<p>Excellent feature on the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer tonight regarding port security in the US:</p>
<p>You have the Coast Guard and Customs but they didn't get a whole lot of new bodies after Sept. 11 for port security. This wasn't our biggest emphasis. There's a lot that has been done to improve the situation because we started from virtually nothing before. It was almost a state of nature and we should be having a conversation about that. Setting the standards, make sure the resources are in place, we have the best practices in place. </p>
<p>Most importantly, this is a global network and a lot of the of our effort is trying to do things overseas to try to avert problems before they arrive on our shores was a bit too late and we have to, therefore, work with the foreign-owned companies there obviously and their environment. </p>
<p>It's a total system; it's a very complex system but let's be clear here that in terms of owning a terminal, owning a lease inside a terminal, is not something that is basically owning the port and operating the port. As Mr. Dinsmore made clear, the Coast Guard is there, the Customs is there. I'd make the case they just need a lot more resources to do this job a good bit better, given the stakes.</p>
<p>-Stephen Flynn, retired Coast Guard commander and an expert on transportation, border and infrastructure security. A senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations</p>
<p>LA Times op ed today:</p>
<p>Some points to consider about Arab port deal </p>
<pre><code> February 24, 2006
Your editorial "Port hysteria" (Feb. 22) completely misses the mark. First, you say that foreign firms that run operations at U.S. ports are "not in charge of security." But the reality is far more complex.
</code></pre>
<p>Many of these firms have received federal port security grants from the Department of Homeland Security. Giving a country such as the United Arab Emirates a role in running our ports could make the job of law enforcement harder. Two of the 19 hijackers on 9/11 were United Arab Emirates nationals. Dubai was a key transfer point for shipments of nuclear components that were sold to Iran, Libya and North Korea by the Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan. The United Arab Emirates remains a key financial center for terrorists.</p>
<p>Finally, your claim that lawmakers are ignoring port security is another fallacy. Since 9/11, Democrats in Congress have voted more than a dozen times to increase funding for port security.</p>
<p>SEN. BARBARA BOXER</p>
<p>Congress needs to look into this with a lot of due diligence---I personally don't feel comfortable handing over port operations to the UAE, or any other Middle Eastern company at the present time---too many other headaches without having to pile one more on. I think we also need to look at the process in place by which this deal was approved---we seem to keep making some poor decisions.</p>
<p>Give them to Halliburton! :D</p>
<p>Yeah, at least that way we only get ripped off, not blown up.</p>
<p>I'd rather be ripped off than blown up any day, wouldn't you?</p>
<p>Besides, April 15th is coming up. We're all about to get LEGALLY ripped off, so forgive me if I don't cry too many tears for the U.S. Treasury.</p>
<p>yeah, death and taxes---both pretty much suck.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, routine security (part of port operations), is usually not what prevents or impedes a serious plot of terrorism. It is the secret, covert, clandestine ops that make the real difference...our ports included.</p>
<p>I can't see preventing UAE from running our port operations if they have a reputation for doing such efficiently and with integrity.</p>
<p>We have many foreign hosts running our biggest corporations. That is the sort of freedom that redefines America. We just need to keep an eye on the "fort" to keep things in control. I think Bush has a good handle on the difference between buisiness, control and national security. I certainly hope so.</p>
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I think Bush has a good handle on the difference between buisiness, control and national security. I certainly hope so.
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<p>Amen.</p>
<p>And may I add completely off-topic, that the board code on this site SUCKS.</p>
<p>That is all. ;)</p>