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Jack Murtha's Nephew Smells Like Bacon

TexasBred

Well-known member
In the wake of the swine flu pandemic, we have another pork-related story for you.

When a new Democratic administration came into power with ample support in Congress, most hallmarks of the previous Dick Cheney-led government were cast aside. Torture, Guantanamo Bay prison, espousing personal religious beliefs in international doctrines... all gone.

But one major Cheney nugget has remained. The grand tradition of the no-bid contract.

But since the Democrats are running the show now, the no-bid contracts aren't necessarily steered toward the usual suspects like Halliburton and their offshoot, KBR.

Instead they're going to relatives of Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA)...

[L]ast year, Murtech received $4 million in Pentagon work, all of it without competition, for a variety of warehousing and engineering services... Murtech's most striking feature is its owner -- Robert C. Murtha Jr., 49. He is the nephew of Rep. John P. Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who has significant sway over the Defense Department's spending as chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee.

And remember, much of that $4 million came specifically from no-bid contracts...

Robert Murtha Jr. says the no-bid arrangement was "the government's choice" and occurred because the government "got itself in a bind."
Although the younger Murtha is persistently reticent when asked exactly what it is his company does in exchange for that $4 million, we're sure it's a bargain. After all, in federal government terms, $4 million is like one of those store coupons whose actual cash value is 1/20 of a cent.

And it could be worse. The government could have given young Robert Murtha $150 million worth of pork to build and maintain a completely worthless airport in rural Pennsylvania-- an airport that got first dibs on the stimulus package passed earlier this year.
But young Robert never pitched the idea, so his Uncle Jack just had to give the taxpayers' money to someone else.
 

TSR

Well-known member
TexasBred said:
In the wake of the swine flu pandemic, we have another pork-related story for you.

When a new Democratic administration came into power with ample support in Congress, most hallmarks of the previous Dick Cheney-led government were cast aside. Torture, Guantanamo Bay prison, espousing personal religious beliefs in international doctrines... all gone.

But one major Cheney nugget has remained. The grand tradition of the no-bid contract.

But since the Democrats are running the show now, the no-bid contracts aren't necessarily steered toward the usual suspects like Halliburton and their offshoot, KBR.

Instead they're going to relatives of Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA)...

[L]ast year, Murtech received $4 million in Pentagon work, all of it without competition, for a variety of warehousing and engineering services... Murtech's most striking feature is its owner -- Robert C. Murtha Jr., 49. He is the nephew of Rep. John P. Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who has significant sway over the Defense Department's spending as chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee.

And remember, much of that $4 million came specifically from no-bid contracts...

Robert Murtha Jr. says the no-bid arrangement was "the government's choice" and occurred because the government "got itself in a bind."
Although the younger Murtha is persistently reticent when asked exactly what it is his company does in exchange for that $4 million, we're sure it's a bargain. After all, in federal government terms, $4 million is like one of those store coupons whose actual cash value is 1/20 of a cent.

And it could be worse. The government could have given young Robert Murtha $150 million worth of pork to build and maintain a completely worthless airport in rural Pennsylvania-- an airport that got first dibs on the stimulus package passed earlier this year.
But young Robert never pitched the idea, so his Uncle Jack just had to give the taxpayers' money to someone else.

"Last year Murtech received 4 million......"
Am I missing something here?? Obama's 100th day in office has just been on the news, so last yr. who was in the WH? And yes, there are crooked/greedy Dem's just as there are Rep's.
 

Mike

Well-known member
Obama's 100th day in office has just been on the news, so last yr. who was in the WH?

I have been waiting on this comment. I just knew someone would come up with the "Bush's Fault" excuse for Crooked Congressmen to be feathering their nests. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
one major Cheney nugget has remained. The grand tradition of the no-bid contract.
But since the Democrats are running the show now, the no-bid contracts aren't necessarily steered toward the usual suspects like Halliburton and their offshoot, KBR.

Just makes the taxpayer ripe for the picking--and gave a license to steal...
 

Mike

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
one major Cheney nugget has remained. The grand tradition of the no-bid contract.
But since the Democrats are running the show now, the no-bid contracts aren't necessarily steered toward the usual suspects like Halliburton and their offshoot, KBR.

Just makes the taxpayer ripe for the picking--and gave a license to steal...

I could have sworn that Clinton entered in to some No-Bid contracts with Halliburton during some military exercises in Europe? :???:
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Mike said:
Oldtimer said:
one major Cheney nugget has remained. The grand tradition of the no-bid contract.
But since the Democrats are running the show now, the no-bid contracts aren't necessarily steered toward the usual suspects like Halliburton and their offshoot, KBR.

Just makes the taxpayer ripe for the picking--and gave a license to steal...

I could have sworn that Clinton entered in to some No-Bid contracts with Halliburton during some military exercises in Europe? :???:

I don't doubt it- Does that make it right in your eyes then :???:

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
~President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his farewell address to the nation
 

Mike

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
one major Cheney nugget has remained. The grand tradition of the no-bid contract.
But since the Democrats are running the show now, the no-bid contracts aren't necessarily steered toward the usual suspects like Halliburton and their offshoot, KBR.

Just makes the taxpayer ripe for the picking--and gave a license to steal...

You wouldn't possibly be trying to change the subject to take the heat off of Murtha would you? :roll: :lol: :roll:
 

TexasBred

Well-known member
Am I missing something here?? Obama's 100th day in office has just been on the news, so last yr. who was in the WH? And yes, there are crooked/greedy Dem's just as there are Rep's.

Yes you're missing something......He is the nephew of Rep. John P. Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who has significant sway over the Defense Department's spending as chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Mike said:
Oldtimer said:
one major Cheney nugget has remained. The grand tradition of the no-bid contract.
But since the Democrats are running the show now, the no-bid contracts aren't necessarily steered toward the usual suspects like Halliburton and their offshoot, KBR.

Just makes the taxpayer ripe for the picking--and gave a license to steal...

You wouldn't possibly be trying to change the subject to take the heat off of Murtha would you? :roll: :lol: :roll:

Murtha- Smurtha-- means nothing to me....Another one of those old grey haired farts that should have been gone long ago...

Its just too bad GW/Cheney never read Ikes farewell address ...

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
~President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his farewell address to the nation
 

TexasBred

Well-known member
I could have sworn that Clinton entered in to some No-Bid contracts with Halliburton during some military exercises in Europe? :???:

You mean like this:

Reader comment on:
Clinton Chides Halliburton For Relocating
Submitted by George Spitz, Mar 13, 2007 04:49


Richard Cheney assumed the top position at Halliburton soon after leaving the Department of Defense following the 1992 defeat of George W. Bush. Surprisingly, the new President, William Jefferson Clinton, rewarded Halliburton with substantial no bid contracts for work previously done by the US Army Engineers. Other favors by Clinton to the Bush family included retention of Bush patronage employees, notably Linda Tripp in the Department of Defense where she met notorious Clinton patronage appointee Monica Lewinsky.

Hillary Clinton is correct in being critical of Halliburton for its lack of gratitutde for the no-bid contracts, which they continue to receive. But no-bid contracts are bad under any circumstances, costly to the government and corrupting to the political process.
 

TSR

Well-known member
Mike said:
Obama's 100th day in office has just been on the news, so last yr. who was in the WH?

I have been waiting on this comment. I just knew someone would come up with the "Bush's Fault" excuse for Crooked Congressmen to be feathering their nests. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

But Mike, you didn't put in the last sentence of my post. I don't like crooks regardless of party but the larger the take, the worse the crook, imo especially with politicians.
 
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