REALLY?

The United States issued a warning to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday for what it called “provocative self-confidence”. According to the U.S. State Department, the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom, left unscathed by recent turmoil in the Middle East, “is looking a little too comfortable given the state of the world.” The UAE has been recently designated by the U.S. State Department as a “pompously rogue nation”, refusing to succumb to instability like the rest of the region and is accused of inciting feelings of inferiority among its neighbors. Both the United States and the United Nations have each condemned the UAE’s excessive use of political calm along with its defiant flaunting of economic strength and high per capita income. Relaying a similar message that was delivered to Liechtenstein in 2009 which, like the Emirates, irresponsibly thrived during the worldwide recession, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in the capital city of Abu Dhabi only to be met with serene streets and bustling restaurants. “We are appalled at the lack of austerity measures, violent protests and military crackdowns that we come to expect from this region.” Clinton said, adding that she doubted the UAE was being straightforward with the international community. “Despite outward appearances, we must still assume that UAE isn’t all that.” Much of the worrisome harmony among the Emirate”s half million citizens and 5.5 million visiting workforce is a result of swift and decisive government spending used to avert any impending crisis. The Emirate’s decision to cut food costs by as much as 30% at a time when food riots have dragged entire nations into insurrection and violence has led to cries of outrage by neighboring Yemen, Oman and Bahrain. However, the men and women on the streets of Dubai were dismissive of the growing international condemnation of their comfortable lifestyles. “Revolt in the UAE? That won’t happen,” laughs Antu Bashar, a biomechanical engineer from Bangladesh who has been driving a limo in Dubai for 12 years. “Why should we protest? I am a second class citizen here and have few rights but –praise be to Allah– life is good. With my salary, I can support three families back home,” Antu said as he was summoned by an Emirati to load shopping bags into his car. The State Department expressed deep concern over UAE’s complete disregard for the feelings and sense of fairness among its neighbors and is calling for maximum economic restraint. White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters, “at a time when the Arab world is facing severe political upheaval and most western countries are still on the brink of financial collapse, the UAE. . . well, look at them. So smug, like they don’t have a care in the world.” On Wednesday, Emirati Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum further increased regional tensions by announcing a $1.5 billion investment in electricity and water infrastructure projects in the underdeveloped areas of the northern emirates. This prompted the administration to again respond with strong condemnation. “This type of provocation is not productive and only leads to heightened levels of envy and resentment in the Persian Gulf region,” Carney said. According to the White House, the United States is considering seeking a UN resolution designed to point out the many faults and lingering insecurities that the UAE likely has, but won’t admit to, internationally. p>

Ok, Fuck America!