Should we be more concerned about the US ports?

[El_jalepeno]

I have been following this debate about 6 US ports being managed by a United Arab Emirates. Bush didn't seem to know about the deal at first, then decided it was probably a good idea to fly it past congress after the deal has already been inked. As I am following this debate, I find out many of our ports are operated by foreign countries such as China, Taiwan and Japan to name a few.

I am concerned about the Dubai company that will manage the ports simply because of their history with terrorism, but more importantly, I am concerned that our government let's this foreign countries come in here and manage specific gates of passage when we hear stories about not only drugs coming in, but human trafficking and fake merchandise and the likes.

It seems only a matter of time before someone walks into a local Wal-Mart or a shopping mall strapped with explosives. Yet, we barely see what is coming in to our country in the first place.

I am curious what others think on this topic of foreign countries managing our ports. Please don't start flame war, but be constructive in your discussion

I would also like to point out that when I say foreign, I speak of a nationality outside of our own. What if this was going on in your country with another country managing this for you?

[Wolfman]

I really don't like discussing anything political whatsoever, but this is something to be very concerned about, IMO. I need to read up on this a litte more, though.

Slightly off on a tangent, I found Bush's timing for suggesting that we seek alternate means of energy and that Americans are "addicted to fossil fuel" to be be very poor. Does he really think most Americans are stupid enough to not see the transparency and hypocrisy in those statements coming from him?

.

[Carmine]

This is something to be very concerned about. Add the looming civil war in Iraq and the 150,000 American troops still over there, it seems like a great time to turn over American ports to the UAE.

Whats next, Bin Laden for Director of Homeland Security?

[cormack]

er... yeah i wouldnt want to let the UAE control our ports.. they are a tad too close to the terrorists..

[3fingers]

I don't like the idea at all. Can't we Americans do our own job? The possibility of terrorism notwithstanding....why outsource this when Americans are having so many jobs going to other countries in the first place? US affairs should say under US control imo.

[F1 Junkie]

There are many ways to get things into this country. If we sealed up our ports tightly what's stopping someone, or something, from entering through a South American or Canadian port and then cruising over our borders. I think our borders are the bigger issue. If I were bringing something into this country I would do that instead of relying on Achmhed at the dock giving me the hookup. Why go where there is potential trouble?

The US is still responsible for the security at the ports. People with this company will have valueable knowledge of the security measures. Some terrorists and money have been through the UAE, but holding them responsible without evidence of the UAE's knowledge of these peoples intentions wouldn't be right either. If we did that, we might has well shut down the flight schools and arrest all the instructors that trained the 911 pilots, or the guys that rented McVeigh the truck and sold him fertilizer.

It's a hard call. Do you possibly offend a country that has alledgedly been helpfull with the war on terror? If they have been honest with us in the past, perhaps that could change. I'm afraid the answer to this one is difficult.

[nroberts]

Originally Posted by cormack

er... yeah i wouldnt want to let the UAE control our ports.. they are a tad too close to the terrorists..

They ARE the terrorists. We just don't call them that because we like them today. Just like bin Laden and friends were the freedom fighters when we liked them. I don't think it is cool to group all mid east people with terrorists but the governments in these mid east countries are not our friends....they may be Bush's friends, but not the American people, or any other countries average citizen either. The UAE is but one of the "friendly" countries with extensive ties to terrorism.

Two internet sources have the following on UAE:

Some facts about the UAE:

– The UAE was one of three countries in the world to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

– The UAE has been a key transfer point for illegal shipments of nuclear components to Iran, North Korea and Lybia.

– According to the FBI, money was transferred to the 9/11 hijackers through the UAE banking system.

– After 9/11, the Treasury Department reported that the UAE was not cooperating in efforts to track down Osama Bin Laden’s bank accounts.

Now the fact that 2 of the 9/11 hijackers where from UAE is not a problem by itself, but the fact that most came to this country from the UAE and that the government didn't cooperate with the investigation and that their banks where used to transfer the money is. The fact that they also play a big part in the distribution of WMD's to the "bad" countries is also very concerning.

They also have a pretty bad rep as far as human rights are concerned. We complain about everyone else but these guys do things just as bad or worst than the "bad guys" like China and N. Korea.

I think this deal smells bad.

[Guwapo]

[F1 Junkie]

Originally Posted by nroberts

They ARE the terrorists. We just don't call them that because we like them today. Just like bin Laden and friends were the freedom fighters when we liked them. I don't think it is cool to group all mid east people with terrorists but the governments in these mid east countries are not our friends....they may be Bush's friends, but not the American people, or any other countries average citizen either. The UAE is but one of the "friendly" countries with extensive ties to terrorism.

Two internet sources have the following on UAE:

Some facts about the UAE:

– The UAE was one of three countries in the world to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

– The UAE has been a key transfer point for illegal shipments of nuclear components to Iran, North Korea and Lybia.

– According to the FBI, money was transferred to the 9/11 hijackers through the UAE banking system.

– After 9/11, the Treasury Department reported that the UAE was not cooperating in efforts to track down Osama Bin Laden’s bank accounts.

Now the fact that 2 of the 9/11 hijackers where from UAE is not a problem by itself, but the fact that most came to this country from the UAE and that the government didn't cooperate with the investigation and that their banks where used to transfer the money is. The fact that they also play a big part in the distribution of WMD's to the "bad" countries is also very concerning.

They also have a pretty bad rep as far as human rights are concerned. We complain about everyone else but these guys do things just as bad or worst than the "bad guys" like China and N. Korea.

I think this deal smells bad.

But isn't it a Dubai company that has purchased the British company that had the contract for these sevices at the ports? It's not the UAE government running it. So is it fair to group the ownership/management of this company with terrorists?

I'm playing a bit of devil's advocate here. My Spidey senses are tingling, but I can't think of a reasonable excuse to prohibit this.

[Figs]

Originally Posted by El_jalepeno

Should we be more concerned about the US ports?

yes

[jimmerwoo]

Well the company did a turn-around and have handed over the US ports in question to American owned subsidiaries. Personally I don't feel any safer though.

[El_jalepeno]

Originally Posted by jimmerwoo

Well the company did a turn-around and have handed over the US ports in question to American owned subsidiaries. Personally I don't feel any safer though.

I agree, but I don't see this as being something to be overly concerned about today or too concerend in the near future, but who knows what can or would happen if the UAE did maintain control. Not worth the risk if you ask me and apparently many other citizens, Congress and even close Republicans to the White House did not think it wise to have the UAE in control.

Stuff like this reminds me of the failed attempt to blow up the World Trade center back in the 90's, then several years later it becmae a reality.

[HeReSy]

well heres my OPINION on muslims full stop.

DEATH TO MUSLIMS THEY MUST ALL DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!

[Cherry Lawn]

Well, they pulled out so no need to worry any more.

[Figs]

Originally Posted by Cherry Lawn

Well, they pulled out so no need to worry any more.

Yeah, but I've used that line a few times and it usually doesn't help ease the situation......"No need to worry, I pulled out"