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Archive for April, 2009

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

problems uncovered at US bases in

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 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.

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 ( – 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

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pointing-the-finger1I 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   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

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

On March 17, 2009 , ’s President of Government and Infrastructure (G&I), just up and quit!! Stanski had worked for since 1995. The Government and Infrastructure Division is the division that holds the 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

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The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of , 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 . 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 (“KBR, Partner in Iraq, Sued in 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 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 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, 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

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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

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