A Harriet Miers moment (Gaffney on UAE Port Deal)

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

[Hop A Long Cassidy]

I'll bet this is a Bush I deal and Bush II is being forced to go along with Daddy's consulting buddies.

[Riverman94610]

The only reason I voted Bush was that the alternative was so much worse.

[CobaltBlue]

Actually it is frightening, who in their right mind would sign a port contract when it could be shot down

Surely you don't believe that the people involved in putting together this deal didn't see this issue coming?

Anybody involved in the US maritime industry knows that US security always comes first. As I understand it, the same is true for all maritime countries.

[TomGuy]

We already have Washington Gridlock. The tax cuts haven't been made permanent, ANWR is not approved, Social Security reform has been stopped by the democrats, and we still have a lot of federal judges who have been waiting a long time to be confirmed.

You are saying, in effect, that the Republicans still can't lead, even with majority control of the House, Senate and White House. How big of a majority does it take for the Republicans? That goalpost always seems to keep moving after each election. For example, 50 Senators plus the VP wasn't enough in 00, 55 weren't enough in 04. Dems never seemed to have a problem when they had a majority of 1. Heck, they can stymy the Senate with a minority of 40.

[DJ MacWoW]

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.

WHERE did you get this? Dude! Get a grip.

They need CIFUS approval. ALL foreign companies need approval through CIFUS.

[CobaltBlue]

DPWorld could pack up or mothball the assets if they wanted to or wait for a Congressional buyout.

Oh, yeah, that's the ticket! Just take your cranes out of service, pack them in mothballs, and go home!

More likely, spin off a company that's in no way controlled by non-Americans, but sends the money to Dubai. After all, this deal is only about money, right?

[DJ MacWoW]

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.

No. Not how it works.

You're making all these wild statements and have no hard proof. Amazing.

[Reagan Man]

Say whatever you like, its a free country.

I find it ridiculous for any American to believe that having "the religion of peace" manage six major US ports, is right and proper. Wrong and stupid sounds better.

[oceanview]

CNN leading with this story tonight. and listening to the radio news across the dial tonight - we are getting killed on this story. killed.

[Miss Marple]

I noticed that you moved the goalposts. If you think gridlock is good, then you should have no complaints.

[Dane]

No. Not how it works.

You're making all these wild statements and have no hard proof. Amazing

It's basic contract law. DPWorld has legally bought out the contracts of P&O worldwide operatins. IF those contracts are canceled before the contract is up and not due to negligence , DPWorld has the right to seek restitution for the canceling of the contracts.

[Dane]

CNN leading with this story tonight. and listening to the radio news across the dial tonight - we are getting killed on this story. killed

The sky is falling, the sky is falling. You are so transparent sometimes.

[oceanview]

this story is everywhere, all over talk radio, even making the top of the hour news blurb on music stations.

[DTogo]

In fact, that seems virtually certain now that talk radio, the blogosphere and the public have become aware of – and white hot about – this transaction.

Wow, that's an understatement based on the comments here!

[CobaltBlue]

IF those contracts are canceled before the contract is up and not due to negligence , DPWorld has the right to seek restitution for the canceling of the contracts.

WRONG!

Congress has ordered the President to determine whether the transfer is in the best interests of national security.

This isn't just an ordinary contract, it's for an industry which is essential to United States national security.

Any contract that has a national security clause built into it can be cancelled for that reason.

[TXBSAFH]

Unles, and highly likely they have a clause giving an out for this very event.

[RegulatorCountry]

"DPWorld has legally bought out the contracts of P&O worldwide operations"

They've made an offer to purchase, which has been approved by shareholders, but not approved by the courts. Any contractual offer would of necessity be contingent upon all preconditions and the approval of all parties involved. That includes the United States, whose own approval has not been made final.

[Eighth Street]

Intolerant.

[Dane]

They've made an offer to purchase, which has been approved by shareholders, but not approved by the courts.

It will be approved by a British court on March 2nd(P&O's home base).

On March 2nd DPWorld may not have the contracts in the US, but will legally have the US assets and infrastructure.

[Dane]

Any contract that has a national security clause built into it can be cancelled for that reason.

DPWorld will still have legal ownership of P&O's assets and infrastruccture.