Take back KBR bonuses, senators urge Pentagon

[shellgame26]

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Two Democratic senators Friday called on the Pentagon to take back more than $83 million in bonuses paid to military contractor KBR after a Defense Department report criticized its electrical work on U.S. bases overseas.

“I want them to tell us on what basis can they possibly continue to justify having paid $83 million of the taxpayers’ money for shoddy work that resulted in risk to our soldiers,” Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota told reporters.

Dorgan said he and Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania are pressing Defense Department officials to reclaim $83.4 million in bonus payments it awarded KBR for its work in Iraq.

snip

http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2009/07/31/take-back-kbr-bonuses-senators-urge-pentagon/

[MrModerate]

1. I was reliant on KBR for transport between the Green Zone and the airport . . .

And they nearly got me killed more than once. We eventually gave up on KBR and begged rides from the helicopter squadron next to our camp which -- despite people occasionally firing from the ground at the choppers -- was much safer.

And we did all of our own camp work (with Iraqi employees, incidentally). Wouldn't let the KBR pricks in our compound for fear their very aura would make things start failing.

Take their bonuses? How about locking them up?

Fuck 'em all.

[shellgame26]

2. they are parasites

I was an army cook and we would put out excellent food daily, sometimes even lobster. Now they are serving our troops spoiled shit foods. It's criminal!

[MrModerate]

3. It's literally criminal and it's one more thing to add to the list . . .

of things the Obama Administration needs to get to as soon as possible. However, they've been left a whole planetful of absolute disaster, so it's going to take awhile.

[crickets]

4. Risk? I think some dead soldiers' parents might call it more than 'risk'.

Taking back the bonuses is a fantastic idea, a necessary step considering bonuses are supposed to be rewards for GOOD work.

Casey said the Pentagon should fine KBR

Fine them? Why hasn't someone FIRED them? Maybe then they could bother to hire a contractor who won't provide soldiers with contaminated food and water and who won't perform work so shoddy that it kills. Then there are those tax dodges and overcharges...

Better yet, why can't the military go back to assigning cooks, truck drivers, laundry services, etc. from its own ranks rather than paying for expensive outside contracts? Why isn't the Army Corps of Engineers taking care of electrical and other skilled construction work for its own soldiers?

edit: missing word