Clinton slams port deal in Miami

[cal04]

Speaking just miles from the Port of Miami, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday she is pleased the Bush administration and a United Arab Emirates company have agreed to delay the company's takeover of significant operations at six major American ports.

But the New York Democrat and former first lady said she is still opposed to the deal and plans to introduce legislation that would block Dubai Ports World or any other company owned by a foreign government from operating
U.S. ports. Dubai Ports World, which is owned by the UAE government, had been expected to take control of operations at the ports under a $6.8 billion deal with London-based Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co.

In her first public comments since Dubai Ports World volunteered to postpone its takeover late Thursday, Clinton said she is "very pleased when last night the administration and the Dubai company said that they would subject themselves to the questions that Americans and their elected representatives have. That's the way a democracy is supposed to work." But Clinton added that she did not believe another country should be running American ports. "We cannot cede sovereignty over critical infrastructure like our ports.


This is a job that America has to do," Clinton told about 600 people at a breakfast sponsored by the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. Union members protesting the proposed takeover echoed that sentiment. "We believe American companies who are willing to bid on the port operations in the U.S. should be given that opportunity," said Mike Scott, president of Teamsters Local 769. About 30 union members rallied Friday at the Port of Miami with signs that read "Goodbye Dubai _ Secure America's Ports." "The president is constantly talking about how tough he is on terrorism, yet he's willing to outsource one of our most vulnerable areas, the ports, to a country with known ties to terrorism," Scott said.

more
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-clinton0224,0,5828225.story?coll=ny-nycnews-headlines

[msgadget]

1. Uh...but...

people from her husband's administration are supporting it...how's that work? And, what has Bill said? National Security is one thing but one of these democrats running for election has to get up and talk the talk and discuss the conflicts of interest that should void this deal altogether. It's one thing to say its a dumb ass idea that should be scratched altogether and wholly another to demand the president 'investigate for 45 days' (Schumer). I want more than press releases and rhetoric. I want someone to give a real good damn.

[WorkersToPower]

2. But

Hillary is just as pro-capitalist and anti-worker as Bush. See: Her response to the NYC transit workers strike

[bushmeister0]

6. Hillary is Diane in "Network," can't you see it?

Mr. Jenson to Howard Beale (aka. Congress) on the Arab take over of a U.S. network (Or port):

"You have meddled with the primal forces of nature, Mr. Beale, and I won't have it. Is that clear? You think you merely stopped a business deal. That is not the case. The Arabs have taken millions of dollars out of this country, and now they must put it back. It is ebb and flow, tidal gravity. It is ecological balance. You are an old man, who thinks in terms of nations, and peoples. There are no nations, there are no peoples, there are no Russians, there are no Arabs, there are no Third Worlds; there is no West. There is only one holistic system of systems. One vast and interwoven, interacting, multi-variant, multi-national dominion of dollars..."

[msgadget]

7. I know, I know,

one corrupt system, but it still galls me. The blatant posturing, the empty rhetoric, the fan clubs...er, hapless voters...

[newyawker99]

8. Hi bushmeister0!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Clarkie1]

3. The lady has very sharp political radar.

Regardless of the true nature of the danger, she knows what side the vast majority of the American people will be on on this.

It's a very shrewd political move, and will probably help her in 08' among the masses.

[Dr.Phool]

4. She doesn't seem to know that a majority of Americans

Oppose the war in Iraq, and want our soldiers brought home.

She's actually running to the right of Bush on this one.

[NoMercy]

5. Very Smart, but opportunistic.