[Abcdxxxx]

well right, oil isn't a middle east problem, but how common is it to view the middle east as an oil problem?

hell, i don't like being dependent on oil from even mexico - but that's not who most people are talking about when they're talking about oil dependency. i also agree that opec is very different from some port administration - but both involve business ties to arab nations that have abused those partnerships. divesting oil interests is also about divesting our interests in the mid-east. it's just not sensible to forge ahead creating new partnerships with an arab business in a role that involves a security clearance. don't forget, even knowing people like muhhamed atta were running around didn't help us. arab companies have found endless ways to do business in the us, and those will continue... but our ports are way too important, even if it's just symbolic.

on paper this deal might sound completely safe, assuming everyone from the coast gaurd on down were competant...but we know that irregardless of who contracts our ports, we have some serious problems. so why play with fire?