"Trust, but verify"
I really have concerns as to why this has become such a huge deal. Is it really such a slow-news week that who manages the ports is the biggest story? We have gotten the idea that Arab businessmen are the same as Arab terrorists, and that is just not so. They are not going to risk their business lives by becoming terrorists. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think so. And they aren't going to be HIRING terrorists, but Americans.
We are openly discussing the issue. The issue came up because the British company is getting out of the business and sold their business to DP World in Dubai. President Bush did NOT initiate this. It was a business deal. Some business deals, like when IBM buys a competitor have to be reviewed by the Justice Department. If there's a National Security implication the deal must be approved by a Committee of Principals from Treasury, State, Justice, Defense, Commerce and the National Security Advisor. If the Committee agrees, it goes to the President for a final decision. If the President agrees that it has been properly vetted, it is approved. Congress doesn't actually get involved. What I understand the critters are up to is special legislation to undo this one deal. So we're in this because business happens. It happens all the time every day. This one is important. But the Maritime business is very dynamic and changing. It's also global. And my personal knowledge tells me that our security is not touched at all. My belief is that the deal is important for foreign policy objectives of the United States.