Well, apparently the President has the idea that it is a good idea to sell ports to Dubai. At least it is an idea. Moderates often run out of them.
Except the President has no right to sell ports to anyone. Even if it is a military base, only the military can sell it, or, more likly, just chain the place off and forget about it.
The ports belong to Port Authority of whatever city they are in. The Port Authority owns the ports. They lease docks and wharves and equipment to various shipping companies. A Brittish Company owns many of these leases. It is being bought out by a company in Dubai.
We could, of course, have fun with this. The Europeans beleive they have an absolute right to tell US businesses how to operate, and what other companies they can or cannot buy. It may be fun.
Guess my totalitarian streak ends there.
There is some legislation in the owrks to deny any leases, even ones already in play, to Dubai. Presdient Bush has threatened to veto them...BOOM!
I fell down and knocked myself out. A veto? Veto? Did someone remind the President he had this power? Wow. Too bad he didn't remember earlier when he was standing Ted Kennedy (how are the roads, Ted?) in the Rose Garden signing that huge education bill, after dumping a campaign promise to reform public education. Yeah. Just throw money at it. After all, it has worked so well in the past. Throw money at the military, and at least you get a gun or a bomb out of it.
I know from my friends in the Navy that Dubai is one of thier favorite ports, and they never feel in any danger. I have heard that Dubai was a place visited by most of the 9/11 terrorists and has shipped nuclear thechnology to Iran.
Before the deal goes through, all security concerns should be addressed. It is only prudent. More security at ports, something that needs to be done anyway. Agressive partols of the maritime borders by the Coast Guard and Navy. Make sure no cargo is off loaded into a barge or small boat. Make the registration of all cargo ships, ocean going boats, and barges air tight.
We are never going to be totally safe unless we change our ways of life in, to me, at least, a life not worth living. We can, however, be prudent, and increase our security outside the 12 mile limit.
Now, Mr. President, see if you can veto a spending bill. Perhaps just a little one, to practice for the big ones.
Except the President has no right to sell ports to anyone. Even if it is a military base, only the military can sell it, or, more likly, just chain the place off and forget about it.
The ports belong to Port Authority of whatever city they are in. The Port Authority owns the ports. They lease docks and wharves and equipment to various shipping companies. A Brittish Company owns many of these leases. It is being bought out by a company in Dubai.
We could, of course, have fun with this. The Europeans beleive they have an absolute right to tell US businesses how to operate, and what other companies they can or cannot buy. It may be fun.
Guess my totalitarian streak ends there.
There is some legislation in the owrks to deny any leases, even ones already in play, to Dubai. Presdient Bush has threatened to veto them...BOOM!
I fell down and knocked myself out. A veto? Veto? Did someone remind the President he had this power? Wow. Too bad he didn't remember earlier when he was standing Ted Kennedy (how are the roads, Ted?) in the Rose Garden signing that huge education bill, after dumping a campaign promise to reform public education. Yeah. Just throw money at it. After all, it has worked so well in the past. Throw money at the military, and at least you get a gun or a bomb out of it.
I know from my friends in the Navy that Dubai is one of thier favorite ports, and they never feel in any danger. I have heard that Dubai was a place visited by most of the 9/11 terrorists and has shipped nuclear thechnology to Iran.
Before the deal goes through, all security concerns should be addressed. It is only prudent. More security at ports, something that needs to be done anyway. Agressive partols of the maritime borders by the Coast Guard and Navy. Make sure no cargo is off loaded into a barge or small boat. Make the registration of all cargo ships, ocean going boats, and barges air tight.
We are never going to be totally safe unless we change our ways of life in, to me, at least, a life not worth living. We can, however, be prudent, and increase our security outside the 12 mile limit.
Now, Mr. President, see if you can veto a spending bill. Perhaps just a little one, to practice for the big ones.
