Why Do Halliburton and Bechtel Enjoy Monies "Up Front" while U.S. Troops Do without?

Question

"Non-deployed combat brigades are experiencing low readiness ratings due mostly to a lack of usable weapons & equipment," the Washington Times has noted.

"The wear and tear in Iraq is ruining M1A1 tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, Humvee vehicles & other equipment at such a fast pace that the Army has neither the money nor the industrial base to replace them," according to The Times.

And so we fall deeper and deeper into debt. Still.our soldiers need proper equipment. The money has to come from somewhere I'd certainly not mind if my tax dollars are used for needed equipment for the TROOPS and NOT Halliburton or Bechtel. I'm wondering what has happened to the hundreds of billions that Bush administration has squandered. The most important expenditures in a war are to insure that our troops have EVERY SINGLE weapon and EVERY single humvee,tank,rifle,and other equipment they need and will need in this deadly and miserable war...

Today KBR, still part of Halliburton (but as part of an eventual plan to be a separate company from Halliburton) employs over 30,000 men and women in Iraq. In addition to troop support, Halliburton also provides air traffic control support; produces 74 million gallons of water a month for consumption, hygiene and laundry; deploys as many as 700 trucks a day to deliver essentials to American forces; and provides firefighter and crash-rescue services, as well as working to restore Iraqi oil infrastructure.

and yes they have to be paid.But they are not constrained to wait for any money for any services they provide.

But again, OUR troops have needs also. Needs just as important and in most cases, MORE important than Halliburton.

Big Dan: you are NOT in Iraq and what you think you understand unfortunately you Don't. I am speaking of replacements, not repairs

Mulligan - the Washington Times is a CONSERVATIVE newspaper. and I find it difficult to believe that you have an idea whatsover what the question is.

Answer 1

Bottom line...read up on the US Government's primary guidelines for contracts and payment rule. Those would be the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations) and the DAR (Defense Acquisition Regulations) stipulating the types and scheduling of payments to contractors as defined by law. Specific contracts for services and equipment are over seen at the primary level by Project Officers...many of these are US military officers.

The payment schedules and distribution of pre & post completion funds are subject to review and adjustment (as seen in the recent past in relation to Halliburtion/KBR) and return of funds plus penalties.

I am a former army officer and support the best and widespread distribution of the equipment and services to our troops. I also worked in Iraq as a civilian (no, not H/KBR) and have seen the massive amount of support given to the war effort.
They go hand in hand,but I dispise any attempt or actual violation of the FAR, DAR or supplemental contract vilations by any DoD contractor.

Putting our troops at risk for a few dollars has been around since the Revolutionary War but it is still reprehensibly.

Oh, and just a quick PS....Unless things have changed drastically since I worked in DC The Washington Times is the conservative paper in the beltway. The Washington Post is the liberal paper and unfortunately has a vastly larger circulation rate.

Answer 2

You could not have found more liberal media to quote if you tried.
Oh wait, you did only look up the liberal media. You can find whatever you want in print if you look long enough. There are things that must be done by Halliburton or whoever for the safety of our soldiers. My son is an Officer in Army & he said they perform highly dangerous & monotous jobs to relieve the military
of higher causalties. They have lost hundred of lives too. They are civilians & most who have dangerous jobs get paid more, our soldiers serve for love of country not the money.

Answer 3

Nice rant. The only reason vehicle maintenence issues are even on the radar is because of the time needed to make repairs. We get all kinds of parts and replacement vehicles shipped over here all the time. the problem is if it is going to Iraq, its taking the slow boat to Kuwait and getting trucked in, and if its going to afghanistan its getting shipped to Karachi and getting trucked in through Pakistan. On par it takes about 1 to 3 months to get a shipping container from the states to the front. Its not a matter of money. Its a matter of time, a matter of preventative maintenence, and a matter of vehicles getting shot at from time to time.

Answer 4

Disturbing, isn't it?
Where are the conserves so concerned about our troops?
If they really cared, they would be asking this question.

Answer 5

The Washington Times? ha ha ha ha ha

Answer 6

whats your source for all of these facts?