New book: The Halliburton Agenda : The Politics of Oil and Money

[RamboLiberal]

I just picked it up tonight. Here's review.

During the 2000 vice presidential debate, when Dick Cheney was asked about his financial success as Halliburton’s CEO, he responded that the government had played no role in it. But even Cheney himself couldn’t really believe that. Halliburton has taken the idea of the military-industrial complex to a level never before seen. And in its seemingly unstoppable march to becoming the vendor of choice for the United States military, Halliburton continues to court controversy.
In The Halliburton Agenda, Halliburton and its subsidiary, Kellogg Brown & Root, form the foundation of an intriguing story of cronyism and conflict of interest that has only increased in momentum over the last decade.

Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Dan Briody cuts through the veil of secrecy that cloaks this controversial company, and reveals how the confluence of business and politics has led to questionable deals as well as financial windfalls for Halliburton, its executives, and its subsidiaries.

The Halliburton Agenda digs deep to expose:

A pattern of cost overages by the company dating as far back as World War II and extending forward through Vietnam, Somalia, and Bosnia

How Halliburton has been doing business with terrorist states such as Libya and Iran for decades--and why the company continues to do so
The questionable legality of the U.S. government’s contracts with Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown & Root, including LOGCAP--the government’s contract to provide logistical support to the Army--and the contract for the work in rebuilding Iraq’s oil infrastructure
Why the company paid a $2.4 million bribe to a Nigerian tax official, acquired $4.4 billion of asbestos liability, and changed its accounting procedures without notifying its shareholders--an action that has led to an ongoing SEC investigation
The current allegations against Halliburton for overcharging the U.S. government for gas in Iraq

Halliburton’s inextricable links to politicians and the United States military, its dealings with countries known to sponsor terrorism, and its controversial $2 billion government contract to rebuild Iraq are only the tip of the iceberg. The Halliburton Agenda untangles a complex web of political power plays and deceptive deals--revealing how a company with the right connections can finesse its way to success.

From the Back Cover
"Having been a lifelong public servant with no business experience, Cheney was hired by Halliburton in 1995 because of his understanding of the nation’s political tendencies and his extensive contacts both on Capitol Hill and at the Pentagon. And he delivered on that expectation. . . . is the embodiment of the Iron Triangle, the nexus of the government, military, and big business that President Eisenhower warned America about in his farewell speech. . . . Halliburton has... read more

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0471638609/qid=1083128435/sr=8-4/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i4_xgl14/104-7424948-0390300?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[hang a left]

1. Wow sounds like a must read. Will pick it up.

Thanks.

[RamboLiberal]

2. Kick this for the day crowd

:kick: