From the inbox:
Maybe it’s just me (and apparently it is), but I think this port thing is a BIG win for W, both on substance and one atmospherics.
First, nobody is going to believe Bush would risk the safety of the country. He absolutely holds the high ground on that issue.
Second, I think that most people, after the initial shock, quickly realize that the actions of a few crazys do not indict a whole country. If they did, may we’d deserve to be blown up for the degrading trash that out “media” spews out onto the world. Really, all Bush has to say is “racial profiling”. Liberals can’t argue for that, and conservatives don’t open that debate.
As for the substance:
First, nobody who wants to smuggle terrorist weapons into this country would go through the ports when, as Tom Clancy said years ago, all they’d need to do it hide it in a bale of marijuana. And does anyone really believe that a company would pay billions to buy some ports, then be complicit in smuggling in terrorist weapons? What happens then? Would they get to keep their ports? I don’t think so. Would they get their money back? I don’t think so!
Furthermore, we already have at least two defense contractors owned by foreign firms. GEC bought Cincinnati Electronics years ago, and, more recently, BAE bought Sanders. Both owners were British, I know, but even so I assure you that both deals were carefully structured to prevent security leaks over the borders. We’ve done this before – it isn’t a problem.
I agree that this deal is payback from Bush, probably for help given in the terror war. But even if he fails to make this stick, I think he’ll get credit from the UAE, and he’ll look principled while the congresscritters look panicked.