DNC on Ports: "President Bush just doesn't get it . . ."

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DNC: Bush Administration Cutting Corners on Port Security

2/22/2006 12:05:00 PM

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=61335

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 /U.S. Newswire/

"President Bush just doesn't get it. In the post 9/11 world, the President should know we can not afford to cut corners and bypass the checks built into the law that was created to protect our national security," said Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney. "Bush's stubborn 'trust us' policy threatens to weaken America and leave our ports vulnerable to terrorism. America can do better than a national security policy that does not address the threats of today and tomorrow."


Democrats Take Lead on Port Security, Says DNC

Democrats Fought to Protect Our Borders From Terrorists. Democrats fought to invest $284 million to help ensure the security of the nation's borders by hiring 550 additional border patrol agents and 200 additional immigration investigators. The 9-11 Commission highlighted that the United States lacked a true border security system, and that illegal entry across our borders was far too easy.

-- But Republicans Defeated It On A Party Line Vote. Every single Democrat voted for this bill, but Republicans rejected this proposal on a party line vote, 225 to 201. (HR 1268, Vote No. 160, 5/5/05; R 2-225; D 198-0; I 1-0)

Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) Introduced Port Security Legislation. H.R. 1731 provides Federal Grants to support Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans and to address vulnerabilities in port areas identified in approved vulnerability assessments or by the Secretary of Homeland Security. (HR 1731, 4/20/05)

Rep. Bennie Thomson and Rep. Loretta Sanchez Urged Improvements In Inspection Process For International Cargo Entering the United States. In response to a GAO report that underscored the need for major reforms to the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program (C-TPAT), Rep. Bennie Thomson (D-Miss.) called on the Department to shore up its security gap. Prior to the Report, Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D- Calif.) introduced an amendment that would have strengthened the validation process of C-TPAT. (Press Release from Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), 5/26/05)

full release: http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=61335

[kenny blankenship]

1. Just imagine if John Kerry had voted to support a deal selling ports

operations to a royal monopoly of the UAE, or Saudi Arabia. Wouldn't Karl Rove, Bush and the whole corporate media noise machine accuse him of treason? His calls for more security at our ports during the debates would have been treated with howls of derision at the very least. They'd say he was inconsistent? No they'd say he was a deliberate liar, and hated America.

[KharmaTrain]

2. Let's Not Get Too Far Ahead...Let Them Twist On This A Bit

First...I'm still suspect this is another "Harriet Meiers manuever"...creating the UAE outrage on his wingnut supporters so that when the real deal to one of his big money corporate buddies (including big tax breaks and government subsidies since that's the only way a multi-billion dollar company can "compete"). The cronyism of this regime trumps all.

I was listening to Oxyboy spin like a dervish this morning. It was near frantic and it was his usual game of both ends against the Democrats. The spin the other day was the Democrats weren't paying attention to this issue...and now it's the Democrats are all over it...and using it to hurt foreign policy. Sheesh. He was praising the UAE like it was our bestest friend and you don't do that to bestest friends...and anyway Bill Clinton said great things about the ex-sultan back in 1996...blah blah blah.

This issue is doing damage to the Repugnicans, but I really don't think anyone knows how much. This regime still has the ability to find the dark cloud in the silver lining in any story and scare the shit out of the sheeple and at least rally some support for anything. Look how they've condoned treason, torture, aggressive war, shootings and spying on its own citizens and keep asking for more.

Let the Repugnicans rip themselves to shreads on this one. Hopefully there's a video of last night's Scarborough where buttplug Jack Boardman was ripped to shreads by, of all people, Joey, Mark Foley (R-Abramoff) and a Repugnican consultant. There was a sweet irony in listening to Boardman throw out every strawman and talking point and watch these people who usually spew them...ram them up his butt. Let's sit back and let them do this for a few more days...then see how many come back to the reservation.

This is definitely an issue Democrats now can use in November...but to use wisely. If asshat suddenly announces an "American Company" is coming in (his prefered deal), the Democrats can be stuck with rushing to approve this regime's move.

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3. I think that's why the leadership is focusing on issues of port security

that they have been raising throughout to highlight the republican negligence on the security they tout.

No matter who is in control of the ports, there will always be an issue of our government taking full responsibility for the oversight and committing the resources to get that done rather than spending it on tax breaks for their wealthy benefactors.

There is still the question of how this deal came about in the first place given the ties between the Bushes and Cheney, and the Saudi royal family.

Of course, we always have to be vigilant against the shell game.