William Dixon – 2/24/06

This page was last updated on February 25, 2006.

A better choice next time; William Dixon; Beaver County Times; February 24, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“President Bush is a hard man to understand.

“One day he wants to hear what Americans are saying to foreigners, and on the next he doesn’t care. He actually invites the foreigners to control our ports.”

[RWC] First, how is the NSA terrorist surveillance program related to the Dubai Ports World deal?

Second, President Bush didn’t invite “the foreigners to control our ports.” Here’s an abbreviated version of the story as reported so far.

Sometime last year, DP World tendered an offer to purchase a U.K. company named P&O. P&O currently manages some cargo terminals in some U.S. and U.K ports. The Bush administration had no role in this other than to pursue a review process mandated by Congress in the early 1990s. Contrary to early reports, the deal does not give DP World control over our ports. DP World would only operate some cargo terminals in the ports and security continues to be the responsibility of the Coast Guard, U.S. Customs, and Homeland Security.

Here’s another tidbit we didn’t learn about until the last couple of days. The U.S. Navy raves about the port services provided by Dubai. More U.S. Navy ships are serviced in UAE ports than by any country other than the U.S.

“At election time, I thought he was the better of two bad choices. I pray to God we have a better choice next time around.”

[RWC] Why do I doubt Mr. Dixon really voted for Mr. Bush?