The Dems have been profiling me since the Original Star Trek Series... But somehow my girlfriend skates by... 
Posted on 02/22/2006 10:13:03 AM PST by William Tell 2
The Washington Post headline sounds the clarion call that Arabs are ” poised to take over significant operations at six American ports.”
A New York City television station polled its viewers to answer the question, “Should Dubai Ports World be allowed to take over six major US ports?”
An AP report said, “….Arab company given permission to take over operations at six major U.S. ports.”
This was all very confusing to me. As a Philadelphian who used to live near the waterfront, knew people who worked there, and who would occasionally watch ships dock and unload cargo, I knew that the port was controlled by the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) – not by any one company.
So what were these people talking about? Why was the purchase of the operations of a British company, Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company of London (P&O), by Dubai Ports World ( DPW) going to result in Arab control of the Port of Philadelphia. I wanted to learn what exactly did the Associated Press, Washington Post, a New York City Television station, conservative talk radio host Sean Hannity and other media mean when they said “ control “of our ports would be ceded to Arabs.
It seems the facts are quite different than the hysteria.
I asked the PRPA to explain what will happen after DPW buys P&O. According to, Joe Menta, Communications Director for the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, what this sale means to Philadelphia is that DPW will acquire half interest in a firm that loads and unloads ships at one terminal – Tioga Marine. Little or no containerized cargo passes through this terminal, which is primarily used for the fruit trade.
Menta explained the infrastructure of the Port of Philadelphia. The port is controlled, by the PRPA, which is an independent entity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PRPA owns several terminals on the waterfront. It leases these terminals to private operators who are primarily responsible for arranging the loading and unloading of cargo, as well as the marketing of the tactility. The lessee of Tioga Marine Terminal is Delaware River Stevedores, Inc. (DRS), a company formed after the merger of Stevedoring Services of America, Seattle, Washington, and P&O Ports Ltd., a subsidiary of Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co., of London. Because of the sale P&O Ports’ share of Delaware River Stevedores will now be owned by Dubai Ports World.
Tioga Marine Terminal will still be owned by the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority and leased to DRS, who will be responsible for operating it. Arabs will no own or control the Port of Philadelphia. The most Arab influence will be regarding the appointments of some of the Board of Directors of DRS.
This is quite different from the image conjured by some of Arabs controlling the port. The idea that Dubai Ports World will be determining who comes, who goes, the number and type of ships, how and where they are unloaded and loaded, who is hired, what kind of cargo, and the security for the entire Port of Philadelphia, is simply not true.
Ever since 9-11, Democrats have been chiding Americans in general and the Bush administration specifically to be careful about stereotyping all Arabs and Muslims as terrorists. Even as recently as last week Democratic Party leader Al Gore ranted, while speaking in Saudi Arabia, that the Bush Administration mistreated Arabs.
Ironically, these same Democrats are now stereotyping Arabs. Senators Schumer, Melendez, Clinton and other Democrat politicians – along with some Republicans – are practically xenophobic about Arabs. Democrats – with the notable exception of Jimmy Carter - and some Republicans, as well as some “conservative” radio talk show hosts, are taking a “tough on terrorism” stance. They do not want Arabs “taking control of our ports.”
No one does – and they are not, at least not in Philadelphia.
There are reasons to object to this sale. The exact nature of what will occur and why should be investigated. However, let us dispense with the hysteria and bogus reporting and make objections derived from the facts - not political propaganda.
Democrats went from demanding Constitutional rights for Arab terrorists in court to opposing Arab business owners buying a share of some terminals. The most alarming aspect of this whole affair is the cluelessness of our elected leaders, both Democrat and Republican about port operations and security. Even more of a concern is their willingness to play politics with our security.
To assist you in getting a more ground-level understanding of the transaction.
It is amazing.
"This was all very confusing to me."
The explanation is that everything that the Bush Administration does that the Democrats and the MSM can try to whip into a 'scandal' is wrong. Neither group has the slightest concern about consistency or what they said yesterday. I'm inclined to question Bush's actions in this matter, but if that puts me on the same side as the NYT and Hillary, I may have to reconsider.
LOL.
The Bushbots are zooming on overdrive to frame any opposition or hesitancy as a "Democrat" issue. Pulling out the race card like they do over anti-illegal immigration arguments. Plus overuse of the "Hillary" deflection.
Marg bar Hillary! Marg Bar Hillary!
LOL.
This article provided more factual information about the operation of ports and the role of the british company that is being acquired by a Dubai company, contrary to the hysterics that have been displayed by both sides of the issue, and yet it is "bushbot" framing of the opposition.
So far, my biggest concern about this transaction in light of everything I have heard about it is that Jimmy Carter thinks it is a good idea. That alone is cause for serious concern that it is bad for America.
Many Arabs in this country are actually Christians. Nobody claims they are a threat, n or are they objectionable in any discernible way. In fact, most of them are fleeing from their Muslim countrymen.
It's Muslims who are the problem, and many of them are not Arab!
Race-baiting does not reflect on Republicans any better than it does on the Democrats.
At the top of the hour, Rush seemed to be making speculative but interesting points suggesting that the Democrats outrage over this might be a smokescreen, provoked by the notion that this Dubai company is set to modernize shipping, thereby threatening union jobs.
I only heard a few snatches as I was in the car driving my son to preschool, but it was definitely food for thought.
You need this for your tagline space: ™
The Dems have been profiling me since the Original Star Trek Series... But somehow my girlfriend skates by...
It's a cultural thing the Dems are upset about.
I don't think Arabs understand American unions.- Tom
This is a nice summary of my reaction to all of this.
Any culture that can deal with the concept of Inshallah can deal with longshoremen doing their jobs when the break is over and they get around to it.
A major in the Army who had spent a lot of time in the Mid-East told me that "Inshallah" means about the same as the Spanish word "manyana", but without manyana's sense of urgency.
is the Port of Philadelphia going to be controlled by Arabs as has been stated by the media, some Democrats,and some Republicans?
Yes or no?
LOL
To many Spanish speaking people manana means tomorrow.
In Mexico it means "not now",without any indication of when it will occur,if ever. - tom
Who is the author of this piece?
I am - Michael P. Tremoglie. It is supposed to be published in the Philadelphia Daily News on Friday. It was also published by another website today.
Obviously I made two mistakes when I posted this. I omitted my name and gave the Daily News source in advance.
Anyway to correct this?
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