Port Limbo

Hugh Hewitt articulates some of the very valid reasons why we should be suspicious of this whole port business.

That intuition is not based on crude typecasting of all UAE citizens as potential terrorists. Rather, it seems to be based on a general understanding that (1)big, successful crimes involve either extensive surveillance and/or cooperation by an "insider," and that (2) ownership of the port operations by the UAE increases the likelihood of both.

He goes on to highlight some of the most successful inside jobs in history. Click here to read on.

I also heard Hewitt say that he thinks this might be another Harriet Miers situation, in which case everyone would have to admit that President George W. Bush is a media puppeteer genius.

In case you haven't heard this speculation, it goes something like this:

1. President Bush announces the possible deal with the UAE business.
2. The mainstream media is too busy with Cheney's birdshot to follow.
3. Cheney business over. MSM outraged over port business.
4. Republicans threaten to halt the deal if Pres. Bush goes through with it.
5. Pres. Bush says he'll veto their halt; just giving Arabs a fair chance.
6. The deal goes to Hades. He assures Arabs he did the best he could. It's all congress' fault.
7. The only other company capable of doing what the UAE company could steps up to bat.
8. That company's country of origin? The U.S. of A.

I hope this is what happens. I won't appreciate the fact that my blood pressure was high for three days without cause. But I certainly understand the need to mislead the misleading media. It would be an absolutely ingenious ploy.

We'll see.

Posted by Portia at February 22, 2006 11:06 AM | TrackBack
Comments

from what I can tell, KBR builds port terminals and P and O runs terminals

I also found out that one of the "US ports" is in Vancouver.

Posted by: MacStansbury at February 22, 2006 05:47 PM

P and O is the firm being bought by DPW.

But is this actually an issue where Hugh isn't a Homer? I stopped listening to him for that reason, well except when Steyn is on.

Really don't see too much wrong with the sale of these commercial operations (note its not security).

Posted by: the Pirate at February 23, 2006 07:14 AM