outsourcing of U.S. ports

Here's one for you. Outsourcing control of major U.S. ports to an Arab company. This includes ports in NY, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Miami, and New Orleans.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48845

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It's terrible, but it's nothing new. This sort of blatant selling out of America has been rampant since the early/mid-90s. Just goes to show you that our "elected officials" (bought and paid off by these corporate interests) don't care about this country or its citizens. But that's already a given.

I find it a bit strange that a big deal is made over Arab ownership of these ports, but communist China controls some of the biggest ones - like the one in Port Arthur, Texas - and, in my opinion, they pose far more of a threat than the Arabs do. Yet, not surprisingly, this receives little, if any, media coverage.

 

"Last month, the White House appointed a senior Dubai Ports World executive, David C. Sanborn of Virginia, to be the new administrator of the Maritime Administration of the Transportation Department, the Associated Press reported."

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So we can't trust those Arabs, is that what you're saying?

I have no problem with foreign investment, it should be welcomed.

 

It's not so much a matter of investment as it is security. This is like letting Japanese companies control ports on the west coast during WWII.

Maybe we should outsource our airport security firms to foreign companies. It's a good investment.

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We were at war with Japan. We are not at war with the Arabs.

Why not? They couldn't do much worse.

 

I heard the Bush administration is going to outsource our airport security to a group called Bin Laden and Associates. Their second choice was Benny Hill's Scuttle's Security.

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So are we at war with the Arabs?

 

Nothing surprises me anymore with this administration when it comes to security. I don't know if anyone remembers Mohammed Atta, the leader of the 911 plot. The INS renewed his visa 6 months after he was dead. Great security system. On top of everything. Let's outsource the INS to foreigners. Couldn't be much worse, huh?

I'd be surprised if this port control issue will get past Congress. The White House tried to sneak it by but it looks like it will be debated in the upcoming weeks.

At war with Arabs? Ask Bush. Judging by how dark-skinned people are getting shot and killed by the govt in subways and aircraft, it sure looks like the govt is suspicious of people who look Mideastern. I have yet to see a nice-looking young 20 year-old unruly bipolar blonde woman getting shot and killed on an aircraft. (instead, they are always covered in the u.s. national media as the heart-wrenching missing persons ongoing soap operas)

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Yes but, predictably, you are trying to have it both ways. Suggesting the government is racist for persecuting non-whites, and then criticising them for outsourcing control of a port to a company just because it is Arab.

So how does that work? OK for you but not for Bush?

 

It's a security issue, not a race issue.

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The govt could outsource security to Hamas. Then some would accuse people who complained about it as being anti-Mideastern.

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For an administration that claims that they need to be able to look at our library records or monitor international calls all in the name of security this outsourcing of the ports seems to be giving me an exact opposite impression. They can't have the best of both worlds.

So far we have been told that it is so unsafe that the administration can justify needing further rights to invade citizens privacy. So now, are they trying to keep us super-secure or are they not worried about it? Do their concerns stop only when there is the potential to make money? How can they justify closing off some of our privacy rights for our protection when they are opening our ports to be run by arab countries who's citizens we apparently need protection from?!

 

There were plenty of problems related to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan running up to 911. Instead of dealing with that, the U.S. govt rewards those countries with countracts and positions within the fed govt and starts wars with Iraq and Iran. Great logic.

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This move is likely reward for something UAE did for the Bush administration. The executive appointed to the federal maritime position has links to the UAE.

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Anything to make the rich richer, right?

 

Why don't we just turn our ports back over to the British.

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*reflects on Panama*

 

Wonder what's going on with all this activity between Virginia and the United Arab Emirates.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/02/20/space.tourism.ap/index.html

"The commercial spaceport would be based in Ras Al-Khaimah near the southern end of the Persian Gulf, and the UAE government has made an initial investment of $30 million, the Arlington, Virginia-based company said in a statement."


http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48845

"Last month, the White House appointed a senior Dubai Ports World executive, David C. Sanborn of Virginia, to be the new administrator of the Maritime Administration of the Transportation Department, the Associated Press reported."

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OK but the security issue is that you don't think an Arab company should operate a US port. Should Arabs be allowed to fly US airplanes? Should Arab airlines be allowed in US airspace? Should we import food from Arab countries? Is it safe?

Good. I want the US to build economic ties to the Arab world. It is my hope that economic development and economic liberalisation will result in democratisation and improved relations with Arab countries. Economic development in the Gulf is a good thing, and right now there is a lot of it.

You have compared it to outsourcing to 'Bin Laden Associates' or Hamas. Do you equate "Arabs" with bin Laden?

I believe in free market capitalism. You cannot have free market capitalism without free trade and openness to investment. And no, I don't resent and envy people richer than me and want the government to confiscate their wealth or try to prevent them from investing it productively.