"They couldn't deliver ice...Now they are in charge of support services at Walter Reed"

[FourScore]

(This post is actually a response that Shallah wrote on this thread I started yesterday: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=323107&mesg_id=329105.
I thought that it should be posted as it's own topic.)

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicsasusual/2007/03/they_couldnt_de.html

"Chairman Henry Waxman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee sent a letter to Major General George Weightman, former Walter Reed Army Medical Center commander asking about a memorandum the committee has uncovered.

'This memorandum, which we understand was written in September 2006, describes how the Army's decision to PRIVATIZE SUPPORT SERVICES AT WALTER REED MEDICAL CENTER was causing an EXODUS OF HIGHLY SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL.' As a result according to the memorandum, 'WRAMC BASE OPERATIONS AND PATIENT CARE SERVICES ARE AT RISK OF MISSION FAILURE.'

Waxman says 'We have learned that in January 2006 WALTER REED awarded a FIVE-YEAR, $120 MILLION contract to a company called IAP WORLDWIDE SERVICES...IAP IS BEST KNOWN FOR THE PROBLEMS IT ENCOUNTERED DELIVERING ICE during the response to Hurricane Katrina. The COMPANY IS LED BY AL NEFFGEN, a FORMER HALLIBURTON OFFICIAL..."

[MissWaverly]

1. Ghouls profitting of our wounded soldiers

this privatization has got to stop, it is a money pit with no bottom and NO REAL RESULTS.
Let me ask a stupid question, was this ever debated in Congress, since Congress is just
finding this out, my best guess is NO, then WHO made this decision to turn it over
to a Halliburton subsidiary? On whose AUTHORITY was this done, is this more of
the unitary executive crap?

[FourScore]

5. That's a good question, Miss Waverly.

Since the Republicans held the majority, perhaps that had something to do with it.

Let's hope the chain of events can also be established.

[MissWaverly]

12. YOU are probably 1,000% correct

the Republican majority has had a lot to do with the lack of oversight and look where
it has gotten us.

:-(

[Cass]

2. Privitzation of military services is disturbing.

There is an incentive to keep the wars going for corporate gain. And with this bunch in charge that is a very distinct possibility. Also its a huge conflict of interest to have the VP tied to one of the largest private contractors involved. I always wondered why that was permitted. Even small town governments have rules prohibiting this type of conflict of interest so why not the federal government?

[FourScore]

6. There is a great documentary called "Why We Fight"

by Eugene Jarecki that delves into the privatisation of the military through the military industrial complex and how it ties our politicians to special interests. Definitely worth watching. (He also touches on the political power of think tanks, using the PNAC as his example.) The opening scene is an eerie, very prescient farewell speech from Pres Eisenhaer with a firm warning on the potential dangers of the growing military industrial complex.
Check it out. You can rent it at your local video store:

http://www.sonyclassics.com/whywefight/main.html

[Cass]

9. Thanks for the tip, it sounds very interesting. I'll see if Netflix has it.

on edit: Netflix had it so I added it to my list. Thanks!

[LeftyMom]

11. That is a great documentary

I really want to second your recommendation to anybody who hasn't seen it yet.

[MissWaverly]

13. they do have rules but they have been ignored

and there is no disciplinary actions taken.

[Shallah Kali]

14. It is a front. Talk Law & Order, then break all the rules.

Rules are for little people

[MissWaverly]

15. plus it's a scheme to suck up tax dollars

shift it to contractors, they kick it back as lobbyists and presto, chango, a big
war chest for the GOP campaigns.

:-(

[Vexatious Ape]

3. What we need is an army of Waxmans.

And a media that will dig into stories like this with the same intensity they apply to Paris Hilton and that Spears girl.

[FourScore]

8. If only... n/t

[Faux pas]

4. Follow the money....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x326953

[FourScore]

7. Excellent link, Faux Pas

I'll read it in it's entirety later today. (Gotta take the kids ice skating right now.)

[EFerrari]

10. K&R

Just when you think your head can't explode again. :mad:

[annabanana]

16. k&r. . . . n/t

[KoKo]

17. Not a WORD about this on the Sunday Talk Shows...only CBS Shieffer covered

extensively Walter Reed. He did try to bring up the "lack of planning for staff" and interviewed Dana Priest's Co-Author of WaPo Expose. But, so far....the "Privatization Scheme" is still under the radar. Perhaps it's because it broke on Friday and they'd already taped their shows, though.

[IWantAChange]

18. Less than 9 weeks of Dem control & oversight hearings - can you imagine what's yet to come??