Krugman: A Deliberate Debacle (Mentions PNAC in passing, and the hawks)

[La_Serpiente]

A Deliberate Debacle
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: December 12, 2003

James Baker sets off to negotiate Iraqi debt forgiveness with our estranged allies. And at that very moment the deputy secretary of defense releases a "Determination and Findings" on reconstruction contracts that not only excludes those allies from bidding, but does so with highly offensive language. What's going on?

Maybe I'm giving Paul Wolfowitz too much credit, but I don't think this was mere incompetence. I think the administration's hard-liners are deliberately sabotaging reconciliation.

Surely this wasn't just about reserving contracts for administration cronies. Yes, Halliburton is profiteering in Iraq — will apologists finally concede the point, now that a Pentagon audit finds overcharging? And reports suggest a scandal in Bechtel's vaunted school-repair program.

But I've always found claims that profiteering was the motive for the Iraq war — as opposed to a fringe benefit — as implausible as claims that the war was about fighting terrorism. There are deeper motives here.

more...

Deliberate Debacle

[izzie]

1. So it is this Leo Struss thing.

Powell has lost the day I fear and world rule is with us with Bush leading us down the slimy path. No one has held on to it. We should be educating our pop for jobs not trying to rule the world. God does not look at us as blessed believe me.

[ze_dscherman]

2. Dupe

This article is already discussed here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=25427

[dennis4868]

3. Hey Paul....

the motive for this so-called war was for profiteering and for nothing else. Take a look at the Defense Policy Board that recommended war in Iraq.....all those members have close ties to major companies that have been given contracts in Iraq. 60 Minutes did a piece on this very issue.......disgusting!