The Bush administration dismissed the security concerns of local officials yesterday and restated its approval of a deal that will give a company based in Dubai a major role in operating ports in and around New York City.A foreign-owned company based in the Middle East is going to be in charge of port security in New York City, and they're not even running background checks on the management or employees? Awesome.
... Several lawmakers, including Representative Peter T. King of Long Island, who is chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Senator Charles E. Schumer, have criticized the administration for its approval of the deal, saying it was done too quickly and without enough scrutiny of the ramifications for security at American ports.
"In the post-9/11 world, there should have been a presumption against this company," said Mr. King, a Republican. He added that people in the intelligence community had told him they had concerns about how the company operated the port of Dubai, one of the United Arab Emirates.
... The investigation did not include background checks on the senior managers of the company or an evaluation of how the company screens its own employees, Mr. King said. "Certainly, you would think they would talk to the Port Authority," he added.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Port Authority
I'm glad to see the Bush Administration is finally taking port security seriously:
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17 comments:
Is Al Queda laughing at us because we talk openly about how we will find them and where?
Or is it because we just signed a goddamned contract with buddies of theirs thus opening access to all of our fucking ports for employess who have not even undergone an interview, let alone a background check?
I don't know. Just asking. Maybe someone can shed some light on this for me and Bill O'Reilly.
awesome is as awesome does....
I wonder if this'll get a mention in Lou Dobbs' nightly screeds about our weak border security. Probably not. This doesn't seem to involve Mexicans.
Sweet Jesus. With all of the bullshit posturing on national security and the War on Terror, the Bushies just weakened the weakest link in our defenses, in an area that also happens to be the most genuine and greatest threat we probably face.
Can any fucking Democrat stand up and call "Bullshit!" on this and beat Bush about the face with it? Please?!?!
And I mean someone besides Schumer and Hillary? Perhaps all of them?!?
I'm glad Peter King is in on this. He carries water for the administration sometimes, but it looks like he's drawing the line here. That should help keep the press from painting this as simple Bush-bashing.
You guys are just lucky that volunteer minuteman are patrolling the canada/us border...at least you are safe from us.......
Here's what happened when my favourite columnist went on Bill O'Reilly:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040501/MALLICK01/TPComment/Columnists
I'm sure the Malkins are going to denounce the Bush administration for this any minute now...
Middle-East particulars aside, and let's assume they actually get their shit together, can anyone tell me why an American company isn't getting this contract, or (gasp) an actual government entity is perfoming these duties?!?!
can anyone tell me why an American company isn't getting this contract, or (gasp) an actual government entity is perfoming these duties?!?!
You're forgetting the two great conservative truths:
1. Free markets should be allowed to rule, and if they can do it cheaper somewhere else, that's all that matters. Outsourcing is just part of capitalism.
2. Government is completely incompetent, and as the Bush administration has demonstrated, could fuck up a one-car parade. Therefore, we must rely on private businesses to do the work for us.
All that matters is the bottom line. Sure, NYC may get nuked as a result, but think of all the money we'll save until then? Money that can then be directed back to the richest 1% of Americans.
Here endeth the lesson.
It was a rhetorical question, but you answered it fantastically, with the usual flair, OM.
I will now go light myself on fire...
In the future, Bush will be remembered as the greatest surreal comedian of his time. He's years ahead of the curve. In a word, brilliant!
I will now go light myself on fire...
As long as it's done with gasoline from a record-profits oil company given huge tax breaks by this administration -- go right ahead.
I heard on NPR this morning that a foriegn (British) company waas running these ports before.
That doesn't begin to excuse setting up both ends of a nuclear smuggling operation for al queda...
I don't think they should be in foreign hands, period. But I'd trust the UK a lot more than the UAE.
Actually, I'd trust whoever could get our inspection rate into double digits. This business about only looking into 5% of the containers really doesn't work for me. You get better odds at a roulette table.
Abso-smurf-ly.
I had to check in here just to see what y'all had to say. I am just completely and utterly outRAGED at this. So effing gd ridiculous!!!!!
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