Ah, the wrath of the Americans. Sort of like the Eye of Sauron. Doesn’t see but one thing at a time, but when it focuses on you, watch out!
It was a really foolish idea to begin with though. It could probably be done safely, but exactly who is going to oversee all that on a daily basis?
Good. This actually makes my day… okay that’s an overstatement. This in my opinion is good.
I hope the entity that gets to control it now, Korana Enterprises, does a good job. They are a new Delaware corporation so I can’t find much about them.
This is a very bad thing, IMHO. It sends a message to the entire Muslim/Arab world: We don’t want your business, just your oil. (And we reserve the right to invade you, too.)
You know, I’ll trade the bad PR when it comes to the security of the US ports.
Of all the problems with security at US ports, who owns the management contract is at the bottom.
For a cogent argument for my point of view, read this article by Nicholas Kristoff.
You’re right, they are at the bottom of my concerns. But it’s still on the list! It’s true that there are probably easier or more effective ways to exploit the system, but to use that as an argument to willfully create a possible risk is flat out stupid.
What are you afraid of?
It would be no easier for “them” to attack our ports with Dubai running it than an American company.
Look, I’m no fan of this administration (quite the opposite), but they’re right this time. Because of fear and politics, we’re turning our backs on one of the very few places in the Arab world that’s actually engaged in the world economy without oil. Hell, when I first heard about this, I thought the contraversy was over Bush giving a contract based on family business connections.
Maybe this is the same Chinese corporation that already operates several US ports. 
Seriously, some lawyer with the right discrete connections and poof the the problem goes away. The Democrats can claim a “national security” victory, the Republicans avoid any political damage, and Dubai does another favor for the American government. The tab must be getting pretty high by now. 
This whole thing was political theater without the slightest bit of real security risk. The rest of the world lowers their opinion of the US another notch and everyone involved makes money.
Sigh
I still think it was. The pesimist in me thinks that that’s the only reason having a foreign company was ever even in the running to operate the ports.
Say what you want, but I don’t think the ports, the airports, the border or any other security concern should be outsourced to any country. Has nothing to do with them being Arab. this should be handed in house.