Question -- Have Ports always been run by the private sector?

[Armstead]

This whole port deal raises a question. Have ports always been run privately?

I don't know. My assumption has always been that most large ports are considered part of the public infrastructure, and that government was responsible for their operation.

Any experts on such things have the answer?

[liberal N proud]

1. Private or not - shouldn't the control of the ports be kept with in the US

If there were security concerns, you sure wouldn't want your enemy to control your ports.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Isn't it a shocking revelation?

It's like we all woke up today. Here we thought our government was taking care of the important things, just to find out that everything has been privatized and deregulated years ago. You would think that we would have known this with the airport security problem we had that allowed 9/11 to happen. I can hardly believe that just four years later, they're talking about privatizing airport security again. We are so stupid, stupid, stupid.

[MadMaddie]

6. Our real wakeup call was Katrina...

The lack of preperation and planning for any disaster natural or manmade was blatently obvious to Americans and the World.

* Cabal is so worried about leaking classified information....the Katrina aftermath let the terrorist and the world know that if they hit us now that it will have an even more disasterous result than 9/11, that is the travesty.

These guys are way in over their head and they have intentionally destroyed any organization that was functioning that could respond to disasters. The blood is on their hands!!

America is stupid for not removing the cancer in Washington!!

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. They're not good at anything but damage control.

No wonder our economy is in such shambles. These idiot CEOS are in charge learning how to lie to their stockholders and withholding information, meanwhile bilking the companies for millions. It's wrong, WRONG to assume that running government like a business was a good idea.

[KharmaTrain]

3. Sure...

...some will say the ports of New York and New Jersey have been run by the mob for decades. Now there's a match-up...a longshoreman with an attitude vs. a rich Arab shiek. LOL.

[MadMaddie]

4. A union longshoreman just called into Stephanie Miller...

She said before the * Cabal came into power they physically checked each and every container that came in to the ports. She said now there are two Homeland Security people that scan every other container, and they don't scan for everything....

I don't know if the ports are run privately but they are more inefficient than they were before * came on the scene.


Our ports are in real trouble!!!

[Marie26]

5. It appears so

At least in present times.

[bperci108]

8. I pick up freight at the P&O-operated port of New Orleans...

...quite often.

P&O may own it, but I've never seen anything but locals working there. (Stevedores, lift truck drivers, security guards, dock foremen, office personnel, maintenance workers, etc.) I have no idea what the management situation is however, and what policies they have in place regarding security, etc.

I'm always out-bound and security is moderate. Not much more than an ID check.

I've never had any contact with any governmental official of any sort, nor ever even seen one. :shrug:

[MadMaddie]

10. Not surprised....

The * Cabal talks and spreads the message through their propaganda machine that the security is robust and thorough but the truth is it's pathetic and inefficient. Their deceit and lies are going to cost this country dearly!!

[Marie26]

11. So would the sale really change much

about who runs things on the ground. Like, would they bring in different longshoremen or use the ones that are still there? An aquisition simply changes the corporate ownership, but it usually doesn't change the everyday work that people do - so I wonder if this would really change anything.

[ChiciB1]

9. Did Anyone Hear Pres. Carter Say Yesterday That He Felt

the administration probably checked it out?? I think he also said he wasn't that informed about it, but I DON'T think he seemed all that concerned.

Did I hear wrong?? I admit I may have because I was cleaning my shower at the time. Does anyone know what he actually said???

Hey, just noticed I just passed my 3000 post mark!! Surprises even me because I never thought I would get into BLOGS! But DU is now a semi-addition for me! I have 2 Bumper stickers on my car now and expect to get more. I'm in the process of re-decorating my car and/or various other places in around my neighborhood. There is STILL a sticker on a Stop sign at the end of my street that has an Anti-Bush sticker on it from 2004! And I live in Repuke Country!!! Amazing, huh???