Norm Ornstein: Dubai Ports World Is Considering Selling U.S. Operations To Halliburton
Norm Ornstein: Dubai Ports World Is Considering Selling U.S. Operations To Halliburton
Today Dubai Ports World announced it would “transfer fully the U.S. operations…to a United States entity.†This evening on the PBS News Hour, AEI scholar Norm Ornstein said that DP World was considering selling its U.S. operations to Halliburton:
If this is done now through the backdoor, where D.P. [Dubai Ports World] has any role at all, Congress is going to go ballistic, and it’s going to be a disaster, I think, for the administration.
They have got a dilemma now, because there simply aren’t American companies that have the know-how and the breadth to do this. Interestingly, and perhaps ironically, what I had heard earlier in the day, as they were looking at those that have the — the kind of resources, Halliburton was a name that came up.
Very interesting.
UPDATE: Halliburton denies the rumors. From today’s New York Daily News:
DP World did not say. And scratch Halliburton off the list.
Melissa Norcross, a spokeswoman for the controversial U.S. company once headed by Vice President Cheney, called suggestions circulating on the Hill that they might take over “false and baseless.”
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…I still don’t feel safer…
March 9th, 2006 at 10:36 pmPort Operations?
Isn’t that more like a Ground Control tower?
Go here, Stop. Turn.
And ONLY Halliburton can do that?
What a Load of Crap.
March 9th, 2006 at 10:38 pmCAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?
This is the nation, UAE, that wanted to convince the American People that they were ‘good friends’ enough to us, to be trusted with the security of our ports…
And now that the Congress blocked the ‘contract’, these ‘good friends’ of ours knowingly PISS OFF the very People of the U.S. by inviting Halliburton into the ‘deal’!
NOW, am I just reading this wrong, or has the UAE just said “F**k You!” to the American people?
March 9th, 2006 at 10:45 pmDubai was supposed to get slipped through without us knowing, as is the next deal.
The lack of specifics has completely left everyone on the bottom, in the middle, and even at the highest levels in the dark.
Who are these people making these decisions, and why must they do it without anyone, including their fellow constituents from knowing about it?
The people demand answers, and if you can’t give us what we want, then you aren’t serving our interests and you mustn’t remain in power.
March 9th, 2006 at 10:45 pmIt’s that simple.
A change must me made on many levels in government, a sweeping movement throughout the corridors of power.
maybe it sorta makes sense–how else are they suppose to get drugs through?
March 9th, 2006 at 10:46 pmLike they didn’t PLAN this from the beginning…!!!!
A**holes, all of them!
Probably leaked the Dubai story themselves, knowing it would incite the public; then friggin Halliburton can do the job after that.
This REEKS of political influence. I am SO incredibly angry about this….
When are the American People going to say, “Enough!”? What’s it going to take? I’m ready to leave the country, myself. I don’t WANT to, but things are getting scary here, and I have a child to worry about……
Bush is the WORST THING to befall the United States of America in it’s history - period. He has probably signaled the end of Democracy and our Constitution. It is already well on its’ way.
March 9th, 2006 at 10:47 pmSad day, as has been the last 5 years…………
Someone. Please. Tell me. This is a joke! Please!!!
Gods, these guys are the most evil I have ever witnessed.
March 9th, 2006 at 10:54 pmYou can’t make this stuff up. Satire is dead.
March 9th, 2006 at 10:57 pmsurprise surprise! they shouldn’t even be eligible for government contracts any longer after their overbilling in Iraq…
March 9th, 2006 at 10:59 pmI was waiting for the response on this deal but had’nt seen this one coming. Beautiful, and true to form.
March 9th, 2006 at 11:07 pmIf this comes to pass, I will know that this is all a dream and will awaken from this absurdity.
March 9th, 2006 at 11:11 pmWhat in the hell is going on? Who knows what is going on?
Who is in charge? Where are we headed? Scratch that last one — I am afraid of the answer.
If these crooks pull this crap off, it’s time to take to the streets.
March 9th, 2006 at 11:16 pmMy Gawd Judd!
March 9th, 2006 at 11:17 pmCan’t you kids link to reality? Ha…you been readin’ “The Onion,” right? Damned liberal media!
When did we change our name to the United States of Halliburton?
I have a name for this administration. Maher Terminals, let’s give this job to an ALL AMERICAN company.
http://www.maherterminals.com/
March 9th, 2006 at 11:17 pmHalliburton?….
Why of course, who else?
This is actually f***ing PERFECT!
First of all it opens up Halliburton to a lot of attention and investigation….Can you say “Overcharging in Iraq”? Can you say “Pentagon settles on disputed charges for 250m”?..
Guys, believe it or not this is the gift that just keeps on giving. Cheney/Rethugs getting the full sunlight of attention on their corrupt little system in full view of the American People in an election year!
March 9th, 2006 at 11:28 pmBy blocking the deal, which is what happened ( read the ft for a good take http://news.ft.com/ cms/ s/ 325d3dcc-af99-11da-b417-0000779e2340.html
DPW needs to find a buyer who will pay a price similar to what they paid, i.e., the value assigned that segment of P&Os operations at the time of purchase.
The problem is that if a company is forced to sell, people don’t offer much knowing the company must sell. That’s the idea. It’s also the idea behind private equity…
US Ports are not, in fact, are neither exciting or highly profitable in comparison to international ports as a result of labor inefficiences (longshoremen have blocked stacking containers at many ports for a long time) and some pretty bad infrastructure.
The amusing thing here is that the majority of US ports (number not size) are run by small family businesses. In fact, P&O purchased their leases from a small family firm.
DPW wanted it because it’s in the US and they paid alot for it - meaning the whole of P&O. They also thought they deserved some credit for their help.
The US operations were insignificant compared to the rest of P&Os operations, but they are SYMBOLIC which is why they fought to keep them.
DPW will still become one the world’s largest port operators managing them all across the world - and shipping to the US.
The security concerns were always BS. You can just as easily put a nuke on a boat and blow it up in a the port before it goes into radiation detectors.
Of course, you don’t hear that from Hillary or Schumer. That’d be because we couldn’t take shipments that came from arab ports:)
March 9th, 2006 at 11:30 pmThe Halliburton bashing, in relation to a bid, is irrelevent. DPW is free to sell those operations to whatever US firm they want and Congress will be okay with it. Halliburton has many arms, one of which is servicing the US military. Yes, it rips them off, but the military also has a history of doing the same thing to the american tax payers in the form of 600 dollar toilet seats, etc.
Halliburton manages infrastructure, oil related work, but a minimal exposure to ports.
Halliburton would likely face competition from private equity firms eager to snatch those up at rock bottom prices due to the forced sale.
Unless Halliburton has agreed to buy DPW’s US operations at a high price after a few conversations with the politicians…
March 9th, 2006 at 11:33 pmThere will be multiple bidders for the assets if DPW’s investment bank is instructed to look for potential buyers. Hallburton could probably not afford it given that private equity is awash in capital at the moment chasing scarce deals.
Ports are highly cash generative (which does not imply high profits just stable cashflow) which allows heavy leverage (read debt/junk bonds). That’s private equity. Halliburton might be called to operate as a partner. So could loads of others.
March 9th, 2006 at 11:37 pmi think these ports should follow South Carolina’s lead, and make their ports state-owned.
this is an example of the dangers of privatization of american infrastructure.
private corporations should play no role at all in american ports.
i won’t be happy until some brave congressperson introduces legislation to this effect. until then, they’re all working for big business and are no better than the crybabies at the Wall Street Journal.
March 9th, 2006 at 11:40 pmWow, people told Spudge earlier that this wouldnt happen.
March 9th, 2006 at 11:50 pmLooks like some people still dont believe how corrupt and evil Bushco is capable of being….eh???
Where in the hell is the next sir han sir han????? Kidding of course.
Haliburton, those great money managers:
Money arranged in
1)”brick sized” $100,000 units
2)”sacks in a room”
3)”pallet loads” ($2M?)
Such well organised extractions from the good gullible citizens of USA.
[I have read these 3 descriptions of $ in Iraq over the last 2 years]
March 9th, 2006 at 11:55 pmJames,
Do you think now that port security is a huge issue- That taxpayers won’t agree to spend heavily for it? Whom might reap the financial benefits?
While you’re at it-better get rid of the Chinese and all those other foreigners too.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
Halliburton/KBR is the epitome of an evil corporation. Trust me- I know. They deserve all the bashing they get and should be banned from doing business with the US government.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:04 amBush/Somoza 2008
-GSD
March 10th, 2006 at 12:09 amNothing the corruption of the Bush administration has proven they are using to gain power and money surprises me, especially since this is probably just the tip of the iceberg in a sweetheart deal. Doesn’t it seems strange that all of a sudden, the world’s oil price skyrockets into outer space, Halliburton sells MRE’s to our troops, and our ports are taken over with the blessing of the administration? Where is Congress? Finally awakening from their slumber? I should hope so, before we’re doomed entirely!
March 10th, 2006 at 12:18 amHow about GE, IBM, Microsoft, Yahoo, Google (may be out because of questionable billing), MCI or Enron? Each of these companies has a better and more honest management record than the Cheney cartel.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:19 amHalliburton is consuming the USA thanks to the Bread Server Bush.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:26 amJames, there seems to be a number of contradictions in your statements.
#16 “The security concerns were always BS.”
Not true. The US Coast Guard expressed concerns about security. The port operator has control of a number of aspects that could seriously endanger security by intent, coercion, or infiltration.
#17 “Halliburton has many arms, one of which is servicing the US military. Yes, it rips them off, but the military also has a history of doing the same thing to the american tax payers in the form of 600 dollar toilet seats, etc.”
It’s not “the military” that sold American tax payers $600 toilet seats. It was the military contractors, the big corporations in cohoots with the fear-mongering politicians.
“Halliburton would likely face competition from private equity firms eager to snatch those up at rock bottom prices due to the forced sale.”
…and from the article you cited: “The five port terminals have already drawn interest from several private equity firms, say people familiar with the situation.”
If so many firms are eager to “snatch those up,” wouldn’t that demand and that competition for the sale imply that the price will go up, not down? Simple economics?
March 10th, 2006 at 12:32 amDoes THIS make anyone feel better?
March 10th, 2006 at 12:35 amWhen you can find a dog that plays piano, you can call Norm Ornstein a scholar. Jeez, what possessed you?
March 10th, 2006 at 12:36 amIsn’t Halliburton supposed to already be really busy fixing Afghanistan, Iraq, NOLA, and Mississippi? I guess not…
March 10th, 2006 at 12:40 amAmerica is being manipulated by a relatively small but powerful group of decision makers. We can guess who some of these decision makers are, but we don’t know them all. They have their own goals, their own agendas, and a cold-blooded determination to achieve thier ends. Any lie, and dirty trick, and public relations scheme that furthers their ends will suffice. They constantly fuck up. But the power and money grab is on track, and they know that nobody in America has the guts to stand up to them in any organized way. They are ruthless. We are sheep being led to the slaughter, or to whatever end they take us. Basically, we’re fucked.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:46 amI live (in the Phila area) and work close to the NJ ports (Newark, NJ) that UAE/Halliburton/Bushco is contmplating “selling”. Don’t feel warm and fuzzy over here; only skeptical. What’s my payout for staying the course Bushie?
F you BushCo. Trusting you is like believing the check is in the mail. The only ones left after the check is cashed (the destruction of the entire NE, Southern NE Ports and Southern US ports) is the central US and CheneyCo - Bush Country.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:47 amHMMM…, maybe Haliburton will be using the missing
March 10th, 2006 at 12:51 am$8.8 Billion missing from Iraq under L. Paul Bremmer’s
tenure there to bid on the port deal. It’s easy to connect the dots on these corrupted destroyers of our
country.
They are. I believe all the refineries damaged by Katrina are up and running just fine. They’re very busy in Iraq and Afghanistan too…only on the oil wells, pumping stations, and pipelines. That’s part of what’s pi$$ing the Iraqis off. Not much work getting done on infrastructure.
I’ve posted this too many times already. But look at their website- it says it all.
http://www.halliburton.com/
March 10th, 2006 at 12:55 amCan I get a scorecard, please. At my age, I can’t even begin to keep track of the lies, the dirty tricks, and the evil acts of these crooks. But I’m not so old or senile, that I don’t recognize shit when I step in it. And I’m getting sick of having to wipe my shoes off.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:59 amwell, imagine that…whoddathunkit.
i can’t remember who - i’m thinking it was SpudgeBoy - that posted a link to a firm that manages huge contracts such as this … he posted the site after a challange from M.A. that none other than Halliburton was capable of such an operation… it’s been a week or so…
March 10th, 2006 at 1:02 amanyone else remember this? …i can’t seem to find it at this time - and it’s way past my bedtime …so g’nite all
http://www.wgint.com/about_us.html
That was me Katy…good morning.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:10 amWould anyone care to entertain the notion that Halliburton will not only be receiving cargo at the ports, but also shipping cargo OUT? I can think of all kinds of stuff–not limited to weapons of mass destruction smuggled to other countries (or ones in need of a good reason to have war declared upon them).
March 10th, 2006 at 1:23 amNice legal trick and Americans will believe it. The name will change but the owners will remaind the same. Halliburton will be the front for Americans to believe they own the company but the owners names will be silent. Every business law attorney knows this but as usual the public listens to the media tell the lies for Bush. This port deal was final in 2001 and money has already changed hands. If anyone really believes that Dubai would give up the ports then you are really sucked in my this Administration. This deal has more deals that have already been done and future deals and no one or government is going to stop it. Now republicans will use this to get re-elected and show their not in Bush’s pocket and yes some will believe the lie others know better.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:28 amHard to believe, but if Haliburton/Cheney figure into this sale, it’s got to be the most hilarious tom-foolery money blatant scam they’ve tried on the american public to date. There’s no way Dubai is “NOT” all about a big payday for some in the administration. I’m not buying Bush didn’t know about Dubai paying for managing our ports. It had to appear that Bush did not know of the deal, because all concerned on drawing down these big bucks, knew it was going to be an utter, disastrous fiasco, because the american public was going to go berserk over the administration’s kissing-off National Security. So, the money has to be huge, just huge.
Bush, Snow, and no telling who else see this deal as capable of satiating even their greed. The payoff is so big that Bush and the others committing this crime, believe they can’t kibosh the deal. Hilariously, it’s the money, Stupid. Just as hilariously they are gambling their freedom and what poetic fun if they end up really where they belong, behind see-through steel.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:31 amcrofter
DP Ports World told Congress all along that they would operate in the US via a US corporation. But they would not disclose who was on the board or what affiliations the board members have with Dubai; howver, they did say that no board member was Jewish. This is not a new plan…but another MEDIA SPIN.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:32 amA corrupt Bush administration that is aided and abetted by the Republican led House and Senate that sold out the United States Constitution to the highest bidder. CROOKS! All because the the American Citizens are so scared that they let this corrupt administration lie to them in order to keep power and gut and heist the United States Constitution that the founding fathers fought and died for, sweating blood and bullets. INVESTIGATE, IMPEACH, and CONVICT! If the corrupt legislator’s don’t do anything, than it’s time to remove them all.. by force if neccessary.. Remember that this country was founded on protest and revolution to overthrow the despotic yoke of oppression from the first King George. I’m quite sure that we can overthrow the second King George and his cohorts.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:46 amOh. So. Like.
Your anagrams are showing, Doctor.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:52 amunder this administration, we ARE becoming the United States of Halliburton. Geez, the sleaze factor of this outfit makes even Richard Nixon look like a saint.This entire crap(ports/Iraq/ no-bid contracts/cronyism) smells like a dead skunk in the middle of the road.
March 10th, 2006 at 2:15 amSweet buttery Jesus! What the Republicunts won’t do for a buck!
March 10th, 2006 at 2:16 am#35 oldwoman
You don’t need a scorecard. Rule of thumb.
1. If bushco says it, it is false.
2. Any action, policy or decision by bushco is illegal, immoral, unethical, benefitting someone (other than US) or paid for.
See. That isn’t so difficult
March 10th, 2006 at 2:28 amIf the Dubai Ports World dirty deal is for Halliburton Corp. to run our ports, so Cheney can control them, then Americans are going to take to the streets and overthrow the Bush Regime?! Americans are being forced into revolution by Bush and his Republican Congressional lackeys!
March 10th, 2006 at 3:13 amHalliburton, Carlyle … for them it’s not about security, it’s about a lucrative “import business” from Afghanistan. Something to do with pretty flowers, I believe.
March 10th, 2006 at 3:53 amsit at an emergency room in a large city one friday or saturday night..alot of stuff goin on thats never ‘mediacized’ into crisis proportions.
Bush did piss off the UAE, so the price of oil goes up.
ChaChing
March 10th, 2006 at 3:55 amIts as if they wish to bankrupt (if thats possible) the USA corp.
March 10th, 2006 at 3:58 amor maybe sell it to China =)
Remember people this is big oil talking. Bush “oil family” X-CEO Harkin oil. Good friends with the Arabs. Cheney X-CEO of Halliburton. Halliburton: Number one DOE contractor. Contracted to feed and house our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan “the KBR unit”. Contracted to feed and house the hurricane victims “also KBR”. So who stands to win in this deal. Its Bushes things to do list.
March 10th, 2006 at 4:41 amI Like Jackies comment at #39 which prestates my own. This is simply another operation of Bush and Cheney’s “Blind Trust” since the deal was staunched and taken out of the public eye just to forestall any further investigation into the backgrounds of the actual investors which is why the White House “claimed” not to know of the deal in the first place.
If we fall for this, or if the Republicans actually believe any of this, they are even more in denial and/or complicit than I thought.
I really believe that SOME Republicans were in on it and others were left out in the cold.
But, as others have implied or stated, when the real details of this thing do get out, there is absolutely no saving this administration from the most disastrous of impeachment proceedings in the history of this country. Disastrous for not only the Republicans, but for all of us on both sides of the aisle or the question.
March 10th, 2006 at 4:42 amI think this is great. BushCo hasn’t even noticed their practically the only ones left at the party. Repubs are fleeing for their political lives in droves and just praying the Demos don’t slip in in November by default.
A back door to Halliburton in the deal will just piss people off more.
Be hopeful. Stock up on champagne.
Clemsy
March 10th, 2006 at 4:50 am51: Kind of the ultimate irony that. A whole herd of people named Marx must be chuckling in their graves.
March 10th, 2006 at 4:53 amFirst Bush claims that only a desert Sheikdom is qualified to run our East Coast ports, and now only Halliburton can do it? Cheney’s Corp. is just a sleazy company that screws over the Pentagon, and is run like a Mafia enterprise, so NO way is it qualified to run our ports! Do Americans want contraband brought into the United States by the shipload?
March 10th, 2006 at 5:00 amJust in case you are wondering what “American” company is going to be “buying” the American Ports Interest. I want you to take a look at this link and give me your gut feeling on what “completely Seperate American Company” is going to be doing this.
March 10th, 2006 at 5:24 amSorry…here is the link:
March 10th, 2006 at 5:25 amhttp://www.halliburton.com/ ofc_loc/ location_search.jsp?USA=0&rgn=ME&cnt=all
I can’t decide what’s worse: putting our trust in a company whose home offices happen to be in the Middle East, or putting it in a company that has a long history of fraud, waste, and abuse (and direct ties to the Bush Administration).
March 10th, 2006 at 6:04 amMaybe Bush can secretly fly the Bin Laden family back into the U.S., issue them passports, and let them take over operating the ports. I am sure they would be glad to oblige.
March 10th, 2006 at 6:08 amWhat exactly is inside all those containers coming in through the ports? Is it cheap, Walmart inventory that all the fuss is about? Inquiring minds want to know.
March 10th, 2006 at 6:23 amAnother security related enterprise assimilated by Haliborg…
March 10th, 2006 at 6:27 amHmm, why does the name Harriet Meiers come to mind. Can you say bait and switch?
March 10th, 2006 at 6:30 amHarriet Miers and bait’em and switch is exactly what has just happened. Peter King and other republicans were either taken in or this was the way to save the 2006 and 2008 elections.Either Or Halliburton was the one to get the Golden Prize .I suppose the W.H. leaked the U.A.E. ports sale to the media and knew that we as Americans would go on an eating frenzy.We are the gully fish easily baited and easily caught.
Sue I read yesterday about the other already inplace U.A.E. deals on defense .U.A.E. already owns a large part of America and someone needs to check into how many Race Horse’s and Farms in Kentucky and Florida the U.A.E. owns as well as the Saudi’s . After 9-11 the Saudi Royal Family was flown out of Lexington Ky to Saudi .They were at their mega bucks Kentucky Horse Farm In lex. Ky. (home of the Lady Cats)
Saudi Royals puts a horse in the KY Derby’s.
America is a very Naive country as we allow our country to be sold and taken over by other countries and these damnable bush nazi’s in Washington DC. Yes, Sue we know that in the Patriot 1 and 2 people are not to protest in the same area as the bastard bush that’s why there are “free speech zones” .
Welcome to Amerika the land of Neo Con Homeland of The Amerika Nazi Party. The skin heads should be verry happy . Lockstep everyone…………
March 10th, 2006 at 7:43 amOff topic but this is the direction of the U.S of Lost
On the Women Choice vote in Tennessee ,we women lost it now goes to the House and hopefully there it will get knocked in the head. Kurta ask,Sen Fowler (fowler sponsored the anti bill) if he knew about diseases that pregant women can get and that will kill them .Fowler said, no he didn’t know of any but he knew what it was like to be pregant! His bill passed, only 9 Dems voted against it.
So, where can I buy Halliburton stock?
(tongue is firmly planed in cheek here)
March 10th, 2006 at 8:22 am#30- Don’t forget their newest contract! The one to build all those new concentration camps, right here, in the good ol’US of A! But they are supposedly just preparing for a sudden influx of “illegal immigrants”. But if we had better border security measures in place…
#33- Well, the UAE DID give the Carlyle Group 8 Billion dollars to invest for them recently… who can say?
March 10th, 2006 at 8:35 amA net external debt equivalent in magnitude to more than 20 per cent of gross domestic product is no laughing matter, especially if a very large part of the federal government’s share of that debt is held by potentially hostile foreign powers.
Interesting read
March 10th, 2006 at 8:57 am[…] This is pretty funny - because Halliburton may, in fact, be the only company with the ability to handle this. But boy, it sure won’t look good, will it? Today Dubai Ports World announced it would “transfer fully the U.S. operations…to a United States entity.†This evening on the PBS News Hour, AEI scholar Norm Ornstein said that DP World was considering selling its U.S. operations to Halliburton: […]
March 10th, 2006 at 9:07 amWhat other port operations around the world does Halliburton run?
March 10th, 2006 at 9:12 am#44
The longshoremen are toast.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:23 amWhite House Cronyism?? No Way!
March 10th, 2006 at 9:25 amAre they even Qualified?
Lets turn our ports over to a company that is illegaly opeating in Iran, with the Govt. of Iran. Though it Dudai operation. Seems quite funny ya think!
March 10th, 2006 at 9:32 am#66 Cyra Brown Where are these concentration camps being build in the USA?
March 10th, 2006 at 9:32 amGood posts everyone. I agree with the bait and switch idea. I also think that these people in charge are not stupid, but they are in some way’s inept, in most way’s they are evil and uncaring. Money and power are the main issue with the neocons. I heard about the deal folding yesterday and the quote was interesting ” the ports will be sold to a U.S. entity.” Then later in the day I heard Dubi own’s many companies in our country, many with US CEO’S. Hummmm. Looking back at the blustery way Bush acted, a lot over done I think, we have been manipulated again. The thing’s I am wondering about are to numerious to mention except to say, what are they going to do next. Me thinks this was part of an overall plan to give the Republican senators a shot at the 2006 election. Appear to go against this regime, more of show the radical right they are taking back their party. We are continuely played, by the hour, day, week. While all this crap was going on the patriot act was pushed through, the wire tapping issue was shoved under the carpet, Pombo has been on the march to sell off 300,000 acres of our wilderness, eliminate wildlife extinction, stop labeling of foods and tons of other things important to our own personal safety.This huge group in power are very busy, like a rapid growing cancer…..How do we stop it all?…Rise up, march, force impeachment and take our country back…..Blessings
March 10th, 2006 at 9:55 amThink the “liberal media” will give us any investigation of this?
Nah, me neither.
March 10th, 2006 at 9:58 am#73
I believe it’s a contingency contract on the “if comeâ€. They won’t be built until deemed necessary. No time for research this morning but this is a real thing. Molly Ivens has mentioned them in a syndicated piece. Of course, they’re not called concentration camps- I believe it’s something like internment centers.
Great place for folks like us to get a re-education. Nothing to fear for us sheep-they’re just big schools.
March 10th, 2006 at 10:01 amMaybe that’s what the “internment” centers are for?
March 10th, 2006 at 10:05 amWell if it is confirmed today that the Halliburton Mafia controls our East Coast ports, then demand that the Congress be sold to Halliburton as well! They can fire all the Senators and replace them with Pakistani laborers at 1/4 the cost! They can outsource the Representatives to India or Haiti! Heck they will cut costs for profits, that NOT even 5% of the containers would be opened > none would be inspected! Sell them the White House too > we might get a better dictator > lol.
March 10th, 2006 at 10:13 amWisco and all on the internment camps, I am sure you are right, but does that mean you are willing to sit back and let them just put us all away with out a wimper or a fight. We still have the peaceful march and assembly, free speech and most of us are willing to fight to keep our constitution and country in tact….What say you all.?……Blessings
March 10th, 2006 at 10:18 am#73 Are these the camps you ask for?
On January 24th it was announced that a subsidiary of Halliburton KBR was awarded a $385 million contract by the Department of Homeland Security to build detention centers in the US. These centers might be used for immigration, or for disaster relief, or vaguely “…to support the rapid development of new programs.â€
http://www.altmuslim.com/perm.php?id=1665_0_25_0_C
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — KBR, the engineering and construction subsidiary of Halliburton Co. (HAL) , said Tuesday it has been awarded a contingency contract from the Department of Homeland Security to supports its Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in the event of an emergency. The maximum total value of the contract is $385 million and consists of a 1-year base period with four 1-year options. KBR held the previous ICE contract from 2000 through 2005. The contract, which is effective immediately, provides for establishing temporary detention and processing capabilities to expand existing ICE Detention and Removal Operations Program facilities in the event of an emergency influx of immigrants into the U.S., or to support the rapid development of new programs, KBR said. The contract may also provide migrant detention support to other government organizations in the event of an immigration emergency, as well as the development of a plan to react to a national emergency, such as a natural disaster, the company said.
http://www.marketwatch.com/ news/ newsfinder/ pulseone.asp…
Are these camps the ones that KBR got the federal government cobntract to build the ones you asked about?
March 10th, 2006 at 10:20 am#78 Jay,
March 10th, 2006 at 10:24 amLike your way of thinking. Let’s outsource the Administration too, if we’re being sold out to foreign countries and lobbyists, then we have nothing to lose than we’ve already lost.
halliburton, isn’t that another terrorist organization?!!!!
March 10th, 2006 at 10:32 amYes Nancy post 81 > better to sell off the entire government now! Halliburton is a parasite corporation and does not like to pay any retirement benefits, except for Cheney, so they would fire all the Senators and screw them out of benefits > that would save millions! Outsourcing the Representatives to a Third World slum nation would save millions more! They would abolish the labor department, Commerce Department, FEMA, EPA, and everything else too!They would replace Bush with a cheap Chilian General and the military would be operated by Columbian death squads!Sounds bad, but heck what we got now is putrid > lol.
March 10th, 2006 at 10:37 am#80 Clif I was just asking where these concentration camps where. Thanks for the information. You got to wonder if they have something else in mind for these camps. Halliburton is involved in to many things. They are corupt all the way. We need to stand up and take our country back soon.
March 10th, 2006 at 10:43 am[…] Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Video-WMP Think Progress says that Norm Ornstein thinks it’s possible. […]
March 10th, 2006 at 10:46 amMary Poppin, from what I have heard and read there are around 600 of these camps, already built and ready areound our country. All of them are near rail lines and in somewhat remote areas or hidden from mass view of the public….Molly Ivens and several others have mentioned them in the recent past….Blessings
March 10th, 2006 at 10:48 amSome of them probably would be on little used military camps, around the country. The feds and states control the land and they are out of sight from most people.
The camps go hand in hand with Army Regulation 210–35 titled, Civilian Inmate Labor Program, written by Headquarters Department of the Army, Washington, DC, on 14 January 2005
I don’t think that the contract for the camps and new Army regulation are unrelated.
March 10th, 2006 at 10:52 amJames #16, #17, maybe you can help me out with this whole issue. It confuses the shit out of me.
Why would Congress go ballistic, as Ornstein said, if Dubai Ports World sells its interest in U.S. ports via the backdoor? Doesn’t Congress want them to sell?
Also, P&O did not want to be sold? Why didn’t they just say no?
Sorry if these are dumb questions, but I have never quite understood this issue, though I do realize that it’s mostly, or entirely, symbolic.
March 10th, 2006 at 11:01 amwhy is there security messages to type out? and why are my links to videos and reads being blocked?
March 10th, 2006 at 11:11 amtp, what the heck is going on?
March 10th, 2006 at 11:12 amwiscoduk, good morning (heh…late start here), and thank you for clearing that up for me! plan to pass that along to my senator…what the hell, not?
“UPDATE: Halliburton denies the rumors.”
March 10th, 2006 at 11:19 amuh huh…imagine that…
listening to a rebroadcast of washington journal on cspan…
March 10th, 2006 at 11:46 ama caller from florida, sounded like an elderly woman, just said, paraphrasing:
this racism is appalling…the democrats got a bunch of the republicans to go along with them…to stop this deal…
W O W.
My thanks to all who answered #73’s question. As far as I know, they don’t feel much like sharing THAT info. I would have to assume that at least some of them will be on the recently closed military bases. Now I know why they did that. gotta have some place to hide folks, and control of access to the sites. I would put NOTHING past them. Dang, they are REALLY scary, and only getting worse.
March 10th, 2006 at 11:47 am#92 They can deny anything they want and do exactly the opposite, like shutting down Abu Graib, as these sheeple will hear what they want. Denial is ugly.
March 10th, 2006 at 11:48 amAbsolutly not Sharon. The term “cold dead fingers†comes to mind.
Protests are great and I’ve been involved in dozens of them. (Had my picture taken several times by strange folks in dark suits too.)
The problem with protests are that they don’t attract enough people to have a great effect (yet!). I wrote something awhile back about protests related to fear. Getting out and protesting takes a lot of guts. Counter-protesters shouting you down and getting your picture taken often has psychological effects…namely fear.
Compare the protests of the 60’s and subsequent sympathy for them to the protesting of today. I believe it was all about the draft. In the 60’s, people had more fear of themselves or loved ones getting drafted than they did of “the manâ€. Today, few see how BushCo’s policies affect them personally- unlike the draft. (Don’t want to fight in the war? Don’t join the military. A few constitutional rights being trampled in the name of “protectionâ€- so what?) No fear. However, the “public†is starting to wake up and protesting can/will become more effective.
Personally, I would like to see conscription reinstated. That would topple the BushCo house of cards quicker than anything else could. The military, regardless of personal feelings about the matter, sorely needs bodies and that’s indisputable. I use the very real possibility “the draft†being reinstated as ammunition against the-lets call them- “ditto headsâ€. They quickly change the war monger tone when they realize that loved ones could very likely get drafted.
Try this- When a rethug sympathizer (and we all encounter a few) starts spouting about emotional issues such as abortion, gay rights, etc. Don’t argue, even better if you act like you agree with them. Then casually steer the conversation to the war from a “god & country†standpoint. Explain how the military sorely needs bodies to “fight them there†and conscription is the only answer. “They get all weird†to quote the Ipod generation. Point is- they generally change positions. After all, the rethugs are “for†the war. Insubstantial emotional issues deflated. Win hearts and minds?
The rethugs have mastered the polarization of emotional issues to divide and conquer. Dems are “for†abortion, gay rights, etc., and are anti-God & country. Rethugs are “against†and love God. We all know it’s not that black & white.
One solution (along with protesting)- Take a page from the rethug play book and turn conscription into a polarized issue. Rethugs being “for†the draft- dems against.
March 10th, 2006 at 11:58 amGet me that post deal or I get out my f—ing shotgun!!!
March 10th, 2006 at 12:09 pmIt was never about Dubai, it was about Dubya and his pals.
This is petty spite by the bush administration and UAE. Let them both go to hell.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:20 pmThe dictatorship would like King George’s political umbilical cord connections (read Halliburton) to be sole in public eye, even though they’re vigins in the field of port/terminal operations. It’s the usual Bushevik fog…BUT…see SSA Marine(West Coast), Maher Terminals (Jersey)…while loser no-leader is seeking the guilt trip for opposition to port deal, even involking his Bush-nikky Pierce to croak from the Bush pond, heaping name-calling tyrade! They aren’t even ’sophiscated’ loosers, but condescending manipulators! We see thru you, as does Sandra Day O’Connor with her dictatorship warning!
March 10th, 2006 at 12:20 pmThis is to Funny,
Most of the posters scream about the stupid public, but they actually believe that Halliburton is going to be doing anything with the ports. Here is a shock, Halliburton is NOT going to be taking over operations at the ports. It was a silly stupid rumor that was put out so that all of the Moonbats could sound like idiots yet again.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
I mean Evel Knievel couldn’t make half the jumps you guys are making here. I mean seriously! This is to Funny. Halliburton is buying the ports to destroy the wilderness in Maine!! Halliburton and Bush planned this in 1984 during a dinner at Sizzler! Halliburton is going to send nukes to third world countries through this deal so they can blow up the endangered ground sloth of the serengeti.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:23 pm#92 Katy
Keep in mind that this mysterious “entity” has yet to be named. I have incorporated a business and have seen how easy it is to hide who’s really in control. Halliburton is hated and they, the corporation, knows it. (You may have anti-Halliburton website posted on this thread.)
If an “obscure†or newly formed American company gets the ports…start sniffin’ for rats.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:26 pmDuh… I bet you its all still Dubai run, they just stuck a different label on the package. So they give it to Halliburton right? You can bet that the front man for the operation is a good upstanding American. But who will he answer too? Yup, the Halliburton affiliate in Dubai.
Same operation, different name. Net result, no change.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:31 pmNOW, am I just reading this wrong, or has the UAE just said “F**k You!†to the American people?
Hey dumbshit, in case you just tuned in, the American people just said “F**k You!†to UAE. Besides, Haliburton is a great company. Simply because you stupid lefties have some irrational hate of it because of Cheney doesn’t make it a bad company. “Haliburton!” is not an argument. Think beyond bumper stickers you mental midgets.
Funny how Arabophobic all of you hypocritical lefties can get.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:53 pmTundra got his Limbaugh letter and e-mail I see.
Thanks for setting us liberals straight Tundra. Your a great American!
BTW Tundra- Do a little research on Lady Bird Johnson, Brown & Root, and Viet nam. (B&R before they became KBR.) I think what you will find will at least raise your eyebrows- maybe not enough to open your eyes- but enough to get you thinking that maybe us libs are on to something here.
March 10th, 2006 at 12:53 pmHah!!! Oh, this is priceless!
Ooooh, scary Halliburton! Oooooh, scary UAE!
The sky is falling! The sky is falling!
I will say this much, though. While the right hand has you watching the ports, UAE, Halliburton and Cheney’s shotgun… it might be a good idea to watch what the left hand is doing. Kinda like the old magician’s trick of bending spoons — you make the trick work by bending the spoon when no one is watching.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:05 pmOn CNBC a commentator said that a private equity group will probably step in to buy the ports. When asked what groups had the resources to do this size deal the guy said the carlyle group among others. For the uninitiated the carlyle group is a BUSH family venture with the Saudis…. hmmm!
March 10th, 2006 at 1:09 pmWisoDuk:Tundra got his Limbaugh letter and e-mail I see.
And I see you got your moveon.org letter, Vietnam? You mean the little war that we were winning till people like you forced us to withdraw? And Johnson’s wife, wow, and way to site relevance of a period that ended 30 years ago.
Sometimes it’s better for aging hippies to give up the pot and get a job. Less time to read the conspiracy sites that way.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:16 pmCould you give me a brief description of what constitutes a “great company†in your opinion? Please omit any references to size and financial strength. See, I’m kinda stupid and a “mental midgetâ€, as you put it, to boot. I need an education from geniuses like yourself.
Thank You- You’re a great American.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:17 pmwow…freepers out for recess, or is
March 10th, 2006 at 1:22 pmclass over and this is homework?
Careful squeegeeboy- You might be on my pay-roll somewhere down the line.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:22 pmWisoDuk:Careful squeegeeboy- You might be on my pay-roll somewhere down the line.
Ah yes, one of the standard responses, “I don’t have an actual retort, so instead I’ll resort to threats to silence others”
Well played, well played indeed.
Also, if you’re willing to fire people based off of political positions, your not that good of a manager (assuming you are). Nothing like letting good people go because they force reality into your world view.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:26 pmWisoDuk: Tundra got his Limbaugh letter and e-mail I see.
Actually Limbaugh is as cooky on the right as you are on the left. He ranks up there with Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Cindy Sheehan, Michael Moore and anyone else that is so out of touch with reality.
UMMM
March 10th, 2006 at 1:27 pmForget Halliburton. This deal will go to Bechtel. Bechtel will subcontract to hundreds of small contractors. Each of them will do the same. In the end, nobody will know who is actually doing the job of administrating the ports or managing their security, it will all be about managing contracts.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:29 pmWhat is wrong with Halliburton? They are a great company. I suppose because a Republican worked there at one time thats the problem with the angry left?
March 10th, 2006 at 1:33 pmWisco,
Are you trying to blame Vietnam/B&R and Ladybird on Bush now too?
I happen to know a couple things about Nam, but if you would like to educate me with your vast experience on the subject I would be willing to listen.
All I’m saying is that because some media jacka$$ listed the big H as a company that could handle the job, you jump up and call it reality without researching it at all. And I am the one that needs to look things up?
Hmmmmm….
March 10th, 2006 at 1:35 pmPersonal attacks as your intellectual weapon squeegee?
Politics and business never mix unless perverted. Oh ye of great wisdom.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:39 pmWiscoDuk
I’m the one with personal attacks? You threatened to fire me if I was ever employeed by you, I just stated the stupid business reasoning inherent in your statement. Which in turn makes you the one combining politics and business.
Your argument makes no sense.
And I’m still waiting for a response to my original post, which as time goes on, makes me think you don’t have one.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:42 pmIf we want to make the ports safer, we should move all of the banks into the ports. Their security is second to none.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:43 pmsquegeeboo: which as time goes on, makes me think you don’t have one.
Easy Squegee, it’s the lunch rush and he has to keep the fries going
March 10th, 2006 at 1:50 pmOut of time to feed trolls Tundra et al.
I’m not blaming Bush for Viet Nam. Get a grip.
I know plenty about “Nam” as you put it…my brother died there and I missed the draft. But I also know how crooked the contracting business can be…first hand. The Johnson link was meant to show the historic war profiteering of KBR. Deny it?
B&R/KBR has bilked the American taxpayer for billions. Do you deny that?
As I said- out of time. I’ll check back later to muse you’re brilliant responses.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:51 pmre;post #8: Publicus said, “Satire is dead”. It made me laugh, and cry. Often we use Orwell’s 1984 as a reference for criminal government action in the U.S, but I keep thinking of Firesign Theatre these days. Things are that absurd. I don’t really think you can kill satire, but these boys are intent on shooting the messengers…it’s their only defense.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:54 pmHow exactly is Halliburton a “great company?”
March 10th, 2006 at 1:57 pmI must have missed it when a company that got no-bid contracts because of political ties/conflict of interest and then overcharged and bungled people out of hundreds of millions of dollars was “great”.
And the “lefties” are the mentally deficient ones?
Christ, you’re lucky cognitive dissonance and projecting aren’t fatal!
WiscoDuk, lets take them one at a time:
I know plenty about “Nam†as you put it…my brother died there and I missed the draft.
All you know about Nam is the pain of losing a loved one, something nearly anyone alive at the time also knows. So your Nam point is that you grew up during Nam?
The Johnson link was meant to show the historic war profiteering of KBR. Deny it?
You referenced Johnson’s wife, not Johnson, does that mean you think that she was lobbying on the part of KBR to get contracts? Why else would you bring her into it, as opposed to the President, or an actual member of his or any other Administration during that period?
B&R/KBR has bilked the American taxpayer for billions. Do you deny that?
What does this have to do with a foreign company selling ports to an American company. Especially when the foreign company was forced to sell by American public opinion, not on it’s own accord.
Once again, you fail to make any coherent point.
However, I am also out of time, so hopefully when I check this after work is done, you will finally have a rebuttal that works.
March 10th, 2006 at 2:04 pmLOL Halliburton called a great corporation by Bush lovers > get real it is a sleazy company that sold spoiled food for our troops to eat in Iraq! That is as low as a company can get, giving expired food to American troops! Shame on them!
March 10th, 2006 at 2:12 pmHaliburton IS NOT a great company. They are responsible for the terrible reconstruction effort in Iraq and New Orleans. You guys are fvcking whacked if you think they are doing a good job.
March 10th, 2006 at 2:17 pmYou think anybody in Congress gives a rats ass about public opinion? Dems and Repubs could care less what the average citizen thinks.
How can you tell?
Only a tiny fraction over 1/3 of the public (34%) approve of George Bush.
If Congress gave a crap about the public, his ass would have been out of office long ago.
March 10th, 2006 at 2:24 pmWisco,
My original point was that this deal is not going to Halliburton. I was stating that the only thing that was happening was that all of the “Left Wingers” would jump up and shout conspiracy, conspiracy. This would end up making them all look like knee-jerk fools when the facts came out.
In true form you have done just that. By simply stating that it wasn’t going to Halliburton, has you quoting 30 year old conspiracy theories and doing the Bush blame game again.
March 10th, 2006 at 2:29 pmAnyone who didn’t see this connection two weeks ago is a F**king moron….did anyone really think that UAE was gonna get the deal?? Did anyone think that Haliburton wouldn’t be thrown into the mix?
This was Conservative’s way of getting the Democrats to start racially profiling as well. And guess what?? It worked.. Welcome to our side!!!!
Lastly, people are pissed becuase evryone just found out we don’t own our ports.
March 10th, 2006 at 2:54 pmSomebody name another American company that can handle multiple HUGE multiple contracts. Who else? If you think that there would be an issue with Halliburton running port operations, complain to Schumer…he has no problem with it.
March 10th, 2006 at 3:10 pmthis is funny! all you Marxist-Leninist whiners complaining that the “american people ” should rise up and get rid of Bush. what you are REALLY complaining about is that your phoney “war hero” wasn’t able to sucker the voters into putting him in the oval office. Big Oil? Maybe you should ask algore and kerry where their money comes from.
NONE of you has mentioned the fact that only ownership would change. The same people that have been running the ports would still be running them. the same security that was in place before the deal would have remained in place, or would have been upgraded.
In actuality, its La Cosa Nostra that is in charge. The Mafia runs the longshoremans union. The Union decides who gets hired. Could it be that the DNC is not mentioning that because the union bosses dump large sums of money into their campaign funds?
You are complaining about Haliburton? Want to tell me what OTHER company has the resources to do the job? All I hear is the whining of spoiled children.
March 10th, 2006 at 3:11 pm“Vice President Cheney, called suggestions circulating on the Hill that they might take over “false and baseless.â€
You know what that means…. it’s already a done deal.
March 10th, 2006 at 3:24 pm“Bydand”
March 10th, 2006 at 3:28 pmChange your handle, A-hole. You are tainting a Very famous motto with your illiterate ranting.
#123 In fairness, “et al” does include you squegee. That was more addressed to Tundra than yourself. I’m sure he appreciates the help though.
All I know about Viet Nam is the pain of losing my brother there? Do ya think I might have paid attention to the issues of the time- Grow up. I was actually “for†the war until friends of mine started coming home in the very early 70’s, and I never protested it. (Most people didn’t by the way.) About my brother- Whose death you are somewhat belittling. He joined in 1968 (as soon as he turned 18) because he wanted to defend this Great Nation in the spirit of my father who served in WW2. Take that for what you will. (Have you served?) Living through a time period gives a person much more insight than reading about it. Trust me on that kid. History also has a tendency to repeat itself.
You’re Johnson comment isn’t worthy of response. Ever hear of nepotism?
The B&R/KBR “debate”. One word- naive.
End of playing tit-for-tat responses with you anyway. You’re apparently too young and socially ignorant to waste my time feeding a troll such as yourself. And that is certainly not because of any fear in losing any of your “debatesâ€.
To which your pal Tundra responded.
Good one Tundra!
Here is you’re original post.
Exactly what did you want me to respond to brainiac? To let you know I had a job? Did that. The “people like you comment”? OK- F@ck You Punk! Johnsons wife and war profiteering in relevence to KBR & today- figure that one out for yourself.
You’re nothing but an antagonist squeegee. It appears you jumped into the discussion just to defend your fellow neo-con sympathizer. Go play on a “right†site.
March 10th, 2006 at 4:03 pmWiscoDuck et. al. —- Halliburton is neither “great” nor a “company” in the traditional sense. I prefer to call it a powerful criminal organization.
March 10th, 2006 at 4:06 pm#129
Go to post #37. Bechtel could probably handle it too.
Bechtel, however, has it’s own sordid past and conspiracy theories behind it. It might be Bechtel in on the port deal. Unlikely, but who knows? They need a “bone” once in awhile too.
March 10th, 2006 at 4:19 pmWiscoDuk
March 10th, 2006 at 4:30 pmIs the port deal going to KBR, is Johnson or his wife some how influencing this deal? From our current knowledge, no it’s not.
Because I didn’t grow up during the Vietnam war, my opinions arn’t valid and yours are? I could argue that from not growing up during it I don’t have as much personal feelings one way or the other on it and can have a much more calm/rational view.
Sure I’ve heard of nepotism, now site an actual example of it in the Johnson administration that relates to KBR getting gov’t contracts.
The main point I wanted covered in my original post is what the relevance of Vietnam/Johnson/KBR has to do the a foreign company selling our ports to another foreign company that now has to sell them to an American company. The whole reason for this post.
And war profiteering? Once again were on a foreign company selling to an American company, nothing at all about Halliburton’s conduct in Iraq.
Your brothers death? Not trying to belittle it, but it also has no context in this discussion. My grandfather died from cancer he acquired in a factory making munitions for the government, what’s my point? I don’t have one in context, just like you don’t with your brothers death.
Try to stay on topic here; I know it’s hard.
Tundra and myself are on the other side of the argument, so now were buddies? So does that mean you personally know Kerry, or Kennedy?
Finally, if I’m the immature troll, why are you the one swearing and resorting to insults.
If this is true, I am laughing hysterically! THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU PEOPLE DESERVE!!! Exactly what racist pandering Democrats and Republicans and the majority of ignorant Americans who reacted with such vile bigotry deserve! The UAE just said “F–K YOU!” to the xenophobic anti-Arab anti-Muslim bigots of the USA!!! The Dubai company has a SOLID, PROVEN record of running ports around the world (incl. in Europe) for YEARS — safely, profitably and securely (a record that is open to inspection to anyone who wants to look at it), a company run by Americans at all senior management positions, while Halliburton has a PROVEN record of corruption and thieving, running disorganized disastrous projects, overcharging governments, disappearing funds, etc., etc. This is EXACTLY what Americans deserve for this disgusting xenophobia toward one of the few places in the Middle East (Dubai) where US soldiers, sailors and marines actually LOOK FORWARD to visiting because there are plenty of bars and brothels open all night, alcohol flows freely, no restrictions on social behavior, people dress as they please and the free market is the ideology of the day. It is the Hong Kong of the Middle East, completely western and modern in outlook, loathed by the likes of bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Americans have proven bin Laden and Al Qaeda entirely correct. His message to his fellow Muslims is that they will never be accepted by the bigoted west, no matter what they do, no matter how much they cooperate, no matter how much they try to change. You people completely deserve Halliburton running your ports.
March 10th, 2006 at 4:31 pmif I’m the immature troll, why are you the one swearing and resorting to insults.
Actually that’s me!!
In all fairness, I’m the troll in this argument.
But on topic of the port deal. If it were to go to Halliburton (Which I still say it’s not) UAE has to make their money back and whatever company can handle doing that has to be considered.
Finding a smaller company with the capitol and interest in the deal is not easy. Who are we to decide which American company a UAE company can sell what they legally bought to?
March 10th, 2006 at 4:35 pmMaybe if the government had been better stewards of the country’s operations and not sold out to the highest bidder. We wouldn’t be in this situation. We can also thank out of control unions for driving up the cost of business so much, it’s almost not worth doing business…there may not be a comparable American company to sell to…but I hope there is. Heck, I heard Indianna is considering selling some of its toll roads to China because the state can’t afford them!
March 10th, 2006 at 5:00 pm#138
Something we can kind of agree on Tundra. Don’t know if you are new to TP- but I have posted often in the past about HB/KBR. (I have also often stated that I’m not big on conspiracy theories.) Bonding power is a major factor here. High stakes.
You might also agree that Halliburton would never make it in an open contract world with their track record.
Who are “we” or the government to say who regulates business transactions? Complicated question. Think about it.
March 10th, 2006 at 5:09 pmWiscoDuk
March 10th, 2006 at 5:22 pm“Who are “we†or the government to say who regulates business transactions? Complicated question. Think about it.”
That makes it seem like you dislike Haliburton for playing the game by the rules we and the gov’t force on them. In an open contract world, I would assume that they would change their practices to try and compete/dominate like they do in the current situation.
If they wern’t like they are today, wouldn’t anouther company just be in there place? Granted, that’s like saying why stop a burglar, theres always anouther, but in the business world that seems to be a rule more so than general society.
In addition, what about things that many people think are gov’t necissary controls ie. monopoly breakups, minimum wage, safety standards, environmental standards. Most people agree that you need some of these, but I don’t know of any two people who agree with each other on which ones/how much.
#140 You might also agree that Halliburton would never make it in an open contract world with their track record.
Honestly not sure here. If I had my way the government wouldn’t be the ones financing Halliburton. Individual companies would hire them to do their Oil/Gas lines etc. If there is a need for a product someone will produce it. As long as there is money in it.
Who are “we†or the government to say who regulates business transactions? Complicated question. Think about it.
Fundamentally we are going to differ here. I qualify on the keep the government out of my life principal (Right leaning Libertarian). I think the Federal government needs to take its hands out of 90% of the stuff it is currently in. I think the federal government should cover the security of the ports, and the rest of the stuff should go to whatever company takes it. If someone thinks they can do it better, they can buy some ocean front property and start. If a company can get the boats in faster, unloaded/loaded faster, then the shipping companies will choose to go to those ports. If a foreign company comes in and does it then fine, they still have all of the customs/security features that will be ran by the government, but it doesn’t need to be regulated in my opinion.
March 10th, 2006 at 5:27 pm[…] Today Dubai Ports World announced it would “transfer fully the U.S. operations…to a United States entity.†This evening on the PBS News Hour, AEI scholar Norm Ornstein said that DP World was considering selling its U.S. operations to Halliburton: […]
March 10th, 2006 at 5:48 pmSo the port deal shifts from a company that hates america, to one that just doesn’t give a damn about america. Nice.
March 10th, 2006 at 5:58 pm[…] Even though Think Progress has been proven over and over to be the most unreliable of the Left-wing blogs, I am inclined to believe that they hit the nail on the head with this one. Today Dubai Ports World announced it would “transfer fully the U.S. operations…to a United States entity.†This evening on the PBS News Hour, AEI scholar Norm Ornstein said that DP World was considering selling its U.S. operations to Halliburton… Read on here. Democrats identified the Dubai Ports Deal as an opportunity to bash the President upside the head with the full support of many Republicans in Congress. I would love to see the looks on their faces when/if it turns out Halliburton gets the contract! […]
March 10th, 2006 at 6:29 pmhttp://www.npr.org/ templates/ story/ story.php?storyId=1569483
http://hnn.us/roundup/comments/2851.html
http://www.historiansagainstwar.org/hawconf/carter.doc
This is the last time I’ll humor you. Pretty tough resources to nix.
March 10th, 2006 at 6:38 pmWiscoDuk
#146
Fair enough, obvious examples of nepotism during Nam. You still have to show me how Vietnam and the Johnson administration relate to a ports deal. If we were discussing Haliburton in Iraq you’d be dead on, but were talking about Haliburton buying Port control from a foreign company. Also, why reference Mrs. Johnson that first time instead of the President himself?
Turns out I thought nepotism only applied through actual family relations, instead of those and friends, so if nothing else you got me to learn that much.
March 10th, 2006 at 7:21 pmIt’s bizarre how the press/media and our so-called ‘government’ is trying to whip a guilt trip on citizens concerned about the suspicious nature of this transaction.