Just to clear things up, Dubai and the UAE is against terrorism. They\’re completely independent countries and very wealthy countries that export an enormous anount of oil to the USA daily, so it\’s in their best interest that our ports are protected. Not that I\’m not another foreign country running our ports, but there is some misinformation about the specifics of these countries.
First, let me state I am in total agreement. However, NJ\’s newest Senator, Robert Melendez, has come out strongly against \”profiling\” at any level. Well, isn\’t it interesting that that is exactly what he and toehrs are doing here. BY THE WAY, I\’M ALL FOR PROFILING. It\’s just common sense.
Has the administration totally gone insane? This is the dumbest idea they have come up with yet. Even Republicans who have supported Bush on all or most issues are very much against this. This has nothing to do with \”profiling\”. This is a brazen effort by an administration who is supposedly involved in the fight against terrorism to sell Americans down the river. To sell port operations to an organization from a country that not only supports terrorism but encourages it is an outrage. All Americans, whether Republicans, Demorcrats, or whatever, need to rise up and make sure this never happens!
Why on earth do we have to incessantly prove to the world how big a IDIOT are we….. for god sake stop this maddness before every human bone on this earth gets together and starts blasting out the americans for being
a) hypocrite
b) jingoistic
c) IDIOT
d) insecure
e) worthy of TRASHING
grow up… for god sake, for your own sake….. grow up
It is clear that you are not sophisticated to understand economics. There no longer is an economic fence around America, nor should their be. Any country that deprive itself of foreign competition ends up hurting itself. Look at Japan for one, they are sure hurting since they limit foreign goods. Look at other countries who limit, you limit foreign good and services and you limit your economy. Open economics always works in favor of countries that practice it and always works against those who don\’t practice it. It easy to say American Jobs and American wages, but even as we open up free trade, it sure seems like our wage structure has skyrocketed. It only gets better, not worse!
Why did you not complain about the previous English company since you are not for \”foreign ownership.\” Also, it is not foreign ownership, but foreign contractor managing and operating the port. The key is ownership, the operations will still be run by those currently in place.
Hello \”Bush is an idiot.\” The elections must have got to you big time if you had to use that moniker. In 2000, the President lost the popular vote by 1 million votes, but when he re-ran in 2004, he won by 4 million votes, a 5 million vote increase. You anger is helping the GOP, just keep it up, with you help, the GOP will win the elections by 8 million in 2008. Oh yes, I forgot the GOP will lose, just like you predicted in 1998,2000,2002,2004 and as you will in 2006. Politics has never been more enjoyable!
I am floored! What makes the government think this is going to help us, they can promise the world but the proof of their true intentions may come too late for all of us, Wake Up!
Senator Mendendez needs to pull his head out of the sand and quit making his outrageous statements. First his gets his dig in about this being a secret. Not so, this was mentioned over 9 months ago when P&O accepted the offer for buyout. As for not letting Foreign countries run some of our ports, where was his outrage earlier when Britain was running them? Or how about over half of the ports in California being run by China? Mendendez is just a cheap politcal hack jumping on the bandwagon to bash Bush some more. Don\’t get me wrong, I do not like the idea of the port deal myself, and yes, I believe in profiling, but I think there needs to be more rational discussion on the issue and less spewing of so called facts of the deal.
Please get off of the partisan sniping. Of course this administration would never do anything to risk our country…it\’s just what happens after the next election when our form of government starts imploding because we cannot support our selves any longer. Also, this company is owned by the state, it is not a private company as we know them…and we know we can trust all Arabs.
Wow the last one out of the county shut the lights off before the bombs go off. We Americans are getting screwed by everyone including our goverment, as we pay for the whole worlds problems. Its too bad that we even let any one else but ourselfves control our own ports. Talk about trouble. We import too much crap. Walmart is bad for our county as well. Small Business built this country cooperations have not nearly had the sucess that the small businesses have had. Too much corruption even in our business of Insurance. I say let americans have America back and this great country will get back on track. Cut off forien aide until our own ills are solved then help the world. Heck we have retirees that cant afford there meds. What is this place turning into? We should have emptied our lifer or those in 30 years or more in prisions and sent them to Iraq to fight. This would have brought down our costs and got rid of people who do not abide by our laws.
Just today Terrorists in Midwest sleepy town of Toledo Ohio….what next?
Truck bombs from the ports on our roads.
Go figure. I know Bush tries well but it is not working.
Why any American government would allow a foreign government or business to run our ports is outrageous. Shipping, railroads, trucking and aviation are vital not only to the security of our nation, but to our economy.
This makes as much sense as allowing a competitor to run my sales operations!
Once again, the Bush administration proves its total disregard and disrepect for the American people.
I agree with LLCJ\’s comments. The UAE are keen followers and supporters of free global trade. Some of the Emirates are not overflowing with oil and have long recognized that they need other sources of income – something that would be difficult to achieve if they annoyed the USA.
Arab money already supports and/or owns numerous companies in the USA and Europe with few objections having been raised.
Many of the business people and rulers in the UAE have been educated in the USA and Europe and most certainly do not support Islamic Fundamentalists. In fact it is countries such as those making up the UAE, that have the most to lose from the growth of Islamic Fundamentalist organizations.
The fact that two of the 9/11 terrorists hailed from the UAE is not indicative of support of terrorist activities. If that were the case, the same could said of the UK in respect of the 7/7 bombers and Spain in respect of their train bombers (nearly all of these terrorists had either British or Spanish nationality or, had leave to reside in those countries).
By all means, ckeck the security arrangements but, don\’t disallow DP World the opportunity to run these ports because of a biggoted and/or ill informed bias against all things to do with Arabs.
Look Buddy, you are insane. If President Bush turned this down, you would call it discrimination, if he accecpts it, then you call it \”insane.\” You are a democrat and we know your game. It doesn\’t matter what the President does, you have an attack set up any direction he goes. That is why you are not in power, the American people know you are full of it.
I am \”insane\” because I don\’t want the Bush administration selling our ports to people who come from a country who supports terrorism? You are the one who is nuts. As a matter of fact, if you voted for Bush, you thought you were fighting terrorism. Now you say, let the Arabs have the ports. Your logic doesn\’t make any sense. Also, this has become a bi-partisan issue since both Republicans and Democrats are against the port sale. Who cares what Jimmy Carter says. The majority of Americans are against this.
The USAToday has announced that Bush wasn\’t even aware of the issue until last week. Typical.
Wow – look at all the fuss. First off, so there is no misunderstanding, I\’m politically right of Atila the Hun. But – before everyone goes absolutely nuts, and I\’m not necessarily saying that I agree with this deal, let\’s make some sense. The company is the 4th largest in the world who contracts for this business, and by the way, there are NO USA company\’s doing this at this juncture, not to mention the fact, that the Chinese are already handling Port LA.
Next, the United States Navy uses Dubai as a major fueling and supply point, as well as other operational business.
Then, understand that the company really is not a security manager, but they are responsible for loading and off loading containers which apparently they have the reputation of handling professionally. And while we\’re on the subject, but lets not get political….the Senators from NY, both of whom are screaming the usual jargon, let no one misunderstand, that they need to prove their agenda of being fully in favor of homeland security….but…is it possible that the AFofL hasn\’t whispered in their ears that a fair number of union employees may lose jobs because of better methodology in container handling..Oh No, say it\’s not so!
Not to mention the amount of contributations to both sides of the isle by the AFofL..but whoes counting?
Then these enemies of our, apparently were not enemies under the Clinton administration who not only praised there ability as partners in the war on terrorism, but significant friends of the United States, which went back to the late \’90\’s..
OK, no more use for the AE, then we don\’t accept any more cargo from them, their aircraft no longer can land in the United States, but then whose profiling..
Anyone, yes Anyone who wants to really do some substantial damage to us, can simply ship it here, as only a miniscule amount of container/cargo is physically given security check. You want to close the borders, OK with me, then close them, and provide that wonderful jargon 24/7 closure and security.
With that in mind, just what the hell is anyone talking about. HUH!
Thank you Peter. Just 1 thing to add. The US government did not solicit this UAE company to manage these ports. This company bought the British company that was previously doing that job and inherited the contracts. All the administration is saying is this does not pose an increased security risk. This transaction does not give terrorists a leg up in any way.
It is so sad that America is for sale. When are Americans going to wake up and take America back. On one hand we give and we give but at the same time we are losing our country and nobody\’s looking. Where are our lawmakers. They are all afaid to make a move. And those with good ethics who could help us don\’t have the money to run for office since it now takes millions to get there. What kind of people do you think we get when they are bought by others? Maybe it\’s time for a change with our lawmakers. We need a Congress and Senate that will stand up for Americans at all income levels. Let\’s get back to the grassroots and get rid of the big corporations with the big bucks. Or is it too late? Let\’s take America back!
Yes, I\’m sure there is a double standard here of whether people would be pissed if a British company was running the ports, BUT: I don\’t see many Britains chanting, \”Death to America.\” Currently, it seems every Arab nation (or at least their populations) hate America- especially since the whole cartoon issue which America had nothing to do with. It\’s a fact- post 9/11, Arabs are going to get profiled. Unfortunately, the tension between Middle East and West has only gotten worse. I wish we could all just get along but there is too much hate. I don\’t support the ports going to an Arab nation. I\’m not racist- I just don\’t think it would make sense. Jihadists are clever and patient, they can infiltrate just about anything. Look at the hijackers of 9/11- they were pretty low key.
American politicians may be for sale but the ports are not. They may be leased but they\’re definitely not for sale. These foreign companies have contracts to operate terminals within the ports. For example, this UAE company would operate 2 of the 14 terminals in the Baltimore port. We are not giving anything away here, we\’re just contracting for services.
\”This transaction has nothing to do with the country, but with a private company.\”
This company is actually owned and operate by the government. It is state owned… therefore, the actions and activities of the government of UAE should come into play. They have less than a perfect record and there should be cause for concern.
People need to start RESPECTING other countries/nationalities and not jumping to conclusions when they hear something they don\’t like. Take a trip to another country and listen to what everyone else has to say about \”Americans\” and then maybe you\’ll change your minds… There are a \”handful\” of bad people out there, but those few people shape the opinion of the bad persons whole culture when something goes wrong…
I am over 8 years old and I have never been in a coma. Can you tell me exactly what the threat is having this UAE company load and unload ships in US ports?
They don\’t put the cargo in the containers; they just put the containers on the ship. The greater danger is what was put in the containers at some other port in some other country.
The British company was not and the UAE company will not be in charge of security. The Coast Guard and Customs will continue to do that job.
Security procedures and contents of ships is not secret information that terrorists will now be privy to becuase this company is working the docks.
So perhaps you are the naive one who is swallowing all this hype.
Does it really matter what their position is at these ports? It takes just one person to be a terrorist. Just one map… just one bomb… just one bullet. Get the picture? I hate to sat it but…. been there/done that. In the end, lives will be lost. Is it really worth it? It\’s not about conservative or liberal. It\’s not about religion or skin color. It\’s about the welfare of our Nation. Wake up G.W.!!!
Look, no one here has all of the information to come to a definate answer on the question of whether this contract should have been honored when we found out who the new owners were. There is too much uncertainty for these conclusions to made just yet. Unfortunately, deal is final and we all have to play the waiting game. I am not comfortable with the fact that a company, that is owned by a government with a spotty record, but I know that profiling is not always the correct approach to take. In today\’s day and age, money talks, and that\’s about the only thing our President can comprehend. It is true that this company\’s operations consist of loading and unloading, but being that intimate with the process allows for such infiltration. However, with our crappy security system in place, this does not provide that much more of an advantage for someone who wants to do harm to American. There are too many piece of the puzzle missing for anyone to claim they have the answer. I am a red blooded American, who knows secluding our nation from others is not, necessarily, the way.
This is absolutely insane!
Bush and our government have to be commited to an asylum!
Why in the world can\’t a US company do this job? It\’s a slap in the face to our country.
I must admit I am absolutely shocked that Bush is behind this. If ever there are red flags, this is it and NO, this should not happen. I am otherwise a fan of how GW is trying to do things because we needed leadership that would stand up to the terrorists, but I just cannot believe he is for this. I truly hope this is one time he does not win his argument.
First, Thank You Ned and Peter for providing come good information to help clarify the issue for some of us who are less informed on this issue.
But, I have to agree with Bryan\’s statement:
(\”Why any American government would allow a foreign government or business to run our ports is outrageous. Shipping, railroads, trucking and aviation are vital not only to the security of our nation, but to our economy.\”)
Now, this is not an issue where I am an expert, and I don\’t claim to have any idea of what kind of control this arab company will have over the actions that take place at our ports, BUT – the idea that the USA is letting foreign companies run or have any kind of control over such a key part of our security and economy is frightening. Same idea with importing most of our Steel – we\’ve lost capacity to produce enough steel to defend the country. THis, and the fact that more and more American jobs and money and companies and therefore Power is going overseas just sickens me. We are selling off America, and we, the citizens, are sitting back and watching it happen. We expect to buy our goods (and we Americans NEED a LOT of stuff!) on the cheap, but meanwhile expect to be paid top-dollar at work. This is killing out country – what\’s it going to be like 2 generations from right now – for our grandchildren??
Our culture of greed and such extreme capitalism is making the American rich lots richer, the poor much poorer as we ship our jobs to India, China and much of Asia. They\’re getting richer off our OWN middle-class\’s loss.
When will our politicians WAKE UP and realize that they\’re killing what was once a really great country?? And all just to make some shareholders happy, or put some more dollars in an already extremely rich guy\’s pocket.
Let\’s hope something changes really soon so that we can be great once again…
Ned, get a clue. You are the one swallowing the hype about this \”harmless\” company. Like I said before, you are very naive. How do you know there is no security risk? Because Bush says so? He didn\’t even know about the whole thing until last week. OR, do you have stock in the UAE company, hmmmm? It is always about the money, isn\’t it?
How do you know that there IS a security risk? Cause all the bush haters said so?
No, there\’s a security risk because it\’s run by arabs. Arabs are bad. Arabs are evil.
I don\’t understand how you can disconnect this issue from race.
If you see the race angle, but still are against the deal because it\’s an arab country, what does that say about your views on race? Only lilly white, anglo saxon/aryan companies can run our ports?
If we\’re going to be consistent, ban all foreign owned companies. Let the arabs become citizens and own companies! (that was a joke btw)
it\’s amazing reading these posts. It\’s like a giant magnet hit and we are seeing conservatives acting like liberals and liberals acting like conservatives. I guess we can say we are all hypocrites at some time. It does seem that some people have shut down their mind and have already made a decision no matter what else is said. The ones who say no foreign owners, gigantic security risk, selling of the ports, haven\’t been listening or just not paying attention to the realities of the case. #1, This is a small fraction of the port serviced at these locations, #2, they are not buying the ports, they are leasing the unloading and loading operations, #3, Almost all the contracts for unloading and loading at the majority of the ports go to foreign companies now. #4,Dubai will not be in charge of security. That still will remain with the coast guard and customs. Even Dubai is advising they will give even more security concessions than any other port operator. Maybe with all the scrutiny surrounding their operations, these might turn out to be the safest ports of all.
You folks are really something. For the record, I\’m a conservative something right of Attila the Hun.. Now, what the hell are you getting your knickers in a twist over, so you really know?
Let\’s see..
1. P&O had this contract for years. P&O is a UK Company, right? right? Wrong, they are based UK with a long standing following throughout the world, and primarily in the Far East. Can anyone tell me what kind of security they utilized as employee screening?
2. Their are basically 7 entities in this world who do this. None, NONE are American. Chinese ( who already handle Port LA) Danish, Singapore, Dubai etc.
3. Dubai, are they friends..well sort of. Despite their ties to some interesting political philosophy and a really open banking ethic, they were the first Arab country to permit their port/s usage to US Navy, which we still utilize, not to mention two critical airbases, which we need ( do our friends in Saudi give us that pleasure).
4. Just what does port handling entail. Well it really isn\’t security, it is the handling of containers and cargo. Which, apparently, Dubai does a better job than P&O which might well decrease costs, and the utilization of employees. OH..speaking in those terms, our two Senators from NY, who profess this outrage, and are fully behind Homeland Security ( first time)..is it outrage, or did someone from from AFL/CIO whisper in their ear that the union might be loosing jobs, Oh No, say it\’s not so..not to mention the Unions contributation to both sides of the isle. But that\’s really not the problem, is it?
5. By the way, this deal was consumated 9 months ago, it\’s just making headlines? Come on.
6. Port security..anyone, at anytime, could and can deliver whatever the hell they want to via shipment. We physically look at less than 5% of all container shipments. Let those who are charged with overall US security monitor it, in their own fashion OK. So o oo – what really is the problem?
7. It\’s called INTELLIGENCE..Whomever handles the port/s knows every shipments origin, ultimate destination, what is included, etc..In that light, we should have only those with proper clearance handling this.
Will it happen – NO..
So what\’s your next point, other than calling the President an Idiot, yatta yatta yatta.
I have no money at stake in this deal. You ask how I know there is no security risk? I laid out 3 or 4 points for why this does not increase the security risk which you chose to ignore. Instead of discussing the pertinent points, you resort to personal attacks. So let me ask you, how do you know there IS an increased security risk?
So what! We have a Mayor in San Francisco who was illegaly marrying same sex couples. It goes both ways, should we not have insurance conventions in San Francisco because the Mayor of the city did such illegal and asinine thing? San Francisco has one extrme of a culture, and UAE has another extreme of a culture. Life goes on buddy!
February 11, 2006 -Doug Ireland
26 Men Imprisoned 5 Years Each for Being Gay in United Arab Emirates
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday, \”As many as 26 people were sentenced to five years in prison by a court in Abu Dhabi for admitting to be gays and organizing a cross-dressers party and wedding at a hotel,\” reports WebIndia News, in a story written with a decidedly anti-gay tinge. \”Their arrest had made news in November last year when they gathered at a hotel in Ghantout, a desert region on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway to org anise a gay wedding. Police got wind of the meeting and swooped on the hotel and arrested the participants….\” The men were charged with homosexuality, a crime under Sharia law, although police acknowledged that none of the men were engaged in a sexual act when police raided the event.
Clinton dropped by UAE and picked up a cool 300k on two different occasions for giving speaches. What is your comment on that, did Clinton give his speeches to a group of terrorist?
Interesting posts.. but after listening to Chris Dobbs some interesting info came out about connections between this administration and the UAE. Last year the UAE invested $8 billion in the Carlyle Group where Bush Sr is influential… The UAE funded Neal Bush\’s (remember Silverado Savings & Loan $700M bail out)no bid educational software co. Treasurer Snow was appointed treasurer then his former co CSX sold it\’s international port operations to Dubai for more than $1 billion. Bush\’s family has business connections to the UAE and our current head of the US Maritime Administration, David Sanborn was former director of Dubai Ports\’ Euo & Latin Amer. operations. It appears that George Bush is hell bent on handing over a country to the next administration that is in the same shambles that his father inherited from Regan…causing him to be a one term president… and so it goes.
Some of you are real idiots. If there is no risk at all in having someone else do this job why not hire Osama bin Laden???
This has nothing to do with an Arab country running the ports; it has everything to do with ANY other foreign country running our ports. This is a job for an AMERICAN company.
Gee, here I thought this was an insurance net. Obviously it seems to have turned into something else.
OK..two points.
Nancy – Reagan left the country in shambles, suggest you go back in history and check out what turned out to be one of the strongest economies in the world, I know Carter did it, go roast a peanut.
Soviet Union went down, and our military finally got back on track. Other than that..next?
Lisa..there are no United States company\’s who have the expertise or potential to run the ports. It is unfortunate..howover..it is what it is. for now. While everyone is checking out the UAE, and discussing who did what to whom, who shot John and where is he buried, how about you folks checking out P&O, that classic English Company, who really isn\’t either that classic or English.
How come, no one has bitched about Port LA being run by the Chinese for years.
What I said initialy is the real problem. This is an intelligence problem, we are providing an intimate look at every bill of lading, import and export. Get off this security deal, some one some day will send something, that\’s easy, let the folks who are in the back round of security watch our backs, they are there. I have much more of an economic problem with this, that\’s where I find the deal troubling.
Did you hear about the Clinton scholarship to the American University in UAE?
And what were Clinton\’s connections to China that influenced his approval of China running the west coast ports?
Let me reiterate, Bush did not seek out this deal. The British company sold their operations to the UAE company. Approval was granted by mid level administration officials because they found no security risk in the deal.
Just to clear things up, Dubai and the UAE is against terrorism. They\’re completely independent countries and very wealthy countries that export an enormous anount of oil to the USA daily, so it\’s in their best interest that our ports are protected. Not that I\’m not another foreign country running our ports, but there is some misinformation about the specifics of these countries.
First, let me state I am in total agreement. However, NJ\’s newest Senator, Robert Melendez, has come out strongly against \”profiling\” at any level. Well, isn\’t it interesting that that is exactly what he and toehrs are doing here. BY THE WAY, I\’M ALL FOR PROFILING. It\’s just common sense.
Has the administration totally gone insane? This is the dumbest idea they have come up with yet. Even Republicans who have supported Bush on all or most issues are very much against this. This has nothing to do with \”profiling\”. This is a brazen effort by an administration who is supposedly involved in the fight against terrorism to sell Americans down the river. To sell port operations to an organization from a country that not only supports terrorism but encourages it is an outrage. All Americans, whether Republicans, Demorcrats, or whatever, need to rise up and make sure this never happens!
Why on earth do we have to incessantly prove to the world how big a IDIOT are we….. for god sake stop this maddness before every human bone on this earth gets together and starts blasting out the americans for being
a) hypocrite
b) jingoistic
c) IDIOT
d) insecure
e) worthy of TRASHING
grow up… for god sake, for your own sake….. grow up
It is clear that you are not sophisticated to understand economics. There no longer is an economic fence around America, nor should their be. Any country that deprive itself of foreign competition ends up hurting itself. Look at Japan for one, they are sure hurting since they limit foreign goods. Look at other countries who limit, you limit foreign good and services and you limit your economy. Open economics always works in favor of countries that practice it and always works against those who don\’t practice it. It easy to say American Jobs and American wages, but even as we open up free trade, it sure seems like our wage structure has skyrocketed. It only gets better, not worse!
Why did you not complain about the previous English company since you are not for \”foreign ownership.\” Also, it is not foreign ownership, but foreign contractor managing and operating the port. The key is ownership, the operations will still be run by those currently in place.
Hello \”Bush is an idiot.\” The elections must have got to you big time if you had to use that moniker. In 2000, the President lost the popular vote by 1 million votes, but when he re-ran in 2004, he won by 4 million votes, a 5 million vote increase. You anger is helping the GOP, just keep it up, with you help, the GOP will win the elections by 8 million in 2008. Oh yes, I forgot the GOP will lose, just like you predicted in 1998,2000,2002,2004 and as you will in 2006. Politics has never been more enjoyable!
UAE is the most capatilst of the Arab nations.
This transaction has nothing to do with the country, but with a private company.
Any allegation otherwise, is indeed profiling, and is therefore motivated by race.
I am floored! What makes the government think this is going to help us, they can promise the world but the proof of their true intentions may come too late for all of us, Wake Up!
Senator Mendendez needs to pull his head out of the sand and quit making his outrageous statements. First his gets his dig in about this being a secret. Not so, this was mentioned over 9 months ago when P&O accepted the offer for buyout. As for not letting Foreign countries run some of our ports, where was his outrage earlier when Britain was running them? Or how about over half of the ports in California being run by China? Mendendez is just a cheap politcal hack jumping on the bandwagon to bash Bush some more. Don\’t get me wrong, I do not like the idea of the port deal myself, and yes, I believe in profiling, but I think there needs to be more rational discussion on the issue and less spewing of so called facts of the deal.
It just amazes me how incredible stupid and money driven our goverment is. Any one who thinks this is OK is a traitor.
Please get off of the partisan sniping. Of course this administration would never do anything to risk our country…it\’s just what happens after the next election when our form of government starts imploding because we cannot support our selves any longer. Also, this company is owned by the state, it is not a private company as we know them…and we know we can trust all Arabs.
Sharon:
Jimmy Carter thinks it is a good thing and we all know the liberals love Jimmy Carter. So how can they argue about this deal?
Wow the last one out of the county shut the lights off before the bombs go off. We Americans are getting screwed by everyone including our goverment, as we pay for the whole worlds problems. Its too bad that we even let any one else but ourselfves control our own ports. Talk about trouble. We import too much crap. Walmart is bad for our county as well. Small Business built this country cooperations have not nearly had the sucess that the small businesses have had. Too much corruption even in our business of Insurance. I say let americans have America back and this great country will get back on track. Cut off forien aide until our own ills are solved then help the world. Heck we have retirees that cant afford there meds. What is this place turning into? We should have emptied our lifer or those in 30 years or more in prisions and sent them to Iraq to fight. This would have brought down our costs and got rid of people who do not abide by our laws.
Just today Terrorists in Midwest sleepy town of Toledo Ohio….what next?
Truck bombs from the ports on our roads.
Go figure. I know Bush tries well but it is not working.
Why any American government would allow a foreign government or business to run our ports is outrageous. Shipping, railroads, trucking and aviation are vital not only to the security of our nation, but to our economy.
This makes as much sense as allowing a competitor to run my sales operations!
Once again, the Bush administration proves its total disregard and disrepect for the American people.
Are you familiar with how ports operate? With DP World? (Hint: it has a lot of expat Brits and US citizens working for it).
Outrage is no substitute for knowledge. So call me a traior if you want. It will be one more thing you\’re uninformed about.
I agree with LLCJ\’s comments. The UAE are keen followers and supporters of free global trade. Some of the Emirates are not overflowing with oil and have long recognized that they need other sources of income – something that would be difficult to achieve if they annoyed the USA.
Arab money already supports and/or owns numerous companies in the USA and Europe with few objections having been raised.
Many of the business people and rulers in the UAE have been educated in the USA and Europe and most certainly do not support Islamic Fundamentalists. In fact it is countries such as those making up the UAE, that have the most to lose from the growth of Islamic Fundamentalist organizations.
The fact that two of the 9/11 terrorists hailed from the UAE is not indicative of support of terrorist activities. If that were the case, the same could said of the UK in respect of the 7/7 bombers and Spain in respect of their train bombers (nearly all of these terrorists had either British or Spanish nationality or, had leave to reside in those countries).
By all means, ckeck the security arrangements but, don\’t disallow DP World the opportunity to run these ports because of a biggoted and/or ill informed bias against all things to do with Arabs.
Look Buddy, you are insane. If President Bush turned this down, you would call it discrimination, if he accecpts it, then you call it \”insane.\” You are a democrat and we know your game. It doesn\’t matter what the President does, you have an attack set up any direction he goes. That is why you are not in power, the American people know you are full of it.
Wow, Can\’t believe the explicit racism that is in some of these comments.
It\’s ok to let the brits (a foreign company) to run our ports, but not Arabs, because as we all know, all Arabs and all muslims are terrorists.
I am \”insane\” because I don\’t want the Bush administration selling our ports to people who come from a country who supports terrorism? You are the one who is nuts. As a matter of fact, if you voted for Bush, you thought you were fighting terrorism. Now you say, let the Arabs have the ports. Your logic doesn\’t make any sense. Also, this has become a bi-partisan issue since both Republicans and Democrats are against the port sale. Who cares what Jimmy Carter says. The majority of Americans are against this.
The USAToday has announced that Bush wasn\’t even aware of the issue until last week. Typical.
Wow – look at all the fuss. First off, so there is no misunderstanding, I\’m politically right of Atila the Hun. But – before everyone goes absolutely nuts, and I\’m not necessarily saying that I agree with this deal, let\’s make some sense. The company is the 4th largest in the world who contracts for this business, and by the way, there are NO USA company\’s doing this at this juncture, not to mention the fact, that the Chinese are already handling Port LA.
Next, the United States Navy uses Dubai as a major fueling and supply point, as well as other operational business.
Then, understand that the company really is not a security manager, but they are responsible for loading and off loading containers which apparently they have the reputation of handling professionally. And while we\’re on the subject, but lets not get political….the Senators from NY, both of whom are screaming the usual jargon, let no one misunderstand, that they need to prove their agenda of being fully in favor of homeland security….but…is it possible that the AFofL hasn\’t whispered in their ears that a fair number of union employees may lose jobs because of better methodology in container handling..Oh No, say it\’s not so!
Not to mention the amount of contributations to both sides of the isle by the AFofL..but whoes counting?
Then these enemies of our, apparently were not enemies under the Clinton administration who not only praised there ability as partners in the war on terrorism, but significant friends of the United States, which went back to the late \’90\’s..
OK, no more use for the AE, then we don\’t accept any more cargo from them, their aircraft no longer can land in the United States, but then whose profiling..
Anyone, yes Anyone who wants to really do some substantial damage to us, can simply ship it here, as only a miniscule amount of container/cargo is physically given security check. You want to close the borders, OK with me, then close them, and provide that wonderful jargon 24/7 closure and security.
With that in mind, just what the hell is anyone talking about. HUH!
Thank you Peter. Just 1 thing to add. The US government did not solicit this UAE company to manage these ports. This company bought the British company that was previously doing that job and inherited the contracts. All the administration is saying is this does not pose an increased security risk. This transaction does not give terrorists a leg up in any way.
It is so sad that America is for sale. When are Americans going to wake up and take America back. On one hand we give and we give but at the same time we are losing our country and nobody\’s looking. Where are our lawmakers. They are all afaid to make a move. And those with good ethics who could help us don\’t have the money to run for office since it now takes millions to get there. What kind of people do you think we get when they are bought by others? Maybe it\’s time for a change with our lawmakers. We need a Congress and Senate that will stand up for Americans at all income levels. Let\’s get back to the grassroots and get rid of the big corporations with the big bucks. Or is it too late? Let\’s take America back!
Just another ploy by Bush and his Bi-Lateral Commission buddies. What the US DOES NOT NEED is foreign ownership of any port within US territories.
Yes, I\’m sure there is a double standard here of whether people would be pissed if a British company was running the ports, BUT: I don\’t see many Britains chanting, \”Death to America.\” Currently, it seems every Arab nation (or at least their populations) hate America- especially since the whole cartoon issue which America had nothing to do with. It\’s a fact- post 9/11, Arabs are going to get profiled. Unfortunately, the tension between Middle East and West has only gotten worse. I wish we could all just get along but there is too much hate. I don\’t support the ports going to an Arab nation. I\’m not racist- I just don\’t think it would make sense. Jihadists are clever and patient, they can infiltrate just about anything. Look at the hijackers of 9/11- they were pretty low key.
Ned, you are unbelievably naive. You are either 8 years or were in a coma when 9/11 happened!
American politicians may be for sale but the ports are not. They may be leased but they\’re definitely not for sale. These foreign companies have contracts to operate terminals within the ports. For example, this UAE company would operate 2 of the 14 terminals in the Baltimore port. We are not giving anything away here, we\’re just contracting for services.
\”This transaction has nothing to do with the country, but with a private company.\”
This company is actually owned and operate by the government. It is state owned… therefore, the actions and activities of the government of UAE should come into play. They have less than a perfect record and there should be cause for concern.
People need to start RESPECTING other countries/nationalities and not jumping to conclusions when they hear something they don\’t like. Take a trip to another country and listen to what everyone else has to say about \”Americans\” and then maybe you\’ll change your minds… There are a \”handful\” of bad people out there, but those few people shape the opinion of the bad persons whole culture when something goes wrong…
I am over 8 years old and I have never been in a coma. Can you tell me exactly what the threat is having this UAE company load and unload ships in US ports?
They don\’t put the cargo in the containers; they just put the containers on the ship. The greater danger is what was put in the containers at some other port in some other country.
The British company was not and the UAE company will not be in charge of security. The Coast Guard and Customs will continue to do that job.
Security procedures and contents of ships is not secret information that terrorists will now be privy to becuase this company is working the docks.
So perhaps you are the naive one who is swallowing all this hype.
Does it really matter what their position is at these ports? It takes just one person to be a terrorist. Just one map… just one bomb… just one bullet. Get the picture? I hate to sat it but…. been there/done that. In the end, lives will be lost. Is it really worth it? It\’s not about conservative or liberal. It\’s not about religion or skin color. It\’s about the welfare of our Nation. Wake up G.W.!!!
What has changed? Why does it matter now?
These same ports were controlled by \”foreigners\” before, they\’ll be controlled by \”foreigners\” now.
Security is the same now as it was before. Now It\’s run by arabs.
Look, no one here has all of the information to come to a definate answer on the question of whether this contract should have been honored when we found out who the new owners were. There is too much uncertainty for these conclusions to made just yet. Unfortunately, deal is final and we all have to play the waiting game. I am not comfortable with the fact that a company, that is owned by a government with a spotty record, but I know that profiling is not always the correct approach to take. In today\’s day and age, money talks, and that\’s about the only thing our President can comprehend. It is true that this company\’s operations consist of loading and unloading, but being that intimate with the process allows for such infiltration. However, with our crappy security system in place, this does not provide that much more of an advantage for someone who wants to do harm to American. There are too many piece of the puzzle missing for anyone to claim they have the answer. I am a red blooded American, who knows secluding our nation from others is not, necessarily, the way.
This is absolutely insane!
Bush and our government have to be commited to an asylum!
Why in the world can\’t a US company do this job? It\’s a slap in the face to our country.
I must admit I am absolutely shocked that Bush is behind this. If ever there are red flags, this is it and NO, this should not happen. I am otherwise a fan of how GW is trying to do things because we needed leadership that would stand up to the terrorists, but I just cannot believe he is for this. I truly hope this is one time he does not win his argument.
First, Thank You Ned and Peter for providing come good information to help clarify the issue for some of us who are less informed on this issue.
But, I have to agree with Bryan\’s statement:
(\”Why any American government would allow a foreign government or business to run our ports is outrageous. Shipping, railroads, trucking and aviation are vital not only to the security of our nation, but to our economy.\”)
Now, this is not an issue where I am an expert, and I don\’t claim to have any idea of what kind of control this arab company will have over the actions that take place at our ports, BUT – the idea that the USA is letting foreign companies run or have any kind of control over such a key part of our security and economy is frightening. Same idea with importing most of our Steel – we\’ve lost capacity to produce enough steel to defend the country. THis, and the fact that more and more American jobs and money and companies and therefore Power is going overseas just sickens me. We are selling off America, and we, the citizens, are sitting back and watching it happen. We expect to buy our goods (and we Americans NEED a LOT of stuff!) on the cheap, but meanwhile expect to be paid top-dollar at work. This is killing out country – what\’s it going to be like 2 generations from right now – for our grandchildren??
Our culture of greed and such extreme capitalism is making the American rich lots richer, the poor much poorer as we ship our jobs to India, China and much of Asia. They\’re getting richer off our OWN middle-class\’s loss.
When will our politicians WAKE UP and realize that they\’re killing what was once a really great country?? And all just to make some shareholders happy, or put some more dollars in an already extremely rich guy\’s pocket.
Let\’s hope something changes really soon so that we can be great once again…
Ned, get a clue. You are the one swallowing the hype about this \”harmless\” company. Like I said before, you are very naive. How do you know there is no security risk? Because Bush says so? He didn\’t even know about the whole thing until last week. OR, do you have stock in the UAE company, hmmmm? It is always about the money, isn\’t it?
How do you know that there IS a security risk? Cause all the bush haters said so?
No, there\’s a security risk because it\’s run by arabs. Arabs are bad. Arabs are evil.
I don\’t understand how you can disconnect this issue from race.
If you see the race angle, but still are against the deal because it\’s an arab country, what does that say about your views on race? Only lilly white, anglo saxon/aryan companies can run our ports?
If we\’re going to be consistent, ban all foreign owned companies. Let the arabs become citizens and own companies! (that was a joke btw)
it\’s amazing reading these posts. It\’s like a giant magnet hit and we are seeing conservatives acting like liberals and liberals acting like conservatives. I guess we can say we are all hypocrites at some time. It does seem that some people have shut down their mind and have already made a decision no matter what else is said. The ones who say no foreign owners, gigantic security risk, selling of the ports, haven\’t been listening or just not paying attention to the realities of the case. #1, This is a small fraction of the port serviced at these locations, #2, they are not buying the ports, they are leasing the unloading and loading operations, #3, Almost all the contracts for unloading and loading at the majority of the ports go to foreign companies now. #4,Dubai will not be in charge of security. That still will remain with the coast guard and customs. Even Dubai is advising they will give even more security concessions than any other port operator. Maybe with all the scrutiny surrounding their operations, these might turn out to be the safest ports of all.
You folks are really something. For the record, I\’m a conservative something right of Attila the Hun.. Now, what the hell are you getting your knickers in a twist over, so you really know?
Let\’s see..
1. P&O had this contract for years. P&O is a UK Company, right? right? Wrong, they are based UK with a long standing following throughout the world, and primarily in the Far East. Can anyone tell me what kind of security they utilized as employee screening?
2. Their are basically 7 entities in this world who do this. None, NONE are American. Chinese ( who already handle Port LA) Danish, Singapore, Dubai etc.
3. Dubai, are they friends..well sort of. Despite their ties to some interesting political philosophy and a really open banking ethic, they were the first Arab country to permit their port/s usage to US Navy, which we still utilize, not to mention two critical airbases, which we need ( do our friends in Saudi give us that pleasure).
4. Just what does port handling entail. Well it really isn\’t security, it is the handling of containers and cargo. Which, apparently, Dubai does a better job than P&O which might well decrease costs, and the utilization of employees. OH..speaking in those terms, our two Senators from NY, who profess this outrage, and are fully behind Homeland Security ( first time)..is it outrage, or did someone from from AFL/CIO whisper in their ear that the union might be loosing jobs, Oh No, say it\’s not so..not to mention the Unions contributation to both sides of the isle. But that\’s really not the problem, is it?
5. By the way, this deal was consumated 9 months ago, it\’s just making headlines? Come on.
6. Port security..anyone, at anytime, could and can deliver whatever the hell they want to via shipment. We physically look at less than 5% of all container shipments. Let those who are charged with overall US security monitor it, in their own fashion OK. So o oo – what really is the problem?
7. It\’s called INTELLIGENCE..Whomever handles the port/s knows every shipments origin, ultimate destination, what is included, etc..In that light, we should have only those with proper clearance handling this.
Will it happen – NO..
So what\’s your next point, other than calling the President an Idiot, yatta yatta yatta.
Anyone ? How about facts, not just, whoa is me..
Be well all.
Peter… Thank you for bringing some intelligent insight to this situation. Your thoughts can and should be appreciated by both sides of this \”issue\”.
I have no money at stake in this deal. You ask how I know there is no security risk? I laid out 3 or 4 points for why this does not increase the security risk which you chose to ignore. Instead of discussing the pertinent points, you resort to personal attacks. So let me ask you, how do you know there IS an increased security risk?
So what! We have a Mayor in San Francisco who was illegaly marrying same sex couples. It goes both ways, should we not have insurance conventions in San Francisco because the Mayor of the city did such illegal and asinine thing? San Francisco has one extrme of a culture, and UAE has another extreme of a culture. Life goes on buddy!
February 11, 2006 -Doug Ireland
26 Men Imprisoned 5 Years Each for Being Gay in United Arab Emirates
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday, \”As many as 26 people were sentenced to five years in prison by a court in Abu Dhabi for admitting to be gays and organizing a cross-dressers party and wedding at a hotel,\” reports WebIndia News, in a story written with a decidedly anti-gay tinge. \”Their arrest had made news in November last year when they gathered at a hotel in Ghantout, a desert region on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway to org anise a gay wedding. Police got wind of the meeting and swooped on the hotel and arrested the participants….\” The men were charged with homosexuality, a crime under Sharia law, although police acknowledged that none of the men were engaged in a sexual act when police raided the event.
Clinton dropped by UAE and picked up a cool 300k on two different occasions for giving speaches. What is your comment on that, did Clinton give his speeches to a group of terrorist?
Interesting posts.. but after listening to Chris Dobbs some interesting info came out about connections between this administration and the UAE. Last year the UAE invested $8 billion in the Carlyle Group where Bush Sr is influential… The UAE funded Neal Bush\’s (remember Silverado Savings & Loan $700M bail out)no bid educational software co. Treasurer Snow was appointed treasurer then his former co CSX sold it\’s international port operations to Dubai for more than $1 billion. Bush\’s family has business connections to the UAE and our current head of the US Maritime Administration, David Sanborn was former director of Dubai Ports\’ Euo & Latin Amer. operations. It appears that George Bush is hell bent on handing over a country to the next administration that is in the same shambles that his father inherited from Regan…causing him to be a one term president… and so it goes.
Some of you are real idiots. If there is no risk at all in having someone else do this job why not hire Osama bin Laden???
This has nothing to do with an Arab country running the ports; it has everything to do with ANY other foreign country running our ports. This is a job for an AMERICAN company.
Gee, here I thought this was an insurance net. Obviously it seems to have turned into something else.
OK..two points.
Nancy – Reagan left the country in shambles, suggest you go back in history and check out what turned out to be one of the strongest economies in the world, I know Carter did it, go roast a peanut.
Soviet Union went down, and our military finally got back on track. Other than that..next?
Lisa..there are no United States company\’s who have the expertise or potential to run the ports. It is unfortunate..howover..it is what it is. for now. While everyone is checking out the UAE, and discussing who did what to whom, who shot John and where is he buried, how about you folks checking out P&O, that classic English Company, who really isn\’t either that classic or English.
How come, no one has bitched about Port LA being run by the Chinese for years.
What I said initialy is the real problem. This is an intelligence problem, we are providing an intimate look at every bill of lading, import and export. Get off this security deal, some one some day will send something, that\’s easy, let the folks who are in the back round of security watch our backs, they are there. I have much more of an economic problem with this, that\’s where I find the deal troubling.
Be well all.
Did you hear about the Clinton scholarship to the American University in UAE?
And what were Clinton\’s connections to China that influenced his approval of China running the west coast ports?
Let me reiterate, Bush did not seek out this deal. The British company sold their operations to the UAE company. Approval was granted by mid level administration officials because they found no security risk in the deal.