This story is emblematic of all that is bushco. Pigs at the trough of the govt they purport to despise. The faithful of the GOP were ready for sack of Iraq and the coffers of the US before the first unit was mobilised.
That is the true picture of their patriotism. Disgusting.

What was the name of the company the soldier in "Catch 22" started during the war to sell military goods on the black market?

LazyMF

Lieutenant Milo Minderbinder give everyone shares in the "syndicate".

Lt General David Petraeus had a very cavalier attitude about corruption in Iraq in August 2005. When asked about the theft of $1 billion from the Iraqi treasury by the Iraqi defense ministry, Petraeus told Newsday that it was an Iraqi problem, not ours.

8/2/05 Newsday story ,”Iraq Investigates Widespread Corruption” by Bassam Mroue:

“Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, the American commander in charge of training and equipping the Iraqi military, declined to comment on the corruption claims, saying it was a matter to be resolved by the Iraqi government.”

A billion dollars of Iraqi money vanishes into thin air and Petraeus didn’t think it was any of our business. Putting aside the fact that a billion dollars could finance an insurgency, why should the US taxpayer be footing the bill for a bunch of thieves?

When I read that story, I was shocked. I thought that Petraeus was either a moron or he was on the take.

levonda.selph@hqda.army.mil

Well what does anyone expect? What opportunities for "licit" income are there in Iraq? Please don't misunderstand, I see that corruption in a war zone can undermine a lot of good intentions.

However, when we invaded Iraq and failed to get the infrastrucure back in place, the opportunity to have a paying job to support the family went entirely out the window.

In this chaos of just surviving I believe some folks reading this blog might go under the table out there to help there own family to just as an Iraqi needs to do for an Iraqi family.

That said, corruption in upwards of 15 million is most likely widespread, organized, and embedded to the point of hopeless resolve.

If I remember correctly, either Bush, or Congress under Bush's direction, pretty much made contractors in Iraq unaccountable to both Iraq and United States prosecution. This crops up in the news every once in awhile when injustices are uncovered.

Those of you with more braincells than I might expound on this, if, of course, I am right....

If it's true, it's just another reason to get rid of ALL those clown in Washington... IMHO

And remember this...

Corruption and profiteering by US companies and individuals results in THE DEATH OF US SOLDIERS AND MARINES.

It needs to be a capital offense, and while I'd personally like them shot, I'll be fine with them getting 20 to life in the pokey.

Google Levonda J Selph and you get this: Veterans Support George W. Bush in 2004 Vets4Bush.com25919 Joe Teller 25920 Joe Valencia 25921 Joe W. Karlin .... 26136 LEVONDA J. SELPH 26137 Lewis M. Van Bibber 26138 Lisa S Downing 26139 LJ Van Gilder ...

No surprise that she's a Bushbot!

Is Levonda Selph being set up as the usual lower level scapegoat by someone in the Maladministration? She may be a Bush supporter, but that is no protection for anyone who is not in the innermost circle of BushCo and the NeonCons, Inc. Indeed, Scooter had to suffer some slings and arrows before he was almost pardoned--which he will be, of that I am sure.

I await further information, facts, before assigning blame to this woman. And, since I try to imagine the worst BushCo and his cronies can do--and haven't fully succeeded thus far--I will probably be shocked by what we learn.

Amazingly, my security word is "waste"!

See p. 4 of the newsletter I link to below for a recap of Selph's career. Apparently, she met Petraeus when he inspected the logistics operation at Abu Ghraib.

Waste, Fraud and Abuse are unfortunately becoming to common place. It was pretty sad to find thousands of dollars worth of equipment, tools, and parts being discarded (thrown away into dumpsters) by units preparing to rotate back home from Iraq. It was even more disturbing to find that KBR did not bother with a head count for soldiers' meals, they just ordered what they felt was needed to feed all the personnel. As a result food that could not be prepared in time or consumed was burned by the tons every week (meats, vegetables, steak, lobster, etc etc). An even more eye opening was the amount of high-end SUVs being driven around major logistical bases by KBR and high ranking officers in Iraq (Navigators, Escaldes, Expeditions, Excursions, etc) - whatever happened to the cheap toyota four-runner? And the final insult to injury was the force protection barriers being made by KBR for protection of the living areas of soldiers. KBR would not release these barriers until they received payment, ergo hundreds, maybe even thousands of these barriers lay stacked up on their sides while living areas remained unprotected and constant attack from mortars and rockets (could just have easily stored these barriers where soldiers needed them). However, Fortress KBR was by far the best fortified and protected area on the base (guess they did not have to pay for their own barriers). So bottom line, yes waste, fraud, and abuse is alive and well in Iraq all the way down to the lowest levels.

Maybe its time we out-source Iraq over to the Chinese - they use more oil than us (we only get 10% from the middle-east) and they need it to make those cheap goods we are oh so happy to buy. Time is past due for those that use this oil the most to start trying to help fix the problem of insurgents. A Chinese military presence in Iraq of 500,000 troops would definately give security a boost. Maybe they could even prosecute the war for us at a discount rate compared to our outrageous expenses - hmmmmm.

Nelly Bly >"...I thought that Petraeus was either a moron or he was on the take."

According to those who know him well he isn`t a moron.

Code - blood (as in "as long as it isn`t mine" say the ReThuglicans)

"Eventually, the truth will emerge. And when it does, this house of cards, built of deceit, will fall." - Robert C. Byrd

My god, that suicide note. I don't even have the words; the enormous pain which must have been suffered by this honorable and decent person, Col. Westhusing.

I would hope Bill Moyers, perhaps, could do something on this story.

Thank-you very much for posting it.

Don't forget these guys felt the need to fly in a plane load of $100.00's to help get things going.How many billion was that plane load?
Yes they have studied all the different approaches to get to the source of the gold,take the doors off and drive off with truck after truck load.
Don't forget these guys all worked together in the same gang over 30 years planning this.
And vp man made his private compamy exactly for the purpose of standing under the money drop to get maximum amounts of every possible segment.Maximum.
30 years working with criminal officials and dod salesmen.
They know how the system works.Or doesn't work.
Don't get distracted.
To these guys kennyronlay is the great example of ethics and business savy.

Yes, Bush and his cronies are one and the same kind of person, con-artist and incompetence all the way baby.

If you want something screwed up - Call Bush. He's a professional at *ucking up EVERYTHING.

Geez, how depressing. Now I feel like biting a bullet.

You are wrong about Joey Selph. You are getting half a story. I am assuming that you have never been in the military or have been some place like Iraq, during a war, with limited resources. If you knew Joey, you would know that she is an outstanding officer with superior morals. She would never and I repeat Never, do anything that was unlawful. She is the most patriotic person that I have ever met. I served underneath her and have only the utmost respect for her. When this is all said and done, you will find, that she did nothing wrong. Wait and see.......

I too worked with LTC Selph in Iraq and I can't believe she's being made the "fall guy" for some of this crap. She may have been overwhelmed, but I never saw her as deceitful. The pressure to make things work over there was unreal - remember, if you want it bad, you'll probably get it bad.

BTW, I'm no Bush supporter, but the people under the gun (literally) to make progress over there are primarily great people answering to ridiculous leaders.

Jon,

You must not have really worked for her. I too, worked with her. I predicted, sooner or later, she would pay a high price for her greed and avarice. She trampled and corrupted many a good soldier while she was downrange and now she is paying the piper. She laid up with her KBR/PWC boyfriend and crushed anyone in her way. LTC Davis, her cohort, was just as bad, but I didn't know him that well. Just that they were working hard to ensure ALS had all the warehouse business in theatre locked up. Now I know why they were so keen to back a broken company who couldn't execute. Anytime there is an irrational exuberation about any one contractor for no reason, there is something bad going on. She is no hero, just a skanky zero.

Truth,

You are correct. GEN Petraeus was busy focusing on the big picture and the "Scarecrow" LTC Selph was busy enriching herself and her cronies. There are other names not mentioned and I can't wait to see the next shoe drop. The KO who signed those sweetheart contracts forcing all incoming equipment into the ALS system had to be government. The stinky Taos weapons buys also had to be awarded by a govie. There will be much more uncovered before this is put to bed. Anyone who tried to manage the Scarecrow got stomped. Too bad for Gen Petraeus and COL Hinton. Two great soldiers whose reputations will be sullied by LTC Selph.