Missing Oil and Corrupt Officials

Billions in Oil Missing in Iraq, U.S. Study Says
By JAMES GLANZ
Published: May 12, 2007

Between 100,000 and 300,000 barrels a day of Iraq’s declared oil production over the past four years is unaccounted for and could have been siphoned off through corruption or smuggling, according to a draft American government report.

Using an average of $50 a barrel, the report said the discrepancy was valued at $5 million to $15 million daily.
The report does not give a final conclusion on what happened to the missing fraction of the roughly two million barrels pumped by Iraq each day, but the findings are sure to reinforce longstanding suspicions that smugglers, insurgents and corrupt officials control significant parts of the country’s oil industry.
The report also covered alternative explanations for the billions of dollars worth of discrepancies, including the possibility that Iraq has been consistently overstating its oil production.

The draft report, expected to be released within the next week, was prepared by the United States Government Accountability Office with the help of government energy analysts, and was provided to The New York Times by a separate government office that received a review copy. The accountability office declined to provide a copy or to discuss the draft.

If you believe this I have some swamp land in Florida to sell....

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Wolfowitz’s world is crumbling

Well, it’s official, not like any of us expected a different outcome, as Paul Wolfowitz was found guilty by a panel of his peers that he was in the wrong when he arranged a healthy pay raise for his girlfriend at the World Bank.

Not only was Wolfowitz found guilty of breaching his obligations, but his top communications aide, Kevin Kellems resigned after the findings stating “the current environment surrounding the leadership” at the bank made it “very difficult to be effective in helping to advance the mission of the institution,” as his reason. In his written statement, he also said that he had “tremendous respect and admiration” for the bank’s staff, but made no mention of his boss, Mr. Wolfowitz.

So I’m not sure how much more cut and dried it has to be before Wolfowitz gets the hint that he is no longer welcome to head the World Bank. Any normal person would resign immediately and try to salvage any remnants of dignity left.

I also wonder what will come out of the Bush camp regarding the findings of Wolfowitz’s wrong doing. Will George still support Paul? Only time will tell, but I’m waiting with baited breath to hear what he has to say!

NY Times Story Here

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Bush’s cronies are becoming synonymous with the word Corruption.

As each day passes, news reports abound with new investigations into some of President Bush’s ‘hand picked’ appointees.

In a story reported by Reuters today, it details the classic ‘wolf guarding the henhouse’ scenario. And again, the chief wolf is another of Bush’s long time political cronies from way back in the Governor Bush days.

Stuart Bowen, the US special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction, (as well as long time Bush Crony) whose office has uncovered abuse of both Iraqi and US funds, is now under investigation himself! Go figure?

Although the White House refused to give details about the allegations, it did say the complaints were filed by former and current employees of Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction or SIGIR if you prefer.

But just before you add his name to the list of other cronies that are being protected by the President, there might be hope for justice yet! Oh forget it, I just realized that the investigating committee is the poster child for irony at it’s political harshest!

Let’s see if I can explain this without confusing me, or you, or at the very least having our heads explode trying to figure it out.

The complaints against Mr. Bowen are being investigated by the integrity committee of the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency, or the PCIE if you will. I don’t know about you, but I just popped a vein in my left temple reading this. Somehow, I’m having a hard time swallowing the words ‘President, and Integrity, and Efficiency all in the same sentence!

Ok, now the PCIE is comprised of ‘presidentially appointed’ (notice the emphasis?) inspectors general. OK, now my ears are bleeding, because the person appointed by the PCIE to head the investigation into Bowen’s allegations is the inspector general of the Social Security Administration!

The story also goes on to explain that the integrity committee was created to investigate any allegations involving inspectors general.

Let’s piece this together before I have a stroke! The PCIE consists of appointed inspectors general to investigate any wrong doings by inspectors general!

Well, that makes one thing crystal clear. The Government wants us NUTS! Who is supposed to catch the bad guy? That’s like driving up to the carjacker’s valet service and handing them your keys!

Before my sedative kicks in, here’s some information about who the PCIE are investigating.

Stuart Bowen, a lawyer has this on his resume:
From 1994 to 2000, he held a variety of positions on Bush’s staff, when he was governor.
Served as deputy assistant to President Bush, as well as associate counsel.
Legal advisor to the Bush-Cheney transition team.

Here’s an old saying in Texas, maybe it’s in Tennessee too, “The apple never falls far from the tree.” I think we all know who the tree symbolizes!

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http://infowars.net/articles/december2006/131206Anthrax.htm

Leading Academic: Neo-Nazis Have Signed Us Onto WWIIIDestroying World Order: Analysing the war In Iraq and the Middle East with Dr Franics A Boyle
http://www.infowars.net/articles/january2007/050107Boyle.htm

He takes his secrets to the grave. Our complicity dies with him How the West armed Saddam, fed him intelligence on his 'enemies', equipped him for atrocities - and then made sure he wouldn't squeal
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/december2006/311206secrets.htm

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