AFL-CIO take on the ports deal

[central scrutinizer]

Ports: Problem Goes Beyond Nationality

Hourly updates on the uproar over the Bush administration's support for an Arab-owned company controlling American ports are missing the point, according to several news articles.

John Nichols of The Nation asserts that a corporation of any nationality is less accountable than a public entity.

“Ports are essential pieces of the infrastructure of the United States, and they are best run by public authorities that are accountable to elected officials and the people those officials represent,” wrote Nichols. “While traditional port authorities still exist, they are increasing marginalized as privatization schemes have allowed corporations -- often with tough anti-union attitudes and even tougher bottom lines -- to take charge of more and more of the basic operations at the nation's ports.”

The Oregon AFL-CIO General Board pointed out in 2004 that port security has been “under-funded, inadequate in design, poorly enforced and short-staffed, leaving workers and communities over-exposed to acts of terrorism.”

Since then, the Bush administration has not addressed security concerns­ but it has continued to take care of its friends. Those friends include Dubai businessmen who are slated to receive the $6.8 billion contract for handling cargo at major Eastern and Gulf Coast ports.

As MediaChannel pointed out: “The real scandal here is not to be found in demagogic appeals and inflated fears over security or the guilt by association attacks on Arabs, but, instead with a self-serving Bush administration whose business is business.”

The New York Daily News http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/13922695.htm identified several Bush cronies who form the dots that connect the Bush Administration to Dubai. They include two who headed corporations and were then tapped by Bush to lead the departments of Treasury and the Maritime Administration.


http://www.oraflcio.unions-america.com/2004_WU/6-33.htm

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

1. Kicked and recommended as the result of one quote:

As MediaChannel pointed out: “The real scandal here is not to be found in demagogic appeals and inflated fears over security or the guilt by association attacks on Arabs, but, instead with a self-serving Bush administration whose business is business.”

That really is the issue here...the Bush administration pockets that will be lined as the result of the "deal" going through.

NOT National Security.

NOT the best interests of America.

:grr:

[progressivebydesign]

2. There was an amazing union guy on Ed Schulz yesterday..

He was a rank and file Longshoreman, he spoke so eloquently on WHY this was a nightmare for our country. He should be a union official, because he didn't parse words. He also said that for everyone that makes unkind comments about the amount of money his union makes, should realize that if they go, they're next. His head almost exploded when they played the clip of SCotty at the WHite House saying that "100% of the cargo is inspected", the caller was saying.. "NO! 100% of the FIVE percent is inspected!".