‘Northeast Times’ Trumps The Competition

That headline: Totally serious. Really.

Remember how that Dubai Ports World deal where six American ports were going to have a parent company based in the United Arab Emirates was going to threaten security and everyone would die or something?

I watch and read a lot of news. A lot. And I don’t think I ever heard anyone ask: “Well, wouldn’t they just be staffed by the same workers as before?” It’s not like Saddam Hussein would immediately be over here working at the Tioga Marine Terminal.

And, well, the news outlet I really didn’t expect to ask that question did, and the Northeast Times got the right answer:

“Say you get someone that’s infiltrated a commercial port operator,” said Earl Freilino, a security consultant with the Delaware River Marine Enterprise Council, which advises the Port of Philadelphia on shipping issues. “They can identify people for being converted or used in some way. That’s when you start having problems.”

[Robert] Palaima, the president of Delaware River Stevedores, said that scenario was unlikely, because ownership changes had little impact on local operations. The company’s ownership has changed three times since he became president in 1991, with no effect on local management or dock workers.

“(Delaware River Stevedores has) always been an independently managed company,” Palaima said. “We make our own local hiring decisions.”

Not too many racist letters this week and now this. I think this is horseman number two.

Grapes and national security: Tioga Marine Terminal [Northeast Times]
Feb. 20: Any (Arab) port in a storm

Port security? Blame… Clinton? The Media? Someone?

I’ll just be honest: I have no idea what this means. None. Can anyone help me out?

Your moment of daily ‘Metro’ zen

The “Today’s Debate” in Metro today:

This is the downside of City Hall’s security increase: it’s going to make city employees who work there that much harder to deal with. As usual, these bike messengers are way ahead of the curve.