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Bias and security: On this one, President Bush's instincts are correct
The Boston Globe ^ | 23 Feb 2006 | Editorial

Posted on 02/24/2006 7:40:34 AM PST by Hemingway's Ghost

RARELY HAS Washington flared so quickly into superheated charge and countercharge as it has over the prospect of a Dubai-based company taking over the management of several US ports.

On this one, President Bush's instincts are correct. Unfortunately, as Republican congressional leaders vie with Democrats to be the most inflammatory opponents, an accelerant feeding the flames looks disturbingly like anti-Arab bias. The ports, including New York, Philadelphia, and Miami, are now managed by a British firm, which is selling that business to DP World of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Bush asked why a Middle Eastern company should face a higher standard, and he still hasn't gotten an answer.

(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: dubai
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To: MNJohnnie

Perfect wisdom. Sage advice indeed!

LLS


21 posted on 02/24/2006 8:15:50 AM PST by LibLieSlayer (Preserve America... kill terrorists... destroy dims!)
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To: Graymatter

Now I know somethings wrong. I see the words Boston paper, supports President and Graymatter all together.


22 posted on 02/24/2006 8:16:58 AM PST by CWOJackson
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To: Hemingway's Ghost

No less that Rush Limbaugh calls North's actions proper and that of a Patriot. He handed the dims their hats. He was brilliant!

LLS


23 posted on 02/24/2006 8:17:34 AM PST by LibLieSlayer (Preserve America... kill terrorists... destroy dims!)
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To: Hemingway's Ghost

One of those underlying issues is private corporations trying to compete against oil states, I'd wager.


24 posted on 02/24/2006 8:19:11 AM PST by thoughtomator (I understand Democrats' impatience; If Kerry were President, Iran would have nuked Israel by now)
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To: LibLieSlayer
No less that Rush Limbaugh calls North's actions proper and that of a Patriot.

Nothing personal, but Rush is a radio personality with a drug problem. Just because Rush is "for" something doesn't make it the greatest thing since sliced bread---at least not in my book.

25 posted on 02/24/2006 8:19:52 AM PST by Hemingway's Ghost (Spirit of '75)
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To: River_Wrangler

It's more like prez is throughing us out of the "life" boat.


26 posted on 02/24/2006 8:22:55 AM PST by norraad ("What light!">Blues Brothers)
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To: Hemingway's Ghost
To be fair, I've followed this issue pretty closely here on FR, and I haven't yet come across a re-assuring reason from the pro-Dubai Dealers, either.

IMHO it is crucial that we don't allow ourselves to degenerate into isolationist due to the WOT. I will admit I questioned the news based on the first diatribe by the Pols but then ask myself, "Why did it take the story so long to develop?" The proposed deal was discussed over the last 3-4 years and no concerns were raised.

When rational thought conquered fear I started to dig into the actual facts and found them different than those presented and echoed by Dems and Republicans alike. Again IMHO I think from a global strategic point of view it makes since. River_

27 posted on 02/24/2006 8:23:35 AM PST by River_Wrangler (Nothing difficult is ever easy!)
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To: Hemingway's Ghost
To be fair, I've followed this issue pretty closely here on FR, and I haven't yet come across a re-assuring reason from the pro-Dubai Dealers, either.

Fair enough. The most reassuring reason out there is that the record of this company and country in terms of port operations and security is exceptional. DPW has been doing this type of thing in many western countries for many years without a hint of terrorist activity. That includes port operations in Coalition countries as well.

Dubai runs the biggest U.S. military port outside the U.S. We've been there for over a decade, moving supplies, ammunition, equipment, and personnel through those facilities. It's a perfect target for terrorists seeking to strike at the U.S. because we've got people out in town as well. But not one incident in all that time. Nothing. We've had to trust them, and they've never let us down. And that's in an operation where they had far mroe access and control than they'll have here.

28 posted on 02/24/2006 8:26:25 AM PST by XJarhead
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To: Hemingway's Ghost

What a joke. Rush is responsible for more Conservative Victories than any other living American. He may have had a drug problem, but that has no bearing on his savvy and intelligence. He has a track record, and that track record is more impressive and instrumental with regards to defeating liberlaism than any other individual ever.

LLS


29 posted on 02/24/2006 8:26:49 AM PST by LibLieSlayer (Preserve America... kill terrorists... destroy dims!)
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To: norraad
It's more like prez is throughing us out of the "life" boat.

I have kept my feet dry for a long time with him at the tiller. Think i will give him the benefit of the doubt.

He has been misunderestimated in the past you know. ;-)

30 posted on 02/24/2006 8:28:31 AM PST by River_Wrangler (Nothing difficult is ever easy!)
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Comment #31 Removed by Moderator

To: Hemingway's Ghost
If it was bad for COSCO to take over at Long Beach, it's just as bad for DPI to take over on the East Coast.

Most, but not all of the below relates to VESSELS, not terminals.

As one of the world's Top 10 shipping companies, COSCO has set eyes on the development of container terminals and studied the terminal investment strategy since the 1980s, while gradually taking a role in terminal investment. To meet the changes of the global shipping market and requirements of self-development, COSCO has attached more and more importance to the operation of terminal business. Today's terminal business is an important component of the global transport strategy of integration and multi-function.

At present, COSCO has 34 dock berths in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Qingdao, Shenzhen, the US and Italy, with annual throughput up to over 13 million containers. According to the prestigious Drewry Shipping Consultants's latest ranking of global terminal operators, COSCO is the 8th largest container terminal operator in the world.

In order to cope with the implementation of a global strategy, COSCO has been integrating the terminal resources gradually to increase resultant forces and competitive advantages.

The objective of COSCO is to create a terminal brand with distinct characteristics of COSCO.

http://www.cosco.com/en/business_areas/terminal.jsp?catId=403&leftnav=/2/1


COSCO NORTH AMERICA INC.:

COSCO North America was established in 1985. It is the exclusive and general agency for COSCO Container Lines. It is responsible for container shipping business operation and management in the Americas region, including vessel operation and cargo agency. It is the core business unit of COSCO Americas. COSCO now provide total 10 direct weekly container services between China and the US. There are 7 to and from the US West Coast, and 3 to and from the US East Coast. Weekly capacity is approximately 30,000TEU. Port of calls include Xingang, Dalian, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Yantian, Xiamen and Hongkong in China; Long Beach, Oakland in the US West Coast; Vancouver in Canada; Savannah, Norfolk, New York, Boston, Charleston and Wilmington in the US East Coast.
Address: 100 LIGHTING WAY, SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY 07094 U.S.A.

http://www.cosco.com/en/global_offices/staff.jsp?catId=652


COSCO AMERICAS INC.:

COSCO Americas Inc. was incorporated in August 1982. It is the regional company in charge of COSCO Group's business in the United States, Canada, Central America, North America and South America.

The main business scope of COSCO Americas Inc. includes: management of COSCO's subsidiaries, employees and business in American Continents on-the-spot management over container liners, general cargo liners, bulk tramps, general cargo tramps and land-based industries in American Continents COSCO Americas Inc. not only develops shipping business and service work, but also actively exploits land-based industries such as air freight, trade, finance and real estate.

The subsidiaries of COSCO Americas Inc. are:

1. COSCO North America Inc.
2. Yuan Hua Technical & Supply Co.
3. COSCO Services (USA) Inc.
4. 100 Lightingway Inc. ...

http://www.cosco.com/en/global_offices/staff.jsp?catId=289


32 posted on 02/24/2006 8:30:11 AM PST by Cboldt
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To: thoughtomator
Sadly, that is not the case, amigos. Anyone seen a budget for a border fence?

Exactly! I'd prefer to go on cold, hard facts and let Dubya's instincts be used for something else.

33 posted on 02/24/2006 8:32:53 AM PST by The Sons of Liberty (Former SAC Trained Killer)
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Bush asked why a Middle Eastern company should face a higher standard, and he still hasn't gotten an answer.

I have written his office, e-mailed his office, and telephoned his office with an answer. Middle Eastern countries should face a higher standard. No foreign country anywhere should be allowed to run any part of our ports.

There may not be any Fortune 500 companies listed with the Wall Street that can run the ports, but there are many small businesses in every one of our port cities run shipping, handleing, and inventory every day. That is their business. Give these small businesses the same breaks they give any immigrant starting new business in our country. They can do the job.
34 posted on 02/24/2006 8:33:27 AM PST by vernvet
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To: XJarhead
The most reassuring reason out there is that the record of this company and country in terms of port operations and security is exceptional. DPW has been doing this type of thing in many western countries for many years without a hint of terrorist activity. That includes port operations in Coalition countries as well.

A good point, and that's why I guess I could live with this if I have to.

Dubai runs the biggest U.S. military port outside the U.S. We've been there for over a decade, moving supplies, ammunition, equipment, and personnel through those facilities. It's a perfect target for terrorists seeking to strike at the U.S. because we've got people out in town as well. But not one incident in all that time. Nothing. We've had to trust them, and they've never let us down. And that's in an operation where they had far mroe access and control than they'll have here.

Fair enough, but two points: (1) I think the level of scrutiny at a military port would be thousands of times greater than that at a civilian port, and (2) I think Joe Terrorist would much prefer to attack a domestic civilian port than a military port. As a rule, I'd say terrorists aren't interested in attacking millitary assets---military assets fight back. Terrorists are interested in attacking civilian assets, since the chief function of terrorism as a means to and end is inciting fear and unrest in a docile population, so that population is moved to force its government to behave in a certain manner.

35 posted on 02/24/2006 8:34:46 AM PST by Hemingway's Ghost (Spirit of '75)
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To: LibLieSlayer
Rush is responsible for more Conservative Victories than any other living American. He may have had a drug problem, but that has no bearing on his savvy and intelligence.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can I expect to see you on a FR WoD thread arguing that people who smoke pot are perfectly able to add value to society?

36 posted on 02/24/2006 8:36:45 AM PST by Hemingway's Ghost (Spirit of '75)
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To: vernvet
"No foreign country anywhere should be allowed to run any part of our ports."

1) The don't run any part of our ports, they run commercial activities located within the port.

2) There are no U.S. companies that do this work anymore.

37 posted on 02/24/2006 8:38:51 AM PST by CWOJackson
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To: Hemingway's Ghost
First of all, drugs problems are something people have dealt with since herbs were first picked and used in medicine. Cancer patients have become addicted to pain meds. Doctors themselves have become addicted, and even certain Senators have had to battle problems with drugs. Rush had a problem with PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDS, NOT POT!!!

Add value to society? Let us see... Howard Hughs... nope, no value added there. JFK... nope, drugs ruined his ability to add value to society. Edgar Allen Poe wrote all those terrible novels, which no one ever read, and no movies were ever made from. Yep, people with drug problems should be killed, as we ALL know that they never ADD VALUE TO SOCIETY.

LLS
38 posted on 02/24/2006 8:53:29 AM PST by LibLieSlayer (Preserve America... kill terrorists... destroy dims!)
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To: LibLieSlayer
Yep, people with drug problems should be killed, as we ALL know that they never ADD VALUE TO SOCIETY.

Outstanding. Please do join us on the FR WoD threads---on the anti-WoD side. Good to have you aboard.

39 posted on 02/24/2006 8:56:20 AM PST by Hemingway's Ghost (Spirit of '75)
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To: Javelina
Ollie did what was necessary to ensure our security. He was incredibly creative in what he did, and then beat the dims at their own game. He NEVER turned his back on President Reagan, and NEVER sold out for money like some whores in the Senate do today! He put his life and career on the line for freedom. Yes, IMHO you and the USNA were wrong!

LLS
40 posted on 02/24/2006 8:58:22 AM PST by LibLieSlayer (Preserve America... kill terrorists... destroy dims!)
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