By Ellen Ratner
Bureau Chief, Talk Radio News Service/FOX News Political Contributor

I spent the Fourth of July with many other Americans at the Emirates Country Club in Dubai at a great event organized by the American Business Council. The evening’s festivities began with the presentation of our flag by a Color Guard followed by a member of our military taking his re-enlistment oath. To the tune of “Born in the USA” we watched a short fireworks display where the Roman Candles looked like palm trees. Staff from the American Consulate had set up a table to offer assistance in obtaining absentee ballots for the November election. Fifty members from an aircraft carrier that was anchored in Dubai joined the festivities. Everyone was excited to be there to celebrate our nation’s independence on a golf course surrounded by the spectacular skyline of Dubai. It was a grand evening.

Here among the many American sponsors, (including Cadillac, Baskin Robbins, Pepsi and Dole), were U.S. citizens from all walks of life and political persuasions who are choosing to live their lives at least 7500 miles from home. Some are here because they like adventure and new places and others are here for the professional opportunities and the ability to make a lot of money. But no matter which American Dubai residents I spoke with, everyone was united on one issue: we should not bomb Iran.

The prevailing opinion can be characterized as, “I’m scared to death that he [George Bush] is going to do it.” Not only were people afraid for their own safety if the United States bombs Iran, but everyone felt this action would be very shortsighted. One woman said she couldn’t watch American television because news programs are so slanted against Muslims. She said she did not feel like that before she got here and now when she goes home to Atlanta people look at her like she has two heads.

Additionally, every person I spoke with felt that bombing Iran would drive up the price of oil and wreck havoc with the world economy. One person asked, “How is it that we allow Pakistan to have the bomb and do nothing?” These Americans who are spending their lives in the thick of the world’s hot spots were united in their belief that talking, using diplomacy and developing business alliances can do more to achieve U.S. interests than bombs. Our fellow citizens residing in Dubai get it, why don’t our political leaders?