Santorum: "Bush must say no to ports deal"

[sabra]

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/editorial/13928863.htm

Bush must say no to ports deal
Letting a country with ties to Islamic fascism play a role in running U.S. ports is a risk.

By Sen. Rick Santorum

Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the primary focus of our government has been the protection of the American people and our homeland. As it should be. And the efforts that we have undertaken have been, up to this point, successful - in the nearly four and a half years since that fateful day, we have avoided a terrorist attack on American soil.

But it seems that as we move further away from the events of 9/11, a feeling of complacency has set in, a belief that what happened that day cannot and will not happen again. This is simply not true - we are in the midst of a war on terror, the stakes of which could not be higher.

In spite of the current world environment, a company called Dubai Ports World is in a position to gain significant control over a number of major U.S. ports. Dubai Ports World is based in the United Arab Emirates, a nation that had a significant role in the financial planning of 9/11. The very idea of allowing this state-owned company to control vital operational services of major American ports, including Philadelphia, is preposterous. Which is why, on Thursday, I sent a letter to President Bush imploring him to use every resource at his disposal to prevent this substantial security risk from taking place.

In terms of background, the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co. (P&O), based in London, currently holds service contracts in Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans and Miami. These are not small, inconsequential ports. They play a vital role in our nation's commercial and homeland security activities. P&O recently agreed to sell its interests to Dubai Ports World for an estimated $6.8 billion. It is exceedingly irresponsible to allow a nation that has long been influenced by the Islamic fascist movement to oversee and direct the operations at these six ports. Yet if the approved P&O sale to Dubai Ports World goes through, this is exactly the scenario we will be facing.

[Avalux]

1. He running scared.

Not looking good for him in the polls; has to do something to make his constituents happy. This could be what really sinks the WH - repug senators putting their reelection concerns above loyalty to Bush.
Sounds good to me.

[Frustratedlady]

3. But....Could it be an act?

I can't trust those guys. We've watched five years of feints and dodges, and I'm just afraid the sudden "Oh, my!" comments we're hearing from the Repugs has been rehearsed in preparation for November. JAT

I hope I'm wrong and they are finally waking up to what they did to us by "gifting" us with GWB.

[Kingshakabobo]

2. Squirm little maggot, squirm. n/t

[Canuckistanian]

4. Ricky, you're such a public opinion whore

He's the classic "stick a finger in the air" politician. No convictions at all.