Reasons The Dubai Ports World Deal Is a Bad Idea...
...But Port Security Isn't One of Them.
There are a number of valid reasons to oppose the bid of this company from the United Arab Emirates to take over the administration of port terminals at six major US seaports.
The latest reason comes from Dr. Rusty Shackleford of The Jawa Report. It seems that the United Arab Emirates almost always vote against US interests in the United Nations General Assembly - a record that has only gotten worse since 9/11.
Michelle Malkin reports that Dubai Ports World participates in an Arab boycott against our ally Israel. That kind of behavior shouldn't be rewarded. Michelle also reports that the UAE censors their citizens' access to blogs and other websites - just like Red China.
These are good, solid reasons to oppose rewarding the UAE with a lucrative deal, and, as far as I'm concerned, President Bush's threatened veto of Congressional action against the deal was a bonehead move.
But don't think that if the Dubai Ports World deal is blocked that means our ports are safe. With 5% or less of incoming cargoes subject to search, port security is an issue no matter who is running some of the terminals.
The problem is not with the overworked grunts in Homeland Security on the spot and actually performing security duties. It's with the rest of us who expect security to be achieved on the cheap. There are no magic wands.
There are a number of valid reasons to oppose the bid of this company from the United Arab Emirates to take over the administration of port terminals at six major US seaports.
The latest reason comes from Dr. Rusty Shackleford of The Jawa Report. It seems that the United Arab Emirates almost always vote against US interests in the United Nations General Assembly - a record that has only gotten worse since 9/11.
Michelle Malkin reports that Dubai Ports World participates in an Arab boycott against our ally Israel. That kind of behavior shouldn't be rewarded. Michelle also reports that the UAE censors their citizens' access to blogs and other websites - just like Red China.
These are good, solid reasons to oppose rewarding the UAE with a lucrative deal, and, as far as I'm concerned, President Bush's threatened veto of Congressional action against the deal was a bonehead move.
But don't think that if the Dubai Ports World deal is blocked that means our ports are safe. With 5% or less of incoming cargoes subject to search, port security is an issue no matter who is running some of the terminals.
The problem is not with the overworked grunts in Homeland Security on the spot and actually performing security duties. It's with the rest of us who expect security to be achieved on the cheap. There are no magic wands.
posted by Bluto at 7:32 PM
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