UAE terminal takeover extends to 21 ports

[NJCher]

http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20060223-051657-4981r

By PAMELA HESS
UPI Pentagon Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- A United Arab Emirates government-owned company is poised to take over port terminal operations in 21 American ports, far more than the six widely reported.

The Bush administration has approved the takeover of British-owned Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co. to DP World, a deal set to go forward March 2 unless Congress intervenes.

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, according to the company's Web site.




Cher

[Patsy Stone]

1. It just keeps on going

21??? Oh, my.

[Pachamama]

30. Kind of like the "pellets" FUCHeney shot into Whittington...the # keeps

changing...was it 5 or 200? Or something in between? :shrug:

These lying sacks of sh*t don't know how to tell the truth....watch the number keep on growing...

[Patsy Stone]

100. They're not even close to the truth.

How did they ever think 5 was gonna fly? Didn't anyone see that man?

[radfringe]

131. not -- request fell on deaf ears

---snip----

Iowa Republican Sen. Charles Grassley stated in a letter to Bush on Feb. 21 that he specifically requested to be kept abreast of foreign investments that may have national security implications. He made the request in the wake of a controversial Chinese proposal to purchase an oil company last year.

"Obviously, my request fell on deaf ears. I am disappointed that I was neither briefed nor informed of this sale prior to its approval. Instead, I read about it in the media," he wrote.

----

request didn't fall on deaf ears - it bounced off the bubble

[Connie_Corleone]

2. Will the madness ever end??!! nt

[shanti]

126. the madness of king george

;)

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

3. I wonder if Bush "thoroughly scrutinized" the other 15 ports...

...for security risks.

Because we know he thoroughly scrutinized the first six.

Because he told us he did. He told us we had nothing to worry about. And if we've learned one thing in the last five years, it's the fact that a Bush NEVER lies.

:grr:

[rodeodance]

7. actually he said 'my government' did.

[robbedvoter]

8. In his own, redacted words yesterday:

"If we were concerned about the security of the ports, this deal would not be going forward."

[IronLionZion]

38. I don't know whether to laugh or scream bloody hell

I'm outraged that this president and his corrupt regime dare to call themselves Americans. There's no excuse for them.

[AuntiBush]

72. You Said It!

Ourtraged just isn't a strong enough word right now. I live by one of those ports. No excuse is right.

[BlueStateBlue]

52. You heard that, too?

It was amazing how they restructured the sentence within about an hour.

[robbedvoter]

93. Actually, I read your post, I think. It's my sig line in e-mail

[Kierkegaard]

79. I think that statement should be revised to say:

"If we were concerned about the security of the ports, we would have asked for more money."

[glitch]

115. So he admits they're not concerned about security of the ports.

He does tell the truth sometimes. But I don't think it's intentional.

[yellowcanine]

34. The only thing Bush has ever "thoroughly scrutinized" is the bottom

of a cocktail glass, wondering where the contents went.

[wordpix]

45. or a glass table, wondering where the coke went

[fooj]

70. Fucking treasonous rat bastard!

Grrrrrrrrrr...:grr:

[janetle]

80. Thank you for expressing my feelings exactly.

[fooj]

83. Welcome to DU!

Peace.

[AuntiBush]

73. There Went the Coffee

all over the monitor... on thost last mentioned words.

[Jawja]

103. He looks like

a THUG in a suit more and more.

[shanti]

127. he's been hitting the sauce n/t

[Atman]

4. What's that stink?

Man, Bush let a BIG ONE!

[magellan]

5. Drip, drip, drip

Now that people have bought Bush**'s assertion that six US ports being run by a foreign company with no accountability and 9/11 links isn't a security risk, they can hardly oppose 21 ports.

Tomorrow we'll inform them the UAE has bought the USA.

[rucky]

18. This is more of a gush. n/t

[wordpix]

46. or kind of like---the bursting of the levees in NO

[madrchsod]

6. well that leaves the west coast and the great lakes

as the only ports not taken over by the lovable gang of seven.

[wakeme2008]

9. Add to that the crazy Tampa county commissioners that

want UAE to do Tampa's port :grr:

[The Backlash Cometh]

27. Trust me on this one. Those county comissioners are going to

get voted out. However, if you look deeper you may discover that you have a city attorney convincing these county commissioners that they have no right to interfere with the property rights of the British company to sell to the UAE groups. That is how it works in Florida. You have zoning boards and comissioners who are leaned into by city attornies telling them what they can and cannot vote against. That's why the only people who survive on these boards are real estate brokers who love the anarchy.

[jimshoes]

10. I think george busted out on this one

No way can this be allowed to go forward. I'm fairly sure Americans do not want foreigners controlling what goes through our ports.

[jody]

11. Just like WWII when Prescott Bush helped Hitler. n/t

[dchill]

117. Treason...

In the Bush family, it's a dominant genetic trait. ANYTHING for money and power.

[AndyA]

12. Stop selling America to terrorists!

AMERICA:
FOR SALE
by GEORGE BUSH, DICTATOR

Payment in Euro Dollars only, please.

[michael_1166]

68. It's not

Euro Dollars, it's just Euros, get used to it... ;-)

[Dem2theMax]

82. May I have your permission to put that on a t-shirt?

I know someone who could do it for me and I want to wear that EVERYWHERE!

[Violet_Crumble]

87. The UAE owned company aren't terrorists...

n/t

[CJCRANE]

91. Payment in PetroDollars...nt

[Earth_First]

13. Ever wonder what we don't know about?

[OhioChick]

14. Probably wouldn't be able to sleep at night......... n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

21. I already can't sleep at night..........n/t

[shanti]

128. hell yeah

i wonder about that all the time.

[progressoid]

15. Why the fvck isn't this an Ameican run opereation?

[IronLionZion]

41. Apparently Americans don't know shit about national security,

so we outsource to foreign countries that hate us. :eyes:

bastards

[Violet_Crumble]

86. Yeah, it's pretty clear most of you know nothing at all about it..

If Americans did grasp basic concepts, such as stevedore companies don't deal with national security, but loading and unloading ships, and customs services and such deal with security, I doubt there'd be the hysterical and ignorant carrying on right now...

btw, just about every foreign country hates the US. I wonder why?

Violet...

[IronLionZion]

94. That's exactly how terrorsts blew up a few planes

their guys were loading and unloading baggage. It's not that hard to slip stuff past customs. It happens all the time with drugs and smuggling illegal goods.

So, are Australian ports unloaded by UAE companies?

[Violet_Crumble]

95. I see. So P&O workers are now terrorists?

Sorry, but yr argument is one of hysteria rather than anything that sounds logical...

And, yes. Australian ports, especially Melbourne are going to be affected by the P&O thing, but fortunately Australians aren't as quick to publicly display their racism against Arabs as Americans are...

On edit: I know I've already pointed this out and I've seen a few of the less hysterical folk here say the same thing, but the people who will be unloading and loading ships will be Americans, just like they were when P&O ran it. I've worked in a company that was bought out by P&O, and what happened with us is that the vast majority of us kept our jobs with the new owner. When one company buys another, part of what they're paying for is the experienced workforce, so any fantasies of UAE citizens loading and unloading ships is wrong (and the actual fantasy is pretty racist at best, with all the attempts to paint Arabs as terrorists).

Violet...

[IronLionZion]

96. No, Australians are quicker and more violent

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Sydney_race_riots

Cheers Mate

[Violet_Crumble]

121. Instead of throwing moronic slurs around...

..and, might I add, showing yr total ignorance of the Cronulla riots, which were a limited thing and not any sort of indication of the entire population, do you think it'd be possible for you to address anything I said in my post?

Violet...

[IronLionZion]

135. It's not business, it's personal

Americans don't like Dubai Ports World running our ports any more than the Arabs like Halliburton taking their oil. National security should be deeply important to every nation. This is not just a little business between buddies.

"Instead of throwing moronic slurs around..." re-read your own posts and imagine someone directing it at you and replace America with Australia.

The rioters in Cronulla attacked my people too because we supposedly "look arab", but I'm sure you have already made your own assumptions about me. I've travelled all over the world and seen some really racist countries where hate is official policy. Guess what? The USA is not of them, but the UAE certainly is. (I've been there).

I've read your posts in this thread and it appears the race card is the only card in your hand.

There's nothing to more to say to you.

Cheers Mate

[stevietheman]

107. No, you're the one (sorry, dup)

{Remove dup.}

[stevietheman]

108. No, you're the one who is hysterical and wrong.

Allowing a UAE-government run company to run our ports is INSANE from any rational point of view. This is a country with PROVEN ties to al-Qaeda and the Taliban. And YES, they will have a LOT to do with port security, as it WILL be up to them how they follow established security procedures.

Time to wake up.

[Violet_Crumble]

122. Because I pointed out some actual facts??

Instead of trotting out the old 'Arabs are terrorists' lines and completely ignoring what was said about workers being the same ones as they were when P&O ran things, and pretending that they play a cruicial role in port security and there's no customs service to do that stuff, I'd love for someone to give some sort of rational explanation as to why supposedly US ports run any differently than anywhere else in the world...

btw, considering the stinky ties the US has to some unsavoury organisations, don't you think the US should clean up its own backyard first before acting holier than thou about other countries?

Also, I'd like to see some of these PROVEN ties to groups like that. Last time I checked, UAE was on friendly terms with the US...

Violet...

[Wordie]

140. With all these "terrorist" ties, why then did Israel seek diplomatic

relations with the UAE. We all have heard that Israel does not deal with terrorists, yet it made overtures to the UAE in June of 2004.
http://www.somethingjewish.co.uk/articles/1027_israel_talks_to_uae.htm

(As it was, the overture was rebuffed, as the UAE won't recognize Israel until it ends the occupation.)

But it does raise the question of why the UAE is being painted as practically a rogue state, with ties to terror and ObL, yet here is perhaps the most terror-sensitive country in the world (Israel), seeking diplomatic relations with them.

A curious contradiction, don't you think?

[Kevin Fenton]

132. Self delete

[Trevelyan]

142. Looking Glass Moment - Bizarro Bush World

http://www.RigorousIntuition.blogspot.com/

"Looking glass moment"? This is extremely brazen, (and of course that is nothing new) but to override Congress with the first veto in 6 years just to be sure this take over happens... I think something about it is key. It is all-or-nothing to them now. This is much more than just a "looking glass moment". This is end-game.

=We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do."

I would be admiringly fascinated by this statement because it is Sun Tze Art of War stuff. It is really not much different from Readers Digest run-of-the-mill motivational thought.But it also has such dire implications by the people who are obviously enjoying great success by living this philosophy.

21 ports now? wow.

this is definately a major project for the transition of america from '1st world' to '3rd world'.flood the country with heroin from afghanistan thru a 3rd party (the UAE government) operating all our major ports. this also has effects on human smuggling and its end results.

just imagine. i don't know much about the arms dealing stuff.

i agree with you. i think we've finally witnessed the tipping point. a through the looking glass moment.

it definately makes no political sense for this to be the issue the president of my country is going to use his first veto on, as ridiculous as that sounds 6 years into a presidency. and as someone else said, the other time he threatened it was because HE WAS DEFENDING TORTURE.

yeah, we live in a different environment entirely now.

we're beyond politics, now it's fiddling with the last few pieces before the blockbuster event.

what do we do? organize.

[mom cat]

16. Fuzzy math strikes again!

[mopinko]

17. the texas ports are going to cause him pain.

that is not going to go down easy. my texas repub ex-husband says the texas oil men are sick of him. this will make their blood boil.

[MadMaddie]

37. What about the New Orleans Port...

They are on the list...of the ports...this would be a perfect way to help rebuild the region and get jobs to American citizens...teach many of them new skills....

It's an insult to the Gulf residents....

[Canuckistanian]

85. The Texas oil men are sick of Bush?

I thought they would have been having the time of their lives with this oil-soaked bunch.

What are they sick of?

[mopinko]

112. lies

and hurricanes.

[Canuckistanian]

113. Gotcha.

[Marie26]

19. Sanborn appointed same day as UAE approval

"The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, comprised of officials from 12 government departments and agencies, including the National Security Council and the Department of Homeland Security, approved the deal unanimously on January 17.

The same day, the White House appointed a DP World executive, David C. Sanborn, to be the administrator for the Maritime Administration of the Department of Transportation. Sanborn had been serving as director of operations for Europe and Latin America at DP World."

Wow. Makes it kind of hard to believe the White House didn't know about this sale, doesn't it?

[wordpix]

44. gee, what a coincidence! (NOT!)

[NYC]

137. WH appointed Dubai Ports exec. to Dept. of Transportation.

Just trying to squeeze the gist of your post into the subject line so that people will not miss it.

...The same day, the White House appointed a DP World executive, David C. Sanborn, to be the administrator for the Maritime Administration of the Department of Transportation. Sanborn had been serving as director of operations for Europe and Latin America at DP World."

It's an amazingly small world, isn't it?

[Marie26]

139. Bushworld is

I'm convinced there's not more than fifty people in it. They seem to keep having to recycling & revolving this same small group of people to all their positions.

[zann725]

20. Then it's clearly not JUST the ports but the Country they plan to surround

and infiltrate. Why not just hand them the keys to the WH?

This is insane. And JUST the beginning of the "plan" not fully-unveiled not only to the public and Press...but later we'll be told Shrub was also UNinformed of all this as well. Right....

I realize Shrub (and many Fundies) would like to 'fast-track' The Rapture, but within 30 days?!!! And remember...our National Guard...who SHOULD be protecting us at "home"...are ABROAD defending our safety?????

We ALLEGEDLY "fought the War in Iraq so we would NOT have to fight "the insurgents" here."

Orange Admin-fitted jumpsuits NOW...and not just for Scooter!!

[BlueInPhilly]

23. It's the press' fault

according to Kimmit - since nobody protested after it was reported last October.

[AuntiBush]

76. You forgot to mention...

Clinton. Yeah. It's Clinton's fault some six (6) years later. :sarcasm:

[IronLionZion]

50. We send our guys to Iraq,

and bring UAE guys here. It's a cultural exchange thing. Bush cares deeply about foreign relations and the sensitive feelings of the Arab people.

:sarcasm:

[yellowcanine]

22. This whole thing is one of those "HOLY SHIT!" stories. Even if it

turns out that the security concerns are over played, this kind of story just sticks in people's craws. And the best part of it is, Bushco set themselves up with their terra mongering and Wolf! crying. Hoisted on his own petard!

[underpants]

24. Yep that is the thing on this

too damned funny. Much like Soc.Security reform, late term abortions, many of the immigration issues and SCHIAVO this is NOT AN ISSUE there really is no problem here it is all made up....that being said I am loving it. I am loving watching them twist and spin and try to cover for something they really didn't need to know about (except that they are such POS blowhards) and really should have never touched.

:rofl:

[Lochloosa]

25. And then there is this juicy tidbit.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. said after the briefing she expects swift, bi-partisan approval for a bill to require a national security review before it is allowed to go forward.

At issue is a 1992 amendment to a law that requires a 45-day review if the foreign takeover of a U.S. company "could affect national security." Many members of Congress see that review as mandatory in this case.

But Bush administration officials said Thursday that review is only triggered if a Cabinet official expresses a national security concern during an interagency review of a proposed takeover.

"We have a difference of opinion on the interpretation of your amendment," said Treasury Department Deputy Secretary Robert Kimmitt.


Three Cabinet Officials and the President have said they were not aware of this takeover. HOW THE HELL CAN THEY EXPRESS A NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERN?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

31. review is only triggered if Cabinet official expresses concern

Unitary. Executive. Theory.

[wordpix]

54. "difference... on interpretation of YOUR amendment" vs. * "MY government"

How transparent can these criminal greedy bastards be? First i'ts Bush's statement about "MY government" giving a thorough review of the sale and now Kimmit tells Congress it's YOUR amendment we have a "difference of opinion" about.

But Bush administration officials said Thursday that review is only triggered if a Cabinet official expresses a national security concern during an interagency review of a proposed takeover.

"We have a difference of opinion on the interpretation of your amendment," said Treasury Department Deputy Secretary Robert Kimmitt.

[Patsy Stone]

26. And another question

How many ports are there in the US? Who manages the rest (if there are any) not included in these 21?

[Pachamama]

32. I think that's info that we should all know & find out about.

I had no idea that some ports were already managed by the UK. My stance is that NO FOREIGN OWNED COMPANY, NOR ANY FOREIGN COUNTRY shall own and manage our ports or anything that pertains to the security of our borders. This has nothing to do with Xenophobia or racial profiling. This is plain common sense.

The reality is this...there is no "War on Terror" (except for in the minds and rhetoric of the Bush Administration). We are not at War with any Nation (War was never declared by Congress) and if one wants to count Iraq, that's an occupation in a country that is now at Civil War and we are caught in the crossfire after having flamed the fires. Terrorist Groups have existed since the beginning of time and will always exist. The reality is that there is a security problem and concern from terrorist groups, and when one has a security concern or problem the way one deals with it is by providing SECURITY! That means more border security in the form of funding our Coast Guard, our ports, our border patrol, etc.! It means funding for states and towns and their police and first responders. It means investments in intelligence gathering (as opposed to outing agents). It means that you don't allow security BREACHES, which is precisely what allowing the UAE takeover of our ports would be.

:grr:

Meanwhile, Americans need to get a full report and investigation of how their ports are being managed (or mis-managed) and our Congress needs to do something about it and do it fast!

[Patsy Stone]

101. A post I read put it perfectly

If you spend four years making everyone afraid of terra, you reap what you sow.

I didn't know that they were under foreign supervision either. It all seems so counter-intuitive. But there I go, thinking again.

[wordpix]

55. some are managed by foreign entities including China, but I don't know

if these are foreign companies or foreign GOVERNMENTS. The UAE issue involves take olver by a GOVERNMENT.

[suffragette]

74. The article has a very interesting sentence about that

"None of the nine administration officials assembled for the briefing could immediately say how many of the more than 3,000 port terminals are currently under foreign control."

It's about halfway down in the article.

Hmm - none of them "could" or none of them "would"?

Either way, it clearly shows their lack of oversight.

[Patsy Stone]

98. Yep, thanks.

Control of the terminals means access to security information. It's just a bad idea all around. Why, I wonder, did they not bid for control of all the ports? Monopoly laws? Or no strategic and economic benefits?

[suffragette]

109. Yeah, a bad idea any way you look at it.

And it appears to be striking a chord with many who bought into (or wanted to buy into, just because they wanted to believe that overall things were ok) the idea that this administration was at least working on making the U.S. more secure.
Hard for the admin. to justify this after pushing fear for so long.

[Patsy Stone]

110. Hoist by their own petard.

You reap what you sow. Fill in the cliche here. Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch.

As for the poor people who bought that, I'd know I'd hate to be suffering from buyer's remorse. It must suck.

[suffragette]

125. They've sown so much hate and evil

And so many people have been injured or worse.
If Dante was right about his circles, there must be a special one reserved for them.

I think the people who really bought into it don't feel much except hate themselves. It's the ones who accepted for the sake of just getting on with their everyday lives or who didn't want to believe the worst, turning away even when it was evident, even as we tried to make them see, who will feel remorse that they didn't listen earlier. If their blinders are finally and truly starting to come off, then a major shift will occur. And it's about damn time.

[jn2375]

28. kick

[Nothing Without Hope]

29. ***TWO POINTS: first, the deal has been DELAYED to cover Bush's face

and give House and Senate GOPs a chance to pretend to "investigate." Second, two of these "new" ports - Beamont & Corpus Christi, TX - have handled 40% of US Army cargo shipments to Iraq. LINKS:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2128879
thread title (2-23-06 LBN): UAE Company Agrees to Delay Ports Takeover
The WH has brokered a way for Bush to save face and his enablers in Congress to go through empty motions designed to give them a chance to pretend they've actually investigated this deal before they finally and inevitably approve it.
Yahoo News. Excerpt: “Under the offer coordinated with the White House, Dubai Ports World said it will agree not to exercise control or influence the management over U.S. ports pending further talks with the Bush administration and Congress. It did not indicate how long it will wait for these discussions to take place. The company said it will move forward with other parts of the deal affecting the rest of the world. "It is not only unreasonable but also impractical to suggest that the closing of this entire global transaction should be delayed," Dubai Ports said in a statement.”

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x476901
thread title (2-20-06 GD): UAE ports would get advanced warning on military shipments:
Comment/excerpt: Excerpt from ThinkProgress article: “The company, Dubai Ports World, would also control the movement of military equipment on behalf of the U.S. Army through two other ports. From today’s edition of the British paper Lloyd’s List: has just renewed a contract with the United States Surface Deployment and Distribution Command to provide stevedoring of military equipment at the Texan ports of Beaumont and Corpus Christi through 2010. According to the journal Army Logistician ‘Almost 40 percent of the Army cargo deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom flows through these two ports.’ “

Note my Dubai Port Sale Compilation threads in GD and the Research forum. I'll be adding the current thread later today and invite you to point out or add others that I have missed.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=358&topic_id=3199&mesg_id=3199
thread title (2-21-06 Research Forum): UAE/Dubai - US port operations sale - THREAD COMPILATION
http://tinyurl.com/md99b

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x485968
thread title (2-21-06 GD): Dubai/UAE US port operations sale ***THREAD COMPILATION*** Please add!
http://tinyurl.com/ocup5

[DemReadingDU]

33. Thanks for the links!

[dicknbush]

35. What our "Friends" in the UAE do to women who have babies out of wedlock:

In December, two women domestic migrant workers – Indonesian national Wasini bint Sarjan and Indian national Rad Zemah Sinyaj Mohammed – were sentenced to flogging, after becoming pregnant outside marriage, by a Shari’a (Islamic) Court in Ras al-Khaimah. Rad Zemah Sinyaj Mohammed was sentenced to 150 lashes, to be received in two sessions, followed by deportation. Wasini bint Sarjan was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment and 100 lashes, followed by deportation.

The sentences were to be carried out once the women had given birth and their children had been weaned.

Oh well at least they didn't shot them after beating them.

[dicknbush]

36. Even if Bush gets his way again on this...

It is a geat opportunity to bash the hell out of every Republican who supports him in doing this. This is really a very simple equation that the simpelest mind(Stalwarts of the Republican Red State agenda) can digest. BUSH SOLD CONTROL OF AMERICAN PORTS TO ARABS WHO SUPPORTED TERRORISTS. Now that may seem a bit racist and perhaps it is but then again alot of the yahoos who support BUSH are racist so they can relate to it and they don't like what they hear or see. RAM THIS MOTHER DOWN THEIR THROATS!

[murray hill farm]

69. someone needs to make a feww 100,000

posters of the "hand holding picture" with the printed message Bush sold control of american ports to Arabs who supported Terrorists...and distribute then onto every corner of this country.

[Dem2theMax]

75. Someone on the board last night used the phrase

"You are the company you keep" when referring to *.

Couldn't you just see that picture of * holding hands with his UAE friends and the words
"You are the company you keep" under it. Kinda makes the direct link REAL obvious.

I say make BOTH posters and plaster the US of A with them.

Someone hurry up and make them. I don't know how or I would.

[IronLionZion]

39. Are there any ports actually secured by AMERICANS in America?

I find it very hard to believe that they can't hire an American company or just have the government hire American security specialists.

Then I remember that those bastard mercenaries went to Afghanistan, Iraq, and New Orleans.

note: the privately hired mercenaries are bastards, not the legitimate US soldiers.

[Violet_Crumble]

88. Stevedore companies aren't responsible for security!

Customs services are responsible for that. Stevedore companies load and unload ships, and employ locals to do so. If anyone actually stopped and thought about it for a second, exactly the same employees will be loading and unloading ships as the ones who did it when P&O had the contract. So where exactly is this huge security issue?

Violet...

[54anickel]

114. Sort of yes and no. Under the new Customs Trade Partnership Against Terror

"...companies provide more information to Customs and take on more security-related roles; in return, they receive preferential treatment in the government inspection process."

http://cfrterrorism.org/security/ports2.html#Q7


Link to C-TPAT info - http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/


From the FAQ:

Q: What is Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)?
A: C-TPAT is a voluntary government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen and improve overall international supply chain and U.S. border security. C-TPAT recognizes that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can provide the highest level of cargo security only through close cooperation with the ultimate owners of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers. Through this initiative, CBP is asking businesses to ensure the integrity of their security practices and communicate and verify the security guidelines of their business partners within the supply chain.


Q: What kinds of businesses can apply for C-TPAT?
A: Currently, open enrollment for C-TPAT is available for the following business types related to the U.S. import supply chain cargo handling and movement
U.S. Importers of record
U.S./Canada Highway Carriers
U.S./Mexico Highway Carriers
Rail Carriers
Sea Carriers
Air Carriers
U.S. Marine Port Authority/Terminal Operators
U.S. Air Freight Consolidators, Ocean Transportation Intermediaries and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCC)
Mexican manufacturers
Certain Invited Foreign Manufacturers
Licensed U.S. Customs Brokers

Q: How do eligible companies apply to participate in C-TPAT?
A: Businesses must apply to participate in C-TPAT. Participants complete an online electronic application on www.cbp.gov that includes submission of corporate information, a supply chain security profile, and an acknowledgement of an agreement to voluntarily participate. In completing the supply chain security profile, companies must conduct a comprehensive self-assessment of their supply chain security procedures using the C-TPAT security criteria or guidelines jointly developed by CBP and the trade community for their specific enrollment category. The criteria or guidelines, available for review on the CBP website, encompass the following areas: Business Partner Requirements, Procedural Security, Physical Security, Personnel Security, Education and Training, Access Controls, Manifest Procedures, Information Security, and Conveyance Security.

Q: What are the benefits of participation in C-TPAT?
A: C-TPAT offers trade-related businesses an opportunity to play an active role in the war against terrorism. By participating in this first worldwide supply chain security initiative, companies will ensure a more secure and expeditious supply chain for their employees, suppliers and customers. Beyond these essential security benefits, CBP will offer benefits to certain certified C-TPAT member categories, including:
A reduced number of CBP inspections (reduced border delay times)
Priority processing for CBP inspections. (Front of the Line processing for inspections when possible.)
Assignment of a C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Specialist (SCSS) who will work with the company to validate and enhance security throughout the company’s international supply chain.
Potential eligibility for CBP Importer Self-Assessment program (ISA) with an emphasis on self-policing, not CBP audits.
Eligibility to attend C-TPAT supply chain security training seminars.


Sounds rather Dibertish to me - first thing that came to my mind was the old Dibert cartoons on ISO certification.

[BluePatriot]

136. Agreed.

Thank you for the words of reason Violet_Crumble, I work for a freight forwarder and know exactly what you mean, and I too am finding the details on the ports deal hard to explain to those unfamiliar with the shipping business. Still, I'm not going to complain if this blows up in Bush's face, considering all the other dumb stuff the admin has done and that the general public has been apathetic about. I guess you have to take what you can get even if it makes little sense to either of us *shrug*

[ncteechur]

40. This isn't anywhere over at freeperworld. Might need to send it to them!

[wordpix]

56. please do

[brooklynite]

42. Welcome to P&O Ports North America! (company website)

P&O Ports North America, Inc is the P&O Ports company responsible for all port operations in North America as well as for pursuing development opportunities in the ‘Americas’ Region – incorporating North, South and Central America as well as the Caribbean.

P&O Ports North America is now the largest independent stevedore and terminal operator on the US East and Gulf coasts with operations in most ports from Maine to Texas.

P&O Ports North America entered the Canadian market by acquiring Casco Container Terminal and Canadian Stevedoring in February 2003, handled by P&O Ports Canada.

In January 2006, P&O Ports North America and Tampa Port Authority announced they had entered into a long-term contract to operate terminals at the Port of Tampa for general and refrigerated cargo. Additionally, P&O Ports North America, Inc. and Tampa Port Authority announced an agreement for P&O Ports North America to operate the recently completed Hooker’s Point Container Terminal with the long-term goal of substantially increasing container handling at the Port.

P&O Ports North America is a diversified port operator with operations ranging from pure container terminals to ‘under the hook’ stevedoring, from bulk handling facilities to passenger ship terminals and from ro-ro terminals to intermodal facilities.

http://portal.pohub.com/portal/page?_pageid=169,1,169_82827&_dad=pogprtl&_schema=POGPRTL

[tabasco]

43. Bush selling us out to his Middle Eastern cronies?

I'm Shocked!!

[wordpix]

57. all part of BFEE with only loyalty to $$$ & making more $$ for power elite

[MsKandice01]

47. What is that I hear???

The sound of Freepers heads exploding?? Music to my ears.

[Synnical]

48. So, where did the "6 Ports" reporting come from?

UPI is the only news outlet reporting this. I notice the AP is now stating, "six major ports".

Here's the map of the 21 locations, it's interactive, so you have to Flash Player installed.

http://portal.pohub.com/portal/page?_pageid=169,1,169_82863&_dad=pogprtl&_schema=POGPRTL

[CJCRANE]

92. Notice: six "major" ports, maybe the other ones are "minor" ports.

[Synnical]

105. Okay, it's terminal operations at six ports

Stevedore services at the other 15, from what I've been able to gather. The only link I've found thus far that spells this out is World Net Daily, and I won't post it here. So, not certain the info is accurate, but it makes sense.

[MrBenchley]

49. Uh-oh....think there was an uproar before?

So the guys wanting to sell the ports to Bin Laden's pals LIED publicly about how many ports they were selling....

[Lerxt2112]

51. It's all over the news now...

Yes, indeedy... 21 ports. We were told by numbnuts 6... Lik eI shoul dhave believed that...

[Rainscents]

59. This info need to spread wide and fast!!!

Bush and his GOP cronies have to be stopped!!!

Oh, by the way, "Welcome to DU!!!" :hi:

[Sugar Smack]

53. Does Bush know about this yet?

Someone should tell him.

[wordpix]

58. uh, I think he's either at Camp David or * ranch clearing brush & jogging

[Sugar Smack]

60. Or walking in the bluebonnets with Chertoff.

[wordpix]

65. poor Jerktoff didn't know about deal---yeah, right

[AuntiBush]

77. Or Tucked Neatly, & Safely Away at the Bunkers

in CO!

[Rainscents]

61. LOL... good one!

[Vinca]

62. Is the proposed deal for 6 ports or all 21 ports?

Not that it really matters to me. Given the terrorist-related history of the UAE I don't want them in charge of any ports in our country.

[Rainscents]

63. So far 21... who knows, tomorrow, it could be up to 50.

[wordpix]

64. wonder how well Sanborn will adhere to Transport. Security Act re: deal

snip:
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, comprised of officials from 12 government departments and agencies, including the National Security Council and the Department of Homeland Security, approved the deal unanimously on January 17.

The same day, the White House appointed a DP World executive, David C. Sanborn, to be the administrator for the Maritime Administration of the Department of Transportation. Sanborn had been serving as director of operations for Europe and Latin America at DP World.

snip:
The Marine Transportation Security Act of 2002 requires vessels and port facilities to conduct vulnerability assessments and develop security plans including passenger, vehicle and baggage screening procedures; security patrols; establishing restricted areas; personnel identification procedures; access control measures; and/or installation of surveillance equipment.

[valerief]

66. Is it just the ports being handed over?

Why stop there? Why not include the Grand Canyon, Yosemite Park, Jackson Hole, Branson, and all of Nebraska? I mean, it's not like security is an issue.

[arikara]

67. I heard something along the lines of

the reason behind the desperation that the port sale go through is because of so much foreign ownership of basically valueless dollars. If the foreigners have nothing to spend their dollars on they will dump them for Euros and the dollar will sink faster than a rock. This is why all the American infrastructure and assets are being sold to China and Arabs, to hold off the crash of the dollar.

Does this sound plausible to the economic minds here?

[wordpix]

71. yes, it is plausible & I've been worried that * killing environmental

controls by selling BLM and National Forest lands and getting rid of Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act and other BushCo initiatives is prelude to foreign ownership and control. My thinking is that Bush is saying privately to his cronies here and abroad, "We hold these national assets (that contain timber, minerals, oil, coal) and in case the dollar crashes, consider these as collateral for your loans."

Scary thought but VERY plausible scenario.

[janetle]

81. Look at this article in the paper today--BLM goes bonkers

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002825501_blm24.html

The BLM is allowing drilling and development willy-nilly and with complete disregard for the environment including the wildlife. And yet this is supposed to be their stewardship but under these crooks, the law is ignored for private profit. It is sickening. How can we stop these people? They are ruining everything.

[glitch]

116. Treating this country like a business in liquidation is how RFKjr put it.

Committing Waste: when a tenant sells off the assets of a property he's renting is another way to put it.
And it's already in process.

[NJCher]

78. that makes sense

So much sense that it sends shivers down my spine.

Oh man. So that is what this is all about.




Cher

[They Live]

84. Once again...

so many lies that I have trouble keeping up with them. Anyone who supports * now is certifiably delusional.

[HockeyMom]

89. Having lived through Nixon,

all I can say is that Bush makes Nixon look like a Boy Scout.

The DECEIT in this Administration is beyond belief. And they blasted Clinton for a BJ? Damn. IMPEACH THE (expletive self deleted) NOW.

[VegasWolf]

90. Exactly!! I lived through that period too. There was once a time when the

President of the US had respect. Bush has toppled whatever slightest integrity politicans might have had.

[AuntiBush]

102. Really, really, really...

Beyond bizarre!

[wordpix]

143. yes Nixon and Bill "Clinton Lied" look rather tame next to Bush cabal

[thefool_wa]

97. So here's the real problem

What I don't think the bush administration is looking at is the potential for an immigration route into the US through this company.

While Dubai, the UAE as a whole, and most likely even DP World are not terrorists or sympathizers/supporters, their control of US ports as a major corporation provides an avenue of job opportunities for those within the UAE (which has a proven history of being home to people who hate us).

Much like here, the guy who gets away with something the easiest is the guy who has never committed a previous crime. So picture some guy in the UAE (probably the equivalent of a college age activist in the USA) decides he's had enough of us, gets an immigration visa through DP World to come work in one of our ports. He is now set up to either strike at the port himself or try to move OTHER sympathizers he knows over here so THEY can strike at the port.

I honestly don't care if its a pipe bomb or a nuclear weapon, I'd rather not think of this being a possibility at 20 or more PORTS!

FUGWB - FU U Y S A!

[ClayZ]

118. Teamsters protest!

http://www.thewbalchannel.com/news/7410386/detail.html Video


"President (George W.) Bush has a place to hide. I've got nowhere to go," said Denis Taylor, president of Teamsters Joint Council 62, which has 14,000 members in the Baltimore area.

The Teamsters represent truck drivers, train crews, engineers and drivers as well as warehouse employees at the port. Taylor said the company being acquired, London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., does not employ union members directly at the terminal, but the Teamsters are concerned about how the deal might affect port security.

[thefool_wa]

138. So much for keeping the workforce

This is exactly what I am saying. When they push out the American union workers they are going to have to fill the jobs with those who are willing to do the work without a union; that means immigrants.

This means they will be exporting jobs that actually stay here in america, how appalling. As far as security, if the teamsters are pissed off by the implications I think that means I may be on the right track here. They aren't just worried about whats coming in and out, but who will be running things on the ground as well.

This needs to be stopped.

[Cobalt Violet]

99. Kick!

:kick:

[twaddler01]

104. This will make things worse

nice :eyes:

[Cobalt Violet]

111. I hope the public finds out. n/t

[stevietheman]

106. A secret within a secret revealed on weekend news dump day...

which leads the thinking person to wonder: How many more layers to this onion can be peeled back?

[wordpix]

144. I did not hear/see anything about 21 ports on Sun. talk shows-I watched

Chris Matthews Show, Meet the Press and part of Bob Shieffer.

[stickdog]

119. The Media Lie Hourly (nt)

[Oilwellian]

120. Houston, we have a problem

Texans will NOT be happy.

[annierooney]

123. UAE terminal takeover extends to 21 ports

So what can each of us do now to stop this madness? Bush et.al. doesn't care if we are murdered in our sleep as long as he and his buddies can fly out of the storm in Air Force One.

[The Wielding Truth]

124. Wow, You would think selling our Ports to any country might cause

some concern!

"Kimmitt said because the 2005 Chinese proposal had caused such an uproar before it ever got to CFIUS, the lack of reaction to the Dubai deal when it was reported on last fall suggested it would not be controversial enough to require special notification of Congress. "

Is it their choice to tell or not to tell Congress as they see fit?

[kick_them_hard]

129. Someone flush this administation down the toilet

I am so sick of watching our country going down the tubes. I read that aricle above and the last few sentences below said it all for me. BUCK FUSH!!


"CFR suggests a terrorist event is likely to be a one-time operation on a trusted carrier "precisely because they can count on these shipments entering the U.S. with negligible or no inspection."

"All a terrorist organization needs to do is find a single weak link within a 'trusted' shipper's complex supply chain, such as a poorly paid truck driver taking a container from a remote factory to a port. They can then gain access to the container in one of the half-dozen ways well known to experienced smugglers," CFR wrote.
"

[pinniped]

130. All of *'s clusterfucks go up 350% at a time.

Next week, 73.5 ports, and so on....

[Cobalt Violet]

134. Lol!

Funny, Sad and True.

[Matilda]

133. The important question is whether anyone in or connected to

the Bush Administration is going to benefit personally.

[Trevelyan]

141. It's a darn shame the Palestinians don't have any oil

http://www.shockedandawful.com/

==It's funny, you know...

George Bush goes and cuts off financial aid to the starving, displaced, and dispossessed Palestinians because their gov't, HAMAS, refuses to recognize Israel.

But then Bush goes and tells Congress that he wants to hand over not one, not two, not three... but SIX U.S. sea ports to the United Arab Emirates, which, also... does not recognize Israel.

It's a darn shame the Palestinians don't have any oil, or natural gas...

It's a damned, darn, shame...

[trof]

145. Gulf of Mexico ports:

DPW will take over P&O stevedoring operations at nine ports along the Gulf of Mexico including the Texas ports of Beaumont, Port Arthur, Galveston, Houston, Freeport, and Corpus Christi, plus the Louisana ports of Lake Charles and New Orleans.