Pentagon can't account for ANOTHER $15b

'Poorly Tracked' the understatement of the Millennium - so far.
Just another example proving that Government doesn't work - when Republicans are in control of it.

Well that's another $15 Billion on top of the $9 Billion they lost under Bremmer....

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Spending On Iraq Poorly Tracked
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/22/AR2008052203751_pf.html

Audit Faults Accounting for $15 Billion in Work

Failed to get receipts for everything from bottled water to pickup trucks.

The inspector general for the Defense Department said yesterday that the Pentagon cannot account for almost $15 billion worth of goods and services ranging from trucks, bottled water and mattresses to rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns that were bought from contractors in the Iraq reconstruction effort.

The Pentagon did not have the proper documentation, including receipts, vouchers, signatures, invoices or other paperwork, for $7.8 billion that American and Iraqi contractors were paid for phones, folders, paint, blankets, Nissan trucks, laundry services and other items, according to a 69-page audit released to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

An earlier audit by the inspector general found deficiencies in accounting for $5.2 billion of U.S. payments to buy weapons, trucks, generators and other equipment for Iraq's security forces. In addition, the Defense Department spent $1.8 billion of seized Iraqi assets with "absolutely no accountability," according to Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.), who chairs the oversight committee. The Pentagon also kept poor records on $135 million that it paid to its partners in the multinational military force in Iraq, auditors said.

The Army disagreed with some of the auditors' findings, saying that it is difficult to maintain an adequate paper trail in a war zone and that it has improved its record-keeping and accountability efforts. Robert L. Wilkie, assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs, declined an invitation to testify before from Waxman's committee.

in Viet Nam.

But what about those WIC recipients?
They are draining us.
:sarcasm:

We don' need no stinkin' RECEIPTS.

"And besides, our republicon Praetorian Guard 'contractors' deserve to make a Massive War Profit as much as any other republicon crony. Smirk."

- Commander AWOL

Bad journalism. Suggested correction: "...that The Pentagon claims, without documentation, American and Iraqi contractors were paid for..."

(Rec. 5).

...and not let anyone out of Iraq unless they show their receipts.

When the inevitable yammering from the Republican minority starts up about thousands or even millions in government "waste" on programs like food stamps or college aid. It is my understanding that $15 billion could fund universal health care for more than a year, and the Pentagon spilled that much just screwing around.

We can easily afford all kinds of things that would benefit our people and the rest of world. We choose instead to wage wars. It is insanity.

When thousands of people here in the US are loosing their homes and jobs are being pulled out from thousands more and the Pentagon will let $24 Billion dollars disappear???

That's just robbery!



http://antiisgood.wordpress.com/2007/10/03/review-article-the-worldwide-network-of-us-military-bases/

That is what this whole war is about.

Did you read the last paragraph?

"The November audit also described how the Pentagon paid $32 million for the construction of an Iraqi military facility in Anbar province that was never built. Defense Department officials told staff members of the oversight committee that "this is embarrassing" because "not a spade of dirt was turned.""

The "private contractor" that was given the $32M was allowed to keep $30M without ever doing one days work, and adding insult to insult to injury, he stiffed his subs.
:grr:

Bares responsibility for failing to provide proper oversight. Don't expect the GOP or the White House to take responsibility--every American is aware they are hopelessly corrupt and in the pocket of big finance and defense contractors.

Everybody knows the war is a racket yet tragically there is no will on the ground to stop it.

:eyes:

Welcome to DU yadda yadda yadda...

Slap on the wrist. Bad Pentagon.

Now, how much more do you need through 2009? 200 Billion? Okie dokie, here you go. But, spend it wisely.

We should be holding them accountable for all of this waste, fraud, and mismanagement before shelling out more money to them. Unfortunately, nothing of the sort will probably end up being demanded by Congress (because they don't want to be seen as not "supporting" our troops of course) and even if they do manage to push something through, as with with other previous attempts to link greater accountability and oversight with further cash payouts to the Pentagon for Iraq and other defense-related programs and services, Bush would just demand a "clean" bill and will almost certainly veto it and/or effectively "neuter" it with one of his "signing statements." It's enough to make someone sick!
:argh:

Every time money comes up missing. Halliburton is found with it.

Probably in some supply sergeant's basement next to the big tv.


mark

#2 raid the public trusts
#3 invade Iraq

They are going back to #1 but this time they are doing it on credit. Our credit.

a tank or two of gas.

but heck, they know enough about you and me.

It's probably right there with the WMD's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9EbssUgHj4

One word: SHAMEFUL!

the crimes are so rampant they will never be charged

I'm sure Sean Hannity and Bill-O will get right on this. Seeing as how they're not biased or anything.

$15, billion? How do you just lose these staggering amounts? Unless someone purposely designed the system to be unaccountable so that money could be funneled into mercenaries' coffers. But that would require an administration with strong ties to, say, Blackwater or Halliburtion...

billion to continue these useless wars of waste? How come the regular Pentagon budget doesn't cover the costs of the wars?

2.3 trillion missing from the pentagon announced by Rummy one day before the 911 attacks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kpWqdPMjmo

Halliburton is moving to Dubai.

That is a hint.

For the rest, look for Backwater and other companies that
contribute heavily to the Republicans.

Each of these has a number of links to follow.....

Neil Bush, the Rev. Moon, Paraguay and the U.S. Dept. of Education - http://www.talk2action.org/story/2008/3/28/132117/162

BUSH REPORTED TO HAVE PURCHASED 99,000 ACRES IN PARAGUAY - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0610/S00308.htm

Paraguay? Haff I got a place für you! Iss cheap!

And pay off the Paraguay Government for the rest of his life

It's all play money to BushCo.

Us.