Obama, Clinton push Wal-Mart on port security!

[Morereason]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17428747/

Is this supposed to impress????
Gotta appreciate candidates who really take on the tough issues!

:rofl:

[NYCGirl]

1. So you don't think screening of containers coming into port is a good idea?

What's your problem with it?

[Morereason]

2. Yes I think it is a good idea. But there is a lot else they could say about WM

I am sorry but I am not impressed.

[NYCGirl]

3. The measure was also signed by nine senators, 21 reps, and 9/11 victims' families.

Wal-Mart is putting profits over safety — and it is important.

[GainesT1958]

15. As are their allies in this adminsitration....

Who don't find adequate funding for careful inspection of containers at EVERY port "economically feasible"!:mad:

Living in a town with a major container port, that really means something.

B-)

[uppityperson]

7. You deem it unimportant to secure ports?

Deem it unimportant to press the nation's largest importer to stop opposing securing ports so they can make even more money? Another reason to hate walmart.

[uppityperson]

4. from the article...You don't think port security by largest importer is important?

Democratic presidential rivals Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama joined seven U.S. senators Friday to urge Wal-Mart, the nation's largest importer, to drop opposition to a bill that would require scanning of all U.S.-bound cargo containers for possible terrorist nuclear bombs.

Nine senators, 21 members of the House of Representatives and a group of relatives of 9/11 victims signed letters to Wal-Mart Chief Executive Lee Scott as part of a campaign by WakeUpWalMart.com, a union-funded group critical of the retailer.

WakeUpWalMart.com said it was "mind-boggling" that Wal-Mart would oppose strengthening port safety and accused the retailer of putting profits before national security....

[madeline_con]

5. Wow! Walmart importing nukes!

Who'd of thunk it? :tinfoilhat:

[NYCGirl]

6. Those are big containers and they go through a whole lotta hands before

they get here.

[uppityperson]

8. k&r for port security and more walmart bs exposure.

[uppityperson]

9. More...Action Alert...

http://blog.wakeupwalmart.com/

March 2, 2007
Wal-Mart: Profits First, America's Security Second

One of the greatest dangers we face in America is a nuclear weapon in the hands of terrorists being shipped through an American port. But, did you know, we only inspect about 5% of the cargo containers coming into America.

That is why the U.S. House of Representatives passed a 9/11 bill to strengthen America's port security by scanning 100% of the cargo containers being shipped into the U.S. from abroad.

But, yesterday, Wal-Mart's special interest lobbyists defeated the 100% scanning portion of the 9/11 bill in the U.S. Senate.

Why?

Because, even though 1 Wal-Mart container arrives at a U.S. port every 45 seconds, Wal-Mart fears that inspecting 100% of these containers might slow down its imports from countries like China which could hurt Wal-Mart's profits.

Are Wal-Mart's profits really worth the cost of leaving America vulnerable to another terrorist attack?

Please write your U.S. Senator today and tell him/her to put America's security first and support 100% scanning of all cargo containers as passed by the U.S. House.

[Laurab]

10. "The nation's largest importer"

Did you miss that part? I kind of think it's an important issue - shouldn't be "tough" but it's important - kind of like port security is important. SOMEONE should push Walmart - I'm not sure why you find it funny....

[Connie_Corleone]

11. Just looking for any reason to criticize Obama and Clinton I guess.

[Laurab]

12. Yes, and I think it backfired a bit

but I appreciate the OP bringing it to my attention, anyway.

[uppityperson]

13. Indeed. I think I'll cross post to GD tomorrow

when the masses are up and posting.

[Laurab]

14. Good idea - in particular the action alert

In fact, the more exposure this gets, the better. Not only do they not care about their employees, they don't give a damn about national security, either. Such good repukes they are...

[uppityperson]

16. Pretty wild. Funny how this topic turned out.

Instead of Obama and Clinton bashing, we get more on WalMart. "but it hasn't been proven to work, so we won't do it" whine.

[uppityperson]

18. Done

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x331211

[Morereason]

17. I admit I am cynical about these candidates. But I agree it is an important issue

I just feel like, especially with Clinton, she sucks up to these type of business interests, and then slaps their hands to look like she is tough on them. That is why I am not impressed.

[Laurab]

24. I'm cynical about most any candidate....

and even agree with you about Hillary, although I like Obama so far, but really, bashing, or attempting to bash them, about doing something good, isn't really something I like seeing. In fact, I don't like most of the bashing - I prefer discussions of issues and things like that.

Obviously, the candidate bashing is going to be here for a while, but are we going to dissect every bill, letter, action, words they take, even the GOOD ones, from now until the primary, and suggest they're pandering? Should they not do anything at all?

[talkinghead]

19. This bill is absurd

Requiring all containers to be checked is impossible and would bring trade to a halt. Imposing irreparable harm on our economy for the sake of security is not the answer.

[MGKrebs]

20. Sooo, since we can't do it perfectly, we shouldn't do it at all?

C'mon, let's at least support ther little steps that get us towards the goal.

[talkinghead]

21. We can't do it

without substantially harming trade. Some of these lawmakers have gone too far. For instance, there is a representative from New York who expressed "concern" that Dubai Ports World had recently purchased a hotel in D.C.

[nuxvomica]

22. I have more faith in our economy and ingenuity than that

Perhaps this will eat into Wal-Mart's profits but it won't put them out of business. Essentially, retailers like Wal-Mart are profiting from a gaping hole in trade security. Their management should possess the necessary business acumen to weather such requirements or get out of the import business.

[cosmicdot]

23. who were the other 7 Senators?

"...the letter from Clinton, Obama and seven other Democratic senators said."