Winner Issue for the Dems - Port Security
Control of United States ports. The security of the thousands of ships that come in and out.
It gets outsourced, as a matter of business. The administration is currently pushing to allow a company funded by the UAE (United Arab Emirates), home-located in Dubai, to control security in 6 or 7 major US ports. This is a terrible idea, and speaks direvtly to what motivates the current "war on terror". Often recently, thanks to this cartoon mess, I see that we are in a bit of a culture war. More than a bit. But the long-held myth that Saudi Arabia (not the people, but the rich rulers) is an ally is starting to lose steam with the public. I understand (well, recognize) our crack addiction to their oil, but they foment and cultivate the opinions of their people to ensure the citizens aren't quite clear that their rulers are living in obscene luxury. They seem to be playing both sides, and our government is held hostage by some financial realities.
But now this? How do you think the public, even the hard right fans of the neo-cons, are going to react? Not well, and neither are lawmakers on both sides. Now is an opportunity for the left to make a National Security issue their own, and illustrate that the neo-cons care about security as long as it does not affect their bottom line. It has to be done carefully, because we are not at war with the UAE (or Islam, or many Middle Eastern countries). But it should be made clear that national security should stay within the borders...hence the term NATIONAL security.
It's an interesting day when Barbara Boxer and Lindsey Graham agree, and even more interesting when I agree with them.
It doesn't even require much of a spine or brain to go after, so the Dems should be safe. It might even increase their backbone. You can't outsource or focus group cajones.
More importantly than merely a political opportunity...it *IS* national security. It's moronic to even consider outsourcing port security when terrorism is such a major international concern.
It gets outsourced, as a matter of business. The administration is currently pushing to allow a company funded by the UAE (United Arab Emirates), home-located in Dubai, to control security in 6 or 7 major US ports. This is a terrible idea, and speaks direvtly to what motivates the current "war on terror". Often recently, thanks to this cartoon mess, I see that we are in a bit of a culture war. More than a bit. But the long-held myth that Saudi Arabia (not the people, but the rich rulers) is an ally is starting to lose steam with the public. I understand (well, recognize) our crack addiction to their oil, but they foment and cultivate the opinions of their people to ensure the citizens aren't quite clear that their rulers are living in obscene luxury. They seem to be playing both sides, and our government is held hostage by some financial realities.
But now this? How do you think the public, even the hard right fans of the neo-cons, are going to react? Not well, and neither are lawmakers on both sides. Now is an opportunity for the left to make a National Security issue their own, and illustrate that the neo-cons care about security as long as it does not affect their bottom line. It has to be done carefully, because we are not at war with the UAE (or Islam, or many Middle Eastern countries). But it should be made clear that national security should stay within the borders...hence the term NATIONAL security.
It's an interesting day when Barbara Boxer and Lindsey Graham agree, and even more interesting when I agree with them.
It doesn't even require much of a spine or brain to go after, so the Dems should be safe. It might even increase their backbone. You can't outsource or focus group cajones.
More importantly than merely a political opportunity...it *IS* national security. It's moronic to even consider outsourcing port security when terrorism is such a major international concern.
posted by Chuck | 6:18 PM
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