Forum Post: Of "War" and Profit.
Posted 11 years ago on May 16, 2013, 10:49 a.m. EST by shoozTroll
(17632)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
I've taken a lot of guff over the last year, for trying to explain how protracted (and likely, no bid) contracts are one of the reasons for our protracted "wars".
Turns out I am uncomfortably close to the truth.
You will find the usual players here.
And a particularly egregious one here.
Once upon a time, our military could stand on it's own.
Not anymore.
Is full privatization the future?
Good post shooz. It is all about the Corporate War Of Aggression. Control military, water, food, education, medical, etc. It is happening.
AllGov is an interesting site.
I just found this.
Afgans are taxing these contractors at an incredible rate.
Guess who really pays that tax bill?
http://www.allgov.com/news/us-and-the-world/contractors-aiding-us-war-effort-are-taxed-nearly-a-billion-dollars-by-the-afghan-government-130516?news=850033
Just another example of corp(se)oRATion Greed - No Surprise - Profits over People - it is just more plain to see in the aspect of war. Their operations are more visible now. Their ongoing effort to rule ( misrule ).
The current rise of the corp(se)oRATion really began in earnest during the cold war - as government unleashed the monster in it's ( governments ) program/effort to democratize the World. That is when corp(se)oRATions were given much power and a free hand to infiltrate societies around the world to help Westernize/Democratize their populations thinking. The monster has continued to grow by leaps and bounds since then. The monster's plan was not democratizing - it's plan was corp(se)oRATization.
"Beyond the sheer volume of dollars heading overseas, an analysis of Pentagon spending reveals a troubling pattern: the majority of benefits have gone to a relatively small group of private contractors. In total, almost a third of the $385 billion has flowed into the coffers of just 10 top contractors, including scandal-prone companies like KBR, the former subsidiary of Halliburton, and oil giant BP. "
"The problem is, it’s remarkably difficult to figure out who’s been benefiting from all the taxpayer money. The government doesn’t bother to compile such information. This meant I had to pick through hundreds of thousands of contracts and research scores of companies in countries worldwide.
I began with publicly available government contract data and followed a methodology for tracking funds used by the Commission on Wartime Contracting. This allowed me to compile a list of every Pentagon contract with a “place of performance” -- that is, the country where most of a contract’s work is performed -- outside the United States since the start of the Afghan war (fiscal year 2002).
There were 1.7 million of them. "
The extent is overwhelming.
Perhaps easy to see -
GREED THE #1 CAUSE OF DISEASE/DEATH/DESTRUCTION IN THE WORLD.
Harder to track.
Though they are more visible now then ever before.
"The government doesn’t bother to compile such information"
National security?
Corp(se)oRATe security
Gotta keep the masses in the dark - goes hand in hand with em feeding the public shit.
This one should be on the front page/lead story of every news outlet in the Western World.
Instead we get stuff like this. AP, even in the "good" publications.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/16/australian-politician-attacked-kangaroo-shane-rattenbury?guni=Network%20front:network-front%20main-3%20Main%20trailblock:Network%20front%20-%20main%20trailblock:Position16
Distractions (shit ) fed ( no pun ) to the public.
Republicans do all kinds of unspeakable crimes. Almost on a daily basis. I can't report them all! As a side note, so do democrats. Both parties are corrupt beyond belief. We need a new government system. On to anarcho-communism. Time for a revolution!
You're wrong as usual.
http://www.politicususa.com/detroits-emergency-manager-kevyn-orr.html
As with most blowhards. You can't prove it, because it's not wholly true.
http://www.eclectablog.com/2013/05/michigan-senate-republicans-reject-medicaid-expansion.html
http://www.eclectablog.com/2013/05/some-michigan-schools-flourish-while-others-lock-their-doors-for-lack-of-money-an-endrun-to-privatization.html
You might want to study history. There were big corporations controlling governments way before the cold war. The concept of oligarchs dates back to ancient greece. During the colonization era there were all kinds of big companies like the East India Company. In that company, all share holders were rich merchants and aristocrats. The government did not own any shares and had little control over the company. There are many other examples. To think big corporations is something new is to be bat blind when it comes to history. In many fields, there's more competition now then there used to be. A lot of big monopolies have been dismantled. Of course, the problem of corporations still remains extremely huge, it's just not something new at all.
I am pointing out recent history - not delving into the depths of history for other such times.
You stated - "The current rise of the corp(se)oRATion really began in earnest during the cold war"
This is simply not true. There were big corporations controlling governments way before the cold war. Bankers have also been manipulating the system long before the cold war.
Companies during the colonization era treated countries much worse than the corporations of today. It's sad you forget this. They came in and simply pillaged, killed people, and made slaves.
Studying history will not hurt you. It can only help you better understand what it going on.
I am pointing out recent history - what is it that you fail to comprehend? I am pointing out recent history - seems pretty straight forward and simple to me.
And then there is the finish to the comment:
not delving into the depths of history for other such times.
The current rise - LSTRANGER You point out your comprehnsion problem again - that you lack comprehension of written material.
The current rise of corporations started many hundreds years ago. What has happened since the Cold War is simply a continuation, nothing new at all.
You point recent history, but make it seem like something special happened during the time of the Cold War. Nothing special happened. Corporations were there before, and they continued after. You just randomly picked the Cold War as some kind of marker. Why? You could just have well picked any other time in history, like corporations started after Michael Jackson's Thriller album was released.
What do you think changed during the Cold War?
Who said new? OH oh yeah - YOU - just now.
Taking a break from eating shit and barking at the moon are ya.
Why did you choose the Cold War as the point where the "current rise" of corporations began? Was this just a random choice on your part? There must have been a reason why you chose the Cold War, no? Nothing special happened during that time?
There is no such thing as a current rise. Corporations have been rising in power since hundreds of years. Nothing special happened during the Cold War. You just picked that marker completely randomly.
Go suck an egg shit for brains. The reasoning was given in the comment. Short term memory problems as well as reading incomprehension 4 You - Hey?
You stated originally - "That is when corp(se)oRATions were given much power and a free hand to infiltrate societies around the world to help Westernize/Democratize their populations thinking."
But western civilizations were doing this during colonial times. Again, nothing new. They were sending missionaries to teach aboriginals the way of the west. They had schools were Indians and children from other countries had to learn English. 100 years ago, way before the Cold War, children in Congo were taught that Belgium was their home land. Corporations were already setting themselves up in foreign lands during this time.
I see no evidence for your claim. Quite the opposite. There's all sorts of evidence that Western take over of the world by corporations started way before the Cold War.
You're simply wrong. Please refresh your knowledge of history. There are a lot of good books out there. You can stop using this site 24 hours a day and devote a bit of time to reading. That's always good.
Go back to bed shithead - and remember to tell your Dr. that - YES - that is you saying all that stupid crap - due to the fact that you need help with your comprehension ( reading comprehension - but not necessarily limited to that ).
I'm still wondering why you randomly choose the Cold War as a marker for the beginning of corporations taking over the world?
Again with your comprehension problems. I know that you are still wondering - that is if you are being honest with yourself. Like I said seek help - professional help - for your issues - um comprehension issues - um as well ( primarily? - ah hell don't limit your Dr. )
Why not study and become scientifically literate?
http://occupywallst.org/forum/are-you-scientifically-illiterate/
Something You forgot to ask your guidance counselor? Now you ask your self out-loud ( in writing in public ) because it has haunted you for quite some time? You feel the lack of education as you can't hold your own? so you make stuff up to compensate?
BTW - piss-off.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/16/report-republicans-were-source-of-bogus-benghazi-quotes/
That's great news then! It means you could go protest in the street and participate with real OWS events, instead of being addicted to this website. Time to go for a walk, to protest, out in the streets! Enough of these useless tweets asking others to protest for you!
I thought you were always in your therapeutic bed?
Then U thought (heh heh) wrong - still battin a 1000 shithead.
I simply noticed that in many of our conversations you fail to understand basic scientific terms. I'm here to help. I took great care and time to write a post just for you to clarify your misconceptions. You can ignore it because you don't like me, but that's not a good reason. It would do you good to read and study. It will help all of Occupy. Good information is hard to come by. I offer it for free.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/are-you-scientifically-illiterate/
Piss-off shithead - I have no more time 4 Ur BS tonight. Instead - comparatively speaking - I am gonna do something worth while - and go to bed.
You didn't offer this.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/16/republicans-benghazi-emails_n_3289428.html
Yep. We have been heading that way for quite some time. Right down to the privatization of our soldiers via Blackwater/Xe Services/Academi.
So, the world can have more Libertopia.
"Not surprisingly, in 2009, the Pentagon’s top auditor testified that KBR accounted for “ the vast majority” of wartime fraud. The company has also faced accusations of overcharging for everything from delivering food and fueland supplying housing for troops to providing base security services."
Can we please, please TAX the shit our of them now?
Yes.
"The vast majority of wartime fraud".....PLUS all that other stuff!
Can we throw the entire management staff in prison!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anytime your ready let's do it.
Rats.
I don't know any lawyers or cops willing to do such a thing.
I don't think the cops and many lawyers are going to be the problem. You have some representatives and senators that will cry. It's all about their inner Great Helmet
lol
There is no other rational explanation.
Rational??? Really? - ( aAHhahaha ) for them? HEEHEhe
Anytime the question rises.........WTF were you thinking? The only rational answer is the above or Monopoly. Humans are dolls.
Well when put like that...........................if we don't refer to a chess board and pawns............sure that would be rational
"the Pentagon’s top auditor testified that KBR accounted for “ the vast majority” of wartime fraud"
They still have jobs...............................:(
It reminds me of the governor of Florida.
They are still going to have their jobs because nobody has the balls to shut them down. Fox news doesn't have the balls. Nobody elected has the balls. Even the right wing libertopian shills up in this forum don't have the balls. And don't even look at the paid to post Tea Party fucks.
Hell.
They don't even notice.
I'm surprised they haven't started some trashy style thread to bury it.
They are working on it.
Yep - they are just slow - gotsta do some thimkin
They have nothing so it's looking like they are going to rely on the same ol' same ol'.
Nope - U must not have seen it yet - a Shill post was just placed.
Or did you see it(?) - as the POST "is pretty much" the same old same old.
Yeah, all four (one thread)
Consider - this is somewhat revealing on how the game is played.
Think about the non-action/reaction to the criminal causes of the financial - wallstreet meltdown.
Now compare it to the current corp(se)oRATist in office reaction to the ( YAWN ) IRS scandal(?)
People where do you think the corp(se)oRATions weigh in on this (YAWN) scandal(?) ?
For food 4 thought -on both sides of the coin : ( consider )
The White House Field Guide To Scandal
Surprise!!
Guess who's there?
The brothers Koch.
http://wallstreetonparade.com/2013/05/it-wasn%E2%80%99t-conservatives-that-were-being-investigated-by-the-irs-it-was-the-koch-brothers%E2%80%99-front-groups/
Surprise???
Perhaps a couple of years ago - not now - not after the truth has started to be provided to the public over the internet - in growing force - running an end-around on the media black-out.
FLAKESnews.
Did they finally start investigated them?
They need to.
OH Hell when was the last time that a virtual monopoly was bothered?
AT&T, was bothered a bit, but they came back much worse than before.
They split and became more powerful than before - how much of a shell game is actually going on?
AT&T gobbled up every single major "baby bell" in this area.
Monopolistic behavior is even more rampant now, than it was.
Most of the "competing" land line providers these days are monopolistic cable providers.
Over charging for entertainment, for 30+ years now.
Basically amounted to renaming according to location.
Monopoly.
It's good for the "investors"
Shhhhhh
Don't tell anyone.
The "investors" pretty much consists of WallStreet.
Yep - shhhhh - certain entities of ws - shhhhhhh - investors & board of directors?
Is Haliburton publicly traded, or private?
KBR?
BAE?
General Dynamics?
The Carlisle Group is private, and it wouldn't surprise me to find they have major investments in all of those.
http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/kbr
Fraud does well on the Street.
Those "profits" are used to support a charity near you..........ALEC.
I do not know - I was never a follower of the ins and outs of ws - but probably Traded ( gambling money ) they just gotta maintain better than 50% ownership/control.
Mesmerizing Photographs Of Soldiers' Faces Before And After A War
My wife watched "Stop Loss" yesterday and she was in tears.
Look at the plague of Military suicides - Does anyone need more evidence that what is going on in this war on terror(???) - um corp(se)oRATist war of aggression/control - IS TERRIBLY HORRIBLY WRONG ???
But the contracts will be served.
The heart and soul of libe(R)tarianism.
An early clue should have been incorp(se)oRATing The National Guard into all this. The thumb smashed with the hammer and sticking out in plain sight should have been the rise of the corp(se)oRATe Merck's.
Nope No Surprise - not now - connecting the dots makes for a pretty clear picture.
Or is it the other way around -
clue = rise of corp(se)oRATion Merck business.
sticking out smashed thumb = National Guard sent overseas to fight -not stay where they belong - in the USA fulfilling their mission = Defense.
They were under contract.
USA contracting Merck's - How sick is that??? Not even trying to hide it as the CIA would. An open declaration we suck.
"For decades, tens of billions of dollars in overseas spending have ended up in the coffers of a select few, with many billions leaking out of the U.S. economy entirely. Stemming those leaks by cutting overseas spending and redirecting precious resources toward long-neglected non-military needs is an important way to help revive an economy that has long benefited the few rather than the many. "
Nice closing words.....................:)
Part of the campaign to buy access/entry - into societies - to promote Democracy aAHhahahahahahahahaheHEEhehehe Yeah right - Corp(se)oRATocracy.
Tell me - when did it EVER make sense to throw billions of dollars to leaders/governments that had no intention of EVER using that money to improve their societies?
It only makes sense as a bribe to open the entry door.
Nippon.
South Korea.
It brought at least limited improvement.
Back in the beginning of the rise of corp(se)oRATocracy - gotsta have poster children - for PR Marketing.
Its already here.
Another low info, generic, comment from the resident insulter.
Well, at least you temporarily refrained from that.
"Is full privatization the future?"
It was a simple question. I gave a simple answer. Dont tell me that NOW you are looking for expansion and further dialogue, a bit of digging, ... perhaps following the money...!!!! ??? !!!! (facepalm)
Why do you do this to me shooz? :(
Whyyyyyyyyyyyyy??..............(looking up towards the sky with arms out)
How was your responce not low info and generic?
"tax levels are fine" (that's you speakin')
Why do you do this to us?
you need to include the rest ".... if all the loopholes are closed".
You realize there are about 700 trillion in derivatives out there right?
Around 20 Trillion in offshore accounts? - Tax it at 39% and you get an extra 9 Trillion. I think that would be fantastic.
"Recently, Supreme has faced growing scrutiny over the way it’s won competition-free contracts, with service fees as high as 75% of costs and reportedly for more than three-quarters of a billion dollars in overbilling. Last month, Supreme had the chutzpah to sue the Pentagon for awarding a new $10 billion Afghanistan food contract to a competitor that underbid Supreme’s offer by $1.4 billion. "
This is what a conse(R)vative SCOTUS does.
Just to get back on subject.
Can you show similar from a liberal SCOTUS?
Have we ever really had one?
They are a fascist SCOTUS, neither liberal nor conservative.
An example that Democrats were thrilled with was Obamacare passing. Just wait until we get another bullshit Republican administration with at least either the house or senate and they can put private companies on the dole for us all as a "tax".
Would you consider that decision as a conservative one, or a corporatist one?
Conse(R)vative.
They are conse(R)vative.
Just like the Michigan supremes that backed the teabagg(R) tax increase that crapped on the State constitution.
Repeat after me.
SCOTUS is conse(R)vative.
Theres nothing really conservative about forcing people to buy things at the federal level. Its pretty fuckin insane. Not liberal either, because it takes power away from the little guys and gives it to the big ones.
The fact that the media has many people locked into this description battle of either/or on every issue is a bit frustrating.
There is more to life than conservative/liberal. Theres a lot more. Those two definitions are actually very limiting. Yet they are the only ones that the hanger ons on the right and the left use.
Everything has to be either liberal or conservative. Thats it. Theres no other choices. Theres nothing inbetween or different or anything else.
Either/or. Pick one. And then accept 100% of the other stuff that comes with that decision. There is no room for anyone who says - I like this over here, and I also like that over there. Theres no room that guy, someone who makes his own decisions.
Its very frustrating. And its not an accident either. And sometimes I wonder if you ever look at things like that. Do you ever take a step back and say "man. there has got to be a better way at looking at this stuff"?
We need to seperate what liberals in Congress have to the word, and conservatives in Congress have done to it as well. They've destroyed it.
Dems and Reps in congress have no clue what either of those mean. Its more money at any costs. Thats it. Win the election, get the gifts, and then work on the next one.
Our democracy is rigged. Its a joke. But I wouldnt then say "thats what democracy is, its a platform for rich people to fuck people"...
I think the minute we start classifying the terms liberal and conservative based off of how rich assholes act, we are in trouble. And that minute came a long long time ago. Hence our current situation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Supreme_Court_cases_by_the_Roberts_Court
Repeat after me.
The SCOTUS is conse(R)vative.
You need to practice saying that.
It's true, no matter what else you want to pretend.
You also need to repeat this.
The Koch's are libe(R)tarians.
And they lead the charge to destroy what's left of Democracy.
Democracy is not as rigged as you keep repeating.
Just in Florida.
Would you like me to give you the Michigan links again?
I'll only do it, if you promise to finally read them.
I'm watching what's already happened in Florida, happen here.
So stop your lying BS.
One last time.
Repeat after me.
The SCOTUS is conse(R)vative.
Isn't the politically correct term "now" corp(se)oRATive ?
If you like, but I have enough problems typing conse(R)vative, so I'll stick with that for now anyway.
Either way, SCOTUS leans decidedly to the "right".
Very corp(se)oRATive - VERY
Occupy is the result of this fucked up democracy. It is that bad.
Fascist nazis run this joint. Wake up.