Loose cannons

Making a killing I

"The US occupation authority that governed Iraq after the 2003 invasion did not properly safeguard [US]$8.8 billion of Iraq's money, leaving the funds open to corruption, a US audit released on Sunday has said... One of the main benefactors of Iraq funds was Texas-based firm Halliburton, which was paid about $1.7 billion of those funds to bring in fuel for Iraqi civilians." — Reuters report, January 31.

Making a killing II

"The top US commander in Baghdad is facing a budget gap of at least $4 billion between what Halliburton Co. says it will cost to provide services for US troops for a year and what the government has budgeted...The company said its costs for the year could exceed $10 billion..." — Reuters report, February 1.

American psycho

"Actually, its a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot... You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." — Lieutenant General James Mattis, commander of the US 1st Marine Division in Iraq, February 1.

Spending discipline

"America's prosperity requires restraining the spending appetite of the federal government. I welcome the bipartisan enthusiasm for spending discipline." — Emperor George Bush II, in his February 2 State of the Union speech. His administration is seeking US$80 billion to fund its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2005-06, bringing the total spent on these wars to more than $200 billion.

Like Halliburton

"To make our economy stronger and more competitive, America must reward, not punish, the efforts and dreams of entrepreneurs." — Emperor Bush, February 2.

From Green Left Weekly, February 9, 2005.

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From GLW issue 614