How often does it happen? We arm and train an allied country only to have them turn against us in a few short years. Don't we learn from history? Are we doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past? or, are we so blinded by money that a profit or additional tax dollars overrides common sense?

These are questions I asked myself after reading about how strong an ally the UAE (the home country of the new port operator) is to our fight on terrorism. At least that is the official word. What I don't understand is how we can give control of any of our ports or other boundaries to any foreign company.

Over the years I have learned to trust my gut instinct. If it doesn't feel right, there is usually something wrong. I guess you have to give up common sense when you become a politician. Sort of like giving up your humanity when you become a strongarm enforcer.

In this day of increased concern over security, why would any agency condone a deal that rests in the hands of a foreign entity. And, without the normal or common safeguards in these types of deals. I can't believe these deals have common elements, that there are that many of them.

If I were to have a say (and I don't) in the way a deal like this is put together, IF it were to happen, I would insist that a US firm be the actual buyer or licensee. At least allow the laws of our country to affect this company. The firm doesn't even have to keep records available to law enforcement on US soil. Absurd, No? We aren't speaking of a toy manufacturer. We are speaking of a firm that is going to control the ports, the border of our country. This is serious stuff.

In a day and age where you can not bring a cigarette lighter or sometimes even a nail file onto a plane, what is the reason for letting this firm take control of our ports?

Now, the other hand. The press in this country has proven its worth time and again in bringing situations like this to the average person. Bravo for the press. However (the other hand), in this case they are sensationalizing. It is bad enough what is happening. The press doen't need to create panic or hysteria among the throngs of people. This is the type of deal that can be crushed by applying pressure at the right place. By making everyone scared and panicked, the government gets defensive and bolsters its rationale. There is no reason to make it more serious than it is. In this case, the press went overboard and may have done more harm than good.

I have been told that you can't make rational sense of an irrational act. I can't live like this when I work so hard to protect my family from everyday harm. The government needs to get a grip and realize that even though they live in ivory towers, they too are vulnerable to the type of catastrophe that can occur from this type of deal. I remember when one of our NYC mayors came to grips with reality when his mother was robbed. All of a sudden, he realized that any family can become a victim of crime. This kind of thing should be a prerequisite for anyone who wants to work in security or government. Too many lawmakers don't know the reality of life of the average citizen.