Project Katrina

There have been no shortages of stories about how KBR has been over charging the military on Iraq-related contracts and then, and this is just precious, threatening to cut off the services they are suspected of overcharging for if the bills weren’t paid.

Well it seems overcharging might be standard operating procedure at KBR. The Department of Defense Inspector General thinks the same thing occurred with KBR’s clean-up efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

The Houston Chronicle reports:

The Pentagon Inspector General said he could find no documentation in Navy contracting files to back up KBR claims it paid fair and reasonable prices to subcontractors that served meals in New Orleans.

“The prices KBR agreed to pay were greatly inflated,” the 86-page audit said.

“The Navy paid approximately $4.1 million for meals and services we calculate should have cost $1.7 million, more than a $2.3 million difference,” said the audit, signed by Assistant Inspector General for Acquisition Management Richard Jolliffe.

[….] Altogether, the audit requested that the Navy seek refunds of at least $8.5 million for “inappropriate” payments to KBR.

This is just a flat out smack down from Daily Kos related to the differences between how McCain and Obama have responded to the floods that are devastating communities all around me:

Disaster struck the midwest last week as flood waters shattered previous records, drowning crops and putting tens of thousands of people out of their homes. The full effects of the flood will be felt nationwide as gas prices could increase another 15% and food prices could increase another 25-30%. No doubt, this would be a serious issue for an aspiring presidential candidate. Obama answered the call this weekend, touring the hard hit areas, rolling up his sleeves to fill sandbags, and taking action with local leaders.

Obama’s camp also began putting out an urgent, nationwide plea to help flood victims—making it the front page headline on his website:

And how did John McCain react? He was busy rolling up his sleeves—filling up moneybags at a California “finance event.” For all the talk about Republicans disliking California and “west coast values”, they sure do spend a lot of time at California fundraisers. You may recall that while New Orleans drowned, GWB and McCain were miles away, sharing a little cake between friends. In a sad case of deja vu, McCain is once again nowhere to be found. What was featured on John McCain’s website over the weekend? John McCain, of course. So, how about today? Is there a serious focus on the growing tragedy of the floods? Nope, back to the alleged former Clinton supporter on the front page. A small flood donation button does appear, after scrolling a bit, right after the plea for McCain donations and the request that you add five “friends” for McCain. Apparently, adding more names to McCain’s fundraising email list takes priority over a flooded midwest and a country about to be smacked with even higher prices on everything from gas to milk and bread. And despite the fact that McCain’s team has thus far tried to mimic every aspect of Obama’s website and logo, they don’t feel the need to mimic his compassion and leadership in a time of dire need.

And even now, as the midwest continues to flood, McCain is hopping back and forth between Texas fundraisers. Mr. Moneybags doesn’t seem to have time for flood victims in the next few days. According to his campaign schedule, McCain is going to be very busy getting to know GWB’s oil and energy friends in Texas.

Actions and pass performance often are powerful factors in determing future actions. We ought to all keep the above in mind when we vote in November.