Is the 45-Day Review of ports yet another meaningless Kabuki Dance?

[Armstead]

It seems like the strategy now is to "yield" to criticism of the port deal and allow for a "full review" of what is already a fait accompli.

In other words, "This is inevitable, but we'll give the appearance of some kind of open process just to make you feel better when we do what we were going to do anyway."

It's the same ritualistic Kabuki Dance that happened before the Iraq War, with the judicial nominations, and so many other things. It gives the appearance of democracy and debate -- but that is merely a facade.

It reflects a key problem today. We still have a dermocracy in that peopel can openly vent their frustrations. But when push comes to shove, the power brokers will do what they were going to do anyway.

[BlueEyedSon]

1. 6 to 1 odds it is

[Armstead]

5. I'll give you 7 to 1

[papau]

14. I'll give 100 to 1 - same folks, same info, same recomendation to Bush &

no security review - again - because they do not think it necessary.

It just pushes this off the front pages for 45 days.

God, I hope I am wrong - but with the media in the GOP's back pocket as always for the last 25 years, I do not see a political need to do more than delay.

[Armstead]

16. I guess it'll be a test of spine

The facts in this are pretty obvious, and there is already enough information for people to have opinions for or against.

But the question is whether those politiians who are against it will "raise concerns" (part of the ritual) and the be satisfied with the answers they already know or if they will stick with their respective positons and actually challenge it in a meaningful way.

Judging by their track record, the odds look pretty long for those politicians to avoid buckling under. But you never know. Maybe this touched enough nerves to break that mold.

[papau]

19. I can only hope - and I do hope - that we will get a real review - but I

am not holding my breathe.

[htuttle]

2. Do you mean moreso than our whole governing process is a Kabuki Dance?

The 45-day review is about as earnest as the 9/11 Commission investigation, or the 'hearings' about the leadup to the Iraq war, or the Warren Commission...

If they weren't sure of the outcome yet, they'd be stalling the investigation until they were.

[Avalux]

3. Absolutely -

Today's headline in the San Antonio Express News says as much: "Calmer waters in port flap?"

The WH and the UAE have orchestrated a PR campaign that will ensue over the next 45 days and in the end, Congress will give the deal their blessing. In fact, I'm not past believing repugs in Congress faked outrage.

[Armstead]

4. I think some Repubs were honestly outraged but they will fold

The Kabuki Dance is always meant to accomodate and co-opt opposition.

"You can tell us why you don't like what we're doing before we go ahead and do it anyway."

Because Republicans have been in control, and have been monolithic on issues, this is usually aimed at Democrats. But in this case, it's also being directed to those Republicans who have dared to stray from the party line too.

[mdmc]

6. 45 day review = m$m pitching the deal 24/7

Free traders will see this as free trade. Bigotry and racism (why freepers oppose this deal) will subside and support of Bush and free trade will return.

Why will DU and the Dems oppose the deal then? I, for one, will stand with the longshoreman - for or against this deal.:kick:

[skooooo]

7. Kabuki dances are NOT meaningless!!

:-P

[Armstead]

11. Political Kabuki Dances are

Perhaps not the same as a true Kabuki Dance in the technical sense, but similar in that it is a drama, make-believe that is highly stylized ritualistic.

In this case, the power brokers decide to do something. If there is opposition, there is a shallow, but visible "debate." But it is not really "debate" because all sides have already made their mind up. The performance is comprised of speeches, hearings, investigations, talk-show mumbo-jumbo...Then when push comes to shove, the opposition folds (eitehr voluntarily or is pushed down) and the power-brokers do what they were going to do originally.

[jn2375]

8. yes, there still taking control

[necso]

9. More like Bunraku, I think. /nt

[Armstead]

13. You mean like Olberman's "Puppet Theater?"

[necso]

15. Never seen it

(Olbermann), but Bunraku can be rather "showy".

[Armstead]

17. A poor joke on my part

Olberman's putppet theaters are deliberatly cheesy and cheap looking, rather than showy.

[Skidmore]

10. So let's take over the choreography and turn it into

a frug or something more creative.

[UTUSN]

12. Yes. n/t

[theHandpuppet]

18. Yep

The Dems may be bellowing now, but it's all for show. Sorry, but I'm really that cynical now. It's a done deal.

[Armstead]

20. Gee the same phrase just came up twice on Lou Dobbs