Call James Zogby's call in show (Link TV) tomorrow on Dubai ports issue...

[cascadiance]

James Zogby hosts a weekly call in show each Friday on Link TV (one of the few call in shows on that network), that is sponsored by Abu Dhabi TV. It should be on around 5:00 PM EST on Link TV. Most of the time he gets pretty decent balance in his interviews and isn't hesitant about critiquing Bush on occasions. Many will remember him giving some appropriate editorial comments on how Sensenbrenner shut down that hearing on the Patriot Act unceremoniously last year.

http://www.aaiusa.org/zogby/Viewpoint/viewpoint.htm

Not sure what the three topics/guests he had this week will be, but it seems like he should be at some point either talking about or taking calls on this subject. It would be interesting to see how he would respond, giving his show's financial backing from the party which might make his response a conflict of interest.

He's already written on this this last week trying to defend U.A.E. in this:

http://www.aaiusa.org/press/2006/release02-22-06.htm

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Political Posturing Should Not Trump Real National Security Issues

February 22, 2006

The Arab American Institute is deeply concerned by the controversy that has been created by the proposed acquisition of London-based P&O Steam Navigation Company by Dubai's DP World. While the issue of how to enhance port security should be discussed, that is not what this controversy is about. What is taking place is nothing more than an irresponsible and ill-informed attack on an Arab country that has been a strong ally of the United States.

Here are the facts: Since 1999, P&O has successfully operated ports in six US cities-New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami, and Philadelphia. The acquisition by DP World would not affect the ports' compliance with US security standards, which would remain the responsibility of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) (an agency of the Department of Homeland Security) and the US Coast Guard. In addition, there would be no adverse effect on American workers employed at the ports.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which includes officials from 12 federal agencies such as Treasury, Defense, Justice, Commerce, State, and Homeland Security completed a thirty day review of the acquisition and concluded that DP World's management of the ports would not obstruct the ability of CBP officers to protect our shores.

In fact, the United Arab Emirates has a record of partnership with the United States on the issue of port security and the war on terror. The Emirates committed troops to our efforts in Afghanistan and was the first Arab country to join the US government's Container Security Initiative—a program which places CBP officers at UAE ports to identify and pre-screen cargo headed for the US. When the Gulf nation signed the deal in December 2004, former CBP Commissioner Richard Bonner said, "Dubai Customs recognizes the absolute importance of protecting cargo against the terrorist threat. I applaud their bold action of assuming a leadership role in the Middle East." Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace describes US-UAE military relations as "superb" saying, "In everything that we have asked and work with them on, they have proven to be very, very solid partners."

...

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Even if you don't call in, it might be interesting to tune in to see how he might deal with calls on this.

[cascadiance]

1. Kicking as this show is airing now...

Just want to see if anyone is watching to see what Zogby might be saying this week on this subject.

[cascadiance]

2. Zogby's show yesterday was interesting...

He did it remotely from U.A.E. (his show's sponsors) instead of in the U.S., and had only one guest who was a local professor there. It definitely felt a bit like his sponsors were being given a chance to "air their side" for this whole show. No phone calls were being taken at all, which perhaps was a technical restriction, but seems rather "convenient" that they didn't have calls in. Was called "Live", but I'm not sure I see why it couldn't have just been taped too. I guess we'll have to wait until next week to see what kind of calls might come in then. I'm guessing they were concerned about a flood of angry calls coming in yesterday and were rationalizing that a "breathing period" was needed before returning to their call in show format next week.

On the one hand, it was interesting hearing folks from their side's perspective here. On the other, it would have been nicer had there been someone else being talked to with a contending point of view on the ports issue (as well as other issues discussed there like Hamas in charge, the Condi Rice visit there, etc.). I guess I'll have to wait until next week before I judge Zogby too harshly for succumbing to pressure from above in compromising his show's objectivity.