Documentary slams corporate profits in Iraq war

[Richard D]

A new film uses the $45 six-pack of Coke to open another front in the political battle over
Iraq, decrying what it calls profiteering and incompetence by defense contractors with the right political connections.

Robert Greenwald, who took aim at Wal-Mart in a 2005 documentary, has turned his lens on private firms hired to help the U.S. military fight the war in Iraq with the just-released "Iraq for Sale." He is raising questions about outsourcing for an unpopular war in time for the November congressional elections.

The film's premise that billions are being diverted to companies that are overcharging U.S. taxpayers for shoddy services, as illustrated by the expensive soda pop or a purported $100 fee for washing a bag of laundry.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060915/film_nm/iraq_film_profits_dc

[ShortnFiery]

1. Good! The Yahoo Article itself scores a five star rating :-) n/t

[filer]

2. There's no denying that war is good business.

That's why the Repubs are the "War Party". These private contracts are obscene and despicable. If serious congressional investigation ever occurs, this administration and it's profiteering cronies will go down is history as the most corrupt ever.

[Parisle]

3. This could be a useful trend,...

---- Yesterday's Washington Post article on a related theme is even more damaging. They pointed out that loyalty to Bush was the main (if not only) criterion for the hiring selections made for the Iraq reconstruction process,... and that often this failed to put the most qualified outfits in the job. We should hope to see more along that line...

[ellenfl]

4. ?

The U.S. Army said in July it would end Halliburton's contract to provide logistic support and would open the contract to other bids. According to Army figures, KBR has had orders worth $17.1 billion since the start of the contract, including about $15.4 billion in Iraq.

i would guess that halliburton has decided that the risk is no longer worth the $ and is going to let some other company come in and get shot at. i doubt open bidding would have happened otherwise.

ellen fl