Friday, February 24, 2006

Port Whine

Silver and ermine and red faces full of port wine.
John Betjeman, Poet

"The United Arab Emirates gave the Bush administration $100 million to help victims of Hurricane Katrina weeks before a state-owned company there sought U.S. approval for its ports deal." This is the lead in an Associated Press story this morning. Gee, are we surprised why Bush was so quick to support the transfer.

The reason Dubai Ports World asked for a delay is to give them time to correct an oversight, their failure to bribe Republicans in Congress. You'll find that DP World, or affiliated companies, will hire a few ne'er-do-well congressional brothers-in-law to hefty consulting contracts. Those lawmakers with not-for-profit charities will see some pretty big donations from the Middle East. Some committee chairs will get junkets to exotic ports to "study other DP World facilities" (and play golf and discuss international trade with prostitutes). Back benchers, like Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC), will be told to shut up and play nice or plan their career after politics.

If you are a cynical old fart, like me, now is the time to sit back and enjoy the rhythm of finely performed jobbery. Watch how the opponents slowly change their positions, magically swaying to a tune we mortals can never hear. Wait for the summer, when the rewards will trickle in. The Dubai acquisition of American ports is a done deal. It will just cost the company a few million dollars more.

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