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Home Front: Politix
This Is Your Brain; This Is Your Brain on Ports
2006-02-24
In which Frank J at IMAO pretty much sums up my feelings regarding the port thingy, plus he has a great guest editorial that's a must read.
The more I learn about this issue with the ports, the more I learn I don't know anything from which to form an opinion. Despite my capitalistic instincts, I would have assumed the U.S. government ran our ports. As for reality, I don't know what "owning" a port entails. I could probably look that up, but it sounds boring. Thus, I don't trust Congress on this issue, because people in Congress seem to be dumber and have shorter attention spans than me.

Anyway, the UAE seems like moderate Muslims in that, deep down, they want to kill us all and force Islam upon the world, but they have better things to do. They're a modern economy, and I don't really see them sacrificing that to blow a few things up.... even to kill Jews. Plus, they are an ally.

Still, they have radical Muslim beliefs. If selling the port were like contracting out our airline security, I'd be against it even if I found it highly unlikely for the UAE to sponsor attacks against us. But, if selling out ports to them is no more dangerous than selling them the Dairy Queen down the street, then I don't see any problem ("Now that they control how many pieces of crushed Butterfinger go in our Blizzards™, they'll be able to kill us all!").

Since I don't know, it would seem the safe thing to do would be against selling the ports since it's like I'm going to make any money from it. Still, if selling the UAE the ports is inconsequential to security, to deny them would kinda be a slight when we need allies. It would be like, "I'm not selling my Hyundai Santa Fe because you're a Muslim!" That could hurt feelings, and hurting people's feeling is wrong when it isn't especially humorous.

I really need someone smarter to steal an opinion from here, but anyone who understands this issue entirely must have spent lots of time reading really boring stuff, and people who spend lots of time reading really boring stuff are suspect to me.

I think I won't have an opinion on this. I can do that, right?

UPDATE: If you come to IMAO to get your opinions and thus need my opinion, I currently lack a coin to flip. Any suggestions?

UPDATE 2: The Ubeliever had pointed out this page where I can flip virtual coins. Now, the question is what coin should I use and what should being for the port be heads or tails? Should I put up a poll? Should I put up a poll on having a poll?

Not having an opinon and trying to artificially manufacture one is hard...
Posted by:Seafarious

#8  Do I really need to go on?

Actually, no. I think you've proven you're unable to absorb information as it develops and get past being a (knee) jerk.
Posted by: .com   2006-02-24 23:06  

#7  
"...actions that are "less than ally-like"..."

That and...:

*UAE was one of THREE countries to recognize the Taliban!

*Unsavory characters of all sorts find refuge and vacation there!

*UAE is an ISLAMIC Country!

*Tarqiya!!!

*You can be a Muslims friend, but they are NOT your friend! (I think .com pointed this out!)

*Situations have a way of changing overnight, without you knowing it!!!

*Muslims CANNOT be trusted...EVER!!!

*Islam IS the ENEMY!

Do I really need to go on?

Posted by: Vinkat Bala Subrumanian   2006-02-24 22:34  

#6  one of the facts that I've picked up from this situation is that the UAE doesn't have to keep its' records on U.S. soil. THAT means that the U.S. courts can't touch 'em should they decide to take actions that are "less than ally-like"...

That alone is enough for me to maintain my standing opposition to this entire deal. We are at war. We have no way to scan all incoming overseas containers, diplomatic seals or not. Until we do, this deal stinks like sh!t.
Posted by: Zenster   2006-02-24 21:22  

#5  "but anyone who understands this issue entirely must have spent lots of time reading really boring stuff, and people who spend lots of time reading really boring stuff are suspect to me."

Sorry to be one of those suspect people who read really boring things, and I haven't read through all of the information, but one of the facts that I've picked up from this situation is that the UAE doesn't have to keep its' records on U.S. soil. THAT means that the U.S. courts can't touch 'em should they decide to take actions that are "less than ally-like"...


Posted by: milford421   2006-02-24 17:36  

#4  Ports can always use ballast.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2006-02-24 13:14  

#3  The real question is, can we sell the Hildabeast to the UAE or would they make us pay them to accept her?
Posted by: Silentbrick   2006-02-24 13:12  

#2  "As for reality, I don't know what "owning" a port entails"

Having to deal with the Longshoremans union. Which means having to interact with large adult males who spent most of their school time junked up on Ritalin because the teacher couldn't handle normal male behaviors at that age. You're payback for all their pent up excitement.

You get to deal with government bureaucrats who weren't on Ritalin because they lack the normal lower brain stem group most humans were born with for the last 10,000 years.

Cheers.
Posted by: Clolugum Phomogum8353   2006-02-24 12:50  

#1  "As for reality, I don't know what "owning" a port entails"

Own : belonging to oneself or itself

Operate : to perform a function : exert power or influence
Posted by: DepotGuy   2006-02-24 08:51  

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