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There is absolutely no mention of the U.S. regulatory process that would be required, which leads me to believe that the process is much more of a mere formality than most of us seem to think.

It's not surprising that it wasn't mentioned. The Foreign Investment Committee which approved this deal is pretty much of a rubber stamp. I saw on CNN last night that of some 1500 deals they have reviewed since the law was created that they have approved all but ONE. The last controversial one which they approved was for the acquisition of UNICAL Oil by the Communist Chinese. That also rightly raised a hue and cry in the Congress and the public. Apparently this Committee has never seen a strategic asset that they are not willing to sell to an enemy.

I saw on CNN last night that of some 1500 deals they have reviewed since the law was created that they have approved all but ONE.

That information is a little misleading. I don't doubt that the vast majority of these applications are approved, but my understanding is that the Federal board charged with reviewing them will often permit the applicant to withdraw or amend a proposed acquisition rather than face an outright rejection.

The last controversial one which they approved was for the acquisition of UNOCAL Oil by the Communist Chinese. That also rightly raised a hue and cry in the Congress and the public.

Actually, the "hue and cry in the Congress and the public" over that one was almost as misguided as it is on this one -- and I said so at the time.

Apparently this Committee has never seen a strategic asset that they are not willing to sell to an enemy.

This Committee does not sell U.S. strategic assets to anyone. It serves only to review the sale of potential strategic assets from one entity to another (foreign) one.