As reported by CNN.com and pretty much everywhere else, President Bush supports allowing a United Arab Emirates company to take over the administration of 6 US ports. My understanding is that Coast Guard and other agencies would still handle security. I find it interesting the President "security above all else" Bush supports this.
I am suprised that Frist is even taking pause over the idea. He generally follows Bush around like a dog on most policy decisions. If Frist has doubts, an alarm should be blaring in your head. It doesn't take a genius to figure out this is a security nightmare. Call it a sterotype, but usually companies tend to hire those of their same culture and belief system. Look at any Indian, Korean, Chinese, etc owned business for that. The assumption that things will not change once a new company comes on board is naive at best.
Lawmakers who have called for the deal to be blocked need to "step up and explain why a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard," Bush said. He has a point. Its not fair and assumes to much. Well to bad. Bush doesn't seem to mind squashing civil liberities in the name of security, why does this give him pause? Why is he all politically correct when his drive on security suddenly effects his friends business interests?
Just from the Danish cartoon fiasco and uproar that is so far far far far far disapportionate to the "crime", I wouldn't allow an Arabian company to take over those ports. Its too big a gamble not only from a security standpoint but its a politically correct nightmare to enforce. If I was that company, everytime there is an accusation, investigation, etc, I would claim racism to protect myself. It would work to. In the end, considering what a fantastic gateway that ports represent to get pretty much anything into the country, the risk doesn't seem worth the rewards.
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