The Black Republican

Thank you Chris... I was thinking the same thing. My gut says this is not a good idea, but my head says that this is just racial profiling.

I don't think it has anything to do with race. For example, if another Semitic group, the Israeli's, were positioned to run our ports I doubt anyone would fear for our security. In fact, given the experience and enthusiasm for security among the Israeli's, we would feel blessed to have their expertise working for us, (or, as is the situation at our ports, we would be blessed to have them working along side our own security personnel).

The concern over letting the UAE manage our ports has to do with their proximity in regards to the hotbed of radical Islam. And the reaction to the possibility has to do with, not bigotry, but prudence. The UAE has a history; recognition of the Taliban, conduit for terrorist financing, embarkation point for some of 9/11 murderers, a large Muslim population with no assurances known that their Muslims are not attached to Islamofacism, and so on. The new UAE, as we are beginning to learn, has reacted favorably to the post-9/11 world, but the changes are largely unknown, and, perhaps too new to be widely accepted as heartfelt.

Caution in the face of an unknown quantity is wise, especially when the subject was recently known to be not as vigilant as we would have them be. Now, though, as Charles Krauthammer said tonight on Fox News, we are in the position of needing to let them operate the ports in order to demonstrate that we believe in the reconstruction of Mid-Eastern governments. The UAE has taken many positive steps since that awful day in 2001. And, in the same spirit which guides our strategy for Iraq's reconstruction, we must allow our allies in that area to grow into the 21st century civility and opportunity. In this case, their apprenticeship will take place within our borders.

We need them to succeed. And so we must put in some belated effort to make sure that we have a firm grasp of the practices for which we are responsible in order to keep us safe. This is just one more area where our overfed Congress has failed to foresee the flaws in our laws. If the UAE (or like country) was going to be considered an unfavorable bidder for the port contracts, the conceited, mindless, and permanently electioneering Congressmen could have made that clear before the body which reviews such contract proposals received the offer from the UAE. But no, just as with the recent FISA flap, the Congress is behind the times, and only thinks to change the rules after the fact. Of course, in both cases, FISA and this port contract, Congress will eventually decide that everything is alright. But, in the interim there will be so much bluster, followed by a non-act which we will be told is the action needed to correct the situation.

So, to recap, unknown quantity of former disrepute will be vetted, education campaign will acquit the UAE, Congress will try to look important, UAE will take over port management, our security forces will continue to guard our ports. And, the next time an unknown quantity which is associated with our enemies tries to evolve we will go through the process again.

Count on it. It is sure to happen, like the sun rising in the morning, like water running downhill, like old and undersized levees breaking, like Congress reacting instead of anticipating; count on it.