The Port Deal

As you've heard, a company owned by the government of Dubai, the playground of the United Arab Emirates, wants to buy the British company that manages operations at six American ports. Obviously, ports are sensitive spots in staying safe from terrorism. And the odds that a Dubai citizen has a cousin who is inclined toward terrorism is much higher than for British nationals. Still, my question is: Does anybody know whether Arabs actually do any work in this company? Would there be Arabs in decision-making roles down on the docks, or is that all too much trouble for them and they'll just hire somebody else to do the work?

Gulf Arabs are quite the possibly the laziest people on Earth (the unbelievably hot and humid climate doesn't help). According to the CIA Factbook, only 19% of the residents of the United Arab Emirates are natives. The rest are guest workers. During the first Gulf War, P.J. O'Rourke took part in a betting pool with the other war correspondents: first person to see a Saudi national pick up anything heavier than money wins.

Of course, the Wall Street Journal editorial page has come out all for the Port Deal in an editorial entitled: "Ports of Politics: How to sound like a hawk without being one." According to the WSJ, being in favor of homeland security is a poor substitute for being a hawk abroad. See, from the WSJ's perspective, since we must continue to invite the world into America, therefore, we must continue to invade the world to make it safe for America.

It's all just simple logic, as the WSJ makes clear in this utterly reassuring explanation.

Yes, some of the 9/11 hijackers were UAE citizens. But then the London subway bombings last year were perpetrated by citizens of Britain, home to the company (P&O) that currently manages the ports that Dubai Ports World would take over. Which tells us three things: First, this work is already being outsourced to "a foreign-based company"; second, discriminating against a Mideast company offers no security guarantees because attacks are sometimes homegrown; and third, Mr. Graham likes to talk first and ask questions later.

Being one of those dubious types who reads sources of crimethink like iSteve.com, you might be saying to yourself:

"Okay, but isn't there a difference between Dubai and Britain? And, while certainly there are terrorists within Britain, wouldn't Dubai nationals be more more likely to have ties to terrorism?

But that just shows you are one of those bad people who thinks in terms of stereotypes. The WSJ knows better!

So does President Bush, who said from Air Force One:

"''I really don't understand why it's OK for a British company to operate our ports, but not a company from the Middle East,..."

What are you people, some kind of racists who thinks Arabs are more likely than Brits to be terrorists? That's the voice of our President talking, and we must obey! Otherwise, your on the side of the terrorists.

My published articles are archived at iSteve.com -- Steve Sailer