The despicable waste of money in Iraq

[benddem]

from the "American Conservative" no less
Money for Nothing
Billions of dollars have disappeared, gone to bribe Iraqis and line contractors’ pockets.
by Philip Giraldi, a former CIA Officer, is a partner in Cannistraro Associates, an international security consultancy.
The United States invaded Iraq with a high-minded mission: destroy dangerous weapons, bring democracy, and trigger a wave of reform across the Middle East. None of these have happened.
snip
The American-dominated Coalition Provisional Authority could well prove to be the most corrupt administration in history, almost certainly surpassing the widespread fraud of the much-maligned UN Oil for Food Program. At least $20 billion that belonged to the Iraqi people has been wasted, together with hundreds of millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars.
snip
The CPA also spread its largesse around the U.S. armed forces, distributing over $600 million in cash to four regional commanders to fund reconstruction projects as part of the Commanders’ Emergency Response Program. An audit of one region disclosed that 80 percent of the funds could not be accounted for, and more that $7 million in cash was missing.
http://www.amconmag.com/2005/2005_10_24/cover.html

Gee maybe we all can get a medal. It seems like the conservatives may be waking up

[pushycat]

1. Can we get info on these regional commanders'

bookkeeping methods? Maybe they can teach me how they managed to mismanage $7 million of the taxpayers treasury. Sure will be difficult to convince me it was all carefully spent on behalf of the mission.

Maybe the military commanders don't know about GAAP or have any accounting background - they just have lots of brass.

[benddem]

2. this astounds me

I was in the Army for 22 years. Nothing close to this happened in Vietnam. The incompetence of this group is unbelievable.

[carincross]

3. from the left and the right

For months liberal blogs and media, notably Al Franken, have tried to get someone to pay attention to this massive case of fraud and corruption. Now, maybe the right and the left can begin a new campaign for accountability.

[newyawker99]

4. Hi carincross!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Earth_First]

5. Who knows what to believe...

previously I'd heard numbers involving the unknown whereabouts of BILLIONS of dollars in Iraq....