U.S. blows $1 million on 7 lemon cars in Iraq

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20051025/1062125.asp

When the Pentagon went shopping for seven armored cars for senior Iraqi policemen, U.S. officials turned to an Iraqi supplier to provide them some hardened Mercedes-Benzes.

After spending nearly $1 million, here's what they got: six vehicles with bad armor and run-down mechanics. They also were a little more than slightly used: The newest model was a 1996; the oldest, a 1994.

According to the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction, the seventh auto is missing.

In a report released Monday, the inspector general said the Pentagon couldn't get its money back because it did such a bad job negotiating the no-bid deal.

<snip>

The purchase "is like a daydream of a used car salesman; we paid big bucks for lemons," said Keith Ashdown, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense.

[gratuitous]

1. Ohmigosh, a whole million dollars?!

Sounds like it's time for an investigation.

Although perhaps the inspector general would be better served to try to track down the $9 billion (yes, that's 9,000 times as much as the amount mentioned in the story) that went missing while Paul Bremer was running Iraq.

[MindPilot]

4. well, ya know...a billion here and a billion there,

and pretty soon you're talking real money

[Ezlivin]

2. I'd rather see that money sent to some Lowriders

At least we could enjoy the artistry of their work.

[MindPilot]

3. For this I have to give up my mortgage deduction?

I'm getting real tired of the government making me pay taxes only to squander it on bullshit.

[Horse with no Name]

5. ummm yeah we believe that they spent that money on those

cars.:eyes:
I have no doubt that the contractor charged $1 m for them...but then kicked back at least half of that in commission.