Blogcritics Comments on US Rejection of DP World Shows Irrational Fear

Comment by Chip Spear

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 11:13:48 EST

Sam, Thanks for the comments. No one really knows if it would be worse of not, some say yes, others say no, that is the conjecture, they are opinions and guesses. Regarding the second point, I am not advocating isolationism, I am just suggesting that considering we are at war with extremist elements from the Middle East, we might not want to invite the fox into the hen house. One could say this is a type of racial profiling, which I would agree with. However, this is war, lives are at stake, the world is dangerous, why gamble? Is DP worse than a non-Arab company? Maybe not. That is not the point either, it is the political fallout if there were an attack after all this media madness. I have a good friend who lives in Dubai. He loves it and says it is a great area, very cosmopolitan. That does not mean that the company is necessarily secure from Al Qaeda infiltration. Given the state of things, if I had a choice I would error on the side of caution and not be overly stupid.

Comment by Sam Jack

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 00:31:59 EST

Hi Chip: With regards to your first paragraph, I don't think that DP should be denied the contract on the basis of 'conjecture.' They entered the low bid, and they are one of a very few companies who can do the work. And as to your second, the same argument can be made against any entity. I don't think that the fact that some people are not to be trusted means that we shouldn't trust anyone. I think it's ridiculous to go roaring around the Middle East with tanks and spy planes and then suddenly get all cautious on something like this. If we're going to pursue a policy of isolationism, we shouldn't be in Iraq.

Comment by Chip Spear

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 10:11:26 EST

One can certainly argue with the security issue. Many commentators have stated that turning the ports over to DP would have no effect, others have argued the opposite. Perhaps it would be easier for Al Qaeda to infiltrate DP, or get a sympathizer inside the company who could then turn over security plans, or schematics or whatever. We do not know. Considering the horrible state of security at out ports I don't know how it could be worse. All this is conjecture. What is certain, is that IF something happened after turning over the ports to an Arab company controlled by its government, and there were an attack which was traceable to someone inside that company, we, the U.S., would look like the absolute, dumbest, idiots on the planet. The political fireworks and circus would be a sight to behold.

Comment by Sam Jack

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 23:36:41 EST

Well, Dave, I don't really live in Kansas intellectually. I live on the internet. Heh heh. -Sam

Comment by nitpicker

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 19:53:35 EST

Roosevelt said it succinctly -- "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself". Pogo also got it right -- "We have seen the enemy and it is us"

Comment by Dave Nalle

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 13:45:58 EST

Well put, Sam Jack. Surprisingly insightful for a high school junior from 'flyover country'. Dave