For the first time, I agree with something George W Bush said. I've agreed with some of his policies on some level before, but never with his words or justifications. In defense of the deal allowing Dubai Ports World to take over management of several US ports, he said, "This is a company that has played by the rules, that has been cooperative with the United States, a country that's an ally in the war on terror, and it would send a terrible signal to friends and allies not to let this transaction go through." If we expect places like Iraq and Afghanistan to adopt our standards of freedom and justice, we need to start adapting to a world where transactions with countries in the Middle East involve something other than oil. Next up, expect Bush to embrace the Qatar-based Al Jazeera news network as a shining example of democracy at work, use economic and military power to force democratic reforms in several African countries, and to announce initiatives to improve safety and benefits at foreign factories that make goods for American companies.