Debbie Schlussel: Another Clue the Ports Deal is Dumb
You know the DP World deal to take over our ports is a bad idea when a group that openly supports terrorist groups HAMAS and Hezbollah thinks it's a splendid idea.
In this case, that group is ADC (the misnomered American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee). We note that ADC, which refuses to publicly disclose all of its funding, gets a lot of money from the Mid-East. That discredits the group's position on this from the get-go.
Then, there is the hypocrisy of their press release, excerpted below, which cites the White House, Homeland Security, the National Security Council, etc. as authorities whose opinion on national security should be respected on this issue. Since when does ADC respect ANY of these entities when it comes to national security? They don't. Since they do here, we know it's definitely not in the American interest.
Finally, don't forget that ADC's Midwest Regional Director is a "former" Islamic terrorist, from whom the FBI revoked a planned award because of a column I wrote in the NYPost.
ADC Press Release: Anti Arabism Now at a Port Near YouWashington, DC, February 21, 2006--The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is concerned by controversy surrounding the acquisition of the London-based company, Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. (P&O), by Thunder FZE, a subsidiary of the UAE-based Dubai World Ports (DP World).
The White House, the National Security Council, Department of Homeland Security, and the Treasury Department's Committee on Foreign Investments have all agreed with the $6.8 billion sale. According to reports, DP World also won approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS), which is a US government panel with representatives from 12 agencies. CFIUS assesses security risks associated with foreign companies buying or investing in the US. CFIUS said in a statement, they "thoroughly reviewed the potential transaction and concluded they had no objection."
ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said, "ADC fully supports all measures to keep our country secure and DP World has received clearance from the highest levels of government to operate here in the US. ADC is strongly opposed to the rhetoric and bias surrounding the company solely because it is Arab owned. Those who purport that ports can be securely run by a British company, but not an Arab one, are engaging in racial profiling on the corporate level."
No, Mary. Those who support security precautions--like not turning over vital logistical points on our own shores to those who hate us--are engaging in national security.
Posted by Debbie on February 21, 2006 04:59 PM to Debbie Schlussel