Shiping Ports the the Arabs...? what do you guys think?

[FactsOfLife]

man, you just know everything, dont you? :dodgy:

yes, unlike the VAST majority of the posters here and the MISINFORMATION they're spreading, I've done a ton of studying of this issue.

You want to debate the relative merits of allowing foreign interests to manage small parts of our ports, then debate.

I haven't made up my mind about the issue yet. I'm leaning towards not having a problem with it.

I think the unions, and specifically the Longshoremen, are more of a danger to the security of this country by not allowing updated technology, than the UAE managing a couple of terminals.

[lather]

yes, unlike the VAST majority of the posters here and the MISINFORMATION they're spreading, I've done a ton of studying of this issue.

You want to debate the relative merits of allowing foreign interests to manage small parts of our ports, then debate.

I haven't made up my mind about the issue yet. I'm leaning towards not having a problem with it.

I think the unions, and specifically the Longshoremen, are more of a danger to the security of this country by not allowing updated technology, than the UAE managing a couple of terminals.

Unbelivable-- you put your trust in a Foreign power over those of American workers. At least 40% of my union coworkers are ex-military--ALL of whom served with distinction and pride. And you know what? We still work in the civilian sector with just the same sense of professionalism. If anyone was to take you seriously, what a kick in the jewels you just gave them.

Yes get rid of all those over priced union employees and let the UAE-run company hire the best and brightest for minimum wage. By simply reducing labor costs, they can earn even bigger returns for their shareholders, all the while, highly trained and motivated minumum wage employees will be watching over our ports ever so viligantly.


We have the Mexican Army coming over our borders and now this. Sadly, a profit opportunity from a foreign country has yet again taken precedence over the security of the American People.

[SlartyBartFast]

Poll is flawed, we aren't letting them buy or even control PORTS. We're considering letting them manage some TERMINALS.

The difference is vast.

And the media and the jackasses demonizing this issue without even getting the basic FACTS right is laughable yet so very predictable.

Hey guess what?

There's already several DOZEN terminals in the California area that are under CHINESE management...

Hey kiddies, no matter what you political stripe or prejudice: learn a lesson from FOL. Know your facts before engaging in debate.

I haven't made up my mind about the issue yet. I'm leaning towards not having a problem with it.

Now, if FOL and I can agree on something, there's little doubt. It HAS to be right.

[BeaverEater]

Yes get rid of all those over priced union employees and let the UAE-run company hire the best and brightest for minimum wage. By simply reducing labor costs, they can earn even bigger returns for their shareholders, all the while, highly trained and motivated minumum wage employees will be watching over our ports ever so viligantly.

Union workers are overpaid, just look at what its done to the american car companies..... Thats the reason why the jap car companies are taking over america.

[FactsOfLife]

Unbelivable-- you put your trust in a Foreign power over those of American workers. At least 40% of my union coworkers are ex-military--ALL of whom served with distinction and pride. And you know what? We still work in the civilian sector with just the same sense of professionalism. If anyone was to take you seriously, what a kick in the jewels you just gave them.

Yes get rid of all those over priced union employees and let the UAE-run company hire the best and brightest for minimum wage. By simply reducing labor costs, they can earn even bigger returns for their shareholders, all the while, highly trained and motivated minumum wage employees will be watching over our ports ever so viligantly.


We have the Mexican Army coming over our borders and now this. Sadly, a profit opportunity from a foreign country has yet again taken precedence over the security of the American People.

Where to start where to start....

I give you an F for reading comprehension. And an E for effort.

I gave a SPECIFIC example that is EASILY verified and you decide to make some generalised incorrect comment about what I said.

It's painfully obvious by your kneejerk reaction that you have done ZERO homework on this issue. And fall squarely in the pile of miscreants spouting a bunch of misinformed nonsense.

Bravo. BRAVO I SAY.

edit: The Mexican Army crossing our borders is an act of war and should be treated as such. Tell Vincente Fox that the next incursion of your armed troops onto our soil will be met with A1 Abrams and enough surplus munitions to make scrap out of whatever has the balls to cross our border.

[SlartyBartFast]

Thats the reason why the jap car companies are taking over america.

[FactsOfLife]

Union workers are overpaid, just look at what its done to the american car companies..... Thats the reason why the jap car companies are taking over america.

Union workers, and the autoworker unions in particular are mostly there for one thing these days, and that's job protection.

Yes, wages are part of the reason they exist to a lesser extent, no one likes a pay cut.

The Big Three are all strangled to some degree by auto working unions.

The assertion that Japanese car companies are taking over America due to unions though is a misleading one.

I'd say that their marketing departments are doing a much better job of VOC and responding to what customers are wanting, than what influence US unions are having on the car market.

[BeaverEater]

no unions are the reason that we cant compete with the japanese car companies that are non union. Cat was loosing a million dollars a day just like 5 years ago and transfered all of their plants to non union states. Today that benefited them greatly, the car companies could learn a thing or 2 from this.

you do realize that most of the jap cars are made in non union plants. Yes they are made in amercian but a lot are made by non union workers.

[Army]

...nobody here hates america, dont try to play that card

You don't know me very well, do you?

[SniperSmurf]

You don't know me very well, do you?

Obviously he doesn't. His reply doesn't even apply to what you actually said either.

This is another non-issue that has been blow out of proportion by those that have a hate America agenda.

nobody here hates america, dont try to play that card

Matt, please tell me... where exactly did Army say that anyone here hates America (and ya better capitalize that word next time )?

[SlartyBartFast]

Considering it's the REPUBLICANS that are pushing this issue, who's being labelled as American haters?

[Jonneh]

For the sake of this thread and the fact that it amuses me, I now hate america! You guys are dumb and fat and rich and shoot each other with guns all day! I'm going to protest by riding my bike into a chain of ASDA! DOWN WITH CAPTIALISM!

[SCpoloRicker]

For the sake of this thread and the fact that it amuses me, I now hate america! You guys are dumb and fat and rich and shoot each other with guns all day! I'm going to protest by riding my bike into a chain of ASDA! DOWN WITH CAPTIALISM!

VIVA LA REVOLUCION!!1!1

/hey I let it hit 30

[lather]

America's management style does far more damage to our ability to compete than any union ever could.

Japan's management style/culture is far superior to ours. When a Japanese company faces financial problems, management is usually the first to be laid off, providing incentive to the remaining managers/executives to turn things around.

A funny example of American management culture, well not too funny as its close to the truth:


A Japanese company and an American company decided to have a canoe race. Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race. On the big day the Japanese won by a mile. Afterward, the American team became very discouraged and morally depressed. The American management decided the reason for the crushing defeat had to be found.

A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action. Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 8 people steering and 1 person rowing. So, American management hired a consulting company and paid them an incredible amount of money.

They advised that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing. To prevent losing to the Japanese again next year, the American rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 3 area steering superintendents, and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager. They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 1 person rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the Rowing Team Quality Program, with meetings, dinners, and free pens for the rower. Even new paddles and medical benefit incentives were promised for a winner. Management believed they must give the rower the empowerment and enrichments through this quality program.

The next year the Japanese won by two miles.

Humiliated, the American management laid off the rower for poor performance, halted development of a new canoe, sold the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment. The money saved was distributed to the senior executives as a bonus.

[M98Punk]

Very Amusing Lather.... and I think the issue is just corruption in American, be it the Management or Unions, it's not one of the other. I for one am not a big fan of unions I work with a pathetically corrupt one myself but as much as I dislike them I dislike coporate america for being worthless and cold enough to make unions necessary.... With that said I'd rather have the people screwin the man than the man screwin the people BUT as my economics teacher said either way we are screwed