KBR forces its towels on U.S. troops at triple-quadruple the cost

[babylonsister]

KBR forces its towels on U.S. troops.

In a hearing today on waste, fraud, and abuse in Iraq, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) said the defense contractor KBR, formerly of Halliburton, has been stamping its logo on towels given to U.S. troops. Dorgan said a contractor told him that he ordered plain white towels for troops, but the “superviser” said the towels must have the KBR logo on them — despite the cost to taxpayers:

He said the problem is, that will triple or quadruple the price. His superviser said, ‘doesn’t matter. This is a cost-plus contract. Taxpayers pay for that.’ So this is the towel the troops got, with KBR embroidered on it.

Watch it at link~

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/11/kbr-forces-its-towels-on-us-troops/

[Avalux]

1. After they forced them to shower in rancid water?

When will this madness end? I can't even believe they are still in operation after what they've done to our troops.

[babylonsister]

4. They're 'supporting the troops', doncha know. I agree;

their contract(s) should be terminated immediately.

[PVnRT]

2. You know

I work on a government contract here stateside - they scrutinize EVERY FUCKING DOLLAR that gets spent here. Anything that costs over $500, we have to competitively bid (even if only manufacturer makes the part we need). The scrutiny here is borderline obsessive.

Why the fuck isn't this being applied to Iraq contracts?

[babylonsister]

5. No-bid contracts? No oversight? nt

[Solly Mack]

3. Yep...charged them big money for laundry services too

and ruined a lot of clothing in the process

AND...KBR was the only avenue for washing uniforms unless you washed your clothing in a bucket.

[Bozita]

6. iirc, it was something like $100 per laundry bag.

Lunch consisting of hot dog, fries and drink was over $20.

[msongs]

8. great flick! sickening that the dems majority in congress supports these frauds nt

[Solly Mack]

14. Yes...100 bucks a bag

[babylonsister]

7. From "Iraq for Sale"? I need to see that. nt

[Solly Mack]

13. I got it firsthand (so to speak)...and it was also in the news

and I do believe it's covered in Iraq for Sale as well

[Wizard777]

9. Quadruple the cost is cheap for KBR. They are billing 45.00 per can of coke.

[Wizard777]

10. When the war is over. Who gets to keep the towels? The Pentagon or KBR?

With thier logo on it I'm thinking KBR.

[Hissyspit]

11. .

[Deny and Shred]

12. One day they'll be worth a lot on eBay

[crimsonblue]

15. I'm glad it's getting better over there...

and that the surge opened up space for political progress. Go USA.

[tridim]

16. The base price of white towels ranges from about $1.00 to $100.00

And probably higher in stores that I'm not allowed to even enter.

Are these KBR towels $4.00 each or $400.00 each? My guess is the high end.

[krkaufman]

17. Spitzer will be in jail before anyone responsible for this sort of sh*t. n/t

[DFW]

18. Well, SOMETHING has to mop up all that contaminated drinking water they provided