Thomas Kean: ‘You And I Can Walk Today Into The Port Of New York’
Thomas Kean: ‘You And I Can Walk Today Into The Port Of New York’
President Bush says that protecting the nation’s ports is a “solemn duty.”
But yesterday on Hardball, Thomas Kean, chairman of the 9/11 Commission, explained how President Bush failed to do what’s necessary to protect America’s ports, long before the UAE entered the picture. Watch it:
Kean explained to Matthews the gaping security holes at the nation’s ports: “[Y]ou and I can walk today into the port of New York. I don’t think there’s any question about that and get in areas where people shouldn’t get.”
The problems that Kean describes are part of a consistent pattern of neglect. The 9/11 Commission recently concluded that Bush’s cargo-screening efforts are “so far a near-failure.” The Coast Guard estimated in 2002 that it would cost $5.4 billion over 10 years to implement critical security improvements to the nations’ ports as mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act. Bush asked for $46 million for fiscal year 2005, which was below pre-9/11 levels.
Full transcript below:
MATTHEWS: Governor, we only have a minute here, but I think the most graphic example, the problem was this fellow who got himself inside one of these containers and took a trip, you know, he was a stowaway obviously, down to Dallas, and he made — all the way aboard the whole passage down to Dallas and nobody knew he was in there. I mean, if a human being can get in one of these things, I assume something more dangerous can be put in there.
KEAN: I think that’s true and you and I can walk today into the port of New York. I don’t think there’s any question about that and get in areas where people shouldn’t get. That’s the — those are the problems and these people are looking at this issue should transfer their attention, once this is settled and I hope it’s settled in the next week, once it’s settled, they have to concentrate on the really important issue, which is how to secure these ports, how to secure these containers.
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Near failure? I’d say absolute failure. Bush simply does not care — asking for so little for port security improvements, and then handing the ports off to UAE. The American people are as vulnerable as we were on 9/10/01, thanks to that idiot.
February 28th, 2006 at 12:11 pmReality. This was the Bush record in 2004, and he was reelected! A testament to the effect of the Republican spin machine and the sad display that was the Kerry campaign.
February 28th, 2006 at 12:11 pmBush hates NY. So it works well for him. His supporters hate NY as well. Southern Red states take the taxes from NY to survive.
Time to Secede. NY can.
February 28th, 2006 at 12:15 pmKean knows the ports deal stinks, but Matthews is a Bush lover so strange to have them chatting together > lol.
February 28th, 2006 at 12:23 pmThe Bush presidency was summed up in May 2003. Codpiece in place – check. Mission Accomplished All image – no performance.
February 28th, 2006 at 12:25 pmFor more background on the links between Dubai and the Bush White House – and family – see:
February 28th, 2006 at 12:32 pm“Bush, Dubai and the Ties That Bind.”
Bush is such a failed president it’s downright scary.
February 28th, 2006 at 12:37 pmWith the billions spent in Iraq we could have secured every port in the US years ago. Only 5 billion over 10 years… why not 25 billion in 2 years? That doesn’t even scratch the amount that has been wasted in Iraq.
February 28th, 2006 at 12:38 pmThe incessant Bush blather about programs and initiatives he’s going to do, or at least promote, and then provide no funding and/or cut existing funding. Every day there is another example.
February 28th, 2006 at 12:38 pmWhen he cuts taxes ( I didn’t get a $300.00 check in the mail because I didn’t make enough money the year before) and then pours billions down the hell-hole of a crusade for oil on the other side of the planet, of course there is no money for homeland security…..
#For more background on the links between Dubai and the Bush White House – and family – see:
“Bush, Dubai and the Ties That Bind.â€
Comment by AvengingAngel — February 28, 2006 @ 12:32 pm
you write well on your site. kudos!
February 28th, 2006 at 12:42 pmTwo bloviators with dubious agendas. Why are we even talking about this?
February 28th, 2006 at 12:51 pmI had no idea that OUR (the people’s) ports had been sold to ANY (let alone foreign) CORPORATE entities…
…which leads me to my question…
…where the hell are the proceeds from these sales going?
…we’re having the people’s airwaves, ports and highways leased and sold to private/foreign government corporations…
…where is the people’s money?
…we’re in a crises about Social Security, Medicare, and huge budget deficits…
…where in the hell is OUR money?
…Seems to me we have a Cronkite moment here for the MSM, (and the American public at large)…
…either you’re with America, or you’re with the criminal Bushite junta…
…but you can’t have it both ways…
…we should be demanding answers!
February 28th, 2006 at 12:52 pm#12 you’re right on. Clearly the admin didn’t make this deal to make us more secure or to score political points. Somebody’s getting paid big time for this, and it ain’t us. And righties, unless you got a check from Dubai, it ain’t you, either. So stop pretending that the republicans look out for the working man. Oh, wait. You thought Dubai was going to hire american longshoremen?
February 28th, 2006 at 12:59 pmOnce again the only service Bush has given our country is “lip service”. He speaks a good game, but delivers NOTHING.
Most people would call that lying, but to neo-cons it’s just expedient. Say whatever you need to to achieve your goals. The goal? SELLING OUR CONTRY TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER!
Once we have sold everything off, the rich bastards will just move to the Cayman Islands where they keep their corporations and let us blow in the wind.
Time for a MARCH ON WASHINGTON TO DEMAND THE RESIGNATION OF THE ENTIRE BUSH ADMINISTRATION!
February 28th, 2006 at 1:02 pmDoes anyone have or have a link to thee entire list of 21 ports under the Dubai Debacle?
February 28th, 2006 at 1:12 pm#14 Hardy,
I think you have missed one salient point. Bushco has been servicing the American public quite well over the last five years. In the same manner my Dear Old Departed Dad took the family cow to the bull for servicing. Don’t you feel it now?
February 28th, 2006 at 1:15 pmLets see what Anne Racist coulter and Cheney Said listened to at the CPAC (PAC MEN Delay Abramoff Cheney Frist)
_______________________________________________
Celebrity hatemonger Ann Coulter did not disappoint the rabid crowd at the annual gathering of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C. last month. The highlight of Coulter’s address, sandwiched between speeches by Dick Cheney, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Newt Gingrich, was, “I think our motto should be post-9-11, ‘raghead talks tough, raghead faces consequences.’” Journalist Max Blumenthal remarked, “This declaration prompted a boisterous ovation” from the overflow crowd.
February 28th, 2006 at 1:18 pmOh yeah they arent racist..
February 28th, 2006 at 1:20 pmJust look at what they Say..
haters of mankind around the World
“I think our motto should be post-9-11, ‘raghead talks tough, raghead faces consequences.’†Journalist Max Blumenthal remarked, “This declaration prompted a boisterous ovation†from the overflow crowd.
And to think, the Melting pot of the World, the USA, has people, Leaders, whom think like a group of thugs
February 28th, 2006 at 1:22 pmHeckuva Job George
February 28th, 2006 at 1:23 pm“Let me just make it clear: I will never allow any country to have a veto over our security. Just as I fought for our country as a young man, with the same passion I will fight to defend this nation that I love.”
John Kerry, October 13, 2004
February 28th, 2006 at 2:30 pm#16 – Clyde, you’re the greatest! We should all brace ourselves…
February 28th, 2006 at 2:50 pmSo, why we’re stripped searched, scanned, sniffed and patted down(with an occasional peek down the trousers) whilst attepting to board a short hop to see Aunt Martha in Cleveland, 7,500 containers per ship are floating into a foreign owned port near you, with only 5% of them under going an inspection.
And in 3 days an Arab country with proven ties to terrorist own 22 more.
WTF….
February 28th, 2006 at 3:30 pmOh yeah they arent racist..
Just look at what they Say..
haters of mankind around the World
Comment by mr ho
Just certain of mankind, and they should be hated. But racist? Nope. I think we love our Christian Arab brothers, at least I do. Those the Muslims haven’t killed yet that is. I think we love our Jewish brothers, at least I do. Those that aren’t Marxist fucktards or the ones the Muslims haven’t killed yet.
Speaking of St. Anne, I like her idea the best. Frankly it’s the only workable solution. “We should invade their countries kill their leaders and convert the rest to Christianity. If I were President that’s exactly what I’d do. I’d begin in Washington D.C.
February 28th, 2006 at 3:58 pm#26
February 28th, 2006 at 4:02 pmYou obviously do not understand what is happening here with the port deal. First of all, there is going to be no change in the security of the ports. Liberals are trying to paint this as guys in turbins (sorry for the bigoted reference, but thought this would get your attention and you are ones being bigots here and you are the ones wondering “why do they hate us?”) would be the ones checking in the containers. The coast guard and homeland security are still in charge as they have been. The longshoreman who unload the containers are not be replaced with Arabic workers. The UAE company manages ports and does not own the ships holding the cargo, so why would they have to spend three days in an Arab country. What percent of containers were actually inspected prior to 9/11? If Al Qaeda had a nuke, I believe they would have used it by now. Lastly, why are liberals all of a sudden so concerned about security? You wanted Americans and the world to believe that Bush is the real terrorist and that we have no enemies. Its obvious to most of us, that you again are politically motivated and could give a rats ass about our nation’s security. Your sides’ track record of revealing secrets about our tactics in fighting the war on terror speaks for itself. You will lose again in November. I am willing to guarantee that!
Why not? Why doesn’t the Bush administration do what the 9/11 commission recommended. No change is bad.
The Coast Guard, yea! Homeland Security is a lame duck as proven by Katrina.
5%. No change. As I stated before “No change is bad.”
We always have been fvcktard.
Bush is a terrorist and he is creating new enemies everyday. We never once said we don’t have enemies, we do and we don’t need anymore.
Yes, that is your partisan brain speaking to you in tongue.
Do you promise to never post your retarded bullshit here again if you are wrong?
February 28th, 2006 at 4:24 pmDownload • August 1, 2004: Sibel Edmonds’ Letter to Chairman Thomas Kean from the Sibel Edmond’s webpage http://www.justacitizen.com/ to find out just this man is. It is very enlightening and will show just how pathetic the commission and everything to do with this man really is.
February 28th, 2006 at 4:26 pmSpeaking of St. Anne, I like her idea the best. Frankly it’s the only workable solution. “We should invade their countries kill their leaders and convert the rest to Christianity. If I were President that’s exactly what I’d do. I’d begin in Washington D.C.
Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 28, 2006 @ 3:58 pm
Why would you ever want to force someone to be something they aren’t – and don’t want to be? It would be like Muslims coming to our country and forcing you to be Islamic. You wouldn’t like it, so why do it to others?
Really, I wonder if you understand that each person is a person just like you with thoughts, feelings, aspirations, fears, hopes and all the rest. They aren’t animated manniquins who need you to instruct them. Sheesh.
And Christianity is not only NOT the answer, I think it is a HUGE part of the problems we have in this world. Because it does not teach people to be responsible. Any time you can blame pitch fork toting red eyed beast for your behavior, it’s irresponsible.
If each person were to design his or her own ideology, the world would be better off than blind adherence to some ancient system that was designed by people who claimed to be speaking for a god. How do you know they weren’t lying? And what if they were? You okay with being their fool if the hope lives just a bit longer that you are special and valuable and loved? Some purpose to your life that is meaningful and important?
Well, IRI, you are all of those things. And you don’t need a god to make it true. You just need to believe it. You need to believe in yourself. And it’s abundantly clear with this control freak posting that you do not. You are better than you think you are. You don’t need religion for that.
February 28th, 2006 at 4:31 pmI think you’re alittle mentally ill, IRI.
February 28th, 2006 at 4:43 pmYou think you love this and that?
You want to kill this or that?
Jeesh! That’s off the charts, man. Do you talk this way in front of your kids and in public?
#32
February 28th, 2006 at 5:55 pmhe is following his beloved christian values. god told bush to go to war, so god must have to iri to kill, hate,fear, and when you die you will meet him at the pearly gates. and maybe just maybe drink some tea and break bread with everyone else who died and that includes the terrorists. so that must be one heck of a tea party.
#30
February 28th, 2006 at 7:02 pmThanks for the link.
As I have said before, there is so much crap surrounding this administration and government during the past five years, it is hard to keep all of them fresh, so it is good to review things we read before and refresh our minds.
You will lose again in November. I am willing to guarantee that!
Comment by .
You don’t even exist…
February 28th, 2006 at 7:50 pmWell, IRI, you are all of those things. And you don’t need a god to make it true. You just need to believe it. You need to believe in yourself. And it’s abundantly clear with this control freak posting that you do not. You are better than you think you are. You don’t need religion for that.
Comment by unbelievable #31
unbelievable,
Believe this…
…IRI is a demon beyond redemption…
…it is marked for destruction…
…and no amount of redemptive love can save it…
…it mocks everything good and decent…
…and is bereft of any humanity…
…it is evil incarnate, the false angel (from hell)…
February 28th, 2006 at 7:54 pm…IRI is a demon beyond redemption…
…it is evil incarnate, the false angel (from hell)…
Comment by big papa — February 28, 2006 @ 7:54 pm
Sorry, but that’s just not true. He’s a human being like the rest of us. He’s nice when he wants to be and a complete ass when he knows he can push your buttons.
It’s not him personally but his violent Christian ideology that’s his problem. He’s just too blinded by it to understand that the choice for peace and understanding is why no one is flying planes into Swiss buildings, or why a whole bunch of people get pissy when you joke about shooting cats with pellet guns.
And really, what would half the people here do without him to battle?
February 28th, 2006 at 9:27 pmIgnorance is bliss, I guess. IRI comes off as most practicing Catholics. They’ll thump the book, but never read what’s between the covers.
February 28th, 2006 at 10:11 pmIs that right? That blows me away. We did not even increase the spot-checking?! Do you have a source on that information?
February 28th, 2006 at 11:03 pm#39 – CZ-1,
March 1st, 2006 at 12:11 amThat is the number that has been floating around in the media for the last few weeks. I think that Spudge_Boy has more immediate access to the numbers than I as I am about to hit the sack and I am a few time zones to his east.
Age sucks! I used to coast on three or four hours of stupor a night under my desk or in the model room during a crisis project.
I-Right-I is certified goofy, so let him rant away on here about Communists and Gays. On another TP thread he said that the entire population of America personally hates my guts > lol. Lucky if a hundred thousand read TP threads, so rediculous to say 300 million people hate me! Maybe he was really referring to Bush who is hated by billions of people worldwide?!
March 1st, 2006 at 2:37 amGuys, absolutist judgment coming from the left is no more valid than it is coming from the right. Life is a dichotomy between the absolutes – and every person is a mixture of both good and bad – which varies depending on who is viewing him or her at that particular moment, and how they define the terms. No one is 100% good nor are they 100% evil. It makes us sounds just as nutty as the arguments we rebuke to suggest that anyone is.
I think we should focus on solutions.
March 1st, 2006 at 9:16 amI think we should focus on solutions.
Comment by unbelievable #42
unbelievable,
You shouldn’t oughta see the “solution” I got for IRI…
March 1st, 2006 at 6:59 pm$5.4 billion over 10 years? How about $244 billion over 3 years in Iraq? $244 billion.
March 1st, 2006 at 10:21 pmunbelievable,
You shouldn’t oughta see the “solution†I got for IRI…
Comment by big papa — March 1, 2006 @ 6:59 pm
Maybe I shouldn’t…
March 2nd, 2006 at 9:37 am