At $400 billion and counting, and four years after President Bush’s “mission accomplished” speech, the Iraq war and rebuilding ought to be amounting to something substantive and permanent and positive. The latest audit by Inspector General Stuart Bowen Jr. paints a depressing picture of corruption, destruction and poor maintenance of reconstruction projects. All of which means more U.S. tax dollars — and more fuel for Democrats’ fire in opposing the war.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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The thing that keeps running through my mind is: what could have been done with that same 400 billion to end poverty, hunger and disease in this country. And how best could it have been spent to defend our borders.
So far, it has been spent on arms merchants, inferior building and infrastructure design, and has done absolutely nada to protect our borders.
Way to go, preznitwit.
100 dead Americans this month. I hope your Rethuglicans are proud of your body count.
“The Surge”
These slogans sound so ridiculous, as if the truth would sink their ship.
The amount of money that Kansans alone have spent on this madness could have provided comprehensive health care for every child under 18 in the state.
Instead, we give it to Halliburton to pump up Cheney’s stock options.
The legal graft continues . . .
I guess Capn just forgot to mention that any profits from Cheney’s stock options are assigned to charity. Sort of a misrepresentation eh..?
“One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line.”President Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998.
“If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction program.”President Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998.
“Iraq is a long way from [here], but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face.”Madeline Albright, Feb 18, 1998.
“He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten times since 1983.”Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998
“[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq’s refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs.”Letter to President Clinton, signed by Sens. Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others Oct. 9, 1998.
“Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process.”Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998.
“Hussein has … chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies.”Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999.
“There is no doubt that . Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies.”Letter to President Bush, Signed by Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL,) and others, Dec, 5, 2001.
“We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them.”Sen. Carl Levin (d, MI), Sept. 19, 2002.
“We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country.”Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002.
“Iraq’s search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power.”Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002.
“We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seing and developing weapons of mass destruction.”Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002.
“The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons…”Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002.
“I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force — if necessary — to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security.”Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002.
“There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years . We also should remember we have alway s underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction.”Sen. Jay Rockerfeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002,
“He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do.”Rep. Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002.
“In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons.”Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002
“We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction. “[W]ithout question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime … He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation. And now he has continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction … So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real …Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003.
Making a speech at Georgetown University on 23 January 2003, during the build-up to the war with Iraq, Senator John Kerry said:
Second, without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime. We all know the litany of his offenses. He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation. He miscalculated an eight-year war with Iran. He miscalculated the invasion of Kuwait. He miscalculated America’s response to that act of naked aggression. He miscalculated the result of setting oil rigs on fire. He miscalculated the impact of sending scuds into Israel and trying to assassinate an American President. He miscalculated his own military strength. He miscalculated the Arab world’s response to his misconduct. And now he is miscalculating America’s response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction. That is why the world, through the United Nations Security Council, has spoken with one voice, demanding that Iraq disclose its weapons programs and disarm.
Let’s see, we’re primarily propping up the Shiite section with our interferrence, erstwhile, Iran is propping up the Shiite insurgents. Does anyone think the Shiite might like the arrangement?
“That is why the world, through the United Nations Security Council, has spoken with one voice, demanding that Iraq disclose its weapons programs and disarm.”
Which is why we had inspectors there verifying that he had, indeed, done just that.
Gee, how is that search for WMDs going anyway?
The Shia gotta really like this; it seems a “win-win” deal.
republicant doesn’t get it and never will. His tirade is based on bad intelligence, a boy trying to be like daddy, and is useless info regarding what is happening NOW.
Why are republicans deserting the sinking bushtanic like rats? Why is it the majority want this war ended NOW? When will the republicans realize that killing and destroying a country completely foreign to them only serves the cause of terrorism?
Show me the WMD and I will go along with this nonsense. Otherwise, go find a candidate that thinks like you, like maybe rush coulter.
“The Surge”?? Sounds like a good name for a minor league football team!
Are any of those folks running for president ? I don’t think so –
“I got shot at yesterday, then I got shot at today! But I do not think about being shot at today, I am still hung up on the fact that yesterday I was shot at. Now if tomorrow comes and I am shot at, it will not matter in the question as to what to do about being shot at tomorrow. As since I was shot at yesterday and that is all that matters about being shot at today or tomorrow. The bullet yesterday missed me, it was a fail attempt at killing me. The bullet today missed me too, but as to that bullet it does not dismiss that fact that yesterday there was a shot fired and the bullet missed its mark. It does not matter what happens today or tomorrow! All that matters and justifies what I do today or tomorrow is effected by the fact that yesterday I was shot at.
If I am hit by the bullet tomorrow, then I will take comfort in thinking that it is all because I was shot at yesterday. It will justify the bleeding and hurt I feel tomorrow as since I was shot at yesterday it could have been yesterday instead of tomorrow. Though the person I saw as being the one that shot at me is not the same one that shoots at me tomorrow or today. I must concentrate on that person that I think was shooting at me yesterday. He is the real threat, he is the one I will become fixated on and blame all my problems today or tomorrow on. It is his fault, if he had done it right yesterday I would not have been shot at today or tomorrow! And as to being shot at today or tomorrow that is all that matter is the fact that the person that had the chance to shoot me yesterday fail in his duty to hit me.
Yes there is comfort in the knowledge that I am being shot at today and tomorrow because the person that had the chance to hit me yesterday failed to do his job. It justify the fact that I was shot at today and if I am shot at tomorrow and hit. It is all because of the person yesterday did not hit me, as what happen yesterday when being shot at today or tomorrow. Is far more important then who is taking a shot today or tomorrow.Their failure is not important, their aim is not the subject at hand it is the failures of the person yesterday.”
By golly, outlander was right for once.
Unfortunately, he forgot to mention or didn’t know that Cheney still gets “deferred compensation” (i.e., legal tax dodge) to the tune of over 200 grand a year . . .
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2006/04/bush_tax_return_filed_bush_and.html
In addition, the tax return reports the payment of deferred compensation from income earned in 1999 from Halliburton Company in the amount of $211,465.
Dog
What a post!!! — bong water?
LOL
Deferred compensation are monies already earned and owing to a current or former employee. The amounts cannot be affected in any way by current events. So nothing Cheney does for or against Halliburton’s corporate interests affects what he is owed.
So anyone such as the Capn here who insinuates otherwise is doing nothing more than casting cheap aspersions.
JUST IN
BELL AIRE SOLDIER
4-30-07 - 21-year-old Alex Funcheon died in Baghdad over the weekend when the humvee he was riding in hit a roadside bomb. All three soldiers in the vehicle died.Alex went to Heights high school and joined the military right after high school. His parents describe him as fun and happy-go-lucky, but serious about his position in the army.He is survived by his parents of Bel Aire and his 18-year-old sister. The funeral will take place sometime in the next week to ten days.”O God, our Heavenly Father, we remember before Thee this day,those who laid down their lives in the service of their country.We remember their courage and devotion to the Sovereign and the country they served.We pray that their labours be not in vain but that their spirit may live on in us and the generations to come.We pray that liberty, truth and love may spread over all the world ’til war shall cease to be.We remember our brethren who are in sickness or distress.We remember the widows and other dependants.We dedicate ourselves to Thy service in the name of those whose memory we revere.We ask this in the name of our Lord.” “Amen”
Republican your quotes of democrats means nothing at all. Republicans made the same quotes and it was all because of the same faulty intelligence. What matters is that we are at $400 billion and counting and 3000 plus and counting dead service members. The Soviet Union had WMD and we never attacked them. I don’t buy the bringing democracy to Iraq line either. Why aren’t we bringing democracy to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait?
Because bringing Democracy to Iraq was passed by Congress (both houses) twice and signed by two different Presidents.
Yeah, you’re right, outlander.
After Sec’y of Defense Cheney changed the rules to “privatize” military functions (i.e., funnel hundreds of billions of taxpayer money to right-wing supporters), he became CEO of Halliburton despite the fact that he had no business experience, not even for a single day.
Did Halliburton suddenly find their gov’t contracts going up exponentially thanks to Cheney’s rolodex of contacts?
Oh, hell, yes.
Anybody who can’t see the obvious legal graft must be named “outlander.”
Yeah, you’re right, outlander.
After Sec’y of Defense Cheney changed the rules to “privatize” military functions (i.e., funnel hundreds of billions of taxpayer money to right-wing supporters), he became CEO of Halliburton despite the fact that he had no business experience, not even for a single day.
Did Halliburton suddenly find their gov’t contracts going up exponentially thanks to Cheney’s rolodex of contacts?
Oh, hell, yes.
Anybody who can’t see the obvious legal graft must be named “outlander.”
RepubliCON writes: “signed by two different presidents.”
Heh, yup, President Cheney and his talking dummy Bush . . .
You don’t dare to speak about it, but the Jews have been murdering Arabs and stealing their land day in and day out for 50 years.
All financed by the United States And that is the root cause for Arab anger at the United States.
Iraq was attacked to make the Jews feel safer, when putting the lid on their barbarism against Arabs would solve the Middle East problems.
The Arabs are willing to accept that the Jews are there to stay and have endorsed a peace plan which reflects that with borders at the Green-Line.
We can enforce that and gasoline will come back down and stop tearing-up our economy.
Financing “greed” takes us all to Hell, as does playing with the real facts about the Middle East.
Sober-up.
I’ve got to quibble with you on that, Ed.
Yes, the Israelis are anti-Arabs and have used religious superstition to claim Palestine. Yes, they’ve stolen land and created democracy for Jews only.
But that isn’t the root cause of Arab resentment. The Arabs don’t seem all that concerned about the Palestinians, and if you don’t believe it, look at how the Saudis treat them when they hire them to do their labor.
Terrorism against the US was fomented by Saudis (and a few Egyptians) in direct response to US troops stationed in the Arabian Peninsula–”the land of the two holies.”
It’s never been about much more than that.