Study Warns of Lapses by Port Operators

[leftchick]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ports_security_study

WASHINGTON - Lapses by private port operators, shipping lines or truck drivers could allow terrorists to smuggle weapons of mass destruction into the United States, according to a government review of security at American seaports.

The $75 million, three-year study by the Homeland Security Department included inspections at a New Jersey cargo terminal involved in the dispute over a Dubai company's now-abandoned bid to take over significant operations at six major U.S. ports.

The previously undisclosed results from the study found that cargo containers can be opened secretly during shipment to add or remove items without alerting U.S. authorities, according to government documents marked "sensitive security information" and obtained by The Associated Press.

The study found serious lapses by private companies at foreign and American ports, aboard ships, and on trucks and trains "that would enable unmanifested materials or weapons of mass destruction to be introduced into the supply chain."

[NYC]

1. How much money is spent on port security?

Have we sufficiently increased the budget as a result of this study?

Tax cuts for the rich and permawar are expensive.

[Nostradammit]

2. I hope The Carlyle Group can step in and save us.

Not.

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[Turbineguy]

3. There used to be

a pretty successful stowaway smuggling operation in LeHavre France a decade ago. The stowaways dressed in the blue worksuits of the longshoremen. There were also containers fitted out with complete living quarters.

When the stowaways were caught and brought to the US they would say the magic words: "political assylum". The INS put them up at the Hilton Hotel (expenses sent to the shipping company that "allowed" them on board the ship) until the red tape wound out.

Many shippers are phenominally sloppy about container security and manifest accuraccy. Shipping charges on goods are based on weight and what commodity is being shipped.

A few years ago there was an explosion and a fire on a containership (2 killed) that started in a container with unlisted hazardous material inside.

[NYC]

4. Interesting information.

Thanks.

[Vidar]

6. The only thing not slipshod about this administration is its ability to

lie, cheat and steal.

[Minnesota Libra]

5. With or without Dubai and Carlyle it's only a matter of time before.......

....the boy king needs another "turrist tack" to quiet the base rumblings and wouldn't a momentary lapse in port security be the perfect excuse?? Even with a American company running the ports the story will be "we can't stop all of it all the time" and of course there will be more Homeland Security crackdowns and maybe even Mashall Law. The boy king's kingdom will be complete.

So imho it's NOT a question of IF it's simply a question of WHEN.

[maddezmom]

7. kick

[sabra]

8. Report Reveals Critical Security Failures At U.S. Ports

http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=57748

Report Reveals Critical Security Failures At U.S. Ports

Politicians across the country breathed a sigh of relief last week when Dubai Ports World pulled out of a deal to takeover U.S. ports but security concerns still loom.

A government report finds that significant holes in security at our nation's ports could allow terrorists to smuggle weapons of mass destruction into the country.

The 3-year review by the Homeland Security Department – which is still being conducted – has uncovered operation lapses at several U.S. ports, including Newark's cargo terminal, one of the six ports involved in the now-abandoned Dubai Ports World takeover.

Private port operators, shipping lines and truck drivers were all cited for critical failings. The study found cargo containers can be secretly opened during shipment without alerting security officials.

[oscarguy]

9. I believe Port Security is our greatest danger and should only be ...

overseen by American Companies at the very least. In my opinion it should be in the hands of the U.S. Coast Guard totally. Does anyone out there in DU Land know how our ports where controlled during WWII. The danger is far greater now in my opinion because of nuclear and biological weapons. ...Oscar

[Blue_Forney05]

10. I totally agree,

With like only 10 percent of stuff getting inspected at our ports, and the UAE having ownership of our ports, security is at grave risk.

[oscarguy]

12. Thanks Blue,This is one issue we cannot afford to screw up.Dem.s ...

CAN WIN ON THIS ONE ! This is as serious as it gets as to National Security. Care about our Country, go for it with our party. I am sick and tired of limp dick Democrats stating we should OK this INSANITY in the name of what? Being open minded idiots to entrusting any level of ports` security to a Nation from which two of the 9-11 hijackers came from and which handled the money to finance these attacks and which is committed to the destruction of Israel? If we ever are that stupid or naive, we are on our way out as a viable Nation. This is as real as it gets, when it comes to National Security. ...Oscar

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. I suspect there has been an illegal trade going on through those ports

and that tighter scrutiny might actually help in other arenas. At least, I hope that's how it will end.

[oscarguy]

13. I do not get your point Do you believe the UAE will provide better...

security? If so, why? I believe all port security should be in the hands of the U.S. Coast Guard at this point in time and for the foreseeable future. We do have very determined enemies and I want U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL in charge of that and no one else

[The Backlash Cometh]

16. I'm in agreement with you. I think that we should take back our ports.

And assuming we give it a Democratic regulatory public safety first scrutiny, I think there will be an additional benefit of closing down illegal smuggling and trade that may have been going on. I have to assume that with only 5% scrutiny of the goods, that someone has already exploited the weakness for personal profit.

[lovuian]

14. Everybody has known the ports are a weakspot in our

defenses... Homeland Security is FINALLY figuring it out...

[oscarguy]

15. I say the U.S. Coast Guard is our first line of defense in the War on...

terrorists. As their name states, they are there to guard our coasts. In my opinion, this is our most vulnerable point. I want American Men and Women of the U.S. Coast Guard in charge of all levels of port security for all the obvious reasons. This is an issue we Democrats can win on. The military should not be seen as anathema to Democratic policies. Does anyone remember the sort of issues JFK and RFK espoused ? I do, I enlisted in the Marine Corps, as did so many others in the different Armed Services in a time of need for our Nation. ...Oscar