Aw Shucks. We Just Trying to Make Some Money from Hurricane Corrina

Status
Not open for further replies.

Chado

Supporting Founder
Original poster
Supporting Founder
May 11, 2005
609
1
Orlando, FL
Surprise to anyone?


http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticleSearch.aspx?storyID=121777+10-Sep-2005+RTRS&srch=halliburton

Firms with Bush-Cheney ties clinching Katrina deals
Sat Sep 10, 2005 10:55 AM ET



WASHINGTON, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Companies with ties to the Bush White House and the former head of FEMA are clinching some of the administration's first disaster relief and reconstruction contracts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

At least two major corporate clients of lobbyist Joe Allbaugh, President George W. Bush's former campaign manager and a former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have already been tapped to start recovery work along the battered Gulf Coast.

One is Shaw Group Inc. <SGR.N> and the other is Halliburton Co. <HAL.N> subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root. Vice President Dick Cheney is a former head of Halliburton.

Bechtel National Inc., a unit of San Francisco-based Bechtel Corp., has also been selected by FEMA to provide short-term housing for people displaced by the hurricane. Bush named Bechtel's CEO to his Export Council and put the former CEO of Bechtel Energy in charge of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

Experts say it has been common practice in both Republican and Democratic administrations for policy makers to take lobbying jobs once they leave office, and many of the same companies seeking contracts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina have already received billions of dollars for work in Iraq.

Halliburton alone has earned more than $9 billion. Pentagon audits released by Democrats in June showed $1.03 billion in "questioned" costs and $422 million in "unsupported" costs for Halliburton's work in Iraq.

But the web of Bush administration connections is attracting renewed attention from watchdog groups in the post-Katrina reconstruction rush. Congress has already appropriated more than $60 billion in emergency funding as a down payment on recovery efforts projected to cost well over $100 billion.

"The government has got to stop stacking senior positions with people who are repeatedly cashing in on the public trust in order to further private commercial interests," said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight.

TWO BUSH APPOINTEES AT HALLIBURTON

Allbaugh formally registered as a lobbyist for Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root in February.

In lobbying disclosure forms filed with the Senate, Allbaugh said his goal was to "educate the congressional and executive branch on defense, disaster relief and homeland security issues affecting Kellogg Brown and Root."

Melissa Norcross, a Halliburton spokeswoman, said Allbaugh has not, since he was hired, "consulted on any specific contracts that the company is considering pursuing, nor has he been tasked by the company with any lobbying responsibilities."

Allbaugh is also a friend of Michael Brown, director of FEMA who was removed as head of Katrina disaster relief and sent back to Washington amid allegations he had padded his resume.

A few months after Allbaugh was hired by Halliburton, the company retained another high-level Bush appointee, Kirk Van Tine.

Van Tine registered as a lobbyist for Halliburton six months after resigning as deputy transportation secretary, a position he held from December 2003 to December 2004.

On Friday, Kellogg Brown & Root received $29.8 million in Pentagon contracts to begin rebuilding Navy bases in Louisiana and Mississippi. Norcross said the work was covered under a contract that the company negotiated before Allbaugh was hired.

Halliburton continues to be a source of income for Cheney, who served as its chief executive officer from 1995 until 2000 when he joined the Republican ticket for the White House. According to tax filings released in April, Cheney's income included $194,852 in deferred pay from the company, which has also won billion-dollar government contracts in Iraq.

Cheney's office said the amount of deferred compensation is fixed and is not affected by Halliburton's current economic performance or earnings.

Allbaugh's other major client, Baton Rouge-based Shaw Group, has updated its Web site to say: "Hurricane Recovery Projects -- Apply Here!"

Shaw said on Thursday it has received a $100 million emergency FEMA contract for housing management and construction. Shaw also clinched a $100 million order on Friday from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Shaw Group spokesman Chris Sammons said Allbaugh was providing the company with "general consulting on business matters," and would not say whether he played a direct role in any of the Katrina deals. "We don't comment on specific consulting activities," he said.
 
Ive seen this my whole career in engineering in public and private jobs. People are hired by private companies with ties to the govt to get a leg up getting work from the government. Guesss what? Its the way it is and the way its always been. Unless you have proof that some procurement laws have been broken then you are just spinning your wheels.
 
vurbano said:
Ive seen this my whole career in engineering in public and private jobs. People are hired by private companies with ties to the govt to get a leg up getting work from the government. Guesss what? Its the way it is and the way its always been. Unless you have proof that some procurement laws have been broken then you are just spinning your wheels.

So Vurb,

I am sure you have seen it many times where the Vice President of the United States reports close to $150,000 in "past income" from a heavy player in Iraq and presumably Corrina on his 2004 Taxes...
 
Why do you think most people get into politics and want government positions. It's not for the salary of that position. This occurs in both Democratic and Republican parties. Sad but true.
 
Frank Jr. said:
Why do you think most people get into politics and want government positions. It's not for the salary of that position. This occurs in both Democratic and Republican parties. Sad but true.

I couldn't agree with you more. Both parties have done this and that is really sad as you say.

My issue is that this administration is arrogantly doing it right in the faces of the very people that put them in office. This shows a complete lack of respect for the American people.
 
Frank Jr. said:
Why do you think most people get into politics and want government positions. It's not for the salary of that position. This occurs in both Democratic and Republican parties. Sad but true.

Ahh, finally someone from this planet. And your right, often it has nothing to do with political parties at all. A consulting firm often hires state transportation directors or engineers etc to gain an advantage in experience and expertise points when submitting proposals for government jobs. Has nothing to do with republican or democrat. Everyone does it and its not illegal.
 
Chado said:
I couldn't agree with you more. Both parties have done this and that is really sad as you say.

My issue is that this administration is arrogantly doing it right in the faces of the very people that put them in office. This shows a complete lack of respect for the American people.

The only reason its in your face is because the democrats running the news want it there. Whoda ever thunk it? Bechtel with a contract for design/construct? One of the biggest corporations on the planet. Thats gotta be a crime. Again if you have evidence of a crime then prosecute them. Otherwise get a life.:rolleyes:
 
Wow you really convinced me. That is such an intelligent and pithy respnonse. Full of educated ideas and opinions.

I have nothing but respect for your beliefs and opinions.
 
Chado said:
Wow you really convinced me. That is such an intelligent and pithy respnonse. Full of educated ideas and opinions.

I have nothing but respect for your beliefs and opinions.

You continually grab onto any opportunity however misguided and attempt turn it into a Bush bashing session. Its getting old.
 
Guys,

I think I deserve enough respect from my fellow forum members (including a staff member) to post issues that I feel are important enough to post without being attacked with a misused label (liberal) or being called a Bush Basher. It does no damage to me, but your attacks may prevent other people from chiming in on the subject. You are really doing a disservice to this community.

Just my opinion. It's still acceptable to have one of those right?
 
Things like this happen every day. One only hope that whomever is in charge of getting the contract gets the best service to the people that needed the most.
 
you do have the right to post what you want. no one said you could not. but we also have the right to give our opinion on the post. i was not negative to you. i just said another bush bashing post and that is my opinion.
 
Now for some facts not reported by Reuters

The Shaw Group is owned by the head of the La. Democratic Party :shocked and was the co-chair of the Gov. transition team. Puts a different light on it.

Mabe they just gave it companies that could do the job best.
 
gsg8838 said:
The Shaw Group is owned by the head of the La. Democratic Party :shocked and was the co-chair of the Gov. transition team. Puts a different light on it.

Mabe they just gave it companies that could do the job best.

Same light, same B.S. It doesn't matter what party does it, its just plain wrong.

I know I am being too Idealistic.
 
Chado said:
Guys,

I think I deserve enough respect from my fellow forum members (including a staff member) to post issues that I feel are important enough to post without being attacked with a misused label (liberal) or being called a Bush Basher.

just how far back shall we go?

Chado said:
It's unfortunate that we have a President who took advantage of these events to sacrifice even more American lives for a worthless war.


Chado said:
Just like a conservative to use speculation and fear as a tool to mislead people.

Youd better start deleting posts:rolleyes:
 
gsg8838 said:
The Shaw Group is owned by the head of the La. Democratic Party :shocked and was the co-chair of the Gov. transition team. Puts a different light on it.

Mabe they just gave it companies that could do the job best.

SHHHHHHHHH.... thats not conducive to the Bashing
 
vurbano said:
just how far back shall we go?

What ever makes you feel justified in your attacks.

vurbano said:
Youd better start deleting posts:rolleyes:

You missed my personal favorites, but that is a good one. Hmmm, what's next, attacking a fellow communitity member for liking his D* service? Damn E* bashers.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Vint Cerf muses about Google role, broadband

Sat guys exclusive :) Im on ebay!!!

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 0, Members: 0, Guests: 0)

Who Read This Thread (Total Members: 1)