Give US Ports Contract to Mersk - the Danish Company (Vanity)

2/21/2006 | Wuli

[cripplecreek]

I can't help but wonder how much money generated in these ports will finance terrorists who wish to kill us. Actually I'm forced to wonder because the anti sovereignty corps refuses to talk about it.

[finnman69]

The difference is that we should now (should have already) be doing/been doing more inspection of containers arriving at our ports here.

We already do inspect the containers here in the US. None of that would change if DP World manages the port.

The issue should be the lack of US inspections, not who runs the ports.

[cheme]

It seems to me that this type of operation is analogous to airport terminals and the leasing of "gates" , only in this case we are talking about the leasing of "terminals" in a port.

[Wuli]

You made the issue of inspections - that it was already being done overseas, you said.

I simply commented that your sense of assurance that it was already being done overseas, by the same company buying the operations of some US ports, should be comforting to us - it isn't.

The two issues - ownership and security - each have their own conditions that pose similar legitimate questions, about appropriate security concerns for our seaport operations. Are we doing all we should do, security-wise concerning the status (ownnership) and operations (security checks) with our seaports and seaport operations companies.

[MattAMiller]

So the US government can just tell a British firm to sell their assets to a Dutch company?

[finnman69]

No, you misquited me.

The issue is about inspections here in the US, which would continue and should be increased regardless of who runs the ports.

I did not say I assumed inspections are done overseas. Frankly relying on inspections in the US it a last ditch point defense that is frankly too late in the War on Terror.

[finnman69]

So the US government can just tell a British firm to sell their assets to a Dutch company?

It cant.

[Wuli]

Well, we (the US) could buy the contract from the Dubai company and, on the same day, sell it to AP-Holler Maersk, and it seems to me that almost any country would have the right to control when, where and how foreign interests may own assets or operations in their country (oh, yea, it's called 'national security', like how we control US exports, how we questioned the sale of US oil interests to China).

[brooklyn dave]

Thanks for post very informative. I just makes me very frustrated and even sad that the American people in general (except for the political news junkies) are not a well informed bunch. If even a small part of the American attention span could be turned away from Hollywood and the sports world to the goings on in Washington---and the world arena as well, pols would have such a case of diarrhea in nervous reaction to the sudden interest in what they are up to.

[Wuli]

"I just makes me very frustrated and even sad that the American people in general (except for the political news junkies) are not a well informed bunch. If even a small part of the American attention span could be turned away from Hollywood and the sports world"

The Romans called it "bread and circus".

What is amazing to many of us conservatives is that so-called educated liberals don't see the connection between the "bread and circus" their beloved modern media sells to the people, the noted ignorance of the American people that educated liberals will even admit to and the fact that they - educated liberals - support the views of that media.

[Wuli]

mea culpa

[weps4ret]

Somewhat similar, except a lot more land.

As to container inspections; U.S. Customs, and the Coast Guard both inspect containers on the terminals. There are supply line inspections, or in transit inspections. There is also C-TPAT, which is supposed to cover point of origination inspections. There are other Governmental inspections and checks in place at all of the terminals. Some terminals in the U.S. handle a million TEU's, (twenty foot equivalent unit) a year. These facts are not unknown worldwide. Kinda like TSA opening every piece of luggage, at every airport, every single day forever. The task is mind boogling. Now consider what we pay the average inspector, which controls their determination, against a jihadist who only purpose and goal is to kill infidels.

Okay, quickly steps down off of soap box.

[Theoden]

I work for Maersk at the North American headquarters. It is a Danish company, and it is second to none. Maersk bought out rival Royal P.&O. Nedlloyd last year, obtaining the 18% market share.

The company's owner, Mr. McKinney-Maersk is very conservative and pro American. (His mother was American). I can assure you, the ports will be in good hands.