Xenophobic Hysteria

Much of the US has gotten hysterical at the thought of UAE-based Dubai Ports World (DPW) operating six American ports (New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami, and Philadelphia). Recently, DPW outbid PSA (Port of Singapore Authority) for the right to purchase London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. (P&O), which had been operating the six American ports in question (along with ports in other countries).

Much of the hysteria seems to run along the line of "DPW is owned by the Arab UAE, which is where two of the 9/11 hijackers came from and which had recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan for a time; therefore, America's national security is at stake." The following is a comment I left at TBogg concerning this issue, which I reposted as a diary entry over at Daily Kos:

Let me ask some simple questions:

If PSA (Port of Singapore Authority), which operates 19 ports in 11 countries, had been able to purchase P&O instead of DPW (Dubai Ports World), would there be such an uproar in the US over the purchase? (No? Didn't think so.)

If DPW didn't have a proven track record in operating ports (23 ports in 13 countries, including Australia, Germany, South Korea, and China), don't you think these countries and port operators might have said "no?" when DPW asked for their business?

If any of these countries had thought hiring DPW might compromise their national security, don't you think they would have said "no?"

So, tell me once again why y'all are going through such xenophobic hysteria?