In a free-market world economy global outsourcing is a necessary component of economic functions. But, there exists a fine line between economic functions (the provision of products and services) and similar functions of social benefit that are so closely intertwined with national well-being that the outsourcing of these functions could prove detrimental to national security. These functions - which our government is obligated to perform – include, but definitely are not limited to, infrastructure management and security.

In an unfortunate chain of events, the powers that be seem to be lacking such logic and are intent on giving away operations of key American ports to a company that is run in part by the United Arab Emirates. A federal authority has been allowed to make this outsourcing decision with no prior knowledge by nearly all of Congress and even the President himself. This action proves the inadequacy of an authority-managed federal system. Authorities put ultimate power in the hands of a select unelected few, creating an issue our founding fathers had never hoped for: a government of non-representation. Thankfully, a majority of Americans are dumbstruck by this decision and it is hoped that representation does kick in, negating the decision and bringing the ports back to us.

Even so, there exists a huge conflict at the top. Congress is on our side and is en masse calling for US control of ports, but, unfortunately, George W Bush is satisfied with the decision of using the Arabian firm. As any trusting manager would, he is putting faith in those of management levels below him. This trust has proven too strong as it reeks of ignorance, Bush turning a blind eye and deaf ear to common sense and our national security. This is in direct contrast to the Bush we’ve come to know and love over the past few years. He has touted national security as his calling and it is something he and his cronies would like to be his lasting legacy.

The decision to go with an Arabic firm has the potential to tarnish this legacy. The UAE may be an "ally", but that moniker is fraught with half-truths and concerns only its political entity and not its people as a whole. The UAE, an Islamic nation, is a breeding ground for anti-American sentiment and those intent on crushing the Western World. Two of the 9/11’s terrorists called the UAE home, while a few others used the UAE as their stop before heading to America. This group - the deadliest of terror cells - and many more have used and do use the UAE as their think-tank and funding headquarters. In all regards, a select few may not represent the entire nation, but realize that the UAE itself is so morbid that it was one of a handful of nations that recognized the Taliban as a legitimate form of government. Does that sound like an ally we can trust?

This all being said, who’s to say terrorists couldn’t infiltrate the port management firm and wreak physical and mental havoc on the USA? With minimal trouble and some simple planning they could easily use the company as a front which would allow them to bring a veritable Trojan Horse into our borders. They could ship a nuclear bomb, chemical weapons, or biological agents into any one of the ports under Arabic management. These ports include the metropolises of New York City and Miami, so any damage they could inflict would be unfathomable. It’s frightening to think of the endless possibilities, especially when one considers that US Customs inspects only a putridly insignificant 6% of all 9 million shipping containers that enter our ports.

The potential for destruction extends well beyond just standard terrorism. The same infiltrators could also initiate economic terrorism, something this world has seen very little of and is grossly unprepared to handle. Shutting off even one of the six ports this UAE firm would control could cripple not only the US economy but the world economy as well, causing countless billions in financial damage on a daily basis. This would be the fast track to a global economic crash comparable to depression.

This limitless potential for damage proves that the fiery ire now being cast by the general populace towards the upper levels of the Federal Government is truly warranted. The operations of these ports should be in our own hands and not those of other nations. Let us hope that common sense prevails and the decision to use this Arabic firm is overturned very soon.