US ports

[Morgeruat]

update

[Nightwing]

They will not agree to have any documentation held here in the U.S. I do have a problen with that. They can't be held accountable for any labor laws being broke because they are not going to be required to keep any records. They say they will keep records in thier country but will not allow a U.S. representitive to access them. They also gave $100,000,000.00 to the relief effor for Katrina victims to the U.S. gov. and then 3 weeks later was concidered for the port job. People bribe their ways into jobs all the time but I'm not sure our gov. should be the one rewarding the bribes.

[Timber Loftis]

Originally posted by Memnoch: The question is: why aren't there any US companies able to do this work of managing the ports? Is it because they're not competitive enough compared to the Brits and UAEers?

The answer is there very well may be US companies able to do it. Or, maybe it is being done by US companies that are owned by international conglomerates of numerous companies, such as DP World.

The reason you get this wacky foreign ownership is that (1) there are very rich people in developing areas of the world looking to make solid investments and (2) the developed world not only provides solid investments, but they're always looking to sell and borrow. In other words, we are rich in jobs/economy, but always low on funds and looking to sell or take loans. On the other hand, Dubai basically floats on oil, and is flush with cash. So, they come looking to buy up our companies and invest that cash. This is the way of the world.

[wanderon]

Originally posted by Nightwing: They will not agree to have any documentation held here in the U.S. I do have a problen with that. They can't be held accountable for any labor laws being broke because they are not going to be required to keep any records. They say they will keep records in thier country but will not allow a U.S. representitive to access them. They also gave $100,000,000.00 to the relief effor for Katrina victims to the U.S. gov. and then 3 weeks later was concidered for the port job. People bribe their ways into jobs all the time but I'm not sure our gov. should be the one rewarding the bribes.

This is pure blather...they are not apllying for a job they are buying a british companys leases. The longshoremens union will be responsible for 90% of any "labor" in the US and the suggestion that $100,000,000 in relief is nothing but a bribe is just typical bash first think later BS.

[Nightwing]

thier timming could not have been better. This is far more than a coincidence in my opinion given the corupt gov. we have in place right now.

[Azred]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: On the other hand, Lou Dobbs broke a story yesterday about the Bush's ties to this deal. Apparently W's brother (Jeb?) is involved in selling stock related to this deal recently.

This would explain why the White House is so desperate to push this deal through, then. It is all about the Benjamins, baby! [img]graemlins/petard.gif[/img]

I'll look for that story, though.

[Chewbacca]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: quote: Originally posted by Memnoch: The question is: why aren't there any US companies able to do this work of managing the ports? Is it because they're not competitive enough compared to the Brits and UAEers?

The answer is there very well may be US companies able to do it. Or, maybe it is being done by US companies that are owned by international conglomerates of numerous companies, such as DP World.

The reason you get this wacky foreign ownership is that (1) there are very rich people in developing areas of the world looking to make solid investments and (2) the developed world not only provides solid investments, but they're always looking to sell and borrow. In other words, we are rich in jobs/economy, but always low on funds and looking to sell or take loans. On the other hand, Dubai basically floats on oil, and is flush with cash. So, they come looking to buy up our companies and invest that cash. This is the way of the world. [/QUOTE]I watched a TV interview with a small-time American port operator. While the question was not posed directly, I got the impression it does boil down to who has the most money.

Which makes me think if investing some of our billions of tax dollars in grants and loans to the American port industry, for now and our future is a very wise path to consider.

On a security note, this port operater detailed some specifics about who does what security. While a ship is out on the water, it falls under Coast Guard juridstiction. When on the dock Customs is responsible. But security on the grounds of the port, private security guards and such, falls under the responsiblity of the Operator, in this case DP World.

[Memnoch]

I'm not sure I understand what the problem is. I've been watching some protests from people, congressmen and whatnot all advocating that national security shouldn't be outsourced and that the bidding for the operation of the ports be restricted to US ports only.

That's all fine - if countries want to make decisions about port operation it's their right. But is it the fact that the port will be foreign operated or that it will be Arab operated? I thought these ports had been British operated by P&O for some time now? If the problem was about outsourcing security then shouldn't these questions have been raised back when P&O took over the operation of these ports?

Maybe I'm not too in the loop on this as I haven't been back here for long, but it strikes me as being just a wee bit hypocritical (and hysterical).

[ 02-24-2006, 11:33 PM: Message edited by: Memnoch ]

[Timber Loftis]

Originally posted by Memnoch: I thought these ports had been British operated by P&O for some time now? If the problem was about outsourcing security then shouldn't these questions have been raised back when P&O took over the operation of these ports?

Which is exactly why I noted that this whole tempest originates from prejudice. As long as some limey was running it, no one cared, but put an arab at the helm and we go nuts.

[Memnoch]

I think the real issue is that Congress is unhappy they didn't get a chance to look at the deal and have their opinion heard (given that Geedubya's team tends to err on the side of secrecy more often than not).

Looks like DPW has requested that Congress (or someone) review it as a company to clear its name. Good idea and avoided a potential firestorm which could've gotten worse.