Deregulation v. National Security

I have avoided the Dubai port deal. I certainly think there is some bigotry involved. Remember, conservatives are hostile towards immigration. If this was a lousy British company, I doubt we would hear a peep from the Right. If conservatives were really serious about national security then more of them would have voiced their disapproval over Bin Laden Determined to Strike in US.

My problem is that the Bush administration always puts ideology over security. The Bushies never met a regulation they liked.

In some instances, White House officials have gone straight to Capitol Hill to squelch regulatory efforts. In June 2003 Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, introduced an amendment to mandate 100% inspection of airplane cargo. While airline passengers walk through metal detectors and have all their bags screened, the 6 billion pounds of cargo traveling beneath them each year is subject only to spot inspections by the feds. The government leaves it up to air carriers and the companies that forward freight to the carriers to screen their regular cargo customers.

Stories like this have become so routine that they aren't even newsworthy, anymore. Port security was an issue during the presidential election. Absolutely nothing has changed.

Added Bonus

Dumb quote of the day comes from Chris Matthews. Here is what he has to say about Bush's handling of the Dubai controversy.

MATTHEWS: Well, he looks like he's a wise man now and a man of restraint, almost Atticus Finch. You know, almost the guy against the mob outside this -- the police station.

Congress also deserves blame for using national security for pork.