Saturday, February 25, 2006

21 Ports + Coast Guard Plan


National Security!

'The little cowboy who cried Wolf' plays the race card.   He looses the lead over the Democrats concerning National Security.   The boys who masterminded the permanent Republican Majority can't govern, just win elections.   Secrecy is only a valid concept if it is kept in a black box...   FUD (Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt) has a way of biting you on the a$$ when the sheople wake up...   A con man has lost the game when he can no longer convince his marks that he is telling them the gospel truth.
UPI

UAE terminal takeover extends to 21 ports
By Pamela Hess


WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- A United Arab Emirates government-owned company is poised to take over port terminal operations in 21 American ports, far more than the six widely reported.



Port facility operators have a major security responsibility, and one that could be exploited by terrorists if they infiltrate the company, said Joe Muldoon III. Muldoon is an attorney representing Eller & Co., a port facility operator in Florida partnered with M&O in Miami. Eller opposes the Dubai takeover for security reasons.



The Marine Transportation Security Act of 2002 requires vessels and port facilities to conduct vulnerability assessments and develop security plans including passenger, vehicle and baggage screening procedures; security patrols; establishing restricted areas; personnel identification procedures; access control measures; and/or installation of surveillance equipment.



Under the same law, port facility operators may have access to Coast Guard security incident response plans -- that is, they would know how the Coast Guard plans to counter and respond to terrorist attacks.



Continue Reading...

Seems like Fearless Leader is not quite telling the truth (gasp) about this deal not involving National Security.   Of course if Congress does not take him to account for this, they will be not only not be doing their job but are likely to face a hard time explaining it to Ma and Pa America during this election year.   The Republican reaction so far seems to point in the direction of them actually standing up to Bushji.   Not going to hold my breath but it would be a breath of fresh air pumped into the lungs of the Reality starved American Consciousness.   - fc