Uproar over U.S. ports (excellent editorial)

The Washington Times ^ | 2/17/2006 | Staff

[Dark Skies]

The White House is obviously not listening to the congressional uproar over Dubai Ports World. Lawmakers want to know why a federal panel allowed a state-owned United Arab Emirates shipping firm to pay $6.8 billion to acquire six major American ports -- including critical ones in New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia -- despite its home country's glaring ties to international terrorism. But the White House is yawning.

[Alberta's Child]

What happens if the government of the United Arab Emirates backs away from the counterterrorism support President Bush currently lauds it for?

Then the UAE-owned company DPW will lose its operating leases at these six port facilities, or their ships will no longer be permitted to make port calls in the U.S.

Problem solved.

[Victoria Delsoul]

It's alright with me.

[skr]

Thank you for the clarification. That Schumer is involved made me highly suspicious.

[SeaBiscuit]

Arrrrrrrghhhhhhhh... this is just asking for trouble. If I had my way, I wouldn't allow ANY muslim company to own ANYTHING in this country, especially a possible entry point for terrorism. Stop selling out, hold on to America.

[sasha123]

what I still don't understand is WHY did it take so long to hit the MSM? I just heard about this a week ago, and immediately wrote HLS? I mean where were all these senators who are upset about his before this week?

Was the whole thing that hush-hush? I don't understand.

[Sam the Sham]

Should the US govt step in in buy the company and operate it?

Why not ? Vital services such as public utilities are heavily regulated in the public good.

Should the US govt convince/subsidize a US company to buy this?

Why not ? National security comes well ahead of common senseless "free market at all costs" libertarianism.

[sasha123]

that's a good question. Apparently AP Møller - Mærsk bought 25% of P&O last year, too bad they don't get the other 75%.

The following are 2 links regarding CFIUS, the whitehouse comittee which authorized this purchase:


http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/international-affairs/exon-florio/

http://www.ofii.org/facts_figures/cfius.cfm

[Cboldt]

Dave Sanborn nomination is at best tangential to the activities of Dubai Port World.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1580971/posts?page=90#90

[RSmithOpt]

"The problem is that the business arrangements within these global "alliances" are in direct violation of U.S. anti-trust laws, so these companies effectively circumvent U.S. law by operating out of countries where the rules in this regard are not nearly as strict."

Seems that that is not good for Americans in any case being that if there is a conflict with US businesses, some type of STUPID world court must hear the case. So, at best, US citizens and companies can expect case rulings, ommittance of facts, corrupt leadership, etc., parallel to that of Coughin Anus (Kofi Anan)and the UN.

[RSmithOpt]

Thanks for the links.

[GOP_1900AD]

It's not far off. Norquist is known to hang out with CAIR.