» 2009 » April

Task Force SAFE still making a difference

April 30, 2009 — Ms Sparky

Oshkosh man helps inspect potential electrical problems in Iraq

By Doug Zellmer, The Northwestern April 30, 2009

An Oshkosh man is in Iraq to help inspect electrical installations in military buildings that could potentially be death traps for U.S. soldiers.

Dan Schneider, a master electrician, is working as a civilian contractor in the Forward Operating Base in Kalsu, located about 30 miles south of Baghdad. He is assigned to Task Force SAFE — Safe Actions for Fire and Electricity.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth was electrocuted in his shower in Iraq on Jan. 2, 2008 and is one of at least three soldiers killed while showering since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Scores of soldiers suffered shocks between September 2006 and July 2008, according to a database maintained by KBR Inc., the Houston-Based contractor that oversees maintenance at most U.S. facilities in Iraq. About one third of all inspections so far in Iraq have turned up major electrical problems, according to interviews and an internal military document obtained by The Associated Press.

Schneider said he’s been in Iraq since October and expects to stay at least through around mid-September. His group has inspected more than 2,500 structures for electrical and fire hazards. Those include guard towers, administrative buildings and medical clinics.

“Anything with electricity and we’re going to inspect it,” he said.

Faulty electrical grounding is among the most common problems found, the task force reported.

“Everyday we find something that could possibly cause an electrocution,” said Schneider, 59. “We’re finding that a lot of the stuff is installed by British standards, which are different than in the United States. They use different grounding systems than we use in the states and that is part of the problem.”

Schneider said he’s part of one of 30 teams of electrical and fire inspectors that are dispersed throughout Iraq. He said the 30 teams have more than 100,000 military facilities to inspect.

“It’s been an adventure. When I first came over here the money was the big incentive, but once you get here and see what’s here and what you do to hopefully improve the situation it becomes more about the mission than the money,” Schneider said. (click HERE for the original article)

KBR victim fights to make secret arbitration illegal

April 30, 2009 — Ms Sparky

Alleged rape victim sues for right to sue

By HAILEY R. BRANSON Houston Chronicle – April 30, 2009

WASHINGTON — Nearly four years after Texan Jamie Leigh Jones was allegedly raped by co-workers while working for a Halliburton Corp. subsidiary in Iraq, she came to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to fight against “hidden” contract clauses that take away employees’ right to trial.

Jones endorsed a proposal by Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., called the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2009, which would prevent pre-dispute mandatory consumer, employment and franchise arbitration agreements that take away the right to take a case to court. Supporters claim that private arbitration gives unfair advantage to large companies.

Jones, a former Conroe, Texas, resident who now lives in Houston, says she was drugged and raped by numerous co-workers in Baghdad’s Camp Hope while working for subsidiary KBR, which has now split from Halliburton, in July 2005. She was 20.

Jones’ case has not yet come to trial. Halliburton attorneys said last year that Jones’ employment contract she signed before taking her job states that claims by employees have to be settled in private arbitration.

Last year, a Texas judge issued an order allowing her to present her case in court.

“Unfortunately, my case is not an isolated incident,” she said Tuesday. “With the misuse of arbitration, we have made corporate entities in this country above the law.”

Since returning to the United States, Jones has made it her mission to fight for the protection of citizens who work overseas.

In 2007, she established the Jamie Leigh Foundation, a nonprofit advocacy organization that gives advice to U.S. citizens and legal residents who become crime victims while working abroad for government contractors and subcontractors. She also testified before Congress about her experience in Iraq.

Jones says that if she “never gets justice,” she at least will have been “a voice for others” who have been victimized by rape and arbitration laws.

While she has fought in court and on Capitol Hill, she has tried to do what she says has been hardest — moving forward with her personal life.

“I had a lot of healing to do,” she said. “The attack changed the path of my life.”

Jones is finishing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from American Military University and recently moved back to Houston after living in California for several years.

She also has gotten married, to naval officer Joseph Daigle. The couple wed in 2006. Seven months ago, she gave birth to their first child, Lily Poetry Daigle.

“She’s the light of my life,” Jones said. “I want to keep pressing on so my baby never has to face anything like I did.”

Lily was named after Rep. Ted Poe, R-Humble, who, after a call from Jones’ father, contacted the State Department while Jones was in Iraq, prompting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to help Jones leave Iraq.

Jones’ lawyer, Todd Kelly, said the Texas woman has been able “to get on with her life in large part due to taking on this cause and helping other victims.”

“Not every woman has the courage to make such matters public,” Rep. Johnson, the legislation’s author, said of Jones. “She did — and not just for her, but for others as well.” (click HERE for original article)

Nine new lawsuits filed against KBR

April 28, 2009 — Ms Sparky

Burn Pit Abu Ghraib

WASHINGTON, April 28 /PRNewswire/ — Nine new lawsuits allege that KBR, Inc. jeopardized the health and safety of American soldiers and contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan by burning vast quantities of unsorted waste in enormous open-air burn pits with no safety controls.

The lawsuits are being filed today and Wednesday in state courts in Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, and Wyoming by the Burke O’Neil LLC law firm and co-counsel on behalf of 21 named current and former military personnel, private contractors, and the families of men who allegedly died as a result of exposure to toxic emissions from KBR burn pits.

KBR is accused of allowing thick, noxious smoke – coming off of flames sometimes colored blue or green by burning chemicals – to hang over U.S. bases and camps across Iraq and Afghanistan since 2004. Round-the-clock hazardous emissions from the burn pits allegedly caused serious respiratory illnesses, tumors and cancers in the plaintiffs. (Read the rest of the story here…)

KBR’s President Should Have Just Kept Quiet

April 28, 2009 — Ms Sparky

It appears interim president for KBR’s Government & Infrastructure William C Bodie should have just kept his mouth shut. But “on no” he, with the help of his attorney’s I suspect, chose to defend KBR’s actions and influence any potential juror in the SSG Ryan Maseth wrongful death civil suit by publishing an editorial in the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette. If you would like to refer to my post with Bodie’s editorial click HERE. It also has a link to the original editorial that Bodie was responding to. Personal message to Bodie….”It’s time to fire the overpaid attorney’s who advised you to publish an editorial in the local newspaper! What’s next for KBR? A “teary eyed” live interview on Jerry Springer? Oh boo hoo!”

Lawyers try to force Army contractor exec to be deposed in suit

Tuesday, April 28, 2009
By Paula Reed Ward, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

An executive of an Army contractor that has been sued for wrongful death in federal court can’t have it both ways, say attorneys seeking to compel his deposition.

He can’t assert on a newspaper editorial page that his company — KBR — had nothing to do with the electrocution death of a soldier in the shower in Iraq, and then claim he has no knowledge of the incident.

Attorneys who represent the parents of Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth filed a motion in federal court yesterday asking a judge to order William C. Bodie, KBR interim president for government and infrastructure, to testify in the case.

Mr. Bodie wrote a rebuttal piece in the Post-Gazette earlier this month, claiming that KBR had nothing to do with Sgt. Maseth’s death at Radwaniyah Palace in Baghdad.

Sgt. Maseth, an Army Ranger and Green Beret, died on Jan. 2, 2008, when the electricity in the shower facility short-circuited because an electric water pump on the rooftop was not properly grounded.

The lawsuit filed by Cheryl A. Harris and Douglas Maseth alleges that their son died because KBR failed to maintain the electrical infrastructure at the former estate of Saddam Hussein.

In a piece that ran April 17, Mr. Bodie wrote, “Sgt. Maseth’s accidental electrocution was an unfortunate and tragic event, but it was not caused by KBR. KBR worked quickly to remediate problems when authorized to do the work.”

But attorneys representing Staff Sgt. Maseth’s parents believe that the writing of that letter shows that Mr. Bodie must have some knowledge of the event, and therefore he should be deposed.

KBR attorneys have said they would not produce Mr. Bodie, calling him in an e-mail to the plaintiffs’ attorneys, a “high level executive [who] would not appear to have any first-hand knowledge of any fact or issue that is relevant to this case.”

Patrick Cavanaugh, who represents Sgt. Maseth’s parents, disagreed.

“This statement of counsel flies in the face of Mr. Bodie’s own words in his letter where he takes positions on the contractual responsibility and the wiring of Staff Sergeant Ryan Maseth’s building and states definitively that KBR is aware of no fact showing that KBR is responsible for Staff Sergeant Ryan Maseth’s death,” he wrote.

KBR’s attorney, Joseph L. Luciana III, did not return a phone call seeking comment. However, in an e-mail to Mr. Cavanaugh, he wrote that Mr. Bodie’s letter was simply a response to a Post-Gazette editorial. Further, Mr. Bodie said the wiring at issue was installed by the Iraqis and was not the responsibility of KBR to repair or replace.

Last month, U.S. District Judge Nora Barry Fischer ruled that the lawsuit against KBR can move forward. The civilian contractor claimed that the issues raised by the complaint could not be heard in federal court because they would force the judge to question military decisions.

Judge Fischer, however, said that was not the case, ruling that the lawsuit does not revolve around any military combat operations. Rather, she wrote, it turns on whether KBR was negligent in maintaining the infrastructure at the former palace complex where Sgt. Maseth died.

KBR attorneys have asked the judge for permission to appeal her ruling to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals before the case continues. (click HERE to read the original article)

Ms Sparky

Appeal heard in rape case against Halliburton, KBR

April 28, 2009 — Ms Sparky

Note: Just an FYI. General Order 1 did not apply in the Green Zone. It WAS legal to for KBR employees to drink during non work hours until sometime in 2005. We actually had MWR parties where KBR supplied the alcohol.

Appeal heard in rape case against Halliburton, KBR

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press
April 27, 2009, 2:58PM

NEW ORLEANS — A Texas woman who claims she was raped by co-workers while working for a military contractor in Iraq asked a federal appeals court Monday to let a jury hear part of her case.

A judge ruled last year that some of Jamie Leigh Jones’ claims against Halliburton Co. and several former subsidiaries can be tried in open court, but the companies say she signed an agreement that requires all of her claims against the companies to be resolved privately through arbitration.

A three-judge panel that heard the companies’ appeal Monday didn’t immediately rule.

Jones, a Kellogg Brown & Root employee who was a clerical worker at a Halliburton office in Baghdad’s “Green Zone,” claims she was drugged and “gang-raped” by several Halliburton firefighters in her company barracks bedroom after they had been drinking.

Jones also claims she was placed under armed guard and held in a “prison-like container” for hours after she reported the alleged rape. KBR and Halliburton, which split in 2007, have disputed Jones’ account of how the companies responded to her allegations.

The Associated Press usually does not identify people alleging sexual assault, but Jones’ face and name have been broadcast in media reports and on her own Web site. She also described her allegations in testimony before a congressional subcommittee.

U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison ordered Jones to arbitrate some of her claims, including fraud, negligence and sexual harassment. But he ruled that her claims of assault and battery, emotional distress and false imprisonment fall outside the scope of her employment agreement. Ellison ruled that Jones can’t pursue the latter claims before the others are arbitrated.

Carl Jordan, a lawyer for the companies, argued that all of Jones’ claims are subject to binding arbitration under Halliburton’s “dispute resolution program.”

“The arbitration clause in this case is quite broad,” he said.

John Vail, one of Jones’ lawyers, said the employment agreement his client signed doesn’t govern any claims stemming from her alleged rape.

“And a rape in her bedroom did not occur in the workplace,” he added.

Alcohol was banned in “non-workplace” areas of Camp Hope in Iraq after Jones’ alleged rape, according to Vail.

“That is very powerful evidence that this was not in the workplace,” he said. (Click HERE to read the original article)

Foreign National Guards Not Protecting US Troops In Iraq

April 27, 2009 — Ms Sparky

I have highlighted a particularly compelling statement made by US Senator Webb, D-VA. Please take note.

Security problems uncovered at US bases in Iraq

By RICHARD LARDNER , Associated Press, 04.26.09, 08:24 AM EDT

A commission investigating waste and fraud in wartime spending has found serious deficiencies in training and equipment for hundreds of Ugandan guards hired to protect U.S. military bases in Iraq, The Associated Press has learned.

The problems at Forward Operating Bases Delta and Hammer include a lack of vehicles used to properly protect the two posts, a shortage of weapons and night vision gear, and poorly trained guards. Both bases house several thousand U.S. military personnel.

Concerned the shortages leave the bases vulnerable, the Commission on Wartime Contracting alerted military officials in Iraq and at U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Fla.

“Incidents such as this are a concern in their own right, but they are a particular concern to the commission if they prove to be indicators of broader, systemic problems that impede the delivery of critical services to American military forces in a war zone,” said Bob Dickson, the commission’s executive director.

Army Lt. Col. Brian Maka, a spokesman for Multi-National Force-Iraq, said contracting officials have taken the commission’s findings seriously. “Security contractors at both sites have corrected or are in the process of correcting deficiencies,” he said Saturday.

The military relies on hired guards at bases in Iraq so troops are available for combat duties. Overall, there are five companies providing security at bases in Iraq under contracts with an estimated value of $250 million.

A majority of the guards are from Uganda and other East African countries. Guard salaries are about $700 a month on average.

Triple Canopy of Herndon, Va., holds the $35 million security contract at Base Delta. Sabre International Security, based in Baghdad, has a $42 million contract to provide security at Base Hammer. Under the terms of both contracts, awarded in September 2007, the companies are required to provide all labor, weapons and other equipment that the guards need.

U.S. officers at Base Hammer said they did not feel secure due to the inadequate qualifications and training of the guards, according to information the commission has sent to military authorities, members of Congress and the State Department. The officers at Hammer required the Sabre guards to take a 40-hour course on security operations before they could begin working.

Sabre representatives could not be reached for comment. The company’s Web site does not list a telephone number. An e-mail message was not immediately returned.

At Base Delta, Triple Canopy has not provided guards with enough vehicles to cover the facility’s perimeter, the commission found. As a result, the guards frequently rely on the military for transportation. Basic personal gear, such as gloves, is often scarce.

Houston-based KBR ( KBR – news – people ) Inc., which has a separate contract to provide food, transportation and housing for U.S. forces, has had to assist both Sabre and Triple Canopy, the commission said.

“Triple Canopy is completely contract compliant at FOB Delta,” said Jayanti Menches, a spokeswoman for Triple Canopy.

The commission also voiced alarm at the abrupt exit from Iraq of Triple Canopy’s on-site manager at Base Delta, John Wayne Nash. Dickson and other commission staff on a fact-finding trip to Iraq met with Nash on April 5 and he confirmed the problems existed.

A day later, they learned from an officer at Base Delta that Nash had been told by his superiors to leave the country.

Commission staff said it appeared that Nash had been fired for talking to the commission. “We talked with him one day and he was leaving the country five days later,” Dickson said.

Reached at his home in Jacksonville, N.C., Nash, a retired Marine Corps master gunnery sergeant, referred questions to his lawyer in Washington. In a brief note to the AP, the lawyer, Thomas Fay, would only say that he is representing Nash “in connection with the circumstances surrounding his departure from Iraq as an employee of Triple Canopy.”

Menches, Triple Canopy’s spokeswoman, said Nash is still employed by the company and is currently home on a regular rotation.

Sen. James Webb, D-Va., a co-sponsor of the legislation establishing the Wartime Contracting Commission, said it would be “unacceptable” if any contractor employees were terminated for cooperating with the commission.

“An employee of a government-contracted firm does not contract away his or her obligation – not right – to talk forthrightly with properly constructed government inquiries,” Webb said in a statement to the AP.

Triple Canopy’s government business is growing dramatically. The company last month won a State Department contract worth $977 million over five years to protect U.S. diplomats on the ground in Iraq.

As of February, there were more than 9,200 contract security personnel in Iraq and more than 7,000 of those were not Americans or Iraqis, according to the Defense Department. (To read the original article click HERE)

I know I personally took objection to KBR hiring local unarmed (better than armed) Iraqi’s to guard Camp Hope. The KBR Camp I lived at in the Green Zone from 2004-2006. No US Military, no security subcontractor, just a KBR Security Supervisor, and I think ours might have been Bosnian and local unarmed Iraqi men searching vehicles for explosives, weapons and checking badges. In essence, local Iraqi men had the say so of who walked in and who drove into the camp where nearly 800 mostly American KBR employees lived and slept. Sometime in 2006, KBR added Global Security Company with AK-47 toting Nepalese guards walking the camp. There was some joke about the Nepalese being there to watch the Iraqi’s.

I am not anti Iraqi, I just very pro-safety!

Ms Sparky

A note to KBR employees…I get it!

April 25, 2009 — Ms Sparky

pointing-the-finger1 I bet I get at least a hundred emails a day. People send me stuff all the time. Cute stuff, funny stuff, serious stuff, sad stuff. Then there are the injured or sick soldiers and civilians needing help and the patriots who are sending information that needs to be forwarded. Then there are my readers comments. I try to respond to every one. Oh yeah…and I must be one of the luckiest people in the world because I win UK and on-line lotteries at least 3-4 times a day. I must also have a very trustworthy looking email address, because people are emailing me all the time wanting to transfer millions into my bank account. All I have to do is email my bank info. Hmmm

To find out what’s what so I can prioritize….I have to open the emails and read them. On most occasions there is always something that will make me laugh, make me cry or make me mad.

I got something this morning. (Thanks KRASH) As soon as I saw it, I thought of every “bottom of the KBR food chain” employee that tries every day to do the very best they can despite the sometimes insurmountable obstacles. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve been there and I get it.

CLICK HERE This is a short 20 page Power Point presentation. (Just click “open with MS PowerPoint) I am not sure who D&P is. Email me if you do. Enjoy!

Ms Sparky

KBR’s Bruce Stanski Now With Fluor?

April 24, 2009 — Ms Sparky

Note: I kept forgetting to update this post about Stanksi. Post updated on 6/29/2009-See red italics

On March 17, 2009 Bruce Stanski, KBR’s President of Government and Infrastructure (G&I), just up and quit!! Stanski had worked for KBR since 1995. The Government and Infrastructure Division is the division that holds the LOGCAP contracts with DoD in the Middle East and Africa. (Click HERE to read that post)

We (I) have been wondering why an executive at his level would just up and quit. No notice…no nothing. Just “I’m outta here.” The rumors as to the reasons have ranged from:

He went into the witness protection program
Personal or family illness (was hoping this wasn’t true)
Left the country to avoid prosecution for KBR’s alleged contracting fraud
Won the lottery
Went to work for a major LOGCAP competitor (Fluor)

Well it would appear the latter might be true. I was told that Bruce Stanski is now the Vice President of Human Resources at Fluor as of March 30, 2009. (Updated 06/25/2009): There is some conflicting information here. Jeff Uribe a former KBR concentration camp commandant is reported to be the VP of HR. Stanski clearly working for Fluor directly or as a consultant.) Can anyone fill me in here.

That just leaves me with so many unanswered questions.

Why would the President of a major LOGCAP company take a Vice President of HR position with a competitor?

Is there something going on with KBR that he no longer wanted to be a part of?

Will he use his vast knowledge of KBR’s bidding processes to assist Fluor in bidding against them? That would be only fair I guess since KBR’s Program Manager Larry J. Lust “opened the file but did not read it” with regards to Flour’s bidding information. This information was accidentally sent to him by the DoD Contacting Officer and then immediately recalled. I’m sure KBR won’t use that information to their advantage in any way. (click HERE to read about that)

Maybe it was some kind of a trade. A corporate baseball team so to speak. Like, one of your guys obtained all our bidding info…..now we want one of your guys and we won’t sue you into bankruptcy!! (I wonder if they will do trading cards? Just a humorous thought)

I’m sure there are just stacks of legal non-disclosure agreements. As an HR VP he would not be “directly” involved in the bidding process. But still…all that inside information is priceless.

It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out.

What do you think?

Ms Sparky

Not in the best interests of KBR or its stockholders?

April 22, 2009 — Ms Sparky

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of KBR, Inc has been scheduled for May 14, 2009, beginning at 9:00 a.m., local time in The Texas Room, located at 601 Jefferson Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

There are several issues on the agenda for the Annual Stockholders meeting. But I am only going to highlight the two proposals to address KBR’s alleged financial misconduct and human rights issues and abuses in Iraq. These proposal were put forth by KBR stockholders. KBR’s Board of Directors has recommended a vote AGAINST both proposals sighting both proposals “are not in the best interest of KBR or it’s stockholders.” Pretty disturbing attitude. Maybe the Board of Directors feels voting for these types of proposal would be some sort of an admission of guilt. If we don’t admit it, it’s not happening?

You decide!! If you have the determination to wade through all the KBR BS propaganda crap, there is a link at the bottom of the post that redirects you to the entire 2009 Proxy Statement.

PROPOSAL No. 3 (page 56)
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL
Mr. John C. Harrington, 1001 2nd Street, Suite 325, Napa, California 94559, a beneficial owner of 300 shares of KBR common stock, has notified us that he intends to present the following proposal at our Annual Meeting. The Company is not responsible for the contents of this proposal or supporting statement:

RESOLVED: To amend the Bylaws, by inserting at the end of Article III the following new section:

Section 13. Board Committee on Human Rights. There is established a Board Committee on Human Rights, which is created and authorized to review the implications of company policies, above and beyond matters of legal compliance, for the human rights of individuals in the US and worldwide.

The Board of Directors is authorized in its discretion consistent with these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation and applicable law to (1) select the members of the Board Committee on Human Rights, (2) provide said committee with funds for operating expenses, (3) adopt regulations or guidelines to govern said Committee’s operations, (4) empower said Committee to solicit public input and to issue periodic reports to stockholders and the public, at reasonable expense and excluding confidential information, including but not limited to an annual report on the implications of company policies, above and beyond matters of legal compliance, for the human rights of individuals in the US and worldwide, and (5) any other measures within the Board’s discretion consistent with these Bylaws and applicable law.

Nothing herein shall restrict the power of the Board of Directors to manage the business and affairs of the company. The Board Committee on Human Rights shall not incur any costs to the company except as authorized by the Board of Directors.

Supporting Statement
The proposed Bylaw section would establish a Board Committee on Human Rights which would review and make policy recommendations regarding human rights issues raised by the company’s activities and policies. We believe the proposed Board Committee on Human Rights could be an effective mechanism for addressing the human rights implications of the company’s activities and policies as they emerge anywhere in the world. In defining “human rights,” proponents suggest that the committee could use the US Bill of Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as nonbinding benchmark or reference documents.

KBR’s Statement in Opposition to Proposal No. 3

The Board of Directors believes this proposal is not in the best interests of KBR or its stockholders and recommends a vote AGAINST it.

Our Board of Directors and management are fully committed to KBR’s mission, vision and values, which support and promote the improvement of human rights around the world. As reported on our corporate website at ww.kbr.com, our daily mission is: “To safely deliver any project, any time, in any environment for the benefit of our customers, shareholders, employees and the communities we serve.”

In carrying out our mission, we have earned a global reputation of a commitment to safety. We share the proponent’s ongoing concerns for human rights and we are continually working to promote human rights within our business practices and the communities in which we operate. In addition, we closely monitor health and safety issues through our separate Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Committee of independent directors, which reports to the full Board of Directors.

Our Code of Business Conduct, employee policies and guidelines embody not only compliance with the law on human rights, including laws prohibiting discrimination, harassment and coerced and child labor, but also ethical principles to be applied in the everyday work of the Company. These ethical principles include honesty, integrity and air-dealing, as well as the improvement of working conditions for our employees. Our Code of Business Conduct contains the specific policies adopted by the Board of Directors and is available on our website at www.kbr.com, by clicking on “About KBR,” then “Corporate Governance,” then “Code of Business Conduct.”

KBR enforces its Code of Business Conduct and other policies affecting workplace human rights through a well-developed training and compliance program. Each of our approximately 57,000 employees worldwide, and those of our majority-owned joint ventures, is required to participate in training on the Code of Business Conduct each year. Part of that training includes educating our employees of their obligation to report potential violations of our Code of Business Conduct so that such allegations may be thoroughly investigated. Each employee is informed repeatedly, through the Code of Business Conduct training, printed media and video monitors throughout our offices, of the ability to make anonymous reports, with the assistance of a translator, if needed, through our Ethics Hotline, which is operated 24 hours a day. Allegations are investigated as appropriate, either by KBR personnel or a third party and when required, brought to the attention of the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors.

In 2008, we also required each of our employees around the world to participate in training on our “Trafficking in Persons” policy, which applies to all KBR employees, KBR subcontractors and subcontractor employees. The training was designed to reinforce our policy against trafficking in persons, including deceptive hiring practices, illegal treatment of third country nationals and substandard worker living conditions. Through the training, KBR has clearly and repeatedly communicated a zero-tolerance policy with respect to trafficking in persons and forced labor. The Ethics Hotline is available to report potential violations of this policy and the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors are informed of any investigations that merit their attention.

Our suppliers and subcontractors are also contractually required to abide by our Code of Business Conduct and to report possible violations directly to KBR management or through the Ethics Hotline. KBR is in the process of communicating with each significant supplier to our Government and Infrastructure business unit to reinforce this obligation and urge reporting of any suspected violations.

KBR also seeks to improve the quality of life in the communities in which its employees live and work through our charitable giving program, which includes monetary contributions, in-kind contributions, employee involvement and employee giving programs. In 2008, we provided over $2 million of funding and sponsorship to a number of organizations whose missions align with our focus on education, health and environment.

As described above, KBR’s management and Board of Directors are already devoting substantial resources and attention to human rights issues, as embodied in our mission, vision and values, our Code of Business Conduct and our continued commitment to improving the lives of our employees and others within the communities in which we operate. For these reasons, we do not believe that the proponent’s proposal to establish another committee of the Board to oversee these activities is necessary or a good use of company resources.

For all the reasons set forth above, the Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Proposal No. 3. Properly dated and signed proxies, and proxies properly submitted over the Internet and by telephone, will be so voted unless stockholders specify otherwise.

PROPOSAL No. 4 (page 58)
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL
The New York City Police Pension Fund, owner of 136,376 KBR shares, The New York City Teachers’ Retirement System, owner of 167,274 KBR shares, the New York City Employees’ Retirement System, owner of 151,205 KBR shares and the New York City Board of Education Retirement System, owner of 16,600 KBR shares, through their custodian and trustee, The Office of the Comptroller of the City of New York City, 1 Centre Street, New York, New York 10007-2341, have notified us that they intend to present the following proposal at our annual meeting. The Company is not responsible for the contents of this proposal or supporting statement:

WHEREAS, KBR, Inc., is the largest contractor with the US government in Iraq, with 14,000 employees in that country providing logistical support to the US armed forces, and

WHEREAS, KBR has been accused by Defense Department auditors and members of Congress of serious irregularities relating to the performance of the company’s contractual obligations in Iraq, including inflated prices for delivered goods, overcharges, and false charges for services not rendered, (“Pentagon Finds Company Violated It’s Contract for Electrical Work in Iraq”, New York Times, 10/28/08; “Iraq: KBR Faulted On Water Provided to Soldiers”, Washington Post 3/11/08; Audit of KBR Iraq Contract Faults Records for Fuel, Food”, Washington Post, 6/25/07; “Bribery Network to Bloat War Costs is Alleged”, New York Times, 7121/07), and

WHEREAS, KBR has been charged in civil actions filed in the US with participating in human rights abuses relating to treatment of its contract employees, including collusion in suppression of evidence relating to abuses and human trafficking (“KBR, Partner in Iraq, Sued in Human Trafficking Case”, Washington Post 8/28/08, “Federal Judge Rules Iraq ‘Gang Rape Victim’ Can Seek Trial in US” Times of London, 5/12/08),

THEREFORE, shareholders request that the company establish a committee of independent directors to review allegations of financial misconduct and human rights abuses on the part of the company and it’s employees in Iraq, and to report to shareholders on it’s findings with recommendations for improved oversight of the company’s international operations.

KBR’s Statement in Opposition to Proposal No. 4

The Board of Directors believes this proposal is not in the best interest of KBR or its stockholders and recommends a vote AGAINST it.

KBR’s commitment to its customers, including the U.S Army, is well established over its history of over a century of business, beginning with the founding of M.W. Kellogg in 1901. More recently, in 2001 KBR was awarded the LOGCAP III contract to provide global support to the U.S. Army during contingency events. This relationship with the U.S. Army has resulted in primarily “excellent” performance ratings. One aspect of the performance ratings includes input from government auditors on the financial management of the contract by KBR. With regard to the ongoing management of our LOGCAP III contract, we are engaged with the Government Contracting Officer on a daily basis and have satisfactorily resolved a number of disputes regarding the contract. We are working diligently with the Government Contracting Officer to resolve any outstanding disputes in a timely manner. KBR’s excellent service and commitment to deliver in the harshest conditions was recognized with the award of the new U.S. Army logistics contract, LOGCAP IV in April 2008.

As with all of our operations and employees around the world, our employees and subcontractors operating in Iraq and Afghanistan are subject to and governed by our Code of Business Conduct, which contains the legal and ethical directives by which employees and agents of the company are expected to conduct its business. As discussed in Proposal No. 3 above, KBR has an extensive program of training and enforcement of its Code of Business Conduct and investigates all potential violations of its Code, reporting to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors as appropriate. Our Board of Directors includes a majority of directors who meet the standards for independence established by applicable laws and regulations as well as the more stringent standards of proxy analyst firms such as Risk Metrics. Our Audit Committee is composed solely of directors meeting these independence standards. In addition, we closely monitor health and safety issues through our separate Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Committee of independent directors, which reports to the full Board of Directors.

The Code of Business Conduct specifically addresses internal accounting controls, procedures and records and establishes the guidelines and procedures related to keeping books and records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect KBR’s transactions and disposition of assets. KBR’s Audit Services department is charged with auditing compliance with these policies of the Code of Business Conduct and reporting its findings to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The internal accounting controls and books and records pertaining to our contracts with the U.S. Army are covered by this policy and included in the internal audits conducted by the KBR Audit Services department. In accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all significant matters involving accounting, internal controls or auditing communicated through the Ethics Hotline or the email address published on the company’s website, will be brought to the attention of the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

KBR’s management and Board of Directors are informed of all significant investigations regarding alleged violations of KBR’s Code of Conduct. KBR’s Board of Directors and the Audit Committee regularly review matters involving KBR’s financial standards and reporting, including matters such as those discussed by the proponent. The roponent’s suggestion of establishing a committee of independent directors to review allegations arising out of KBR’s operations in Iraq is unnecessary, as it has already been substantially implemented in the normal operation of the Board of Directors and its committees.

For all the reasons set forth above, the Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Proposal No. 4. Properly dated and signed proxies, and proxies properly submitted over the Internet and by telephone, will be so voted unless stockholders specify otherwise.

To read the entire document which includes all Meeting Proposals, Executive Officer information and compensation (starts on page 26), Board of Directors information, Committee and committee member information and other general BS click HERE. If you can’t get it there click HERE.

Ms Sparky

Electrician Injured At Al Asad

April 21, 2009 — Ms Sparky

There are a lot of rumors running around about the electrician(s) recently injured at Al Asad. So to set the rumors straight. There was ONE electrician seriously injured from electrical shock and medivac’d out.

I wasn’t going to blog about this because I didn’t want to get into a “whose fault is it?” with an injured electrician who can’t defend himself. It’s all too easy for those of us (including me) to sit back and pass judgment “He should’ve done this, he should’ve done that.” But, there are some questions that only he can answer.

This is a “not so subtle” reminder of the danger that lurks around every turn. No one wakes up in the morning and says “I think today is the day I will go to work and seriously injure or kill myself!” But sometimes our complacent or inattentive actions just scream it!(I am not saying this is the case here.)

Please take this opportunity to step back and regroup. DO NOT take anything for granted. DO NOT be complacent. DO NOT assume. If you have a partner, be a good partner and watch their back. Don’t go off flirting or “BS”ing. PAY ATTENTION! You are their second set of eyes!

Please be careful, not just electricians…EVERYONE. Things are not always what they appear!

Keep this injured electrician in your thoughts and prayers.

Ms Sparky

KBR’s own Memos Undermine Defense-Good Friday Massacre

April 20, 2009 — Ms Sparky

KBR Memos May Undermine Defense in Iraq-Convoy Suits

By Laurel Brubaker Calkins and Margaret Cronin Fisk

April 20 (Bloomberg) — KBR Inc., the largest U.S. military contractor in Iraq, sent six civilian drivers to their deaths in a battle zone in April 2004 hours after warnings of escalating violence, according to families of the men suing the company.

Company officials said in court filings and in an interview that they were required under the terms of their contract with the U.S. Army to send out the fuel convoys. Undermining that argument, KBR officials warned of danger to the unarmed drivers and said the contractor was within its rights to call off the fuel runs, according to memos and e-mails filed by the families in Houston federal court.

KBR’s Iraq project manager said in 2003 that supervisors could “stop any activity which you believe to be unsafe,” according to the documents. Tom Crum, the top Middle East company executive, wrote on the day of the attacks, April 9, 2004, that “we will refuse” to expose drivers to unacceptable risk. The documents were filed as part of three lawsuits over the deaths and injuries of 19 drivers.

“We need to work with the army without a doubt, relative to stopping convoys,” Crum wrote after the convoys had started, in an e-mail filed with U.S. District Judge Gray Miller. “But if we in management believe the army is asking us to put our KBR employees in danger that we are not willing to accept then we will refuse to go.”

Crum added that Houston-based KBR “cannot allow the army to push us to put our people in harm’s way.”

KBR’s Position

KBR argues that only the Army had the information to decide whether convoys were safe, and the company was forced to rely on that intelligence. The families are seeking unspecified damages in the three lawsuits before Miller.

Geoff Morrell, a Pentagon spokesman, didn’t return a call seeking comment. Mark Ballesteros, at the multinational force command in Iraq, didn’t respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

Halliburton Co., from which KBR was spun off in 2006, is also a defendant. It will ask to be dropped from the litigation, company spokeswoman Cathy Mann said by e-mail April 17. She declined to comment on the merits of the suits, saying Houston- based Halliburton, the world’s second-largest oilfield-services provider, isn’t responsible for anything alleged in the cases.

KBR officials debated what to do as 28 KBR employees were killed and injured April 8 and 9, 2004, the one-year anniversary weekend of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s fall. Fuel convoys, some more than two miles long, were attacked by insurgents with rocket-propelled grenades, automatic weapons and roadside bombs.

Couldn’t Refuse

The company argued it couldn’t refuse an Army order to roll in court papers and an interview with Chief Executive Officer William Utt.

“The Army determines where we go, when we go and the route we take,” Utt said last week. “And we don’t have the ability to say no.”

KBR’s Iraq military project manager ordered company drivers to deliver fuel among bases near Baghdad International Airport because he relied on the Army’s promise that it could protect the drivers, Heather Browne, a KBR spokeswoman, said April 16.

“KBR can delay or stop the deployment of a convoy when we determine that the level of force protection provided by the military is less than what was originally promised to us or originally determined by the Army as necessary,” Browne said in a statement.

Army’s Decision

On whether the e-mails contradict KBR’s defense that it had no choice about sending the convoys, she said, “No civilian contractor is privy to the level of exact intelligence the military has prior to making the decision to run a convoy. The Army solely determines if threat conditions on supply routes are too dangerous to deploy a convoy.”

Craig Peterson, an Army brigadier general before taking over KBR’s military-contract operation in Iraq and Kuwait, made the same case to colleagues after the first day of attacks.

“Only the army leadership can stop convoy movements,” he wrote on April 8. That prompted the message from Crum saying “we will refuse” if necessary.

Peterson said after the second day of attacks he was ordering trucks off the roads.

“No KBR convoys will move tomorrow, 10th April 2004,” he e-mailed his bosses and security personnel. “I will inform the military chain of command.”

Peterson declined through his lawyer to be interviewed for this story.

A January 2003 memo circulated to the contract team members says KBR puts employee safety ahead of its contract obligations.

Stop Unsafe Action

“There is not one thing that we do that is worth injury to an employee,” John Downey, then the project general manager, wrote on Jan. 22, 2003. “Each of you has my personal authority to stop any activity which you believe to be unsafe.”

Professor Jonathan Turley at George Washington University Law School said KBR isn’t required to put its people “in a clearly dangerous situation.”

“If there was no forewarning and no intelligence, these drivers would be in a very difficult position in suing KBR,” Turley said. “In this case, the information suggests that they were clearly driving into harm’s way. To send civilian trucks into an area of active combat speaks of gross negligence.”

After one driver was killed and several injured by militants on April 8, 2004, George Seagle, Middle Eastern security director for KBR’s government-contracting operations, suggested stopping all convoys until they could be made safer.

‘Another Bad Day’

“I say we halt them for a day at least and consider it a safety/security stand-down,” Seagle wrote to supervisors and fellow security officers. “There is tons of intel stating tomorrow will be another bad day.”

After the second day’s attacks, Ray Rodon, the deputy project manager, sent a message to his boss saying he “directed” that no trucks roll the next day.

“I asked that we do this yesterday, and was overridden,” he wrote. “Today was worse than yesterday. Body count not in yet from fuel convoy.”

Some drivers who sued say KBR promised them non-combat jobs like delivering supplies and laundry when they were recruited to work in Iraq, according to their lawyer Scott Allen of Houston.

“People always say these guys knew what they were getting into when they signed up to work in Iraq,” Allen said last week in an interview.

His clients “were hired right after President Bush declared victory,” Allen said. “They were told they were going over to engage in civilian reconstruction work and would not be sent into combat.”

Anguished Debate

The court documents describe an anguished week-long debate among managers responsible for the drivers as ominous intelligence reports were followed by outbreaks of violence.

Keith Richard, top transportation manager of KBR’s Iraq transport division, voiced alarm April 8 when the Army ordered drivers to leave a safe haven north of the airport and convoys were already under attack.

“I am starting to question their decisions,” Richard wrote his supervisors and colleagues. “Our guys are not armed and we cannot rely on the military to protect us.”

“It is only a matter of time before we take serious casualties,” Rodon, the deputy project manager, wrote back. “We need to be sensitive to the overall mindset of the drivers, as they are civilians in a full-up conflict. Don’t know how much they can take without walking away.”

Later that night, Richard said convoys wouldn’t go out the next day if the roads were too dangerous and that he had asked security managers for additional intelligence.

To Lose Drivers

“Another day like today and we will lose most of our drivers,” he wrote.

Richard an hour later retracted his decision to keep the drivers off the road. “If the military pushes, we push,” he wrote.

Seagle, the regional security director, urged management to put driver safety ahead of contract fulfillment.

“Understand the pressure and think we will get people injured or killed tomorrow,” he wrote shortly before midnight April 8. “I am only recommending, and the decision is the project general manager’s. Big politics and contract issues involved and I understand.”

The convoy attacks of April 8 and 9 marked the start of an Iraqi insurgency that to date has claimed the lives of 40 KBR employees.

Browne, the KBR spokeswoman, said the attacks were an “obvious escalation” that led Peterson to “inform the Army that KBR would not participate in any further convoy missions until the Army upgraded its agreed-upon force protection.”

Better Protection

Once security was improved, KBR convoys went back out again, she said.

KBR is seeking court permission to tell jurors the Army shares responsibility for deaths and injuries to the drivers.

A military investigation of the convoy attacks produced a report that hasn’t been made public. The probe “demonstrates that the conduct of the United States was a legal cause in fact of the injuries to the plaintiffs,” KBR lawyer Robert Meadows said in court papers in January.

Allen, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, told the judge in February the report was on “an investigation about the Army.”

“The Army report is not in any regard an investigation into the events at KBR,” he said.

A trial is set for March of next year.

The cases include Fisher v. Halliburton, 05-cv-01731 U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas (Houston).

To contact the reporters on this story: Laurel Brubaker Calkins in Houston at laurel@calkins.us.com; Margaret Cronin Fisk in Southfield, Michigan, at mcfisk@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: April 20, 2009 18:41 EDT (Click HERE for original article)

The Notorious AIG Video….on ABC’s 20/20 April 17th

April 18, 2009 — Ms Sparky

If you think you will be taken care of if you are injured overseas…..think again.

If you can’t see this video you can click HERE to watch it on ABC or HERE and watch it on YouTube.

Click HERE for the 3:35 min clip fromABC’s Good Morning America

Click HERE for the 2:55 min clip from ABC News about AIG after their Federal bailout.

Click HERE for the Houston Channel 8 coverage about AIG not paying and listen to one of my most dedicated contributors, Karen Holko. Well done Karen!

Click HERE for the ABC report of the Preston Wheeler Convoy Ambush. I caution you, it is disturbing.

KBR’s Sad Pathetic Attempt To Defend Themselves In Pittsburgh

April 17, 2009 — Ms Sparky

William C Bodie "courtesy of google"

I find it sad and pathetic that because KBR has been unable to find a news outlet that would print the companies lies, the president of KBR’s G&I division had to stoop to writing a letter to the editor in the same city as the potential jury pool for the highly publicized wrongful death civil suit of SSG Ryan Maseth. No KBR!! That little stunt of attempting to influence the potential jury pool did not allude me. Isn’t that somehow illegal?

This letter from KBR’s William C Bodie came out in The Pittsburgh Post Gazette today. I will attempt to debunk it paragraph by paragraph. My comments will start with Ms Sparky’s Response: and will be in italics.

KBR is not to blame

Our company had nothing to do with electrocutions in Iraq

Ms Sparky’s Response: Bullsh*t!!

Friday, April 17, 2009
By William C. Bodie

The Post-Gazette’s April 13 editorial, “Showers of Peril: Report Shows the Extent of Dangerous Iraq Wiring,” demonstrates a lack of understanding of the electrical issues in Iraq and KBR Inc.’s level of responsibility as a contractor working there. Further, the piece mischaracterizes the September 2008 “report compiled by a military safety team.” The editorial implies that the report finds fault with KBR. That is false.

Ms Sparky’s Response: Really? On page 2 of the September 8, 2009 Assessment of Electrical Hazards it clearly states: “The USACRC team concluded widespread use of uncertified electrical devices, inconsistent enforcement of any standard, inconsistent and inadequate standards for using electrical devices, incomplete application of electrical codes, and lack of thorough contractor oversight result in unmitigated electrical related hazards through out the OIF theater.” So…just what does that mean in “KBR speak”? To me it says….KBR is not doing their job and are at fault. Click HERE to read the entire September 2008 Report and you decide.

KBR’s name does not appear once in the report upon which the editorial is based. One contractor is mentioned, but that contractor is not KBR. The report expressly states that “the main source of electrical shock” in Iraq is “uncertified electrical devices” provided primarily by “local vendors,” not by KBR, as implied.

Ms Sparky’s Response: So you tell us, who else was there? Do you think those uncertified electrical devices just fall out of the sky? NO, KBR buys them. It sounds like you haven’t ever been to Iraq so let me tell you how it works. We (electricians) tell our foreman we need a specific part. They order it and 99% of the time it is order from a “local vendor” in Iraq or Turkey. Primarily because it’s cheaper. We had seavans full of crap that couldn’t be used because it was the wrong item or just poor quality. So that’s what “local vendor” means. KBR approves the “local vendor”. KBR has also bought parts and material from “local vendors” at the bazaars set up inside the camps like the one at Camp Victory.

Most importantly, the report states that “varying electrical codes and standards have resulted in many instances of improper grounding and bonding.” Nowhere in the report does it state that such varying codes, standards and improper grounding and bonding were caused by KBR.

Ms Sparky’s Response:If KBR installs something and it is not properly bonded and grounded then it’s caused by KBR. If bonding and grounding deficiencies were brought to the attention of management and they were disregarded as “this is a warzone, the NEC doesn’t apply” then it’s not only caused, but perpetuated by KBR. KBR had ample warnings of the electrical deficiencies and chose to ignore them. This problem was systemic. It didn’t happen in just one camp. This was Theater wide. (Iraq, Afghanistan & Kuwait)

The report itself and an attachment to the report establish that eight electrocutions involved contact with power lines and that other electrocutions were the result of “inattentiveness” or “inadequate planning” by the military personnel involved. KBR had no involvement with or responsibility for those electrocution incidents.

Ms Sparky’s Response: What I am hearing you say here is that “KBR had no involvement with or responsibility for those electrocution incidents.” Which would imply that you did have involvement and responsibility for the other electrocutions. Or are you saying that Ryan Maseth and Chris Everett somehow caused their own death?

KBR also had no maintenance responsibilities in connection with any of the facilities at which electrocution deaths occurred, with one exception where KBR had only limited, reactive, maintenance responsibilities. For that one facility that housed Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, KBR was not authorized under its contract with the military to perform the re-wiring of the building that would have been necessary to properly ground and bond the electrical components in the building.

Ms Sparky’s Response: You are trying to BS an electrician here. Not working. You didn’t have to rewire the building. A couple hours worth of work and $20 in parts, and that pump could have been grounded and Ryan would be alive. So, I want to make sure I’m clear. You’re telling me it’s OK to send someone out on a service order for electrical shock and just walk away from it because it’s “too hard” or “we say it’s not in our contract”. So answer me this. This was a very very small building and if I’m not mistaken KBR was paid millions to maintain the RPC. Just what did that entail? Walking by it everyday and making sure it hadn’t fallen over? In the States, disregarding a report of electrical shock would be negligent.

Conditions in a war zone such as Iraq and the challenges faced by the military in housing personnel are very different from those in the United States. Except for temporary facilities, the buildings discussed in the report were constructed by Iraqis without grounding or bonding. Simply put, the “dangerous Iraq wiring” noted in the editorial was just that — dangerous wiring installed by Iraqis, not KBR.

Ms Sparky’s Response: Although electricians need to be trained and licensed in most States, electrical work is not rocket science and all parts and material needed to repair this “dangerous Iraq wiring” was readily available in the United States and Europe. Many planes flew in and out of Iraq everyday that could have delivered those parts. It always amazed me that we never seemed to run low on steak, lobster, crab legs, prime rib, pork loin, Baskin Robbins ice cream, 10 different kinds of pie and all the Coke and Pepsi products you could drink when most of the time I couldn’t get any damn electrical tape, the good stuff, Scotch 33!

KBR has not been charged with any crime and is not aware of any facts that would support a finding of any responsibility, criminal or otherwise, in connection with any electrocution in Iraq, including that of Sgt. Maseth. A military “investigation” does not constitute a finding of responsibility, as the editorial implies.

Ms Sparky’s Response: It is my understanding the CID’s recommendation was to change Ryan’s cause of death to “negligent homicide”. Whether or not that will be done or criminal charges will be filed remains to be seen.

Sgt. Maseth’s accidental electrocution was an unfortunate and tragic event, but it was not caused by KBR. KBR worked quickly to remediate problems when authorized to do the work.

Ms Sparky’s Response: Let me ask you this. If someone drives to a bar and gets drunk and then gets in the car and kills someone, is that accidental. If you leave a loaded handgun on the counter and your child gets it and kills another person, is that accidental. No one stated, “I am not going to properly repair this pump because I want to kill Ryan Maseth” but this was no accident. Any qualified electrician who knew what they were doing could have seen this coming. If you weren’t hiring qualified electricians then whose fault is it? KBR’s. KBR had several service orders authorizing them to make these simple repairs. This is basic electrical repair.

KBR remains proud of the work it performs in Iraq. Our employees perform their jobs in austere, unpredictable conditions at great sacrifice to themselves and their families. We remain committed to engaging in a transparent and, more importantly, a fact-based dialogue on this issue while pledging continued full cooperation and support to the military.

Ms Sparky’s Response: Just what exactly is KBR proud of? The two Level III Corrective Action Requests (CARs)? The countless Level II & Level I CARs? The contaminated water, food & ice? Knowingly exposing soldiers and civilians to toxins? Locking rape victims in a conex? Sending drivers on doomed missions after warnings? Human Trafficking? The fraud waste and abuse? And just general employee abuse? KBR needs to stop using the “it’s a war zone” as an excuse. KBR has some very qualified and dedicated employees in the Middle East. The problem is the management structure. If management would get out of the way and let people do their job like they are trained to do we would not have these problems. (Let me know if I missed anything.)

A personal note to William C. Bodie. There’s no need to beg some newspaper to print your lame statements. You could start your own blog and just pubish your opinions on the Internet like the rest of us!! You could call it “Bodie’s Blog”! I think that’s catchy…don’t you? Is this why Bruce Stanski quit? He wouldn’t do this?

William C. Bodie is interim president of KBR Inc. for government and infrastructure (www.kbr.com).
First published on April 17, 2009 at 12:00 am (click HERE for the original article)

Ms Sparky’s Response: Alright….I’m done here. Tell me what you think. Was I too hard on KBR and Mr. Bodie?

KBR Not Allowed To Bid On LOGCAP IV Task Orders?

April 17, 2009 — Ms Sparky

According to this United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) “Decision” dated February 23, 2009 KBR may not be eligible to bid on LOGCAP IV Task Orders. This document has been”Approved For Public Release” click HERE to read the decision in it’s entirety.

I read it and I have a couple questions.

Does this mean that KBR is no longer eligible to bid on ANY LOGCAP IV Task Order? Or just the ones in question in Kuwait? (I’m not a lawyer?)
Who can tell tell me how much these Task Orders are worth and how much money KBR lost?
Does this have anything to do with KBR losing Kuwait to Dyncorp?
Can anyone tell me who the “offending” KBR LOGCAP IV Program Manager was/is and what they are doing now? In classic KBR fashion, did they get promoted?
Can anyone tell me who the DOD cognizant contracting officer was/is? Just curious.

If you have any other information surrounding this let me know.

You can find this and other GAO decisions on KBR HERE.

Ms Sparky

AIG on ABC’s 20/20

April 16, 2009 — Ms Sparky

AIG is the Defense Base Act (DBA) workers compensation insurance carrier for the Government. Basically they are supposed to cover you if you get hurt. For everyone who thinks AIG will take care of their loved ones or themselves if they are injured overseas has got to watch this special report on Friday April 17th at 10pm EST on ABC’s 20/20. I knew it was coming out, I just didn’t know when…. glad to see someone blowing the whistle on AIG and telling the stories of those battling them.

Blind Amputee Has to Fight AIG for New Plastic Leg, Wheelchair

While Executives Get Bonuses, John Woodson Gets “Cheapest They Could Get Away With”

By AVNI PATEL and BRIAN ROSS
April 16, 2009

An Oklahoma man who lost an eye and a leg in Iraq says the giant insurance company AIG refused to provide him a new plastic leg and fought to keep from paying for a wheelchair or glasses for the eye in which he has 30 percent vision.

“They bought the cheapest thing that they could get away with,” said 51-year old John Woodson, a truck driver for the KBR contracting firm who lost his leg when his truck hit a roadside bomb in Iraq.

“Everything’s been a struggle, a constant fight,” said Woodson, injured in Oct. 2004. “It’s been hell since.”

Watch 20/20 Friday at 10pm E.T. to see this joint investigation involving the Los Angeles Times and Pro Publica, a non-profit investigative group.

Woodson is covered by AIG under a government-mandated program that provides medical and disability benefits for employees working for U.S. contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan. AIG covers about 90 percent of the claims for overseas workers.

Woodson is one of a number of injured contractors whose alleged difficulties with AIG were examined in the joint investigation.

AIG said it could not discuss any specific case, but that it strives to provide “quality” care.

“We think we’re helping the military with out insurance program,” said AIG executive John Russo.

In Woodson’s case, when his fuel truck hit the hidden bomb outside Baghdad, he was blown through the roof of his cab and thrown about a hundred feet away, also damaging his back and breaking his pelvis.

Woodson says he was told by an AIG representative in the hospital that he would be fully covered by AIG, but that when he returned home, he quickly discovered AIG was prepared to challenge almost all of his medical needs.

AIG Refused to Buy Him a New Leg, Woodson Says

“I’ve had to argue for everything, you constantly stay on the phone, writing letters, e-mailing, trying to get things to happen,” Woodson said.

To cushion the impact on his injured back and pelvis, Woodsen asked AIG for a new plastic leg with a spring in the foot.

“It was just so painful just to walk,” Woodson said.

He says AIG refused to buy him a new leg, which he says would have cost about $8,000.

AIG also refused, he said, to provide him a water-proof leg so he could remain standing and take a shower.

U.S. military amputees are normally provided three different legs, to cover a full range of walking, showering and exercising.

In the end, Woodson says he thinks it was pressure from his lawyer and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) that forced AIG to finally provide an improved leg, with replacement parts, but not a new one as his doctor had ordered.

Woodson’s lawyer, Toby Cole, says he sees a pattern of AIG “delaying and denying” claims from contractors injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“It’s difficult for me to think it’s anything but a concentrated effort just to ignore these guys,” said Cole.

In its statement, AIG says the “vast majority” of claims are “paid without dispute when the proper supporting medical evidence has been received.”

More than 30,000 contractors have filed claims for injuries suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 1,400 have died. (Click HERE to read original article and watch short video)

KBR Says “You’re Fired”

April 15, 2009 — Ms Sparky

Yesterday KBR issued a Blue Border Communication entitled Personnel Alignment and Reduction (PAR) outlining KBR’s alignment with the DoD’s reduced mission requirements in Iraq. Click HERE to read that.

The very first statement in the memo is making my BS detector go off! Here it is: “As we continue our commitment to transparency on the LOGCAP III project….” Is anyone else screaming “bull sh*t!”

You’re Fired!! Window or Aisle, Chicken or Pasta!! At will contract!! Bye Bye now!! In other words….KBR is sending expats home. I’ve heard rumors that there are people in tents at BTC waiting to DMOB. Can anyone confirm that?

In the construction industry, it’s the nature of the business to work yourself out of a job. We build stuff, we finish it, we move on. So on that issue I really can’t blame KBR for sending people home. I can however criticize them for their methods of choosing people. Now would be a great time to trim the fat, cut out the dead wood, get rid of the non-producers. But…I doubt they will do that. They will keep the suck ups a KBR loyalists!! The ones that will keep their secrets.

So, what is KBR doing? They are firing people for the most ridiculous stupid things like not wearing your KBR hat inside the DFAC. WHAT?? If you have to send people home JUST DO IT!! Pick people and DMOB them. Why must you demoralize and humiliated people who have put up with your crap for so long by firing them for something stupid? Just “man up” and pick people to send home.

One last question. How many Theater Managers, Project Managers and Attorney’s is KBR firing for something stupid? I’ll bet that’s a big ZERO!

Keep me posted.

Ms Sparky

How About A “Hire American Act”!

April 14, 2009 — Ms Sparky

There’s a Fly America Act and a Buy American Act how about a “Hire American Act“?

I’ve been listening to CNN all morning and hearing about the 5 million plus Americans who have lost their jobs in the US. The business that are closing. The States that are in a bind due to reduced revenues due to closed businesses due to lost jobs. It’s just a big ole vicious circle.

I have a “novel” idea. What if we implemented a “Hire American Act”? In a nutshell, if a job is being payed for by US taxpayer dollars, you have to hire US Citizens to work it. Or at the very least a very large percentage of the workforce should be American. This goes for work in the US and around the world. The US is spending billions of dollars building US Embassies, US Consulates and US Military facilities all over the world. Not just in Iraq and Afghanistan. At these facilities the largest group of employees, probably 75% are normally locals or third country nationals.

I understand boosting the local economy. But it’s time to boost our local economy and send that money home not to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bosnia or Mexico. Plus in many job classifications, such as electricians, there are quality and qualifications issues. Not to mention people being kidnapped and brought to other countries to work against their will for The Americans, also called “Human Trafficking”. Yes…your tax dollars do support Human Trafficking!

Also included in this Hire American Act should be the following provisions:

Only legitimate US companies can bid on US Government contracts.
No bogus shell companies like KBR’s SEII & OAS will be allowed to supply manpower. The contractor will pay appropriate payroll taxes including state unemployment taxes.
Employees will be protected by US labor laws. No more threatening to fire people for not keeping their mouth shut when fraud or crimes are committed!
Employees will be protected by OSHA (safety) protection. (SOME exceptions may apply in a war zone)
Job position qualifications will be established. Such as electricians much be licensed or have equivalent verifiable training.
A real workers compensation insurance program needs to be established. The DBA and AIG have got to go. It’s a money pit and it doesn’t work.

If an act like this were passed into law, I think it would level the playing field and make the bidding more competitive. Especially for those companies who would like to bid the work, but just can’t sink as low as KBR can.

This is my personal opinion….I think only “cleared” Americans should be making the food and water for our soldiers. Talk about a weak link in not only the security chain but health and hygiene as well!

Tell me what you think should be in the Hire American Act.

Ms Sparky

Lets Only Hire Contractors That Haven’t Committed Crimes

April 13, 2009 — Ms Sparky

Oh My Freakin’ God!!! What a novel concept!! Only hire contractors that have not committed crimes and that are not under criminal investigation. It’s pure genius!! Like an ethics clause? Why haven’t you thought of that DoD? Or why haven’t you enforced that? Kudo’s to Hays County!

Commissioner proposes ethics policy

By Andrea Lorenz | Monday, April 13, 2009, 11:47 AM

Hays County commissioners will discuss a proposal tomorrow to develop an ethics policy for companies the county does business with.

The discussion comes a week after commissioners withdrew their support to approve a proposed contract with KBR Inc. after two Iraq War veterans criticized the company’s work in Iraq at a public meeting.

County Commissioner Jeff Barton wrote a three-page pitch to commissioners asking them to approve the creation of an ethics policy for contractors that would affect any company or individual seeking a contract of more than $10,000.

Barton proposed the county not do business with firms or firm officials that have been found to have committed fraud or negligence, and that firms disclose if they are under government investigation. (Click HERE to read the original article)

Update: April 13, 2009 4:16 pm

Click HERE for another great in depth article that just came out on this same topic! Kudos to Hays County Texas. The DoD sure could learn from you!

Follow Ms Sparky on “twitter”

April 10, 2009 — Ms Sparky

I finally broke down and signed up for a “twitter” account. I am muddling through it so be patient. I only have the capacity to learn a few new things at a time!! If I learn to much at once I am forced to forget something….and that could be dangerous. I am thinking about calling our local Middle School and asking the principal if there is anyone there who wants to earn a little extra cash by managing my social networking…..I’m talking about the kids!!! They seem to be so into this social networking stuff….MySpace, Facebook, Twitter. And me? I just get that “deer in the headlights” look every time something new comes out!! It’s like….”I haven’t learned the last thing yet and now I have to learn something new?” (Assuming fetal position!)

Anyways….back to twitter. If you want to follow me on twitter go to MsSparkydotcom

If you have any suggestions feel free to pass them on!

tweet…tweet

Ms Sparky

No LOGCAP IV in Iraq?

April 10, 2009 — Ms Sparky

I have just been slammed with LOGCAP IV questions. So I am going to see if I can get some info out there that will help answer some of those questions. Keep in mind, this information is unofficial. But…this is what I am being told from some VERY reliable sources.

First, I am told that LOGCAP IV is not going to be implemented in Iraq. They will extend the current task orders until the majority of the bases are closed. I don’t know how long this will take. But I am going to estimate a year…. maybe. There is no way that KBR will be able to absorb ALL their expats into other countries. So in the meantime KBR will be firing and sending people home for stupid reasons just to reduce manpower. If you are an American expat you had better be saving your money.

LOGCAP IV will be comprised of Kuwait, Afghanistan and Africa.

I was told that KBR WILL NOT get a piece of the LOGCAP IV pie if they can not get this electrical issue under control.

I was told that KBR lost Kuwait primarily because they underbid it so much that their bid was not believable. Rumor has it they are going to rebid it.

I was also told that KBR is bidding LOGCAP IV with 30% less expats and more subcontract workers. I think it’s about a 1 to 3 ratio.

If you are being told something else…by all means let me know. Does anyone know if KBR has transitioned to ANY LOGCAP IV contract? Does anyone know if LOGCAP IV has been implemented anywhere in Iraq? I know Dyncorp has LOGCAP IV in Kuwait and Fluor has LOGCAP IV in Afghanistan. Anyone else?

Ms Sparky

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