# $18 billion to rebuild, what gives you a right to claim it?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-billion-to-rebuild-what-gives-you-a-right-to-claim-it/218606>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [December 12, 2003, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-billion-to-rebuild-what-gives-you-a-right-to-claim-it/218606 "2003-12-12T15:51:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-billion-to-rebuild-what-gives-you-a-right-to-claim-it/218606/41 "2003-12-13T03:10:36Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by SeekingTruth \*  
> \*\*Bucko, you got me there WE. I bow to your infinite wisdom. I am forever humbled, what address shall I send my tax bill? \*\*

I’m not sure how to break this to you **SeekingTruth** , but **World Eater** just handed you your ass on a platter, and this is probably just about the weakest retort in the history of the boards.

Salute, **World Eater**.

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**Author:** ![mske](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@mske](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mske)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-billion-to-rebuild-what-gives-you-a-right-to-claim-it/218606/42 "2003-12-13T03:16:42Z")

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**SeekingTruth** please answer this. Whose interests do you think is more important - the U.S. taxpayer or the Iraqi citizenry. One or the other please.

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**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-billion-to-rebuild-what-gives-you-a-right-to-claim-it/218606/43 "2003-12-13T03:23:44Z")

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Ot bonus option C: The share holders of Halliburton?

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**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-billion-to-rebuild-what-gives-you-a-right-to-claim-it/218606/44 "2003-12-13T03:38:02Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by SeekingTruth \*  
> \*\*As a taxpayer (maybe I’m alone here?) I want my money to go to the 60-plus countries that supported us in usurping power from a wanna-be Hitler. Slam me if you will, but I want my money going to countries that support eradicating rapists. \*\*

How many times are you gonna compare him to Hitler? You’ve already done ot twice in this thread.  
You know it makes you look like an idiot, right?

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**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-billion-to-rebuild-what-gives-you-a-right-to-claim-it/218606/45 "2003-12-13T06:26:14Z")

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All you guys that want “other” companies and countries represented in Iraq should ask yourselves, **WHY??**.  
It`s not fuckin` Aruba over there.  
Employees of said companies are going to be targets.  
Millitary (to protect above employees) from other countries are going to be targets.  
This aint no fun.

You complain now, but wait and see what a pain in the ass it will be to get any work done at a profit and no loss of life at that.  
Even if it would be profitable for my company, count me out.

Besides, since when should the work always go to the low bidder?? Usually the contractor (the US in this case) throws out the extreme bids and takes the contractor they feel is the most competent anyway…someone in the middle.

Since the US has control over the accepted bids, France, Germany, Russia, would just be wasting their time.  
Maybe it`s good we tell them up front not to even bother.

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