Special Post-Election Halliburton Thread: MSM Satellite Trucks in Alexandria, Virginia

[CorpGovActivist]

Dear DUers:

As I type this, I am unexpectedly clean-shaven, sitting in a coffee shop in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia, guzzling the good stuff that - with any luck - will keep me going for a few hours more.

You see, on a tip from a friend, I discovered that Old Town is flooded with MSM (from around the world), eager to cover the inevitable Allen concession. The scuttlebutt at the satellite trucks is that Allen's grasping at straws.

As my friend suggested, the MSM producers seem very interested in receiving copies of the letter that I sent to Senators Byrd and Rockefeller, spelling out why I don't trust Senator Allen to conduct a good faith investigation into my Halliburton allegations: http://www.halwhistleblowers.org/

Literally, there are trucks from European news organizations' Washington bureaus, as well as the American MSM. The guy on MSNBC is wearing a pinstripe suit, and does his own make-up touchups before going back on camera. (I've been here for a couple of hours now, waiting for producers and on-air personalities to make the necessary phone calls to have their departments research a few facts.)

The European news orgs seem particularly interested in TSKJ. (For details, please see the Halliburton threads in my journal.)

If nothing else, I hope to snag a few producers' cards, to provide them with additional materials to substantiate the claims.

REAL oversight hearings in the Senate hang in the balance here in Virginia.

As Edmund Burke said: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=all+that+is+necessary+good+men+do+nothing

Old Town is all of 20 minutes away from where I live.

Keep your fingers crossed. Even if no on-air time occurs, just the simple fact that some of these organizations now have a small press kit could bear fruit.

- David A. Smith, Editor of www.HALwhistleblowers.org and www.BushBunglesBrigade.org
(not to be confused, ever again, with David R. Smith, the as-yet-unindicted VP of Tax at Halliburton)

[TAPat]

1. CGA - Way to go! Keep us posted... nt

[CorpGovActivist]

2. I'm Mainlining Coffee at This Point

; )

But how convenient is this?!?

- Dave

[CorpGovActivist]

3. P.S. The Longer Felix Fumbles...

... the longer I have to give the MSM more materials.

- Dave

[Coexist]

4. ,

[stop the bleeding]

5. timing is everything

it also helps to "know" people in this world

The reign of witches is passing over us

[CorpGovActivist]

6. Right Place, Right Time...

... and a humanities degree is worth something, after all.

; )

- Dave

[radfringe]

7. Heee-Haaawww

I can almost feel Cheney's "health problems" re-emerging, followed by his resignation...

[CorpGovActivist]

9. Northern Virginia...

... ain't a bad place to live.

; )

It's like living in the 'burbs of ancient Rome, at the height of the Roman Empire.

- Dave

[stop the bleeding]

12. I use to go mountain biking in Fauquier county all of the time

along with some much needed hiking in the hills as well.

cough cough - spent some college days in Richmond at VCU :D

[CorpGovActivist]

16. Pretty Countryside...

... a lot of the old "horse country" has disappeared in the latest building boom.

VCU? Journalism?

- Dave

[stop the bleeding]

24. VCU? Journalism?

No I majored in partying

the degree(s) are held by my spouse, but I am the one who makes all of the $$$, she doesn't even work, still pursuing post graduate degrees - how did that happen???? LOL

[CorpGovActivist]

27. LOL...

I knew a VCU student - great journalism program.

; )

- Dave

[radfringe]

18. I just had to wipe down my monitor ... thanks

"It's like living in the 'burbs of ancient Rome, at the height of the Roman Empire."

reminds me of a conversation my mother had with her hairdresser. The hairdresser was from Italy, my mom's parents immigrated here from Italy (my mom was born the day after the boat landed)

ennywho - they were discussing various things about Italy.
The hairdresser asked what part of Italy her parents were from

mom: My mother is from Monte Grosse d'Asti (this is a small village above Asti), and my father's from Torino

hairdresser: Ohhh, northern Italy, where I'm from in Palarmo we say nothing north of Rome is really Italy

mom: really? where my parents are from they don't consider anything south of Rome to be civilized...

[CorpGovActivist]

21. That's FUNNY...

... isn't it funny how those regional prejudices crop up?

JFK said of DC: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=kennedy+washington+is+a+city+of+southern+efficiency+and+northern+charm

I do a rebel yell every time I drive back back south of the Mason-Dixon!

; )

- Dave

[DemReadingDU]

28. Cheney's ticker is tocking, LOL

[KittyWampus]

8. Hope you have your lucky socks on.

[CorpGovActivist]

10. Funny You Should Say That...

... I deliberately mismatched them.

; )

- Dave

[conscious evolution]

35. sorta like the

Man with one red shoe?

[Ignis]

52. Careful, FAUX may pan down to your socks.

You know, to show your lack of credibility. :)

Keep up the great work, Dave!

[CorpGovActivist]

53. It Could Be MUCH Worse...

... when I first started making the rounds on Capitol Hill, a small group of staffers in one office had me in; this one young lady kept staring at - well - let's just say I got very self-conscious, and kept thinking, "You are soooooooo barking up the wrong tree."

When I got home, I discovered that I'd done the whole meeting unzipped.

I had to laugh. She'd been trying to clue me in.

- Dave

[Ignis]

57. LOL! I'd say you made quite an impression on her.

Did she drop any hints? You know, "time flies," "keep it under wraps," "I can see clearly now"...?

:)

[CorpGovActivist]

58. It Was Classic...

... Midvale School ...

; )

- Dave

[Ignis]

59. PUSH HARDER!

I once had an interview with a Big 4 consulting firm, only to discover afterwards that a pigeon had apparently taken a large dump on my shoulder on the walk to the office. You'd think someone would point it out, but noooooooooooooooo, everyone just kept a Stepford Smile plastered on their faces.

Ah well, if these things didn't happen, we wouldn't have great stories to share. :)

[CorpGovActivist]

60. That's Considered Good Luck...

... although I have no earthly idea why.

- Dave

[Ignis]

62. Good luck for the bombadier pigeon, maybe.

But then again, since the consulting firm in question was the #5 of what is now (post-Enron) called the Big 4, maybe it was good luck after all. :)

[CorpGovActivist]

63. And Then There Were...

... I suspect one more may be embroiled soon.

- Dave

[Ignis]

65. Oooh, really? That give me a giggle or three.

Having worked in that industry for years now, I'll shed no tears to watch another corrupt firm get dragged down in to the muck because they CHEATED for a corrupt client.

My first guess would be the one that starts with a K and ends with a G, but feel free to PM me with the correct answer. ;)

[CorpGovActivist]

66. Most American Stockholders Fail to Understand Audit v. Non-Audit Work...

... and the perverse incentives to turn a blind eye on the audit work, to get the inside track on the more lucrative non-audit (e.g., consulting) work.

- Dave

[Ignis]

That's an incredibly important point.

The fox/hen-house analogy is spot on.

It never ceases to amaze me that we 1) allow corporations to police themselves, and 2) allow the corporations to bribe their own "police force" with lucrative off-duty consulting jobs.

Something's gotta give, I say.

[CorpGovActivist]

68. Sarbanes-Oxley II, and PCAOB Read the Riot Act

That's the ticket.

- Dave

[Ignis]

70. Can you believe they tried to water down SOX this year?

"Too restrictive to competition" my Aunt Fanny!

Personally, I think that it's going to take more whistleblowing heroes like YOU to make an impact. Most Americans don't understand what really happens at the C-level, but a few leaked emails full of contempt, corruption, and graft should wake them up.

...Assuming the MSM cares to run with the ball that's been graciously handed to them, of course.

[CorpGovActivist]

73. "Too restrictive to competition my Aunt Fanny!"

Right there with ya!

"Personally, I think that it's going to take more whistleblowing heroes like YOU to make an impact. Most Americans don't understand what really happens at the C-level, but a few leaked emails full of contempt, corruption, and graft should wake them up."

Some C-levels treated e-mail like a cone of silence. Dumb.

"...Assuming the MSM cares to run with the ball that's been graciously handed to them, of course."

My faith is intact on that score. There are some true journalists left.

- Dave

[Ignis]

77. "There are some true journalists left."

Sure, but Greg Palast is banished to the UK and Jim Hightower has been marginalized. :)

It's pretty scary to think how anyone 30+ was raised in an era of journalistic integrity, fact-finding, and whistleblowing--so it's painfully difficult to come to terms with the insidious level of corporate greed/pandering and oligarchy that have infected the domain of Cronkite and Murrow. If you can't trust the 4th Estate, what's the point of it's existence?

My greatest hope is that the MSM will take off the kid gloves now that the America people have clearly shown that they really do care about Democracy and Justice, not just American Idol and Survivor. Your posts regarding your conversations with journalists keep that hope alive.

[CorpGovActivist]

78. I Think We Can All Expect to Hear...

... a lot more coming out of the MSM now.

- Dave

[lazyriver]

11. CGA - I'm looking forward to the day when

you can remove "the as-yet-un" from your signature line. Keep up the great work and stay safe.

[CorpGovActivist]

19. I'll Change It To...

... "as-yet-unconvicted," then!

LOL.

- Dave

[Gwerlain]

13. Have fun...

pass out lots of "small press kits." Remember, you are contributing to reporting of FACT as opposed to "balanced reporting."

[CorpGovActivist]

22. Those Small Detours...

... in life, huh?

The day after any election, I'm supposed to be curled up with the data, pot of coffee and sweats.

- Dave

[gratuitous]

14. Awww gee; you Democrats aren't going to get all vengeful and stuff, are you?

I mean, was it really that bad, having to hold hearings-that-aren't-hearings in broom closets and boiler rooms? We didn't think you'd mind having industry write environmental and pharmaceutical regulations. Okay, so some people died from bad prescription drugs and a few acres of wilderness got turned into wasteland, but it was kind of a, you know, a joke. Like Kerry botched his joke? You said we should all forgive and forget Kerry's joke, right?

Well golly, now you're going to get all investigatory about war profiteering and illegal wars? C'mon! What's a little corruption? It's not like anybody you knew personally died. Oh yeah? Sorry about that. But jeez. Come onnnnnnn. Lighten up, cancha?

[CorpGovActivist]

23. Mercy...

... is meted out by Federal judges in our system.

; )

- Dave

[conscious evolution]

36. not necessarily

May God have mercy on your soul.

[Blackhatjack]

46. (Looking) Cannot find 'mercy' in sentencing guidelines ...

.... oh that's right, they took it out when they assigned minimum mandatory sentencing, especially for small amounts of illicit drugs. Gotta lock 'em up, and throw away the key ..... unless you are Rush Limbaugh!

[CorpGovActivist]

47. So Glad You Spiked That Meme!!!

; )

- Dave

[Patsy Stone]

15. All the best, CGA.

:toast:

[Javaman]

17. Just think how moron* and his room full of dopes are trying to keep

allens nuts in a vice.

moron*: you little fucker, you better not concede!!! I will rip your heart out and eat it!

allen: but mr. prez, I lost, I can't continue like this...

moron*: you little shit, when I say jump, you say how high on the way up, you got me???!!!

allen: it's obvious I lost sir...

moron*: it was obvious I lost in 2000 and 2004, but you didn't see me wailing like a loser...

allen: in 00 the supreme court illegally appointed you and in 04, you fixed the vote...

moron*: screw you, you have to play dirty to win, you little scummy excuse for a politician...

allen: now wait a minute...

moron*: no you wait a minute buster, you stay the fucking course or I will have your nuts in a cocktail, you hear me??

allen: yes, sir...

[CorpGovActivist]

25. As Long As Those Satellite Trucks Are Parked in My Hometown...

... Allen's fumble of the concession speech will provide opportunities.

: )

- Dave

[spuddonna]

20. Fingers crossed, toes crossed...

I'm a human knot! Good luck! I hope you make good contacts and that the truth spreads like Kudzu! :7

[CorpGovActivist]

29. Kudzu?!?

KBR Kudzu Committee filing: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1269476/000126947606000006/0001269476-06-000006-index.htm

Others: http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?company=smith+david+allen&CIK=&filenum=&State=&SIC=&owner=include&action=getcompany

- Dave

[spuddonna]

32. BWAHAHA!

You know I've read a lot of these postings, but I'll need a new coffeepot to get thru all them!

So, do you think Conyers will be the Chairman of the Kudzu Committee? :7

[CorpGovActivist]

40. I Think That Conyers Is a Top Contender...

... for that gavel.

: )

- Dave

[TornadoTN]

26. Give em' Hell, David!

Glad to hear you are getting involved in your own special way out there in the Allen campaign. Hopefully your story gets picked up and mentioned in the context of this concession - you may very well be the tipping point!

[CorpGovActivist]

30. For Want of a Nail...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=for+lack+of+a+nail

- Dave

[CorpGovActivist]

31. Back in a Bit...

; )

- Dave

[yodermon]

33. When you get back...

... any bets on the length of darth cheney's remaining time in office? ;)
Rummy was a wonderful harbinger (although his replacement makes me :eyes: )...

[CorpGovActivist]

41. Is Elaine Chao Out Yet?

I've been news-less most of the day. Is Elaine Chao out yet?

- Dave

[w4rma]

34. You rock. Thank you. (nt)

[Blackhatjack]

37. Was wondering where you would turn up next! ... LOL

I'll bet Allen knows your name, and your game.
Wonder if it will factor into this decision whether to push for a recount.

Hard to know what to do when you are facing investigation and possible indictment, with so many press around pressuring you for a decision.

I now believe he will decline the recount route. Chances of success really small, and it would put him squarely in the crosshairs of press coverage that could switch topics in a heartbeat.

[CorpGovActivist]

42. Allen's Arrogance and Abramoff Amnesia...

... created incredible opportunities today. Someone should really pick up the red phone to KKKarl and tell him that Allen should concede, post haste.

; )

- Dave

[Blackhatjack]

43. "The red phone" --I like that! Reminds Me of the USSR/USA hotline...

Don't you know Karl Rove is aware of Allen's neck deep corruption.

They are trying to figure out a way to 'swing' this election, and keep Allen's dirty laundry hidden. A challenge for even Rove.

Hope those DOJ investigators are paying close attention....

[CorpGovActivist]

45. KKKarl Cannot See...

... the chessboard correctly at this level. He's out of his depth, and the Senate will go Dem.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=one+night+in+bangkok+lyrics+chess

"I don't see you guys rating
The kind of mate I'm contemplating"

- Dave

[AntiFascist]

38. Very cool, Cheney should consider resignation n/t

[ArbustoBuster]

39. Go get 'em! n/t

[CorpGovActivist]

44. The Day after...

... the elections will never mean the same after today, as far as my routine is concerned!

: )

- Dave

[CorpGovActivist]

48. Foreign Press "Take" on Allen - Sore Loser

The foreign press correspondents I heard were hitting hard on the "sore loser" theme.

Allen is making Virginia look bad not only here, but overseas now.

- Dave

[Blackhatjack]

49. I'm Convinced Allen Does Not Care, And All He Remembers...

... all those skewed glowing reports that he would be the next Repub nominee for President.

He thinks he still holds that same position in the public eye after all his screwups.

[Blackhatjack]

50. Q: Does the Foreign Press Get the Corruption/Fraud Angle w/ Allen?

I would think they do, just very careful to document it before reporting on it.

[CorpGovActivist]

54. Meticulous Fact-Checking ...

... and big picture instincts.

- Dave

[stepnw1f]

51. Man DO I Want to See These Criminals Get Nailed

I am watching...

[in_cog_ni_to]

55. Interesting!

Keep up the good work and BE CAREFUL!

[CorpGovActivist]

56. The MSM Overseas Really ...

... took a keen interest in Allen, all of a sudden.

- Dave

[Blackhatjack]

61. I think you hit on the diff b/t domestic & foreign MSM....

The foreign MSM comes into a US story viewing it as part of the 'big picture' of the United States. Their viewers try to put everything reported into a big picture of the US as a whole. Our press does the same thing overseas. We rarely view any part of China as having internal differences with the ruling party. We just look at the "China" as an entity.

In the Allen case, I would think they are trying to link his 'hijinks' to Bush to give their viewers the perspective of a big picture US. If he cannot be linked directly to Bush, they would have a harder time explaining to their viewers how it affects US 'Government."

[CorpGovActivist]

64. They Seem Endlessly Fascinated...

... by a non-parliamentary system. In many of their countries, yesterday would have meant a new PM.

So, they are at pains to explain to their viewers the nuances of why holding onto the Senate is so vital to the GOP, and why capturing it would be so welcome to the Dems.

Allen's obstinate attitude in refusing to concede threatens to hand the Dems a brand new avenue via which to break corruption stories.

- Dave

[Blackhatjack]

69. I'll bet they understand Bush's arrogance, blaming everyone else... LOL

It is refreshing to see a different perspective on our system and our President.

We may not be impartial, but they see it exactly for what it is.

[CorpGovActivist]

71. It's Nice to Get Their View on Things...

... for sure.

It was a day well-spent.

- Dave

[bobbolink]

67. Thanks for hanging in there!

How ya doing?

I think I"d be shaking in my boots, so I appreciate your perserverance.

:applause:

[CorpGovActivist]

74. "How ya doing?"

I'm tired. I'm hungry. I want to laugh and cry at the same time. I'm overjoyed.

How are you?

"I think I'd be shaking in my boots, so I appreciate your perserverance."

The tears keep welling up in my eyes. The oversight hearings are going to happen!

- Dave

[lildreamer316]

72. On top of it as usual! Kudos!!!

Thanks for keeping us so well informed!!

[CorpGovActivist]

75. Thanks...

... it's a lot to take in, huh? Both houses!!!

- Dave

[lildreamer316]

76. It dosen't seem real yet.......

I think I will be partying this weekend and it will sink in..........

[in_cog_ni_to]

79. Have you seen this article? Here's a paragraph that may interest you.

Halliburton waste to be investigated...by a NEW committee and possible an independent commission. I wonder what this will lead to? ;)

House Democrats say they plan to set up a new committee next year focused on uncovering abuses in defense spending and policies, and possibly an independent commission to investigate waste and fraud associated with the billions of dollars spent to rebuild Iraq. Implementing unfulfilled recommendations by the 9/11 commission _ such as plugging holes in airport security _ is also on their agenda.


http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2006/11/09/517011.html

[CorpGovActivist]

80. It Was Merely a Matter of Gavels...

... all along.

- Dave