Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

About That Good News

by Chris
Mon Apr 3rd, 2006 at 01:02:04 AM EST

As a person who has a great deal of concern for the mental health, stability and wellbeing of wingnutia, I was pleased to see that the Washington Post is running a front page story in Monday's paper about the health care clinics being built in Iraq. Here's a little of the good news that wingnuts and the Bush Administration have been begging to see highlighted.

BAGHDAD -- A reconstruction contract for the building of 142 primary health centers across Iraq is running out of money, after two years and roughly $200 million, with no more than 20 clinics now expected to be completed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says.

The contract, awarded to U.S. construction giant Parsons Inc. in the flush, early days of reconstruction in Iraq, was expected to lay the foundation of a modern health care system for the country, putting quality medical care within reach of all Iraqis.

Parsons, according to the Corps, will walk away from more than 120 clinics that on average are two-thirds finished. Auditors say the project serves as a warning for other U.S. reconstruction efforts due to be completed this year[...]

Coming with little public warning, the 86 percent shortfall of completions dismayed the World Health Organization's representative for Iraq. "That's not good. That's shocking," Naeema al-Gasseer said by telephone from Cairo. "We're not sending the right message here. That's affecting people's expectations and people's trust, I must say."

Hmm...an 86 percent shortfall? Oh crap! That's not good news, now is it? I feel like such a fool. I'm sorry. Really, I am. Well, in better news, there is a new My Little Pony Roleplaying Game in the works. Buy a copy for your favorite wingnut. I'm sure it will go a long way towards providing that false sense of well being they seem to crave. As for myself, I'm sending one to Kaye Grogan.

Iraq Reconstruction

About That Good News | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Nothing but Ponies and Pandas (4.00 / 5)

There for a minute, I thought you had completely lost your mind.

Happy Belated April Fool's Day indeed.

by ImSquarePegDamnIt (stillasquarepeg(at)gmail.com) on Mon Apr 3rd, 2006 at 01:28:38 AM EST

Re: About That Good News (4.00 / 2)

Kaye Grogan seems to be a particularly vile specimen.

by BooMan on Mon Apr 3rd, 2006 at 02:00:18 AM EST

Re: About That Good News (none / 1)

Kaye is god's gift to liberal bloggers who need material.

by Chris on Mon Apr 3rd, 2006 at 10:17:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: About That Good News (4.00 / 3)

"I can't say this isn't going to happen again, because we really haven't gotten a grasp" of the cost of finishing the many pending projects, [Inspector General for Reconstruction in Iraq Stuart] Bowen said.

Wonderful.

Those fuckers have been giving out no-bid contracts [I didn't see it specified if this was no-bid or not after a quick read] and still have no idea.

--
Albert Yee
Philadelphia, PA
http://dragonballyee.com/blog

by albert (dragonballyeeATgmail.com) on Mon Apr 3rd, 2006 at 02:48:53 AM EST

Re: About That Good News (4.00 / 3)

What's even more sickening is that this same company has even more contracts there for rebuilding and if you check their web site you will see their board is a who's who of repugnant donors. I guess the no bid contract business makes for great business under the bush regime.

Doing My Part For The Left

by refinish69 (refinish69 at gmail dot com) on Mon Apr 3rd, 2006 at 05:24:25 AM EST

Re: About That Good News (none / 1)

I was trying to track down their donation/fundraising history on open secrets last night before I published. I couldn't come up with anything too interesting, though the CEO, James f. McNulty, is certainly a familiar name. If anybody comes up with anything juicy, let me know, or write a diary and let me know about the diary.

by Chris on Mon Apr 3rd, 2006 at 10:15:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: About That Good News (4.00 / 4)

What I don't understand is how it makes sense for us to attempt any reconstruction while we're still conducting a war? Has anyone ever tried to begin reconstruction while war was still being waged?

Eat 4 Today: Just today I'm not going to take seconds & not eating between meals

by katiebird (katieremovebird@everestkc.net) on Mon Apr 3rd, 2006 at 07:14:35 AM EST

Re: About That Good News (4.00 / 3)

In Iraq, only an 86% failure rate counts as a success.

A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward. Franklin D. Roosevelt

by Steven D on Mon Apr 3rd, 2006 at 08:33:55 AM EST

Re: About That Good News (4.00 / 2)

That's better than a 90% failure rate!

--
Albert Yee
Philadelphia, PA
http://dragonballyee.com/blog

by albert (dragonballyeeATgmail.com) on Mon Apr 3rd, 2006 at 08:59:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

About That Good News | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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