$23 Billion ‘Lost, Stolen, Mismanaged’ in Iraq by Private Contractors

As if we didn’t already have enough evidence that these companies are run by crooks, a BBC investigation has revealed that $23 billion in taxpayer funds has been ‘lost, stolen, or not properly accounted for’ in Iraq. The BBC was investigating how much private contractors have profited from the war in Iraq when they discovered the missing money, and a US gag order straight from President Bush has prevented further discussion of the allegations.

From the BBC:

The order applies to 70 court cases against some of the top US companies.

While Presdient George W Bush remains in the White House, it is unlikely the gagging orders will be lifted.

To date, no major US contractor faces trial for fraud or mismanagement in Iraq.

The president’s Democratic opponents are keeping up the pressure over war profiteering in Iraq.

Henry Waxman, who chairs the House committee on oversight and government reform, said: “The money that’s gone into waste, fraud and abuse under these contracts is just so outrageous, it’s egregious.

“It may well turn out to be the largest war profiteering in history.”

Excellent work, Bush and Co. Using private contracts has, as you promised, been far more cost effective. The Free Market really came through on this one.

Link [BBC] via [truthdig]
Photo credit: Micah Ian Wright at the Propaganda Remix Project

Al Gore on 60 Minutes: Dick Cheney and Other Global Warming Deniers Are Flat Worlders

Or maybe it was more like:

“You’re talking about Dick Cheney. I think that those people are in such a tiny, tiny minority now with their point of view, they’re almost like the ones who still believe that the moon landing was staged in a movie lot in Arizona and those who believe the world is flat,” says Gore. “That demeans them a little bit, but it’s not that far off…”

Have a look at what the former Vice Prez and current “PR Agent for The Planet” has to say about his Halliburton-hugging successor during his March 30th 60 Minutes interview on CBS.

Link [60 Minutes]