Port deal argument was BAD LOGIC...

[FormerDittoHead]

First off, I am NOT in the camp that this was "planned to fail to make the Republican congress look good".

I think that they're very good contingency planners, and had a backup plan, etc. They had plenty of time to figure how to spin the deal to their favor. A conspiracy from the start? I don't believe it. They would have had no problem at all with the deal going through...

I'm not putting anything past these guys. But from what I saw I just don't think they were thinking about it that much...

With that out of the way, with twin boys and a leaking bathroom sink on my mind, it took me a while to figure out the lack of logic that one of their main arguments for the deal doesn't make sense.

Now, Randi Rhodes has debunked this argument, but my observation sinks it, IMO, concerning their argument.

Their argument is that Dubai wouldn't be in control of security.

OK, Randi's pointed out, that doesn't stop UAE from 1) getting know exactly how all the security works from the inside out, 2) they still have full control over the manifests, which is a list of what the ship contains and guides whatever inspections may take place and 3) they will have the right to issue temporary passes to people on board who can then go on land without having to pass through immigration.

OK, all good points, none of which has been given much voice in the MSM. But in between dealing with projectile vomiting and the ceiling in my living room leaking on my Bose speakers, I realized what the LOGIC was of this argument.

Sometimes in order to see through an argument, you have to change some of the terms and see if it fits.

Let's suppose that it was say, Rockwell International who wanted to run the ports. They're a company who we otherwise trust dealing with military grade secrets and security. The point is that if someone said, "They'll also be running security given government oversight" I think that would be pretty much OK with the American people.

But switch that around. "We can trust the UAE completely. In fact they'll be in charge of security, and that's OK, because we can trust them so much".

THEY KNOW BETTER THAN TO EVEN SUGGEST THAT!

But you see, the given argument "they won't be in charge of security" - ACCEPTS the FACT that the UAE *IS* a security problem!

That's the sinker!

[MemphisTiger]

1. The only argument I heard from the freepers was the race card

that to discriminate on the basis that they are arab is racism.

[amitten]

2. You make good points. Are you really a former Rush fan?

What brought you over to the good guys? :hi:

[PaulaFarrell]

3. Well, not really

The statement that the UAE would not be in charge of security was only made AFTER people started screaming about security.

[FormerDittoHead]

5. Yes, that BECAME the argument, and it *accepts* UAE is risky n/t

[BootinUp]

4. The real problem

Is that everyone is so afraid of terrorism that they can't conceive of the fact that the threat is just as real with any American company owning the port. The real answer is better regulation of the port operations AND that includes regulations on the shipping port overseas, improved inspections and inspection equipment, etc.

[FormerDittoHead]

6. I disagree.

Security is important, if you think I'm saying otherwise...

I don't accept the suggestion, however, the chances of al qaeda 'flipping' someone on the inside of an American company in America is as great as a company run directly by a country known to be sympathetic to terrorists.

Again, the fact that the company running the show would have access to all security measures, in control of the manifests, etc makes UAE an unacceptable risk.

[BootinUp]

7. Does DPW own ports that will be shipping to our ports?

I believe that will be affirmative.

Thats where the real threat begins. The shipping port.

[AtomicKitten]

8. They worked hard to scare the bejeezus out of Americans.

... and have merely reaped what they have sewn.

The idea reeked from day #1 and no amount of turd polish will cleanse this from the consciousness of Americans. I for one would like to thank the opposition for the fabulous campaign ad.

Thanks guys! See you in November.