Reckless post-war spending causes corruption-report

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L23441793.htm

LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The ravages of modern warfare are too often compounded by ill-conceived and expensive post-war reconstruction projects that fuel a "feeding frenzy" of corruption and profiteering, according to a U.N.-funded report. snip

The report made no reference to current events in Iraq, which faces a huge task in rebuilding roads, bridges, factories and power and water services destroyed during the U.S.-led invasion and by an insurrection in the months since.

But it cited repair of the Iraqi electricity grid after the 1991 Gulf War which was carried out by locals after the U.N.'s initial proposals were rejected as being too expensive.

"Five billion dollars and 4 years were not needed. Iraqis simply did it on their own," wrote Tiri co-chairman Jeremy Carver.

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[cliss]

1. I have said in many posts,

that the one thing that will stop our adventurism in foreign countries is money. Or the lack of it. We simply cannot continue indefinitely doing this. The US treasury will be broke. We've been borrowing to fund the entire cost of the Iraq war. In other words, we have not paid DIME ONE on this little foray.

As we slide into insolvency, the rest of the world will close its teller window as we come staggering in. They will hang a sign that says, "Closed". They either cannot or will not lend us any more money.

THAT is the only thing that will stop us. Because William Kristol, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfailed and the others have MANY, MANY more projects in store for us.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. We are already broke.

Boy George is about to max out Daddy's credit cards.

[stillcool]

3. But we are banking on the profits from the..

reconstructuring and WalMarting of Iraq, and Iran, and Syria..!Why else would we be blowing up everything in sight? What goes up must first come down.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. You've got to be freaking kidding me!! Iraq???? with no schools, no

higher learning, no smart people who could do such things cuz Saddam kept them so inept and dumbed down?? Oh wait.. it was our electrical infrastructure that failed almost in totality


NOT BECAUSE IT WAS BOMBED

NOT BECAUSE IT WAS OVERWORKED

NOT BECAUSE OF SANCTIONS

NOT BECAUSE OF UNTRAINED PERSONNEL

NOT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF FUNDS

BUT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF ATTENTION PAID TO IT, JUST LIKE WE HAVE A LACK OF ATTENTION BEING PAID TO THE REST OF THE NATION'S INFRASTRUCTURE.

FUNNY HOW WE NEVER SEEM TO RUN OUT OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THROW AT MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX RELATED COMPANIES, BUT ALWAYS LACK THE DOUGH TO KEEP OUR OWN COUNTRY RUNNING EFFICIENTLY. SHOCKING. I SUPPOSE IF YOU FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL IT LEADS TO THEM THERE IN GOVERNMENT WHO LIKE THE LIFE OF LUXURY.