Posted on 02/24/2006 1:46:34 PM PST by markedmannerf
Suddenly, many people are frightened by the sale from Britain to the United Arab Emirates of a cargo-handling company that handles cargo in six American cities. I fell into that trap, too, because I made assumptions sans facts.
It is a perfectly emotional reaction to Arabphobia. It is the same fear that caused us to move Japanese families of men, women and children from the American farms and society during WWII and put them in concentration camps for years. I can still recall the days when some thought that all crooks were Italian and called all Polish people dumb. Thank God we got rid of the Polish jokes and stopped judging people by either accents or skin color!
The facts are:
1. Dubai Ports will not have anything to do with security. America will still own and control that with its Coast Guard and Homeland Security.
2. Dubai Ports will not own the American ports; they will only manage the cargo handling under a lease.
3. The fight against this seems to be by the unions and by the Far Left who want to drive a wedge between us and the UAE.
4. If we lose the UAE friendship and its support as an ally, we could be overcome by terrorists. We are in need of their cooperation, military-intelligence, their ports, their launching pads, and their soil! Without these, prepare to have many more 9/11s and to be driven out of the Middle East!
5. Previous owners were foreign (British) and we know that England could not control terrorists. Remember the subways?
6. General Tommy Franks served in the UAE, lived there and has said that Dubai Ports runs the most efficient cargo-handling company of any. I will trust General Tommy Franks
(Excerpt) Read more at postchronicle.com ...
That's not correct.
In fact, we are giving private companies taxpayer dollars to improve their port security.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1584511/posts.
Also related:
Is having China in our ports better?
The only answer to sensible objections has been to call the objectors racist. This is exactly the strategy that failed with Harriet Miers, calling the opposition sexist. I've got a funny feeling that the same people are lining up on this issue just as they did on that one.
China cares if we nuke them. Muslims think they get eternal paradise if that happens. It makes a big difference.
Thanks for the links
I "feel" the same too, but since Franks, Pace, and others of similar trustworthiness and knowledge are ok with it, so am I.
In any case, get used to it, cuz the deal WILL happen.
Wasn't Riciin(sp) found in a apt in Britian?
Don't forget the second wave of subway attacks in Britian which thankfully wasn't successful. Then there are all the wacky Imams including that dude with the hook and eyepatch.
One of the guys I work with is of Arab ancestry. REALLY nice guy. Married, has a kid on the way. Moderate, polite, genial, etc.
We have to realize that there are Islamofascists that want to destroy us and moderate Arabs like him.
A UAE company that spends 6+ BILLION on operational rights to these ports is not going to let their operations get trashed or lost due to terrorism. They just wouldn't. There are much cheaper ways to hurt the USA for them.
Its irrational to believe this deal is about security. The anti's are driven by political opportunists who are using your natural fear and concern, mixing in some false claims, and trying to turn it into a fiasco.
There are parts of this story that ARE concerning, but not the UAE purchasing the business. The process it took seems too "inside" and the fact Bush didn't know about it appears to make him look "out of touch" but the security part is a total fabrication.
I would put a requirement (and perhaps there is one) that we have access to their networks, communications, etc with a waiver for unlimited, any-time surveillance. Maybe we did already..lets get the facts and panic later.
Japanese, Poles and Italians didn't have a route map for world domination like the islamics have with the koran.
What ports do China run?
My fiance is from the middle east I know alot of good Arab people but at the same time I dont want records of things going on in our ports over there in the middle east. And I noticed you said:
I would put a requirement (and perhaps there is one) that we have access to their networks, communications, etc with a waiver for unlimited, any-time surveillance. Maybe we did already..lets get the facts and panic later.
That right there is another reason I dont want them in our ports or any foreign country for that matter. I know we have to keep an eye on any foreign country running our ports but you have just acknowledged what I feel and that is that we have to watch these guys alot more careful than the British
I have heard LA
The flight is against Islam, and it's important we start to recognize this. Militant Islam is Islam. It's the moderate Muslims who aren't true to their religion - it's a religion of hatred, intolerance, and death. The Quran is full of these themes, and the religion was spread by military conquest and intimidation throughout it's history.
Don't allow an Arab company to be involved in our security in even the most minimal way. If we do, it's just a matter of time until some terrorist or sympathizer worms his way in and takes advantage.
Believe me, I'm not thrilled, but the alternative course would be even worse. This was no big deal until Chuckie Schumer's Union pals say potential political points to be made with the cooperation of their willing accomplices in the media.
Fact: the "operational" control and security of the ports remains the responsibility of the local port authority and the appropriate federal agencies.
Fact: the commercial operator will not have sweeping knowledge of security details, just those matters for which they have a regulatory responsibility.
Fact: DP World currently provides port services for the key port in the logistics support of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. They also provide port services the largest fleet of U.S. Navy combat vessels outside of the United States. This is done with the full and complete approval of the United States Military that describes DP World's performance as superior.
Fact: The United States is currently working on technologies that will allow us to examine 100% of the containers entering U.S. ports. The UAE has been partnered with us in bringing this technology on line.
I got a great "alternative course" We have a US company work in the ports.
That's very easy to say, the hard part which is always left out is what's your plan.
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