Monday, February 27, 2006

 

Mob Mentality and The Ports Controversy

I am writing this way in advance so events may have overtaken this post by the time it goes up (my weekend travels are the root of this) but I really liked Joe Carter's post last Thursday on the UAE/ports issue. Joe discusses the "foolishness of crowds"
Hugh Hewitt believes that it is based on the "intuition" that the deal would make America more vulnerable to terrorist attack: "The widespread negative reaction suggests a 'Wisdom of Crowds' moment that the Administration should study closely," says Hugh, referencing a book written by James Surowiecki.

While I generally respect and agree with Hugh's analysis on political matters, I believe that he not only is wrong on this point but that it provides an example of the "foolishness of crowds."
I think what we have here is a classic battle between good policy and good politics.

That the American public would find this deal troublesome is completely understandable. And while America is America, what the public wants, particularly when alot of it wants it, is usually what should happen - that's good politics.

But I have yet to hear an arguement against the deal other than "we can't trust 'em completely." This deal makes so much sense in terms of our stated policy for the region. The policy is that democracy and capitalism will win the day - giving them the opportunity to play in the business of the world is directly in line with that policy. When you couple that with all the other facts about the limited nature of the contract, the details of the transaction and so forth, this deal is just good policy.

Bottom line. This happens, Bush severly harms the Republican party. This gets stopped, we undermine our stated policy. It's shaping up like a lose-lose.

(Note: it appears over the weekend that things are shaping up as I suggest here) Transparency is the key in a situation like this. I think a Congressional look at the deal, very public, is the way to go. I'm willing to bet that after such an event the public will become convinced. Such an investigation create an opportuniyt for the Administration to make its case plainly.

One other comment - to oppose this deal is to reveal a lack of confidence in both the Customs Service and The Coast Guard. I think that means we need to fix them, not stop this deal.

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