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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated

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To: Thomas A Watson who wrote (158729)	2/23/2006 3:08:29 AM
From: KLP	Read Replies (1) of 793534

Portgate: Shades of Y2K Posted by Hindu in WAR ON TERROR 8 Wednesday, February 22. 2006 sagebrusher.com I remember the summer of 1999. The looming Y2K disaster dominated the news. I asked a bunker-building friend to explain how a date problem in computer programs was going to shutdown the world - specifically. No answer. But damn it the sky was going to fall ! I'm getting dejavu all over again with this Dubai port hysteria. Politicians everywhere are releasing dire press statements and running for the nearest camera to decry the Bush Administration allowing a terrorist nation to control our ports. They aren't going to control any ports. They will simply take over the leases of a number of terminals at several ports. Foreign companies have leased terminals at US ports for years. Port security remains in American hands. It may or may not be adequte, likely not, but it's in our hands. And let's face it, the actual operation of all US port terminals lies in the fatcat hands of expensive American port unions. Maybe Bill Frist and Peter King (and a bunch of bloggers) should have looked at the facts before running to the microphone. Knowing that Chuck Schumer agreed with them and was out there grandstanding should have given conservatives pause. Kudo's to Bush for standing his ground. I would have preferred for him to finally threaten the veto pen on something a little more relevant than Arab port companies. A little ironic for sure. But politically he needs a win and this is a good place to start. The reason you had Republican senators out there grandstanding with Schumer is Bush's perceived weakness. Do I think it would be a really good idea if only American companies leased port terminals? Yes. But we don't. The business went global years ago. Should we let Iran and Syria hold terminal leases? No. Has the UAE been historically easy on terrorists? Yes, at times. But as the President pointed out, they have been a good ally since 9/11. As a country they were one of the first to agree to outgoing cargo inspections it their own ports. And, most importantly, Tiger Woods plays in golf tournament there for pete's sake! No question the issue is a loser for Republicans in general, but they only exacerbated that with the grandstanding. They gave Bush no choice but to fight them. I'm sure the political advisors inside the beltway are working hard to find a face-saving way out for all concerned. Except for Chuck Schumer of course. He'll grandstand until the last camera leaves the building. Then he'll chase it down the hall...

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