Bernie Sanders sez Don't Outsource Port Security

[Armstead]

http://bernie.house.gov/documents/document.asp?issueNum=4792

/21/2006, Statement of Congressman Sanders regarding:
SANDERS: NO TO ALLOWING A MIDDLE-EAST COUNTRY TO PROVIDE SECURITY AT 6 MAJOR PORTS


Congressman Bernie Sanders said today that it was absurd for the Bush Administration to okay a deal in which the security of 6 major American ports would be placed in the hands of a middle-east country, the United Arab Emirates. Sanders said that he would work with Democrats and Republicans to make sure this agreement does not go through.
Sanders said; “At a time when we are spending billions of dollars trying to prevent terrorists attacks against us, it is beyond comprehension that the Bush Administration would okay a deal that would put the security of 6 major American ports into the hands of a middle-east country, the United Arab Emirates which, among many other concerns, is a nation from which 2 of the 9/11 hijackers came. It is bad enough that we are outsourcing millions of good paying jobs. It is totally absurd to outsource the very security of our country.”

Sanders continued; “I have grave concerns about the sale of a company operating port facilities in six major American cities to a corporation wholly owned by the government of Dubai – a country which is part of the United Arab Emirates.

[kentuck]

1. Democrats should follow Bernie's lead on this....

This sale should be completely vetted. We should know who sold it and who is buying it? Who stands to profit in the British company? Poppy Bush? James Baker? Dubya Bush? We should know all the answers before we do anything. This could be treason at the highest level if this sale is done for personal greed by anyone in our government or formerly in our government. This is about national security. Democrats have to protect our nation if the Republicans cannot do it. Yes, they say they are strong on national defense but they don't walk the walk.

[Quakerfriend]

2. Yes, kentuck !! As usual, you are SPOT ON!

[Armstead]

3. "Outsourcing National Security" sums it up really well

[kentuck]

4. Bingo !

That's what they have done. Democrats have to stop them. Hopefully with the help of some Republicans.

[Armstead]

5. kick for bernie

[electropop]

9. The personal profiteers (known so far)

(1) Treasury Secretary Snow, former CEO of the company that sold the ports, and buddy-buddy with the Dubai Ports World management.

(2) David Sanborn, our newly-minted Maritime Administrator, fresh from his job at - yes - Dubai Ports World.

I assume all the rest on the review committee who claim "they didn't know" about this huge and dangerous deal, must all be personally profiting as well.

[sarcasmo]

6. Kick and Nom, Listen to Bernie every Friday on Thom Hartman.

[AtomicKitten]

7. I think Dems need to hammer this HARD.

It's nothing but a WIN-WIN issue for the Democrats.

And it is the Republicans' Achilles heel.

[electropop]

8. Yes, but, but, these are really good guys. They gave us permission

to review the security considerations of our own goddamned ports. I'm so glad Bush is getting the permission of foreign countries before he protects us.

[rman]

10. Sanders is correct as usual. nt

[Eric J in MN]

11. Democrats should propose nationalizing our ports.

One corporations vs. another isn't the real issue.