» 2008 » July

I Don’t Know..I Don’t Know..I Don’t Know

July 31, 2008 — Ms Sparky

There were a whole lot of “I don’t knows” going on yesterday July 30, 2008. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform conducted a hearing on “Deficient Electrical Systems at U.S. Facilities In Iraq”. The following people testified before the committee.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey, (D-PA)
Gordon S. Heddell, Acting Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense
Don Horstman, Deputy Inspector General for Policy and Oversight, U.S. Department of Defense
Charlie E. Williams, Jr., Director, Defense Contract Management Agency
Keith Ernst, Former Director, Defense Contract Management Agency
Jeffrey P. Parsons, Executive Director, Army Contracting Command, U.S. Army
Tom Bruni, Theater Engineering and Construction Manager, KBR, Inc.

I spent most of last night watching the Hearing video and going over the supporting documents. All I can say is…..what the hell??? There is so much material I can’t possibly put it all my my website. Do yourself a favor and go to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform website and if you do nothing more…..download the video… and watch it. You will be rewarded for your patience when at the end of the video…Tom Bruni, Theater Engineering and Construction Manager for KBR, Inc. blames the Army. I hope I didn’t ruin the movie for you. Click HERE for video. (I have to find a new video link this one no longer works) (Read the rest of the story here…)

Report appears to clear KBR in soldier’s death

July 29, 2008 — Ms Sparky

This is the most recent AP news article on the Iraq Electrocutions. You read it and you tell me what you think. Here’s what I think…finally…..someone wrote one in favor of poor little ole KBR.

Report appears to clear KBR in soldier’s death
July 29, 2008 6:21 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) – An interim Defense Department report has found no evidence KBR was involved in the death of at least one U.S. soldier electrocuted in Iraq.

The inspector general’s report said while electrical systems in Iraq were known to “pose a hazard to personnel,” there is no evidence Houston-based KBR Inc. was aware of any life-threatening hazards at the Army barracks where Sgt. Ryan Maseth died.

Maseth, an Army Ranger and Green Beret from Pittsburgh, was electrocuted in January while showering.

Details of the IG report explain that an ungrounded water pump on the roof of Maseth’s barracks failed and electrified the water pipes. Additionally, a circuit breaker failed because tar from roof repairs appeared to have leaked into the panel. (Read the rest of the story here…)

My Story on “The Story” Aired Today 7/29/08

July 29, 2008 — Ms Sparky

With current media coverage on the Iraq Electrocutions and tomorrows hearings of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform entitled “Deficient Electrical Systems at U.S. Facilities in Iraq” they decided to air my segment of “The Story” today.

Before I give you link….I want to say the “The Story” did and awesome job. My thanks to Jeannette. But I want to clarify one thing. I did not work at the same Palace compound that Ryan Maseth died at. With that said here is the link.

Site link – The Story – July 29, 2008

MP3 – http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_569_Iraq_Electrician.mp3

Ms Sparky

H.R. 6081 HEART Act of 2008-I still have questions!

July 28, 2008 — Ms Sparky

With the assistant of a very accommodating individual in DC (thanks T) this is what I have learned about the recently passed legislation that prevents companies like KBR from forming offshore shell subsidiaries in an effort to cheat it’s employees and the US Government out of millions and millions of dollars in Social Security and Medicare taxes.

The legislation is H.R. 6081: Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (HEART Act of 2008) See Links below.

WARNING! Reading this legislation may make you drowsy. Do not read while driving or operating machining. Reading this may make you feel stupid. If any of these symptoms persist contact a tax attorney immediately.

Consequently….I have a call in to my tax attorney!!! Doh….. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Happy Birthday To Me!!!

July 27, 2008 — Ms Sparky

I can’t believe it’s my birthday again……are the years getting shorter or is it just me? I’m not sure how much longer I can pull off this whole “I’m 29……again” thing!! I’m starting to get “those” looks.

It has been such a “frog in a blender” month, I totally lost track of the days. On Friday, the day before my birthday I was doing an interview with “The Story”. The host all of a sudden wished me a happy birthday. Totally threw me off. I started stammering and studdering….”uh uh uh….oh yeah….your right, it is my birthday!” What a goof ball!!! I hope they can edit that out!

In an effort to TRY to stay away from my cell phone and my laptop I went out and mowed the lawn….we have a 1 acre yard. Before you feel to sorry for me I have an awesome riding lawn mower. For me mowing the lawn is very therapeutic and I always get a great sense of accomplishment when it’s done.

All my roses are in full bloom. I’m just thrilled. I planted 10 new bushes this spring and now have a grand total of 19 Jackson & Perkins rose bushes. I swore I wouldn’t plant any more next year….but we’ll see! The J&P catalogs are like crack to me. I just can’t stay away from them!

Today Keelen, Cal and I took a hike through the woods and to the park. Keelen just had to fall in the river. Fortunately is was just deep enought to get him good and wet. It was great to be away from everything!!!

And through it all, I’m nearly 30 days no smoking and doing great.

To all my friends and family that made this such and awesome year….thanks….YOU ROCK!!!

I’m 48 and damn proud of it. Every crease and wrinkle, every gray hair IS MINE!!!! I earned em’ fair and square! I wouldn’t change a thing……well maybe one thing. I’d take my 20 year old boobs back in a New York second. My original boobs. No plastic surgery.

Ms Sparky

Still a Loophole In The Legislation?

July 27, 2008 — Ms Sparky

In an AP article Senators urge crackdown on overseas tax havens dated July 25, 2008 it discusses the huge financial damage these offshore shell companies such as KBR’s SEII do to the Medicare and Social Security system not to mention how they abuse the employees.

Here is a quote from the article and then I will express my concerns.

Last month, President Bush signed legislation that prevents defense contractors, such as KBR Inc. and Combat Support Associates, from avoiding Social Security and Medicare taxes by setting up subsidiaries in the Cayman Islands.

This quote states “legislation that prevents defense contractors”. In Iraq, KBR as two clients. The Department of Defense (DOD) with it’s LOGCAP contracts and The Department of State (DOS) with it’s USMI contracts. 1000’s of KBR/SEII employees have worked under the DOS contracts. Will this legislation apply to that? Will this legislation apply to any DOS contracts anywhere in the world? Such as the billions we will be spending on New Embassy construction around the world and the 1000’s of US construction workers they will employ? Does this apply to ALL DOD contracts around the world or just war zones?

I am trying to find information on this legislation. I welcome any of you really really smart people to email with info. Because if this legislation is for DOD contracts only…..the President just “put a bandaid on a brain tumor” and WE NEED TO FIX THAT!!!

Ms Sparky

Senator Casey Wants Clarification

July 26, 2008 — Ms Sparky

For much more info on the investigation of this issue go to my

“KBR & Senate Hearing” Category

Pentagon: 16 soldiers died from electric shock
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sixteen American troops have died from accidental electrocutions in Iraq, the Defense Department said Friday, more than the military has previously disclosed.
Most of the 11 Army soldiers and five Marines died during their work, including making accidental contact with power lines or those killed while performing maintenance on electrical systems, the Pentagon said. But two died while in their living facilities, including at least one soldier who was electrocuted while he took a shower. (Read the rest of the story here…)

My Story on “The Story” from American Public Media

July 25, 2008 — Ms Sparky

Well…. today was a first. I recorded a session for “The Story” an American Public Media daily national program. I had never been in a recording studio before. Didn’t have a clue what to expect or what to do. The technician John, also a licensed electrician, walked me through the process and got me used to speaking into the microphone. THANK YOU JOHN!

My special thanks the Jeannette from The Story for holding my hand and answering all my dumb questions.

The show was primarily about Iraq and my time there. I stressed how important it is to get legislation approved to protect US workers working for US contractors overseas. The same laws that protect them here…OSHA, labor laws etc, should protect them there.

At times I felt like I was just rambling, but they said they could fix all that. I hope so.

The show is schedule to air on August 5th. I will keep you posted. For times, stations or to listen via podcast, go to their website is http://thestory.org/

Ms Sparky

You Didn’t Work For KBR in Iraq and Afghanistan-VOE

July 24, 2008 — Ms Sparky

For the, and I am gonna guess here, 100,000+ Americans that have gone to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003 to work for KBR…..here’s a news flash for you. YOU DIDN’T WORK FOR KBR!!! Now I can hear you already. “The hell I didn’t!! My badge said KBR. All policies and procedures said KBR. I processed in at KBR. I worked for KBR!” The sign in the photo says you did. But I am hear to tell you you didn’t. Some already know this, but I want to make sure everyone knows it, especially future employees. You DO NOT, DID NOT and WILL NOT work for KBR in Iraq or Afghanistan unless you already work for KBR in the States and are being transfered over. This is primarily reserved for very upper management positions with very few exceptions. Even most management positions in Iraq and Afghanistan worked for Overseas Administrative Services (OAS). Someone please tell me if I’m wrong! (Read the rest of the story here…)

Senators question oversight of contracts in Iraq

July 23, 2008 — Ms Sparky

By DONNA BORAK
AP Business Writer
© 2008 The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — A key Democratic senator on Wednesday said the Bush administration and Pentagon leaders failed to properly plan for troop support in Iraq, leading to billions of lost taxpayer dollars, theft and fraud.

“We have found ourselves dependent on profit-oriented companies for even the day-to-day basics of feeding and housing our troops, (and) for carrying out a myriad of other functions of the mission, including security,” said Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “These kinds of contracts opened the door for every manager to game the system in order to maximize profits.”

Among the Pentagon’s contracts with U.S. companies to provide services for soldiers in Iraq is a multibillion-dollar, 10-year deal with Kellogg, Brown & Root awarded in December 2001. Lawmakers have cited several examples of contract abuse by the Houston-based company, now known as KBR Inc., including billing the government for millions of meals never delivered, overstating labor costs and wasting millions of dollars to purchase unnecessary vehicles. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Priorities

July 23, 2008 — Ms Sparky

Since I’ve been back from Washington DC poor Keelen has ended up on the short end of the “Grandma” stick. I figured after I testified, that would pretty much be the end of it and life would go back to normal. I couldn’t have been more wrong and I am largely to blame. In an effort to keep the story about the soldier electrocutions alive, I posted comments with a link to my page anywhere I could on the internet. I had envisioned that people would come to my page, read my posts about the soldiers, leave comments and that would be it. But that’s not exactly how it happened. Since I’ve been home, I’ve had numerous requests for radio interviews and newspaper articles. I have either been on the phone, on my laptop or on the road to a meeting. This all means that my page and the hearings are getting exposure. And that’s good!

But, poor Keelen has been emotionally abandoned. And that’s bad! I have been so tied up with my page, emails and interviews he has become “cuddle deprived”. Since I got home on July 12th I am guilty of the following things. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Another Soldier Dies Of…….

July 20, 2008 — Ms Sparky

This is the latest potential electrocution casualty in Iraq. Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Woodham from Arkansas was first reported to have died of electrical shock. Then that was retracted and the cause of death is now under investigation. This… all around the time of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee Hearings on Soldier Electrocutions. Coincidence?? Maybe.

Soldier’s Cause Of Death Under Investigation

Last updated Wednesday, July 9, 2008 7:24 PM CDT in News
By The Morning News
ROGERS – The cause of a Rogers soldier’s death in Iraq has been called in to question.

Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Woodham died from non-combat related injuries on July 5 at Camp Adder, Tallil, Iraq, according to a news release from Maj. Keith Moore, public affairs officer with the Arkansas Air National Guard. The release was issued Monday. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Replace KBR With Qualified Electrical Contractor Says Senator Dorgan

July 18, 2008 — Ms Sparky

Press Release: Senators Want Independent Safety Review of KBR’s Electrical Work in Iraq

July 18, 2008

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), who chaired a Senate hearing last week on the electrocution of U.S. troops in Iraq, and four other U.S. Senators are objecting to the Pentagon’s selection of contractor KBR to inspect its own electrical work in Iraq. The hearing examined reports that at least a dozen U.S. troops were electrocuted since 2004 at U.S. military bases in Iraq where KBR holds the contract for electrical work. The Pentagon asked KBR to inspect its work for hazards following those reports.

Dorgan, Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) raised their objection in a letter sent Friday to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and General David Petraeus. The inspections should be independently conducted by someone “both well-qualified and objective,” they wrote. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Electrical Risks at Bases in Iraq Worse Than Previously Said

July 18, 2008 — Ms Sparky

Ten buildings were destroyed late last month at a Marine base near Falluja, Iraq, after an electrical fire broke out.

By JAMES RISEN
New York Times
Published: July 18, 2008

WASHINGTON — Shoddy electrical work by private contractors on United States military bases in Iraq is widespread and dangerous, causing more deaths and injuries from fires and shocks than the Pentagon has acknowledged, according to internal Army documents.

During just one six-month period — August 2006 through January 2007 — at least 283 electrical fires destroyed or damaged American military facilities in Iraq, including the military’s largest dining hall in the country, documents obtained by The New York Times show. Two soldiers died in an electrical fire at their base near Tikrit in 2006, the records note, while another was injured while jumping from a burning guard tower in May 2007. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Senate DPC Hearing On Soldier Electrocutions – News Coverage

July 16, 2008 — Ms Sparky

This is by far the best video out there. Great job ANP! Be sure to use the full screen mode. For some reason some company networks will not show this video. If you can’t see it you may try to view it from another system…home, Starbucks, etc.

The majority of the news media ran the Associated Press Article by Suzanne Gamboa with a variety of photos such as the YAHOO NEWS article “Former KBR Electricians criticize contractors work“. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Senate DPC Hearing-Iraq Electrocutions 7-11-08 – Opening Statements

July 12, 2008 — Ms Sparky

I have been listening to and reading the news about this hearing. I know the news media can only print so much, but they are leaving out many important details. So I am posting the testimony of each person that testified. I want to make sure you know the truth about what was said before the rumors start. If you have any questions feel free to email me. When and if a final transcript is available, I will post that as well.

All witnesses were asked to be at the Dirksen Senate Office Building at 9am on Friday. When I got there the hearing room was relatively empty and non threatening, similar to an empty court room. At 9am the witnesses were ushered into a conference room and briefed by DPC staff members.

The witnesses for the Senate Democratic Policy Committee (DPC) Hearing “Contractor Misconduct and the Electrocution Deaths of American Soldiers in Iraq” are: (Read the rest of the story here…)

Senate DPC Hearing-Iraq Electrocutions 7-11-08 – Cheryl Harris Testimony

July 12, 2008 — Ms Sparky

Cheryl Harris is a beautiful, intelligent determined woman. I met her for the first time the evening before the hearings. I had quite a bit of anxiety about meeting the Mother’s of these Solders, but Cheryl quickly put me at ease and was genuinely grateful for my testimony. Her determination and unwavering commitment to get answers and accountability is truly commendable.

Cheryl was the first to testify. Her heartfelt testimony tugged at the heartstrings of even the most hardened in the room. And again, I choked back the tears. Cheryl’s testimony is below.
(Read the rest of the story here…)

Senate DPC Hearing-Iraq Electrocutions 7-11-08 – Larraine McGee Testimony

July 12, 2008 — Ms Sparky

Larraine McGee is a beautiful tall woman with a quiet grace that subtly disguises her immense strength. When I first met her I was impressed with her genuine kindness and appreciation. Her pain barely concealed behind her huge smile.

Larraine was the second witness to testify. Her testimony was articulate, honest and emotional. As she struggled to control the tears she bravely pressed on. As a mother, my heart was breaking for her and my tears were dangerously close to the surface. Larraine’s Testimony is below. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Senate DPC Hearing-Iraq Electrocutions 7-11-08 – Rachel McNeill Testimony

July 12, 2008 — Ms Sparky

I did not get the opportunity to meet Rachel McNeill prior to these hearings and I do not have a photo. I do feel that being in the Military and still having the bravery to testify speak volumes as to her character.

Senate Democratic Policy Committee Hearing

“Contractor Misconduct and the Electrocution Deaths
of American Soldiers in Iraq”

Rachel McNeill

U.S. Army Reserve (983rd Engineer Battalion)
July 11, 2008

My name is Rachel McNeill. I am from Madison, Wisconsin and I have been in the Army Reserves since 2002. I served in Iraq as a heavy construction equipment operator with the 983rd Engineer Battalion from January through December of 2005.

The first soldiers from my company flew into Camp Speicher from Kuwait in mid-January 2005 while the rest of us continued to armor our vehicles and load our construction equipment onto civilian trucks for transport. A week later, soldiers from our company left to convoy into Iraq. A few days later, I flew into Camp Speicher. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Senate DPC Hearing-Iraq Electrocutions 7-11-08 – Debbie Crawford Testimony

July 12, 2008 — Ms Sparky

I am an IBEW Local 48 Electrician. It was very difficult to keep my emotions in check after hearing the heartbreaking testimony of Cheryl Harris and Larraine McGee. I was nervous at first, then angry and by the time I read my last paragraph it was difficult to keep my emotions under control. This is my testimony. (Read the rest of the story here…)

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