Halliburton's Dubai Move Makes Democrats Suspicious

[ProSense]

Halliburton's Dubai Move Makes Democrats Suspicious

Congress Will Likely Investigate the Firm's Reasons for Moving
By JAKE TAPPER
March 12, 2007 — - Halliburton Co., currently the largest military contractor in Iraq with billions of dollars in Pentagon contracts, announced Sunday that it was planning to move its CEO and corporate headquarters from Houston to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

The move could eventually save the firm a fortune in U.S. taxes, but it is raising serious questions about its priorities and prompting at least one possible congressional hearing.

Snip....

Run by Vice President Dick Cheney from 1995 to 2000, Halliburton has a five-year, $16 billion contract with the U.S. Army and total revenues of $22.6 billion in 2006.

Move Makes Democrats Suspicious

Outrage over that possibility had Halliburton scrambling Sunday to explain it had no plans to incorporate abroad. Still, Democrats are suspicious.

"For one of the largest contractors with the United States government to move its headquarters overseas? just doesn't look good, doesn't sound good, doesn't smell good," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

more...

Halliburton moving to Dubai

Critics howl as oil services firm changing locale of headquarters and chief executive; congressional hearing possible.

March 12 2007: 10:19 AM EDT

HOUSTON (Reuters) -- Oil services firm Halliburton is moving its headquarters and chief executive to Dubai in a move that immediately sparked criticism from some U.S. politicians.

Texas-based Halliburton, which was led by Vice President Dick Cheney from 1995-2000, did not specify what, if any, tax implications the move might entail. It plans to list on a Middle East bourse once it moves to Dubai - a booming commercial center in the Gulf. The company said it was making the moves to position itself better to gain contracts in the oil-rich Middle East.

"This is an insult to the U.S. soldiers and taxpayers who paid the tab for their no-bid contracts and endured their overcharges for all these years," said judiciary committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat.

Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, might hold a hearing on the implications, an aide to Waxman said.

more...

Honest Leadership and Accountability in Contracting Act: Dorgan, Kerry and Leahy: Iraq's Not For Sale

[BluePatriot]

1. Not just Dems!

Local Freepers who work in the oil industry are reacting with outright disgust to this. Halliburton will suffer a behind-the-scenes backlash from their customers/vendors/suppliers/associates that I don't think they anticipated.

[blm]

13. Tell the RWers that this was always the plan - New World Order with corporations

in charge of our needed resources AND defense.

Is that what they signed on for when they were being snookered by Rush and the so-called religious leaders?

[BluePatriot]

14. Hell, pretty much every...

employee of a Houston oil co is a RWer by default, I just landed here randomly, LOL. But, they are displeased. And they do have the power to give H'burton a kick to their wallet which pleases me, because this is the only thing that ever seems to get across to people like them.

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. Freepers and their so called "Mexican" firing squad.

Now they have to boycott Citgo AND oil from Halliburton affiliates. LOL!

[BOSSHOG]

2. They dealt with the criminals in the republican party

to get no bid contracts, provided mediocre products, now want to skip out on paying taxes. Ya gotta love those conservative values. At least limbaugh still loves them.

[WinkyDink]

22. The "Republican Party" IS a criminal enterprise, using an established moniker.

[sarcasmo]

3. Kick, I think this makes everyone suspicious.

[bryant69]

4. I think there's a fair question about whether or not they should keep

their contracts - they are no longer loyal to America and the American system, why should they be rewarded as if they were?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[natrat]

7. fuckanaa...should they have gotten them in the first place?

[bryant69]

9. Well that's another issue - and debatable as well

Certainly they should not have gotten the "no-bid" contracts they got. But the dynamic changes when an American Company, no matter how shit, decides it doesn't want to be an American company anymore.

Bryant

[catmandu57]

10. No, they shouldn't have got them in the first place

Their contracts should be nullified, or at the very least rewritten. I wonder if this is part of the dicks escape plan, it's warm in the desert he won't need his parka there.

[sellitman]

5. Is tax evasion a new Republican value?

I must have missed that memo.
:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

Rat Bastards!

[Cobalt Violet]

6. K & R

:evilfrown:

[shance]

8. Isn't that a bit understated? "Suspicious"? And "likely investigation"?

What more do these individuals need to do to be held accountable?

[Virginia Dare]

11. That was my thought too...

it sends me into a blind rage.

[blm]

12. Corpmedia downplaying BFEE crimes - as usual.

.

[opihimoimoi]

15. How UNPATRIOTIC.....Save on their taxes??? They wanna make more money?? Confirms the greed

they have....Disgusting.

Do they care,,,shit no...

They got the money and thats what counts...

[w4rma]

16. security clearance, national security, security clearance, national security. In the hands of an

overseas firm.

If they can't be trusted to pay American taxes, they can't be trusts with national security secrets. If they can't be trusted to keep their information within the U.S., they can't be trusted with government military contracts. They can't be trusted at all.

[Parche]

18. Halliburton

Let them go, they have every right to leave for Dubai, but there will never be a US contract
given to those bastards again....................

Good riddance Halliburton, why dont you take Cheney along with you to Dubai and leave him there......

[Solon]

23. Halliburton doesn't have a right to do shit...

Its a Corporation, and exists at the sufferance of the State, not the reverse. In this case, the United States should FORBID them and any subsidiaries from doing business ANYWHERE in the United States, we also should seize ALL assets on U.S. soil and auction them all off. In addition, all executive officers should be arrested for defrauding the U.S. government and treason, then lined up and shot for the shit they pulled so far.

[Parche]

24. Halliburton

I agree with you, but corporations can do what their board members or CEO's want to do
It is up to us and Congress to stop their contracts once they have moved.


Yes they should be cut off from any more US contracts period....

I hope Waxman can kick their Hallibutt!!!!

[cassiepriam]

19. Drain the US Treasury, then flee the country.

Only what any good crook would do.

[trashcanistanista]

20. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) on now

CSPAN discussing it. She is outraged.

[Booster]

21. Boy, them Dems are quick ain't they?