On the Dubai ports deal...

For those of you on the fence.

UAE terminal takeover extends to 21 ports
http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20060223-051657-4981r
"P&O is the parent company of P&O Ports North America, which leases terminals for the import and export and loading and unloading and security of cargo in 21 ports, 11 on the East Coast, ranging from Portland, Maine to Miami, Florida, and 10 on the Gulf Coast, from Gulfport, Miss., to Corpus Christi, Texas,..."

Paper: Coast Guard Has Port Co. Intel Gaps
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060227/D8G1MIJ00.html
""There are many intelligence gaps, concerning the potential for DPW or P&O assets to support terrorist operations, that precludes an overall threat assessment of the potential" merger," an undated Coast Guard intelligence assessment says."
"The document raised questions about the security of the companies' operations, the backgrounds of all personnel working for the companies, and whether other foreign countries influenced operations that affect security."

Washington told to justify port deal in court
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060224/pl_nm/security_ports_newjersey_dc
""The Port Authority has been deprived of its right to conduct a thorough review of the purchase ... of the identity, qualifications, experience and reputation of the purchasers ... and of the proposed impact that the change may have on the control and ownership," the lawsuit said."

On the "no foreign ownership" issue: A red-herring (those ostriches even entertaining this discussion would be shocked to know truly how much of the US is "owned" and "run" by foreign countries)

On the "racism" charge: A red-herring (last time I checked, none of the 9/11 "hijackers" were British, the English gov't didn't launder $$ for the 9/11 "operation", or provide it a homebase.)

"But they recognized the Taliban government": SO DID GEORGE BUSH. Then-Texas-Governor George W. Bush even had them over for dinner.

- Vox