda. It is questionable strategically and a loser politically. Stand down, Mr. Bush. There are hills worth dying on. This isn’t one of them.
About Stan Guthrie
Stan Guthrie is an editor at large for Christianity Today magazine and for the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview. His latest book is God's Story in 66 Verses. He also is author of All that Jesus Asks: How His Questions Can Teach and Transform Us, Missions in the Third Millennium: 21 Key Trends for the 21st Century, and A Concise Guide to Bible Prophecy. He is co-author of The Sacrament of Evangelism. Besides authoring, writing, and editing books, Stan is a literary agent, bringing together good authors, good books, and good publishers.
Stan writes the monthly Priorities colum for BreakPoint.org. He has appeared on National Public Radio's Tell Me More, WGN's Milt Rosenberg program, and many Christian shows, including The Eric Metaxas Show and Moody Radio's New Day Florida. A licensed minister and an inspirational speaker, he served as moderator for the Christian Book Expo panel discussion, Does the God of Christianity Exist, and What Difference Does It Make?
