Comments (39)

EH wrote on March 12, 2007 7:05 PM:

Two thoughts: there is only money available for military purposes; and that the "serious challenge to mission resources" probably refers to what the auditors would find.

daCascadian wrote on March 12, 2007 7:17 PM:

Paul Kiel >"...the Democrats didn't buy that argument, asking instead that the State Department make room for a six-month stay for the auditors."

Yea...

Now THAT is a negotiating technique I can get behind. More of that attitude !

"Politics is just high school with guns and more money" - Frank Zappa

Englischlehrer wrote on March 12, 2007 7:22 PM:

280million a day and we can't get three AUDITORS squeezed in there? They should be part of the first million that is spent!

hibiscus wrote on March 12, 2007 7:34 PM:

"members only"

Jack wrote on March 12, 2007 7:36 PM:

Some speeders think highway patrolmen are a waste of tax dollars. Drug dealers think undercover cops are a waste of tax dollars. Corrupt government officials think auditors are a waste of tax dollars. Congress should put withdrawal timetables, auditors, and anything else that Bush wants to veto into the Defense budget bill. If he wants to veto that, then he can pay for the war out of his own pocket.

jeffgee wrote on March 12, 2007 7:37 PM:

When there's no will, there's no way.

Tully wrote on March 12, 2007 7:38 PM:

Congress has a Constitutional duty to provide oversight of the funds they allocate. If they cannot provide oversight of State Department funding, they have an obligation to the American tax payers to STOP funding!

jeffgee wrote on March 12, 2007 7:41 PM:

Meanwhile, the largest U.S. embassy in the world is being built in the Green Zone. Halliburton gets paid for meals never served. Welcome to the Looking Glass world of Bush-Cheney.

Jason wrote on March 12, 2007 7:49 PM:

280000000 a day. Two hundred eighty MILLION dollars a day. I beg your pardon? How ironic!! Argueably the dumbest pResident America has ever produced is the most expensive.

Eric wrote on March 12, 2007 7:53 PM:

The Republicists I know paint Democrats as "tax-and-spend" liberals by trying to focus the debate on levels of non-defense spending. Republicists consider national defense an "off the books" expenditure -- it's a congenital psychological disorder.

Charlie wrote on March 12, 2007 7:56 PM:

No room for 3 auditors but plenty of room for 20,000+ surge troops. Amazing.

melior wrote on March 12, 2007 7:59 PM:

Geez, just think how much trouble it would be to have to squeeze three more guys onto one of the bags-of-cash touch football teams, now that the season is already under way.

lib4 wrote on March 12, 2007 8:01 PM:

Is this a joke/.....you are kidding right...

280 million a day and they can spare what maybe 1 million for the month....

insulting...DEMS publicize this..

Bush blocking congressional efforts to track progress in Iraq should be the frame

EH wrote on March 12, 2007 8:25 PM:

I wonder if this is a set-up to get strings tied to future war funding.

SeeDee wrote on March 12, 2007 8:26 PM:

Tax-payers' Lament...(with apologies to I. Berlin..or whoever...):

'That's where our money goes..
To Halliburton's CEO's...

We buys their crooked little deals
And keeps it all quiet...

Sure, folks, that's where our money goes...

mbbsdphil wrote on March 12, 2007 8:27 PM:

So much to do, so much to hide.

The US embassy orchestrates the work of over a thousand people. If not the largest, it is one of the largest in the world. The US military has some 150,000 troops in country, and orchestrates the work of another 100,000+ ultimatley US-government paid private contractors.

Such explicit dissing of Congressional oversight would seem wholly out of proportion, unless there is considerable chaos, negligent or intentional disorganization, or criminal conduct. The assesrtion suggests that the executive is badly misspending Congress's and our money, and demands to be investigated.

Congress does not need an invitation or permission from State or Mr. Bush to investigate the spending of billions of dollars of money it has appropriated. If necessary, it, too, can contract with Blackwater for protective services, and Halliburton for room and board and latrine services. After all, even the directors of Kellogs keep tabs on the competition by regularly eat General Mills cereals. If all of our chaps are overextended, I'm sure Tony Blair could second a few chaps from the SAS to keep our accountants safe. I suspect they'll be busy for quite some time.

SeeDee wrote on March 12, 2007 8:40 PM:

RE my last previous post:

Oops!...I forget, most readers are far too young to relate to that politically in-correct era when the 'song' that my verse is a take-off spoof from was entertainment:

TO WIT: 'Dat's where my money goes
To buy my Baby clothes...
I buys her ev'ry little thin' to
keep her in style..
Sure, boys, dat's where my money goes...

Hence the apology to 'whoever'.

Yourk wrote on March 12, 2007 8:45 PM:

There is only so much room inside the Green Zone where the US presence in Iraq is forced to huddle in fear while dreaming of Bush's peace.

Bruce wrote on March 12, 2007 8:48 PM:

The State Dept says that they are having great trouble in convincing their employees to go to Iraq on posting. That suggests that they must have room for staff which could be made available to the auditors. The Democrats should remain firm.

oldtree wrote on March 12, 2007 8:55 PM:

wonder if they would accept a donation from us taxpayers to provide those three folks and their staff and those responsible for their protection and the bribes that they would have to pay the Iraqi government for the protection to work and the bribe to each checkpoint militia that is collecting on your route. wonder if we can send them the extra humvees (armored) and maybe borrow a few tanks or helicopters from some other countries that still like us so that they can go outside the green zone only to really see those little things you can record that monitor the basic requirements for life in the cities (urban rubble housing) like water and food and lack of lead particles flying horizontally along the streets toward any object that might stop them. you know, those things that we have provided for the people of iraq. the auditors can't have a political affiliation in any way because the won't go if they are democrats and they will not be allowed if they are republican. if us attorneys are fired for competence and lawful action, auditors can't expect any thing they say to be printed unless it is "good news" for the "war to end all future wars"

but I digress

oldtree wrote on March 12, 2007 9:01 PM:

Republicists

that is an excellent definition. all infotainment and publicity aimed at the very scared, stupid, greed stricken and criminal. Is there another subgroup that should be included?

global citizen wrote on March 12, 2007 9:17 PM:

And besides that, do you know how much three auditors can eat?

This has to be the most astounding governmental assertion I have ever heard. The real cost of the auditors would be the trial and imprisonment costs for the number of crooks they might find.

Barbara wrote on March 12, 2007 9:27 PM:

Will this make it to the mainstream media? II no longer have access to tv (turned it off). Some of this stuff does turn up on NPR, but that doesn't get to the masses.

Dennis wrote on March 12, 2007 9:31 PM:

Everyone can see that this administration is, at best, in shatters. One after another their lies are exposed. At present they only hold their political offices because of constitutional law, not because of their collective or individual political effectiveness.

There is no faith in this administration, and rightly so.

You don't have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.

Sailmaker wrote on March 12, 2007 9:50 PM:

Says something about how things are really going in Baghdad if they can't squeeze in three auditors. Of course, State probably doesn't want any more stories coming out like the 'rainforest' building that Iraqi trainees were supposed to live in but it kept raining shit (literally, something about pipe welds).

But, but, I'm so sure the schools are getting painted. (/Laura imitation).

Richard L. Adlof wrote on March 12, 2007 9:59 PM:

As an accountant . . . I happily volunteer to donate my time, buy my own lunch and plane ticket to run the audit. I'll supply the software and laptop . . . AND work in the hallway. Additionally, I will sign a hold harmless agreement (Although my wife will kill me for even suggesting it).

All I ask is that my findings are entered into Congressional record publicly with unfettered access to the public.

Richard L. Adlof wrote on March 12, 2007 10:00 PM:

As an accountant . . . I happily volunteer to donate my time, buy my own lunch and plane ticket to run the audit. I'll supply the software and laptop . . . AND work in the hallway. Additionally, I will sign a hold harmless agreement (Although my wife will kill me for even suggesting it).

All I ask is that my findings are entered into Congressional record publicly with unfettered access to the public.

kraftysue wrote on March 12, 2007 10:54 PM:

My grand-daughter (29yrs old) is in Iraq for a private contractor for the USA. She is under the direction of the military never allowed to leave the base. This is her second tour even though they are short tours. This time, she'll be there 4-6 months. So obviously they can "make room" when the US wants something done. I worry every time she leaves as I am not convinced our government will protect her.

DM wrote on March 13, 2007 12:29 AM:

"We're too busy to be audited." Try that on the IRS.

DM wrote on March 13, 2007 12:31 AM:

"We're too busy to be audited." Try that on the IRS.

Plutodog wrote on March 13, 2007 3:01 AM:

Yes -- Can't support three months? That's okay, we want Six Months!!! Now THAT's a response with CHARACTER and CAJONES! Love it. Love to see the letter saying that.

Bet their dribbling in their panties at State.

Woof

sybelia wrote on March 13, 2007 5:04 AM:

In the letter sent to Sec. Rice today, the Democrats didn't buy that argument, asking instead that the State Department make room for a six-month stay for the auditors.

Good for Tom Harkin and the 22 Dems.

I am beginning to have some hope that all the hard work electing Democrats may see some results in taking down the thieves and liars who have stolen our government and treasury.

Al in Austex wrote on March 13, 2007 5:52 AM:

Alrightee Then .,, We have just about reached critical mass regarding some one following the money the -corrupt & tainted money that flows out the ongoing criminal conspiracy aka Bush 43.
We have to follow the money - all of it - from the disappearing cash in Iraq- to the bribed Congressman- it all fits into a narrative ,a corrupt , greedy and in the final analysis incompetent narrative . If it walks like a RICO , smells like a RICO -its very probablt a RICO !!

Cy Guy wrote on March 13, 2007 9:23 AM:

It's the biggest US Embassy in the world - housed in a former Saddam palace, not only should they have room for three GAO auditors, they should have a whole office suite just for IG auditors from State and Defense; Defense Contract Audit Agency; and Army audit. Within that suite they should have sufficient resources to handle an extra 3 GAO auditors.

The US Department of Education has about 200 auditors, for the Iraq war to have an equivalent number on a per dollar of expenditure basis, there should be over 500 Auditors there.

TR wrote on March 13, 2007 10:15 AM:

Congress can build this into the funding of the next supplemental request.

drew wrote on March 13, 2007 10:46 AM:

No doubt this claim is questionable if not absurd, but what if there is actually some kernel of truth here? Do we really know just how strained are our resources right now? The administration's MO has been to deny reality when it conflicts with their policy goals; one of the few marks of "consistency" they've shown. We should only expect that when our Iraq forces approach the breaking point that every effort will be taken to deceive Congress, the media, and the public of impending collapse.

Our forces may be closer to a breaking point than we realize. But how can we really know? More than the massive and apparently coordinated fraud that is Iraq "reconstruction", perhaps these 3 auditors would find that nary a thread holds our operations together.

PacNW wrote on March 13, 2007 4:30 PM:

Still no room, even when the Embassy is done?!

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=20070124&articleId=4579

BC Bud wrote on March 13, 2007 11:24 PM:

Here's some free advice for the Busheviks. A guaranteed no fail means of securing Baghdad? Keep expanding the US Embassy until it encompasses the entire city. And stick the heads of any GAO accountants on spikes at the embassy's front gate as a warning to others. And, by the way, great idea to call it the Green Zone. Who says the Busheviks aren't environmentally conscious?

JB wrote on March 14, 2007 12:49 PM:

I can fully understand this need to cut costs and manpower in the Iraq war. Everyone knows the price of failure is always high. So to help the fascist leadership in charge I intend to apply for a government grant to research voodoo in the Caribbean. With my government funded research and beautiful tan I shall create and army of zombie soldiers! Since we send injured troops back why not the dead? It will be a huge savings! The zombies will not need armour, rations (as they eat the brains of the dead and of that there are plenty), or funerals because they just keep getting back up. Plus they will chant Bush's private slogan to no end, "MORE BRAINS."