by David Phinney
Thursday March 28th 2024

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Flattering … I Guess …

by David Phinney

April 19, 2006 — In the past month, I have been contacted twice by BBC, and once each by CBS’s “60 Minutes” and Aljazeera International about this story, Blood, Sweat & Tears: Asia’s Poor Build U.S. Bases in Iraq.

Others include National Public Radio asking for my sources and advice based on Adding Insult to Injury Halliburton Contractors Denied Insurance Benefits, again by BBC for Iraq Contractor Claims Immunity From Fraud Laws and once by Aljazeera International for sources on Scandals Confront Military Security Industry.

There was also The Wall Street Journal inquiring for sources about Baghdad Embassy Bonanza, but I think the reporter dropped the ball. It’s a difficult story when the US State Department refuses to cooperate. As one State spokesman remarked, “We’re getting a lot of inquiries now, and we have no more comment.” Besides, members of Congress are now quietly asking the questions.

Add this to the list of other stories the well-paid journalists picked off: Halliburton Wins New $4.9Billion Iraq Contract by The Washington Post, and Marines Jail Contractors in Iraq by The Los Angeles Times.

I am sure the producers and reporters would share the credit or monetary reward with me — if they only could. NOT.

And, of course, let’s not forget the C-130J pricing story for Defense News that left the editors slack jawed. After sitting on the story for months hoping it I would go away and forget about it, it was finally published and sparked congressional hearings that kicked Lockheed Martin in the crotch of its overpriced trash hauler (not to mention the advertising crotch of Defense News)….It’s not online anymore, but can be found on Nexis. Another story that led to a Senate measure adding 20,000 new contract workers to the Pentagon did survive:: Diminished Oversight Leads to Overpricing.

Feels like Emeryville all over again.

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One Response to “Flattering … I Guess …”

  1. Sheryll Wright says:

    Your story needs to be way more widely circulated. I am trying to get the major media to cover it after hearing about the “embassy” on NPR with no mention of its contractor or the four super-bases to my knowledge.

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