STILLWELL: Bush and the Ports: The Honeymoon Is Over

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/8/6 | Cinnamon Stillwell

[clawrence3]

I actually agree with MNJohnnie - I never said no American company "can" do the job - just that none do. What if making Halliburton or some other "approved" company that normally does not operate port terminals take over actually makes it EASIER for a terrorist attack? Then whose fault will that be?

Also, atlaw, did you see my hypothetical above - if 7-11 stores are O.K. for Arabs to own, how about gas stations?
Can Arabs sit in the front of buses anymore, or not? I really think we should not be painting such a broad brush against entire groups of people whom we need as allies in the war on terrorism.

[clawrence3]

Using your analogies, my "argument" actually is more akin to "Lock the more important doors first." Or, if you prefer, "the boat's already leaky, so let's ignore all those holes and instead explode some TNT on the hull."

[Paul Ross]

And the excuse that we already allow the Chinese to have such terminals...is hardly a reassuring situation:

[Thirteen_bravo]

At the risk of sounding xenophobic, I wish the USA could have taken back control of ALL the ports after 9/11.

[MNJohnnie]

Couple of questions I wonder if the Weapon of Mass Demagoguery will answer?

If the Port Deal is such a major important deal, WHY did the Congresscritter Know Nothings in the Congress put their Anti-Capitalism "Port" legislation INSIDE an Appropriation bill? If this is so important why are the Congress Critters so gutless as to NOT put it up as stand alone legislation?

The Democrat Senate Leaderhsip has now put forward legislation to create a Department of Port Security. Wonder if the Know Nothing talking heads like Hannity, Savage, Malkin and the clowns at NRO etc feel guilty now for pushing the Democrats Propaganda line on the Ports?

Well done fools. Way to actively help your political enemies Election Year PR. Nice job "Real Conservatives". After spending the last couple of years squalling daily about Federal Spending, way to demagogue yourselves into political position where you will now be responsible for expanding the reach, cost and scope of the Federal Govt! Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Actions have consequences you "Conservative Pundit" idiots.

[clawrence3]

LOL - Chinese "occupied"?! How far do you think the ChiComs can get with those ports before we track them down?

[clawrence3]

I actually don't have a problem with this argument - as it stands now, we need to do this very carefully and gradually lest we spark a massive global trade war.

[atlaw]

You're becoming incoherent. I suggest a little break from the computer, and the coffee.

[MNJohnnie]

Amazing. Even now the "Real Conservatives" want to blame Bush and the Republicans for THEIR stupidity on the Ports. Way to grow the Govt! Way to waste more Federal Tax dollars! What fools. You were warned from the very beginning this was the Democrat Leadership's end game. Way to paint yourselves into a political corner Port Demagogues.

Actions have consequences "real Conservatives"

[atlaw]

Actions have consequences

Indeed they do. Now, do you have anything to offer to this debate other than hysterical, fact-free posts accusing all who view this deal with skepticism of being, ahem, hysterical and fact-free?

[WatchingInAmazement]

Port Demagogues.

Here's 62 more "port demagogues" you can add to your list, Johnnie. Who did you say is representing you?

House panel votes to block ports deal Fox News WASHINGTON — Despite a presidential veto threat, a House committee on Wednesday voted to block a controversial ports deal that has President Bush in the hotseat. The House Appropriations Committee passed an amendment to attach to a $92 billion emergency supplemental funding measure for hurricane recovery and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The committee vote was 62-2.

"The amendment is straight-forward and is a rifle shot crack to block the Dubai Ports World deal only. This is a national issue. This is a national security bill. We want to make sure that the security of our ports is in America's hands," said Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., committee chairman.

House Republicans led the charge to pass legislation that would block an administration-approved plan to hand over terminal operations at six U.S. ports to a UAE-owned company, Dubai Ports World. A British company, Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co., currently operates the terminals in question.

http://khon.com/khon/display.cfm?storyID=11869&sectionID=1161