Speaking of conspiracies...
 

I am sure this is baseless, but it was in the NY Times. It was on the front page earlier today....

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Iraq-Contracts.html

The question is, is there anything wrong with it?

Anything wrong with the fact that you have to register and spill info on your job-title and household income to NY Times, before you can read the article..?

Yes. I would say so.

Re: Speaking of conspiracies...
 

I just read about the story. It sounds reasonable to me.
There is lots of implied stuff but no direct or indirect evidence or charge of criminality. But could there be?

Heck yes there could be. I know what, why don't we appoint a special prosecutor to investigate. Of course, we want him independent, so there is no hint of political influence. Also, don't limit the scope of his inquiry--wouldn't want him to ignore potential leads into other charges. Finally, lets give him a huge budget so that he can hire a good staff of eager lawyers gunning to make a name for themselves.

I'll bet they'd come up with something plausible--if not on the direct charges than probably on something collateral like say, obstruction of justice against minor players.

Great idea, huh?

> Great idea, huh?

It'd be ~good~ for the economy! :cool:

Well, if i owned the NY Times, I'd provide unfettered access for you and everyone at MB shop!

But you are really missing out on one of the best on-web news sources around....

Yeah, where is Kenneth Starr when you really need him?

Why we need $20,000,000,000 dollars to rebuild Iraq.

1) Award general contract to US firms

2) General contractors pick subcontractors, possibly Jordanian, Kuwaiti, or Israeli

3) Subcontractors hire out of work Iraqi engineers to paint lines on roads

Imaginary Q&A with George W. Bush.

Could it have been done cheaper?

Yes, sure. If those contracts were awarded to non-US firms.

Will these firms hire Americans?

Doubtful, but we extended unemployment benefits.

Will the 20,000,000,000 help the economy?

No dummy. Economy is doing well. You got your $600 tax break. Now go find a job. I hear Taco Bell is hiring.

The 20 billion is chump change. The remaining, what is it, 67 billion going to troupes to, ahem, oversee the expenditure of the 20 billion is only a little more than pocket change. From the looks of it, most of the cash will be heading back to the USA anyway, plus, lest anyone forget, the remainder will come back to the USA in the form of cheap fuel for decade$ to come. This 87 billion is at a cost of about 300 bucks per person. Less than a trip to the dentist.

But, just as this cash was and will be spent on the basis of an urgent need, was the need to hand off the contracts so urgent that the contributors to the elect Bush campaign made it to the White House speed dialer?