LIVE THREAD: Senate Hearing: Briefing on Ports Deal (11:00 a.m. EST)

C-SPAN ^

[Howlin]

The Senate Armed Services Cmte. conducts an open briefing into the management of six American ports by Dubai Ports World. Sen. John Warner (R-VA) called the briefing to review national security issues raised by the deal, which transfers control from a British firm to one owned by the United Arab Emirates.

[mnehring]

Hell, why not every business? After all, everything, even a mom and pop grocery could be a stage for terrorists.. You know, government running all businesses or at least maintaining majority ownership will keep all them fereners from gettin in har..

Back to reality.. it isn't Ports that are being sold.. it is the operation of container facilities at the ports. This is akin to a warehouse sitting at the side of an interstate.

[trebb]

Good assessment. And, even if Bush did have a 'deal" with Dubai, it was one where they agreed to give us something that was not even required for the whole thing to pass. The Dims and MSM (and a lot of "Repubs") must have clooged suinuses - they can't smell the pile they are stepping in.

[mnehring]

I'm just waiting for these container facilities (again, not the actual ports..) to shut down for six months while congress yaks...

[Txsleuth]

I predict that your prediction comes true!

[processing please hold]

Dems have yet to get their "cartoon" moment.

I thought about adding that in my comment. Both took about the same length of time to ferment.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Why not just Federalize the ports and continue to operate security by the Coast Guard, Homeland Security, etc? Heck, we've Federalized tens of thousands of acres of national parks, state parks and the like, especially in the past 25 years. Why not a few thousand acres that have strategic importance to this nations economy and security.

[processing please hold]

Ignorance reigns supreme.

That depends on which side of the fence one is on.

[processing please hold]

When I saw 'the swimmer's' name, I thought I heard the sound of ice clinking in a glass.

[commish]

And, even if Bush did have a 'deal" with Dubai, it was one where they agreed to give us something that was not even required for the whole thing to pass.

Exactly. Dubai currently allows us to STATION Customs and DHS people at THEIR PORTS to inspect cargo leaving the UAE.

The UAE has been an ally of ours for years. We have sold them F-16's and many other arms. We have Military bases on thier soil. They are one of the most progressive societies in the entire Muslim world. Women have full rights garaunteed by their constitution. Heck they are currently hosting a Women's Professional Tennis Tournament. EEK Women in Tiny Tennis Dresses (Maria Sharapova hubba hubba) in public, playing a sport. How barbaric!!!!

[Howlin]

I'm sure he's VERY afraid!

[mnehring]

Why not just Federalize the ports and continue to operate security by the Coast Guard, Homeland Security, etc? Heck, we've Federalized tens of thousands of acres of national parks, state parks and the like, especially in the past 25 years. Why not a few thousand acres that have strategic importance to this nations economy and security.

Because, guess what, technically, the ports are federalized and the security is run by DHS and the Coast Guard..
You've fallen for the misrepresentation of this entire issue. The Ports themselves are not being sold, nor, technically the operation of the ports. P&O runs container facilities at the ports and has nothing to do with security. The operation is akin to a travel agent booking people on airplanes. They have a much to do with security as the guy who works at McDonalds at the airport..

[eureka!]

Re#18 They did and you are right. The 'secret' review process and approval was pursuant to an act of Congress. They are, in the main, a bunch of self preserving idjits....

[txrangerette]

{"Are the Saudis wanting to control our ports?"}

We have huge commercial interactions with the Saudis, and they are right here among us no doubt in sensitive places.

But this isn't about either Saudi or UAE "controlling our ports". Our own laws and our own rules and regulations and our own enforcement and security agencies "control our ports".

True under the Brit company before; will remain true under the UAE one.

[Txsleuth]

Yeah...but she wouldn't mind having Osama come build some roads in Washington though, would she??

[SE Mom]

Thanks for the ping...lurking in the office:)

[Txsleuth]

I know....I was being facetious...but, forgot the facetious tag! LOL

[Zuben Elgenubi]

What do you mean "technically"? Either the government (we the people) owns these ports or we do not.

Here's how you put to rest the xenophobes like me. Assure me the ports are owned by the Federal Government and security is implemented by Federal LEA's and the Coast Guard. THEN make the case that the business can be outsourced to a company in Dubai.

[deport]

An explaination of the process and codes/regulations involved .. if anyone is interested in the mundane

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

A janitor will drop a lightbulb in the outer hallway and that's the last we'll see of Mark Dayton.

[maica]

it's going to be fun watching them making their speeches based on yesterday's talking points.

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Thanks for the ping! This will be fun.