Firm behind huge Iraq embassy doesn't want to talk about it

[babylonsister]

Firm behind huge Iraq embassy doesn't want to talk about it

By Matt Schofield | Kansas City Star


The new U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has almost everything architects love to talk about: big money, high profile, controversy, historic significance, fascinating location.

So, what’s the reaction from the Kansas City firm involved in designing it?

Nothing, really.

“Really, we’d rather you talked to our partner company,” said Carl Yaeger, president of Berger Devine Yaeger, which came up with the overall look for the largest, most expensive embassy perhaps in world history.

No comment, said that partner, the Berger Group of New Jersey.

Look on BDY’s Web site. There’s nary a mention of the project’s $700 million price tag and no photos of Marines raising the flag, although the State Department is listed as a past client.

snip//

Did we mention that the embassy is our nation’s most heavily fortified?

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/59491.html

[MADem]

1. Does the phrase "white elephant" resonate? nt

[SpiralHawk]

2. How perfectly Republicon

Ptoooey on the anti-American, anti-moral republicon fetishes for corruption and occultism...

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Matt Schofield is one of my least favorite reporters at The Star

I was hoping he would get fired in the latest round of layoffs.

[StClone]

4. The reasons! Give me the reason!

What were the considerations for such a giganormous waste of money for something we will not need? I suspect the goal was to switch from Israel as our ship in the Middle East and convert Iraq into a vision of Free Market and militarism from which to control the region and possibly attack Iran.

Other reasons were stupidity, grandiose ideas of huge monuments to themselves and greed.

[stillcool]

5. Prime real estate?