With the disaster that was Walter Reed Hospital, would you be surprised to find out ......?

Question

that the company awarded the contract that led to the abysmal conditions our soldiers were left in is owned by a former Halliburton official ?
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Bush_Administration_push_for_privatization_may_0303.html

Answer 1

I did not know that, however I'm not surprised. But I am more disturbed that Haliburton, it's daughter companies like IAP and all their personnel keep showing up where they are not accomplishing the work for which they are being paid (often exorbitantly) -- their mismanagement of Walter Reid (and how they got the contract) and their misefforts during the Katrina disaster are only two instances of their failures while still making a huge profit. The close personal relationships of the people who run these companies and VP Cheney, who still retains 8 million dollars worth of stock options in Haliburton and is still receiving pay from them (under a diferred compensation agreement), also bothers me beyond what I have time to explain. I find myself sinking into thoughts about war mongering for war profits, behind the scenes conspiracies to make money on this war and disregard those who are fighting it, etc. I must wonder just how much those stock options might be worth after Cheney leaves office? I also wonder what other informal agreements he might have with his former (?) business cronies? I wonder what Bush will realize in the future from all this? I wonder how much stock he or his family have in any of these corporations? I wonder how our national politicians have sunk so low? I wonder if it is finally time to depose these tycoons by whatever means prove expedient?

Answer 2

It's not totally surprising, but there is a bit more (actually less) to the Walter Reed story than meets the eye. I read a LOT of articles on the subject, and in my opinion, although there were some problems and some butts did ultimately need to be kicked, there are far worse things going on that could occupy the media's attention.

To the poster who says that "most" (as in 51%+) of military families live below the poverty level...Do you have statistics to back that up? I mean, with my Bachelors degree and teaching high school, I earned $31,000/year, had a family, AND I had to pay a large chunk of my own health insurance..We did okay, although we had to carefully budget. I almost took a job as an E-6 "AGR" in the National Guard (full time, but still a Guard member) as it would have provided a $12,000+/year raise as compared to my teaching salary.

An E-3 with a family (which pretty much just about anyone can get to in a short period of time these days) with less than 2 years of service brings in a total of $31,404.96 a year, a little over $13,000 of it tax free...I don't know what the poverty level is, but considering the potential for upward advancement and the job security, plus the medical/dental and other benefits that go along with military membership, that salary is pretty good for 'entry level' work.

Just my $.02. Sorry that it doesn't answer the question better.

Answer 3

First you have to know why the Army sub-contracts this work. Its called A-76. Oh by the way - it was a Clinton Administration action - not a Bush Administration that pushed

The ACSIM (Army Chief of Staff for Installations Management) is one of the biggest proponents of moving soldiers out from behind the desk at the post level and making them trigger pullers instead of admin. Its a massive program when you see contract labor for repair, maintenance and upkeep.

One question that needs to be asked is what happened to the funds that are annually funded for every facility in the Army for Maintenance and upkeep? Since that building is on the Army Register it received funds - maybe the first person to call is the Facilities Management Officer and ask for a detail laydown of all the dollars spend at Walter Reed - maybe those dollars were pulled to another facility.

There was no excuse for the CO of the facility not to get off his fat butt and walk across the street. Ever time I commanded a unit - I knew exactly what the conditions were whether they were barracks, admin or maintenance facilities.

Answer 4

no - military accomodations (esp. army) are pretty substanard to begin with, and since lowest bidder gets the contract, it shouldn't surprise anybody. and since most soldiers are below the poverty level, i find it more shocking that anyone even cares.

Answer 5

Not in the least. Actually I expected it!

Answer 6

There was no disaster....our troops desevrve no better treatment than the IRAQIs we are killing.

The USA's corruption is unlimited,,because the american people are materialistic and greedy

Answer 7

I would not be surprised at all