Ok Time AGAIN, for the facts. You can get the information on Container Security at the link below Click on the link at the top of the thread to see the OFFICAL facts, not the make believe talking points and other nonsense of the Port Deal Critics.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1590048/posts
We scan 100% of the containers coming into the US for radiation all ready. That information has been pointed out to the critics repeatedly. We ONLY NEED to physically inspect about 6% of Containers because of security concerns. It is fraudulent to claim we "only search 3-6% of containers. IF we needed to, we could search more.
The Terminal Operator controls the physical movement of the shipment ONLY. That is true of any freight handler be it trucking, air freight or port terminal. The Bills of Ladeing are controlled BY THE SHIPPER as well as the RECEIVER and must go thru Customs. You do NOT let the shipper contol the Purchase Order/Shipment manifest because it is a legal document which once the reciving party signs legally obligates them to pay. Letting the Bill be handled by the Freight Handler would create the easiest possibility to steal. They simply would alter the shipment documents and pocket a portion of each shipment. Thus the Shipper could not PROVE they shipped it and would have no ability to compel payment because the Receiver never signed for it. Legally until the Receiver SIGNS for the freight it belongs TO THE SHIPPER, NOT the Port Terminal or other Freight Handlers. Because of the ability of Port Termanal, Truck Companies and others to misroute, steal or lose Freingt what they pick up and what they deliver is monitored by everyone involved. That is basic business. If you sign for 8000 cases and only got 6000, YOU are LEGALLY liably for those missing 2000 cases. The original Shipper gets paid based on what you sign for, NOT what they say they shipped. It is NOT easy to add or subtract things from shipments as the Port Terminal Hysterics keep screaming. That too, is another of their lies.
The level of RABID ignorance here is simply inexcusable. The United States is giving NOTHING away. Two weeks into this story it is utterly inexcusable for anyone to be this rabidly ignorant. Here are the facts. A PRIVATE company, P&O is selling it Port Terminal Operations. A company Called Dubai Port World is BUYING that private company. Part of what they are acquiring is 9 terminal leases, out of 300, in 6 US Ports. 9 out of 300 GET IT? The US Govt is giving NOTHING away. They have NOTHING to do with the deal. They CANNOT require the leases be granted to some other company. All they can do is REJECT this or that company from getting the leases. Then P&O would either have to find a different buyer OR Dubai Port World will simply sue. Either way, the same American Dock Workers, the same American Clerks, Truck Drivers, Gate Guards, Office Workers, Cleaning Crews etc etc etc etc who NOW work of P&O will switch to getting their checks from Dubai Port World. Some Stock Holders and upper level management will change. The name on the outside of the building will change, the Labor Unions will have to negotiate new contracts (which is why they do NOT want this deal to go thru) and that is about ALL that will change.
No misstatements, distortions and lies about "Running our Port" "Compromising Port Security", "Access to Sensitive Military Cargo Shipments" or any of the other utterly stupid nonsense being spewed by the critics is going to change the FACTS.
Those are the FACTS. That is not White House Spin, RNC Talking Points and all the other stupid nonsense being screamed to drown out the FACTS. Time for people to grow up and LEARN the facts. How can people capable of using a computer be so utterly IGNORANT of the facts of this matter after 2 weeks? There must be a genetic element. Some Invincible Stupidity Shield gene that keeps people from being able to absorb even ONE fact about this topic. The display of panic, hysteric, bigotry and ignorance on the part of some of the Port Deal Hysterics is inexcusable.
Opps Sorry McV I seem to need stronger glasses! I misunderstood your point to be a critism of my oiginal post. My apologies for the confusion. Guess it time for me to get off line. Too many hours at it make you go dull and blind it seems. :-)