Insiders' New Firm Consults on Iraq

[Snellius]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 — A group of businessmen linked by their close ties to President Bush, his family and his administration have set up a consulting firm to advise companies that want to do business in Iraq, including those seeking pieces of taxpayer-financed reconstruction projects.

The firm, New Bridge Strategies, is headed by Joe M. Allbaugh, Mr. Bush's campaign manager in 2000 and the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency until March. Other directors include Edward M. Rogers Jr., vice chairman, and Lanny Griffith, lobbyists who were assistants to the first President George Bush and now have close ties to the White House.

At a time when the administration seeks Congressional approval for $20.3 billion to rebuild Iraq, part of an $87 billion package for military and other spending in Iraq and Afghanistan, the company's Web site, www .newbridgestrategies.com, says, "The opportunities evolving in Iraq today are of such an unprecedented nature and scope that no other existing firm has the necessary skills and experience to be effective both in Washington, D.C., and on the ground in Iraq."

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/30/politics/30LOBB.html?hp

[NashVegas]

1. Thank You TPM

Josh's having a good weekend.

Too bad he hates Dean.

[FauxNewsBlues]

2. Must have read Josh Marshall

He broke this one a couple days ago. Why can internet bloggers report this stuff before multi million dollar news agencies get around to it?

[ze_dscherman]

3. This just reached the German news

See:

http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,267782,00.html


Also: http://www.boston.com/dailynews/272/wash/New_firm_with_Bush_ties_consul:.shtml

KICK

[NashVegas]

4. Topping

dupes in other threads

[TomNickell]

6. I think we're ALL dupes on this bus......

nt

[Flying_Pig]

5. Uhh, would that be closer ties than Cheney has with Halliburton?

Nice to see the NYT PNAC loving whores letting this story out. No surprises here, ...move along. I wonder what the totals in war profits Bush, Cheney, and their friends will make off 9/11 adventures? Al Martin called this long ago, saying the Bush cabal, and their PNAC co-conspiritors, were gutting the country for trillions.

Exactly how bad does it have to be, before the American public gets angry? What exactly would Bush have to do to piss them off? Rape a baby? Strangle his wife? Bugger his dog? Kill tens of thousands of innocent women and children? Bare-ass lie to the nation about the reasons to start a war? What?

Fact is, the entire cabal should be rounded up, put in chains, tried for their treasons and betrayals, and dispatched. There, I said it, and you know what, I am right, and regret it not one bit! Despite my aversion to capital punishment, the thought of this evil vermin continuing to share the same air as the rest of the human race, and/or, having any opportunity whatsoever to be able to survive to repeat their evil corruptness, just isn't acceptable to me. No mercy here....simply a call for true, and final, justice.

:grr:

[Mel]

9. Flying_Pig I love you!

You tell it like it is and you are right!
I've read a couple of your posts and said, "damn right! I love that winged pig' he/she says what I'm thinking"

We are getting robbed and it's as if no one gives two hoots. Do you think if Bush or Cheney actually came into their houses and stole their tv's then they might get mad?

Nay, their okay with the 'patriot act' where they can come into their houses without them even knowing.

It just amazes me that people can't feel the boot on their necks or see their money being stolen right from under their noses!

[Flying_Pig]

16. Well, thanks Mel. Did you know pigs purr when loved???

Purrrrrrrrrrr..
:hi:

[TomNickell]

7. See also the Krugman column....

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/30/opinion/30KRUG.html

Cell phone contract goes to...MCI.

Too bad Enron isn't still around to handle the electric grid.

[Maeve]

12. Crony capitalism strikes again!

Spoils system redux

[TomNickell]

15. It's who they are....

This doesn't make sense, actually.

Their -rational- self-interest is to get Iraq back in order ASAP. And to bring in support from other countries. A large-minded policy --the Marshall plan-- would distribute funds and control to many countries through the UN. This would have a chance in Hades of working.

Instead, we get this petty corruption which guarantees failure. I just don't think there is anything else inside them.

[Drifter]

8. The Government Money Taps ...

have been opened, and they just need AWOL donors to belly up and siphon off their share.

Don't you know that AWOL plans to double his record breaking election coffers. You can do that by waiting for Joe Blow to send in his $35.

This Administration is financing their own election with OUR money.

Cheers
Drifter

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[lazarus]

11. kick

Just to keep the oldest up top.

[underpants]

13. What do you think "diplomat" Bremmer did before he went to Iraq?

He was a consultant to firms (security primarily) to assist them in making the most money off of 9/11. He was sent there to help our no-bid contractors to make the most money they could.

[underpants]

14. Allbaugh's quote on flood victims while head of FEMA

"They should move" Nice.

[sandnsea]

17. Bremer - MMC - Bush cousin

Paul Bremer was the director of Marsh Consulting which is a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan. McLennan is married to George Bush's cousin. Talk about Bush links. This hasn't been reported yet. Bremer is always reported just as an Ambassador, which he used to be, but his ties to the Bush family is undoubtedly the reason he was chosen to head up Iraq.

http://www.mmc.com/views/autumn_01_bremer.shtml

[sattahipdeep]

19. Debbie Stapleton is Bush's cousin

The Stapletons aren't your average upwardly mobile East Coast couple. Debbie is
Bush's cousin; Stapleton is his longtime friend, business associate and campaign
organizer. The two often vacation with the first family, and have already spent a
weekend at the presidential retreat at Camp David.

Stapleton served on the Peace Corps board of directors under former President
George Bush. And as president of Marsh and McLennan Real Estate Advisers
since 1982, he says he developed a working knowledge of European business.

http://www.praguepost.cz/news041801b.html

[realFedUp]

18. This is the story that's getting no press attention today

but it's bigger than The Leak IMO.