Letter to the editor: Mr. Freye inaccurately portrays Dubai
I don’t see what massive debt in Dubai has to do with an Arabic major or university ties in the country. Last time I checked, America had the most massive debt, with “billions of dollars in international loans,” but are we so cautious about working here? Aren’t many of those debts held in China, with whom the university has ties? And what of our university ties to Egypt, the largest receiver of US aid? Don’t we also heavily rely on expatriate workforces and immigrants, just like Dubai? Haven’t many American companies also defaulted on billions in loans? And yet we still do business with ourselves.
While obviously a country’s standing should come into consideration when exploring possible ties, we should not just jump to the conclusion that a country’s debt makes for useless educational ties. There may be much we can benefit from that would outweigh this. It’s not that Dubai will suddenly stop existing because of debt.
If there is a good university we can make ties with, that the university deems of value, why shouldn’t we at least look at it? We ought to be happy that any university wants to do business with us here considering America’s economical situation as well, and I see no harm in offering the same hand to others.
Emily
WMU alumnus
Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=13194
Posted by HeraldAdmin
on Dec 9 2009. Filed under Letters to the Editor, Opinion.
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uhhhh…so now the Herald is censoring free speech? Apparently my orinigal comment didn’t pass the “moderation” standard.
Let’s try this again.
“Emily”,
Thanks for taking the time to read my letter before firing off a hastily, if not haphazardly crafted response to it. First and foremost, read the title of my letter. My argument was that it inaccurately portrays Dubai; I did not address whether the University adding an Arabic major was a good idea or not, though my inclinations make me feel as if it is a frivolous venture to say the least, more on that below. You cited America having “the most massive debt.” But here’s where research pays off. The UAE’s debts are a completely separate issue with regard to my letter. In fact, I admittedly have no idea what the national debt of the UAE even is. The national debt has nothing to do with this discussion. Here’s where many people, the media included, get the story wrong. Dubai and/or the UAE have nothing to do with commercial entity Dubai World, and they won’t. The government isn’t going to bail them out. Dubai World, as I stated, is the company operating in Dubai that is poised to default on its loans. You mentioned many companies in our country that have defaulted on their loans, and yet free trade and capitalism still reign supreme here in the US. Why, one may wonder, because of America’s diversified economy. The problem with Dubai is the colossal attachment that this company, Dubai World, has to the economy of that state. It’s a problem with diversification, and as a citizen of the Great State of Michigan, you know as well as I do that we have the exact same problems here. Regarding American companies defaulting on loans, take the automakers who reside in our state as an example. Doesn’t Michigan have one of, if not the, highest rate of unemployment in America? Can’t much of that be attributed to the trouble in the Motor City? Because the automakers have such a far-reaching grasp on the economy of this state, when they’re in trouble, so is Michigan. The situation is identical overseas. Because of its massive investment in Dubai, Dubai World is presumably using much of that “expatriate workforce” that I mentioned. If the company defaults on its loans, the workforce and therefore the economy of Dubai will be in serious trouble, especially in light of the fact that the government has said they have no intent to help rectify the situation. If you want me to tie this together with the argument for an Arabic major at the University, fine. Mr. Al-Momani suggested that graduates take jobs in Dubai. When Dubai World goes bankrupt, I ask you whether it will still be so “easy” to find a job there. I agree with you that it is a myopic point of view to suggest that simply because one middle eastern national is in trouble, that WMU shouldn’t explore an Arabic major. But that wasn’t my argument, was it? You can’t deny that due to the lack of economic diversity in Dubai they’re currently, as my grandmother would say, up the creek. I’m simply a bit concerned that a columnist has done less research in preparation for a column suggesting that students pursue jobs in an economically troubled country than I, myself probably having less of a world view than he does. Furthermore, I’m worried that you apparently believe that the state of Dubai is somehow related to this mess, as I thought I made that separation clear in my letter. By the way, if you’re wondering why I’ve quoted your name, it’s because I believe that you’re in violation of the Herald’s “letter to the editor policy” stating that you must give your full name.
Mr. Freye, your response is coherently and persuasively argued.
Keith,
Thanks for the support, glad to know that someone understands my point.
Jon,
I was very entertained and intrigued
reading your article and response above
I was very impressed with the depth of your
explanation and knowledge of the situation.
I had a friend who is from Dubai read
this today and says you are very insightful.
Cheers from St. Croix!