Everyone needs to calm down. This company outbid everyone else on this deal. Security will not change one iota whether it's the old British owned company or this one. The Dubai company has a huge economic stake in keeping things kosher ie 6.2 billion dollar investment. The more I know about this the more comfortable I feel that there is nothing to be concerned about.
I would however suggest that Bush allow a 45 day review period so all the "bedwetters" can get up to speed.
So everyone is concerned is a "bedwetter?"
Get lost.
Some may think it offensive to include "Dubai" and "kosher" in the same sentence.
Interestingly, the UAE and Oman are right on the south side of the strait of Hormuz, through which flows a sizeable percentage of the world's oil supplies. Iran sits on the north side of the strait. This is not the time to be annoying the UAE or Oman because we may need to fight Iran across the strait at some point in time. This acquisition might actually be an attempt by the UAE to strengthen their friendship with the US, but so far that isn't happening...to say the least.
I'm not completely comfortable with it, but I'm starting to understand that we need to keep certain governments, like Dubai, engaged so we don't lose them altogether. I think they're the only government that we've had a security agreement with since the 1940s, and it'd be good if we can keep somebody over there at least nominally speaking to us.
Besides, it gives us something to seize in case the fewmet hits the windmill.
Well, thanks for saying that, but can you guarantee it? Maybe you don't think it matters that the country of Dubai will now be working directly with the U.S. Coast Guard regarding national port security plans and procedures. Not exactly great information for an Arab muslim nation to have.
The UAE company will also be directly responsible for hiring security personnel and dock workers. I suppose you can guarantee they won't slip a few terrorist spies into some sensitive positions? Time to wake up and smell the coffee.
At this point, I have two concerns:
1) Can we be absolutely certain that our security has not been reduced as a result of this deal. For example, if the port management company were to gain knowledge of specific counter-terrorism methods, and if this knowledge were to be passed over the our emnemies, who might use such knowledge to circumvent out protections, so as to bring some bad stuff in via these ports?
2) This is certainly a political disaster for Bush and the Republicans, which is why the Republican congress critters are running away like scalded dogs, and will likely turn on bush in the interest of their own preservation. I see only downside for the Republicans in giving the Dims and the sycophant MSM a hammer with which to beat them senseless. Why put the party in greater risk of losing seats in November?