WARNING: Personal protective equipment is highly recommend to read the following article. (see photo for suggestion) It is so full of bullshit you are bound to get some on you!! If you have a low bullshit tolerance, I suggest you just back away. What you are about the read is the chosen (by KBR attorney’s) opinion of a KBR corporate puppet! Everything you are about to read should be considered fictional and in no way represents the will of the majority of past and present KBR employees and victims. Please proceed with CAUTION!
By WILLIAM C. BODIE
Times Guest Columnist (The Daily Times serving Delaware County, PA)
As the old saying goes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.
Recent media coverage on an amendment proposed by newly elected U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., has not only misstated the facts on the arbitration issue, but the Jamie Leigh Jones case as well. KBR would like to set the record straight.
As written, Sen. Franken’s ill-conceived amendment promotes frivolous lawsuits, increases litigation costs, and provides less monetary benefit, in many instances, to victims.
For these very reasons, the Department of Defense, Chambers of Commerce and businesses, large and small, across the country are against the legislation.
Sen. Franken’s amendment does not help employees. It hurts American business and erodes the ability of businesses to support our soldiers.
Many companies have dispute resolution programs designed to address employee complaints timely and efficiently, without the delays and expense often associated with litigation. KBR is no exception.
Under KBR’s dispute resolution program, 95 percent of all employee complaints are resolved promptly to the employees’ satisfaction and at no cost to the employee. This is not only good for employees, it is good for business because it helps control costs, ultimately saving customers money, in this case, U.S. taxpayers.
The few remaining claims not resolved by this process are heard before an independent arbitrator, chosen by both parties, who considers all the evidence and rules accordingly.
There have been erroneous and inaccurate reports regarding the Jamie Leigh Jones case on which it appears the writer of the Oct. 19 Delaware County Daily Times editorial relied.
The assertion that Ms. Jones has been denied her day in court is false. A criminal investigation was conducted and found Jones’ claims unsubstantiated.
A State Department investigation in Iraq, in which numerous individuals, including Ms. Jones, were questioned, found there was no evidence Ms. Jones had been sexually assaulted.
Further, the Justice Department pursued a grand jury investigation in Florida in February 2008.
After hearing all of the evidence, which included testimony from Ms. Jones as well as the firefighter she alleges sexually assaulted her, the grand jury decided to issue no indictments.
The allegation that Jones was imprisoned in a shipping container is also false. Following her reported alleged assault, for her own safety, Jones was provided with a secure living container, or trailer, similar to that in which other KBR employees live (and the very kind in which Jones herself had requested to live).
There, Jones phoned her family and was attended to by a female KBR employee who got her food and clothes and, upon Ms. Jones request, spoke with Jones’ family to assure them of her safety.
The employee also stayed with her for several hours until the State Department, to whom KBR reported the alleged assault immediately, arrived. Despite claims to the contrary, there were no armed guards outside her room.
KBR safety personnel (who are never allowed to carry weapons) were in the area for Jones’ safety since her alleged assailant had not been identified at that time.
KBR then worked with the State Department to arrange for Jones to leave Iraq and provided a female counselor to escort Ms. Jones home to the United States.
To date, two formal investigations have been completed and neither resulted in any liability against Ms. Jones’ alleged perpetrators. Despite these findings, Ms. Jones continues to pursue legal action against KBR.
There is no greater priority at KBR than the safety and security of its employees.
Throughout the continued media blitz regarding Ms. Jones’ case, assertions against KBR suggesting the contrary and a blatant disregard of the facts have perpetuated a biased, one-sided dialogue.
The company intends to continue its vigorous defense and we believe we have the facts on our side. KBR remains committed to engaging in a transparent, fact-based dialogue and in turn, we expect and believe that, we as well as the public, deserve the same commitment from those in the media and in public office.
William C. Bodie is president of KBR North American Government and Defense. (Link to Original)
Bodie….what is wrong with you? I’m no psychologist, but I think you’re just not right in the head!! Pathological maybe?? Whatever it is….I’m sure there is a treatment or at least a pill available. You really should consider seeking help.
You don’t actually believe these sad pathetic attempts to sway public opinion by publishing columns or opinions is actually working??? Did you actually write them??? Highly unlikely!!
You are a sad sad pathetic little man! I do hope KBR is paying you BIG bucks…..because you are going to need ever dollar to try buy your way out of hell!! Some people who have actually worked for KBR think KBR is hell.
You are an embarrassment to the United States of America!
Ms Sparky
Until now I always thought that BS stood for Bruce Stanski, I stand corrected, it seems that it goes with this title at KBR.
Thanks Ms Sparky!
As an American, I am unclear why these people are even walking the streets as opposed to being in jail. As a former correctional nurse…I know that the rumors of what happens to people like this are very true. These people belong in prison…and be aware that inside -KARMA- really is a *bitch* and they (the criminals of Halliburton-KBR) will be the ones on the bottom.
Bodie…Bodie…Bodie… every dog has his day..and yours will come… I just hope that you are wisely investing in Vaseline and Preparation H…in the mean time!
As far as being an embarrassment to the USA? These greedy turds are a disgrace to the human race and no better than SH himself. That our elected reps. allow this to continue? Well looking at what it costs and the earnings table as opposed to that of the real troops…perhaps there should be an adjustment in all of this.
There is a new Federal prison being built in West Virginia. I’m hoping that turns out to be KBR new Corporate HQ.
Want a real laugh – it is being built by KBR
Really?
Actually, they built the one that was completed in 2009. There is now yet another one being built which will bring the total number of Federal Prisons in WVA. to 7. Which is being built by another company. Other than CA WVA has more federal prisons than any other state – kind of makes you wonder whats so bad in WVA that they want to put all those prisoners there.
Ms Sparky seems a little feisty today. Mr Boobie I mean Bodie must have hit a nerve.
Just out of curiosity I googled Delaware County PA. Yawn! http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42045.html
KBR is clearly desperate. No one will publish anything they have to say. But these tiny rags will get hits because, no offense Ms Sparky, bloggers are reposting.
Letters and columns like this are free advertising for the paper.
JMHO
Bodie – I left the (Mr.) off because you aren’t a real man – men stand-up for what is right!!!
If there wasn’t any validity to Ms. Jones’ claim – then why – WHY are you and your leash-hold company trying so very very hard to discredit her.
Why not do this country a big favor and move your corp. headquarters to IRAN -Tehran, and stop the flow of Stinky -Poopy-Dung- that permeates the air ways of this Great Country?
Pass this to Heather Browne someone please – certain she with then forward it to Boooooodie and the corporate group of Clingons that refuse to go down when the toilet it flushed.
If there was no validity to Ms. Jones complaint …then why was she placed into a storage locker, allowed to call for help and escorted home? (After which she required reconstructive surgery)For her safety? My.. what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.
That aside. I still do not know why we do not get rid of the play pretend soldiers who clearly have no honor…and perhaps up the benefits and re-appropriate these funds directly into the military budget.
Andrea – that would be because the military is unable to recruit enough individuals to do the work – additionally, the work that contractors do for the most part is not the type of work that the military wants to do.
This is not a new concept – contractors have been doing these types of services for the US Government all the way back to the Civil War.
Additionally, contractor employees are not the only ones that are behaving dishonorably – there have been numerous reports of rape of military personnel by military personnel. They just don’t make the same headlines. Just because you put someone in a uniform it does not automatically make them honorable.
No matter who commits these types of acts they are reprehensible and should not be tolerated.
You are correct re: whomever commits something so heinous should be incarcerated. But I must tell you … as a military mom and sister…and daughter, you cannot compare the salary and benefits that are paid to the real military to that of the contract pretend soldiers. And there is no way that you can compare the honor in the real military to that of those who are highly paid to play soldier.
Perhaps I am a Pollyanna only having been around the military as a relative, but I know what the pay base is for our military and along with the deficits in proper supplies.
Honestly I believe that there will always be issues in every arena of life. [re: bad people] But I wonder what could happen if the huge amount of money going these private companies went into the military appropriations and was actually spent on the real military…. more people who have the skills and capability would be able to actually support their family through serving our country.
I will never be convinced that the pretend soldiers hold anywhere near the amount of pride, honor and commitment that I have witnessed in the United States Military. Yet, so many are too eager to publicize every single incident of wrong-doing by the American Military. I have yet to see a comparable amount of press going to the sacrifices they make. There is no news and medals for reaching out to the children of the Middle East. All of these extra efforts have just been pushed aside. Yet, I know of a group of Marines who on the way to Fallujah (sp?) who stopped to check on a small child in the road. When the Col. called for the medic she raised her arms to be lifted and the explosion left many dead and the rest badly burned. Scarred for life, those who actually did survive were discharged to civilian life without the same level of support many celebrities ask that we give to our pets. As far as who wants to do what ..the last time I checked …orders were orders and they were followed. I do not disagree with you..but is it not too convenient that there is a plethora of contracts which have links and many political ties to current and former governments.
I would like to research more about the history of the military contracts that go back to the Civil War..this sounds very interesting to me..Thanks for the heads up!
Andrea
Having been a military dependent, active duty and a contractor I may have a different perspective than you.
First you keep referring contract employees as pretend soldiers – they are not – in fact they must at all times identify themselves as contractors and must not in anyway present themselves as military or government personnel. LOGCAP employees are not armed and do not participate in the military functions.
These employees do the things that the military does not want to – like clean the toilets and the buildings, pest control, preparing/serving food and cleaning up afterward.
Additionally, I believe that you have a skewed concept of what these people actually make. The base salary (40 hours a week) for most US Expats is around $29k – on top of that just like the active duty personnel they receive danger pay. Unlike active duty personnely they are working 84 hours a week (12 hrs a day 7 days a week) or the equivilent of 2.1 full time jobs. They are paid straight time for the additional 44. So yes they are making a good income. But they are earning it. Remember this is for a US Expat – the majority of the work is done by Third Country Nationals – mostly subcontracted that make far less.
The Army did a study on one task order alone to determine if it would be more cost effective to have the Government do the work. They determined that it would have cost the Government 2.5 times more to do the work themselves. So even if they took the money they were giving the contractors to do the work and gave it to the military – they will still have to raise our taxes to cover the additional estimated $22B annually it would cost.
The Delco Times registration is messed up. I can’t get registered so I can leave a comment on Bodie’s “column”. It keeps saying I didn’t put in a zip code!! If they could get that fixed, other people could comment!! Like me!! Aggravating!
for-what-it’s-worth,
Do you think that is why someone wrote on the men’s bathroom walls at the BIAP Regional offices – “Flush twice it’s a long way to Leesville from here?”