Arab-run Firm Buys Company With Major Commercial Operations From 6 Large US Ports

[Cheetah]

The Dems are correctly beginning steps to draft legislation to prevent this...and rightfully so.

Cal

Gotta love em :dance:

 

[CyberLaw]

Well I don't get it.....I really don't......it seems the more the "administration" speaks, the more confused I get.

I do hope that this is blocked......or something. Nothing prevents any thing coming to or from different countries, including your neighbour to the North.

 

[fran]

I generally try to support this administration but this is wrong, wrong, wrong and cannot go thru.

JMHO
fran

 

[Buzz Mills]

Lawmakers Urge Greater Review of UAE Firm's Deal to Run Six U.S. Ports

WASHINGTON — Questioning the United Arab Emirates' track record in the War on Terror, seven U.S. lawmakers said Thursday they want a committee led by Treasury Secretary John Snow to thoroughly review a deal that would let a UAE-based firm run six major U.S. ports.
"We're calling for the full six-week investigation. It's a serious investigation and the reason why this is critical is while maybe there's nothing wrong with this company, how do we know they're not infiltrated?" asked Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "The United Arab Emirates has had people involved in terrorism. In fact, some of its financial institutions laundered the money for the (Sept, 11) terrorists. And to just blithely go ahead and treat this as another economic transaction is all wrong."

Currently, London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., the fourth largest port operator in the world, runs the six ports. But the $6.8 million sale of P&O to UAE-owned Dubai Ports World (DPW) would effectively turn over North American operations to the government-owned company in Dubai.

If the approval is unchallenged, Dubai Ports World would run the ports of New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.


More: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,185107,00.html

This has to make supporters of the Bush adminsitration pause, and wonder what is going on. The Bush adminisitration sees nothing wrong with these ports being run by a company from the United Arab Emirates, despite the fact that it was terrorists from the United Arab Emirates who were involved in planning and executing 9/11.

The Bush administration is also against promoting stem cell research despite the American public, including members of his own party, being heavily in favor of stem cell research. In fact Bush has stated he will veto any legislation that promotes additional stem cell research.

The Bush administration, is against any legislation to support the effort against global warming, while at the same time funding a very high priced on-going study on the cause of global warming, which finds that man's activities are heavily contibuting to the global warming.

The Bush administration continues to push through legislation dictating tax breaks to our major oil companies, while at the same time, these oil companies all have unprecedented profits, while they operate essentially tax free, or close to it.

What's going on??? It is almost as if our president refuses to consider our wants.

 

[BillyGoatGruff]

Somebody, somewhere was trying to be politically correct so the Muslims/Arabs wouldn't feel alienated. But that was (hopefully) before the cartoon rioting reminded the Western world just how psychotic these goobers truly are. Even the most far-left liberal doesn't feel comfortable with this decision.

 

[j2mirish]

Lawmakers Urge Greater Review of UAE Firm's Deal to Run Six U.S. Ports

WASHINGTON — Questioning the United Arab Emirates' track record in the War on Terror, seven U.S. lawmakers said Thursday they want a committee led by Treasury Secretary John Snow to thoroughly review a deal that would let a UAE-based firm run six major U.S. ports.
"We're calling for the full six-week investigation. It's a serious investigation and the reason why this is critical is while maybe there's nothing wrong with this company, how do we know they're not infiltrated?" asked Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "The United Arab Emirates has had people involved in terrorism. In fact, some of its financial institutions laundered the money for the (Sept, 11) terrorists. And to just blithely go ahead and treat this as another economic transaction is all wrong."

Currently, London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., the fourth largest port operator in the world, runs the six ports. But the $6.8 million sale of P&O to UAE-owned Dubai Ports World (DPW) would effectively turn over North American operations to the government-owned company in Dubai.

If the approval is unchallenged, Dubai Ports World would run the ports of New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia.


More: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,185107,00.html

the more I have thought and read about this, the madder and sadder I get.
there are so many things in the American government that are so out of control that are discussed, but this absolutly takes the cake. I dont want to hear the same story that we all need to contact or reps, etc, this one situation should never-ever have even been a consideration for the Bush administration, or any administration in the office-- I am tuly sickened and appalled- this really has made my heart heavy-- the AMERICAN GOVERNMENT WOULD ALLOW OUR PORTS TO BE TO BE RUN BY ANYONE BUT AMERICANS--
:furious: :banghead: :furious: :banghead: :furious: :banghead: :furious: :banghead: :furious: :banghead: :furious: :banghead: :furious: :banghead: :furious: :banghead: :furious: :banghead: :furious: :banghead:

 

[concernedperson]

I hesitated to post on this but WTH are they thinking? A third grader could see this is so wrong. We have some really serious issues in this country.Intelligence may be one but oil is the other.

 

[PrayersForMaura]

This is a huge issue that all Americans should know about.
I was listening to a very informative radio show tonight and got this information...
The UAE:

• recognizes the Taliban as a legitmate governing body, thus funds their operations
• provides funding to the Al Quaeda, which was responsible for the massacre that happened on 9/11
• provides funding to transfer weapons to and from countries like Iran.

I think that the Depatment of National Security and President Bush are a bunch of idiots if they don't see that this is very dangerous.
Even in times of peace, this is a VERY dangerous move.
At any time, the peace can be broken and the ports can be used to bring in chemicals of mass warfare. And what will be able to do to stop it at that point.

Those ports are MAJOR ports.
WHO on earth was steering this committee and thought this was even slightly ok?

Even if the UAE owns it and still allows the Londoners to manage it, this is just for NOW. We all now how new owners downsize and can fire people at any time with no notice.
The UAE certainly isn't known to play nice, are they?

 

[PrayersForMaura]

GOP Governors Question Port Turnover

WASHINGTON - Two Republican governors on Monday questioned a Bush administration decision allowing an Arab-owned company to operate six major U. S. ports, saying they may try to cancel lease arrangements at ports in their states.

New York Gov. George Pataki and Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich voiced doubts about the acquisition of a British company that has been running the U.S. ports by Dubai Ports World, a state-owned business in the United Arab Emirates.

..."Ensuring the security of New York's port operations is paramount and I am very concerned with the purchase of Peninsular & Oriental Steam by Dubai Ports World," Pataki said in a news release.

...Critics have cited the UAE's history as an operational and financial base for the hijackers who carried out the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In addition, they contend the UAE was an important transfer point for shipments of smuggled nuclear components sent to Iran, North Korea, and Libya by a Pakistani scientist.

More: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060221/ap_on_go_co/port_security

 

[j2mirish]

this is a quote taken from a cnn article this morning: if I didnt do this correctly, delete...


Bush was unaware of the deal until he heard reports of the congressional uproar, presidential adviser Dan Bartlett told CNN.

 

[bbmcrae]

Well, that's reassuring. The president is unaware that control of our ports was being sold to the UAE. Isn't an awareness of these things-you know, core national security issues- kinda important to being the leader of our nation?

Unless he was aware and had no problem with it until it hit the news. But that would suggest that this administration gives certain oil-producing countries a wider berth. Or that they are incompetent when it comes to little bitty things like protecting our vulenerable ports.

Of course, I don't want to contradict our commander-in-chief's tactical decision making and be construed as being against the war on terror and therefore a terrorist sympathizer. And Hillary-lover, because, um, you know, she's the big problem here! Man, is she ugly! Why can't all our female politicians be pretty?! (Sarcasm mode off) So, um, hooray for Bush! He'll save us! With Quick Draw Cheney by his side! Yay?

 

[j2mirish]

Well, that's reassuring. The president is unaware that control of our ports was being sold to the UAE. Isn't an awareness of these things-you know, core national security issues- kinda important to being the leader of our nation?

Unless he was aware and had no problem with it until it hit the news. But that would suggest that this administration gives certain oil-producing countries a wider berth. Or that they are incompetent when it comes to little bitty things like protecting our vulenerable ports.

Of course, I don't want to contradict our commander-in-chief's tactical decision making and be construed as being against the war on terror and therefore a terrorist sympathizer. And Hillary-lover, because, um, you know, she's the big problem here! Man, is she ugly! Why can't all our female politicians be pretty?! (Sarcasm mode off) So, um, hooray for Bush! He'll save us! With Quick Draw Cheney by his side! Yay?

GREAT POST!

 

[bbmcrae]

Thanks!

 

[j2mirish]

this is a quote taken from a cnn article this morning: if I didnt do this correctly, delete...


Bush was unaware of the deal until he heard reports of the congressional uproar, presidential adviser Dan Bartlett told CNN.

ANOTHER QUOTE.......

"My presumption is, and my belief is, that the president and his secretary of state and the Defense Department and others have adequately cleared the Dubai government organization to manage these ports," Carter told CNN. "I don't think there's any particular threat to our security."

 

[Buzz Mills]

Frist Calls for Halt to U.S. Ports Deal

WASHINGTON - Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist called Tuesday for the Bush administration to stop a deal permitting a United Arab Emirates company to take over six major U.S. seaports, upping the ante on a fight that several congressmen, governors and mayors are waging with the White House.

"The decision to finalize this deal should be put on hold until the administration conducts a more extensive review of this matter," said Frist. "If the administration cannot delay this process, I plan on introducing legislation to ensure that the deal is placed on hold until this decision gets a more thorough review."

But at the Pentagon, the UAE was praised as an important strategic military partner by both Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Rumsfeld told that a process was in place and "the process worked."

http://tinyurl.com/gxo2m

 

[Buzz Mills]

Bush: Arab Co. Port Deal Should Proceed

WASHINGTON - President Bush said Tuesday that the deal allowing an Arab company to take over six major U.S. seaports should go forward and that he would veto any congressional effort to stop it. "After careful review by our government, I believe the transaction ought to go forward," Bush told reporters who had traveled with him on Air Force One to Washington. "I want those who are questioning it to step up and explain why all of a sudden a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard than a Great British company. I am trying to conduct foreign policy now by saying to the people of the world, `We'll treat you fairly.'"

Bush called reporters to his conference room on the plane after returning from a speech in Colorado, addressing a controversy that is becoming a major headache for the White House. He said the seaports arrangement was "a legitimate deal that will not jeopardize the security of the country."

http://tinyurl.com/fhgqm

 

[Buzz Mills]

Bush: Arab Co. Port Deal Should Proceed

WASHINGTON - President Bush said Tuesday that the deal allowing an Arab company to take over six major U.S. seaports should go forward and that he would veto any congressional effort to stop it. "After careful review by our government, I believe the transaction ought to go forward," Bush told reporters who had traveled with him on Air Force One to Washington. "I want those who are questioning it to step up and explain why all of a sudden a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard than a Great British company. I am trying to conduct foreign policy now by saying to the people of the world, `We'll treat you fairly.'"

Bush called reporters to his conference room on the plane after returning from a speech in Colorado, addressing a controversy that is becoming a major headache for the White House. He said the seaports arrangement was "a legitimate deal that will not jeopardize the security of the country."

http://tinyurl.com/fhgqm

I no longer trust the decisions that Pres. Bush is making on my behalf.

 

[KatherineQ]

WHY is he being so STUBBORN? I can see why he might want to make this decision, as a show of confidence to the UAE, I can see that. But with the overwhelming opposition to this, I don't get why he's being so stubborn.

I'm a democrat but I've grown to like and trust Bush, and this seems quite out of character. We should run out own ports, and our own airports, and that should be obvious.

 

[Buzz Mills]

ANOTHER QUOTE.......

"My presumption is, and my belief is, that the president and his secretary of state and the Defense Department and others have adequately cleared the Dubai government organization to manage these ports," Carter told CNN. "I don't think there's any particular threat to our security."

And I also don't trust the Defense Dept, in the person of Donald Rumsfield, to make honest decisions for the American people.

 

[Buzz Mills]

And the Secretary Of State, in being one of the triumvirate, I won't trust her decision either.

This is a little too late, for our government, to all of a sudden want to express "trust" in countries of the Mideast. Is this a new strategy in an attempt to win over the insurgents in Iraq???