Port Fear

Congress wants some time to look at the take over of port operations in six major U.S. cities, and they'll have it.  They cite overwhelming concern from their constituents and want time to look at safety issues.  Sounds reasonable to me.  President Bush has hinted that he thinks it's racial, that it's nothing more than Arab hate and fear.  Is he surprised? 

They have spent the last four years working us up in a fervor over terrorism, scaring us with color codes, telling us how only they can protect us from evil.  We are fighting a war against the evil doers in Iraq and are on a quest to stamp out Islamic extremeism anywhere it raises it's head.  So when he suggests that companies from the muslim world should have easy access to major American cities, it's no wonder that people are confused. 

It's just business as usual for this administration.  The findings of the 911 commission ignored, our international image at risk, government responses botched, our National Guard overused and depleted, all actions that make Americans less safe, not more secure.  The Department of Homeland Security broke all the rules on how to create an effective government agency and now everyone questions whether or not they'll be ready the next time we need them.  Just this week, FEMA announced they were working on plans for earthquake preparedness along the New Madrid fault and should have them ready by June, 2007.  We've been waiting for the big one down there for nearly 20 years, and the federal agency in charge of emergencies is just now working on a plan?   

I just can't conceive how anyone feels more safe with these idiots at the helm.  This port takeover is just a sign of a bigger problem.  What the hell in the United States is actually owned by Americans anymore?  The massive government debt of $8 trillion is financed by foreign countries, foreign companies already control 90% of ports out West, and there are plans in nearly every state to sell off public assets, probably to foreign interests.  Is this how you build a secure economy?

Somewhere along the way we allowed ourselves to get distracted from the values that made the United States of America the worlds superpower.  The whole house of cards is about to come tumbling down, but don't worry, the president is looking out for us.  Or is he? 

 

Comments

[The Brain]

What I find most interesting about this port issue is that the same liberals screaming that it threatens national security are the same ones who violently oppose profiling when it comes to searching for terrorists. So, in the liberal world, it's perfectly acceptable to feign outrage at the ports being sold to a company from an Arab nation but it's intellectually consistent to beat your chest against profiling in airports, bus stations, ports, and at border crossings. Hmmmm.

I think liberals are taking this position on the ports merely because the president is advocating the contrary position. If Kerry were president and the same deal were being approved by his administration, I suspect most knee jerk liberals would be all for it.

Now for the curveball, Rush Limbaugh and the other talking points conservatives who favor the proposed ports transaction would undoubtedly be screaming against it if Clinton were in the Whitehouse. They are clearly for it because the president is for it. That's all.

I think it's a terrible idea and sets a terrible precedent. While I realize our ports are presently run by foreign countries, I think there is a chance, maybe only a small one, that our ports will be less safe being run by a company located in the heart of the region in which many people have declared war on America. All it takes is one bad actor to set into motion a chain of events that will result in death and destruction in one of our ports. Sure, that bad actor could come along when the ports are being run by the British. But, realistically, it's more plausible that the bad actor could slide by in an Arab run company.

All you guys that are in favor of this deal, would you support an Arab owned company running a major airport? Or an aviation mechanic business? Or a nuclear reactor?

[The Brain]

These enemies don't wave a single national flag. They are not identifiable only by their country of origin and they certainly aren't fighing for their countries. So the argument that UAE is a valuable ally in the war on terror rings hollow. Our enemies are united by a bond of religious fanaticism not national borders. These particular enemies have religion in common. So the pertinent inquiry should be not is the company affiliated with a particular country but is the company owned by those who are members of a large movement from within which a smaller movement has sworn us as enemies? Because the problem is those Muslims who are peaceful and don't wish to do us harm don't wear different uniforms than those Muslims who wish to kill us.

[The Brain]

JW, I'd like to hear whether you oppose profiling at airports, train stations, etc. by law enforcement to detect potential terrorists? And if you're opposed to that sort of profiling, please also explain how that view is intellectually consistent with your opposition to the ports being run by an Arab company/government.

[JW]

For a minute, I thought you agreed with me. I think profiling is a useful tool, but should be used judiciously. In and of itself, does not warrant cause.
I'm opposed to all our national assets being sold off to any foreign company, but those with links to terrorism are especially suspect.
There are plans in most states and on the national level to auction off assets, and I think they're all bad ideas.

[The Brain]

We do agree. I simply questioned your motives in opposing the port deal. I contend that if Kerry were president and supported the takeover of some of our ports by a company based in the UAE that you would wholeheartedly support it. I think your opposition to the ports deal is based on the administration's support of it.

I am glad to see that you think profiling is a useful tool. We would be crazy not to employ profiling in our fight against terrorism.

I am opposed to DP World owing ports in America. I think it's foolish. And, besides that, there are some significant questions as to whether UAE is really and truly our ally in all regards in our fight against terror.