Well, how popular is it to now watch Middle Eastern company's and Royalty spending there windfall profits on our gluttonous, careless, absent minded dependency on their Oil. And their spending it on some of our most treasured and prime pieces of real estate.
I can remember the catch phases of the 90's when the asian markets were emerging as heavy U.S. investors: "Americas historic national treasures are not for sale!" This meant buildings just like the Chrysler Building? This news along with the other 10 billion in Manhattan purchase bought over the last three years is shameful. (This NY Times article link below has an interesting chart illustrating the last three years of foreign investment/purchases made in New York alone.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/nyregion/10chrysler.html
The United Arab Emirates presence in America is extraordinary.
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2008/07/10/nyregion/10chryslergraphic.ready.html
An interesting media outlet for Aljazeer News is their own English speaking YouTube channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/AlJazeeraEnglish Where you can also chose to watch LIVE TV if you wish. http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/
It is typically one of the 50 most viewed channel on YouTube, and is the 69th most subscribed to. That is incredible given the shear volume of YouTube channels. (I maintain 4 of my own.)
Not wanting to sounds confrontational, but you know what they say, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." I'm not one that feels other cultures and/or other countries typically need to be considered our "enemies" in order to be kept closer than our "Friends". Certainly doesn't seem like a very popular or even mature position in this day and age. Hard to picture any one as to formidable of an "enemy" when we are the ONLY super power remaining. I'm much more afraid at times WE are (or our complacency is) our own worst enemy.
I will say, whomever finds themselves in a position to put us in a strangle hold, with issues like their control of OPEC and now massive investments; and ownership of some of our most significant real-estate holdings, is someone we should "keep close"! And in many ways that might not feel to natural or comfortable in the normal scheme of life.
Staying in our comfort zone just isn't going to cut it this time.
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