» 2008 » August

KBR’s Big Secret….Shhhh Don’t Tell Anyone In Iraq or Afghanistan!

August 31, 2008 — Ms Sparky

As you know I have been blogging about the changes in KBR’s hiring policies with regards to Electricians. They must be licensed and the salaries range from about 122-144K/year. That’s about 35-57K/yr higher than the old salaries. I am now told these changes in policy also include Licensed Plumbers and Licensed HVAC and who knows who else.

For those of us that have testified before The Senate and have been fighting for these changes this is a huge step in the right direction. But I didn’t know we were supposed to keep it a secret. Shhhh

I recently received this comment from a reader: (Read the rest of the story here…)

Your Tax Dollars Are Supporting Human Trafficking In Iraq

August 29, 2008 — Ms Sparky

Whether it be labor contractors D&P, PPI, UPI, ESS or others, they are all contracted to provide Third Country National (workers from outside of Iraq) and Host Country National (Iraqi’s) labor to KBR and the other US contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every dollar paid to these labor contractors comes from US tax dollars. Your tax dollars.

Human trafficking issues are not new in Iraq. Substandard living conditions for these people are prevalent. Kidnapping and deceptive hiring techniques are a common business practice. To allow these things to happen is unconscionable.

For KBR to claim they were unaware of these practices and conditions is absurd. (Read the rest of the story here…)

KBR, Partner in Iraq Contract Sued in Human Trafficking Case

August 28, 2008 — Ms Sparky

The things I saw in Iraq with regards to labor contractors such as PPI and the treatment of the Third Country Nationals was horrific. KBR’s contract administrators were notified. KBR WAS notified that their labor contractors were mistreating these people horribly. The living conditions were deplorable. I and others were repeatedly told there was nothing they could do. I personally took water and bought food for Filipino workers brought to Iraq Illegally by Walid Al-Omar and the Iraqi American Development Company (IADCO) to work on the Palace Rewire Project in the Green Zone. Many of us also took food from the Dining Facilities to feed these people risking our own termination. When IADCO stopped working on the multi million dollar rewire Project for whatever reason, the Filipinos were left stranded in the Green Zone without their passports, food, clean water or money. The Philippine Embassy was finally contacted and they helped these people get back home.

The Palace Rewire Project was a State Department project. And PPI supported State Department and Defense Department contracts. A clear case of ineffective if not non-existent oversight.

I ask this question…Does knowing that atrocities are being committed against fellow human beings and not doing anything to stop it and actually profiting from it make you complicit?

So, as you read this article below, do not think it is an isolated incident. (Read the rest of the story here…)

IBEW Member And Mother of Soldiers Shares Concerns

August 28, 2008 — Ms Sparky

The “Electrical Worker” a monthly publication of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) recently published an article spotlighting IBEW member Marijane Green, mother if two active duty Marines. This mother is seriously concerned about the safety of her sons. You can read this article entitled “Troops Endangered By Shoddy Electrical Work” by clicking HERE page 2.

Another noteworthy article in this publication is the one entitled “A National Disgrace” by IBEW International Secretary-Treasurer Lindell K. Lee. Click HERE to read it page 14.

Although the unions do not have jurisdiction outside the US and Canada we have a moral and ethical obligation to put a stop to the unsafe work practices that are putting our American Soldiers and workers at risk. To put a stop to the harassment, the threats, the intimidation tactics. Not just in Iraq and Afghanistan, but ANY project funded by US tax dollars.

I have said it before and I will say it until it’s a law….”US Citizens working on US Government funded projects overseas should be afforded the same protections (OSHA and labor laws) as their co-workers in the US.” For example..New Embassy projects, new Consulates and military facilities…just to name a few. If it’s important enough to employ an American and in many cases an American with a clearance, then it’s important enough to give them OHSA and labor law protection.

Ms Sparky

A Whole New Level Of Pain

August 23, 2008 — Ms Sparky

For those of who have been reading, you know I have been having some problems with my back. I’ve never had any chronic back problems. Just occasional crap from working construction. Nothing major.

I woke up last week with some lower back tightness and have been going to my chiropractor and under going physical therapy. I had been doing great. Yesterday my chiropractor told me my back was looking good but he wanted me to do another day of physical therapy. No big deal. Some back strengthening exercises, some stetching, some shock therapy and some heat.

I was lying on my stomach, my physical therapy was over and I felt great. I put my hands under my chest to push myself up off the table…like a “push up”, and all of a sudden my lower back started to spasm and the worst day of my life began.

I was half on the table and half off and couldn’t move either way. With natural child birth being my worst pain ever, I’ve always compared my pain to that. This was much worse. I was ready to pass out, throw up, I broke out in a hot sweat, I was shaking uncontrollably all over. The muscle spasms, 10 times as bad as the worst charlie horse I’ve ever had, were coming about every 3 minutes and lasting about 1 minute. This went on for at least an hour before the spasms started to ease. I told my doctor it reminded me of labor and if I ended up with a baby at the end of all this I was going to be pissed!

I was there six hours before I could even walk. And I only attempted that because I had to pee so bad! My girlfriend Laurie came and got Keelen. My neighbor Mike came and got me and I called Cal and he flew right home from Ohio.

I walked in under my own power and feeling good and I left in excruciating pain and using a walker. Anyone who knows me knows how much I hate having to have my husband dress me!!! It takes 15 minutes for me to get to the bathroom, so there’s no waiting till the last minute. I went to my Primary Care Physician today and got some good drugs!!!

I really like my chiropractor and I don’t think it was his fault or that of my physical therapist. It was just one of those things.

I am now convinced I HAVE to get this extra weight, I put on after Iraq, back off. That has to be playing some huge part in all this!

On a positive note….I have learned that my maximum pain tolerance is much higher than I thought!

It’s time for my muscle relaxers!! Woo Hoo.

Ms Sparky

Has KBR Changed It’s “Electrician” Hiring Policy For Iraq and Afghanistan?

August 22, 2008 — Ms Sparky

UPDATE: As of 8-30-08 I am confident these numbers for wages and qualifications are relatively accurate. My information has been gathered via email, reader comments and phone calls. Without seeing a contract I can’t be 100% certain.

It appears that KBR might be “getting it” …FINALLY!! I know, there are those of you who will tell me I am too damn optimistic and it’s not that they’re “getting it” it’s just that they “got caught”!

I recently discovered that KBR now has a Master Electrician position (see below)
The pay may be as high as $12000 a month (unverified) which is nearly double what it used to be.
They want at least 5 years Master’s, 10 years journeyman, Supervisor experience (unverified)
And you have to show photo proof of your Journeyman card/license or your Master’s License. (unverified)

If you can verify any of the above information, please leave a comment or email me. I will try to contact KBR.

I’ve always had an issue with the fact that licensed electricians were paid no more than a labor foreman who for the most part were unskilled or performing work that did not required a specific skill. And, the trades were paid less than absolutely everyone else!! (Read the rest of the story here…)

Iraq Electrical Wiring Method Quiz #1

August 19, 2008 — Ms Sparky

This wiring method was such a common occurrence used by Iraqi and Turkish subcontractors that I had totally forgotten about it until someone sent me a photo. I thought it would be fun to have a quiz. So…tell me what’s wrong with this installation!!

This is a standard 230 volt switched receptacle….It is equivalent of our 110 volt receptacles in the States.

Quiz rules:

In the comments section put your username in the username section. In the email section put Quiz1@mssparky.com (this will keep the comments hidden until I approve them) I will post the comments when I send out my next newsletter, approx 3-4 days, so sign up for my newsletters. I will put my answers in the comments as well.

I NEED MORE PICS FOR THE QUIZ!!!! SEND ME MORE PICS!!!!

Ms Sparky

Shock-O-Meter

August 19, 2008 — Ms Sparky

For my regular readers and close friends and family you all know that my lower back has been really giving me some grief. I have learned that the whole “misery loves company” thing really isn’t true. If you persist in trying to make your friends and family miserable, you aren’t going to get any company!!

I woke up yesterday with a pain I could only compare to natural childbirth. I called my new chiropractor and her office didn’t open until 2pm. I was pretty certain I would be dead by then. So I called my old chiropractor/physical therapist and told them I was on my way.

My back muscles were so tight and balled up he couldn’t even adjust me and no amount of massage and heat was going to change that. I have never cried in the chiropractors office. Let me tell ya…..I cried!!!! I’ve had broken bones that didn’t hurt that bad.

He turned me over to another physical therapist that took me to the physical therapy room. He hooked my back up to this shock therapy machine and told me to relax. What?? I’m an electrician. I can’t relax when I am being shocked. All my electrical instincts are telling me to GET AWAY!!! And contrary to popular belief….WE DON’T GET USED TO BE SHOCKED!!! WE DON’T BUILD UP AN IMMUNITY!!!

On a scale of 1-50 on the shock-o-meter, I was only able to get up to 13. I have to go back today for another treatment and I going for 20.

The treatment seems to be working. I could actually dress myself this morning! There’s nothing like having a five year old help you get dressed.

Oh yea…Keelen was with me yesterday at the Chiropractor’s. He asked him “Can you fix my grandma? She’s been kind of cranky!” The things kids say!

Ms Sparky

Jana Crowder is American Contractors In Iraq (dot) com

August 19, 2008 — Ms Sparky

I am always surfing and looking for resources and like minded people with regards to changing the laws protecting US workers working on US projects overseas. Low and behold, I run across the American Contractors In Iraq website. I am very new to this whole “changing laws” thing and had not heard of Jana Crowder or her site. I went to the site and was WOW’d.

Jana is infamous for her efforts in supporting civilian contractors who have been injured in Iraq and are filing claims under the Defense Base Act. She has been working on this for 4 years and has been involved in over 52 news articles. One might think that if you work for a US contractor on a US project overseas you are covered by Worker’s Comp or LNI, but you are not!

She was instrumental in blowing the whistle on the whole KBR/SEII Cayman Islands shell company scam. Her site posts links for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) YES civilians get it too and nasty contagious diseases being brought back from Iraq. Your not hearing that on the news are you? In essence, it’s a very interesting….informative site. GO THERE!!! click HERE

I emailed her and we have talked probably a total of 5 hours in the last week. She is energetic, enthusiastic, totally committed and amazingly knowledgeable about the US laws (or the lack there of) with regards to Defense Base Act and overseas injuries. Don’t argue with her….you will loose!

I gladly hitch my wagon to Jana Crowder’s! We are in agreement that two is stronger than one. We believe in the same things. We want the same things…..We want US laws that protect US workers in the States to protect US workers working on US Government projects in Iraq and overseas!

Are we the only two people out there that think this is reasonable?

Ms Sparky

Cal Crawford Rocks at Pebble Beach

August 18, 2008 — Ms Sparky

Some managers just never get the fact that a genuine “Thank You” for a job well done goes a long way to boost employee moral and loyalty. Now I know what an amazingly smart, honest, loyal and committed employee my husband Cal is.

It would appear his company, Siemens Water Technologies Corp now knows it as well. The following article was published in the Divisions Newsletter “The Water Cooler – A Weekly Newsletter for Purified Water Associates” Because I do not have permission from Siemens to reprint this article I have abbreviated the last names to a letter only.

Cal Crawford Rocks at Pebble Beach

August 13 – 20, 2008 Volume 31

Recently, Aaron B. and John K. were in meetings with CDM. Here is what they learned and conveyed to Mike Y., Cal Crawford’s boss in a recent e-mail.

Mike,

I thought I would pass along several extremely positive comments that were received regarding Cal Crawford and the Pebble Beach startup both yesterday and today.

John K. and I were in meetings in CDM’s Walnut Creek office yesterday (on an unrelated project) and ran into Chad B. and Peter T.. We got to discussing the Pebble Beach project; both had extremely positive comments about Cal’s work during the commissioning of Pebble Beach. …..(portion omitted)

Today, while visiting the plant, we spent some time with Brent R. of Pebble Beach Company and Larry (lead operator at CAWD). Brent and Larry both had great things to say about Cal as well.

It was great to hear such positive comments about a colleague!

I wasn’t sure if these comments had made their way back to you…so thought I would pass them along.

Regards,

Aaron

Kudos to Cal. We all thank you for your efforts, hard work and positive display with the folks at Pebble Beach. (END OF ARTICLE)

NICE JOB HONEY!!!

Ms Sparky
aka (Your Wife)

I Can’t Take Any More!!

August 17, 2008 — Ms Sparky

It has been two months and I am still struggling with not smoking!!! My back is killing me and I would trade a kidney for some relief or a cigarette. I am self medicating. THANK GOD FOR CANADA AND CROWN ROYAL AND 7-UP. I just love Canada. I’m telling you right now…..if the mini-mart weren’t so far away, I’d be freakin’ smoking right now!!!

I don’t know how people live with back pain every day!!! OMG!!! I am going back to my old chiropractor tomorrow. Laurie W…SHHHHHHH!!! I like Cara, but I can’t take the pain!! I am dyin’ here!

Ms Sparky

Iraq Injury Spurs Class Action Against KBR

August 16, 2008 — Ms Sparky

Driver says Kellogg Brown & Root didn’t properly train its workers, which led to his debilitating injury

Greg Land
Fulton County Daily Report
August 18, 2008

A Griffin wrecker driver who signed on with Houston-based Kellogg, Brown & Root to work in Iraq says the company dumped him in a war zone with poorly trained, unskilled co-workers whose inability to follow simple instructions left him injured and unable to work.

On Tuesday, his lawyers filed a class action lawsuit in Fulton County Superior Court in Georgia outlining Curtis “Bubba” Coffey’s own experiences with the multinational contractor and pointing to several other highly publicized reports of deaths, accidents and sexual assaults allegedly tied to the company. Similar actions have been filed in other court jurisdictions across the nation with mixed results. (Read the rest of the story here…)

Throwin’ In The Towel

August 14, 2008 — Ms Sparky

I was going through my videos and I ran across this one. It’s only 48 seconds long. I though all you hard workin’ tax payin’ Americans would appreciate it.

At one hearing, former Halliburton employee Henry Bunting testified that an ordinary towel was made extraordinary after KBR insisted on embroidering a logo on it saying “MWR Baghdad.” That jacked the price up from $1.60 each to $7.50.

My back is almost back to normal. It was just a gentle reminder that “I am but a mere mortal!” Thanks for all the well wishes!

Ms Sparky

Oh My God…..My Back!!

August 12, 2008 — Ms Sparky

My lower back is out and I have been to the chiropractor twice. It just keeps popping back out. So I can’t stand, walk, lie down or sit very long. It’s like I am hyperactive. I am always on the move. Therefore my posts have not been consistent. Thanks for being patient. I’ll be back to normal soon or at least will have some great pain meds. Either way….I’ll be feeling better.

Here are a few quotes from our Commander In Chief! Enjoy

When I take action, I’m not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt. It’s going to be decisive. George W. Bush

I firmly believe the death tax is good for people from all walks of life all throughout our society. George W. Bush

The reason we start a war is to fight a war, win a war, thereby causing no more war. George W. Bush

Now don’t you feel better about your President??

Ms Sparky

Move Over McCain and Obama….. It’s Maxine ‘08

August 12, 2008 — Ms Sparky

Count To 10

August 11, 2008 — Ms Sparky

“Take a deep breath and count to 10″. We’ve been taught to do this in order to calm down for as long as I can remember.

This technique was obviously developed before cell phones, blackberries and really inconsiderate people started doing everything in their cars except drive.

I have adapted the original technique to meet my needs while dealing with these inconsiderate drivers. There are only two easy to follow steps.

Step 1 – Exhale deeply while spewing vulgar words at the offending driver….repeat as necessary.

Step 2 – Count to 1 and then wave….if you know what I mean! Safety tip…Do not count to 1 and then wave with both hands at the same time.

IF YOU’RE NOT GOING TO DRIVE…..PULL OVER!!!

Ms Sparky

Attention Former and Current KBR and US Military in Iraq

August 7, 2008 — Ms Sparky

(Note to bloggers and website owners-Help me get this word out. Please link to this post.)

I have been contacted by a National US news program that is looking for people who are willing to share their experiences about the electrical conditions in their camps. Electrician experience is always welcome but you don’t have to be an electrician to tell your story. If you were/are in the Military the producer knows how to deal with that as well?

Can you answer any of these questions?

Have you ever been shocked? Or did you know of anyone that was shocked?
Were you in any camp that reported an accidental electrocution death such has the death of Chris Everett or Ryan Maseth?
What condition was your electrical in? Was is “jerry rigged”?
Was KBR responsive to service orders or maintenance requests?
Did KBR ever leave an electrical shock hazard as “not repairable”?
Did your electricians complain about not having the right tools or material to make a repair?
Were your electricians Americans?
Did your electricians seem competent?
As an electrician, were you asked/forced to work outside of your classification/area of expertise?

You may think your information is insignificant. But it could be the one piece to the puzzle that is needed. There have been 100’s of thousands of people, civilian and military, in Iraq since 2003 and yet only a handful have come forward.

It’s time to tell your story. Please forward this post to former and current KBR employees and US Military in Iraq.

Either leave a comment or send an email to mssparky@mssparky.com and ask me to forward your information to the Producer.

Ms Sparky

Happy 24th Birthday Tiffany

August 6, 2008 — Ms Sparky

On this day 24 years ago I experienced a level of joy and happiness, that I had only read about. After 36 hours of labor and six hours of pushing, I met a most amazing person, my daughter Tiffany. (I can hear Tiffany now…”No not the 36 hours of labor story AGAIN!”)

Being Tiffany’s mother hasn’t been easy. She’s not for the weak. But it definitely hasn’t been boring. I would love to sit here and say “I wouldn’t change a thing” but that would just be crap. There are a lot of things I would have changed but we survived. As a matter of fact I’m thinking about getting a T-shirt that says “I AM A TIFFANY SURVIVOR!” But I don’t want to jinx it!

Tiffany and Ethan

Tiffany and Keelen

I will say Tiffany has grown into a beautiful amazing woman and I am very very proud of her.

Happy Birthday Honey…I Love You

Ms Sparky
(aka Mom)

KBR Video – A Must See

August 5, 2008 — Ms Sparky

You watch and you decide.

Ki-Be Class of ‘78 30 Year Class Reunion

August 4, 2008 — Ms Sparky

Karin, Debbie & Laurie After Graduation Ceremony 1978

Ki-Be HS, Benton City

Laurie, Debbie & Karin Before 30th Class Reunion 2008

Where does the time go?? It wasn’t all that long ago and we were at our 20-year class reunion. Alright…so it’s been 10 years ago, but still. What is this whole reunion thing all about anyway? Most people I talk to actually dread going to their class reunions. Why??

I didn’t really want to go to this one either and was looking for any excuse to get out of it. But, best friends since the fourth grade, Karin and I always go together and thank God she is always the designated driver. Just so she would have someone to drive home, I went with her!! What are friends for? LOL

I was never one of the popular girls and I wasn’t into high school politics. Either I liked you or I didn’t. I was into horses, studying and my boyfriend Steve.

So why do we travel, in some cases very long distances, to hook up with people we haven’t seen for years and years and may very well never see again. Is it curiosity? Do we want to find out if the cheerleader is fat? Are the homecoming queens boobs running the same race for the waistline as yours? Is that gorgeous quarterback bald with a beer belly? What is the really smart guy doing? Some curiosity to compare our lives with the lives of the most popular, the most talented and the most gifted. Is there some small part of us that hopes we have “out-succeeded” the one voted “Most Likely To Succeed”?

For whatever the reasons many people just won’t go to their class reunions. Our graduating class had about 70 people in it and I’ll bet we are lucky to get a 50% turn out. So where is everyone and why don’t they want to rehash, relive and be reminded of the pain, the angst, the trauma most of us called high school.

That must be why most reunions involve alcohol.

Ms Sparky

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