A Harriet Miers moment (Gaffney on UAE Port Deal)

Townhall.com ^ | 2-20-2006 | Frank Gaffney, Jr

[debg]

I'm way ahead of you.

[Capt. Tom]

We have not been hit since 9-11 for a reason, actually for many reasons.

I believe it is because Al-Qaeda is incompetent.
They had hundreds of millions of dollars, maybe even billions at there disposal, and hundreds of people willing to die in the attacks. No escape plans necesary - and countries to help them out.

Also they went at us to early.
9-11 shouldn't have happened until years later when many cells could have been set up in this country for future attacks.

Al Qaeda was up against a clueless CIA,FBI,and the clueless President Bush, and us clueless Americans. There was no need to worry about being detected.

Also Qaeda is clueless as to how to hit us where it will really get our attention. I am not about to make any suggestions either.

Incompetence facing off against incompetence. We will just have to face up to the facts of life more quickly. - tom

[DJ MacWoW]

Brit covered the deal at his discussion table. It was good except that Bill Krystal had no idea what was going on & said so. At least he was honest.

[Dane]

How do you figure that since Congress wasn't a party to the contracts.

If Congress were to cancel the contracts DPWorld has the right to seek restitution for breach of contract. Of course Congress could also put the restitution in the contract canceling bill and that could be billions.

[TomGuy]

IMHO by nominating Meiers, Bush forced the Judicial Committee Republicans to fight for someone like Alito - "put up or shut up" type gambit. Worked?

Do you honestly believe that? Do you believe he would actually put someone, anyone, especially a close associate, through that hell---just for political gain? If so, that speaks even less for his character. Do you really believe that?

[RegulatorCountry]

"They will get the approval on March 2nd from a British court."

It's not quite March yet. And, I do believe that they're out of their jurisdiction as far as internal United States approval requirements are concerned. The British court may approve the sale, but the former P & O will end up losing the contract, which severely undercuts any rationale for approving the acquisition.

[TXBSAFH]

What part of national security trumps all do you not understand? Besides who say congress just can't write a law tha says the contract is null and void with no reprocussions until it is approved?

[HiTech RedNeck]

Miers was a fleabite problem compared to this.

[onyx]

Whatever would we do without Brit?
Thanks for the good info.

[DJ MacWoW]

That would "flush" your system so you must have ingested/eaten something your head didn't like.

Glad it's better.

[TXBSAFH]

This issue could blow what crediblity GW has left on national security.

[CobaltBlue]

BTW, if Congress were to terminate the contracts, DPWorld could sue for billions due to breach of contract.

Oh, wow. The threat of lawyers litigating US national security interests in US courts! How vewy, vewy fwightening!

[Reagan Man]

No idea what Dubai will do. If Bush was smart, he'd smack this deal down, or at the very least allow the 45 days for a full and proper review to take place. Sen Tom Coburn, Rep Peter King and other Congressmen who spoke out on this issue, were absolutely right in doing so.

Btw, there was no namecalling, just the truth posted. At least you knew who I was referring to.

[DJ MacWoW]

If Congress were to cancel the contracts DPWorld has the right to seek restitution for breach of contract.

If Congress didn't enter a contract, they can't breach it.

[Dane]

Oh, wow. The threat of lawyers litigating US national security interests in US courts! How vewy, vewy fwightening!

Actually it is frightening, who in their right mind would sign a port contract when it could be shot down willynilly if graft is not paid to a politician or a politicians hyperbole.

[thoughtomator]

Not any real ones.

[Miss Marple]

You know, your use of such terms is particularly irritating. I suppose I could go anead and use the term "perpetual Bush-hating nose-pickers" but I somehow don't think it promotes my side of the argument.

[TXBSAFH]

Good as long as it is shot down.

[TXBSAFH]

You might gain a few.

[Dane]

If Congress didn't enter a contract, they can't breach it.

Congress could cancel it and like I said on March 2nd DPWorld will take over P&O's infrastructure and assets and those assets are at some US ports. DPWorld could pack up or mothball the assets if they wanted to or wait for a Congressional buyout.