Bush administration backtracks on Katrina contracts.
Bush administration backtracks on Katrina contracts.
A new congressional analysis finds that the “Bush administration has shown little progress — and in some cases backtracked — on its pledge to do a better job in awarding contracts to small, Gulf Coast businesses for Hurricane Katrina work.” Some highlights:
– Approximately “7.4 percent of Katrina contracts so far have gone to small businesses in Louisiana, down from 12.5 percent in April.”
– “Since April, only 6 percent of new GSA contracts for Katrina work _ about $61,000 out of roughly $978,000 _ went to small Louisiana businesses. At the VA, the percentage was even lower: 0.7 percent, or $25,435 out of $3.6 million.”
– “Out of the $95.6 million in total contracts that were inaccurately claimed as going to small business, more than $77 million, or 81 percent, were awards by the Defense Department.”
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Let’s hear the trolls defending the 100% markup of the middleman contractor cronies, in 3..2..1…
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:02 pm**chirp**
Does this report take into account whether these small businesses are capable of performing the work necessary and in a timley fashion?
Sometimes small business is just not up to the task.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:04 pmRight. Those big businesses are doing such a great job of rebuilding New Orleans. They are clearly up to the task.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:06 pmThe Child King blames the democratic congress for the bridge collapse! The bodies aren’t even out of the water and he’s already trying to cover his ass. How are we standing for this? What the hell kind of “leader” is this?
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:06 pmJust asking.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:07 pm“We in the federal government must respond, and respond robustly, to help the people there not only recover, but to make sure that lifeline of activity _ that bridge _ gets rebuilt as quickly as possible,” Bush said in the Rose Garden following a Cabinet meeting.
good luck, minneapolis…
um… also… is that the location of the democratic convention?
i bet the get right on that…
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:07 pm…
Does this report take into account whether these small businesses are capable of performing the work necessary and in a timley fashion?
Sometimes small business is just not up to the task.
Comment by Ringo
Weasel words.
This is all sorted out in the normal government bidding process. Single-digit percentages? This is pathetically lame, Jingo, even for you.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:07 pm#2 What in the Hell would that possibly matter to this Administration?
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:08 pmIs Helliburton capable and timely? They’ve waisted/lost BILLIONS!
The Child King blames the democratic congress for the bridge collapse!
————————————————————————————
Link?
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:08 pmMy father is from New Orleans, works in construction as a contractor and designer, and has worked 7 days a week since Katrina hit. He has told me many stories about all the thousands of contractors who have come in from out of state and charged MANY times over what it should cost. It has talked about all the corruption and waste and ripoffs. It is despicable.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:14 pmRight after offering his condolences last night, the chymp, holding a banana for effect, screeched…
“If Congress doesn’t pass the spending bills by the end of the fiscal year, Cabinet secretaries report that their departments may be unable to move forward with urgent priorities for our country,” Bush said. “This doesn’t have to be this way.”
Bush has threatened vetoes or signaled veto threats against nine of the 12 annual spending bills for the budget year beginning Oct. 1; all but two of those threats involve spending levels that exceed the budget the administration proposed in February.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:16 pmThe Bush Administration could care less about the Katrina victims they are giving the money to Iraq contractors by the billions. Now the Katrina victims better pay their taxes or go to jail. Notice that Bush is giving 60 Billions of dollars in weapons to the Middle East and of course Billions of dollars to Israel. Israel has received Billions of taxpayers dollars already to help build up the country so they can fight for the Palestinian land their on. Our taxes will go up when Bush get out of office to help save the American economy. We have almost lost the Middle Class Americans on who’s back this country was built.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:18 pmJG
My father is from New Orleans, works in construction as a contractor and designer, and has worked 7 days a week since Katrina hit.
From your anecdotal evidence it sounds like the local contractors are already working as much as they can. If thats the case, then it sounds like the gov’t is giving as much as possible to local workers, and any %s cited are just being used to obscure that fact and tweak the nose of the administration.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:19 pmRUCerious
all but two of those threats involve spending levels that exceed the budget the administration proposed in February.
So Bush is trying to keep spending down.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:20 pmBush runs the country like a business. A poorly run business with incompetent oversight and no accountability for poor decisions. Just like Bush’s bankrupt Arbusto oil company.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:26 pmToo damn bad most of the expenditures for Iraq aren’t even in a budget, but get funded through emergency appropriations.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:30 pmWhy wouldn’t the chymp want them in a budget???
I know, executive privilege!!!
Bush don’t care about Black People!
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:30 pmThey needed the money for some black ops…
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:31 pmDoes this report take into account whether these small businesses are capable of performing the work necessary and in a timley fashion?
Sometimes small business is just not up to the task.
Comment by Ringo
Funny. You just described US admin in the Iraq issue.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:34 pmActually what he said was that there were LOTS of people in New Orleans who wanted to work at rebuilding, but contracts (no bid) were going to outside Contractors that were SERIOUSLY OVERCHARGING more than they should. His comments were emphasizing how the government said they were giving X-amount of dollars to reconstruction, but their first choice was not to utilize contractors and workers all ready in NOLA, they brought in Halliburton and paid WAY more than local contractors would have charged for the same work. No oversight and accountability for the money flying out the door. Huge corruption problems. Now, because of the lure of BIG BUCKS from overcharging, contractors have come in from all over and are all overcharging. He said there was contractors there numbering in the thousands.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:35 pmHis own work was focused on rebuilding peoples’ homes. He was so disgusted with what he saw happening with government contracts, he moved to the north of the lake. He now drives over 100 miles a day to work and then back again (7 days a week).
Katy — re #6
I live in Minneapolis. There is 24/7 coverage on the bridge collapse here. It is truly sad.
I was appalled by GDumbya’s comments this morning. What blatant political crapola from the “Katrina Presi-dunce”.
I sure hope that his Keystone Kops do a better job of response to Minneapolis than they have done in New Orleans. If not, it will be years before the bridge is rebuilt.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:37 pmI was appalled by GDumbya’s comments this morning. What blatant political crapola from the “Katrina Presi-dunceâ€.
Comment by Tom
I can’t find a link to his comments. Do you have one?
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:41 pmHey, gotta keep in in the family.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:44 pmI don’t think it was small business that delivered thousands of trailers that were left to rot. It was a big-business, inside deal. How’ya likin’ yer’ trailer?
Sometimes small business isn’t up to the task, indeed.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:46 pm“…If not, it will be years before the bridge is rebuilt….”
Maybe rubber rafts to ferry people across? Cheaper!
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:46 pmI can’t find a link to his comments. Do you have one?
I heard the idiot live on local TV here in Minneapolis. I don’t have a link but you might hear more about it on the news tonight — unless, of course, if you watch FoxSnooze (they will be too embarrassed to run it).
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:47 pmComment by gummitch — August 2, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/bush_bridge_collapse;_ylt=Atg8BmMnRiCcTs75R2ycYUtH2ocA
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:48 pminfrastructure. Essential to the economic machine. Collectively pay taxes in order to maintain the streets, the water/sanitary systems and border security to name a few. These are vital to our country’s health.
This is where the democratic view is better for the country than the republican idea of privitization. It requires oversight and due diligence but it also benifits the majority. Not the companys bottom line.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:49 pmIt’s remarkable the last paragraph of the article I linked:
The president has offered comfort to victims several times in recent months. In March, Bush he visited survivors of tornadoes that ripped through Alabama and Georgia. In April, he offered words of hope at Virginia Tech after a gunman killed 32 people and committed suicide. In May, Bush went to Kansas after a tornado wiped out the tiny town of Greensburg.
No word of New Orleans. Everything must be rosy down there.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:49 pmBased on current projections of the long term costs of the Iraqi Adventure I am afraid we will be forced to live or die with increasingly decaying infrastructure. Maybe more tax cuts for the wealthy might help. Better yet let’s all give back the 300 or whatever it was we were all given as some silly allowance a few years back.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:54 pmBush has got to get the money to fix that bridge from somewhere…
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:55 pmWe spend $10-12 billion a month in Iraq. Recommendations in 2005 by the national civil engineers group, ignored by Bush, have said an outlay of $9 billion a year for 10 years could address bridge infrastructure problems.
Think about what a national infrastructure program could do for this country. Good paying jobs, safer roads, dams, bridges. We are squandering away our future with this fiasco in Iraq.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:56 pmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_Highway
While Interstate Highways usually receive substantial federal funding and comply with federal standards, they are owned, built, and operated by the states in which they are located. The only exception is the federally-owned Woodrow Wilson Bridge on the Capital Beltway (I-95/I-495).
This is to prevent some troll saying that some Democratic mayor or governor is guilty of the disaster.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:57 pmanswer: the 08 democratic convention
will be in denver…
Tom- i just can’t even imagine…
the whole country’s falling apart…
plenty of money for destruction though…
for shame…
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:59 pm…
You have to wonder about this. People waited for days for help in New Orleans. Nothing. No food, water, nothing. It hasn’t even been 24 hours yet since the bridge in Minneapolis collapsed and they already have $5 million dollars released for emergency help with lots more to follow.. This was on a much smaller scale, but there is no excuse for what happened in NOLA. At the VERY LEAST they should have immediately started with dropping food and water from helicopters to people trapped there until they could be evacuated out. They didn’t do ANYTHING for days. There simply isn’t any excuse for what happened and how it played out.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:01 pmThe president has offered comfort to victims several times in recent months. [...]
No word of New Orleans. Everything must be rosy down there.
Comment by Evil Spaniard — August 2, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
new orleans is old news…
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:02 pm…
As far as NOLA is concerned, “human assistance of any kind is not on our priorities list….It’s all about goods, not people, at this point.” (http://www.citizensforethics.org/node/29651)
Has been since day one of Katrina.
Theresa
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:03 pmJust watch Bush, He will fly in and have a perfectly staged photo op where he will pour out his compassion for what the people in Minneapolis have gone through and promise to rebuild. Then he will leave and nothing will happen, or he will give them a portion, but will then cut it out later (because it will detract from his war in Iraq). How much do you want to be Halliburton gets the contract to rebuild the bridge??
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:05 pmThis is Bush’s MO.
Great! Now that TP and Hufftards are in cahoots, we’ll be getting “facts” straight from the old horse’s blog!!!
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:06 pmThink about what a national infrastructure program could do for this country. Good paying jobs, safer roads, dams, bridges. We are squandering away our future with this fiasco in Iraq.
Comment by Candyce — August 2, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
much of what we have was started under the many programs by FDR…
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:06 pmi’ve never understood why he was derided for putting people to work…
new orleans is old news…
…
Comment by katy — August 2, 2007 @ 1:02 pm
I know, but as far as I know, New Orleans is way back in rebuilding. If Bush wants to give the image of a caring President, a yearly visit isn’t much to ask.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:08 pmAnd it’ll cost $6 Billion, be delayed in construction, and will have to be demolished before ever being used, due to shabby workmanship and substandard materials.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:09 pmmuch of what we have was started under the many programs by FDR…
i’ve never understood why he was derided for putting people to work…
Comment by katy — August 2, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
Scary socialism! Everyone knows that working together for the common good is way to frightening
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:09 pmright on, spaniard…
to be clear – i was being sarcastic…
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:09 pm…
I feel terrible for the people in Minneapolis. It is hard to watch. But, has anyone else noticed that because this is taking over the entire news cycle on every news station in wall to wall coverage, there has not been a word today of the fact that Rove will not show up to testify for Congress today? That Bush ONCE AGAIN claimed Executive Privilege? Not a word..
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:10 pminfastructure, this includes the rebuilding of the key systems in New Orleans and the Gulf.
Some smart politician can point to the incredible weakness now and make some inroads with the fed up american people.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:13 pmAs a Mpls resident, this hits close to home. The balls of the chimp to play politics with this!
Didn’t Governor Pawlenty (Repuke and McCain’s one-time VP in training) veto the transportation bill last session? Maybe that puke will think twice next time!
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:13 pm#27, # 29 Evil Spaniard
What is incredible is that this last paragraph is news. With a real president (and borne out by those of the past), this was considered a basic human dignity. With Shrub, the fact that he showed up is news (and how many Soldier’s funerals has he attended of those killed in Iraq ).
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:14 pm#38 Then he will leave and nothing will happen, or he will give them a portion, but will then cut it out later (because it will detract from his war in Iraq). How much do you want to be Halliburton gets the contract to rebuild the bridge??
This is Bush’s MO.
Comment by JG — August 2, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
Get used to a rope and wood bridge at the price of a golden one.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:16 pm#10 and #20 JG:
Add to your father’s working on homes the fact that plans for a low-cost permant building, which could serve as the beginning of a much larger house, have been proposed. Building these could put money into the economy and use local laborers.
But FEMA insisted on those lovely, durable trailers.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:18 pmComment by MapleStreet — August 2, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
Yes, for him, everything has become a media circus orchestrated by Rove, while Cheney works his agenda in the backstage.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:18 pmVet,
Sounds like Pawlenty might be in trouble once the grief begins to fade.
http://www.startribune.com/10204/story/1339911.html
For half a dozen years, the motto of state government and particularly that of Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been No New Taxes. It’s been popular with a lot of voters and it has mostly prevailed. So much so that Pawlenty vetoed a 5-cent gas tax increase – the first in 20 years – last spring and millions were lost that might have gone to road repair.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:18 pmRe: I-35W in Minneapolis.
Be prepared for more of this, unless something is done now.
My industry has been telling you for decades that not enough is being spent to repair and rehabilitate our nations infrastructure.
My condolences to those who have lost someone.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:21 pm#35 At the VERY LEAST they should have immediately started with dropping food and water from helicopters to people trapped there until they could be evacuated out. They didn’t do ANYTHING for days. There simply isn’t any excuse for what happened and how it played out.
Comment by JG
But the elephant in this room is that compared to NOLA, Minneapolis has more voting Repugs…. AND less poor people, so this is “his constituency”.
Guess someone had to say it.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:24 pmBut the elephant in this room is that compared to NOLA, Minneapolis has more voting Repugs…. AND less poor people, so this is “his constituencyâ€.
Guess someone had to say it.
Comment by upside00 — August 2, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
Not surprisingly, Minnessota has a Republican Governor:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Pawlenty
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:29 pmEvery governmental action is merely an opportunity to funnel public money to a Bush crony. This administration acknowledges no obligation to faithful stewardship of its appointed responsibilities. Its goal is to dismantle the provision of public services by demonstrating their inefficiency, but instead it flaunts their deplorable corruptability in situations when power is unduely concentrated and those tasked with assuring accountability refuse to act.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:32 pmA republican governor that neglected the report 2 years ago about the condition of this bridge.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:33 pmWhat’s odd is that the Governor (R) went on TV several times last night and stated (along with other officials) that the bridge was inspected in 2005 and 2006 and given a clean bill of health – that it will be fine until 2020 and beyond.
They failed to mention the report in 2005 that identified structural problems.
Was this an oversight or an outright lie? If he’s a good Repuke, my guess is outright lie!!!
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:34 pmFirst Lady Laura Bush, who already had planned to travel to Minneapolis on Friday for a summer meeting of the Republican National Committee – the party is planning its 2008 presidential nominating convention in the Twin Cities – will join a bevy of federal officials descending on the area in the aftermath of the bridge collapse.
Now we know why W is suddenly so compassionate.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:35 pm“What I’m hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them”.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:36 pm#57. Good point! Not to mention that I-35 is used by suburban commuters – not the po’ black folk in north and south Mpls…
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:37 pmMinneapolis has a Republican Mayor and Governor. That tells it all.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:39 pmNola had a Democrat Mayor and Governor and poor black people. This is a sad fact. It shouldn’t matter who your Representative is Republican or Democrat. They are suppost to Representative all the people of that district or state.
Minneapolis has a democratic mayor.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:40 pmJeanne Aamodt, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, told the Star Tribune, a Minneapolis newspaper, that the department was aware of the 2005 assessment, which gave the bridge a score of four on a scale of zero to nine.
A bridge receives a four when there is “advanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.” Spalling is a term used to describe cracking, chipping, crumbling or fraying, while scour is a term used for erosion caused by flowing water.
“It was last inspected both in 2005 and 2006. There were no structural deficiencies identified according to [the Minnesota Department of Transportation],” Pawlenty said.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:41 pm#62 Minneapolis has a Republican Mayor and Governor. That tells it all.
Nola had a Democrat Mayor and Governor and poor black people. This is a sad fact. It shouldn’t matter who your Representative is Republican or Democrat. They are suppost to Representative all the people of that district or state.
Comment by Mary Poppins — August 2, 2007 @ 1:39 pm
No, only the Governor, the Mayor is actually Democrat:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.T._Rybak
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:43 pmthe party is planning its 2008 presidential nominating convention in the Twin Cities [...]
Now we know why W is suddenly so compassionate.
Comment by Candyce — August 2, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
oh yea… that bridge will get rebuilt, in record time…
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:46 pm…
If not, it will be years before the bridge is rebuilt.
Comment by Tom — August 2, 2007 @ 12:37 pm
Of course it will take years to rebuild. How long do you think it should take to put an Interstate highway bridge across the Mississippi?
Complain when it’s due.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:46 pmKeep going with your No New Taxes and Tax Cuts for the Rich policies, Republicans. This is only ONE end result.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:47 pmMy earlier post comparing Minnesota Governor Pawlenty to Guiliani got booted. I am reposting the sense of that message because I think it is important to understand in light of Pawlenty’s obstructionism regarding raising the gas tax and increasing transportation expenditures.
Guiliani failed to get the emergency communications system fixed before 9-11. People seem to have forgotten that. Instead, he is seen as Manhattan’s great savior. He also ignored health risks to ground zero workers and he shut down the recovery effort the day after the gold was cleaned out of the bank vaults found in the rubble.
Pawlenty is Minnesota’s very own Guiliani. After the bodies are recovered and lost lives are mourned, I hope we Minnesotans remember his ultimate accountability for addressing the state’s infrastructure. This is not to say that his prompt action would have saved these particular lives. It is to say that he has long ignored his responsibilities so that he could be McCain’s campaign co-chair and chair of the governors’ council. He has clearly been feathering his nest for higher office. He doesn’t deserve his current office let alone a higher office.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:51 pmThis is a good example of how the government works – it doesn’t.
That’s why it should be kept as small as possible.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:51 pmWell, it seems I can only post things if I don’t say anything!
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:54 pmThis is a good example of how the government works – it doesn’t.
That’s why it should be kept as small as possible.
Comment by Terrific Jones — August 2, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
This doesn’t prove Government doesn’t work, it proves Republicans don’t work…
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:56 pmAnd it’ll cost $6 Billion, be delayed in construction, and will have to be demolished before ever being used, due to shabby workmanship and substandard materials.
Comment by Marcus Aruelius — August 2, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
Do you say this because Minnesota’s percentage of union workers ranked seventh among the states and well above the national average?
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:58 pmThe claim by Republicans and their supporters that the government doesn’t work is nothing short of a self-fulfilled prophecy.
Of course it doesn’t work when the people in charge do not want it to work, that is a no-brainer. Duh!
But then being a supporter of this White House precludes the use of a gray matter, almost by definition.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:59 pmDo you say this because Minnesota’s percentage of union workers ranked seventh among the states and well above the national average?
Comment by r — August 2, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
NO, because the rebuilding will under the control of Repub-friendly groups like Bechtel.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:00 pmThis is a good example of how the government works – it doesn’t.
That’s why it should be kept as small as possible.
Comment by Terrific Jones
That doesn’t even make sense.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:00 pmPickles Bush will swoop in and tell everyone that her and George W. feel everyone’s pain and that they have lost sleep over this matter.
Then she’ll smoke a cigarette and flick it at a homeless person and laugh and laugh and laugh.
-GSD
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:01 pm#72: Oh yeah? The economy is booming – unlike during a tax-and-spend democrat government.
Quite frankly, I can’t think of anything that actually requires a government. When you think about it, everything could be privatized even up to the military and the diplomat corps. Hell, we could probably make profit, too.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:02 pm#70 This is a good example of how the government works – it doesn’t.
That’s why it should be kept as small as possible.
Comment by Terrific Jones — August 2, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
Read #33:
While Interstate Highways usually receive substantial federal funding and comply with federal standards, they are owned, built, and operated by the states in which they are located. The only exception is the federally-owned Woodrow Wilson Bridge on the Capital Beltway (I-95/I-495).
Spin as much as you want, but “smaller government” wouldn’t have prevented it from happening.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:03 pmQuite frankly, I can’t think of anything that actually requires a government. When you think about it, everything could be privatized even up to the military and the diplomat corps. Hell, we could probably make profit, too.
Comment by Terrific Jones — August 2, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
This is an irrational, meaningless comment. Don’t bother replying to it.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:03 pmAre there rules about what is taboo to talk about here? Every once in a while, my comments don’t show up at all. Does that happen to others?
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:04 pm#76: Ok. Here’s another try: this is a good example of how the federal government fails at everything they do. They’ve screwed up even outsourcing the work.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:04 pm#80 Quite frankly, I can’t think of anything that actually requires a government. When you think about it, everything could be privatized even up to the military and the diplomat corps. Hell, we could probably make profit, too.
Comment by Terrific Jones — August 2, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
Things weren’t so fine in the middle ages, just saying.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:05 pm#81: Yeah. If you’re on the admins’ watch-list, you can’t post anything that’s longer than a few paragraphs and contains links. Looks like they’ve cracked down on 9/11 conspiracies, too.
I’m ok with this, though. Makes it easier to read these threads.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:06 pm#76: Ok. Here’s another try: this is a good example of how the federal government fails at everything they do. They’ve screwed up even outsourcing the work. Comment by Terrific Jones — August 2, 2007 @ 2:04 pm
A private company built the bridge, not the government. Federal employees didn’t build this bridge – private industry did.
So this is a good example of how private companies fail, and why the government must be diligent in its oversight.
See, you’re a failure at arguing, just like your party is at governing.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:07 pm#80: Ah yes. “I disagree with it, therefore it doesn’t make any sense. Ignore it”. How enlightened.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:07 pmPrivitization is a ridiculous concept. The only means for remedy would then be litigation. If this bridge was privately owned, everyone injured by its collapse would have to sue the company who owned it. And what if that company went out of business? Who would maintain the bridge at that point?
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:08 pm#84: How many bridges do we see collapsing every day? The government fails every day.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:08 pmThe only means for remedy would then be litigation.
Uh… and your point is?
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:09 pm#82 #76: Ok. Here’s another try: this is a good example of how the federal government fails at everything they do. They’ve screwed up even outsourcing the work.
Comment by Terrific Jones — August 2, 2007 @ 2:04 pm
Being the maintenance work a responsability of the Governor’s Office, how can it be a problem of “smaller government”, again?
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:09 pmeven up to the military and the diplomat corps. Hell, we could probably make profit, too.
Comment by Terrific Jones
Good. Go sign up with Blackwater and make some blood money profit.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:09 pmAnd what if that company went out of business? Who would maintain the bridge at that point?
The markets would take care of that. Someone would buy the bridge.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:10 pmTROLL ALERT! TROLL ALERT!
Various trolls like Not-So-Terrific Jones are flocking to this thread.
Do not respond to them. Do not feed them.
If you are bitten by one, seek immediate medical attention. They are rabid, irrational and extremely dangerous when cornered.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:10 pmNO, because the rebuilding will under the control of Repub-friendly groups like Bechtel.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — August 2, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
Where do you get that info?
A similar project The Wakota Bridge is being done locally.
Red Rock Road : Carl Bolander & Sons Company, St. Paul Minnesota (completed)
Glen Road interchange: C.S. McCrossan Construction, Maple Grove Minnesota (completed)
Maxwell/Bailey North Ring Road: Lunda Construction Company, Black River Falls Wisconsin (completed)
I-494, including river bridge: Lunda Construction Company, Black River Falls Wisconsin
7th Ave/2nd Street : S.M. Hentges, Jordan Minnesota (City of Newport project – completed)
St. Paul Park Road : Ames Construction, Inc. Cottage Grove Minnesota (City of St Paul Park project – completed)
Glen Road : Shafer Contracting, Shafer Minnesota (City of Newport project – completed)
St. Paul Park Interchange: C.S. McCrossan Construction, Maple Grove Minnesota – completed)
4th Avenue: Danner, Inc., South St. Paul (City of Newport project – under construction)
Do you still think it’ll cost $6 Billion, be delayed in construction, and will have to be demolished before ever being used, due to shabby workmanship and substandard materials?
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:10 pm#87 #84: How many bridges do we see collapsing every day? The government fails every day.
Comment by Terrific Jones — August 2, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
The Federal, the Statal or the one of the Mayor? If so, in which State?
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:11 pmGood. Go sign up with Blackwater and make some blood money profit.
Nah. That’s not my cup of tea. I don’t want to risk my life for money.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:11 pmDo you still think it’ll cost $6 Billion, be delayed in construction, and will have to be demolished before ever being used, due to shabby workmanship and substandard materials?
Comment by r — August 2, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
Nah, this is ONE time I knew it was bs. I just wanted to get under your skin. From the amount of info you took the time to dig up, I’d say it worked.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:12 pmVarious trolls like Not-So-Terrific Jones are flocking to this thread.
LOL! Well done you little TPcop.
What trolls? I don’t see any other trolls in this thread not to mention seeing them “flocking” here.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:12 pmAnd it’ll cost $6 Billion, be delayed in construction, and will have to be demolished before ever being used, due to shabby workmanship and substandard materials.
Comment by Marcus Aruelius — August 2, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
Do you still think it’ll cost $6 Billion, be delayed in construction, and will have to be demolished before ever being used, due to shabby workmanship and substandard materials?
Comment by r — August 2, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
Nah, this is ONE time I knew it was bs. I just wanted to get under your skin. From the amount of info you took the time to dig up, I’d say it worked.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — August 2, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Heh,
The Republic of Stupidity called Marcus Aruelius comments bs.
Why can’t we all just get along?
Heh.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:17 pm#5
Try Thinking, who knows you might even be able to answer your own inane questions….
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:21 pmBack in April, a fuel truck explosion wrecked a critical bridge overpass in the Bay Area. At the time, it was predicted that it would take many months to restore the overpass, but the Governator came up with the funding to provide sufficient incentive to the contractor to have the project finished in weeks.
Privatizing roads is such a wonderful idea, though. We could call them, um, “toll roads”. We should also privatize firefighters, too. It’s just so damn inefficient the way it’s done now. And police, of course. Private police forces sounds really great.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:26 pmgreat ideas gummitch. We’ll just buy stock in those companies. Then watch the profits rise. Sell before any investigations and we’ll be set. Just like Enron.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:31 pmAnd police, of course. Private police forces sounds really great.
Comment by gummitch — August 2, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
Oh yeah. No further probing of the robbery at your home until you fulfill our bill…
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:33 pmmaybe we could have “toll sidewalks” too
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:33 pm#105 maybe we could have “toll sidewalks†too
Comment by dim wit — August 2, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
And toll office buildings. To pay for having a job.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:35 pmNah. That’s not my cup of tea. I don’t want to risk my life for money.Comment by Terrific Jones — August 2, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
You cowardly chickenhawks never do…
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:35 pmAnd it’ll cost $6 Billion, be delayed in construction, and will have to be demolished before ever being used, due to shabby workmanship and substandard materials.
Comment by Marcus Aruelius — August 2, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
Do you still think it’ll cost $6 Billion, be delayed in construction, and will have to be demolished before ever being used, due to shabby workmanship and substandard materials?
Comment by r — August 2, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
Nah, this is ONE time I knew it was bs. I just wanted to get under your skin. From the amount of info you took the time to dig up, I’d say it worked.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — August 2, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Heh,
The Republic of Stupidity called Marcus Aruelius comments bs.
Why can’t we all just get along?
Heh.
Comment by r — August 2, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
Hello, r. It’s good to have you back at TP.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:36 pmComment by gummitch — August 2, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
This was done in Florida about 10 years ago. A fuel truck severely damaged a bridge on I-75. Several beams were designed, cast, and delivered and the bridge was reopened in about 30-35 days. Florida law gives the Transportation Secretary emergency spending powers in such a circumstance.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:36 pmAnd toll office buildings. To pay for having a job.
Comment by Evil Spaniard — August 2, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
Lets not forget no air or water for you until you pay your air and water fees!
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:36 pm#106 Nah. That’s not my cup of tea. I don’t want to risk my life for money.Comment by Terrific Jones — August 2, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
You cowardly chickenhawks never do…
Comment by JonesIsntTerrific — August 2, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
They prefer to risk the lives of others for money…
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:36 pmComment by r — August 2, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
Hello, r. It’s good to have you back at TP.
Comment by Gorgias — August 2, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
Till now he was only Gogias…
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:37 pmHey TP censor – why’d they leave you behind?
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:38 pmISLAMABAD (AFP) – Pakistan accused Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama of “sheer ignorance” for threatening to launch US military strikes against Al-Qaeda on Pakistani soil.
“Such statements are being made out of sheer ignorance,” Pakistan’s Minister of State for Information, Tariq Azeem, told AFP. “They are not fully apprised about the ground realities and not aware of the efforts by Pakistan.”
Look, Tariq, in the US it is good to threat other countries. It gives such a security feeling about the whole thing.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:39 pmComment by gummitch — August 2, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
Marcus Licinius Crassus owned a private firefighting company in 1st Century (BC) Rome.
Whenever a fire broke out, his crew would stand in the street while he bought the house. If the owner wouldn’t sell, the house burned down; if he did sell, he would begin renting the house from Crassus.
Crassus owned a lot of real estate.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:39 pmAnd toll office buildings. To pay for having a job.
Comment by Evil Spaniard — August 2, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
Lets not forget no air or water for you until you pay your air and water fees!
Comment by JonesIsntTerrific — August 2, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
We’re almost there, the air is the only left…
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:39 pmLets not forget no air or water for you until you pay your air and water fees!
Comment by JonesIsntTerrific
I agree, no more free rides for breathers.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:41 pmComment by r — August 2, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
Hello, r. It’s good to have you back at TP.
Comment by Gorgias — August 2, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
Till now he was only Gogias…
Comment by Evil Spaniard
Nice one!
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:41 pm#114 Comment by crassus — August 2, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
Nero and Crassus, a match made in heaven (?).
If only they had been contemporaneous…
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:42 pmNero and Crassus, a match made in heaven (?).
If only they had been contemporaneous…
Actually, they are today — only they have changed their names to GDumbya and Darth Cheney.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:46 pmRepublican “leadership” caused the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Governor Pawlenty (R) vetoed bipartisan legislation to provide additional funds to repair Minnesota’s road system.
http://www.planetizen.com/node/18910
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:55 pm#119 Nero and Crassus, a match made in heaven (?).
If only they had been contemporaneous…
Actually, they are today — only they have changed their names to GDumbya and Darth Cheney.
Comment by Tom — August 2, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
Sometimes, I hate reincarnation. Too bad Brutus is serving time now as a cockroach, probably.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:57 pm#120 Republican “leadership†caused the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Governor Pawlenty (R) vetoed bipartisan legislation to provide additional funds to repair Minnesota’s road system.
http://www.planetizen.com/node/18910
Comment by Republicans Can’t Govern. — August 2, 2007 @ 2:55 pm
So much for fiscal responsability
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:58 pm“Governor Pawlenty (R) vetoed bipartisan legislation to provide additional funds to repair Minnesota’s road system.”
– Governor Pawlenty commented this morning: “Oh, fuuuuuudge!” Except, he didn’t say “fudge.” (credit to A Christmas Story)
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:00 pmSo much for fiscal responsability
Comment by Evil Spaniard — August 2, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
This is the very definition of Republican Fiscal values. Rumsfeld didn’t want to pay for a large enough force to occupy Iraq, just like Pawlenty didn’t want to pay to repair the roads properly. What do you get in both cases? A collapse that could have been avoided, but once happens is difficult to repair and can’t take back all of the unnecessary deaths.
Yet another failure of leadership, and fiscal irresponsibility of the cheap out republicans.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:52 pm# 120 Governor Pawlenty (R) vetoed bipartisan legislation to provide additional funds to repair Minnesota’s road system.
Comment by Republicans Can’t Govern. — August 2, 2007 @ 2:55 pm
On one hand, I see nothing but the neocon idea that we can provide more with less – cut taxes and still get our government services – coming home to roost.
But according to first-draft.com, the bridge got a 50 of 120 score; considering the age of the bridge, I dont’ see that as so bad and basically see that as compatible that it wasn’t spanking new and had some things that needed to be followed and would eventually need fixing – with the decraease in highway spending, there are a lot of bridges out there that score worse.
What I don’t understand it that the WhiteHouse Press spokesman, Tony Snow, apparently made some rather strong statements placing the blame on the local state govt (who has a repub governor who has been touted as a possible presidential contender). Without the facts in, it seems rather cavalier to make such a strong statement – especially against someone of the same party. So what did the governor do to tick off Shrub ?
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:11 pmAstounding. And they continue to hold their heads high.
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:26 pmAnd I hope Al Franken holds this up to the voters every time he can. His opponent, Normy Coleman has continually voted with BushCo to block ANY expense that hasn’t gone to the illegal occupation.
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:47 pmTheres a name for this.
Its called “Profiteering”, and people used to get thrown into prison for it.
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:49 pmComment by BARTLEBEE — August 2, 2007 @ 5:49 pm
Yeah, well… for launching wanton wars of aggression, political leaders used to wind up in front of an international court of justice. Not anymore.
You have such a pre-9/11 mind set…
/sarcasm off
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:05 pmFor Wayne:
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/02/three-former-bush-aides-to-testify-in-tillman-inquiry/#comment-3983099
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:09 pmCrassus owned a lot of real estate.
Comment by crassus — August 2, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
Is this where the wrod “crass” comes from?
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:24 pmTaxpayers dollars at work and how fast the White House responds. Katrina Storm victims waited five days with Americans begging for help as thousands died because the White House and FEMA were waiting.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:39 pmBridge collapses and less then 24 hours the White House and FEMA are there with help and money for recovery. Every effort is made to help all those people needing help and recovery of those in the water.
Now that we see the difference between how the White House and FEMA can respond when they want to. I guess the young singer was right after all with his comment about George W. Bush. The proof is in the response. Now I hope those Katrina victims remember to continue paying their taxes so if there another disaster the White House quickly come to help.
“Overall, about 7.4 percent of Katrina contracts so far have gone to small businesses in Louisiana, down from 12.5 percent in April, according to the committee.
“At this point, I would expect less lip service and more action,” Velazquez said. “The testimony does not focus on specific and measurable ways to include these local small businesses in the rebuilding effort.”
Specifically what qualified small businesses are being left out?
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:10 pm“Katrina Storm victims waited five days with Americans begging for help as thousands died because the White House and FEMA were waiting.
Comment by Jackie — August 2, 2007″
The question is why didn’t these people leave when they were told the storm was coming?
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:13 pmThe question is why didn’t these people leave when they were told the storm was coming?
Comment by michael
Where were you when all this was going on?? Many of them had no cars and the public transportation shut down.
And no matter, why didn’t the BushCo Scumbags do anything, like send water, food and emergency services. (Other than a few Coast Guard copters, who were superb).
Because your “hero” didn’t give a shit! They were all poor and it was a Dem state. He was too busy being on vacation in Crawford and playing air guitar in San Diego.
I hope you and your family get into trouble some time and have to depend on this busnh of assklowns to help you out!
You are one pathetic individual!!
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:32 pm“Where were you when all this was going on?? Many of them had no cars and the public transportation shut down”
They had a couple of days notice! Don’t hand me that crap about no cars, most people in NY have no cars. If a deadly storm was bearing down on you and your family and the officials told you to get out, would you be stupid enough to ignore them? They were!
“Other than a few Coast Guard copters, who were superb”
Oh? Is this a liberal opportunity to say something nice about our military? A time out from comparing them to Nazis (Durbin) or terrorists (Kerry)!
“You are one pathetic individual!!”
You want pathetic? I submit yourself, Durbin, and Kerry!
Comment by upside00 — August 2, 2007
August 3rd, 2007 at 12:00 amI seem to remember one Sen. Lieberman getting all up about the whole Katrina issue, right before the election. He seems to have been strangely silent on this issue ever since.
Strange and mysterious.
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:02 am“I seem to remember one Sen. Lieberman getting all up about the whole Katrina issue, right before the election. He seems to have been strangely silent on this issue ever since.
Strange and mysterious.
Comment by Loonie — August 3, 2007″
And your point?
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:35 amThe joy of smaller government and tax cuts:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/bridge_safety
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:33 amIs this where the wrod “crass†comes from?
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — August 2, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
So I’m told.
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:48 ammost people in NY have no cars
Comment by michael — August 3, 2007 @ 12:00 am
And your point?
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:01 amI wonder if the folk of Minnesota will be better treated by the crooked insurance companies (and courts) than these poor Katrina victims?
August 3rd, 2007 at 12:31 pm“these poor Katrina victims?
Comment by sophgogs — August 3, 2007″
How were they treated?
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:07 pmComment by michael — August 3, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
Perhaps you’re not aware of the wind damage claims that insurance companies called flood damage and refused to pay.
It is certain that slowly rising floods, such as occurred in New Orleans, can damage only the part of a house that is below the highest elevation attained by the rising water. The part above the water – like the roof and the second floor – could only have been damaged by wind.
It is equally certain that 140 mph winds tearing at a house for an hour or two, like in Mississippi, would do considerable damage before the water ever arrived, regardless of the later elevation of the water. The wind would make the house more vulnerable to the later flood.
Any rational person must conclude that every structure insured against wind damage has a valid claim, perhaps less than 100%, but valid nonetheless.
August 3rd, 2007 at 4:41 pm