» 2008 » July Ms Sparky

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

Posted on: July 31st, 2008 at 11:11 am — by 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

Posted on: July 29th, 2008 at 7:23 pm — by 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…)

Posted in Electrocutions/Shocks, KBR, Media Coverage, Senate & House Committee Hearings, Women in Construction, Working Overseas. Tags: Cheryl Harris, Complete, DoDIG*, Electrocutions/Shocks, Inspector General-DoD*, Iraq, KBR, KBR Investigations, Lawsuits Against KBR, Reports & Investigations, SSG Ryan Maseth, Working Overseas. 3 Comments »

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

Posted on: July 29th, 2008 at 2:58 pm — by 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

Posted in Electrocutions/Shocks, KBR, Media Coverage, My Interviews, Senate & House Committee Hearings, Women in Construction, Working Overseas. Tags: Complete, Debbie Crawford, Iraq, KBR, Reports & Investigations, The Story, Women Electricians, Women in Construction, Working Overseas. 3 Comments »

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

Posted on: July 28th, 2008 at 5:34 pm — by 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…)

Posted in KBR, Politics, Senate & House Committee Hearings, Working Overseas. Tags: Complete, HEART Act, KBR, Politics, Reports & Investigations, Working Overseas. 1 Comment »

Happy Birthday To Me!!!

Posted on: July 27th, 2008 at 8:30 pm — by 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

Posted in ZXY. Tags: Personal. 6 Comments »

Still a Loophole In The Legislation?

Posted on: July 27th, 2008 at 6:58 pm — by 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

Posted in KBR, Politics, Senate & House Committee Hearings, Working Overseas. Tags: Complete, HEART Act, Iraq, KBR, Politics, Working Overseas. No Comments »

Senator Casey Wants Clarification

Posted on: July 26th, 2008 at 11:45 am — by 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…)