Man, I can't get enough of this ports deal. It reminds me that I actually really am a conservative...because, sometimes, groups of people do really stupid things, despite all this "hive-intelligence" nonsense. Sometimes, as "Publius" points out ad nauseum, the health of the republic requires a check upon the unbridled passions of the mob.

But, enough about the United States Senate. Here are some of James Lilek's most recent thoughts on the ports matter...he tries to tie together What is Now Known:

Perhaps you’re confused by the so-called “Ports Deal” flap, which is rapidly reaching “imbroglio” status. At least in the Italian papers. Let us recap.

A British firm with the quaint and bygone name of Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation company which controlled some American ports, and staffed the docks with Beefeaters and fierce Gurka soldiers who shot intruders on sight. They sold their interests to a company run by someone named Ladina Bin Osam, located in the fictional nation of “Dubai,” which is actually located in a PO box in Tehran. The company immediately announced plans to rechristen the docks “Martyr’s Gangways” and convert all cargo ships into troop transports that would fling plague-infected suicide bombers from off shore by means of catapults. Supporters of the deal point out that “Dubai,” which is how “Dubya” is pronounced in Arabic, is actually a great ally of the US, , despite the fact that the country’s seal shows the Twin Towers on fire, with the words “Bingo!” written below in elegant script. Pressed for comment, President Bush noted that critics should “wad up a sock and swallow it,” and that he would veto any attempt to veto the deal – unless it included $903 billion in additional spending, in which case, let’s talk.

Yeah, that's more or less it. I'll miss the Beefeaters, with those funny hats and cute little halberds...