Archive for July – 2008 – Ms Sparky

Archive for July, 2008

Still a Loophole In The Legislation?

By Ms Sparky | Filed in KBR, Politics, Senate & House Committee Hearings, Working Overseas

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

Tags: Complete, HEART Act, Iraq, KBR, Politics, Working Overseas

Senator Casey Wants Clarification

By Ms Sparky | Filed in Electrocutions/Shocks, GOV. CONTRACTORS, KBR, LOGCAP-Dyncorp, LOGCAP-Fluor, Media Coverage, Politics, Senate & House Committee Hearings, Women in Construction, Working Overseas

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 remainder of this entry »

Tags: Complete, Electrocutions/Shocks, Iraq, KBR, Politics, Reports & Investigations, Working Overseas

My Story on “The Story” from American Public Media

By Ms Sparky | Filed in Electrocutions/Shocks, KBR, Media Coverage, My Interviews, Senate & House Committee Hearings, Women in Construction, Working Overseas

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

Tags: Complete, Debbie Crawford, Iraq, KBR, Reports & Investigations, Women Electricians, Women in Construction, Working Overseas

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

By Ms Sparky | Filed in KBR, LOGCAP III - KBR, Working Overseas

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 remainder of this entry »

Tags: Complete, Iraq, KBR, SEII Dubai, VOE, Working Overseas

Senators question oversight of contracts in Iraq

By Ms Sparky | Filed in Electrocutions/Shocks, KBR, Media Coverage, Politics, Senate & House Committee Hearings, Working Overseas

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 remainder of this entry »

Tags: Complete, Iraq, KBR, Politics, Reports & Investigations, Working Overseas