Ms. Waters and Mr. Lamont!

Matt O.!

Matt O.!

Ned !

Maxine !

kobe !

Perhaps lost in the news of the week is that HAL received word from the IRS (I think) that its proposed spinout of KBR won’t need to go the IPO route. That should speed up the process, as they won’t have to wait for a friendlier equity market.

When it’s issued, that KBR prospectus oughtta be some fun reading for those of us who can stomach the boiler plate (”I’ll have the Boiler Plate Special, please. And hold the onions!”) and read between some of those lines.

It’s not uncommon in one of these deals for the spinner to stick the spinee with as much ugliness as it thinks it can get away with, so that’s the place to look for the interesting stuff about potential exposure down the road a piece.

Can’t wait!

Sometimes, I feel like Israel has unwrapped our October surprise.
Then I wonder, could there be some new fresh hell by then, and I answer, why Yes!

ROOTZ!

Then I wonder, could there be some new fresh hell by then, and I answer, why Yes!

Oh, absolutely. I’m just hoping it won’t be an attack on Iran…

Plus don’t forget the fifth anniversary of 9/11 is this year – the Republicans will use the occasion to solemnly remind us What We Are Fighting For, and we should be grateful that the Tough Guy Manly Men are in charge to lead the fight.

“When will this sick nightmare end”?

Here’s my answer to that question: Barbara Boxer has endorsed Joe Lieberman, and (reportedly) will campaign for him this coming Monday. Along, of course, with a former democratic president.

Barbara Boxer, Matt. Barbara Boxer.

Well we can counter them with pix of Abu Ghraib, headless babies and the death of 4 nascent “democracies” then and the lack of follow thru on keeping us safe in, oh about, a gazillion ways, Eli. I would use Katrina, too, with the same reckless abandon that they treated their people that they were supposed to protect. 9/11 happened on their watch, never forget. So did the erosion of our freedoms and the shredding of our Constitution.

in moderation again. dang. I swear I did not swear. I did use the word gazillion, though.

This is unacceptable. I demand only mindless music, not stuff that is thought-provoking!

I have been released! Hallelujah and thanks, moderator.

[ Moderator: all in good time, all in good time … ]

angie 8, I agree completely. The question is, *will* we? I know the progressive blogosphere will, but will the Dems in office and running for office, or will they just unquestioningly accept the “Republicans tough on terror” narrative and lamely say, “We can be tough too!”?

Matt O., thank you for this video and for all the great work you are doing on war profiteering. The corporate media should be all over this. [crickets chirping]

Campaign issue: body armor. Everybody gets this. Our folks don’t have what they need, while contractors get rich.

The video did make a good contrast between the living conditions and vehicles of the contractors and the troops.

The issue I hold dear, which was referred to only in passing, is that our troops didn’t even get the MINIMUM of what they needed: Body armor. Armored vehicles. Clean water. Training, if they’re gonna have an assignment they weren’t trained for => Abu Ghraib guards.

The good old boys in the video were just great. You feel their integrity and their anger. I hope a lot of people see this trailer.

The issue I hold dear, which was referred to only in passing, is that our troops didn’t even get the MINIMUM of what they needed: Body armor. Armored vehicles. Clean water. Training, if they’re gonna have an assignment they weren’t trained for => Abu Ghraib guards.

I would love to see the Dems aggressively challenge just what it really means to “support our troops”. Is it yellow ribbons and happy talk about how well the occupation going, or is it actual material support in the form of better equipment?

Which kind of support do you think the troops would prefer?

Right now, some of the fiercest critics of the neocons’ foreign policy seem to come from the ranks of the paleocons. Anonymous Liberal, via Unclaimed Territory, pointed out this video of Matthews and Buchanan taking them to task the other day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOyo-DNlXDQ

How many Democrats have spoken out like this? Not very many, near as I can tell. Besides the usual suspects (Dean, Kerry, Kennedy, Feingold, and Boxer), Reid, Conyers, Franks, and Waters, it’s hard to think of any. I’m sure there are a few, of course, but for every one of them there seem to be two Hillary Clintons.

I hope not, Eli– it’s a losing proposition. We need them to admit their errors in reacting out of fear and that 9/11 proved that we were not invincible and that we need to join the world and care about a foreign policy that is not just self-serving. They need to stand up and say we did the wrong thing and we will not continue down the path that we assented to. They need to talk about how they would be strong and fair and involved. Admit to the world that we were and are wrong in many things and that we want to return to our place at the table. We will talk to our “enemies” and not just with the barrel of a gun. We will restore our Constitution and the rule of law and dispel once and for all, the theory and practice of the Unitary exec and restore the balance of power for the good of the people and the nation.

pointed out this video of Matthews and Buchanan taking them to task the other day:

See this editorial by Buchanan at AntiWar.com,, it’s quite critical of everything GWBush et al are doing

When will this sick nightmare end?

Umm . . . never? The past is prelude to horrors unimagined.

In giving a green light to Israel, Bush has opened the gates of hell; the past 5 years are but a sample of what may come.

But at least, Bush enjoyed his buttered roll . . .

All due respect Matt O, but to say this…without providing the link IMHO helps provide substance to the lie of right wing nuttery claims about the left blogosphere

Apparently, there are videos of private contractors, some in firefights with insurgents in Iraq, available on YouTube as well. I won’t link to any but they are out there for those who are interested in seeing what their tax dollars are paying for, sans any kind of real accountability for the money or the operations they fund. One video was of Blackwater operating with helicopters in Iraq with rock from the 1970s playing in the background and camera work that is signature of skydiving videos. Also, there are scenes of what appear to be Blackwater employees just screwing around with munitions. It is like watching a bunch of frat boys in Mexico for Spring Break.

I just recieved my copy of Why We Fight and have hesitated to watch it because I can’t stand any more anger and frustration. I want to scream at people, Wake Up, your government is doing this is your name with yuor sons and daughters and THEY DON”T CARE….

It is 107 here, no air conditioning and I am depressed….why can’t more of this outrage get public attention?? I really believe most American’s are good and kind and they think their government is behaving that way….so many lies.

Some of the best ‘counter’ you’ll ever read;

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/7/22/181659/434

Larry -

Out of respect for Matt O I won’t post a link to the videos, but if you go to http://www.therandirhodesshow.com and do a simple search like: “contractor” “video” you will see them. These are the videos that sparked investigations. I’m sure they can be found at other places on the web as well, if you’d like to verify.

Jenny:

Does that include the infamous one shot out the rear window of a car?

Halliburton, whose very name is becoming toxic, is trying to get rid of KBR [”Kill, Burn, Rape”] which has Iraq/Afgh contracts.

Initially they were going to sell it as a public company, but now they want to hide KBR profits as a private company, accountable to no one.

Song:
“Where have all the billions gone,
Long time passing
Where have all the billions gone,
Long time ago,
Where have all the billions gone,
KBR stole them, every one.
When will we ever learn,
Oh when will we ever learn.”

Also, there are scenes of what appear to be Blackwater employees just screwing around with munitions. It is like watching a bunch of frat boys in Mexico for Spring Break.

Don’t forget that these guys are the ones who get to try out all the new black program (secret) R/D weapons (research and developement) … like, the assault rifles that can shoot around corners (I swear to god it’s the truth) and they have some kind of crazy rifle that shoots a round that completely tears off people’s limbs – not just a regular Dirty Harry 44 mag style but one that goes waaaay beyond Dirty Harry.

And don’t forget there’s no law against anything they do – US law doesn’t cover them – and being a “war,” Iraqi law doesn’t cover them.

It’s just more of the Bush Republican sado-masochist Snuff-filmaplalooza

Off to Borders to see if they have Soros’ book

L8r

Steve 24 -

There are several on her site, with documentation. I haven’t watched them because the descriptions are too sickening. I do think the one you’ve mentioned is included. Stay cool, buddy.

Sory four the crpy speling

Preview is my friend ;)

L8r

Highly recommend seeing the trailer to the movie, link in Matt’s post.

President Eisenhower was The President when I was little. He was wise beyond his time to see the danger of the confluence of the arms industry and our armed forces trying to influence government choices. He warns us that informed citizens are necessary so that we don’t lose our liberty.

Jenny 27:

Stay cool, buddy.

Trying to, I’m sitting here looking out the glass door at the pool, it’s calling to me. I actually ate brunch this morning sitting in the pool. That was fun.

If my power doesn’t come back on, I’ll have to either miss Soros tomorrow or drag to work, which means doing work too.

Ah yes, the lovely and talented Mr. Perle. You know, when even Conrad Black loses his love for Perle, it’s a very unique group that still clutches him to their bosom. Breast? Chest? I’m ruling out heart for now.

Thanks Jenny….your 23 @4:51

Its not that I need to verify…. Matt O is preaching to a willing choir here…(of which I am proud to say I am member.)….what I am saying in my comment @ 20 is that we need to back up and or point to statements of claim otherwise we provide fodder to our critics…

Minor point it is not.

Larry

Lamont, as soon as he learned his holdings included Halliburton, got rid of it.

Lieberman? Not so much.

Hypocrisy scale: 8.3

Cujo 16

There may well be Democrats and liberals speaking out like Buchanan and Matthews did (I can’t believe I just wrote that) but that doesn’t mean we’d ever hear about it.

They just don’t report what they issue in press releases, and they won’t have them on their shows to say it to our faces.

They just give us the “safe” ones: Biden, Schumer, DiFi.

Well here’s my contribution to the YouTube Video Frenzy:

Nico in “La Cicatrice Interieure”

Hey David!

I think Buchanan speaks out cause he has nothing to lose and he really believes what he says and Tweety ain’t running for election either, so he can afford to appear fair and balanced fer a change. The dems so far are still scared to go out on any limb for fear of backlash and they don’t trust that we got their back and will be there with a comfy and safe net to catch them and escort them to victory.

Angie 37:

Buchanan speaks out cause he has nothing to lose and he really believes what he says

He pretty much always has, and that’s part of why he never was a viable Repub candidate for Pres.

yep, SteveAudio.

Matt, enjoyed the article. Another good one in your series. Thought I’d give you a little “food to chew on” if so inclined. Inevitably, after reading your series, one asks “could it all have been done better?” Cost control is certainly an answer.

But another thing you might be inclined to look into is the availability and skills of US Navy Seabees and Army Corps Engineers…and damn near any construction batallion within a Division. There’s a hell of alot of talent in those groups. They can get many a job done, and of course, at no “extra” cost to the taxpayer. And, they all carry combat rifles! Even as far back as WW II, Seabees would build airstrips out of jungle…and while under fire! Need a school built? A hospital repaired/refurbished? Call in those groups and set them loose.

There was a HELL of alot of stuff in Iraq that could have been capably performed by our military units. And, when more labor might be required, the traditional way was to put the civilians UNDER military control. That would’ve stopped all those clowns from double-billing, etc. Just another example of Dum Dum Rummy and his ongoing incompetence.

Ghostman

The remnants of the of the delusionary incompetent cold-warriors are in charge. The nightmare is just beginning. The only allies we have in the Middle East are kings and dictators. Israel is the engine of neo-con force. Nihilism is our foreign policy. The only question remaining: Will Americans succumb to the lunacy that is Bush, Clinton, Cheney, Lieberman, Rumsfeld, Rice and the rest?

We need mandatory military/dept of peace service– no exceptions. The mercenaries gotta go, too.

The only question remaining: Will Americans succumb to the lunacy that is Bush, Clinton, Cheney, Lieberman, Rumsfeld, Rice and the rest?

Largely already has, I think

Hey Diane, hang in there sweetie, wish I could send you our cold endless rain.

What Angie #17 said.

Ghostman, Unfortuantely, many of those old traditions of the military are being contracted out to private companies. There are nolonger any ‘Army cooks’. PMEL is primarily outsourced (Precision Messurement Equipment Lab), and a host of other areas. It’s all part of the ‘leaner, mission oriented, army.’

As a few of my friends and I were talking last night… we believe that we are at the beginning stages of the next phase of a civilization, the police state. We were talking about how just about everyone will go along with it as long as they have a roof over their head and a good show to watch on tv. It won’t change until the only thing that they have left to loose is their own life.

Lamont divested of Halliburton already? that was fast. I’d like to see Hadassah’s client roster produced, now. Right now. Thank you.

hey mary jane,

it was great to see you yesterday!

the traffic going on to the island was much better than coming off.

this cool evening is feeling fine.

I bought “Why We Fight” and urge ya’ll to do the same. If thousands of liberals keep creating a market by buying as many CDs, DVDs, and books as we can, it will help immensly.

“Why We Fight” is one of the best documentaries I’ve seen and would’ve loved to have seen it go on for about another hour. The “extras” has voice-over comments by the director (Jareki, who did the excellent “Trials of Henry Kissinger) and Powells aid Lawrence Wilkerson. You can tell hes outraged at the proto-fascist Bush Admin. and seems to be aware (and admits how he rationalized his un-Democratic actions while part of it) of the cancerous military-industrial-congressional-complex. It also includes Ikes great speech about the cost of an AirForce bomber vs. new schools/hospitals. Ikes son and grandaughter were heavily involved and its obvious they feel the MI complex and the Bush Admin. are ruinous to America.

Me too you! I had to put a sweater on.

Reinstitution of the military draft might do two things. It would make service more fair. And it would perhaps facilitate voters reluctance to elect potential arm-chair warriors.

I couldn’t bring myself to rent Why We Fight tonight at the movie store. I get tired of being angry. I’ll rent it during the week. But you can see as the income disparity grows in this country, more and more people will have to rely on the military for employment with a salary beyond minimum wage. Make peanuts working fot the industrial complex or make peanuts working for the military complex.

ahem, # 50 was for Susan but a hey to everyone anyway

Reinstitution of the military draft might do two things. It would make service more fair. And it would perhaps facilitate voters reluctance to elect potential arm-chair warriors.

Definitely the latter. I’m sure the rich & privileged would find ways to game the system, though. Again.

No gallery of celebrated war profiteers should overlook this star: see the piece in Murdoch’s NY Post of all places on David Brooks (no, not that one), owner of DHB, maker of the (admittedly less than 100% effective) body armor. Unfortunately it’s now archived, but the summary follows:

WRIST SLAPPERS – BAD GUYS GET MORE THAN THREE STRIKES ON WALL STREET

New York Post – New York, N.Y.
Author: Christopher Byron
Date: Jul 17, 2006
Start Page: 035
Section: Business

Abstract (Document Summary)

Two years later, even the Amex has given the bum’s rush to the company, which makes body armor for the troops in Iraq. Last week, its stock was selling for $1.54 a share in Wall Street’s land of the living dead – the so-called “OTC (Other)” market – with federal investigators beginning to poke through the handiwork of the DHB official whose track record on Wall Street was the biggest red flag of them all, the company’s self-regarding founder and chairman, David H. Brooks.

The Brooks boys already had a separate business going, DHB Capital Group. David was its chairman and held 60 percent of the shares. In 1995, David used it to acquire a bankrupt protective apparel company in Amityville, L.I., called Point Blank Body Armor, for $2 million, and three years later the company landed a six-year contract to supply body armor to the U.S. military. Then came the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and orders for protective body wear for the troops exploded.

‘Vest’ed interests: The tale of body armor maker DHB and its founder, David H. Brooks – who infamously hired rock stars [Stevie Nicks] and [Tom Petty] (below) for his daughter’s $10 million bat mitzvah – is all too common these days. [AP; WireImage.com; NY Post]

angie, I agree. Mandatory military/peace service for all.

me too, two in fact, I went out in bare feet in the rain and got chilly !

thanks for the antwar.com link. it’s really intense, i’ve been mostly unplugged these days. just dipping in for small doses.

Eli 54, totally

I agree, OK kiddo, but mandatory service would even be better. It then becomes everybody’s duty to to serve. Instead of instilling fear that they will be drafted and trying to avoid it, they could be forced to choose between war and peace. The all volunteer force is a big mistake, imho. If a child grows up knowing they have to serve, they will be involved much earlier in the choices they have and so will their parents, rich or poor.

Unfortunately, Israel shows us that mandatory service does not exactly help prevent government aggression.

On the other hand, our relations with our neighbors are a little bit more cordial..

A wee possible correction, what was the charge for a 15 pound bag of laundry?

egregious #14

Campaign issue to append to those: Permanent bases. I would love to see someone get a Josh Marshall/Social Security-like effort to confirm where each incument that is running for reelection on record about where they stand.

The trailers for the film are powerful and infuriating. I want to see the film.

I saw a 60 minutes segment about a contractor who delivered junked trucks that didn’t work. They were supposed to be used in seeting up Iraq’s new banking system. It was nabbed, eventually.

I think this is the story.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories…..rchStories

Company’s named Custer Battles. But it was small fry, so OK for it to get caught.

Here’s a defense contractor selling stuff they aren’t supposed to seel for pennies on the dollar:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…..134357/334

This stuff is in the news. Should be more of a public issue.

Soros has a watchdog for Iraqi oil funds. Here’s the site:
http://www.iraqrevenuewatch.org/
Maybe Soros knows some things, should ask him tomorrow.

Seeds of Peace…properly supported by world leaders instead of by simplistic “lip service” and photo ops is right and good.

angie @ 59

mandatory service (though I loathe the idea) would also mobilize the population to demand an end to war.

there is an anti war movement, but it’s on the fringe. If everyone’s 18 year old kid is up for the draft, war would not be the popular game it currently is. it’s scary, cause I have two draft eligible nephews

Just like to mention again Sean Paul’s piece at The Agonist about the “work” of Parsons. For the life of me, I don’t know why the MSM doesn’t report on all this abuse of spending. Probably because somewhere along the line their parent company is tied to the mess.

sorry – potential draft eligible nephews.

whoopsie, forgot linky. Also inculcating in children the ways of Mohandas Gandhi and Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa and Desmond Tutu and Martin Luther King could go a long way.

http://www.seedsofpeace.org/site/PageServer

It was the white phosphorus incineration of civilians at Fallujah that pushed me over the line into public commenting/blogging, but an important secondary factor was from Steve Clemons’ blog.

He said the Washington insiders who were giving him information were concerned about Iraq, yes, but were vastly more concerned about “the NEXT” big thing coming along. I gave this a lot of thought, and concluded they must have meant Iran. I mean what could be worse than what we already have in Iraq?

I know, I know. My mother taught me if I don’t want to hear the answer to a question, don’t ask the question.

For the sake of innocent lives lost, peace shattered, good will squandered, we must take action before it is truly too late. Our nation is going down a dark path. We must speak up, become involved, intervene to stop this nightmare from going any further. This kind of ideological hell-bent drive for war is precisely how world wars are started. Be afraid, this time, for real. TAKE ACTION.

Larry –

I can provide the links, the thing is, some of these are images of combat. They are readily available on YouTube. Just search “Blackwater.”

I didn’t want to link it because these are video meant to glorify what these people do. I didn’t want any part of that but if I have to prove what I saw, here goes.

Blackwater sniper and other security forces in a firefight in Iraq.

Blackwater training video

Blackwater having fun in helicopters (this is the video that reminds me of cheesy skydiving videos, of which, I have one of myself from 2003)

Blackwater fights insurgents in a firefight in Najaf

egregious, aside from working within the system, which appears to a great extent to be rigged, what do you suggest we do?

#71: question not directed to me, but here is my two cents. Work to get everyone you know who is fed up out to the polls election day. Swamp them. Totally swamp the polls. Lines every freaking where. There can be no bad outcome to that. If good side wins, then that is good. If election crooked enough to make offical results contradict popular perception of who won, then there will be hell to pay in public mind. That will be good too. Mobilize, it’s a win win situation. If electio stolen, people will not get resigned and give up, they will get mad and do something.

And, oh, yeah, tell the centrist Dems to do the jogs they are paid to do, act like an opposition party or go into another line of work.

I strongly recommend all watch this video of Matthews and Buchanan who are literally shouting about how stupid the administration is being in Lebanon.

Yay Matthews and yay Buchanan. Yes that was painful to type. But props where props are due. We may yet be saved by people on the RIGHT who see their country about to go down the tubes.

Here is a link to white phophorous used by U.S. in Falluja.

More reason to send Holy Joe packing, and see if the other pro occupation Dems remember they were born with spines.

Problem here is that while Buchanan has been really consistent, Matthews is a complete toady for the wingers he has on the show. He has stated many times that he HATES Bill Clinton, and during the last election he just gished over his Repub guests at all times.

It’s hard to give any Credence to him when he get one right for once.

wesgpc’s votinglinks @ 72

i did that in 2004, i will do it again in 2006 & 2008. but do enough people care? that’s what’s scary. as long as they have a tv and a pickup, i think most people are just okay with the way things are.

something needs to reach into people’s living rooms and hit them over the head. mandatory draft would have that effect, it would touch people’s lives in a way that this war has not. when our kids are sent to a war for which they have not volunteered, and when that war is amoral, illegal, and blatantly profits the people who have ordered it up – then maybe the people will rise and say enough.

susan at 70, we need to start talking to a lot more people in our circle of influence. Call or write to everyone you know and share your perspective of how bleak this situation is. Write letters upon letters to ALL newspapers in your city. Join up with others who are trying to make a difference. Send faxes to your representatives in Congress. Go out in public with stickers and handouts about what is happening to our formerly democratic government.

Time is of the essence. TAKE ACTION. FIGHT BACK. Do it for your children, your grandchildren, your nieces and nephews, your neighbor children who will be left to clean up the catastrophe we have passed along to them. Talk to younger people so they understand what is going on. We owe it to them, they will have to suffer the consequences.

Egregious, the problem with giving props to tweety on this now is his position back when we were sinking into this debacle. Mocking and shouting down those who told the truth, when it counted.

As an example, here’s Digby.

Matthews is a strange bird. Yes, he HATED Clinton, no doubt. On the other hand, he was against invading Iraq, big time. On another occasion, he nailed Sen. Sanatorium on abortion when he asked him if he was in favor of putting women who get abortions in jail. Sanatorium (stuttering) …buh,duh, hiccup…(didn’t, couldn’t answer). His brother (Matthews) is running for political office in Pennsylvania as a Republican.

Matt O. at 62

Have I mentioned lately that you are a deity?

Campaign issue to append to those: Permanent bases. I would love to see someone get a Josh Marshall/Social Security-like effort to confirm where each incumbent that is running for reelection on record about where they stand.

Body armor. Permanent bases. Occupation. Proposed pre-emptive war of aggression on yet another country, Iran, simply so neocons can dream their delusions and war profiteer$ can make ever more ca$h. Supplying our “ally” who won’t permit a ceasefire to evacuate our 25,000 citizens, with firepower to destroy our Yay Democracy Poster Child Lebanon. Lebanon democracy was SO last year.

MAKE. IT. STOP. Challenge everyone who is running for office to take a stand on permanent bases = permanent war.

I graduated high school in 1957. I knew I had a 8 year obligation to the country.(2 yrs active, 6 in the reserve). I went a little overboard and joined the Marines a month out of H.S. I think we should bring it back. With an option to opt for the Peace Corps. With no exceptions! I would love to see how much the wingnut warriors would beat there chests for war if there kid was involved.(Can you imagine the twins in Iraq?)Laura would shit a ring around herself.I was not going to say shit, but if George can say it, so can I.

#76: Me too. I’ve been there too.

Where is the rest of the world on the bombing of civilian targets in Lebanon?

Well, the United Nations tried to pass a resolution, but can you believe it? We vetoed the resolution.

The European Union tried to pass a resolution, but Britain vetoed it.

How did we get on the side of those opposing a ceasefire for those bombing civilian targets?

International airport. Dairy farms. Homes where people live. Dams. A lighthouse. Roads and bridges. Factories. Water purification facilities. And my personal favorite, a Greek Orthodox Church where people went to seek refuge from the war.

We are now officially supporting, with our dollars and our munitions, the bombing of civilian targets including CHURCHES. How has it come to this.

MAKE. IT. STOP.

Charlie Rangel has been calling for reinstituting the draft since the Iraq insanity began. It’s not gonna happen, precisely for the reason Charlie wants it to happen. It would end public tolerance for the war. (Note that I said tolerance. When Charlie first started beating the drum, the majority of Americans supported the war. That is no longer true, but even with no good options left, it will take a while before there is majority support for immediate withdrawal.)

Matt O.: Campaign issue to append to those: Permanent bases. I would love to see someone get a Josh Marshall/Social Security-like effort to confirm where each incument that is running for reelection on record about where they stand.

Looking for volunteers. Who will step up and be the one who records the position of everyone in Congress on permanent bases? Others will seek the answers, we need a patriot to set up the repository. Waiting…yes?

On an earlier point: Halliburton has been trying to get rid of KBR since 2004. It filed a preliminary registration statement for an IPO back in April of this year, so anyone with a taste for reading SEC disclosure documents can find it at sec.gov. Although KBR has now (tentatively) substituted a spinoff, KBR will not be a private company. It will be publicly held, so it will still be subject to SEC reporting requirements. A hint to folks not used to wading through prospectuses: after looking at the “risk factors,” head for the Management Discussion and Analysis section, and — where KBR is concerned — take a particularly close look at the section on contingent liabilities. I haven’t looked at KBR’s April S-1, so I don’t know if there are goodies there, but if there are they would most likely have been picked up by the financial press. FWIW, KBR is apparently in more trouble with its Nigerian project than its military contracts, at least as of now.
You can check out a summary at http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13973914/

thunder at 77 Egregious, the problem with giving props to tweety on this now is his position back when we were sinking into this debacle. Mocking and shouting down those who told the truth, when it counted.

I totally see where you are coming from. But as the situation unfolds, we will gradually see people on the right come to an understanding that they were duped. We must be there with open arms when they acknowledge that they were lied to. Matthews and Buchanan are the first of an avalanche of reasonable people who will be horrified about what they have been supporting.

Re voting suppression, it is my hope that people who were willing to help the Republicans cheat in ‘04 are now eyes wide

sorry doorbell. Repubs who helped with the vote in ‘04 to help the Good Guys will be much more reluctant to help elect the fascists in ‘06 and more important in ‘08.

I live with it every day…….

..The frivilous government spending….god only knows how many skillcraft pens “have left the building…”

A couple of years ago when I still read Salon.com regularly, I became hostile to Flash content and disabled my FlashPlayer. Imagine my dismay at all of these almost empty large squares (they contain a smaller square in their upper left corner with an X in it). all you fine people have decided to cease using words to communicate and have begun using these voids. When I recall how gratifying it was to get away from all of the commercials, I realize that I am not going to reverse course just to see your moving pictures. You were doing so good with words. I’m trying out my complaint on you because you seem less committed to wasting my screen space than Atrios, say. I dearly love you all and expect no consideration for my unpopular view. Flash content is so annoying that surely ther must be others out there like me.

When will this sick nightmare end

Well, you know Codpiece has a hard on to nuke something. I don’t think he’ll stop until he gets to push that button that he carries around with him in the suitcase.

“Why We Fight” is outstanding. I ordered it thru Netflix. Be sure to watch the extras, as they are so informative. Another great documentary is “The Power of Nightmares”, a 2004 three-part BBC production you can buy for $10 on Amazon or ebay. Watch it free at Google Video. Type in “Power of Nightmares” in the search window and you can watch all 3-episodes for free. It is the mind blowing story of the rise of the neocons and the militant Islamic fundmentalists, and how both groups use fear to gain and hold power. This is a must see story.