The Dubai Port Deal

Originally posted by HoyaParanoia:
just using demagoguery to stir up xenophobic emotions in people like dupek
it's convenient that UAE has "Arab" in it's name, isn't it? makes it alot easier

With 'allies in the war on terror' like these, who needs enemies?

Originally posted by Thom Foolerie:
so what are the real issues, hoya?

the real issues are best dealt with by technocrats who actually understand the security implications of the deal, not politicians … does anyone even know the details of what these companies do at the ports?

all i'm saying is that this deal should be considered by people outside of the political sphere who aren't susceptible to this political "piling on" against a weakened president … perhaps it comes out through a detailed review that it just isn't safe to have this company "running" our ports … fine, don't let them … i'm not supporting the deal, i'm just sick of the political posturing

the war on terror!!! I love that phrase. it sounds so valiant! i mean, terror, thats a pretty big foe.

did you guys ever win that war on drugs?

the war on terror seems even tougher. But hopefully if the US can concur terror, we can start the next battle

"The War On Fear!!"

or

"The War on Sadness"

or "The War on Lonlieness"

Originally posted by Thom Foolerie:
"The War on Lonlieness"

<img src="http://static.flickr.com/5/7921404_aab7fdaa51.jpg" alt=" - " />

Originally posted by Thom Foolerie:
the war on terror!!! I love that phrase. it sounds so valiant! i mean, terror, thats a pretty big foe.

did you guys ever win that war on drugs?

the war on terror seems even tougher. But hopefully if the US can concur terror, we can start the next battle

"The War On Fear!!"

or

"The War on Sadness"

or "The War on Lonlieness"

How about "The war on Indie"

We already won the "War on HFS in DC"

<img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/team_dupek/58bb1993.jpg" alt=" - " />

How about the War on Fat!

you guys are getting your asses WHOOPED in that

<img src="http://www.celebrities.pl/chow_yun-fat/chow7.jpg" alt=" - " />

Bring it on, maple leaf boy!

Originally posted by Thom Foolerie:
How about the War on Fat!

you guys are getting your asses WHOOPED in that

I'd have to agree with you there, that war has been kicking my ass for a few years now.

Tell me about it. I ran 20 miles on Saturday, and my weight was still up today by two pounds over what it was on Friday.

Originally posted by Rob_Gee:

Originally posted by Thom Foolerie:
How about the War on Fat!

you guys are getting your asses WHOOPED in that

I'd have to agree with you there, that war has been kicking my ass for a few years now.

Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:
Tell me about it. I ran 20 miles on Saturday, and my weight was still up today by two pounds over what it was on Friday.

you live THAT far from a Dunkin Donuts??? jeez.

I couldnt run 20 miles in 20 years in the shape I am right now.

Originally posted by Rob_Gee:
I couldnt run 20 miles in 20 years in the shape I am right now.

doesnt mean you are fat though!

i couldnt run fucking 2 miles and i am 6'1" 180lbs.

Even the name sounds suspicious…

Dubai :

As in…"DO you BUY this port deal ?"

I think what we are actually BUY-ing is a huge boatload of DOO !

not to mention… <img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40741000/jpg/_40741866_jacksonafp2_203.jpg" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40741000/jpg/_40741872_jacksonafp_203.jpg" alt=" - " />

Some facts about Dubai Ports World (the company that bought the British company that already handled operations.

1) They are operating the Port Terminals, NOT the ports themselves. Security will continue to be handled by the US Coast Guard

2) The company's COO is an American (Ted Bilkey)…the board of directors also contains British and Australian members

3) There are U.S. customs agents on the ground at the ports IN Dubai that inspect cargo before it gets loaded on any ships. It has been that way for years.

4) DB Ports World has a HUGE financial interest in doing everything to maintain security. If anything, they have a LARGER commitment to security than any other company would since any problem would result is MASSIVE losses for them.

I was a huge O'Malley supporter before this..but he just sounds stupid whenever he talks about this…being a typical politician.

Originally posted by Got Haggis?:

I was a huge O'Malley supporter before this..but he just sounds stupid whenever he talks about this…being a typical politician.

yeah. O'Malley probably doesnt even care about the Port Deal. but he can't sit back and say nothing, because after all, he supposedly represents the people of Baltimore, who seem to be generally concerned.

he looks like he is trying to convey a message he doesnt necessarily agree with.

until very recently this story was just a standard business story thats been reported on since last year. with the deal being studied by those who were qualified to approve it or not. it then became a hot button political topic that of course no politician can't avoid commenting on for fear of losing face to those people think the terrorists are going to hit their town.

the company isn't going to take for the entire port, they will still remain under the control port aurthorities a function of local/state government. the deal only involves the places with in the port where the ships dock and transfer goods. work which is still going to be done by local longshoremen.

the bigger question is why hasn't the federal goverment standardized security procedures in ports like they'v been promising for years.

There is a good op-ed piece in today's NY Times pointing out that, if we really cared about port security, the technology exists to scan the contents of every container – even before it leaves its foreign port bound for the U.S. It could be implemented and fully paid for with a $20 surcharge on each container. They already do it in Hong Kong.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/28/opinion/28flynn.html

kosmo and ggw, you're sounding way too rational here