Corps allegedly knew pumps put in after Katrina were faulty-Warnings issued, documents say

[kpete]

Corps allegedly knew pumps put in after Katrina were faulty
Warnings issued, documents say
By Cain Burdeau, Associated Press | March 14, 2007

NEW ORLEANS -- The Army Corps of Engineers, rushing to meet President Bush's promise to protect New Orleans by the start of the 2006 hurricane season, installed defective flood control pumps last year despite warnings from its own specialist that the equipment would fail during a storm, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press.

The 2006 hurricane season turned out to be mild, and the new pumps were never pressed into action. But the Corps and the politically connected manufacturer of the equipment are still struggling to get the 34 heavy duty pumps working properly.

The pumps are now being pulled out and overhauled because of excessive vibration, Corps officials said. Other problems have included overheated engines, broken hoses, and blown gaskets, according to the documents obtained by AP.

Colonel Jeffrey Bedey, who is overseeing levee reconstruction, insisted the pumps would have worked last year and the city was never in danger. Bedey gave assurances that the pumps should be ready for the coming hurricane season, which begins June 1.

more at:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/03/14/corps_allegedly_knew_pumps_put_in_after_katrina_were_faulty/

[paparush]

1. The shite keeps rising...some of its GOT to stick!

[porphyrian]

2. Totally fucking unacceptable. - n/t

[tandot]

3. "business partner of Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, in a venture called Bush-El..."

"MWI is owned by J. David Eller and his sons. Eller was once a business partner of Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, in a venture called Bush-El that marketed MWI pumps. And Eller has donated about $128,000 to politicians, the vast majority of it to the Republican Party, since 1996, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

MWI has run into trouble before. The US Justice Department sued the company in 2002, accusing it of fraudulently helping Nigeria obtain $74 million in taxpayer-backed loans for overpriced and unnecessary water pump equipment. The case has yet to be resolved"

------------------

Isn't that amazing how their cronies always end up with our tax money?

[ClintonTyree]

4. And the company that made the pumps? Part of the BFFE.

MWI is owned by J. David Eller and his sons. Eller was once a business partner of Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, in a venture called Bush-El that marketed MWI pumps. And Eller has donated about $128,000 to politicians, the vast majority of it to the Republican Party, since 1996, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

I'm sure it was just a coincidence that MWI was awarded the contract, right? :eyes: Riiiiiight......

[SpiralHawk]

5. These are Jebbie Bush's corrupt cronies profiting from the bum pumps

republicon sleazebags making money off the death of people in NOLA, and
the vast destruction of property...

Shame on the Bush Clan and the republicons, lacking in all honor.


What a pair of morans.

[kestrel91316]

6. Last year was SUPPOSED to be a bad hurricane year. The Corps knew it,

and yet they put in defective pumps.

I happen to think they wanted to FINISH OFF New Orleans so they wouldn't have to spend any more trying to save it and rebuilding the lives of those "damned n-----s". After all, the state is tilting blue these days............

[Virginia Dare]

7. There is no level of human misery that the Bush family...

hasn't made a sweet dime on.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

8. After a year, I'll bet the pumps are out of warranty

and any repairs or replacements will be billed at a new, recalculated, increased price.

[Greybnk48]

9. This is being reported on the Weather Channel

of all places--in accurate detail. The reader that reported exhibited disgust at the story.