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.
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.
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.
But all security will require liason and coordination with Dubai Ports.
I believe that the officers of Dubai Ports are loyal to their money and will try to protect the ports as best they can, but does anyone think that there won't be a single al-Quaida sympathizer among the secretaries, assistants, deputy assistants, file clerks and flunkies in Dubai who will have access to the security arangements?
Al-Quaida does not need to have a full time open chanel through security like, for instance, a drug smuggler.
Weapons of mass destruction are too rare to chance one being found in a random inspection, but if they can guarantee that they can move one container one time in complete safety, they will and an american city will die.
So9
The real thugs, IMO, is the longshoremen union.
Whoa! Is this disingenuous fear mongering supposed to gain support?
There seems to be a growing sense of desperation among supporters of this deal. The fact is the emirs need us a lot more than we would ever need them. Without our presence, they would be overrun by a neighbor or overthrown by their huge foreign population. They would lose the gambling, the prostitution, their fortunes and quite possibly their heads.
"Arabaphobia", eh? Is that like "homophobia"? Am I correct in assuming it's mental illness and there's a medication for it, like there is for other 'phobias'?
You've borrowed a page from sick liberal tactics by inventing ridiculous, pejorative words and then trying to stick them onto others. Why don't you have the guts to use the terminology you really mean, namely, "islamophobia", and not try to whitewash a twisted religion by mixing it in with an ethnicity that includes Christians, Jews and others. That way, at least, your borrowed liberal tactic would be a half-honest one.
But since the President is the one who initiated this new 'conservative' tactic by insinuating the Senate was 'biased' against the middle east, it's easy to understand how his bots will follow suit.
I suppose the rationale that an islamic governemnt taking control of six of our seaports poses a national security risk, during these times of war against the very tenets of islamic supremecy and brutality, has become an obsolete one in the newly revised 'conservative' agenda. But I'm sticking to my beliefs that islam is a dangerous, deadly cult that endangers the entire world because of its desire to convert or kill all the 'infidels' according to koranic law.
If we can enlist (pay, buy, bribe) some of the leaders of these countries to help fight against "terror", (in other words fight against their own beliefs), then that's GREAT. But I don't see the need to invite them into our sea ports so they can gradually lull us to sleep while they inhale every single security procedure and container inspection nuance for eventual regurgitation into the laps of al Qaeda. It's just not worth the risk. You've got to ask the question, "why are conservatives suddenly so defensive and accepting of 'moderate' islam"? It wasn't this way ten days ago, what happened to conservative reslove?
The UAE's princes are cozy with OBL, and tipped him off that we were gunning for him. They refuse to recognize Israel. The did recognize the Taliban. They funneled piles of money to Al-Queda through their banks. Of 79 votes in the UN last year, they only voted with the US 5 times and 62 times against our positions. They just don't deserve the deal, and not "because they are Arabs". It doesn't matter that they won't be in charge of security. They haven't earned a place at our table.
Maybe if they produce Bin Laden's or Zarquawi's head in a box, but not until that happens.
first i believe the UAE company already operates ports in this country. what i like about this is the CIA can place people all the way into the UAE. remember keep your friends close but your enemies closer. besides when was the last time Chuckie Sleazer was right about anything?
Another thing about the UAE, is that while Lebanon is the only Arab country where conversion from Islam is legally protected, and thus the only one with anything like real freedom of religion, the UAE has genuine freedom of worship and actively supports its Christian residents: the Dubai government is footing the bill for the construction of an Orthodox (Rum in Middle Eastern terms) church, and there are about a dozen churches of both Western and Eastern confesssion (including Baptist and Latin, though mostly Syrian Jacobite and Mar Thomas) and a Hindu yogic meditation center freely operating in the UAE.
Since it's a business deal, a really stiff screening of any Muslim DPW employees sent over would encourage DPW to hire American (or send us Christian Arabs to fill middle-mangement slots). Of course that would require admitting that the problem is Islam.