NY Times Article On Dubai Crash

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/world/middleeast/12dubai.html?_r=1&hp

looks like the major 'Western' media outlets are reporting about the rumours now as well

 

I told you guys, the Western media will NOT get be under any kinds of pressure when describing Dubai's situation. Its good news since NY Times shall definately be taken seriously! But still a lot more to come.

 

What a ridiculous thing to say.It obvious to anyone with half a brain that the western media hate the Muslim state of Dubai and are continously printing negative reports.Much of which without any real research.

 

Huh?? I'm not really sure what you're trying to turn this into, but if it because of desperation to sell real estate I think you should go out and have a walk before posting again.

 

??

Well if the allegations are true, then there's definately something good going on.

 

Dude I think its you whos in need of a walk and a reality check too.
I've lost count of the number of negative reports Ive read on Dubai from the western media.Disgust for its bling,extravagance,opulence,etc.
Yet I dont read the same on Monaco for example.
Ive read many posts on various forums from members who also think part of the reason is because Dubai is a Muslim state.It it was in Europe then no problem.
The west do not want Dubai or the Middle East to become a financial hub also and to take business away from the west.
Deal with reality.

O and PS,I'm a european not a muslim.

 

YOU ARE 100% RIGHT DoBuy!!

 

Sorry to point this out, but just wanted to correct this.

Muslim is not an ethnicity or a race. It is a religion. You can have European Muslims, Indian Muslims etc; you can also have Christian Arabs etc;

Islam is a religion like Christianity and Ehudism and Buddhism and many other religions in the world.

 

Thankyou for telling me something I already know.Your point?

 

Here you go Tommy C,two reports in two highly respected UK newspapers to make my point.

The first one in The Times,from some twat who slated Dubai without ever going there !He basically got his info from travel guides ! Whats even more amazing is that his editors allowed this crap to be published
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/sathnam_sanghera/article5267814.ece


The second in The Guardian from another idiot who slated Dubai after having spent 4 hours in a bus around Dubai !
Germaine Greer: From its artificial islands to its boring new skycraper, Dubai's architecture is beyond crass | Art and design | The Guardian

Comment?

 

In Sept ’08 I was in New York City attending a national Finance conference. I met with many CEO’s & MD from major finance firms – many in the RE Sector. NOT ONE – not a single one I spoke with had a bad word to say about Dubai. In fact, many were intrigued about Dubai and were looking forward to visit here and explore opportunities. Some of those I spoke with were Jewish! And they also wanted to visit Dubai!

(Incidentally – Dubai doesn’t have more ‘bling’ than Hollywood – Rodeo Drive - or Vegas.)

Please do not confuse some of the rhetoric you hear from US Politicians being negative about ‘oil producing states’ – that does NOT reflect the majority of US citizens. (just look at the 60%+ that voted for Obama that has Muslim roots…) and his popularity is currently at 69% + Whatever negative reporting you may see about Dubai in western media – it represents a mere fraction of the negative news on the local economies… Best to keep this all in context and not read too much into it – especially, if the motives you suggest are more of your subjective resonance, not remotely connected with the intentions of the reporter. I have read articles quoting top Saudi investors predicting the ‘Fall of Dubai’ & the Bubble Bursting last summer. It would seem there are more Arabs that were jealous of Dubai than westerners… (and I have the articles archived…)

We are ALL in this together and ONLY by working together can see our way clear of this

Salam !

 

My point is, that it doesn't matter if you're European or Asian or American to be a Muslim. You can still be European AND Muslim. You can't say "I'm European, Not a Muslim" because then you are referring to Muslims as a race/ethnicity and not a religion. I'm NOT attacking you here, I'm simply correcting.

That's like me saying I'm European, not a Christian, so on so forth.

Jelousy has no Origins... It exists in anyone.

 

I though it was clear what I said.I said Dubai is a Muslim state,which it is and that it seems some in the western media are against Dubai because of this fact.Maybe.
Or maybe its because some westerners just dont like Arabs or Arab nations.They are jeolous of the oil the money the opulence etc?

 

I didnt quote US politicians but western journalists.Of course you are correct,the opinions of these few doesnt necessarily reflect the opinions of the masses.
The average person that I speak to is quite interested in Dubai and doesnt speak against the place.
Some would say theres no such thing as bad publicity.

P.S I was in NY last sept too and had a great time.

 

I read these two articles and the comments. If they had been written in the USA - I reckon they would have been published in a trailer-park newsletter... or maybe Rupert Murdoch.. ?

You have one writer - writing about Dubai and he's never been here!! ? (cyber travel writer??) I know there are several locations I am not keen to visit - but saying 'I'd rather die than visit Dubai ' ! ? (he better hopes no one puts that to the test!!) The writers name looks Indian. Maybe a rich uncle that's a trader here cut him out the will or his brother lost money on deal in Ajman.... For him to state that the only Brits coming here to work are ' brits that failed in the UK' - 'are moving to Dubai' - well, that comment deserves a slap. (sorry, but it's true and some of the brits I know would if they had the chance..) I am sure that staying at home in the UK and working, (if you still had a job) and paying 50% income tax, has nothing to do with the numerous british expats around the world and here... There's no excuse you can provide for the unexcusable... Better he stays home in the Uk and gets mugged by a skinhead..

The second artilce by Germain Greer - she was able to sum-up the Dubai experience in a 4 hour bus ride during a layover.. At least she appreciated the 'petunias' - (now I know what those flowers are called...) taking one look at her picture, I hope she never come backs... Wouldn't want to see that mug on a dark street at night.... damn scary...

I remember as if it was yesterday when I was first assigned to ME and was being sent to Dubai. I almost quit on the spot and didn't want to come here. I told the MD I thought he was 'nuts' - he persuaded me to 'try once' and assured me, I'd like it. To my utter surprise - I did and fell in love with this place. A year later I was living here full time.

I've lived in many cities all over the world - and there are always plus+ and minus- - but they all have their unique features, people and culture. For me, Dubai was 'fresh' and exciting - a work in progress that will go through many changes and permuations - but that's what I find fascinating about it. It has an interesting mix of cultures and it's the people that make the city - not necessarily the building or architecture which you may or may not like... I guess some brits are upset that Dubai has the tallest tower in the world? Well, they shouldnt be - Dubai was never a British colony!!!

let's keep our sights focussed on bright future as we wait out the storm

 

This one certainly set off a bit of a firestorm. That was unintended. One has to realize that all media outlets from all countries have some sort of agenda. That is a well known fact and most people that are reasonably intelligent accept that and try to view these things with a critical eye. That is called critical thinking. Publications and networks in the 'West' have certain agendas and political leanings just like many here in the Middle East do. To equate the NY Times with particular anti-Muslem types of biased reporting is false. It certainly has biases, but it is one of the most 'liberal' newspapers in the United States. They have consistently questioned Bush and the Republicans war mongering policies while being ardent supporters of Obama. They question the Christian fundamentalist and creationism movement underway in America (this week they even have a special edition on Darwin), they discuss and examine major environmental issues, the sleazes that caused this economic catatrophy etc. To say that the writers and editors at the NY Times are jealous of Dubai is absurd! This article merely reports on many of the things WE KNOW are happening here. We have been talking about these things for months. Why is is that when the NY Times reports it, it is considered Dubai bashing...or even worse: Muslem Bashing? Ridiculous.

 

I have no idea why you mentioned anything about religion, that was completely uncalled for and unnecessary, and I can't see how it relates to the news reporting in any way. I understand that other countries news reports are critical for you. You're an agent, you need to sell, you need the buyers here at whatever cost there is (including completely disregarding the Code of Ethics Welcome to the Official Dubai Real Estate Community once agreed upon). That's the way the entire real estate business works, as I'm sure you're aware. The only thing I find in your comments is frustration regarding lack of sales and not enough PR to kickstart it now or, preferably, yesterday to what it was.

Since the government here have no intention of being transparent (even promoting laws to control media even more, as discussed here: http://www.propertyforum.com/forum/...may-gag-media-amid-economic-woe-scandals.html and also mentioned in this news article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/world/middleeast/12dubai.html?_r=1&hp : "Instead of moving toward greater transparency, the emirates seem to be moving in the other direction. A new draft media law would make it a crime to damage the country’s reputation or economy, punishable by fines of up to 1 million dirhams (about $272,000). Some say it is already having a chilling effect on reporting about the crisis.") and show/tell the real facts I find it refreshing at least someone does. As stated in a newsarticle: FT.com / Comment / Analysis - Emirate on the ebb

And that's the most worrying part, because in other countries they can at least admit the extent of the problems and act on them. Here it is more about covering up and keep claiming there's no fire even though we all can see that there's a huge fire behind your back.

Here's another example:
Driven down by debt, Dubai expats give new meaning to long-stay car park

And the official comment on this, 11 cars!:
Only 11 cars abandoned at airport in past year

I think this comment on the last article sums up the kind of reports we're getting from official sources

This comment is pretty much in line with how things have been changed before, as discussed here: http://www.propertyforum.com/forum/...er-clarification-regarding-laws-policies.html

As I've said before:

So, what are we trying to achieve here?

I stick to this one:

Happily knowing that once a prospective investor have had all this information presented to him and analyzed, and feel this is the time and place to invest, all fine. Because no matter what you say regarding other news being to negative or whatever, the fact remains that A LOT of honest people have been stuck in Dubai because of their believe in the vision which they were convinced of by the government, their news, and their APPROVED real estate agents. The very same vision that is now falling apart quickly at the same time as the government is turning their back on the laws that investors took into consideration when making their choice to invest.

No one wants to end up here, but what does the approved agents care about that, when the papers are signed....not their problem any more.
The Knowledge - Dubai News, Opinion, Comments, Blogs & Interviews - TimeOutDubai.com

 

The NY Times may very well be a good newspaper generally,but personally I have to discredit a report that gets alot of its info from secondhand information,i,e,quotes this newspaper and that newspaper etc.
I also have to discredit a report that states:
' Dubai — once hailed as the economic superpower of the Middle East — looking like a ghost town'

 

With respect to it looking like a ghost town, I'd have to agree to an extent. How many buyers are there these days? Not exactly banging down the proverbial doors are they? Have you actually seen how many empty apartments there are? Have you seen how many lights are off at night? As one reader suggested recently: they're not out smoking shisha. They're empty! How about renters? Are people having any easy time getting renters and enough rent money to cover their mortgages? Not lately!

Dude, your arguments and viewpoints are seriously clouded by your unsubstantiated bisaes!

 

You've gone off the subject.I am talking about the article from the NY Times
and how they have taken alot of their info from other publications.Lazy journalism.
As for these thousands of empty apartments,there were thousands also empty 6 months ago,1 year ago,18 months ago.

Dubai is in big trouble which I havent denied and it will probably get worse before it gets better.
What aggravates me however is the crap western newspapers print without
doing any of their own research.
Were there really 3000 cars left at the airport?Doubtful.
Dude.