Shoddy, incompetent electrical work by KBR and its subcontractors has killed and injured far more Americans than previously admitted by the Pentagon. 13 electrocutions, 283 fires and untold minor electrical injuries have occurred in miswired American facilities in Iraq.

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The military found serious problems with shoddy KBR electrical work but tried to cover up the problems rather than fix them. A $10.00 GFI outlet is all that's needed to prevent accidental electrocution.

Another day, another middle finger to the American taxpayer and American soldier from the Bush Administration and friends at Kellogg Brown & Root.

The New York Times has an article up detailing how back in the early stages of the Iraq War, the Army's own auditor found lack of support for $ 1 billion in fees and charges sought by KBR for their "services," and that the senior civilian overseeing the KBR contract was "reassigned" for demanding KBR provide information:

The official, Charles M. Smith, was the senior civilian overseeing the multibillion-dollar contract with KBR during the first two years of the war. Speaking out for the first time, Mr. Smith said that he was forced from his job in 2004 after informing KBR officials that the Army would impose escalating financial penalties if they failed to improve their chaotic Iraqi operations.

More below...

It seems that Northrup Grumman has held the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to provided IT security services which includes administrative for the U.S. Department of State since Aug 2007.

Per their website:

MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 1, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) by the Department of State to provide security support services for the department's computer systems and networks.

Northrop Grumman is one of eight companies awarded a BPA for security assurance services. The master ceiling of the BPA is valued at $710 million, in the aggregate, for one base year and four one-year options for the eight awarded BPAs.

It has been three days since I returned to Boston and I still can't believe it took a trip to Dallas for me to recognize the severity of the problems our country faces.

Sorry for the short diary....

This morning the Iraqi government decided to revoke the aspects of CPA Order 17 that had been integrated into Iraqi law. CPA Order 17 was the Bremer issued order that gave contractors immunity under the Iraqi system of law. link

The Iraqi government announced on Wednesday that it has decided to formally revoke the immunity from prosecution granted to private security companies operating in the war-ravaged country.

Article 1 of Section 2 of CPA order 17 issued by then US administrator for Iraq, Paul Bremer, stipulates that the "multinational force, foreign liaison missions, their personnel, property, funds and assets and all international consultants shall be immune from Iraqi legal process."